Nike runs with an iPod

By Candace Lombardi
Staff Writer, CNET News.com Published: May 23, 2006 12:06 PM PDT

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Your Nikes can now talk to your iPod.

Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs and Nike CEO Mark Parker on Tuesday unveiled new products that connect the Nike+ Air Zoom Moire, a new running shoe outfitted with a sensor and receiver, with an iPod Nano to report running data in real time and track joggers' progress.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which will be available through the Apple Store in about three months, is expected to cost $29.

"Information on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on the iPod and displayed on the screen," according to a statement released by Apple. This information is also reported via iPod users' headphones as they run.

Runners can program a particular workout into their iPod Nano using "The Nike+ Experience" software, available July 13. While running, a woman's voice will inform runners of their progress. When the workout is done and the iPod is synced with the runner's computer, progress is charted.

The announcement took place at a New York event with Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France bicycling champion, who is training for his first New York City Marathon.

"If you can incorporate time, distance and calories burned together, and make it function for both the fitness runner and the high-level athlete, it will take working out to a whole other level," Armstrong said in a statement.

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36 comments (Page 1 of 3)

Nice!
by edgedesign May 23, 2006 12:36 PM PDT: Great idea! Another hurdle for Apple competitors.; Reply to this comment

Nice!
by edgedesign May 23, 2006 12:36 PM PDT: Great idea! Another hurdle for Apple competitors.; Reply to this comment

OK, $29 Is Below the Threshold of Pain ...
by Joe Blow May 23, 2006 1:44 PM PDT: so I'm probably going to try it out (I wonder if it can be returned if it doesn't meet my expectations after being in a sweaty running shoe, as long as I wore socks, like you're required to wear underwear under a clothing in order to be able to return it? ). I also wonder how much material has to be gouged out of a non-Nike shoe in order for the sensor to fit? I have a pair of very nice cycling shoes that this sensor might fit into, and even if Nike ever does offer a cycling shoe with a pocket for the sensor, I'm most likely never going to buy it. At least Nike had the smarts to realize that they would make a lot more money selling sensors that can be inserted into any shoe, than limiting sale of sensors to only those in their own shoes. Give the people that came up with that idea, and those who approved it, a big bonus, tied directly to the volume of sales of the sensors. Just for fun, I'm going to check on-line and see what the costs of such a sensor, the likely piezoelectric/inductive power generator (assuming and hoping it doesn't use something like a watch battery), the receiver/processor, Nano docking connector, etc. I'm almost certain I couldn't buy just the parts in unit quantities for $29, much less an integrated, ruggedized product (the sensor has to survive a humid, high G force, chewing-dog environment that may also include being left outside in freezing and/or sweltering weather, and possibly running in the surf), not to mention the software that needs to run on the Nano. Finally, is the docking connector on the Nano different from the one on the Video iPod (which I just bought)? Is there any reason why this system wouldn't work on a Video iPod (the software should download and run the same, modulo getting the receiver connected). I sure hope Apple didn't paint themselves into a corner in this regard, but it just seems like one of those things they usually find so tempting to do, and they may try to do that if they think Nano sales need a boost. I will not support that kind of short-sighted decision, if that's what they've done, and I hope that others who share this opinion make it abundantly clear that it't completely unacceptable, in that case. All the Best, Joe Blow; Reply to this comment View reply
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OK, $29 Is Below the Threshold of Pain ...
by Joe Blow May 23, 2006 1:44 PM PDT: so I'm probably going to try it out (I wonder if it can be returned if it doesn't meet my expectations after being in a sweaty running shoe, as long as I wore socks, like you're required to wear underwear under a clothing in order to be able to return it? ). I also wonder how much material has to be gouged out of a non-Nike shoe in order for the sensor to fit? I have a pair of very nice cycling shoes that this sensor might fit into, and even if Nike ever does offer a cycling shoe with a pocket for the sensor, I'm most likely never going to buy it. At least Nike had the smarts to realize that they would make a lot more money selling sensors that can be inserted into any shoe, than limiting sale of sensors to only those in their own shoes. Give the people that came up with that idea, and those who approved it, a big bonus, tied directly to the volume of sales of the sensors. Just for fun, I'm going to check on-line and see what the costs of such a sensor, the likely piezoelectric/inductive power generator (assuming and hoping it doesn't use something like a watch battery), the receiver/processor, Nano docking connector, etc. I'm almost certain I couldn't buy just the parts in unit quantities for $29, much less an integrated, ruggedized product (the sensor has to survive a humid, high G force, chewing-dog environment that may also include being left outside in freezing and/or sweltering weather, and possibly running in the surf), not to mention the software that needs to run on the Nano. Finally, is the docking connector on the Nano different from the one on the Video iPod (which I just bought)? Is there any reason why this system wouldn't work on a Video iPod (the software should download and run the same, modulo getting the receiver connected). I sure hope Apple didn't paint themselves into a corner in this regard, but it just seems like one of those things they usually find so tempting to do, and they may try to do that if they think Nano sales need a boost. I will not support that kind of short-sighted decision, if that's what they've done, and I hope that others who share this opinion make it abundantly clear that it't completely unacceptable, in that case. All the Best, Joe Blow; Reply to this comment View reply
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French require all shoes to talk to each other
by holycow May 23, 2006 1:57 PM PDT: Yes but now the French in their zeal for interoperability will want all shoes to communicate with each other and every mp3 player out there.; Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
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French require all shoes to talk to each other
by holycow May 23, 2006 1:57 PM PDT: Yes but now the French in their zeal for interoperability will want all shoes to communicate with each other and every mp3 player out there.; Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
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Pedometers Already Do That
by john55440 May 23, 2006 2:19 PM PDT: The inexpensive New-Lifestyles (YAMAX) brand pedometer I use counts steps, miles, and calories. Fancier pedometers have additional functions. The Nike/iPod unit may have merit, but other devices have been doing that for years.; Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
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Pedometers Already Do That
by john55440 May 23, 2006 2:19 PM PDT: The inexpensive New-Lifestyles (YAMAX) brand pedometer I use counts steps, miles, and calories. Fancier pedometers have additional functions. The Nike/iPod unit may have merit, but other devices have been doing that for years.; Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
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Very Cool!
by ssmiroldo May 23, 2006 4:24 PM PDT: Very impressed! Have you all visited Apple's site and checked this out ( http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html ). They have examples of what it sounds like and how it works. Apple keeps coming up with some fantastic innovations. Melding the basic functions of an iPod with benefits and uses for what that iPod may be used for.; Reply to this comment

Very Cool!
by ssmiroldo May 23, 2006 4:24 PM PDT: Very impressed! Have you all visited Apple's site and checked this out ( http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html ). They have examples of what it sounds like and how it works. Apple keeps coming up with some fantastic innovations. Melding the basic functions of an iPod with benefits and uses for what that iPod may be used for.; Reply to this comment