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 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!
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.
...it will become known as "The sole that times men's tries".
(sorry)
"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
It's embarassing, though. There is that.
Man, you really need that seminar!
Just do iT
I put the 't' in electrical engineering.