Nike+iPod available for pre-order

Exercise nuts looking to pick up one of the Nike+iPod Sport kits to enhance their workouts can finally place their orders on the Apple site, and can expect delivery of their purchase in four to five weeks. At $29, the kit is quite the bargain too, except that it won't do you much good without the hundreds of dollars of electronics and specialized footwear necessary to record and analyze every aspect of your morning jog. Luckily, Nike has been busy releasing several pairs of sneakers with that dugout under the sole for the wireless sensor, so even if the nano continues to remain a relatively pricey luxury, you should eventually be able to buy a pair of compatible kicks that won't break the bank.

[Via TUAW]

[Zadillo @ Jun 14th 2006 9:55PM]

The original product announcement actually got me interested in trying to start running again, so I'm glad for that. However, I went to a specialty running store to get analyzed, and it turns out I'm actually a severe overpronator, which definitely limits my options, since it means I need a motrion control shoe. I think I'll definitely be interested if they make a + version of one of their motion control shoes (as I understand it, that would be the Air Cesium, the Air Stasis or the Air Structure Triax). In the meantime, this did inspire me to look at what else was out there..... the Polar running computer stuff looks pretty cool, and it sounds like the footpods work pretty well. The Garmin Forerunner 205 also sounds pretty cool. But I'm definitely pretty interested when I might be able to use this Nike+iPod stuff, as it looks pretty slick to me.

[leedh @ Jun 14th 2006 10:04PM]

This is a match made in heaven just in terms of logos alone.

[Oly @ Jun 14th 2006 10:09PM]

i have a feeling there's nothing special or "enabling" about the nike+ enabled shoes other than a custom slot where you can put the transponder. which means that you can probably use it with any running shoe so long as the orientation to the ground is correct or whatever else is necessary for it to function.

[IK @ Jun 14th 2006 10:22PM]

go ahead and try for us, oly.

cut out the shape in your runners ;)

[a @ Jun 14th 2006 10:55PM]

after 2 months it'll be Sport-pro or something for more expensive and smaller chips. and we just have to buy it again. or we have to buy a new pair of shoes.

[jason @ Jun 14th 2006 11:04PM]

Hendrix,

This is the kind of stuff that really agitates me. First off engadget is not "selling out". Nike and Apple are both grade "A" companies, they have the history and product development to substatiante engadget's author's comment. Secondly this is no place for the flogging of a moral agenda. This is a consortium of those interested in sharing ideas about technology. That's it.

As for this product, I only wish it had come out sooner (dad would have really enjoyed this for Father's Day). You know? Really pleased though, keep up the innovation Nike+Apple

[NeoteriX @ Jun 14th 2006 11:07PM]

It's too bad that either way, Nike running shoes suck and are overpriced.

Real runners run with Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, New Balance...

[billflu @ Jun 14th 2006 11:16PM]

^ Amen to that ^

[pmj @ Jun 14th 2006 11:29PM]

Nike makes absolutely terrible runing shoes. Nike is, and has been for a while, about image, rather than substance. I don't cae what kind of gizmo they attached to Nike shoes, I'm sticking to my Asics.

[elton @ Jun 14th 2006 11:39PM]

Given my experience with Nike pods (I have a watch+pod combo that attaches to the shoelaces) I don't believe you need to get a special pair of shoes. Something that may work (albeit in an ugly fashion) is to slip the nike pod into a velcro key holder that you can lace onto your shoes. Thoughts?

[Cry Havoc @ Jun 15th 2006 12:11AM]

Jason: Why can we not in good conscience point out the inequities of the company featuring a given product? You may want to turn a blind eye to the situation of the world at large, but you do not speak for everyone.

My idea of techonology is one that enables people to live better lives. You're free to disagree. You're not free to tell me what I or other posters should not be stating, though.

[Boo Radley @ Jun 15th 2006 12:40AM]

wow! I can't wait to get my hands on the iPod/Nike :-)
thanks for the info

[Zadillo @ Jun 15th 2006 12:41AM]

I might be missing something, but I thought I read that Nike actually has taken a lot of action regarding the use of sweatshop labor, etc. (to the point where they've actually been praised for their turnaround on the issue). I don't think Hendrix's post about Nike not offering any apology or taking action, or pretending that they are doing the kids a favor, is accurate. I don't have any details though, hopefully someone else knows more about this. No doubt, Nike made these changes in response to the cricitism they got, but I am pretty sure they didn't just ignore the criticism, and in fact took it pretty seriously.

[Zadillo @ Jun 15th 2006 12:47AM]

I actually haven't been able to find nearly as much info as I thought I might. I did come across this - not sure how up to date it is, but it seems to give some overview of where this particular anti-sweatshop group stands on Nike: http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sweatshops/nike/faq.html - if I read that correctly, it sounds like Nike has been taking action in various areas (in terms of working to have wages increased and working on environmental issues and worker health, etc. at factories that they contract with), but that they also still have a ways to go. But at the very least, it definitely doesn't sound accurate to me to say that Nike has done nothing, or that they haven't apologized or tried to make things better. Also, this doesn't specifically mention these factories currently employing kids; not sure if that's just not something they discuss there, or if that just doesn't happen any more. Would be interested in hearing from anyone else who knows more about the current state of things.

[Zadillo @ Jun 15th 2006 12:54AM]

Actually, I did just find this, doing a google search. Sounds like the OXFAM report did touch on this issue, and actually basically criticized ALL the major shoe companies (reebok, adidas, asics, puma, nike) for not living up to promises to improve working conditions, etc. http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/sports-giants-brought-to-heel/2006/05/31/1148956417113.html

So, definitely sounds like there is more work to be done. Having said that, I'm not sure it would be fair to say that they are doing nothing at all.

[Earl @ Jun 15th 2006 1:04AM]

I hate Nike. And Apple.

Oh please, wont they both go away?

[GhenghisKharl @ Jun 15th 2006 1:09AM]

I like the idea of integrating the iPod with running, since it is nice to listen to music while running, but my experience with these kits is that I find them more annoying than actually just carrying the player. The integration of the foot sensor is nice too, but that would require placing my feet into the pieces of trash that are Nike training shoes.

[o rly @ Jun 15th 2006 1:57AM]

"It's too bad that either way, Nike running shoes suck and are overpriced.

Real runners run with Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, New Balance..."

Then it makes perfect sense to pair it up with an iPod, an mp3 player that sucks and is also overpriced.

Creative, iRiver, and Cowon (iAudio) if you want great audio quality...

[Kieran Mullen @ Jun 15th 2006 3:29AM]

Cheaper than I though it would be. Then again the IPOD and Nikes are usually pretty expensive. Why is a bit of rubber that only lasts a few years so expensive?

KM

[Jimbolaya @ Jun 15th 2006 4:07AM]

Kieran, years? Runners replace their shoes every few months. I've read it supposed to be every hundred miles, but Sauconys tend to last me 200+ miles -- at 5 to 10 miles a day, everyday, that goes by pretty fast before the cushioning and tread wears out.

I love the idea of this device, but damn I hate listening to music while I run.

[Dignan17 @ Jun 15th 2006 7:53AM]

Nobody's going to comment on that command they're giving you?

"Own it"

Wow, they're not even trying the subliminal approach anymore. I can't wait for one of these top-tier companys to advertise using something like "You'd better freaking buy this product right now or we're gonna be pissed."

[eugene @ Jun 15th 2006 7:56AM]

yeah, as crazy as it sounds bc the range is so large, i've read that running shoes should be changed every 100-700 miles depending on biomechanics, etc. i tend to change mine out every 3 months or so. i pre-ordered the nike kit the day pre-orders started at nike. i didn't get the shoes bc as said above nike sneakers aren't that great for running. but i bet i could just put the sensor between my laces and the tongue of my asics. either that or i'll figure out some other way to clip it to my shoe. hmm, if it is just the swinging motion of the foot that it records, maybe i'll cut a hole in a sweatband, put it inside the band and wear it on my ankle... whatever, my biggest dilemma is picking my power song...

[Anubis @ Jun 15th 2006 8:56AM]

Betcha Nike's happy that their logo comes first.

[Another Jason @ Jun 15th 2006 9:43AM]

For runners the value of such a gadget is great , measuring distance while being free to run anywhere you wish is fantastic.Congratulations to Both Nike and Apple for designing this , now what I cant wait for is when other companies use this idea and develop more versatile and more compatible versions of this that can be used with any shoe and is compatible with other devices.One cannot fault Nike or Apple for designing this but one could fault the two for their high prices and certainly Nike for their rubbish running shoes.

[joachim @ Jun 15th 2006 10:10AM]

I would like to come back to some of the post here - will this work w/o NIKE shoes? I am convinced it will (velcro and all). So could Engadget test that option? Say, running back to the office after defending their RAZR phones in Harlem?

[James Ahlschwede @ Jun 15th 2006 10:24AM]

Nike + iPod was available for pre-order from Nike the day it was announced, May 23rd. (I ordered mine then.) So, the only thing that's news here is that now it's available from the Apple store too?

[Glancing Aft @ Jun 15th 2006 11:03AM]

eugene,
once you get it, can you let us know what kind of luck you're having with it on your asics and accuracy...

[Michael @ Jun 15th 2006 1:26PM]

Even if it can't work between the laces of a competing shoe company, what's to stop those other companies from creating spots where these devices can slip into? Spots that just so happen to be the same size as the Nike+iPod device. They can always claim it's for adding coins for weight or something. :)

I have a feeling Apple and Nike probably already know this is going to happen and don't care. Nike is probably just happy to have their name on it and Apple is probably just happy to sell another ipod accessory.

What I really want to know however, will this work with a 5G video ipod? Or are they just marketing it with the nano because of the naos size and solid state memory? Hate to have to buy a new ipod.

[Myles @ Jun 15th 2006 5:25PM]

"*The sensor's battery is not replaceable. Battery life will vary considerably based on use and other factors."

According to the Apple site. Heh, be prepared to buy a new $30 USD "Nike+iPod" kit every month or two.

[three60 @ Jun 15th 2006 7:16PM]

Myles - the sensor's battery is designed to last around 1000 hours, which is many, many miles of running. I train for marathons and run 3-4x per week, for a total of 2-4 hours per week. At 4 hours/week, that's 250 weeks or nearly 5 years of use. For reference, I go through 2-3 pairs of shoes per year and at $100+ per pair, $29 for a transmitter is nothing.

[Another Jason @ Jun 16th 2006 4:31AM]

AP Thanks for the news , I was not aware of that but the problem with these is still the limitation to brand , what I was saying is a device that clips to and brand shoe and can be used with a larger range of digital kit for read out.

besides this kit you mentioned makes ipod and nike look cheap , "Purchasing the entire system—Polar RS 800™, Polar s3™ Stride Sensor, adiStar Fusion top and adiStar Fusion shoe—will be around 640 Euros/680 Dollars. The products are available as separate pieces as well, and available in spring of 2006 "

I like asics so the idea of having to buy adidas for this is not ideal , but I must say it does look like some pretty smart stuff and if you have the money to spend and are happy with the shoes etc then hell it sounds really cool ... thanks again for the extra info

[AP @ Jun 16th 2006 3:56PM]

Jason: The Polar foot sensors come with a clip that allows you to attach the unit on top of your shoe laces. I use the Polar S1 foot pod™ that came with my Polar S625X on my Mizunos with no problem. A good picture of the new Polar s3™ Stride Sensor in which you can see the clip (which slides under your shoe laces) is here:
http://www.gizmag.com/picture.php?s=24&p=4402_10080534448.jpg
Adidas will be making a shoe that will house this sensor however you wouldn't have to buy them if you didn't want to. Also, you could use the included Polar chest strap for the heart rate sensor instead of buying the Adidas clothing which would reduce your final price even more.

[Scott @ Jul 13th 2006 11:29PM]

I picked up a Sport Kit today and I'm really liking it. I did NOT buy the Nike shoes however. I put the sensor between the laces and the tongue and it worked great. I'm probably going to get a key pouch to ensure I don't lose the sensor and it stays aligned with my shoe.

I ran a 5K workout run tonight and it was very helpful.

The Nike website it very slick. The fact that they have all of your workout data is kind of a scary thought...but like I said...it's very slick.

- Scott

[Mollie Snell @ Aug 21st 2006 3:43PM]

OK all you NIke Bashers! I love Nike Shoes. Every runner has a right to the shoe that fits them best. I have tried to run in all those REAL Runner Shoes and have always returned to Nike! I am a REAL runner. I am 48 years old and have been running for over 30 years. I wear REAL RUNNING SHOES! I am glad to see Ipod and Nike join in motivating others to run and stay healthy. I am sure they will come out with other shoes for people with striking issues. Give them time to test the market! We buy others benefit too!

[AP @ Apr 17th 2008 11:08AM]

"measuring distance while being free to run anywhere you wish is fantastic.Congratulations to Both Nike and Apple for designing this , now what I cant wait for is when other companies use this idea and develop more versatile and more compatible versions of this that can be used with any shoe and is compatible with other devices"

Those more versatile and compatible products already exist - Polar 625X and Suunto T6 both use foot pods to detect running distance (and offer sensors that work with your bike as well). Both of these units, as well as many of the GPS based devices, offer heart rate as well. I am much more excited about the Polar / Adidas parnership whose products are supposed to ship this September (http://www.polar.fi/press-site/press2/release_04.html)