the new iphone is bad news for the quantified self movement

Ashkan tweeted that the new iPhone will have a Fitbit-style accelerometer, enabling (presumably) Fitbit-style applications:

IPhone5S now has M7 (fitbit style) sensor so app makers can track user's activities — i.e number of steps taken http://t.co/wIzIU5FRCv

— ashkan soltani (@ashk4n) September 10, 2013

Tell me if this is crazy:

* Software is a more competitive market than hardware.
* Standardizing accelerometer hardware (assuming Android device makers hop on board, too) will gut the market for devices like Nike Fuel, Fitbit, etc.
* There’ll be much stronger demand from consumers for data portability across services/interfaces/apps.
* All of this means thinner profit margins for fitness tracking firms.
* A smaller pie means less hype (this is the one I’m least sure about)

Maybe this isn’t bad news — it depends on your perspective and hopes for QS. More people will be using these pedometers, after all. It’s just that it’ll be clearer that they’re pedometers.

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