Just in case you were out-of-the-loop, back at the end of May Nike and Apple announced there partnership and new product line of sports related iPod devices and accessors the biggest being Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This kit consists of a small digital pedometer/accelerometer sensor which connects wirelessly to a small receiver that plugs into the iPod Nano (yes, this system only works with Nanos (yes, they are just screwing you for more money))
So what do all these gizmos do? Fist off they act as an advanced pedometer keeping track of distance, speed, and pace. This information also interacts with the music play lists on your iPod to deliver custom tunes to give you the extra help you need for that last mile or help you cool down. It can also play Nike made training content to help beginners and people in training. All you data is stored on the pod during your run then can be synced to iTunes and the nikeplus website which has all kinds of crazy graphics, stats and records pages and also has the popular feature of online running groups and communities all free of charge. In only 10 weeks nikeplus runners have racked up over 1 MILLION MILES! A distance is the equivalent to circling the world more than 40 times. Nike said some of the top times so far include: 27 minutes and 43 seconds for a 10k run, and 13 minutes, 47 seconds for a 5k run. Meanwhile farthest total distance achieved by a single runners is reported in excess of 600 miles.
These are some great amazing features for a device that only costs around $30 retail. But there is a catch, yes not only do you have to own a iPod nano, which many runners all ready do. But you must also buy a nike+ shoe that is special made to hold the small pedometer/accelerometer sensor, these shoes running in price from $85 - $110 a pair. $85 bucks isn’t too bad for running shoes but the problem is that serious runners are very loyal to there shoes and Nike is not known for high quality running shoes.
But wait there is a solution…shoe hacks. A running and iPod enthusiasts over at Podophile has come up with several ways to get accurate sensor information with out using Nike+ shoes. The first hack being attaching the sensor to your shoe tongue with Velcro. In short, Velcro the sensor to the bottom of your shoe tongue right where the lace start so you have both the Velcro and the laces holding the sensor in place.
The second method for using non-nike+ shoes is by using shoe pouches. There are several on the market including a small pouch made by Marware and sold by Dr. Bott that goes for about $15-20 (that are always sold out). Another option includes using Nike’s own “shoe wallet” which you can most likely find in a local retail store for under $10.
Shoe Hack
Shoe Hack Waterproofing
Shoe Wallet
Marware CasePurchase the Marware case via Dr. BottsNike+ Sport Kit Release via AppleInsider
1 Million Miles via AppleInsider
NikePlus Official Site
Purchase the Nike+ Sport Kit
Technorati Tags:nike+, ipod, nano, running, walking, simplehiker, shoehacks, podophile, apple, exercise
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T Peterson Says:
November 2nd, 2006 at 12:19 amVisit T Peterson
If by screwing you again you are refering to having to buy a nano in addition to the full size iPod you already have then no they are not screwing you. They are actually doing you a favor. It only works with nanos because the are flash based. The full size iPod is hard drive based and if you have ever tried to jog with a full size iPod then you know why a device designed for joggers does not work with a hard drive based player. After a mile or two (depening on your running style) the iPod locks up. I tried once with a 30 G photo and it just kept shuffling with out playing the songs. A nano can take the movement and a full size can’t. Not jogging, running or hiking with your full size iPod could actually make it last a little longer.