Nike+ going WiFi and 3G, headed to iPhone

Stuff.tv is kicking back in Nike's HQ at the moment and claims to have official word about Nike's future plans with Apple. They say that the Nike+ system will "definitely" extend beyond the iPod nano to support the relatively bulky iPhone and iPod touch. Interestingly, it will leap-frog the proprietary RF link between the shoe module and nano adapter to take advantage of WiFi and eventually 3G. This of course leads to all kinds of speculation with regard to Apple's "lifestyle companion" patent we showed you last month. 3G support would presumably allow for real-time coaching and uploads of your training activity through the Nike Plus website. So let's see... cellphone (check), iPod (check), Internet device (check), handheld gaming (almost), and now a Nike lifestyle companion (could be).

[Quikboy @ Apr 11th 2008 5:21AM]

I hope Nike can extend their Nike+ system to Zunes as well. I would sure go for one if they did.

[BuddyBoy @ Apr 11th 2008 9:41AM]

Sadly, I think Apple has patents on the tech. I remember when it was released Apple talked about apple designing the bit for the shoe and Nike kept complaining about the size.

Its a shame cause from the last photo I saw "zune guy" could do with dropping a few pounds.

[Dave95 @ Apr 11th 2008 6:50AM]

Nice - It could be like Jared "The Subway Guy"

[roole @ Apr 11th 2008 9:46AM]

"Sadly.....?" Speak for yourself, @BuddyBoy. As an Apple shareholder, I say the appropriate word is "Happily....."

[DWells55 @ Apr 11th 2008 10:23AM]

Nope, the apostrophe is still incorrect. Any time the word "it" is used in a possessive form (its purpose, its house, its car, etc.), no apostrophe is used. The apostrophe is used, however, when the word it becomes a contraction with another word. For example, "it is finger lickin' good" becomes "it's finger lickin' good."

Great, now I want fried chicken.

[DWells55 @ Apr 11th 2008 10:24AM]

Wow, I hit the wrong reply button for that post. That was supposed to be a response to Esat Dedezade. Guess this just confirms my theory that I can't function properly until at least 1PM.

[BuddyBoy @ Apr 11th 2008 12:15PM]

@roole and? so am I. Selling nike+ kits to people who already have other players (and who dont wont ipods) would increase apples revenue and share price. Apple could license the tech to other companies for use on other devices, and to other shoe makers. Apples iPod and Nike only policy limits the potential market and thus the share price.

I'm sure though you'd prefer a world where everything we buy has to be from Apple?

[Dave @ Apr 13th 2008 10:06AM]

WOOOOOW...skip the 5G regular iPods? thats kinda fucked up...

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 5:56AM]

That one ',' could have turned the title of this article into a very different announcement had it been placed two words to the left.

At first glance I thought there was a definative announcement that 3G was coming to the iPhone in the not too distant future.

Then I noticed the comma. It has served it's purpose well... fulfilling its punctuational destiny.....

It shall return to its homeland, proudly being able to tell its village elders that he succeeded in is task of punctuation, passed his trials, so that it may bond with another of its kind, and they shall, as is tradition, rise up together and form quotation marks.

Seriously guys. Sometimes I scare myself... I really do.

[Dan @ Apr 11th 2008 6:03AM]

Your apostrophe in "it's purpose", however, shall go home in disgrace.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 6:08AM]

You are indeed correct sir. Instead of praise, he shall be spanked with the paddles of correction by the village elders for 100 days and 100 nights before he restarts his next life quest.

It's a tough life.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 6:10AM]

Actually hang on a minute. 'It's purpose' is correct isn't it?

Where the hell are the grammar Nazis when you need them!

Can someone clarify whether or not that poor ' needs to be spanked or not?

I think 'it's purpose' is correct isn't it, as its the purpose belonging to something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITS

[LordFarkward @ Apr 11th 2008 6:17AM]

then read aloud to yourself, "It has served it is purpose well"... does that sound right to you?

[Eric @ Apr 11th 2008 6:19AM]

From your link:

# "its", the possessive adjective and possessive pronoun form of the personal pronoun it

# "it's", a contraction of "it is" or "it has"

Thus "It's purpose" means "It is purpose". "Its purpose" is the proper form.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 6:21AM]

Huzzah! the ' is saved from a paddle spanking.

There's nothing it cannot achieve now.

(I bet you all scrutinized this post for perfect grammar and punctuation. The pressure is mounting on me!)

[Spongy @ Apr 11th 2008 6:31AM]

I thought your avatar was the fish from pokemon.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 6:37AM]

You're the first person to ever say that, but there's a first time for everything!

I actually drew it out with pencil, took a photo of it with my phone camera and photoshopped it. I am most proud of it.

Oh and it's a yingying symbol not a fish... unless there's such a thing as a yingyang fish, then by all means sir, your initial comment was correct.

Umm. any ways, i think I should probably keep on topic here before the engadget editors castrate me for my randomness, so regarding this Nike + development:

I for one am pretty excited about it. I held off the purchase from the first series of Nike + and apple stuff because I knew it was only a matter of time before they improved it. (same reason I bought an N95 and held off the iphone until the revised version with 3G and a hopefully better excuse for a camera).

I've personally started a diet and exercise regime since January and stuff like this would definately be a motivating factor for me to track my progress.

I'm also a huge fan of device integration, so you can imagine my joy when my ipod, phone and trainers are all interlinked!

/1st on topic post of the day

[roole @ Apr 11th 2008 10:34AM]

"The crux of the biscuit is the apostrophe."

[Rich @ Apr 11th 2008 6:35AM]

"cellphone (check), iPod (check), Internet device (check), handheld gaming (almost), and now a Nike lifestyle companion (could be)."

Wow, add a decent camera and it's almost a multi-functional as other smartphones on the market.

[Henry @ Apr 11th 2008 6:59AM]

no doubt, I think with a few more apps it might finally do the same as my current phone... you know, the one I payed less than half the cost of an iphone for

[Adam @ Apr 11th 2008 7:11AM]

Yeah, because the Nokia Sports Tracker easy integrates into Nike+ and RunnerPlus.

People always say "needs more functionality" when referring to the iPhone, but what is the reason for having more functionality if it doesn't work well in the first place?

[andrew wilson @ Apr 11th 2008 6:36AM]

i wish someone would make a program that mimics this ability for the 3g, gps enabled smartphone owners out there. it seems like it wouldn't be terribly hard but a programmer i am not!

[PeterF @ Apr 11th 2008 4:00PM]

there is one for windows mobile called Run.GPS

[Brendan Sheehan @ Apr 11th 2008 6:47AM]

Time to get fit bitches! :)

[Sukhminder @ Apr 11th 2008 7:13AM]

I started off as an iPhone hater, lack of keyboard, user replaceable battery, 3rd party apps. I even posted the Maddox post ("The iPhone is a piece of shit, and so is your face.") to my Facebook to proudly declare how anti-iPhone I am. Hell, I'd be "that guy" in the Apple/MS posts whining about Engadget's bias towards Apple.

I have to admit now, the iPhone is frickin' sweet.

[PeterF @ Apr 11th 2008 4:00PM]

yeah right

[YanniG @ Apr 11th 2008 8:24AM]

Is anybody jogging with his-her mobile on?
I AM NOT !

And they have to be reliable first about their sensors, because althought I am in limited warranty, the Nike representatives play the martians and do not replace the sensor...
Only 128 kms run so far and the sensor died ! ! !
Who needs them when there is Garmin with Foretrex that has GPS tracking above all?

[whatishalo? @ Apr 11th 2008 11:46AM]

"Is anybody jogging with his-her mobile on?"

Nope, I jog with my freak on

[Brian F. @ Apr 11th 2008 9:20AM]

As someone who runs a lot, this seems to be a large piece of electronics for a jaunt around town. I can't say that I would abandon my Nano 2Gen for this combo, even with the automatic updates and the such. Plus, I do not want to be receiving calls on the thing while working out.

Not trying to be a hater, I'm just saying that the iPhone hasn't secured itself as a workout-friendly device yet b/c of its size.

[Duke 2 @ Apr 11th 2008 10:40AM]

Yep, as a big fan of the iPhone and Touch, I totally agree with you. I DO NOT see myself carrying around either on my arm, waist, whatever- during my runs / workouts. Nano works for me, but nothing larger.

They may be positioning this differently though... since both the phone and Touch are 'visual based' unlike the shuffle which would be the other end of the spectrum where you could use it blindly, the intent here is probably more geared towards something you'd have propped up on the treadmill stand and looking at all the time instead of running out in the wilds.

will be interesting no doubt!

[mmendoza27 @ Apr 11th 2008 9:35AM]

I guess it just depends on what you want and need. I would go run at the gym and used to carry my 60 GB iPod, which was one of the bigger iPods while running, it was okay.

I would certainly like to have a 3rd Gen Nano, but don't want to have to pay more since I have an iPhone already. I'm excited, I definitely would be interested in picking this up.

[Wayne @ Apr 11th 2008 9:35AM]

Have they fixed the Nike+ and the 3rd Gen nano yet?

[Brandon @ Apr 11th 2008 9:58AM]

So either flash is coming to the iPhone or Nike+ is changing their website from Flash... first to blink loses!

[mingistech @ Apr 11th 2008 11:00AM]

Actually neither is happening.

Nike will just make a native iPhone app with the SDK. It will be more responsive than that bogged down flash site. :)

I'm sure with the iPhones's hardware accelerated OpenGL and app like that would rock.

[ezra hilyer @ Apr 11th 2008 10:02AM]

I'm not a runner, but I am an avid Cyclist. What I want is the same kind of system for cadence and speed on my bike. I have thought of getting the Nike+ and modifying it to track cadence speed, but that isn't really so helpful because without knowing the speed+cadence+Altitude it is a moot point.

I know that there are some good cycle computers that can do this, but using the Iphone (or in my case the touch) would be so nice....

Oh well...
-Ezra - http://www.straypoetry.com

[Matthew @ Apr 11th 2008 10:22AM]

@brandon, you're right: the Nike+ site is powered by Flash. Sad, but true. Flashy means no iPhoney + Safari if we're to believe the current dirt. But I would kill to get Nike+ on my iPhone even if I have to go back to the Mac to track the log and goals. Come on, Apple. Just Do It.

@ezra, if you knew what you were talking about you'd be dangerous. (I recommend trying the Edge 305 HR+ if you have the means.)

I emailed Nike after buying and loving (if you haven't seen what the Nike+ site has to offer, check it out) the N+SK at its launch. I asked for a cycling-related Nike+ SK. Nothing so far.

I use the N+SK running and the Edge 305HR+ on my CR1. Nike's $30 experience wins over the Edge's $300 experience HANDS DOWN. If Nike got this rolling, they'd simply KILL this niche.

[Esat Dedezade @ Apr 11th 2008 10:45AM]

"Come on, Apple. Just Do It."

Oh, you are SO getting a plus one from me.

+1

[Ezra Hilyer @ Apr 11th 2008 9:25PM]

Matthew, I already checked out the Garmin, It is not the data logging (or GPS for that matter) that I am interested as it is the Nike+ web based tracking/comparison that I would like to see.
Just using a Nike+ system to track cadence would show a little, but as I said unless that were coupled with altitude+speed over time it would be out of context.

sorry you missed my intent, if you cared you might be helpful.

-Ezra

[Tom @ Apr 11th 2008 11:02AM]

I think ZYKED (www.zyked.com) is way cooler than Nike+ and Nokia Sports Tracker!

[the17thman @ Apr 11th 2008 11:11AM]

Okay from the comments above everyone knows that the nike+ website is flash and as of now flash isn't coming to the iPhone right away. Will Nike have some of SDK in June? It doesn't seem so as whatever program they come up with would have to communicate back to a flash based Nike+ website. Just doesn't seem right. As for the sensor all of a sudden working with iPhone, that doesn't seem logical either. The Nike+ Senor doesn't work on some magical 3g spectrum to send info the the iPhone or special wifi network.

As for running with the iPhone I do it and it's not such a big deal. I use to run with a big ass walkman back in the day so the iPhone is nothing. I do know that it sometimes has a habit of rebooting to the friend glowing silver Apple icon on a few random runs in the past. don't know if the iPhone is really suited for running.

I'll just pick up the Nike+ Sportsband and run with that. For the person who wants an Nike+ system for biking for the iPhone or other products I doubt that will ever happen as riding is some areas with any earphone music device is illegal.

See the Nike+ Sportand up close: http://the17thman.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/04/nike-sportsba-1.html

[akatsuki @ Apr 11th 2008 11:50AM]

Bluetooth would be sufficient. ANT+Sport would be awesome. Wifi seems hugely unnecessary.

[cabezud @ Apr 11th 2008 12:55PM]

So would this new system still require a dongle for the iPhone? How else could it communicate? I will be all over this if it ever comes out.

[Dan @ Apr 11th 2008 1:05PM]

perhaps you could try reading the post

"it will leap-frog the proprietary RF link between the shoe module and nano adapter to take advantage of WiFi and eventually 3G"

[joel @ Apr 11th 2008 1:13PM]

The line:

it will leap-frog the proprietary RF link between the shoe module and nano adapter to take advantage of WiFi and eventually 3G

Makes this whole thing sound untrue and unreal.

If anything at all I think they could bypass plugging in the iPhone to send the data to the Nike+ "coach" site. The RF link will still be needed unless the iPhone can somehow use GPS navigation to track how far you run and at what speed which would make using the device on a treadmill useless

[Bradleybang @ Apr 11th 2008 1:02PM]

A2DP would also be good for running with iphone

[Magallanes @ Apr 11th 2008 1:53PM]

They miss Coca-Cola and McDonalds to be a completely corporate whores.

[mark @ Apr 11th 2008 3:09PM]

nike, how about you allow all ipod users other the nano to use your overpriced running shoe gadget! i think its pathic that you can only use a nano with this thing, considering how much you have to pay for that attachment you should be able to use it with ipods not just crappy nanos (which are also overpriced compared to other mp3 devices with the same amount of gbs)

[Michael @ Apr 12th 2008 4:52AM]

I have every Nike+ device released so far, and have the Sportand on order. I love them all. For those of you who haven't seen it yet, the Sportband makes the iPod irrelevant.

Unfortunately, it suffers from the same design flaw as every Apple portable device. NON-REPLACEABLE batteries. I seriously wish people would stop doing this. It's not just bad for the environment, it's cynical planned obsolescence.

As for Bluetooth, I don't think that would cut it. The connection with these things is iffy enough. Wi-Fi is the better option.

[Arley @ Apr 24th 2008 8:31PM]

Why the hell would Nike do that for the Zune the Zune is pure shit!!!