Apple and Nike launch $29 Nike+iPod Sport Kit

Maybe the third time's the charm. After rolling out branded MP3 players with Rio and Philips, Nike has now partnered with Apple for its next music-on-the-go solution. But instead of launching another Nike-branded player, the sneaker company is focusing on athletics by working with Apple to roll out the iPod Sport Kit, a $29 device that includes a sneaker-based sensor that combines with another sensor attached to the iPod to allow users to enter and view workout data using the iPod's menus. The iPod Sport Kit will only work with certain compatible shoes, including the new Nike Air Zoom Moire. Audio prompts can also be configured to provide workout info such as distance and time, and workout data can be uploaded to a Nike web site for analysis and comparison with other runners. The iPod Sport Kit is expected to be available within 60 days and will work with the iPod nano.

[DT @ May 23rd 2006 12:05PM]

Snazzy! And the price is great! Supposedly it has voiceover with your stats so you don't have to look at the iPod or stop the music to see your info. Of course, this is only for you if you're an iChimp.

[Scabies @ May 23rd 2006 12:07PM]

(though we really hope you're not working out with a hard-drive based audio player)

True enough, not many people realize what exactly a HDD does. "Aww, pink iPod! I want to go show it off at the gym."
Are we gonna be seeing a high density NAND-like PMP soon? Cause my little gig Zen Nano is starting to look weak...

(though, if you're lucky the resulting damage is fixable. My Creative Zen Xtra had issues reading from the HDD rendering it useless, and I got bored one day and rapped it on the edge of my desk, and lo and behold it worked again. Reading arm got stuck somewhere.
Dont try that.)

[Justin @ May 23rd 2006 12:37PM]

i'm pretty sure this is geared towards nano users seeing how lugging a 30 gig would not only be a hinderance but would eventually ruin the ipod itself.

i think this is a slap in the face to other DAP players and their lack of versitility or innovation. you can say iDon't all you want, iDo love my ipod.

[Kory @ May 23rd 2006 12:44PM]

Forget the kit! Are you kidding me with that picture?!?! Oy, vay!

[Andrew @ May 23rd 2006 12:44PM]

This is cool. What are the odds it will be compatible with the Mac?

[Kory @ May 23rd 2006 12:48PM]

Oops! The picture was changed. I was referring to this picture:
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/

[Daveoc64 @ May 23rd 2006 1:00PM]

They are not marketing this as a device for anything other than the iPod nano. It may work with the normal iPod, but it isn't being promoted.

It is compatible with Mac and Windows and it will be out in June.

[Joe @ May 23rd 2006 1:03PM]

Cool.
Now I will have to ask if my shoes are iPod compatible.

[Marc @ May 23rd 2006 1:11PM]

Nike shoes arent that great for running. This is a cheap and good idea if you could use this with other shoes. Also using the Armband wont work so I'll need to buy something else...

[Rob @ May 23rd 2006 1:12PM]

@5 - Yes the site says its Mac compatible

It looks like you dont NEED the Nike shoe, just that it fits idealy in it.

The strange thing is, on the site that #6 links to, the woman is wearing a Nike Nano armband thats not the one Nike is selling. Which leads to my other question, will this be compatible with their current armband?

[James Ahlschwede @ May 23rd 2006 1:29PM]

A couple things to note, with regard to ordering - the shoe and the kit are available for pre-order right now from the Nike store. From the Apple page you vist 3 different sites to get there, but you can order them now. (So the text on the Apple site must be outdated: "Be the first to hear when the Nike+iPod Sport Kit is available for order. Sign up now") If you pre-order now they do charge your credit card right away.

Also, from the Apple site it looks like they're adding a Nike section to the iTunes store with version 6.0.5. that will feature "Nike-created content" - whatever that is - and iMixes designed for workouts.

[JinKazama @ May 23rd 2006 1:38PM]

Coooooooooooooooool. Does this baby work with any pair of shoes or just the ones mentioned? If not for just this pair shoes this is great. Since I run on the treadmill the shaking of the hard drive will not be a problem.

[Lamper @ May 23rd 2006 1:48PM]

I have a feeling that this will work with any runner. I use a similar polar system, where the sensor is attached to the laces. I think this may use similar technology so as long as it is fixed to the shoe it should work, maybe...

[LordJezo @ May 23rd 2006 1:49PM]

Ugh.

The iPod needs to be declared a monopoly and be forced to let other stuff work with it. They are entrenching themselves in everything. No other player even stands a chance anymore. Why would anyone buy anything else if their MP3 player does not work with their shoes and their jeans and their cars and their toilet paper dispensers?

Apple can't be stopped. There are no other options.

[John @ May 23rd 2006 1:57PM]

I just heard a bunch of guys at Creative and SanDisk went crazy after reading this and killed themselves?

Welp looks like I am buying a good pair of nikes and this little kit... i was in the market for new running shoes anyway...

[Stephen @ May 23rd 2006 1:58PM]

This looks awesome. I only wish they could find a way to measure heart rate as well. Maybe with special socks that could hook up to the sensor in the nike shoes. That would be SWEET, especially if you got voiceovers for what your heart rate was, when it was over optimal and under optimal, etc.

Re: LordJezo, it would be ridiculous to call this a monopoly. There are lots of other products out there, they just suck. It's not Apple's fault if other folks can't get their act together (or if Apple is just really good at what it does). Monopolies become bad when they are not contestable or have an unfair leg up besides ingenuity.

[Brian @ May 23rd 2006 2:13PM]

let's get retarded in here.

[Drew P @ May 23rd 2006 2:20PM]

One interesting thing to note - This isn't the first time that Apple and Nike have entered into an iPod marketing ploy. When the first iPod minis came out, every single Apple retail emplolyee recieved a free pair of some really nice Nike shoes that had the release date of the mini embroidered on the side and the nike swoosh was available in the 5 colours of the mini (we could pick which colour we wanted) The day the promotion was due to launch we had all the signage up in our store and then later on that afternoon word came from corporate to pull it all down because something had changed and we never heard about the promotion again (although we did get to keep our sweet shoes) They were a bitch to wear at work though b/c they had black soles and our store had a wooden floor (it was one of the early stores) so we scuffed up the floor pretty bad through the course of a normal work day

[Yoni @ May 23rd 2006 2:20PM]

Many people will be mugged for this. Many women run alone and may be raped in the process ... therefore... SteveJ==Rapist

[Zadillo @ May 23rd 2006 2:23PM]

Sounds pretty cool. I actually wanted to get back into running anyway, and this looks like a pretty fun way to keep track of things (I know it's not necessary, but I think this kind of thing can give me some extra motivation, which is always a good thing).

Would this really only be suitable for keeping track of runs though, or would it also be suitable for tracking walks and jogs as well?

[Jim @ May 23rd 2006 2:35PM]

I think this is an amazing product, something I've been hoping for years to come around. However, I have some problems with it. How in the heck do they not include their new Nike Air 360 shoes ($160, of which I am a proud owner of a pair) in the group of shoes that this system works with??!?!? The sensor looks like it slips into the shoe, below the insole, and only about 12 shoes have this system. I'm interested to find out if it's possible to attach the sensor to the shoe any other way but, I highly doubt this. Nice work Nike and Apple in coming up with a system like this. Next step is to integrate a heart monitor belt into this and allow runners to track that in the software.

PS - That female runner on the website is very nice!

[Menhir @ May 23rd 2006 2:45PM]

Brilliant marketing concept, IMHO.

Btw, did someone notice the tech specs sheet on this page http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/run.html

It says at the bottom that the sensor's battery is not replaceable! So does it come with a charger? Do you have to buy replacement sensors when the battery runs out?

I understand that the sensor has to be as light and compact as possible, but it would really suck if you have to buy replacement sensors when you run out of charge (no pun intended!)

[Jimbolaya @ May 23rd 2006 2:54PM]

Oh man, this is awesome. Too bad I can't stand listening to music while running and Nikes are always too narrow for me. Hello Nike, are you reading this? People buy Asics and Saucony because they come in widths and hold up much better past 100 miles.

[Zadillo @ May 23rd 2006 2:55PM]

#22: According to the story at iLounge, Nike apparently said they are planning on making this Nike Plus "system" available on many of their popular styles, so I would guess it would only be a matter of time before they make a "plus" version of the 360.

[KenC @ May 23rd 2006 3:07PM]

I'm an iChimp and I want it!

[Baron @ May 23rd 2006 3:42PM]

Hmm... neat concept, but I've always found it distracting (not sure if that is the best word really) to be running or riding a bike (which this wouldn't be used for, I know!) in a real world enviroment (i.e. not the gym and not a track) with anything in my ears that doesn't let me know what is going on around me. At least if you are out running and you hear a car coming up behind you, you can ready yourself to get out of the way if need be. I'd be worried if I couldn't hear what was going on around me with the horrible drivers that are out there. I almost got hit three times in an 8 mile strech yesterday, which might have gone from almost to did if I wasn't aware of everything going on around me. Just my two cents.

[oshean @ May 23rd 2006 4:10PM]

Yes but does it automatically increase the volume when you breath heavier or run on gravel?

[Armie @ May 23rd 2006 5:40PM]

OMG - This is prolly only the beginning. Who knows how else we can incorporate sensors and our iPods! iChimps unite!

[Tim @ May 23rd 2006 7:25PM]

Dang... only $29 bucks for this? Not bad! That's the same price as the Apple iPod Socks!

[Brian @ May 23rd 2006 7:46PM]

Awesome! Now, Apple & Nike, please consider these features now that a digital pedometer is tracking my pace & cadence:

1. Generate a playlist on the fly by closely matching the BPM of music in my iPod to my running pace/cadence.

2. Let me create custom playlists based on my workout (fast, slow, intervals, etc). I choose the pace and time on my computer, then iTunes creates a custom workout playlist that closely matches BPM with my known cadence.

Take it to the next level...

[anon @ May 23rd 2006 8:18PM]

The razor and the blade.

The sport kit costs $29, but you still need the special Nike shoes (and a Nano, of course).

[anon @ May 23rd 2006 8:20PM]

#31, Brian: Excellent ideas.

[R Smith @ May 23rd 2006 8:23PM]

to #15 - thanks for the assurance, I have a 3G too (a 15 gig) and I was worried if my running was really shortening its life significantly.

I for one would be verrry disappointed if it really did only work with Nike shoes. that would suck. royally.

[Brian @ May 23rd 2006 9:32PM]

#33, anon, thanks. I've been waiting for this feature set for over a year, and this Apple + Nike synergy brings us one step closer.

http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?t=87795

Most of my songs don't have BPM data, so it would be *really* nice if iTunes 6.0.5 or later incorporated a BPM analyzer that would analyze each track in my iTunes library (during import from CD, iTMS purchase, entire library, etc) and fill in the BPM data automagically. In addition to the features I mentioned in #31, you could sort your music by genre/artist/etc + cadence/BPM to further refine your running playlists, or any workout playlist for that matter.

Intervals/sprints:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=156832&s=143441&i=156810

Cool down:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=462232&s=143441&i=3714736

[Stephen @ May 24th 2006 2:44AM]

Re:

"34. to #15 - thanks for the assurance, I have a 3G too (a 15 gig) and I was worried if my running was really shortening its life significantly."

Don't get too assured. For every story like that there are 2 stories of people whose iPods have broken beacuse of the jolts of running. My 40GB iPod crapped out shortly after I started taking it for jogging (as opposed to the treadmill). I think the fact that they are only marketing this for the Nano is an implicit acknowledgement that the hard drive-based models don't work for running. This system might work on them, but Apple doesn't want to support it.

At any rate, if you must run with your hard drive iPod, at least get a decent RUBBERIZED case for it, to cushion it from the fall if/when you drop it (not one of those plastic cases that doesn't blunt the fall at all). Speck Products sells a good one:

http://www.speckproducts.com/vid-toughskin.html

I have this and it works really well.

[Ssco @ May 24th 2006 5:09AM]

What a great idea

I can't wait to see how far they take this.

I'd personally love to be able to mount my iPod on my bike's handle bars and my iPod to be able to monitor my spped and distance so I could download it and analyse my data once I'm home. A heart rate monitor function would also be handy

[tekdroid @ May 24th 2006 5:16AM]

I think this will work with any shoe, with a bit of thought. All that's needed is a little 'pocket' (or maybe not even that) for the little card to find a home in your shoe. I suspect somebody is making special insoles with the pocket integrated on the underside of the insole as we speak :)

Odd how the receiver that slots in your Nano is so huge. Adds some considerable bulk to the Nano. Battery life (and the inability to easily switch batteries) is always an issue with Apple, and I doubt it's designed for disassembly for a more environmentally-sound (andn common sense) approach. Everything is disposable (or hideously expensive) to keep for more than a few years.

[Chas @ May 24th 2006 9:08AM]

This being the same Nike that makes 38% of its shoes in countries where workers have no legal right to freedom of association, has cut ties with factories that have become unionised and increased production in countries where labour rights are not recognised. The people that make Nike products, mainly women, are forced to work long hours, often from 7am to 11 pm without breaks for low wages and face dismissal if they protest against working conditions. Nice one Apple, you deserve all the bad press that is coming your way.

[dvddesign @ May 24th 2006 3:08PM]

Hey, Chas.

There's at least something in your life that you consciously pay for that has underage or underpaid workers sitting at the other end. We don't like it, but honestly, your one-man campaign doesn't do much to stop it. These companies know what they're doing. They've never tried to hide what they do. I know a girl who had friends growing up who made Nikes when they were kids. It's not a pleasant thought but it's just their way of life over there. If Nike didn't work there, I'm sure there'd be some way less reputable company exploiting them in a far worse way.

Where do you think your clothes were made? Your car? TV? The batteries in your flashlight? The glass bottle your iced tea comes in? The keyboard you wrote this message with? We all support this and there's not a lot we can do about it. We allowed this to happen by allowing free trade.

[Ed @ May 24th 2006 8:29PM]

This technology was first developed by Fitsense (a bunch of MIT folk in Cambridge). I owned an FS-1 for several years. Fitsense licensed the technology to others (including Nike) some time ago and recently stopped selling their own version. Unless they made some significant improvements, the accelerometer technology in these foot pods has some drawbacks. It needs to be calibrated to your pace, stride and position on the shoe. It also has trouble when your running pattern changes, such as when moving from pavement to a trail or grass, from jogging to hard running, or from flat terrain to hilly. Once calibrated, the same course will come out within a percent or two in total distance for each run. However, a new course can be way off. I'd run a 10K with the FS-1 and come out to 6.5 miles instead of 6.2. Also, the battery (CR32) would last 3-4 months with only turning on the pod for running. I now use a Garmin Forerunner 201 and am much happier (no pods, run in any shoes, much more accurate, etc.). Now if Apple and Garmin get together....

[George @ May 24th 2006 11:14PM]

Re 36: I ran the Las Vegas marathon with an iPod mini with no problems
so although that is no assurance at least there is some antecdotal
evidence that HD based iPods are NOT damaged by running. I also wish
there was some way to use the sensor in non-Nike shoes. If anyone
has success with the sensor being tied to your laces let us know. I
have the Timex GPS system but it would be nice to have something
lighter and hooked to the iPod.

[pascal @ May 24th 2006 11:19PM]

Heh, for some reason my local news felt the need to mention this...

[andrea @ May 25th 2006 4:50AM]

I think this initiative must be seen from 2 differnet perspective:
from a marketing point of view i think it's a great example of true innovation since it ties in a couple existing products extending their features and bringing the whole offering as a service (don't forget that besides the hardware part - shoes, iPod, sensor etc. - there is a software one made of website and iTunes section dedicated to this thing);
from a runner point of view I think this can't be seen as the "ultimate solution" since it employs a not-so-state-of-art technology (GPS would have been better), another missing thing is an heart-rate monitor, but above all I am pretty sure a lot of runners won't trade their favourite running shoes (my New Balance for example!) for Nike+ ones, so in my opinion an Apple-only solution usable with every shoe or event better a third party solution that could work with any player could be a better answer to what in my experience is a real need (running listening to music).

[Bryan @ May 25th 2006 6:22PM]

How does this technology work? How can it track distance? I can only think of GPS based systems, however that wouldn't cost $29. ANY IDEAS?

[espence @ May 27th 2006 12:59AM]

Nike is the worst athletic company on the face of the earth. Everything coming out of their factories is complete and total crap. However, the product is a good idea if you don't need to use nike running shoes, which are probably the worst available on the market.

[Mark D @ Jun 16th 2006 5:51PM]

I use a Polar heart rate monitor watch that also does distance via the acceleramator attached to one of my shoes. I love it, but it's software isn't compatible with Apple. For a few years, I've been writing Polar begging them to make Apple compatible software, but they always essentially flip me the bird.

Well, now I have an alternative that will (presumably) sync really well with my Apples and probably be much more intuitive (assuming Apple has any say so with Nike's software).

Here's what I now want from Nike and Apple for this to be the ideal product:
-incorporate a heart rate monitor.
-Nike needs to make wider shoes (I wear Asics).
-go hard core with this software in terms of having a "computer coach" and make it integrate with iCal.

If Nike / Apple did these things, they'd have the ultimate accessory to trumph all the other workout devices / watches (all the Suunto, Polar, Timex and Garmin stuff).

Come on Apple and Nike, give us an integrated solution.

Mark

[Alex @ Jun 21st 2006 12:11AM]

i would not think you need the specific nike shoes to use this. the shoes might have a little pocket like mentioned before but the shoes themselves cant possibly have any technical association with the ipod plug-in or the chip. of course the 2 companies will never mention this fact. it wouldnt make sense for ipod to team up with nike for this nano/nike shoe excersise package and have them say it will work with other non-nike shoes. i have puma running shoes. and im not getting nikes.... but i am gonna buy this package. all im gonna do is rap the shoe chip in 1 layer of toilet paper. then put a strip of tape on it and tape it to the side of the in-side of the shoe, or the bottom or wherever. theres not reason it shouldnt work. (oh and the reason for the toilet paper layer is so the tape wont actually be touching the chip)

[stephen @ Jun 21st 2006 3:24AM]

it will not be compatible with other shoes. the nike plus shoes have an insert underneath the insole. you slip the chip in the slot, place the insole back over it and that also keeps it in place. it is not compatible with any other shoe. nike exclusive.

my question is, will this system work with other ipods? i know apple and nike for that matter are promoting it as "only for nano". but how does that make any sense??? to me it just seems like another apple scheme to push more nano sales in a time where people have lost interest in a mp3 player that has no other value. apple tends to try and convince people that they have to spen more money, but is this all true? does anyone know for sure if the nano is the only thing that will work???

oh, and "nike doesnt make good running shoes" ???? whoever wrote that is completely insane... speaking of running shoes and insanity, the nike will release their premiere shoe for nike plus on july 13. called the MOIRE. this shoe is insane, wieghin in at 7.1 ounces for women, and 9.2 for men. nice!

[stephen @ Jun 21st 2006 3:29AM]

oh, and as far as the questions/comments on what nike plus does and doesnt do...

-it is nike shoe exclusive. they are releasing a range of shoes from shox to air max, to their baby, the Moire.
-it does have a monitor in it that will transmit all the health benefits of your run.
-it will chart your distances, times, and speeds through your runs.
-the coolest part in my opinion is that after you have done your run, you can link this up to your computer. all the information from your runs get put into your computer to chart everything. then you can also join run clubs online with friends, strangers, etc. to compete, challenge, or just compare with anyone over the internet.
-the clothing they are designing have a slip in the inner/outter lining to run your headphone wires through so dont have wires hanging all over the place.

[sxt173 @ Jul 13th 2006 2:52PM]

It is not shoe dependent!!! It can't be! Unless the shoe has sensors and things built in, which it does not, the only special thing is the space on the sole to stick the sensor into.

I will just tuck it into the laces, easy..