Huntington Woods, Michigan – Marvel Apps today is pleased to introduce iSwingSpeed 1.0 for iOS, their new sports app that calculates the speed of the user’s golf swing in either miles per hour or kilometers per hour. To operate, the user places their iPhone flat on the ground, approximately 27 inches behind the ball in the swing path of the club (the iPhone is 4.5 inches long, so six phone lengths works perfectly). Employing the iPhone’s built-in mic, the app measures the speed of the swing to an accuracy of plus or minus 4 MPH at speeds up to 140 MPH. The user need not pre-set the app; speed is displayed automatically following every swing.
The scientific literature on the physics of golf balls, golf swings, and golf clubs is surprisingly rich, and dozens of physical factors and variables may come in to play. Interestingly, the golf ball once hit, travels faster than the maximum speed of the club due to elasticity effects. “We at Marvel Apps, exhaustively tested the algorithm for 6 months with various clubs, balls, placements of the iPhone, and radar guns. An accuracy of +/-4MPH was achieved for our swings at the GolfSmith driving dome, comparing iSwingSpeed readings to GolfSmith readings. Above 140MPH we observed +/-6MPH. We are working feverishly to improve the accuracy.”
Though the algorithm is proprietary and patent pending, it would seem that iSwingSpeed carefully clocks the exact time of the two loudest sounds during the swing: as the club passes over the iPhone mic, and as the club strikes the ball. By accounting for the speed of sound in air, and various iPhone device behaviors, it is possible to calculate the club’s speed between the time it passes over the iPhone mic and the time it hits the ball.
The app functions indoors or outdoors, however accuracy is reduced during windy days. Regarding driving ranges, iSwingSpeed detects the club head on one user at a time and is not influenced by neighboring golfers.
Feature Highlights:
* Very simple set up
* Large, easy to read speed numbers
* Improves golf game by providing instant feedback
* Accurate to +/-4MPH under ideal conditions
* Operates automatically, no reset required
* Swing speed can assist golfers in shot and club selection
* Determine optimum swing speed for best distance
* iSwingSpeed v2.0 for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPad available December 2010
For the golfer seeking to enhance their game and gain a better understanding of their unique swing, the app will prove an excellent training tool. In addition, golfers can become accustomed to their half swing compared to their quarter swing. Knowledge of their optimal swing speeds with various clubs will allow players to increase distance and accuracy, and make better club selections.
“Devices which measure the speed of a golf swing this accurately are typically thousands of dollars,” commented CEO Michael Antaran. “Our development team has really achieved a breakthrough with iSwingSpeed.”
Device Requirements:
* iPhone 3G
* iOS 4.1 or later
* 3.7 MB
Pricing and Availability:
iSwingSpeed 1.0 is only $1.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Sports category. Review copies are available upon request.
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iSwingSpeed 1.0
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Based in Huntington Woods, Michigan, Marvel Apps, LLC is a small independent software team reformed in 2010 by a pair of Chrysler engineers Michael Antaran and Michael Bonne seeking success in mobile apps. Marvel Apps’ mission is to create the best user experience in technologies such as mobile devices, web development, and applications. Copyright (C) 2008-2010 Michael Antaran. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.