The not-so-widely-anticipated Nike + iPod Sport Kit, announced last May, hit the virtual shelves on Apple.com today, listing at $29. Apple's message swept across the marketing channels today ... or, at the very least, it spammed my personal Gmail Inbox.
How it works: First you place the wireless sensor, included in the kit, in your Nike+ shoe ($100), which sports a built-in sensor pocket "specially engineered" in the insole. When you attach the receiver, also in the kit, to your iPod nano (sold separately), you can track your running time, distance, pace, and calories burned. There's a Web 2.0 aspect too, as you can upload your data to Nikeplus.com to measure your performance over time, and virtually race other users.
Note that you'll need to calibrate the sensor prior to running. It looks fairly simple, but in my experience, pedometers are very lacking when it comes to accuracy. They oversimply running, generally assuming that every step moves you forward the exact same distance. This one kit is no different, so keep that in mind.
Plus, Apple says, you can "listen to voice feedback as you run." And oh man, that's all I need. Now my nano will nag me about exercising, too.
UPDATE:
Mike Kobrin, PC Magazine's audio expert and frequent Gearlog Radio guest, disagrees with my assessment. He's also a runner, and has personally tested the gadget himself. He said it's accurate and fun to use. (Check out his review for all the details: Nike + iPod Sport Kit Review.)
So, let's tally up the debate:
- I'm a runner and Kobrin's a runner. Tie.
- I own a nano, he owns a nano. Tie.
- I say potato, he says tomato. Tie.
- He's tested the gadget personally, I'm just speculating. Hmm... Tie?
Alright, maybe he won. But, with or without his fancy Nikes, I could beat him in a foot race any day...
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July 14, 2006 4:37 PM
Why does it only work with the Nano? Why don't they make it work with any iPod?
July 14, 2006 6:50 PM
The Nike + iPod kit is an accelerometer, not a pedometer. There is a pretty big difference between the two. The calibration process for the kit was very easy: pick a distance, run or walk that distance, end the calibration process on the iPod, and you are done. See Other Uses: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerometer
July 15, 2006 9:43 AM
The Nano is one of two iPods that are flash based. Flash based tech utilizes no moving parts in storing it's memory. Becasue there are no moving parts it is ideal for running (anti skip). The other flash based iPod is the Shuffle, but the Shuffle does not have a dock receptor nor does it have a screen.
July 18, 2006 3:42 AM
I took one apart. Its not a real accelerometer in the pure sense. It uses a piezo disc (much like the one that produces the click sound on the ipod) to produce an electric pulse every time your foot strikes the ground. The weight of the battery provides the mass to make the piezo flex thus causing an electric spike that gets transmitted to the ipod. Pretty cool stuff
July 18, 2006 3:42 AM
I took one apart. Its not a real accelerometer in the pure sense. It uses a piezo disc (much like the one that produces the click sound on the ipod) to produce an electric pulse every time your foot strikes the ground. The weight of the battery provides the mass to make the piezo flex thus causing an electric spike that gets transmitted to the ipod. Pretty cool stuff
July 18, 2006 2:46 PM
I ran (ha-ha) by Dick's sports today and like most previous Nikes, the + models are two narrow for the front of my foot. Some people have 'hacked' the pod device by placing it under laces in non-Nike+ shoes but I wonder what that does to accuracy. Maybe I'll take an XActo to my Asics or New Balance and carve it a home.
July 23, 2006 11:02 AM
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July 29, 2006 10:54 PM
Hi, I put my nike+ reciever on my bed and my two little demon cousins hid it and wont tell me where it is. I am currently on vacation and there is no apple store anywhere around here and i really dont want to pay $30 bucks for the set, again. Tell me what to do...PLEASE!!!!!
July 31, 2006 12:44 PM
Does anyone know where to get cheap nike tennis shoes that work with this thing? Please help- 100$ is too much! But I want the shoes that are actually made for it! ( not new balance or anything like that! )
July 31, 2006 11:53 PM
you can go online at, www.nikeplus.com and they should have $85.00 ones. Jeremy
August 20, 2006 11:53 AM
I have a different type running shoe will it work in my shoes and should i just stick it below my insole?
September 17, 2006 8:11 PM
I believe that, if u can make a hole in your own shoe, it will work exactly as a Nike +.
September 30, 2006 1:13 AM
Take a short-blade yet sharp knife and lay it to the side. Take either shoe (Nike+ shoes use the left shoe for storing the sensor/transmitter module) and cut a small rectangle in the middle of the ARCH part of the shoe. Take out the cushion in the bottom of the shoe first, of course, as you'll want this thing left in tact to cover up the new hole you're about to make. Depending on the material used in your shoe's sole, you may have to really work the knife around to get a good, clean cut. Next, take the fattest, largest flat-head screwdriver you can find to dig down into the cuts you've made and slowly, forcefully dig the chunk of material out of your sole, stick the sensor/transmitter module down in into it, flat-side (with the logos) up, put your cushion back in, and you're ready to go. Since this thing works in large part by sensing pressure from your foot being on it, it's best to put it in the bottom of your shoe. And, by putting it in the arch of your shoe, you place it where it will receive pressure from your foot, but not so much pressure that it gets crushed, as it might if you put it under the heel or ball of your foot. Those parts receive the greatest pressure and impact when you walk and run, and putting your sensor module under either of them is just begging to have to go to the store to buy a new one. ;)
October 23, 2006 3:50 PM
This is the best answer for those that want to use the Nike+iPod sensor with non-nike+ shoes... the Shoe Pouch... http://www.shoepouch.com