There have been several new "gearhead-oriented" apps recently introduced that can be put on the new Apple iPhone, and here is one more. It's called the gMeter, a name which appears to be a "spin" on the Apple devices in that the second letter in the name is capitalized. One of the unique advantages of the gMeter is that it also works on the iPod Touch as well as the iPhone. That alone should make this very popular, as there are a gazillion iPods out there.
Of interest to me is that the inventor is Craig Hunter, who has long been a member of the "Subaru Crew" here at Edmunds. Craig, who's other job is with NASA, and he is literally a "Rocket Scientist."
From the web site: gMeter is an app that turns the iPhone and iPod Touch into a vehicle performance computer. By using the onboard accelerometer in these devices, gMeter can measure forward and lateral g forces and use this data to compute acceleration, velocity, and distance traveled. gMeter is setup to compute performance for timed distance (1/4 mile or 400 meter), timed speed (0-60 mph or 0-100kph), or timed braking (60-0 mph or 100-0 kph), and offers a hands-free automatic start feature (based on vehicle motion). gMeter also offers a full manual mode.
gMeter can display data and compute performance in US or metric units, and data from performance runs can be saved and e-mailed right from the device. The software has a calibration mode used for setup, and offers a correction to account for vehicle pitch under acceleration and deceleration.
It is available through iTunes App Store and costs $8.99. More info can be found here.
bbechtel16 says:
06:00 AM, 08/ 4/08
Correction: This app will work with the iPhone and the iPod TOUCH (an iPhone w/o the phone). Don't expect to be able to put this on your "regular" iPod, as it doesn't have an accelerometer, and hence would be useless. Not that you would be able to install it in the first place...
Also...eff the new site! I had to retype the above comment because after I hit submit, the site "forgot" that I was logged on, and told me to log on. I hit back, hoping to salvage my typing, and it was gone. This isn't the first time that happened to me either.
Bob Holland says:
06:14 AM, 08/ 4/08
Fixed! Thanks. :)
firstwagon says:
10:53 AM, 08/ 4/08
Sounds very interesting. I'd love to see a test of it againest the professional equipment magazines use.
ateixeira says:
11:02 AM, 08/ 4/08
Way to go, Craig.
I'm going to send this to my buddy who has one of the new iPhone 3Gs.