Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, iPod Family, Hacks, Tips and tricks
Use the Nike + iPod Sport Kit on any shoe with help from a Nike accessory
Now don't think we're just trying to pimp Nike's stuff here because we're getting hookups or something (we have to run out and buy our own kits like anyone else), but TUAW reader Mr. Gaskell recommended a tip that could allow you to use the new iPod Sport Kit with any shoes, without the need for awkward lace tying or unsightly duct tape: Nike makes a small wallet accessory (pictured) called 'Nike Run Shoe Wallet S05' for $10 that attaches to the top of any shoe. It's designed to hold small personal items for a run, such as change, but (as I remember) it's too small even for something like a driver's license, but it should be a perfect fit for the shoe sensor. I'd link to it, but I can't find it anywhere at the Niketown site; I've only seen it in a brick and mortar Niketown store. I'm sure they're also available elsewhere on the web, such as eBay or in similar forms from competitors. I have no idea if the kit is still accurate when attaching it with an accessory like this, but we're receiving reports that people are having success with jury-rigging the sensor to their shoes with the aforementioned unique lace tying and duct taping techniques; using something like this wallet doesn't sound like your results should be any different. Any readers out there try this yet?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
mingistech said 12:08PM on 7-15-2006
I believe the Nike + Shoes put the widget under the sole for the purpose of the widget being compressed from stepping down on it.
I bought the kit yesterday and it sure seems that way.
The widget being compressed counts as a step.
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RaVeNouS said 12:48PM on 7-15-2006
How is this thing suppose to charge once the battery dies? What a waste.
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andy said 12:53PM on 7-15-2006
its a disposable product, thus why it is so cheap, also, it would be a lot bigger and inpractical with the abillity to charge.
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Mitch said 1:24PM on 7-15-2006
I have one of these shoe wallets (bought it at Niketown) and will see how well it works with the Nike+ sender as soon as the temperature cools a bit. This wallet is WAY bigger than the sender, but has a plastic internal "frame" that I slipped the sender under so it wouldn't dance around. I still have plenty of room for my car's keyless remote.
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Alain Meyer said 1:26PM on 7-15-2006
Hey,
I know this is off topic but can old eMacsrun tiger? because i put ion the instiliation disk but it spits it back out!
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elam said 1:31PM on 7-15-2006
I'll buy a Nike product when Phil Knight stops using 14 year girls to make his shoes.
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Mark said 1:34PM on 7-15-2006
"I believe the Nike + Shoes put the widget under the sole for the purpose of the widget being compressed from stepping down on it."
No, it's an accelerometer. No pressure involved.
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Radu Dutzan said 2:00PM on 7-15-2006
About the battery: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303985
It would be better if they sold just the replacement sensor, I bet it would cost just 10 bucks, but you need to get the whole package for $30.
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rich said 2:45PM on 7-15-2006
i came up with the same idea and got myself a small shoe wallet last night. i just tried it out this morning and it works really well. since the sensor is smaller than the wallet, i padded it with a little bit of cloth and it worked perfectly. it's definitely a good alternative to buying the shoes since the wallet cost me only $8.
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digitalintrigue said 2:49PM on 7-15-2006
I just cut out a space inside my Mizunos using a razor blade. Just pull out the shoe insert, put in the sensor, works great! I put it under the arch, and the shoes feel no different with the sensor installed or with it removed.
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air jordan said 3:05PM on 7-15-2006
t would be better if they sold just the replacement sensor, I bet it would cost just 10 bucks,
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Cyril said 3:24PM on 7-15-2006
Me i just want to buy the Nike Start Kit but it is not available in France yet !
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jason said 3:25PM on 7-15-2006
I bet the reason the old eMac is spitting out the Tiger disc is that Tiger is on a DVD and the eMac doesn't have a DVD drive?
You might have to buy an external DVD drive to install it.
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Silver said 4:54PM on 7-15-2006
"I'll buy a Nike product when Phil Knight stops using 14 year girls to make his shoes."
Ah, this old chestnut again. OK, if you're going to be firm in your convictions, I guess you should probably dump 75% of the stuff in your home/apartment, as it's probably all made by 14-year-old girls in Third World countries too.
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Wry Cooter said 5:09PM on 7-15-2006
Its odd that the nike step counter actually probably works like a standard pedometer (gravity accelerometer sort of stuff), while much of the discussion of the device seems to talk about it being pressure sensitive (like stepping on a button with each step)
Clearly if it works as well tied to your shoe lace, it is not pressure sensitive. What sort of data would it provide if worn on the hip like many other pedometers?
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Leo said 6:09PM on 7-15-2006
Well it wish it would work with an elliptical machine or bicycle.
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Podophile said 6:13PM on 7-15-2006
Save yourself the $10. I've posted instructions for mounting the transmitter under your shoelaces at http://podophile.com. It's very secure and works perfectly.
The transmitter is a standard accelerometer and does not need to be "stepped on" to register a step.
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Brian said 6:33PM on 7-15-2006
We cut small slits in the tongue of each of our left shoes and slid the sensor down the holes. It's safe and secure and works like a charm. I can confirm that no compression is required and that the device is accurate to 1/100th of a mile using this technique for both me and my wife who have extremely different paces. This is a fantastic product, and I can't believe I ran before having one. Go get one today.
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K said 8:35PM on 7-15-2006
I too, did not want to purchase the shoes. I put the sensor under the toe shoelaces and went for a 2 mile run. I used my own music (cuz I didn't want to buy the NIKE program from Itunes) and the voice- over came on after every 1/2 mile to tell me my distance and pace and time. Then I retraced my steps with the Garmin GPS Forerunner running watch. The results were less than 1/10mile apart. Which is good enough for me as a frequent 2-4 mile runner.
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Mitch said 10:33PM on 7-15-2006
Follow-up to #4: I tried out the shoe wallet and it works great. I stuffed the sensor under the plastic " frame" near the bottom and put my Subaru WRX keyless entry fob in the main cavity where it usually goes. Everything about this product worked perfectly from start to finish. Fantastic stuff. I can't believe you can buy such elegant functionality for only $30.
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