Verb For Shoe? How about a noun: Hype

This holiday season you've finally got a gift to give the person who has everything. We mean everything—because they're probably not stupid enough to drop a thou (US, of course) on the new Verb For Shoe, the "physics defying" shoe from MIT spinoff company VectraSense. Though they won't explain how it defies physics (nor do they give actual non-CG product shots) it does supposedly wirelessly communicate to your computer and to other shoes (for inter-shoe e-business cards exchange), have adjustable air bladders, and a performance/health monitoring system (not yours, the shoes'! Don't you know your Verb For Shoe's health is more important?) Look, in all seriousness for a moment—we feel we must say this as sort of a public service announcement—MIT spinoff or not, if you buy this shoe we're totally disowning you.

[Thanks, Max]

[Ratface @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Ah - but at that price, with any luck it's not made in child labour exploiting factory!!

(At that price it's probably made by naked Playboy bunnies in a gigantic luxury mansion. One can but hope!)

[Sheldon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Hmm, after reading the gory flash website it all sounds faintly familiar.
Nothing 'physics defying' in the slightest, just the cunning idea to adapt the cushioning of a shoe dependant upon the current use. Basically an accelerometer/pressure sensor to determine the current use (speed of step/force of landing). It takes a while to adapt to the individual to establish walking/running etc (15ms is stated). I think when it was originally started problems were with durability of the design and suitable sensing/adaptibility between different people.

Unfortunately they don't seem to have realised that the reason for having different shoes for different tasks is more than just the soles being different softness. :-/

[Peter B @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Am I the only one who thinks this is a prank? 128K of memory for files and photos?

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

reebok pumps, anyone?

[Zer0cool @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

captain we're losing oxygen near the heal i suggest we dislodge from the foot to stop anymore damage

[SpYder @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Read the Legal Page... it is a prank.

[Zing @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Hype is an adjective now? It used to be a noun.

[Page @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

I don't think it is a prank. They gave away a bunch of these on MTV recently...and I did read the legal page, nothing but your typical copyright/intellectual property stuff. Anyway, I wouldn't buy the shoe now, but it is an interesting concept that is starting to appear in clothing articles (not the adjustable airbags which are useless in my opinion, but the media storage and wireless connectivity).

[kyle harrison @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

well for you that think its a prank, it definatly isnt, they gave these shoes to about 10 people on mtv's "real world vs road rules"

[Brad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:03AM]

Well - to answer all the questions - it's real. We have been working on the shoe for almost 7 years now...and although some might think the concept has some flaws - in fact, the goal is to simply make a better, more comfortable shoe.

As for the cost - it is high; because every component is custom ordered and hand made right here in the US. The factory for hand stiching is in Tennesse. The cost will slowly drop as we get more orders and can buy components at any sort of volume.

And as for the memory - yes 128MB...and it does communicate directly with PCs and other ThinkShoes.

If you doubt the validity or legitimacy just go to USPTO online and read the patents and trademarks.

Hope that answers some questions....

And - yes - the website needs work...its just not a priority right now