Unboxing the Nike+iPod Sport Kit

Now that you can actually go out and purchase a Nike+iPod Sport Kit, you're probably wondering what exactly it is that you're getting with this package, so iLounge was kind enough to snap some photos of the unboxing process and post a few screenshots of the new menu options that will show up on your nano. Feature-wise, there's really nothing here that we didn't know already, though we did learn some more details about the kit's integration with the Nikeplus website -- besides tracking your workout statistics and long-term progress, you can also compare your performance with runners much better than yourself, providing you with an incentive to either work harder or try your hand at another sport. Also worth noting is the fact that the kit will definitely not work with any iPod other than the nano, and your device must sport the latest firmware in order to recognize the adapter. Keep reading to scope out a few of the menu screens, head over to iLounge for the full rundown, and stay tuned for a roundup as reviews start trickling out...

[spil @ Jul 13th 2006 5:22PM]

Wow that reciever is pretty small.

So it for SURE doesnt work with the 5g iPod? I dont really know why I care so much, i dont even want the thing, i never run (hence the fact I waste my time on this blog).

Where does it go, the laces, or in the heel, because on TUAW, people have tried it on non nike+ shoes in the laces and they say it works fine (again, I dont know why I care so much, I dont even wear nikes)

-Spil

PS: woohoo, 1st post!

[eugene @ Jul 13th 2006 5:30PM]

i pre-ordered, who knows when it'll get here, but i'm impatient and going to pick one up at the apple store after i get out of work. maybe this will make me go for a run tonight (if not, def first thing tomorrow morning). damnit, now i need to peruse my 10k songs and figure out what i want my power song to be!

[james @ Jul 13th 2006 5:45PM]

How does it work? Most pedometers take average stride into consideration - or they are programmable.

[BelowSeaLevel @ Jul 13th 2006 5:45PM]

Here is another unboxing:

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1882

[Alex @ Jul 13th 2006 6:08PM]

Hey...I jsut got mine this morning @ about 12 and it is amazing. I dont know if it works for the 5G but I will try it...and it goes under the sole of the shoe...and you cannot feel it...I guess it can work on normal shoes just stick it in somewhere but these shoes are nice and lightweight...ps...arent those a girls copy up there...the guys are balck and the girls are grey...or the first ones at least that could be preordered

[Glancing Aft @ Jul 13th 2006 6:23PM]

Has anyone used them well with a non nike shoe yet?

[Ally @ Jul 13th 2006 6:28PM]

I can see it now

"Dude, i thought you were supposed to put the nano in the shoe"

"my screen's cracked"

[Michael @ Jul 13th 2006 6:33PM]

Sucks it doesn't work with a 5G

[js @ Jul 13th 2006 6:50PM]

This thing is next to useless if the nano died on you because of the battery drainage caused by the wireless receiver....

As far as I know, the nano has horrible battery life...

[buddyduck @ Jul 13th 2006 7:00PM]

Just came back from a run. It worked with my ASICS just fine.

This thing is awesome...

[mmwulff @ Dec 25th 2006 4:19PM]

Did you buy the strap for non-Nike shoes? If so, where can you buy it?

[wan @ Jul 13th 2006 7:00PM]

My nano (relatively newly purchased) gets about 14 hours of battery life. Unfortunately I can't run for 14 hours. So if I can get 1/7 of that out of this thing it might be worth it. I'll wait for the reviews before I praise or condemn...

[bliss @ Jul 13th 2006 7:06PM]

wow. so now when you get mugged for your iPod, you'll be iPod-less AND shoeless...genius.

[Jay @ Jul 13th 2006 7:08PM]

It works with nonNike+ shoes. I purchased this today and decided to try it out in a pair of Nike Pegasus (not +) before I went out and paid $100 for a new pair. I just took out my left insole and taped the transmitter right on the arch of the insole with the flat side facing up. I went for a 3 mile run and although you can tell that the trnasmitter is there, it is hardly noticeable. Also, it was pretty accurate regarding the data it produced. I originally had it directly under the middle portion of the insole which provided too much pressure and it was giving me inaccurate readings. The increased pressure was making it think I was running faster than I really was. But after I moved it to under my arch, it was very accurate.

[Rob @ Jul 13th 2006 8:34PM]

@buddyduck

How did you put in your ASICS?

I've got a pair and am thinking about picking this up.

[fastolfe @ Jul 13th 2006 8:52PM]

Nike sells a sneaker "pocket" that you can put the transmitter in and it attaches by a velcro strap that you attach over the laces of the sneaker, so you can use that instead if you're worried of breaking the transmitter on a non-nano receiver approved sneaker.

[Chudbeast @ Jun 4th 2008 5:36PM]

How does the pocket system work? I thought the whole point of the transmitter was that it registered each impact from your stride by getting compressed in the sole of your shoe. With it attached to your laces, how's this going to work. I ask because I think I've been mis-sold a Nike wristband and lace pocket, and it doesn't seem to work.

[buddyduck @ Jul 13th 2006 9:23PM]

Rob,

I have some pretty thick third party inserts from the local running store. I just taped the sensor to the bottom of the insert. I could tell it was there but I had no problems. I may either cut out a divet in the insert or get that sneaker pocket that fastolfe is talking about if it exists.

As far as durability, I ran a trail this afternoon full of rocks and tree roots and bound down hills just fine. I don't know about long term, but this thing is definitely worth the moolah if you're a runner with a nano. highly recommended so far.

The voice announcing your accomplishments while you're running is just so well done.

[Jim @ Jul 13th 2006 9:29PM]

Please post more comments about "homebrewed" ideas for using the transmitter in non-Nike+ shoes. I have a pair of Air Max 360s that I would rather not replace. Thanks.

[Gordy @ Jul 13th 2006 9:34PM]

Hell, if this can get geeks running (just for the neophilic factor, of course), it can only be good...

[Leo the 3rd @ Jul 13th 2006 10:18PM]

Well if you get out and run often and your conditioning improves, maybe you can outrun the mugger. Unless of course they have a weapon. Anyway, it does work well, but only for running and walking. Doesn't work with elliptical machines at this point.

[Brian P @ Jul 13th 2006 10:49PM]

Anyone try on a 5th gen yet?

[?m� @ Jul 13th 2006 10:49PM]

Does it come with the shoes?

[Jim @ Jul 13th 2006 11:14PM]

Has anyone gotten or seen the new Nano armband for this? I've been holding off buying one until it came out. Thanks.

[GadgetTV @ Jul 13th 2006 11:47PM]

Sure hope they open up this capability on other iPods in the future.

[jojo @ Jul 14th 2006 12:17AM]

How does the "POWERSONG" work? Does it automatically play your Powersong when your pace slows down and you start losing energy? Or do you activate it yourself once you feel like you need an energy boost?

[Rob @ Jul 14th 2006 1:01AM]

@Jim

Wondering the same thing, they are suposed to have them at Dick's Sport, will prolly try them out over the weekend

Havent heard anything about that pocket before

[C Dizzle @ Jul 14th 2006 1:13AM]

Has anyone tried running in place (a la Flashdance) to see if the sensor can tell? do you think it can interpolate jumping? like leapfrogging all over the place?

[chad @ Jul 14th 2006 7:16AM]

just picked up the sport kit and a pair of kicks. feels great. havent tested the run yet. will do today. picked up the arm band (never been a fan of arm bands but did it anyway) and wish i hadnt. seems to either slip or cut off circulation...theres gotta be a better way.

[bob @ Jul 14th 2006 8:30AM]

The reason it doesnt work with a 5G is quite obvious really, its hard drive based, apple doesnt want thousans of complaints and law suits due to broken hard drives! running with a hard drive based music player isnt recommended! saying that, im sure there will be a hack in a matter of days / weeks!

[Walt @ Mar 1st 2007 5:15PM]

Bob

Did you ever find a work-around for the 5G and the nike sports package?

[Manuel @ Jul 14th 2006 9:23AM]

My POWERSONG is gonna be "Eye of the Tiger"...seemed to have worked to that Rocky guy.

[dave95 @ Jul 14th 2006 9:38AM]

I could see it now!
All those iPoders in NYC instead of walking will be running in sync now, like a herd of sheep’s, Bah!

In all seriousness, this is a great motivation to run again, waiting for one for my 5G, and the fact you don't need to buy a new sneaker is great.

[SubGenius @ Jul 14th 2006 9:46AM]

jojo, You activate the Power song by pressing and holding the center button.

Manuel, I use "Eye of the Tiger" as my Power song as well.

[WASD John @ Jul 14th 2006 10:09AM]

I bought the 4 gig nano for my wife as a wedding present (she loves to run). She never really listens to music when she runs and therefore leaves the nano at home. Which is good for me because if I don't feel like grabbing the big bad 60 gig video and bringing it to work I "borrow" her nano. Recently though she has been trying to get me to run for exercise which is hard for me b/c I have always been a swimmer. I ordered the Nike+iPod sport kit, and a new pair of Nike+ shoes (I needed new running shoes anyway). So I can't wait till it comes in so I can try it out. Hopefully it will help motivate me more and actually allow me to see what it is that I'm doing distance/speed wise.

[Sitter @ Jul 14th 2006 10:25AM]

Apple really knows how to make their technology special in that at first glance I don't know how they make it work. It's always the case when you look more at what the thing can do for you rather than first try to understand how it works.

[Kevin Baggs @ Jul 14th 2006 10:32AM]

This is using pedometer technology which is prone to inaccurate measurements. If you want true GPS technology at a reasonable price. Check out the Adeo from www.motionlingo.com.

[PodMonkeys @ Jul 14th 2006 10:39AM]

Anyone know if this is based on average stride length like most pedometers, or GPS based? or maybe an accelerometer?

[Paul @ Jul 14th 2006 11:30AM]

I picked up the Shoes, Armband, and Sports kit yesterday. not crazy about the shoes so I might return them. My local RunOn has the shoe pocket for $5.99 so I am going to try that out with my old shoes. I like the new armband. comfortable. I did have a prob w/ getting things going with my iPod. I run windows and my iPod was running 1.1.1. When upgrading to 1.2 for my iPod it hung and did not upgrade properly. I spoke to Apple helpdesk and they had me uninstall/reinstall the iPod and iTunes software from my computer which did not resolve the issue. Final verdict was to rebuild my PC because it is a PC problem. Didn't buy it. My iPod showed it was up to 1.2. Also showed 3.2G used but 0 songs and 0 pics. iPod would not connect to itunes on PC. Connected it to my Mac and I was able to run the restore tool which wiped it out. After I was able to connect to the PC. Not sure what happened but had to have a Mac to resolve. If you run into the same and don't have a Mac go to your local Apple store and they can restore for you.

Happy Running!

[Sharky @ Jul 14th 2006 11:45AM]

Does anybody know what wireless technology this "nugget" is using? Bluetooth? Zigbee?

[Ben Hodge @ Jul 14th 2006 12:53PM]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303934

[Sharky @ Jul 14th 2006 1:55PM]

Ameen,

At: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303934 it says:
"proprietary low-power 2.4 GHz radio protocol"

As far as I know, 802.11 is the same as WLAN, or Wi-Fi. And that is not proprietary but a standard.
Are you sure they use 802.11?

[Kris @ Jul 14th 2006 6:44PM]

So it is proprietary :

[Johnny Cockron @ Jul 14th 2006 6:47PM]

So the sensor goes under your foot's arch in the shoe.
What happens if you have flat feet (no arches)?
Lawsuit - lawsuit

[Tub O'lard @ Jul 14th 2006 6:48PM]

Won't this make the Nano scratched up and smelly while it's in your gym shoe?

[Mark Wickens @ Jul 14th 2006 10:19PM]

" The increased pressure was making it think I was running faster than I really was"

and

"It uses the pressure which you apply on the 'nugget' ..."

Pressure is not involved, actually. It's an accelerometer. It will work on top of your shoe just as well as under your foot.

[Choco Puff @ Jul 15th 2006 11:39AM]

Mark Wickens is right. The sensor uses accelerometer to measure the distance. So it will work on any part of your body, not just inside your shoes.

[Jim @ Jul 16th 2006 2:55AM]

Bought the armband and the Sport Kit this afternoon. Tried updating my iTunes and iPod to the current updates and ran into a lot of problems (seems like that's going around). Tried the Apple fixes and nothing. Found a fix on a forum that people seem to be having luck with about formatting the Nano with Windows tools. Seek it out, it worked.

Otherwise, I was able to set up my nikeplus account and set a goal for myself which sounds pretty cool. I also checked out the Air Zoom Moire shoes at a shoe store and they looked decent. I'll probably try the sensor under the laces with the Velcro fix for now and see how that works. Good luck to everyone else!

[Steve M @ Jul 16th 2006 11:20AM]

Anybody tell me where you can buy this "pocket"? I can't find it anywhere!

"Nike sells a sneaker "pocket" that you can put the transmitter in and it attaches by a velcro strap that you attach over the laces of the sneaker, so you can use that instead if you're worried of breaking the transmitter on a non-nano receiver approved sneaker"

[Jay Soffian @ Jul 16th 2006 1:10PM]

Didn't know about the Nike "shoe pocket", so you can see my solution at the URL.

I'll probably give the Nike+ shoes a try once they release a Nike+ stability shoe (the current Nike+ shoes are all neutral cushioned).

j.