Technogym machines with iPod (iPhone) dock

Question

Level 3

545 points

Technogym machines with iPod (iPhone) dock

In my new gym they have Technogym cardio machines with a built-in iPod dock.

When giving the tour the first day, they advised against using an iPhone with those docks, because one of their members apparently had a problem with his iPhone after doing this, and he had to send it in for repairs. No details were given, of course, but I thought iPod docks should also work with iPhones as well, and not 'destroy' them?

Does anyone have either positive or negative experiences using an iPhone in a Technogym cardio machine?

For those wondering why I would want to do that: besides the advantage of having a charged iPhone+/+iPod at the end of your workout, the cardio machine also uploads Nike+ information to your device (not just for treadmills, but also for cycling; stepping etcetera).

MacBook Pro 13" 2.26GHz (June 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.4), iPhone 4, Time Capsule 500GB, Airport Express, iPod shuffle 512MB, iPod nano 8GB

Posted on Sep 18, 2010 4:04 PM

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Answer 1

deggie

Level 10

167,525 points

Sep 19, 2010 9:04 PM in response to Martijn

Apparently some models are iPhone compatible. Check their web site to see if your gym's equipment matches:
http://www.technogym.com/gb/viewdoc.asp?co_id=4049&target=home

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Answer 2

Martijn Author

Level 3

545 points

Sep 19, 2010 9:41 PM in response to deggie

On that site I can only find the newest equipment they offer, and the ones in my gym are a couple of years old.
And regardless of the compatibility Technogym claims: I'm more interested in user experiences, that's why I ask here.

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Answer 3

Martijn Author

Level 3

545 points

Sep 23, 2010 4:49 PM in response to Martijn

Meanwhile, I heard back from *Technogym Benelux*:

They haven't heard of any broken iPhones or iPods caused by using their machines. They sent me a nice - be it a little bit out of date - overview of the usability of the different functions using different iPods/iPhones on their machines:

(Larger version in PDF)

So for some reason, no Nike+ for iPhones. 😟

And even worse: when specifically asked about the +iPhone 4+, they told me it will not charge because it uses a different current!

So I guess I will keep on using my 4th generation +iPod nano+, which seems to be compatible with every function.

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Answer 4

GiuliaV

Level 1

0 points

Oct 4, 2010 7:27 AM in response to Martijn

Dear Martijn,

Thank for pointing this out. We are sorry for the delay in replying, but we discovered your questions last week.

Here our explanations, organized for points:

1)Iphone Compatibility (Recharging Battery): the docks work with ipod and all iphones except iphone 4G and 3G ipod. We are currently working in order to update the docks of our future cardio equipment.

2)Iphone Compatibility (PLAY&CONTROLL): our docks are fully compatible with the following models: Ipod 4th generation, Ipod 5th generation, ipod Classic, ipod mini, Ipod nano, Ipod Nano 4G, Ipod Touch 1G&2G, Iphone 3G.

We also support the new ipod classic 120/160 G, iphone 3GS, iphone 4, ipod touch 3G and 4G, nano 5 (nano 6 excepted). As far as Ipad is concerned, unfortunately at the moment it’s not possible to use it. With some newest models it might happen to see the “This Device is not compatible” messagge, but our compatibility is extended to them as well.

3) Nike +: this functionality is available for all ipod and iphone models. Please remember to update your iphone/ipod on itunes.

4) Iphone/Ipod Rupture: we have never received a feedback of this kind from any customer. If you remove your iphone from the dock while you are still training it’s possible that it can freeze. To get it unfrozen you have to restart it.

We hope we replied all your questions. Do not hesitate to ask for more information.

Kind Regards

Giulia

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Answer 5

Martijn Author

Level 3

545 points

Oct 5, 2010 3:13 PM in response to GiuliaV

Hello Giulia,

I suppose you speak on behalf of Technogym ?

So if I understand correctly, the information I received from *Technogym Benelux* is correct in regard to my +iPhone 4+, except that it WILL work with Nike+ ?

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Answer 6

GiuliaV

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2010 8:45 AM in response to Martijn

Hi Martin,

Correct I am Giulia from Technogym HQ.

Yes, it will work with iPhone4 including the Nike+ app.

The only thing you cannot do is recharging your iPhone 4 because it requires more power than previous versions, our machines do not support that yet.

If you have more questions I am happy to help you!

Cheers

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Answer 7

Martijn Author

Level 3

545 points

Oct 8, 2010 3:53 PM in response to GiuliaV

I gave it a try yesterday, and actually the only thing it did WAS charging my iPhone... 🙂

At first, the Technogym machine recognized my +iPhone 4+ as an iPod, and the screen to choose a song/playlist/album/podcast/video popped up. I didn't check it out straight away (wanted to see what was on tv instead), but after a while the incompatible accessory message popped up on my iPhone screen. When I did check the iPod functions on the cardio machine, my device seemed empty (but it wasn't, of course).

In the end, no Nike+ data was uploaded to my phone.

I must admit that I don't have the paid Nike+ app installed, only the one that comes pre-installed on iPhones. But that shouldn't make a difference for the iPod functionaly?

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Answer 8

Martijn Author

Level 3

545 points

Oct 8, 2010 3:57 PM in response to Martijn

Oh, and I had to take off my Bumper to be able to fit it in the dock, so that was another thing that would prevent me - and probably other people that would like to keep their iPhone protected in a gym - from using it very often during work-outs with Technogym machines.
Something to keep in mind for the next version of the iPod docking station in Technogym machines?

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Answer 9

GiuliaV

Level 1

0 points

Oct 12, 2010 2:15 AM in response to Martijn

Dear Martijn

We have been running tests in our R&D dept and tried to recharge & play an iPhone4 and an iPhone 3GS inside an Active Wellness TV + Docking iPod (can you confirm this is the model available in your gym?).

Apart from the display message we already talked about, we have never encountered the problem you raised.

Please make sure that you insert the iphone correctly inside the dock. It's easy to do it wrong.

Nike+ is native for iphone and you don't have to buy or upgrade anything.

At the moment it's not possible to insert your iphone with its bumper, but we hope to do it in the next improvements. For the moment, thanks for the tip.

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