Patent suggests additional Nike+ functions

Apple and Nike have sold millions of those tiny little transmitters that fit inside running shoes, as well as the receivers that attach to iPod nanos. Casual runners and former couch potatoes enjoyed them (yours truly included), but more serious runners lamented the lack of certain features, most notably a heart monitor.

According to iPodNN, a patent has been filed which hints at a slew of additional Nike+ functionality, like EKG, heartrate, body temperature and even hydration, through new equipment mounted "on or in" articles of clothing.

It definitely sounds cool, and could help convince more serious athletes to ~~join the Apple cult~~ buy these cool products.

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Source: http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/08/04/25/nikeipod.gear.patent…

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Apple and Nike have sold millions of those tiny little transmitters that fit inside running shoes, as well as the receivers that attach to...

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ThomP

Haha, good one Akatsuki - "Apple" and "open standard" in the same sentence. You could possibly be looking at a lawsuit for that;-)
Anyway, a heart rate monitor would be great news!

May 13 2008 at 1:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

akatsuki

I wish they would use Ant+Sport, which is an open standard for this sort of thing.

April 25 2008 at 4:00 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

spike

I'm surprised you guys never picked up on AppleInsider's article on Apple patents re: fitness stuff; some of it looks amazing and hints at iPhone/iPod Touch compatibility.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/03/27/apple_developing_full_fledge_digital_lifestyle_fitness_companion.html

Absolutely amazing!

April 25 2008 at 3:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Andrew

Ahh, this is excellent news. I have been waiting for Apple/Nike to integrate a heart rate monitor into their Nike+ system for a long, long while.

April 25 2008 at 3:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris Murphy

I can't for the life of me figure out why they don't make the + Nike system compatible with ALL iPods. Would it be so hard to make this thing compatible with iPod Touch and Classics, etc.?

April 25 2008 at 2:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Chris Murphy's comment

mingistech

The Classic iPod has a moving hard disk. Disks like these are't immune to shock damage from being jared. There is no way that Apple is going to promote the use of the iPod in situations like that. They would be begging for another class action lawsuit.

If they're smart they'll add support to the rest of their solid state devices. From the looks of previous storied it looks like they are already planning this.

April 25 2008 at 3:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris Murphy

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of that.

April 25 2008 at 3:09 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply