Filed under: iPod Family, Rumors
Bluetooth iPod functionality days away
Damien pointed out the new Nike/Apple joint venture that was announced today, and mentioned that it seems to lend credence to the notion of an Apple-branded bluetooth* device for the iPod. After poking around the site a bit, I'd say Click "Overview" and watch the video. The actor plugs a "receiver" into the bottom of his iPod which, according to the site, "talks" to a transponder in the sneakers. As you run, software on the iPod relays information on your journey gathered by the transponder to your headphones, like total distance traveled, average pace, etc. You'll notice there's no cable traveling from the sneaks to the 'Pod (you can see a larger version of this snapshot plus another after the jump). In fact, this page contains the following quote:
"The receiver fits securely into the Dock connector on the bottom of your iPod nano. Wirelessly connected to the sensor in your Nike+ shoe, it receives up-to-the-second information as you run."
Now, it looks like it's the receiver that adds wireless functionality to the iPod, and not something built into the player itself (which makes sense, because who would want to buy a brand new nano just for this?). So, this setup will most likely only perform this single task wirelessly (note that the actor still uses wired headphones with the iPod). But once that receiver is in place, manufacturers (including Apple, of course) should be able to easily create accessories for it. Still, it's pretty cool. According to Nike, the kit will available in 60 days, but you can pre-order now.
*Update: Could be a false alarm on the bluetooth, folks. Further inspection has revealed that the sneaker transponder uses a 2.4 Ghz, proprietary
signal to transfer information to the iPod. Drat. Plus, "proprietary" sounds like "3rd party manufacturers won't be making headphones any time soon." Oh, well.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Brian said 2:08PM on 5-23-2006
That's so freakin' cool. In concept.
Too bad Nike makes such narrow running shoes...
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bl8ant said 2:11PM on 5-23-2006
if you look closely, you can see that the ipod headphones still plug into the nike addon. the only bluetooth used might be from the shoe to the nike addon. it aint bluetooth until your headphones lose the cord, in my mind anyway.
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Neil Cochrane said 2:12PM on 5-23-2006
but you see the guy pressing a button when the nano's on his sleave with a headphone jack coming out
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John said 2:28PM on 5-23-2006
Hey...
it uses 2.4 ghz with proprietary
its on the Rock and Run Page.... at teh bottom at specs
http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike
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Blake said 2:28PM on 5-23-2006
I highly doubt there will be any Bluetooth involved here. My guess is it will be similar to Polar's footpod and other companies heart rate monitors that transmit information wirelessly, I believe they use a 2.4 Ghz freq. The power consumption is much lower, since there is no need to transfer lots of data at high speeds, like you would need to do for the audio.
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Callum said 2:37PM on 5-23-2006
that reciever is a crying shame in Apple Accessories, design-wise. Look how square and sticky-out it is! There are a gazillion companies (look at San Disk!) (badly)copying the iPod design basics, why could Nike follow suite... I mean if you were to design this thing, or a small child.... a monkey- you wouldn't have the thing stick out! Crazzzy!
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ChillyWilly said 2:44PM on 5-23-2006
I also note that it says iTunes 6.0.5
So far, nothing is showing up in Software Update. I wonder if it will in 60 days.
This receiver looks cool, but it doesn't look like BT.
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Coelomic said 2:45PM on 5-23-2006
I doubt whether it is a bluetooth addition that we are going to see, if at all. Apple's web page says that it uses a 2.4 Ghz proprietary signal to transfer the information from the shoe to the iPod. Dont know whether companies will be able to make headphones that use this tech.
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Marvin said 2:52PM on 5-23-2006
I like my notebook, I like my mobile and I like my ipod.
But I definitely do not want to recharge my shoes every week.
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Dave said 3:00PM on 5-23-2006
Not Bluetooth, especially coming in at $29.99.
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Jason said 3:02PM on 5-23-2006
Bluetooth or 2.4GHz - no matter to me! I signed up for the release notification. This is JUST the product to get me off my lazy butt and out running! Three cheers for Nike and Apple for this one! Yay!
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Gordon Werner said 3:13PM on 5-23-2006
"proprietary" just means that Apple will get to say who can play with the device.
This is no different than using fairplay as the DRM. Apple likes to control the user experience because it is an integral part of what they are and what they do. This is simply an extension of that control (maybe to the next degree ... but nothing more).
I would expect that they will license this technology to others at some point ...
we'll see.
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John said 3:13PM on 5-23-2006
Does anyone else not like the tag at the bottom of the info page that says "1. The sensor’s battery is not replaceable. Battery life will vary considerably based on use and other factors." I would not want to drop30 bones on anything that can't be used after the battery dies. Although, the nano's battery is soldered to its logic board. Damn throw-away.
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Alex said 3:15PM on 5-23-2006
What's the deal with it just being for the nano? Anyone see anything about it being compatible with 3rd or 4th gen iPods?
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GadgetGav said 3:26PM on 5-23-2006
Why would you want BT headphones anyway..? They'd weigh more than the nano and would likely fall off while running. Plus it would be one more thing to remember to recharge and it would drain the nano battery faster too. This looks like a good compromise for $30.
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dmitry said 3:56PM on 5-23-2006
That was a very misleading headline. Way to jump to conclusions.
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arkowi said 4:38PM on 5-23-2006
"i'd say it's a lock"
"Could be a false alarm on the bluetooth, folks."
ha.
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Nathan said 4:56PM on 5-23-2006
The sensor is expected to late approx 1200 hours. See the Niketown site http://niketown.nike.com/niketown/catalog/collection_pdp.jsp?productId=118701&categoryId=307903#
"Automatically turns on and off, providing approximately 1200 hours of operation."
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tpen said 4:56PM on 5-23-2006
What about the already existing (ugly but great-sounding) Bluetooth headphones out there from TEN?
http://www.tentechnology.com/products/products_headset.php
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Erik said 4:58PM on 5-23-2006
Do you guys think that it uses www.birdstep.com 2.4 Ghz sensors. Their products if well known for long battery life (Some Logitech mice has a battery life over 1 year)
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