how about a cyclometer for all of us with real bikes?
and i agree. iphone support? what's the deal?
and i agree. iphone support? what's the deal?
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Nike + iPod Expanding to Include Gym Equipment
- Thread starter diamond3
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*shrug* Nike+ makes me run faster, more often, and more consistently than I did without it. In the past two weeks I ran perhaps the fastest 5k I have ever run in a training run. It earns its keep for me just fine. Also I know how to get home without a GPS!
The Nike+ kit allows runners to use something they're familiar with - the iPod - to listen to music during their run while also tracking speed, distance, and calories. Certainly it's not GPS-accurate, but in my tests using the system for about 18 months, it's remarkably accurate over all distances, assuming you've calibrated it correctly, which takes about .5 mile of running at normal pace.
It also works indoors on a treadmill, which is important for people like me that live in nasty winter climates and don't have the opportunity to hit the streets every day. It provides a web site that lets you track your runs, total distance, set goals, participate in group challenges, and share experiences with fellow runners.
Downsides, from my standpoint, are that it doesn't have a bike adapter and doesn't include a heart-rate monitor function. Otherwise, it's accurate, simple to use, and lets me listen to music while I run.
The Garmin devices are nice, and I actually considered getting one, but not having the ability to work indoors without yet additional expense turned me off.
I think its a great idea, I love my nike + for running and it has really given me extra motivation to run more. If they also had it for other machines like the elliptical i use that would be great. For me the tracking is a help because sometimes I think I have been doing good but am so busy can't remember how many days I really missed exercising in a week, with the Nike + I just login and know that I have to pick up the slack so it keeps me on my toes.
Yayyyy even more reason for apple to not pay attention to the fact that they can't produce good computers anymore!!!! So hip of them! "Lets cash in on the sleep fitness industry fad, and ensure that our quality control still blows!!!"
I am happy to see this. I hope heart rate is one of the things transfered to my iPod with this new system. It is nice that the Precor machines read the signal from my Polar HR monitor, but it would be nice to be able to get that data via the Nike+ system.
The Nike+ system seems to have a lot of bang for the buck.
The Nike+ system seems to have a lot of bang for the buck.
This is good! Make the iPod environment even more encompassing, and prevent competitors from establishing a toehold. As an AAPL investor, this is good for the future!
Awesome! My iPod (well actually iPhone with Belkin arm band) accompany me to every workout. It's great to see this integration as the iPod (iPhone) really is an indispensible part of my athletic routines. I think everyone else's too since there is no one without an MP3 player (mostly iPods, one skinny guy with a Zune) at the gym. Now maybe we will be able to simply jack our iPod's into the workout equipment and view/listen to video workouts as well while monitoring our progress and keeping track of vitals.
iMacs, Macbook/Pros, And Mac Pros are universally lauded. Just because it bugs you that Apple has a lot of consumer electronics side products now doesn't mean they have ignored computers. I got news for you, if it weren't for the side project known as the iPod, Apple would either be dead or close to it by now.
I would really hope that they don't neglect the iPhone (and iPod Touch) in this project. Why on earth would I want to get a nano for this when presumably, the iPhone could do it at least as well with the right software.
I suppose if they don't support the iPhone, it's possible that a 3rd party app could materialize that rectifies that situation.
I suppose if they don't support the iPhone, it's possible that a 3rd party app could materialize that rectifies that situation.
I wish they'd move on iPhone/iPod Touch support already. My understanding of the whole nano exclusivity was that it was the only flash-based iPod with a display when the whole Nike+ thing came out. They didn't want people running around with their hard drive-based iPods complaining about skipping or potentially damaging moving parts. With all of the armbands and cases for the iPhone and Touch, dropping it should not be a huge concern.
To my way of thinking, the larger displays on the iPhone and Touch would allow them to do something even cooler with the UI ... like maybe a live-updating run graph, or more info like average pace/speed, etc.
It's about time that Nike and Apple announced something new for the Nike+iPod system... I had practically run out of things to write about.
And I can see why now, because they can't produce a computer worth a **** anymore or update jack!!!
And I don't mind their consumer products, I enjoy them, but the more they step into that arena the less they pay attention to what brought them to this planet in the first place.
That's pretty nifty. I hope they put these out in high volume and at a reasonable cost because the wait time for one will be atrocious (at least at my college).
Also, I just realized I'm a 6502 now! At long last. Now for that avatar...
And wasted it by using a Red Sox logo.
Speaking of armband, do you like it? I usually just put my iPhone in my pocket but it's a pain sometimes!
You think this system will work with iPhone's or is this just iPod's only?
Yeah, and when they have an iPhone with GPS, the whole tracking option is open to users as well. Potential, potential, potential
One problem is that the Nike+ website is entirely flash and can't be viewed on the iPhone/Touch. Nike+iPhone would make for an awkward combo.
However, if Nike ever makes an iPhone compatible version of their site (or an iPhone app), it would be great to be able to upload your run data without having to connect to a computer.
The minimum wage in Vietnam is not even being met by some of the subcontractors. There's a factory with 6,000 workers. You wouldn't want to see the working conditions that they're having to operate on. The cost of a Nike shoe is $3 in terms of the labor cost and a pair of Nike shoes can be sold in this country and is sold in this country for $80, $100, $150. That's expensive exploitation.
I hope that an iPhone can eventually record heartrate from a bluetooth heart monitor such as this one:
http://www.blatand.net/brustgurt+M52087573ab0.html
http://www.blatand.net/brustgurt+M52087573ab0.html
Yeah, but...
The expansion of the Nike+ system is great news for those of us who have fallen in love with it, but the Flash-based Nike+ website is a joke.
I've logged 3,200 miles using my Nike+ kit, but I find it utterly painful to track my progress on Nike's website. Every time I log on, the site eats up my MacBook's CPU and sends the fan into overdrive.
Add to the fact that I can't even access the site on my iPod touch, and you've got yourself a very un-Apple-like experience.
I'd like to see Apple and Nike work on developing a useable website before launching these system enhancements. They may want to take a look at the Runnerplus website, which works great and is very CPU-friendly.
The expansion of the Nike+ system is great news for those of us who have fallen in love with it, but the Flash-based Nike+ website is a joke.
I've logged 3,200 miles using my Nike+ kit, but I find it utterly painful to track my progress on Nike's website. Every time I log on, the site eats up my MacBook's CPU and sends the fan into overdrive.
Add to the fact that I can't even access the site on my iPod touch, and you've got yourself a very un-Apple-like experience.
I'd like to see Apple and Nike work on developing a useable website before launching these system enhancements. They may want to take a look at the Runnerplus website, which works great and is very CPU-friendly.
It appears some people are putting serious money on the fact that iPods will be the universal, ubiquitous MP3 player for the foreseeable future.
Commercial grade gym equipment isn't cheap. Generally each piece is a few thousand bucks. This stuff is designed to last- once it has aged out of the fancy high dollar chain gyms, it ends up spending many years in other places like locally owned gyms. Of course, it is doubtful that the peripheral electronics would be maintained into the second lifetime. My gym, for example, operates heavily on WD40 and the biggest concern is mechanical maintenance/rust/etc.
Commercial grade gym equipment isn't cheap. Generally each piece is a few thousand bucks. This stuff is designed to last- once it has aged out of the fancy high dollar chain gyms, it ends up spending many years in other places like locally owned gyms. Of course, it is doubtful that the peripheral electronics would be maintained into the second lifetime. My gym, for example, operates heavily on WD40 and the biggest concern is mechanical maintenance/rust/etc.
Just because you might fit into the 1% (number exaggerated for argumentative purposes!) who can't live without an update or have had a problem with a Mac, don't assume you speak for the greater good. Apple continues to make quality computers that more and more people are enjoying. Yes, they have taken a hit in some of discussion board sites, but to the general public, there satisfaction rate is through the roof.
With all due respect, you have no idea what you're talking about. I just said that ALL their computer lines are considered among the best (if not THE best) in their market segments. They are certainly "updating" them as fast as they were in the pre-iPod days, if not faster (especially when you count all the current product lines).