Apple Computer and Nike announced today a partnership called Nike + iPodGlobal. The first product from the collaboration is the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, which will allow your Nike shoes to talk directly to your iPod, on which will presumably be loaded some personal training software.From the Yahoo News article: "The new Nike+ Air Zoom Moire is the first footwear designed to talk to iPod. Nike plans to make many of its leading footwear styles Nike+ ready, connecting millions of consumers to the Nike+iPod experience. With the Nike+ footwear connected to iPod nano through the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, information on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on iPod and displayed on the screen; real-time audible feedback also is provided through headphones. The kit includes an in-shoe sensor and a receiver that attaches to iPod. A new Nike Sport Music section on the iTunes® Music Store and a new nikeplus.com personal service site help maximize the Nike+iPod experience."
The Nike + iPod Sport Kit is expected to be available within 60 days and will cost approximately $30.
I've also been hearing some rumor buzz about a new iPod (perhaps as early as tomorrow) that will include built-in Bluetooth, used to connect to accessories such as earphones. This Nike+ development only lends veracity to the idea that a Bluetooth-enabled iPod is inevitable.
Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-23-2006 @ 1:09PM
james said...
Speakers in your sneakers
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5-23-2006 @ 1:29PM
Jesse said...
www.apple.com/ipod/nike/
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5-23-2006 @ 1:35PM
Robin M said...
I seem to remember the last time '+' was involved it was iPod + HP - don't mean to tempt fate :).
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5-23-2006 @ 1:50PM
Adrian vG said...
Très cool!
And not that expensive either!
Hope the same adaptor supports wireless linking to the earphones! But since the clothes soon-to-be sold have chord "helpers", this might not be the case...
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5-23-2006 @ 1:53PM
John said...
Did anyone hear a bunch of gunshots at the Creative and SanDisk headquarters?
iThink this isheep is about to spend his iMoney on some new gear.
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5-23-2006 @ 2:08PM
Thomas said...
Reading through it I notice that the sensor you get doesn't have a replaceable battery - I wonder how you charge it? Or do you have to buy a new one? I imagine the battery would last a long time, it's hardly using a lot of power but still.
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5-23-2006 @ 2:21PM
Brett said...
Care to let us know where the iPod bluetooth runours are coming from? That's the sole thing I'm waiting for to buy a new iPod, the only one I've purchased since the 2nd generation model was the shuffle.
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5-23-2006 @ 2:38PM
Damien said...
I know and talk to a lot of people in the Mac industry. Sometimes, information comes my way, or different pieces of information are made known and then it's easy to see a logical connection between the pieces. I can't provide specifics (for obvious reasons), but I am convinced that it's only a matter of time before we see a Bluetooth iPod, and it will be very soon. I wouldn't have said anything unless I were convinced that it's both inevitable and imminent. But I could still be wrong. Heh.
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5-23-2006 @ 2:40PM
birdDog digital said...
So great, I've already don't a podcast on it.
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5-23-2006 @ 2:46PM
birdDog digital said...
Error 18; I really meant this:
So great, I've already done a podcast on it.
Drat these fingers.
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5-23-2006 @ 5:29PM
you know said...
anyone know what armband the model is wearing on apple's nike+ page?
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5-23-2006 @ 7:26PM
Mac Diva said...
Damien said:
"I know and talk to a lot of people in the Mac industry. Sometimes, information comes my way, or different pieces of information are made known and then it's easy to see a logical connection between the pieces. I can't provide specifics (for obvious reasons), but I am convinced that it's only a matter of time before we see a Bluetooth iPod, and it will be very soon. I wouldn't have said anything unless I were convinced that it's both inevitable and imminent. But I could still be wrong. Heh."
In other words, the bluetooth claim is a rumor.
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5-24-2006 @ 8:31AM
Chas said...
This being the same Nike that makes 38% of its shoes in countries where workers have no legal right to freedom of association, has cut ties with factories that have become unionised and increased production in countries where labour rights are not recognised. The people that make Nike products, mainly women, are forced to work long hours, often from 7am to 11 pm without breaks for low wages and face dismissal if they protest against working conditions. Nice one Apple, you deserve all the bad press that is coming your way.
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5-24-2006 @ 11:43AM
bryan said...
Chas get a life, who cares about these people who work in Nike factories? It is their own fault for being born in such a sh*t country.
Oh no nike makes them work from 7am to 11pm! well at least nike are employing them! I would prefer a sh*t job to no job at all!
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5-24-2006 @ 8:13PM
kevin said...
why does the picture of the ipod in this article say "news forum proof faq" around the wheel? at least i think it says "proof"
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5-25-2006 @ 12:27AM
Shashwat Parhi said...
Read this article for BW:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/may2006/tc20060523_569911.htm
The battery in the sensor is not replaceable and should last 1000 hrs. No recharge possible or required. Also just because the new adapter can talk wirelessly to the sensor does not mean it is using Bluetooth or that one leads to other. It uses a proprietary 2.4 GHz technology for those who want to know.
I wonder if I can hack my New Balance shoe to fit the sensor under the insole. Any suggestions?
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5-25-2006 @ 7:13AM
Neil Cochrane said...
So will every guest at WWDC come running onto the stage kitted out it Nike gear?
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6-28-2006 @ 11:26AM
Dcrad said...
This sounds really cool. Am sort of tempted to get one even if it is a fad that might just vanish in a week or so as I actually like running at the moment.
If the battery only lasts for 1000 or so hours, I do hope it has an "off" button!
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