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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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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
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
shoes to communicate with each other and every mp3 player out
there.
shoes to communicate with each other and every mp3 player out
there.
Fancier pedometers have additional functions.
The Nike/iPod unit may have merit, but other devices have been doing that for years.
Fancier pedometers have additional functions.
The Nike/iPod unit may have merit, but other devices have been doing that for years.
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.
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.
side overkill? Or maybe it's a Brand Manager's wet dream.
side overkill? Or maybe it's a Brand Manager's wet dream.
If I am jogging, I already know what distance im going, burning calories doesnt mean anything unless ur a fat ass who inturn would rather be sitting in a park bench distracted by just one more device to leverage the power of his hunger for another candybar.
"Convieniance store in 1 minute, calories burned 1"
Didnt a company already do this that has a range of gadgets to complement the need? So I guess this is the first armsttrong has seen to take everyone to the next "level"
-State of Mind-
If I am jogging, I already know what distance im going, burning calories doesnt mean anything unless ur a fat ass who inturn would rather be sitting in a park bench distracted by just one more device to leverage the power of his hunger for another candybar.
"Convieniance store in 1 minute, calories burned 1"
Didnt a company already do this that has a range of gadgets to complement the need? So I guess this is the first armsttrong has seen to take everyone to the next "level"
-State of Mind-
make your music keep tempo with the speed of your running or
walking. That would be neat, I have always want some songs to
play a bit faster or slower... The downside is that if you
slowdown for a hill or something your upbeat motivational rock
song might turn into a slow dance...
Mike
Founder-Switching to Mac
http://www.switchingtomac.com
make your music keep tempo with the speed of your running or
walking. That would be neat, I have always want some songs to
play a bit faster or slower... The downside is that if you
slowdown for a hill or something your upbeat motivational rock
song might turn into a slow dance...
Mike
Founder-Switching to Mac
http://www.switchingtomac.com
- Nike tried this before
-
by sanjayb
May 27, 2006 6:42 AM PDT
- I believe Nike tried this before with one of the Rio MP3 players. This player I think had the built in software to due all the things that they are trying to do now. The only problem at the time was that the Rio Mp3 player only had 256 MB storage. It wasn't much of a player overall.
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