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November 11, 2009 2:50 PM PST

Junk-metal Nikes only a geek could love

by Sharon Vaknin
  • 3 comments

Humans have a nasty habit of producing and accumulating garbage, but Gabriel Dishaw, a junk-metal genius from Carmel, Ind., turns trash into artwork. His most recent pieces were inspired by his love of Nike shoes, as he fashioned five different kicks, including dunks and high tops.

Dishaw's shoes are collages of otherwise potentially useless hardware salvaged from computers, typewriters, and metal scraps. His work is meticulous, as it takes him up to several weeks to complete one pair of shoes and an accompanying carrying case for storage.

Though the sculptures are aesthetic replicas of real Nike shoes, they are far from wearable. His latest pair, Blazer Pentium 1.0 (named for Intel chips), weighs 15 pounds--and we're guessing the shoes don't have arch support.

See our photo gallery of Gabriel Dishaw's Nike-inspired junk art.

July 15, 2009 3:26 PM PDT

Rain won't stop Nike from checking your performance

by Mats Lewan
  • Post a comment

Cross heavy rain off your list of excuses for not getting outside to see if you've improved your running performance.

Nike+ Sportband

The Nike+ Sportband's two-tone wristbands now come in gray-pink, gray-yellow, or black-red.

(Credit: Nike)

A new version of the Nike+ Sportband--an armband that gives runners real-time information on distance, pace, time, and calories burned--now comes with a welded seal to improve water resistance, a feature that seems to be a market trend.

The new version also has a screen with a white background to enhance visibility. It goes on sale Wednesday for $59.

Nike+ Sportsband works much like the Nike + iPod Sports Kit, but with a separate armband instead of the media player communicating with the sensor that's fitted into the running shoe.

Runners can upload their stats to NikePlus.com, which recently merged with nikerunning.com. Accounts can now be personalized, and there's also a social-network feature for communication with other runners.

An alternative for those who don't want the sensor in the shoe, or maybe are not into running but cycling or skiing, are smartphone applications such as RunKeeper, using the phone's in-built GPS for tracking.

July 10, 2009 12:06 PM PDT

RunKeeper + iPhone: Better than Nike + iPod?

by Rick Broida
  • 16 comments

RunKeeper provides useful info as you run, then uploads it to the RunKeeper site.

Can I gush? RunKeeper is the coolest freakin' iPhone application ever. OK, maybe not for everyone, but it's definitely the coolest for runners, hikers, bikers, and anyone else interesting in tracking their outdoor activities.

Let me explain. This summer the running bug bit me hard, and I'm now running farther and faster than in years past. Consequently, I've grown interested in determining my pace, distance, total run time, and so on.

My first thought was to get Apple's Nike + iPod, which is reasonable at $29--but incompatible with my iPhone 3G. Plus, I didn't want to have to buy a pair of Nike+ shoes or "hack" the Apple sensor to latch onto my own shoes.

Quite by accident, I discovered RunKeeper Free, which leverages the iPhone's built-in GPS to track duration, distance, pace, speed, and more.

All this happens in real-time as you run, but where it really gets cool is at the end: When you tap Save Run, RunKeeper quickly uploads that data to the eponymous Web site, where you can track all your runs and get very specific information about each (such as how fast you were going at any particular point along the way). You also get to see your exact route on a map. It's really, really cool.

You can, of course, play your music while RunKeeper is running, and the app recently added integration with Facebook and Twitter (for those who like to crow about their runs).

I wasn't sure I wanted to carry my relatively big, bulky iPhone with me when I was accustomed to something Shuffle-size. But it happened to fit just perfectly in an old Zune armband case, and obviously, it's great to have both a phone and a GPS with me in case of emergency.

I'm using ad-supported RunKeeper free, which suits me fine. There's a $9.99 Pro version that offers audio cues and support for custom workouts (based on time, distance, and so on)--closer to what you get from Nike+iPod.

If you're a runner, I can't recommend this application highly enough.

Originally posted at iPhone Atlas
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog.
May 18, 2009 11:05 AM PDT

The 404 344: Where we burn our memory bras in protest

by Justin Yu
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Justin's new roommate.

(Credit: The Horror Dome)

Man, we're never going to have a complete show again. With Wilson in Boston visiting his newborn son, we invite Natali Del Conte back on the show, where we disgust and delight her with stories about gravity-defying bras, sleeping with rodents, and a $4k pair of Xbox/Nike sneakers.

After begging Natali to take me back, we move onto a story about a pair of Nike sneakers that fetched $4k on eBay this weekend. They're custom made and feature fiber optic wiring that makes the shoes light up and glow on the wearer. You can guess how wide Jeff opened up the hating floodgates on these guys.

We've also got a really disgusting story about a new strain of SUPER RAT found in Europe that's resistant to pesticides and modern poison. I've got my own story to tell about my ongoing battle with mice in my home, and I won't give away any secrets, but be sure to listen to the last 15 minutes of the show to hear the rest...R.O.U.S. is a staggering understatement. Enjoy your lunch everyone!


EPISODE 344



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Originally posted at The 404
May 18, 2009 10:43 AM PDT

Xbox/Nike foot protectors fetch $4,000 on eBay marketplace

by Justin Yu
  • 4 comments

That's a spicy meatball.

(Credit: Jeantastic/eBay)

As a reformed sneakerhead, I understand the mentality behind getting the latest gear, but my mind was officially blown after seeing a pair of custom Xbox Nike Dunks sell for $4,000 on eBay this weekend.

Glow in the dark sneakers: toddler tested, fully-grown-man-approved.

(Credit: Jeantastic/eBay)

It should be noted that this isn't an official collaboration between the two companies, but rather a special one-off pair made by Sole Junkie, an online company specializing in custom sneakers.

The sneaker is a hi-top version of the popular Nike Dunk basketball shoe, but Sole Junkie snuck fiber optic wiring into the patent leather in the shape of the popular Xbox logo that glows or strobes, powered by a battery sewn into the tongue. The toecap is also custom painted with "Tiger Camouflage" with lime green sneakers to match the laces and accents across the shoe.

The auction for this one-time-only, super collectors edition Dunk officially closed at 6:13 p.m. PDT on Friday, May 15, for an unbelievable $4,000.99. Four-thousand dollars and ninety-nine cents. Although they strike me as a glorified LA Lights, the shoes are certainly well done, but four grand? For that money, I think I'd rather buy an Xbox 360, an HDTV, a set of model paint, and a full semester of art classes instead.

Think they're worth it? Would you pay this much for a set of foot covers? Or are you going to wait for the Nikes sewn together with Dodo bird feathers instead? Check out the slideshow and let me know in the comments.


May 6, 2009 4:59 PM PDT

Nike Aero Sport Headphones scoff at your sweat

by Jasmine France
  • Post a comment

There are two major reasons to swap out the headphones that came packaged with your MP3 player. The first is sound quality, and the second is fit. The two are not mutually exclusive, but you may place emphasis on one over the other depending on your device usage. If you mainly use your MP3 player at the gym, getting a pair of headphones that both fit securely and offer some sweat resistance is key. The $40 Nike Aero Sport Headphones certainly fit the bill there, and although music doesn't sound great through this set, the sleek and sweatproof design may appeal to some.

Read the Nike Aero Sport Headphones review

Originally posted at iPod accessories
November 19, 2008 2:47 PM PST

NES-inspired Nikes look cool, won't help you save Princess

by Justin Yu
  • Post a comment
(Credit: Hypebeast)

Leave it to Nike to make a video game fashion collaboration stylishly cool. Earlier this month, we showed you a pair of its surprisingly appealing Nintendo-inspired sneakers. Well, Nike just announced its second design in the series and this one is a little more unique than the first.

The Air Max Terra Ninety takes a couple of Nike's most popular models and mashes them into a hybrid shoe reminiscent of the Air Max 90 and Max Air. The overall colorway retains the familiar Nintendo controller palette and also incorporates the Nintendo D-pad design into the midsole. Unlike other streetwear collaborations, Nike won't require you to mortgage your firstborn son to pick up a pair of the Air Max Terra Nineties. They're available now for an affordable $130.

Another pic after the break.

... Read more
November 7, 2008 1:50 PM PST

Gadgettes 113: The retro show!

by Jason Howell
  • 2 comments
November 6, 2008 10:28 AM PST

NES-inspired Nike sneakers take us back to '85

by Jeff Bakalar
  • 2 comments

23 years in the making

(Credit: Nike)

When someone mentions a pair of video-game-inspired sneakers, the end result usually isn't something worthy of slipping on your feet. However, these new Nike Air Max sneakers not only pay tribute to the classic Nintendo Entertainment System console, but they actually look pretty slick.

These new sneakers sport a D-pad pattern emblazoned on the toe and side of the shoe along with a reference to the "start" button toward the top. The NES Nike Air Max sneakers are definitely among the most tasteful articles of geek fashion we've ever seen, and word is you won't need to blow into them in order for them to work properly.

(Source: Kotaku)

July 24, 2008 5:00 AM PDT

Super-light Nike Flywire shoes to make Olympic debut

by Reuben Lee
  • 2 comments

Sportswear maker Nike looks set to steal the limelight at this year's summer Beijing Olympics with its latest innovation, the Flywire track shoes. The company will supply the U.S. track and field team with two pieces of Flywire footwear--the Zoom Victory Spikes and Zoom Matumbo.

Zoom Victory Spikes

U.S. track and fielders will sport the Zoom Victory Spike, currently Nike's lightest middle-distance track spike, the company says.

(Credit: Crave Asia)

Already creating quite a buzz in the industry with its revolutionary lightweight construction, the Flywire design is said to be inspired by the cables from a suspension bridge. It basically makes use of a strong Vectran thread arranged in a fan-shaped pattern at anchor points around the shoe. The result is a shoe that's extremely light, yet reportedly cheap and easy to manufacture.

But, just how light are the new Flywire track shoes? The Zoom Matumbo will be Nike's lightest distance track shoes at about .2 pounds per pair, while the Zoom Victory Spikes for middle distance events like the 800m and 5,000m will also weigh just about .2 pounds.

For the record, Michael Johnson's famed pair of golden track shoes at the 1996 Atlanta Games tipped the scales at about a quarter of a pound, which is lightweight even by today's standards.

Nike has made the Flywire technology available commercially with the recent launch of its Flywire series of running shoes in the U.S. The company plans to release the track shoes to consumers later in October. Running-shoe technology is coming a long way these days--have a look at these biodegradable shoes by Brooks.

(Via Crave Asia)

Click here for more stories on tech and the Beijing Olympics.

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