Slashdot Mirror
Apple and Nike Team up for iPod Shoe Interface
lyonsden writes "Apple and Nike are teaming up to provide runners a system to integrate their shoes and their iPod. A $30 antenna will connect an iPod nano with special shoes to provide pedometer functions."
What would happen if Nike & Apple got together?
Below is an email correspondence with customer service representatives at iPOD iD, an on-line service that lets people buy personalized iPOD shoes. The dialog began when iPOD cancelled an order for a pair of shoes customized with the word "sweatshop." [get the latest on this story at shey.net]
From: "Personalize, iPOD iD"
To: "'W. McFarnby (not really)'"
Subject: RE: Your iPOD iD order o16468000
Your iPOD iD order was cancelled for one or more of the following reasons.
1) Your Personal iD contains another party's trademark or other intellectual property.
2) Your Personal iD contains the name of an athlete or team we do not have the legal right to use.
3) Your Personal iD was left blank. Did you not want any personalization?
4) Your Personal iD contains profanity or inappropriate slang, and besides, your mother would slap us.
If you wish to reorder your iPOD iD product with a new personalization please visit us again at www.iPOD.com
Thank you,
iPOD iD
From: "W. McFarnby (not really)"
To: "Personalize, iPOD iD"
Subject: RE: Your iPOD iD order o16468000
Greetings,
My order was canceled but my personal iPOD iD does not violate any of the criteria outlined in your message. The Personal iD on my custom ZOOM XC USA running shoes was the word "sweatshop." Sweatshop is not: 1) another's party's trademark, 2) the name of an athlete, 3) blank, or 4) profanity. I choose the iD because I wanted to remember the toil and labor of the children that made my shoes. Could you please ship them to me immediately.
Thanks and Happy New Year,
Wynn McF (not really)
From: "Personalize, iPOD iD"
To: "'W. McFarnby (not really)'"
Subject: RE: Your iPOD iD order o16468000
Dear iPOD iD Customer,
Your iPOD iD order was cancelled because the iD you have chosen contains, as stated in the previous e-mail correspondence, "inappropriate slang".
If you wish to reorder your iPOD iD product with a new personalization please visit us again at www.iPOD.com
Thank you,
iPOD iD
From: "W. McFarnby (not really)"
To: "Personalize, iPOD iD"
Subject: RE: Your iPOD iD order o16468000
Dear iPOD iD,
Thank you for your quick response to my inquiry about my custom ZOOM XC USA running shoes. Although I commend you for your prompt customer service, I disagree with the claim that my personal iD was inappropriate slang. After consulting Webster's Dictionary, I discovered that "sweatshop" is in fact part of standard English, and not slang. The word means: "a shop or factory in which workers are employed for long hours at low wages and under unhealthy conditions" and its origin dates from 1892. So my personal iD does meet the criteria detailed in your first email.
Your web site advertises that the iPOD iD program is "about freedom to choose and freedom to express who you are." I share iPOD's love of freedom and personal expression. The site also says that "If you want it done right...build it yourself." I was thrilled to be able to build my own shoes, and my personal iD was offered as a small token of appreciation for the sweatshop workers poised to help me realize my vision. I hope that you will value my freedom of expression and reconsider your decision to reject my order.
Thank you,
Wynn McF (not really)
From: "Personalize, iPOD iD"
To: "'W. McFarnby (not really)'"
Subject: RE: Your iPOD iD order o16468000
Dear iPOD iD Customer,
Regarding the rules for personalization it also states on the iPOD iD web site that "iPOD reserves the right to c
There are shills on slashdot. Apparently, I'm one of them.
Not to be a prude about this, but what exactly is the point? How much do regular pedometers cost?
/., but there's got to be a better use for it.
I know I've seen some for less than 30 bucks. Yeah, sure. There's the wow factor
(hey, lookee at my over-priced Nikes. Did you know I spent 30 bucks more and they can talk to my iPod? -- wow, I've gone to the couch and back six times in the last hour, logging 50 steps!)
But not much else. I love technology as much as the next person on
If firefighters fight fire, and crimefighters fight crime, what do freedom fighters fight? - George Carlin
Sounds like a neat idea, but I'm waiting for the iPhone + Nike = Shoe Phone.
...
"This shoephone holds over 5 billion songs!
Would you believe 10,000 songs and 5,000 ringtones?"
This is so going to trap those joggers nearby in their own little worlds. Running in circles all day long, running, running, running.
So can we at least attach some speakers too so they sound interesting as they jog by?
On a serious note... why do I have a weird feeling sales on "We are the Champions" are going to go up...
Can you imagine these at the airport?
Put your iPod in a clear transparent (and waterproof, just to be safe) case that adds a wireless connector which then uses Bluetooth to talk to your toilet seat. While you pinch a loaf it weighs you, takes your temperature, scans your dump as it passes the "sensor ring", and gives you helpful dietary suggestions along with playing a preset song that you've associated with one of a half-dozen air freshener options.
Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
Brings new meaning to the question, "You know what they say about men with big feet, don't you?"
Big hard drives!
Thank you, I'll be here all week.
Developers: We can use your help.
For the low low price of 99 cents a mile, you can use these fancy running shoes with built-in music. If you stop paying, they break your legs. The RIAA will love it!
I disagree vehemently with this behavior
Got 250 dollars burning a hole in your pocket?
These Adidas have a computer onboard that changes the shoes rigidity and bounce depending on how hard the terrain is and how fast your moving. AND if you jump they make that Steve Austin 'WHOOOSH' jumping sound and allow you to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Hurray for science!
I mean, they had a pedometer...running 5000 steps with a first-gen iPod would cause the hard drive to fail... :)
I'll form my OWN solar system! With blackjack! And hookers!
Boy, when I saw that "Special Shoes" link I thought for sure I was going to see this!
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
A supersmall step sensor for your shoe with wireless transmitter, a wireless receiver, iPod integration, timer, text-to-speach interface, "booster song with 1 keypress", recording all your trips and comparing them over the internet, and Apple and Nike behind it - I was expecting that gear to cost at least $50 to $80, and I'm pretty sure the people that are interested would have paid that amount without thinking about it - but only $29? That is one seriously low price. Wow, what happened, are they subsidizing this one or something?
And if they do, how do they make sure we are buying nike shoes? That step counter can be taped to any shoe, can't it?
I have Apple products and wear Nikes!!!
Apple : the new MTV.
It seems like the Nike accelerometer and wireless interface could be hacked to do something else other that act as a pedometer.
The website says "sensitive accelerometer". Could it be sensitive enough (and updated frequently enough) to be used as a seismometer (detect earthquakes)?
There have to be other interesting uses for this, although this really seems like a sweet little application. Making use of the processing and storage power of the ipod that lots of runners already use is really very clever.
The Nike+ shoes have a pocket under the insole for the sensor to fit, but you could just as easily attach it to the laces of your current shoes. Something I plan on doing with my Adidas shoes.
And if they really joined forces, they'd need a new name. Hmmmm, let's see, something like: Nike + Apple = Nipple.
Yeah, I'd definitely buy one of those! Maybe two.
Corporations like Apple and Nike promoting their brands through a synergystic crossover product? Get out of here! Next thing you'll tell me that they're going to get professional athletes and rock stars to promote this thing.
Bigger shoes than New Balance. And wireless. Cool!
The idea seems like a gimick to sell more on itms (look at all the sport mixes and crap they talk about on the Sync page). But going passed that, it would be cool to see what people can do with the 2.4ghz wireless adapter. I can't really forsee where that might go, but I am sure someone will think of something truely fun to do with it.
One last note... Why are they releasing this? iTunes 6.0.5 isnt out yet, and you can't buy the kit to hook up your shoes and iPod for a bit longer.
Scott Swezey
these days you're likely to get your ass tackled if you're seen fooling with your shoes and plugging stuff into them.
This must be part of the wireless patents Apple filed for a while back. I would not at all be surprised if this idea of wireless integration gets incorporated into more and more things. Imagine if you could carry your ipod with you all day and have it work automatically with your home stereo, shoes, car, etc. The ipod could become much more than an mp3 player, and could help collect data (pedometer, etc) and stream music to different sources automatically.
This seems like exactly the thing Jobs and Apple would pursue, a seamless system of wireless integration would perfectly embody their philosophies of style, power, simplicity, and having things 'just work'. It may be just a new shoe accessory right now, but I for one could see this type of technology evolving into new areas
"For Great Justice."
OT - That banner ad for Crystal Reports just brought my computer to a crawl.
I have 5 iPods in my left shoe alone... speek for your self.
I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain
...by linking up with one of the most evil corporations on the face of the earth, the manufacturers of the jackboot in the uniform of globalisation.
Quick! Get Flock of Seagulls out of 80's One (2?) Hit Wonder Purgatory!
"And iRan, iRan so far away"
On both their parts. While joggers might not be a huge percentage of total mp3 player sales, I'd bet almost everyone who jogs anymore either has or plans to buy one. Apple may have just swallowed them all up. The data tracking function is probably a much bigger deal to those types than lardasses like er.. us realize. Nike gets to sell people another pair of overpriced shoes (probably moreso than usual) and horn in on Apple's brand recognition. Nike might be big in the shoe racket, but those Nike branded Phillips players didn't exactly take the world by storm.
"You know why you do not see me styling wit my homies? Because I have no homies!!" -Mojo Jojo
That's awesome! Honestly it might make ME start running ;).
j^2
gazoontight
Slashdotters are so keen and cutting edge when dealing with all things tech, except when it has to do with exercise. Do most of you realize that Garmin sells gps devices that link with 3 different satellites for the express purpose of tracking someone's mph and total miles run? Can you believe people are willing to spend $300 on a device that does this?
Looking at the links on Apple's site, it shows that the run data can also be synced with your computer once you get back from the run. The data includes stuff like speed, distance, calories burned, etc, so you can see your progress over a length of time. As a former cross country and track runner, this is the kind of information that we had to calculate manually (well, at least record the numbers and then crunch them) to get an overall view of our progress and goals. Also, it would be cool to have since I'd already be bringing my iPod on a run, and wouldn't need to bring a seperate electronic pedometer along (and I'd be willing to be the electronic pedometers out there that track the same information and sync with a computer don't work with Macs).
Regular pedometers don't talk to you in a sexy female voice that encourages you to keep going. Plus, it syncs online to a database so you can compare / contrast to other users. Or if boasting isn't your thing, you can download your data onto the computer for use in charting your progress.
Its actually quite ingenious, and very well priced.
That won't short out when you do the swimming portion.
And, has anyone thought of having it make your shoes shuffle when you set the iPod on "shuffle"?
Nike: Just Do It But First Pay Money
Seriously, though, as a former marathon runner (2 hr 29 minutes back when the world record was 2 hr 14 minutes), I question the practical utility of an integrated shoe to iPod link - sure, it's nice to know your approximate pedometer rating, but in reality that is not a real number, only an estimation based on your running stride and (more likely) walking stride - pedometers tend to fail when you are in hill climb and downhill portions.
One would be better served by a GPS integrated iPod that has a calculator function that tells you your literal pace, infers heartrate from a standard external monitor, and shows comparison timings from when you do a fast run at increased speed for a shorter practice run as a goal setter, and possibly uses the iPod music interface to tell you useful information such as:
1. 20 miles to go!
2. take a drink of water soon (elapsed time indicates thirst)
3. you are running at/above/below peak training speed (based on prior training or estimated speeds)
4. hill coming up, duration 2 miles (based on GPS readings and the route/map you gave)
5. only 4 miles to go! (as you get further on)
And so on.
But none of that has anything to do with a shoe. You're far better off with a watch/GPS that connects to your iPod.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
A guy walks up to me and asks, "What's Macintosh?" I show him my Quadra 840av and say "That's Macintosh." So he runs out, he buys a shiny new Mac mini, and he comes back and says "That's Macintosh?" and I say "No, that's trendy!"
That's only slightly better than paying $30 for this!!! The most ridiculous expenditure I think I have ever seen.
I would have to wait until New Balance comes out with one. A 13 4D Wide is kinda of hard to come by.
Regular pedometers don't talk to you in a sexy female voice that encourages you to keep going. Plus, it syncs online to a database so you can compare / contrast to other users. Or if boasting isn't your thing, you can download your data onto the computer for use in charting your progress.
Its actually quite ingenious, and very well priced.
iShoe!
Bless you.
-Grey
Silver Clipboard: Time Management Tips
What happens when you combine and overpriced media player with an overpriced shoe? MAGIC! Oh, wait... I meant to say HORRIBLE CONCEPTS. Pedometers are cheap, media players are expensive (specifically overpriced iPods), and Nike makes poor-quality overly-costly shoes. Even if it wasn't an iPod -- let's say it was a universal mp3 player adapter for your shoes... I'm not going to stick an expensive and fragile electronic device IN MY SMELLY SHOES (maybe if they were loafers, but this is suppossed to be for excercise!)! Come on Apple, what happened to your pizazz! Shoes + mp3 player?... I would expect this kind of CRAP from Sony, but not you. You've changed Apple, you've changed.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
At first this sounded absolutely retarded to me.. then after thinking about it I saw potential uses. If the iPod can be smart enough to see when you start to slow down, or where your "problem areas" are when jogging compared to previous runs (I don't jog, so who knows if these things exist) if it can modify your random selections to play something with faster tempo, it might be worthwhile.. likewise if it can slow things down on your cool down..
I'm so funny.
The only ones I see.
The sensor is meant to integrate in Nike shoes.
The sensor doesn't have changeable batteries.
I am sure you can figure out some way to attach to non nikes, unless I read this wrong and ceartian shoes come with embeded sensor.
Batter is a concern until they tell us how long it lasts. If three years then what the heck...
A guy walks up to me and asks, "What's a copy-paste troll?" I show him "How do I run Quake 3 in Linux?" and say "That's a copy-paste troll." So he runs out, he buys a shiny new parent post, and he comes back and says "That's a copy-paste troll?" and I say "No, that's--oh wait, that's a copy-paste troll as well. So yes."
Please, for the good of Humanity, vote Obama.
...it will become known as "The sole that times men's tries".
(sorry)
The Nike+
Can they get this interface to work with Waterskis as well as I think it's time for the iPod to jump over a shark.
Done, done, and done!
Buy an iToilet!
"You will pay for your lack of vision..." - Emperor Palpatine to Ray Charles
"The original location for the player holster had to be moved when testers kept referring to it as the 'iPud.' "
"Made up/misattributed quote that makes me look smart. I am on
This would sell in Japan.
You joke, but I'm pretty sure some of those crazy Japanese electro-toilets do stuff like this. Maybe they analyze your urine and not your -- as you so delicately put it -- "loaf." If they don't actually exist, then someone was seriously considering making one, because the article I read (this was at least a year or so ago) was quite serious in tone.
I wonder how people would feel about being told they're pregnant by their toilet?
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
These ranged from a lack of basic terms of employment and excessive hours of work to unauthorised sub-contracting, confirmed physical or sexual abuse and the existence of conditions which could lead to death or serious injury."
Cool. That means as of 13 April, 2005 only in 40% of the factories used by Nike workers face a lack of basic terms of employment and excessive hours of work, unauthorised sub-contracting, confirmed physical or sexual abuse and the existence of conditions which could lead to death or serious injury. I'm off to by a pair of Nikes.
Seriously, this is the first major goof since Steve Jobs came back to Apple.
An abundance of add-on gadgets, and still no FM Tuner. Talk about thinking different.
I was actually expecting this to be some kind of Post April 1st /. post but I don't see any OMG PONIES info.
You can try all you want to convince me that they accidentally caught that chick mid-stride... But we'll both know that you don't believe it.
Pedo-phile?
Kind of disappointing, I was expecting a shoe-based charger. _That_ would be something I would buy. Charging your phone/iPod etc, while you walk.
I looked into it a few years back, and it seemed to me that there was enough energy there to do something with.
It's embarassing, though. There is that.
Man, you really need that seminar!
While I find this particular application to be uninteresting,I do think that it's opening an interesting door for the iPod as a wireless data collection device.
Will Apple sell iPods to meter readers for gathering gas and water use info?
What other opportunites exist for mobile data collection?
I saw the headline and pictured something like hopping on one foot would skip a song. You're jogging along, bad song comes on, you skip on your right foot once and boom, next song. Jump with both feet and it stops/starts. If it got popular, you'd see joggers doing some weird stuff...especially if they have a lot of crap on their iPod!
After seeing it's just a pedometer, hmmm [runs to the patent office]
I've been running for about five years now (competitively and otherwise) and almost every pair of shoes I've owned, whether they were for training or competition have come from Adidas. Same thing with a lot of the people I run with. Adidas just makes good shoes without lots of flash and hype. If Apple had partnered with Adidas I'd at least be considering getting this, it sounds interesting. Of course, one of the reasons Apple chose Nike for this was because of all the hype and flash and recognition they bring. I think that will alienate a lot of more serious runners. Of course, maybe that's not the target audience for this.
I've always pictured the color of OS zealotry as a sort of bright flamingo pinkish hue
I shall call it 'iPed'.
But when will thy team with a pharmaceutical company to produce an iPod suppository?
these days you're likely to get your ass tackled if you're seen fooling with your shoes and plugging stuff into them.
I thought they were proactive these days, so they just flip a coin to decide whether you're the next one to make their day.
Jumpstart the tartan drive.
If you are doing serious running, you should be replacing your shoes every 300-400 miles. I would wager the included battery would easily last that long. Heart rate monitor chest straps do essentially the same thing as these shoes, except they count heartbeats instead of paces. Every HRM battery has lasted at least a year, some more than 2, so I don't anticipate it being a real concern for most customers.
If they put this ipod on the 'sneakers with wheels', does the person need to use a headset?
Think Creative will have a go at Nike now?
I hate shoes! Why can't they come up with one of these that can be used with bare feet.
I am pretty sure the pedometer would work just as well if it was mounted on the ipod itself and then they could get rid of that pesky wireless interface which is prone to failure.
More importantly I think this is the merging of the wrong products. What I really want to see is a pocket size GPS that can play music (non-DRM at that), includes a pedmoeter and can tell you all kinds of interesting stuff like cadence, pace, distance traveled, how the hell to get home from here, etc. That's the product I would buy!
Wait, should I be patenting this?
orange sunglasses and black turtle-necks go well with gym shoes?
Am I the only one that pictured someone listening to their shoe immediately after reading the headline? (ala Get Smart http://www.wouldyoubelieve.com/ )
Cybie! aka Ralph Bonnell
WTF kind of tard-mod made this parent post a troll? It's actually one of the most non-trolling posts I've read on /. in a while. While they may not have all of their information and facts correct, they at least made a coherent argument and didn't use "t3h sux0r" or "wtf" in their post.
MODERATORS, MOD ME DOWN, BUT MOD THE PARENT UP.
Apologies to all non-tard-mods.
Thank you.
[http://it-tastes-so-good.blogspot.com] Are you hungry?
I'm currently running 55km each week. I usually carry:
I love the Garmin (worn like a wrist watch, but makes a Casio GShock look tiny), but hate the fact that GPS and large buildings do not really match. Living in Berlin there is no way to avoid them without getting out of town first. I always run the same route and the distance measured by the Garmin varies about 10% each time.
So I'd actually consider to add the sensor as an addition to what I'm already wearing, just to gain accuracy (yes, running can make you quite obsessive). I'd probably keep the Garmin due to the heart rate monitor and some other nice features. The price of the sensor is neglectable compared to the shoes and cloth I wear out per year, the worst thing would be eventually being forced to switch the shoe brand.
I am possibly close to the perfect target group: I run a lot, I care a lot about how much I run, I listen to music and more while I run. I would match perfectly if I had not already tried to satisfy my desires with appropriate technology. So the only remaining upsale will be for Nike.
memomo: free web based language trainer DE-EN-ES-FR-IT
Having grown up in a family that played and coached tons of sports, I've seen a good deal of Nike shoes wear out very quickly. Reebok and Adidas lasted, Nike is just for the flash and the swoosh. But it seems Apple is going for the recognition of the swoosh more than quality. Sad.
It's a fad that will come and go quickly as the serious runners stay reluctant to switch shoes for the show. You're not going to burn any more calories by having this product unless you're trying to kick yourself for giving in.
It's a girl!
An iPod shoe has higher demand than a 2-button input device?? Sometimes I really question my loyalty to Apple.
They've really got the competition running scared now!
Warning: The intelligence of this post may be larger than it appears.
Don't forget the audio coach feature that chimes in after the toilet seat weighs you: "You've just lost 3.72 pounds. Great job!"
hopefully it will handle each shoe as a unique id and your ipod will know which shoes are yours, otherwise running in groups could be interesting- or even running past someone else.
I suspect the transponders for the Nike+ shoes and Nano were designed for Nike/Apple by Dynastream.
They've had a historical relationship with Nike, 2.4GHz PANs and RF protocol as evidenced by the press releases found here.
Wireless Sports Area Network (SPAN? WSPAN?) anyone? Nike, Suunto and Garmin all appear to have worked with Dynastream, so I wonder about future interoperability. . .
I wonder how people would feel about being told they're pregnant by their toilet?
Just imagine the false-positives...
Just do iT
I put the 't' in electrical engineering.
With all the funny posts to this, why oh why didn't Slashdot use the FOOT icon?
:-)
Bah! Wasted opportunity
Will slashdotters actually use these shoes? Aren't they for running & jogging with is foreign to the average slashdotter?
I
I believe we now have the world's smelliest pedometer.
Shoes, cell phones, PDAs are taken, how about underwear? Lingerie? Things that are commonly inserted into body cavities? Keychains? Sunglasses? Scarves? Things people put in their hair to hold it in place or as decoration? Sweatbands? Bracelets or anklets?
Hell, put them in fruits and vegetables, bags of junk food, suppositories of various kinds, nicotine patches, beverage containers...
Still, this insistence on listening to music at evry conceivable spare moment seems goofy and alienating. I hope it's a fad...
I would buy this, if it also received and recorded data from a heart rate sensor chest strap, like Nike's other product, the Triax Elite HRM/SDM.f =global_home#equipment
http://www.nike.com/nikerunning/usa/home.jhtml?re
why does this make slashdot? why not have light-up shoes on here too? i don't see anything special about shoes that demands computerization. the same could be achieved with a gps device. this seems like a desperate attempt to find some common ground between 2 companies that have nothing in common but style.
Since Nike already makes a sensor that ties to the top of any shoe, I'd bet that their new in-sole sensor will also work by fixing it to some zip ties and putting it on your Adidas. No doubt the sensor is accessible since you'll need to change its batteries. I also doubt that the position in the sole is important, though certainly it will have to be placed on the shoe.
the added weight will mean you burn more claries. Q.E.D.
It would be nice if the out a device that generate elctricity to help maintain you iPods charge longer.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
I guess "Thinking Different" means using child- and forced-labor sweatshops to produce hot gear? Excellent! I can't wait to rush out and buy several pairs, so eager to line Phil Knight's pockets! Better still, Nike can soon use the Nike+ wireless transmitters to monitor the motion of the 5-year-olds manufacturing the shoes, and get the bosses over to the slackers for a flogging that much faster. This will mean increased productivity -- no price drop, but Nike's profits will increase! Yay!
remember this? didn't quite have the sophistication of your invention though...
there's no place like ~
USA: Iped?
France: Ipied
Italia: Ipiede
I should be in marketing.
if(!toilet_paper) roll.replace(new roll);
Yet, I'd still have to wipe my own ass ?
Some things never change.
Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
It would be cool if Apple/Nike would team up and offer something like 1 free song for every 4 miles ran, etc.
Might get people to start exercising. *Note* I am saying this as an American...and yes, we do have a major obesity problem.
I realize this is targeted at a wide consumer audience, but it would be really cool to see some high-end versions of this for more serious athletes. I would love to see this merged with the kinds of functions the really good fitness computers have.
f =global_home#equipment
5 x.asp
Here's a sampling of such products:
Nike's Triax Elite running watch is one of the items on this page
http://www.nike.com/nikerunning/usa/home.jhtml?re
Polar's S625X Running watch with S1 foot pod
http://www.polarusa.com/consumer/runtri/model/S62
and perhaps coolest of all, Suunto's T6
http://www.suunto.com/dyn/t6
Nike has the right idea with the foot sensor. All the devices listed above use a similar sort of accelerometer to measure a runner's speed and distance. This Nike+ thing is way cheaper though, which makes me think they're cutting corners. Or they're pricing it extra low to move a lot of them. Hopefully it's the latter.
What Nike+ is missing, that those other products have, is a heart rate monitor. It's a no-brainer. All they'd need to add is the capability to receive data from the heart rate straps Nike already makes. While speed and distance give you performance, heart rate gives you a great indicator of effort. Once you have both performance and effort, you can divide the one by the other and get your fitness level. Then each time you sync your ipod, you get your new songs, update your podcasts, and see an updated graph of your fitness level rising over the last few weeks.
On top of that, the ipod nano could easily record every single heartbeat, which is the sort of thing only the extra-high-end monitors (the S625X and T6) can do. With detailed timing information like that, they've been able to do some other nifty things. Suunto computes an estimate for "EPOC" (Excess Post-exercise Oxygen Consumption). Using this, their software can offer advice on how hard your workout should be, and prevent you from overtraining.
Imagine a consumer product that puts this kind of advanced information in the hands of the casual athlete and makes it simple to use. With this equipment, you're already packing enough computing power to record and store the information. Why not use it?
Vidi, Vici, Veni
That is pointless and geeky enough to make me ALMOST regret being so goddam lazy. 8-P
I love /.
This is the first athletic/fitness/healthy item mentioned on slashdot front page in some time, and the first /.two taggings are lame and stupid. Just because you're a nerd doesnt mean you have to be fat and lazy and never do anything physical. Dont label me flamebit or some nerd excuse, this is true although I dont want to generalize. When i saw this i was like cool, for 30 bucks I can compare my workouts to see how im doing and with a device I already carry while working out. Thats it, Its a little device that can help you work out. Not a Beowolf cluster or a new 16 core processor, it helps you work out for 30 bucks. Thats it. The majority of people in this market already have an ipod and a pair of nikes, why not make them do more for you?
just a thought.
Nike and Philips released the MP3Run player/pedometer in July 2004. A Bluetooth module clipped onto your shoelaces and the player kept track of your time, distance, speed, and pace. In addition to the screen showing your running information, a voice announced your progress either on demand or at preset intervals. The player kept your running history by date, which could be downloaded to your PC and uploaded to the nikerunning.com training log. Does all this sound familiar?
That said, the Nike/Philips MP3Run was a typically unrefined version 1.0 product. It had a great FM tuner (strong signals, 10 presets), but it didn't work if you were using the pedometer (WTF?). The sound quality was subpar, but perhaps good enough if you only used it when exercising. The capacity (initially) was only 256MB and didn't work with DRM protected WMA or AAC. Some good points: the player was weatherproof/sweatproof and had a built-in strobe light for night running.
The Nike/Apple product looks like a much better and more refined product with updated technology (and a convenient Nike shoe lock-in), but it's not new. Also, wireless Bluetooth accessories for the iPod are already in existence for your car and home stereo. I'm sure the Apple-branded accessories, if Apple makes them, will be better and more integrated, but I don't think Apple patents or innovations apply here.
TO START
PRESS ANY KEY
Where's the 'ANY' key? I see Esk, Kitarl, and Pig-Up...
"Yet, I'd still have to wipe my own ass ?"
You may be the first person to suggest the iBidet.
"If these companies paid a fair wage and provided good working conditions, you would see very few people complaining."
Of course, you never see any of the workers or potential workers in those countries complaining, and there's a reason for that: Nike and other "sweatshop" owners provided far better jobs than were normally available to people in those countries. People FOUGHT to get a spot in one of those factories.
Privileged, overfed and sheltered children of developed nations may forget this, but at one time in their not-to-distant past, their nation used to be filled with jobs just like the ones in the sweatshop. And eventually, wealth grew and working conditions got better. God forbid you should ASK the sweatshop workers whether or not they want the sweatshops there or not. Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn of the New York Times went to Asia to do just that. Not only do the people overwhelmingly approve of the sweatshops, but in a longer timeframe, the sweatshops contribute to a general increase in the living standards in the areas they are placed. Which is more than anybody can say for those stupid anti-globalization protests or Bono concerts.
There is no easy shortcut between being a developing nation with a subsistence agricultural economy and an information age economy. If the rise of the Asian economies in the 1980s-1990s proved one thing, it's that each and every one has to go through the same growing pains that the United States and Europe once went through. And sweatshops are a step along the way.
Light a fire for a man and he'll be warm for a day. Light a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Hmmm, while tempting, I don't think having water sprayed on my ass while I'm sitting on an electric appliance is such a good idea.
Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
I think Apple and Nike are getting together so that they can setup this awesome stunt where a Kewl Dood gets onto a surf board and heads out onto the water, slicks back his shiny black hair and JUMPS A SHARK.
To the Apple Store article?
Seriously, the thing has just farking disappeared.
He doesn't know how to use the three seashells!
If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.
-fred
Sign #11 of Slashdot overdose: You see the phrase 'moderate Republican' and you wonder if that would be a +1 or a -1.
No snark, I'm honestly curious. I am a semi-amusing runner (you'd know what I meant if you saw me jogging to work) but I would never wear Nikes. Then again, the reason for that is the fact that I have feet of a rather unusual size, and thus I need New Balance if I want shoes that actually fit.
-fred
Sign #11 of Slashdot overdose: You see the phrase 'moderate Republican' and you wonder if that would be a +1 or a -1.
I'd buy these in an instant if they included a heart-rate monitor. (Yes, there'd need to be a chest-band. So?) Jogging with just my iPod, no watch (for the HRM) and no anklet (for the pedometer), would be lovely.
-fred
Sign #11 of Slashdot overdose: You see the phrase 'moderate Republican' and you wonder if that would be a +1 or a -1.
never mind
Privileged, overfed and sheltered children of developed nations may forget this, but at one time in their not-to-distant past, their nation used to be filled with jobs just like the ones in the sweatshop. And eventually, wealth grew and working conditions got better.
Because workers unionized and forced employeers to offer better wages and working conditions. Kinda contradicts your whole "sweatshops are good" shtick.
Just do it...
Please, don't buy Nike. Nike exploits people in countries where corrupt governments allow their people few rights. Exploitation which includes children. If you are a good honest person and love your freedom and the democracy which helps you keep it, then please don't reward the corporations and foreign governments which don't care at all about human rights. If you keep rewarding their actions with money, they will keep exploiting innocent people. You allow that exploitation to happen if you encourage the morally corrupt with your money.
You can take the power away from these corrupt corporations. They are NOTHING without you and your money.
Nike. Just say no.
Of course, you never see any of the workers or potential workers in those countries complaining, and there's a reason for that: Nike and other "sweatshop" owners provided far better jobs than were normally available to people in those countries. People FOUGHT to get a spot in one of those factories.
Aren't you skipping the part about if you complain, you're out, and if you try to organize complaints, you're possibly even dead.
sudo ergo sum
I'd be more interested if I could use shoes to charge the iPod.
sudo ergo sum
Knowing your distance (or speed/time) is one thing, but in order to have a complete outlook of the exercise, you also have to have the heartbeat.
:)
If you're in shape, you'd be able to run further and faster, but with less effort than a mare amateur. Measuring your effort (directly derived from heartrate) is very important in order to achieve results.
Nevertheless, it does seam like a good product to me. I may even buy it
I feel bad for anyone working in a sweatshop, but unless they were forced to work there against their will then I cannot say a company is evil for contracting a company that uses sweatshops. Of course I would love it if every company paid their employees well, took proper care of them, provided good healthcare, and so fourth. But there are many companies all around the world that mistreat their employees and it is not limited to sweatshops in asia, china, or elsewhere. If I see a good produce for sale and I have the money I am going to purchase it. Because if you buy almost any product obviously someone that worked for that company at some point has been mistreated. I can't say I have ever worked in a sweatshop, but even I have been mistreated. I can't say anything horrible has ever happened to me, but there have been things that were very unfair. Yet I will still buy goods from those places, because I realize when you get down to it there are many other places that have done the same.
Technobunga - Refreshing High Tech Geek Fuel and Modern Happenings
Next is a shoe with a built-in stopwatch. They will be the soles that time men's tries.
Give me a break, we all already know how many steps it is from the couch to the fridge and back.
Press Release: The Kennedy Meriwether Collective's label, Sir Billkay Music, announces the launch of their online music store. Having many songs to listen to, this download music site proves to be worth bookmarking at: www.sirbillkay.com
You've got to ask yourself: why do they have nothing? That's more important than acknowledging what little they receive from Nike etc.
You are doing missionary work. That's laudable. I've lived in SE Asia, so I know the score a bit too. And I don't see anything else in Nike's actions than their taking advantage of a horrible situation, and saying, in effect, well, we're less horrible. We do less evil.
And what a recruitment drive that is: work for us, or sell your daughter into prostitution. Any company dependent on the manual labour of such a labour pool is lucky indeed. It's almost like someone has created the perfect army of workers ...
Then I'm sure all the fatass Mac fa(n/g)boys will go out and buy one - even if it is useless.
It would be really cool, if the iPod could choose songs based on your speed so actual bpm match your foot steps. That way, it will be adapting to your speed, contrary to what happens always. You adjust your speed to match the bpm of the song you are listening.
And the pro version would have a sort of DJ, mixing tracks as you gear up or down.
Loved the "Nitro" song for the extra boost.
the iSteppedinDogPoop
Those who believe the Internet is private,
find their privates are on the Internet.
Obviously you can't read, so I'll just say this again:
Just because these jobs might be better then the alternatives doesn't absolve the company of the moral responsiblity not to work these people like slaves just because it's "better then what they had before".
Read it slowly if you are having trouble understanding.
"There is no easy shortcut between being a developing nation with a subsistence agricultural economy and an information age economy. If the rise of the Asian economies in the 1980s-1990s proved one thing, it's that each and every one has to go through the same growing pains that the United States and Europe once went through. And sweatshops are a step along the way."
The first part may be true, but the poor working conditions these people are forced to endure is not neccessary step. I'm not against companies placing factories in developing nations and I do recognise the good they do for the economy. But just because people in the US and Europe went through a working in similar conditions doesn't mean we can't enforce something better now. If $2 a day is a good local wage, that's fine by me. 16 hour days, 6-7 days a week and unsafe working conditions? NOT ACCEPTABLE.
I'm not a runner, so I really don't know. One hour a day, let's say several times a week, that'd be several years.
Of course, your mileage may vary! Thank you! Tip your waitstaff and try the veal!
I think most of the people that want to track their speed and distance already have a GPS. This doesn't look like it's gonna get them to switch.
Did you notice in TFA that the gal is running around with the iPod strapped to her upper arm, as is typical. In this position the iPod display is not visible, so you would only get the voice feedback. TFA has no detail about what cues are delivered to the ear buds or what control you have over them (I want to be notified when my pace drops below 8 min or above 8.25). I'm pretty happy with the visual display that I get from the Garmin foretrex/forerunner which is straped to my wrist and easily visible.
It would be cool if you could configure your playlist to be controled by milestones. Of course, if you were that interested in doing that you have probably already just trimmed the songs to fit or adjusted the milestones to fit the playlist, e.g. I know that I should be at the Arapaho stop light by the time "Making Thunderbirds" finishes to be on pace.
Using a pedometer in the shoe is limiting, it only collects data about traveling by foot, nothing for the bike and swim legs. The garmin on my wrist works better than most bike computers and there are no flimsy wires to break - it was priced about the same as a lot of wireless bike odometers too (but it lacks cadence monitoring). It's true I do miss signals while swimming, but I only notice this when I upload the bread crumbs to the PC and examine them closely as the foretrex extrapolates the distance between the points that it does get signals for. I don't look at it as often while I'm swimming as I do on foot or bike anyway, so the missing points don't worry me much.
Uploading data from my GPS to my PC is somewhat of a hassle, but I didn't buy the manufacter's software either, so the kludged together process I go through is partly my own fault. The syncing of the iPod is pretty cool, way better than the syncing of my GPS. I usually just type it in. But on the rare occasions where I go to the trouble to superimpose the breadcrumbs on top of a map I like to be able to do this, and there isn't a chance with a pedometer.
There are other things that I would rather see integrated with my iPod than my shoes, but you gotta develop what the crap weasles pay ya to as open source hardware is well, not ready for prime time. Maybe this inteface will generate heaps of cash for Apple and they will expand the interface to things like a heads up display on my sunglasses or stuff that would be really cool.
What would be really cool is if it could find a song at the same tempo as you are running, and keep the song in beat with your footsteps. Or you could have it programmed to help you step up the pace by subtly increasing the tempo as you get going. You might not even notice that you were going faster. Using music as a speed training tool, now there's one for the patent office!
Rather, you are ahead if you know where to get the text of an inappropriate Nike SHOE order from 5 1/2 years ago.c id=15395619 (slashdot.org)
This is actually a re-write of an old email regarding just Nike shoes.
The author of the re-write does link to the original, but you have to click links or you may not realize it.
See my other reply: http://apple.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=186474&
----
"Plagarize...let no one's work evade you eyes. Remember why the good Lord made your eyes, so plagarize plagarize plagar..but be sure to always call it 'Research'" - Tom Lehrer "Lobachevsky"
...can be read here
So it's an open question: does an 'advanced performance footwear research laboratory' outweigh lousy materials and sweatshop labor? It's a good question.
-fred
Sign #11 of Slashdot overdose: You see the phrase 'moderate Republican' and you wonder if that would be a +1 or a -1.
just asking...