So Xamarin is running a contest for Beacon ideas (see http://blog.xamarin.com/contest-what%e2%80%99s-beggin%e2%80%99-for-a-beacon/)… and I have one. Don’t know what a Beacon is? Beacons are small unobtrusive devices that use Bluetooth technology to transmit signals to mobile devices, enabling location- and context-aware apps.

My idea is simple: outfit a workout facility’s exercise machines with individual beacons, and let customers download an app that recognizes each beacon and brings up recommendations for the machine (exercise form, customer’s history, reps, weight, setup notes, timing, etc. Once the user is complete with their exercise, provide buttons for easy taps to record the set… and provide that ever-important tracking data for next time.

Perhaps gameify the app to challenge the customer to raise the bar (pun intended). The app could also couple with customer’s exercise band to record the exercise effectiveness, and provide on-demand personal-intelligence charts and graphs… plus audio prompts (BlueTooth earphone privacy?) to enable the customer to gauge their exercise pace and proximity to goal. Couple that with opt-in for automated social sharing.

It all starts with the tap of the mobile device on the first beacon (or maybe a beacon at the sign-in desk?)

Sounds cool, eh?

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