Selfloops Accessory Brings ANT+ Capability to Over 400 Million Active Android Smartphones
Selfloops Accessory Brings ANT+ Capability to Over 400 Million Active Android Smartphones
Cochrane, Alberta – July 2, 2013 - Selfloops, an Android-based innovation company, and ANT+™, the world’s leader in ultra low power (ULP) wireless technology, have announced the release of the Android ANT+ Accessory - a smartphone charger that enables Android connectivity to the ANT+ ecosystem of sport, fitness and health products. The Android ANT+ Accessory allows the millions of existing Android devices (with versions 2.3.4 and higher) to display data such as heart rate, foot speed and distance, bike speed, power and cadence from any certified ANT+ sensor. This links Android applications to the millions of available ANT+ products manufactured by top brands such as Garmin, Timex, and Geonaute.
“We’re extremely excited to now offer this innovative accessory to consumers,” said Selfloops co-founder, Christian Del Rosso. “This is the only smartphone accessory that will enable ANT+ in Android devices with versions 2.3.4 and higher, which covers over 85% of the Android installed base. Existing solutions only cover Android 3.1 and upward (43% of the installed base) so we are thrilled to offer a device that brings ANT+ to the mass population of Android users.”
The Android ANT+ Accessory connects to an Android device via USB and also functions as a charger, extending the battery life of a connected smartphone. The accessory adheres to the Android USB Accessory Protocol and supports devices that do not have USB OTG (on-the-go) capabilities.
“The Android ANT+ Accessory has created a new innovative category of devices we call ‘smart’ smartphone chargers,” added other Selfloops co-founder, Piero Ribichini. “In this case, the accessory enables ANT+ in the majority of existing Android devices all while charging the phone at the same time.”
“It’s very evident that consumers want ANT+ in their smartphones,” said ANT Wireless Vice President, Rod Morris. “We’re pleased to have an ANT+ Alliance Member bring a product to market that gives existing Android app developers and users an option to connect to ANT+.”
Applications created using the official Android ANT APIs from ANT Wireless will automatically be compatible with the Selfloops Android ANT+ Accessory. Selfloops has developed two ANT+ Android apps (Selfloops and Selfloops Group Fitness) that are currently available on the Google Play Store.
The Selfloops Android ANT+ Accessory is available at a cost of $115.00 USD and can now be pre-ordered at www.selfloops.com/products/accessories.html. The device is expected to start shipping in October.
For more information on the Selfloops Android ANT+ Accessory and its capabilities, visit www.selfloops.com.
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About ANT / ANT+ (www.thisisant.com)
ANT is a proven protocol and silicon solution for ultra-low power (ULP) practical wireless networking applications. With over 60 million devices in the market, ANT+ facilitates interoperability between ANT+ devices and the collection, automatic transfer and tracking of sensor data. Applicable in sport, wellness management and home health monitoring, ANT+ (built on the base ANT protocol) defines device profiles that specify data formats, channel parameters and network keys. The ANT+ Alliance is an open special interest group of companies who have adopted the ANT+ promise of interoperability. The Alliance ensures standardized communications through optimized brand value and partnerships with other top tier products.
The company behind ANT Wireless is Dynastream Innovations Inc. (www.dynastream.com). Dynastream was established in 1998 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. in December 2006. Dynastream is based in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, and is a world innovator in the research and development of inertial and wireless technology.
ANT+ Product Directory (www.thisisant.com/directory)
The ANT+ Product Directory is a complete inventory of all ANT+ certified or verified products. It is a tool designed specifically to help consumers source hundreds of industry-leading devices and all compatible products within the vast ANT+ ecosystem. Devices may be searched by product name, brand, activity or product category, allowing the consumer to create a monitoring system that meets their specific needs.
For further information on how the directory works, please visit:
www.thisisant.com/directory/d/getting-started.
About Selfloops (www.selfloops.com)
Founded by Christian Del Rosso and Piero Ribichini, Selfloops is an Italian company with innovation at its core. Their mission is giving people that are serious about sports and fitness the tools to track and analyze their activity to help them be in control on how to improve. The company has more than ten years experience in the world of technology and smartphones, and a passion for sports and execution. The key features of Selfloops include an advanced platform to analyze fitness activities and to manage or coach a team, a telemetry platform for single or group of athletes, smart accessories to enhance the capability of smartphones.
