Windows Phone Thoughts: Up and Running with iPAQs at the 2004 Boston Marathon

"HP is providing the technology to track every registered participant at the 108th running of the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon, and plans to make race information instantly available to fans, friends and family worldwide via the Internet. The official technology sponsor of the Boston Marathon for the 10th consecutive year, HP specially redesigned and optimized the HP Athlete Search System for this year's race, which will be held on April 19.

The HP Athlete Search System is powered by a state-of-the-art wireless network that uses industry-standard HP ProLiant servers, HP iPAQ Pocket PC handheld devices and HP ProCurve networking products on the Verizon Wireless National Access wireless data network to provide participant updates at designated sites along the marathon route and at the finish line. Race participants will attach a tiny computer chip to their shoes or wheelchairs that will transmit their location as they cross stationary sensor mats at regular checkpoints.

For participant location updates, spectators along the racecourse are encouraged to approach any one of the 75 HP volunteers who will be clearly identified in blue and white top hats with the words Ask Me About Your Runner. Armed with HP iPAQ Pocket PCs, the volunteers only need a name or bib number in order to provide an instant update of the participant's nearest checkpoint location." According to another HP press release, "More than 4,600 questions about runners were answered in 2003; with twice as many iPAQs, the volunteers' capacity to respond to spectator requests for information will double this year."

Talk about a cool use of wireless and mobile technology! Kudos to HP for making it all possible. Although there's no mention of the flavor of iPAQ they'll be using, my guess is that it'll be a member of the 4xxx family. 8)