The two companies announced on Tuesday they are jointly developing a wireless system so some Nike shoes embedded with a sensor can communicate with Apple's iPod Nano music player to track a runner's performance and help choreograph songs to the moment.
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which will be available in two months at $US29, has already won an endorsement from Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong (isn't he a cyclist?)
The co-branded kit comes with a sensor that fits inside compatible Nike footwear - sold separately (yes the bastards still make you buy the shoes!) - and a wireless receiver that attaches to the iPod. Data on running time, distance, pace and calories burned would be stored on the iPod, which could then display the information on-screen or deliver it audibly through headphones (I wonder if it puffs from exertion too?). After the workout, the data also could be automatically sent to a personal runner's log at the new nikeplus.com website whenever the music player is synchronised to Apple's iTunes program. The iPod will also incorporate a new "Power Song" feature, so a user can instantly queue up a piece of music for extra motivation at the push of a button. I think this is my favourite feature, imagine doing your 45 minute run and then when you round the corner for the last stretch home "click" and the theme from Chariots of Fire starts blaring out! How cool would that be? The $US100 Nike+ Air Zoom Moire shoe will be the first footwear designed to talk to the iPod, and more are planned.... hopefully something that looks better than this...
The Nike+iPod Sport Kit will be available in a few months here for about $49, RUN out and get one...boom boom!
5 comments:
What an excellently geeky reason not to go for a run - "my iPod's not communicating with my shoes"
I would also say that this looks a bit old-hat compared to one of these... http://www.garmin.com/products/forerunner305/#
There's rumours that their next model may even give you a shiatzu massage afterwards.
But they don't seem to be able to do Chariots of Fire! There is much to be said for co-ordinating your music with your running....who really cares about the heart monitors, timings, calories burnt etc..that's just silly numbers stuff.
Add GPS to that list with full downloadable maps of where you've been and how fast you were going on each bit.
For motivation there's a virtual training buddy which runs at a set pace, it's up to you to keep up with him. I'm actually rather happy it doesn't play chariots of fire.
I think it should deliver electric shocks of increasing voltage to your sensitive parts if you lag behind. That will sell for sure!!
Yes I can see that working as a motivational thing
Post a Comment