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'Nike+ GPS' App Comes to the App Store

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Apr 12, 2001
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As noted on our sister site AppShopper yesterday, Nike has released a new Nike+ GPS application into the App Store, offering iPhone users new tools for tracking their running performance.


104603-nike_gps_1.jpg


While the Nike+ system built into the iPhone and other devices has required that users purchase a separate sensor to be attached to the user's shoe for tracking, the new application takes advantage of the GPS capability and accelerometer built into the iPhone to provide map-based tracking, as well as pace, and distance traveled. The app also supports challenges, voice feedback, and 'PowerSong' integration to help runners push themselves even further.


104603-nike_gps_2.jpg


Nike+ GPS, which is priced at $1.99, is compatible with the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, as well as the second-, third-, and fourth-generation iPod touch, although without the mapping capabilities that require GPS functionality.

Article Link: 'Nike+ GPS' App Comes to the App Store
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/09/07/nike-gps-app-comes-to-the-app-store/
Sadly this is just an attempt at appeasing the hundreds of thousands who use the Nike+ system built into the iPhone that iOS4 broke. Nike has been unable to fix it to date as it was a joint development venture with Apple and can only be updated with iOS updates. I think most are hoping that 4.1 will have the solution, but apparently Nike was not waiting around to find out.

On the plus side, Nike will now be able to fix bugs immediately with app updates. On the downside, the 900+ miles I have already run this year using the iphone native app will not translate to this new one, which kinda sucks from a distance tracking standpoint!
 
GoldenPRGuy said:
Sadly this is just an attempt at appeasing the hundreds of thousands who use the Nike+ system built into the iPhone that iOS4 broke. Nike has been unable to fix it to date as it was a joint development venture with Apple and can only be updated with iOS updates. I think most are hoping that 4.1 will have the solution, but apparently Nike was not waiting around to find out.

On the plus side, Nike will now be able to fix bugs immediately with app updates. On the downside, the 900+ miles I have already run this year using the iphone native app will not translate to this new one, which kinda sucks from a distance tracking standpoint!
Click to expand...

As a regular Nike+ user, I'm trying to decide whether this app makes sense for me. I have a few questions for you or anyone who has made the transition:
  • You said that the run history for the new GPS app doesn't mix with your old built-in app history. Does it all intermingle correctly on the website?
  • Is the GPS-always-on battery hit limiting? How long could one run for starting with a full battery?
  • How does the app behave when you get a phone call? The built-in app has a special apple-only multitasking provision.

I really would hope that Apple and Nike could work together to have a single solution for all iPhone users that remains bug free.
 
GoldenPRGuy said:
Sadly this is just an attempt at appeasing the hundreds of thousands who use the Nike+ system built into the iPhone that iOS4 broke. Nike has been unable to fix it to date as it was a joint development venture with Apple and can only be updated with iOS updates. I think most are hoping that 4.1 will have the solution, but apparently Nike was not waiting around to find out.

On the plus side, Nike will now be able to fix bugs immediately with app updates. On the downside, the 900+ miles I have already run this year using the iphone native app will not translate to this new one, which kinda sucks from a distance tracking standpoint!
Click to expand...

I use Nike+ as well as iOS4 on my iPhone 4 and have no issues. What did it break?
 
Will the Polar Wearlink that I have on order for the heartrate monitoring work with this app? Anyone know yet that uses it?
 
I was thinking about getting a new Nano with Nike+ functionality for the gym/running. It sounds like it'd be better off getting a case and this app instead. This negates the need for the $30 Nike+ kit with monitor, correct?

I'd also be interested in hearing about the heart beat functinoality.
 
Excellent! What about...

LOVE the Nike+ app and it's worked flawlessly with every update on iP4. The new GPS tracking makes it even better.

Does anyone know, though, if there is a way (or an app) that will select a song with a tempo to match my stride? THAT would rock (literally).
 
I didn't mind paying the $2 for it, it's good but they need to update it to add an extra shoe sensor support for even extra precision for us sensor user. Adidas has a similar app called micoach and does the same thing and it's free (haven't fully tested it yet)... so Nike needs to add the extra support for the sensor and newer features to not fall behind. Who doesn't love Adidas? they want to get into the tech side and seems they want to hit it far and give us the stuff for free to attract the tech savvy sport user market back into the Adidas brand...
 
thacube said:
I use Nike+ as well as iOS4 on my iPhone 4 and have no issues. What did it break?
Click to expand...

Not sure if this is what's being alluded to, but whenever I stop moving for more than 30 seconds or so, the run stops and I have to start an entirely new run. The 10-mile walk I did this past weekend ended up being recorded as several 1- to 2-mile walks.

Perry
 
I dont get the point of this app. is Nike just wanting a cut of our wages (again)?
I havent had any problems with the Nike+ app on IP4 or with OS4 or its updates. Surely there would have been a way to get the update into the upcoming 4.1 or even 4.2 in November!!
This is just a money making scheme to line Nike's pockets further.


Then again I dont have to buy it. :D
 
I am really displeased with this new app.

I just bought the Sensor when the iPhone 4 came out. I did not buy the iPhone 4 because I have been waiting for the white one. Now the sensor is obsolete even before I have a phone to use it with.

I also want the Heart Monitor, but Nike cant even get their act together to support that.

Why is everything so convoluted and incompatible. This is something Apple should be doing.

Sod Nike.
 
solarthecat said:
I am really displeased with this new app.

I just bought the Sensor when the iPhone 4 came out. I did not buy the iPhone 4 because I have been waiting for the white one. Now the sensor is obsolete even before I have a phone to use it with.

I also want the Heart Monitor, but Nike cant even get their act together to support that.

Why is everything so convoluted and incompatible. This is something Apple should be doing.

Sod Nike.
Click to expand...

There is still hope for some type of HRM integration with Polar. They released a version of their Wearlink that transmits via Bluetooth. All* Nike+ or any other exercise app would have to do is intergrate that into their apps.

http://www.polar.fi/en/products/accessories/Polar_WearLink_transmitter_with_Bluetooth

*Understand that it might not be that easy. Hopefully there is some type of common API that could be developed by Polar, similar to what Wahoo Fitness is doing with their Ant+ hardware.
 
UnseenLlama said:
There is still hope for some type of HRM integration with Polar. They released a version of their Wearlink that transmits via Bluetooth. All* Nike+ or any other exercise app would have to do is intergrate that into their apps.

http://www.polar.fi/en/products/accessories/Polar_WearLink_transmitter_with_Bluetooth

*Understand that it might not be that easy. Hopefully there is some type of common API that could be developed by Polar, similar to what Wahoo Fitness is doing with their Ant+ hardware.
Click to expand...

The problem is that there isn't a way to connect to bluetooth HRMs in the iOS API without jailbreaking. Wahoo got around this by manufacturing a sensor that uses the ANT+ open protocol. I think they are the only ones to do this so far.
 
walnuts said:
As a regular Nike+ user, I'm trying to decide whether this app makes sense for me. I have a few questions for you or anyone who has made the transition:
  • You said that the run history for the new GPS app doesn't mix with your old built-in app history. Does it all intermingle correctly on the website?
  • Is the GPS-always-on battery hit limiting? How long could one run for starting with a full battery?
  • How does the app behave when you get a phone call? The built-in app has a special apple-only multitasking provision.

I really would hope that Apple and Nike could work together to have a single solution for all iPhone users that remains bug free.
Click to expand...

These are all great questions, and the truth is I just downloaded it today and have yet to run with it. Here is what I can tell you.
1) You can link it to your account on Nike's site, so I see no reason why the mileage will not accumulate the same way it would if you had multiple sensors for you sneakers. But it will not show properly in the original app on your phone or in Itunes on the Nike+ tab.
2) Absolutely, this will tax the battery on your phone more than the original. It is a basic result of using the GPS. Now, is the GPS active at all times or does it do random position polling, that remains to be seen. What I can tell you is that unless you are running back to back marathons, I don't think that music and GPS use will kill your phone battery, especially not with the new 4's battery life.
3) Great question on the phone use. I will let you know.

And yes, I wish Apple would just fix the native application!

solarthecat said:
I am really displeased with this new app.

I just bought the Sensor when the iPhone 4 came out. I did not buy the iPhone 4 because I have been waiting for the white one. Now the sensor is obsolete even before I have a phone to use it with.
Click to expand...

The sensor is far from obsolete. Even with this new app, I still think the sensor -- when it was working -- was the best solution for tracking runs and performance. It is still the only solution that will track you inside on a treadmill if you ever use one on crappy days or at a hotel when traveling. The new app looks great. I plan to use it this evening, I will post my thoughts tonight. Don't give up on the original Nike+ native application, once it is fixed it should be great!

As for waiting on the white iPhone ... way to exercise that will power!! :)

thacube said:
I use Nike+ as well as iOS4 on my iPhone 4 and have no issues. What did it break?
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm not even sure how to reply to this one, other than Lucky you. Hit the Nike+ forums sometime, there are over 100,000 posts on how many different ways iOS4 broke the Nike+ app. Wanna trade phones? haha
 
Does this mean that the $29 Nike+ module I just bought a little over a month ago is NOT needed any longer? I could have save about $27 if so.

I don't get it.
 
I switched from Nike+ to RunKeeper months ago and I haven't looked back. It's amazing and has one of the nicest interfaces I've seen on all the run/cycle apps.

It also integrates with the runkeeper.com website and has social networking built in so you can tweet and post your run's to FB. People can click the link and see the route you ran on google maps. You can also have running buddies and track your friend's runs. RunKeeper has a free and paid "Pro" version. The free version does everything except voiceovers.
 
blizaine said:
I switched from Nike+ to RunKeeper months ago and I haven't looked back. It's amazing and has one of the nicest interfaces I've seen on all the run/cycle apps.

It also integrates with the runkeeper.com website and has social networking built in so you can tweet and post your run's to FB. People can click the link and see the route you ran on google maps. You can also have running buddies and track your friend's runs. RunKeeper has a free and paid "Pro" version. The free version does everything except voiceovers.
Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to know, I didn't have the Nike sensor so I was using Runkeeper Pro but I wanted to know how is it compared to the new app.
 
I got tired of the broken Nike+ built in app and switched to miCoach from Adidas. It does everything the new Nike+ app does but has the advantage of being free!
 
I've only used the iPhone Nike+ app a handful of times, as I still use my 1st gen iPod nano when doing Nike+ runs. I don't care to strap a brick to my arm!
GPS? Whatever. As long as my runs get into Nike's + website, I'm golden.
 
blizaine said:
I switched from Nike+ to RunKeeper months ago and I haven't looked back. It's amazing and has one of the nicest interfaces I've seen on all the run/cycle apps.

It also integrates with the runkeeper.com website and has social networking built in so you can tweet and post your run's to FB. People can click the link and see the route you ran on google maps. You can also have running buddies and track your friend's runs. RunKeeper has a free and paid "Pro" version. The free version does everything except voiceovers.
Click to expand...


This Nike App looks good, but it is a couple years too late and should have been released with the iPhone 3G. Before getting my iPhone, I used Nike+ on my Nano since it was first released. It was good, but when I bought my iPhone 3G, I started looking at alternatives. I had initially used the RunKeeper Free version for the previous year and upgraded to the Pro version over the summer. RunKeeper still looks superior to this, so I don't see myself going back to the Nike+ system. I'll still wear my Air Pegasus running shoes, though. ;)
 
everyone, also check out the micoach app by addidas (its free, and provides coaching as well). I just started setting it up and looks promising...
 
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