Apple has so much more where Nike+ came from

Apple has a batch diagrams and patent-speak that it just shuffled past the patent office, detailing a next-generation Nike+ system that will make runners jump for joy, and non-athletes groan in agony. We're not sure if this is going to be something that Nike can just build shoes for and use existing Apple hardware, or if this'll be a reworking of the whole kit, but there's a lot of new stuff going on here. The system relies on integrating GPS and additional shoe-based sensors into the system, put to work in measuring your stride, the condition of the shoe, and perhaps even blasting you advertisements along your run route. The system can measure your velocity with accuracy in the range of 0.1 MPH, and let you know if you're a toe-planter or a heel-planter when you run. It just can't lug your lazy ass out of bed.

[Hooterman @ Sep 11th 2008 9:47AM]

I don't see the swoosh anywhere. FAKE! ;)

[Ian @ Sep 11th 2008 9:49AM]

I run quite a lot, and use a GPS to track me. For those with Nokia phones, check out www.sportstracker.nokia.com. It's awesome. I've got a N95 8B and if you download the software, it'll track your run upload it to the service. There, you can see your run on Google Maps, monitor your progress etc. With the exception of the cost of the phone, it's free, and you can use it now.

[tom @ Sep 11th 2008 10:16AM]

With those GPS shoes, I was thinking of a different use, that is to monitor those on bail/house arrest. After all, you need to put on shoes when you head out. right?

[Josh @ Sep 11th 2008 10:34AM]

i just really hope that this version can accurately calibrate on the fly with the stride measurement, that is the biggest problem with the first one, esp if part of your run is up or down stairs

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Sep 11th 2008 11:55AM]

Isn't the Nike+ just basically a glorified pedometer? I've always wondered how on earth those things could be remotely accurate. It seems like GPS is obviously the way to go.

I don't use a GPS computer on my bike, but that's because the traditional bike computers actually work fairly well...

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 9:50AM]

What if I try to update the firmware and it bricks my shoes? I can't run with bricked shoes and I live in the city so I'm not gonna run barefoot.

[bob sakamano @ Sep 11th 2008 9:52AM]

pretty, pretty, pretty funny

[Rick @ Sep 11th 2008 9:54AM]

Sissy.I used to live near Chicago. Lots of people used to go swimming in Lake Michigan with brick shoes back in the old days.

[iRawr @ Sep 11th 2008 10:06AM]

my father wears sneakers in the swimming pool

[JR @ Sep 11th 2008 10:13AM]

Apple will only activate the "kill switch" for your own good.

[Matt @ Sep 11th 2008 11:32AM]

With all this technology going into these shoes, are power laces REALLY tha far behind???

[Jason @ Sep 11th 2008 2:27PM]

"pretty, pretty, pretty funny"

Ok, who votes that comment up?

[Tinu @ Sep 11th 2008 9:51AM]

A bit off topic but, Engadget, you know how "Low Ranked" posts look really faded out? Can you not fade out the "Neutral" posts? There are so many neutral posts usually in the comments section. All those faded out (even if just a little) really hurts the eyes, especially since Engadget has a white background.

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 9:58AM]

This comment is soooooo September 10th

[Josh @ Sep 11th 2008 10:11AM]

How old are your eyes? I've never noticed a greyed out comment

[Tinu @ Sep 11th 2008 10:25AM]

@Josh: If you don't think the "Low Ranked" posts are greyed out, I don't know what to tell you. Maybe I should ask how old are your eyes =) :-P.

[OneLove @ Sep 11th 2008 12:04PM]

so they took the time to add features, but did they FIX the comment system?

[JR @ Sep 11th 2008 9:58AM]

In the future, Apple will also monitor your bowel movements.

[Josh @ Sep 11th 2008 10:28AM]

in the year two thousand, in the year two thouuuussssaaaaaanndddddddd

[Passarinhuu @ Sep 11th 2008 12:02PM]

+1 vote for the reference :)

[OneLove @ Sep 11th 2008 12:05PM]

They already do.

[bob sakamano @ Sep 11th 2008 9:59AM]

I'll take your word for it, Paul... but I usually only trust Nilay on patent application interpretation.

[konshuss @ Sep 11th 2008 10:01AM]

apple is really beginning to push their luck... now they want their loyal followers to literally start running? yuppies don't run.

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 10:42AM]

Apple thought it up.

[chefgon_ign @ Sep 11th 2008 10:08AM]

Connecting a DAP to your shoes has got to be the stupidest idea ever. Who thinks up this garbage?

[Sisyphus @ Sep 11th 2008 10:10AM]

Don't try to put in 3rd party laces, or they'll self destruct.

[Dave @ Sep 11th 2008 10:13AM]

Let the GPS-Art officcially, and accurately, begin! Plot your routes, boys!

[Kspraydad @ Sep 11th 2008 10:18AM]

Can't have an Apple product without a skin.

http://i33.tinypic.com/4qmyc4.jpg

[fred @ Sep 11th 2008 10:26AM]

If you unlock the shoes, can you turn then into British Knights?

[burriot_avatar @ Sep 11th 2008 10:43AM]

and that post was supposed to go under chefgon_ign.

That's it! No more comments before coffee.

[KarlW @ Sep 11th 2008 10:45AM]

That's some pretty weird diversification. I remember when Apple used to be about Macs (and bankruptcy - for customers and company alike)

[Carlos Legarda @ Sep 11th 2008 10:54AM]

Can't get you out of bed?

What if they integrate electrodes into the shoe so that it will shock you if it doesn't feel itself hitting pavement. Only way to stop the shocks is to start running.

Now they just have to figure out how to get you to wear your shoes to bed.:D

[farfisa @ Sep 11th 2008 11:12AM]

Apparently Steve Jobs didn't want to use shoes until he made his own.

[roach @ Sep 11th 2008 11:15AM]

Big Brother is watching you

[rickjamess @ Sep 11th 2008 11:30AM]

In all seriousness, can we please ask apple/nike to create a sensor that has a replaceable battery? I love nike+, but the fact that you have to pay $20 for a replacement sensor is bogus when the kit costs only $10 more. To me, I think this is almost as bad as phone companies raping people for texting--almost.

And, how about they start removing the sensors that have been on the shelves for over a year--I've had to return my nike+ kit back to the store 4 times over three months because they kept giving me sensors that had been on the shelf past their 1 year guaranteed battery life--oh, and don't put the sensors in the package turned 'on'.

[cmil1212 @ Sep 11th 2008 12:10PM]

shoes for geeks..what a concept..lol

[David Reflex @ Sep 11th 2008 12:26PM]

Cant wait for Apple and Google to work out a partnership, they'll know where you surf AND physically walk to!

[Sam @ Sep 11th 2008 12:30PM]

The thrill of victory, and the agony of de-feet!
Amirite? Anyone?
Don't forget to try the veal; I'll be here all week!

[Stephen Lang @ Sep 11th 2008 1:10PM]

It will be able to give you turn-by-turn directions to your nearest McDonald's too.

[farfisa @ Sep 11th 2008 1:37PM]

Or better yet, if they're into this whole "health" thing, away from your nearest McDonald's.

[um... @ Sep 11th 2008 1:46PM]

What would happen if you went through airport security wearing these...

[Josh @ Sep 11th 2008 3:15PM]

same thing that happens when you go through with any other electronic device/ rfid tags - or same thing as if you go through wearing the current nike+ shoes

[Rudolphe @ Sep 11th 2008 3:49PM]

I'm sure iErik will have 3 pair.

[wickedpheonix @ Sep 11th 2008 3:53PM]

Oh christ - what happened to just getting a pair of comfortable shoes that were going to last you a long time? Just get a pair of sneakers and go to the gym if you really need to run. And if you don't wanna get a gym membership, just run around the block. It's really not that hard. No reason why anybody should be paying for this except to put numbers to their health - which is STUPID. If you look fine and feel fine, 99% of the time you are fine and putting sensors in shoes has nothing to do with the other 1%.

[Quikboy @ Sep 11th 2008 4:31PM]

So does this mean we can't expect Nike+ for Zune? Is Apple behind all the technology, or is actually Nike, since Nike has the main brand name on the product? Or is it an exclusive contract for a few years? Because I'd just really like a similar system for my Zune, but I'm not sure about the whole Nike and Apple thing.

[Miguel @ Sep 11th 2008 5:30PM]

It's not just Nike+. It's Nike+iPod. The sports technology is Nike, the software is Apple. It's not licensing. It's a full-on partnership. No Nike+Zune.

Which is kind of sad, because Nike+ is a great system, and my brother works for Nike. And yet I refuse to buy an iPod. C'est la vie.

[phr3qu3ncy441 @ Sep 11th 2008 10:57PM]

@ Miguel: you can get the standalone band (~50 bucks) which comes with the sensor and a wrist band you can use for tracking your runs (it has software for it to so it can interface with the nike+ website).

then if you ever decide to get an ipod and end up with the new ipod touch, you'll already have the shoe sensor for it.

[Jed @ Sep 11th 2008 7:16PM]

How about if Apple just puts Nike+ on my 3g iphone... then we can discuss new sneakers...

[ScooterDe @ Sep 11th 2008 4:40PM]

How about they stop adding niche crap to their product and instead focus on useful elements such as GPS? Building in Nike+ is a cost to all buyers, yet of doubtful benefit to most.

[phr3qu3ncy441 @ Sep 11th 2008 11:04PM]

niche crap? it seems like they're trying to attract a big audience. music + running goes pretty much hand in hand (and lots of people do enjoy jogging/running), and it seems apple wants to capitalize on it by having their ipods be the choice of music player (partnering up with nike and using nike+ as a bonus for runners). nike gets a boost too because if people start buying these new ipod touch products, they'll notice that they have the nike+ system integrated and may feel compelled to run using nike shoes (despite the fact that they could always run in any shoe, having an unusable feature and its stat-tracking/community component may drive them to side with nike).

i would like to see some effort by apple to get nike+ working on the iphones moreso than gps. i can't imagine it being overly involving either to get it to work.