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Nike+iPod Won't Work with iPhone
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IMHO
Just like apple, Nike is a hardware company. The money is in the shoes, not the software. That is why they don't bring a GPS version out. There is no money in it for them. When they come out with an Iphone variant, and they will, GPS will be an additional information piece to their other information (Like GPS/Cell tower triangulation). It will probably be confirmed mileage and map tracking for GPS and foot speed for the pedometer. You will still need the receiver so you buy their shoes.
A very good point which is often put.
I've thought a lot about this, and wondered is it possible for me to live a semi normal life in the western world that doesn't to some extent involve the exploitation of far eastern workers etc?
I would be unable to buy any electronics. No car, no coffee, no chocolate, no clothes (the supply chain for high street clothes is so long it's simply impossible for any retailer to gurantee ' no exploitation) etc.
It seems like it's the western world's undiscussed dirty secret, that our comfortable lives are reliant on wage slavery and exploitation of others. "Out of sight and out of mind"
I think if these products + foods where produced in our own countries in such conditions, there would be uproar.
At the moment I'm just trying to stick to fairtrade where possible. But how do you buy a fairtrade phone or computer?
I think often people in the western world see someone in a india, china, etc working for significantly less than they make and equate that to those workers being taken advantage of. But often times they are making more working for western companies plants than they would at other jobs in their city.
Not to say there are not some plants under paying employees, but just because someone is making $1 USD an hour doesn't mean it isn't inline with their local economics. Same with children working. What is not acceptable in some societies is in others. It also should not be the western company at blaim. Underpaid & Child labor didn't begin with Levi, Nike, Martha Stewart, etc.
For example, the firm I work for would bill $90/hr (figure 3x more than the employee's payroll) for drafting. We work with a company in Shanghai that picks up some excess work and they bill us about $12/hr (so employee making $4/hr instead of $30/hr).
/OT
Not to say there are not some plants under paying employees, but just because someone is making $1 USD an hour doesn't mean it isn't inline with their local economics. Same with children working. What is not acceptable in some societies is in others. It also should not be the western company at blaim. Underpaid & Child labor didn't begin with Levi, Nike, Martha Stewart, etc.
For example, the firm I work for would bill $90/hr (figure 3x more than the employee's payroll) for drafting. We work with a company in Shanghai that picks up some excess work and they bill us about $12/hr (so employee making $4/hr instead of $30/hr).
/OT
Would Nike even have to be involved??
I can't think of anything I'd like this new iPhone 3G to do right now, other than to allow me to use my Nike plus device on my shoe to send data to the phone and sync it to the Nike plus website. Other than allowing me to run the Pandora app at the same time, it would be nearly perfect. Yes, I'll admit it is not as small and compact as the Nano, but imagine it being set up with a dashboard that really does map your run, and/or calibrates your pace/location? I have to wonder if the real reason it is not compatible is due to making itself obsolete in development? What would you even need the Nike plus for if you use 3G technology to map and calibrate? My hunch is for proprietary reasons Nike is clinging to hope that people will continue to buy the Nike+ shoes to use the gear, and the 3G could end that reign. I'll admit, I already gave up on trying to buy Nike+ shoes because as much as I tried, they just don't work for my "wide" feet. I use a lace holder and I have nearly 1000 miles on my Nike+ website account, and Nike at least wants to sell you the dongle and transmitter...They already gave up on the dongle with the iTouch, and added internal "hardware". The 3G phones don't really need either. Just a way to send data to the website and run an app that keeps up with pace/display. Nike, give up the attempts to add garb, and sell shoes, and sell the app that will work, instead. If you do I hearby pledge to continue to buy your products when I can, or at least giving Nike first chance.
I can't think of anything I'd like this new iPhone 3G to do right now, other than to allow me to use my Nike plus device on my shoe to send data to the phone and sync it to the Nike plus website. Other than allowing me to run the Pandora app at the same time, it would be nearly perfect. Yes, I'll admit it is not as small and compact as the Nano, but imagine it being set up with a dashboard that really does map your run, and/or calibrates your pace/location? I have to wonder if the real reason it is not compatible is due to making itself obsolete in development? What would you even need the Nike plus for if you use 3G technology to map and calibrate? My hunch is for proprietary reasons Nike is clinging to hope that people will continue to buy the Nike+ shoes to use the gear, and the 3G could end that reign. I'll admit, I already gave up on trying to buy Nike+ shoes because as much as I tried, they just don't work for my "wide" feet. I use a lace holder and I have nearly 1000 miles on my Nike+ website account, and Nike at least wants to sell you the dongle and transmitter...They already gave up on the dongle with the iTouch, and added internal "hardware". The 3G phones don't really need either. Just a way to send data to the website and run an app that keeps up with pace/display. Nike, give up the attempts to add garb, and sell shoes, and sell the app that will work, instead. If you do I hearby pledge to continue to buy your products when I can, or at least giving Nike first chance.
I hate to "self-promote" but this came in my Google alerts tonight and I couldn't resist. You may want to check out the RunKeeper iPhone app that uses the built-in GPS to turn the 3G iPhone into a fitness tracking device and feeds all of your activities to the www.runkeeper.com website. It is early, so we don't yet have as robust a feature set as Nike, but we already do a lot of what you mentioned. We are also in weekly release cycles now, so what we don't do yet, we will soon!
It is a free app, so feel free to send feedback or feature suggestions to info@runkeeper.com
Jason
Founder of FitnessKeeper (makers of RunKeeper)
It won't bounce with a proper neoprene arm-band.
I've even used it in a shirt pocket (with a flap) and it gave me no
problems.
too bad I can't get the Nike+ transmitter to sync with my
2nd Gen Touch. (Nike + QC problems I think).
I got it to work the 1st time, then it seemed the battery
went dead and Nike sent me a new one and it didn't work either.
The transmitters are not reliable
(bad batteries in new ones, etc.).
That seems like a great solution to the iPhone workout problem. GPS is very accurate on speed and distance (not just location) so it's perfect
(or potentially perfect). Good Job (no pun intended)
I have an iPhone 3G, I have new Nike trainers with the capacity to use Nike+.... so do we think it'll ever make it to iPhone?
I mean, could it work being an App or would it come in a Software Update?
It's the one thing I'd love to see on iPhone 3G....
I mean, could it work being an App or would it come in a Software Update?
It's the one thing I'd love to see on iPhone 3G....
I have an iPhone 3G, I have new Nike trainers with the capacity to use Nike+.... so do we think it'll ever make it to iPhone?
I mean, could it work being an App or would it come in a Software Update?
It's the one thing I'd love to see on iPhone 3G....
not without a hardware addition/update.
Possibly, though they'd probably then add something like ability to interact with ANT bluetooth chips, and get wireless Heart rate monitor information.
Would be amazing to see, as the sporting app potential would be huge (GPS, SEMS gyroscope, accelerometer, GPS distance/time etc)
Would be amazing to see, as the sporting app potential would be huge (GPS, SEMS gyroscope, accelerometer, GPS distance/time etc)
Damage Control Apple! Wake up Nike + Folks..
If Nike/Apple's + Division doesn't do something soon, they will lose a huge chunk of business opportunity & make a lot of folks somewhere between dissappointed or furious. I'm a big iPod and Nike+ user - (Over 1000 miles on the Nano/+ unit), and now a 3G follower. Yes, the Nike+ has some robust features on their website and have given us running geeks a cheap way to have fun with logging workouts and miles. However, as apps like Run Keeper have already provided more data and tools than my Garmin watch, they are sure to take the lead in run/walk logging soon. I used to run with a phone(for safety), the Nano & Nike + for logging runs and music, and even the Garmin 205 to get full accuracy and pace/speed. I can honesly say that I can now run with the 3G and have all that with a free app like Run Keeper??!! While your at it- How about putting some AD2P bluetooth in the iPhone and iTouch?
If Nike/Apple's + Division doesn't do something soon, they will lose a huge chunk of business opportunity & make a lot of folks somewhere between dissappointed or furious. I'm a big iPod and Nike+ user - (Over 1000 miles on the Nano/+ unit), and now a 3G follower. Yes, the Nike+ has some robust features on their website and have given us running geeks a cheap way to have fun with logging workouts and miles. However, as apps like Run Keeper have already provided more data and tools than my Garmin watch, they are sure to take the lead in run/walk logging soon. I used to run with a phone(for safety), the Nano & Nike + for logging runs and music, and even the Garmin 205 to get full accuracy and pace/speed. I can honesly say that I can now run with the 3G and have all that with a free app like Run Keeper??!! While your at it- How about putting some AD2P bluetooth in the iPhone and iTouch?
Phones provide a little safety on long runs
Some runners already take phones for safety, and or for long runs where you may have issues. I run in a safe area but often put in 10-12 miles on Saturday mornings early before sun up. I don't look at displays, but do like to know where and how fast I went. I carry a small belt pouch regardless for gels, water and other long run essentials. the iPhone or the iTouch is not too big for either an armband case, or a sport belt, but controls are lacking. If apps could start giving us stereo bluetooth, control features like the Nike wrist band, etc., they could be a real gem.
Some runners already take phones for safety, and or for long runs where you may have issues. I run in a safe area but often put in 10-12 miles on Saturday mornings early before sun up. I don't look at displays, but do like to know where and how fast I went. I carry a small belt pouch regardless for gels, water and other long run essentials. the iPhone or the iTouch is not too big for either an armband case, or a sport belt, but controls are lacking. If apps could start giving us stereo bluetooth, control features like the Nike wrist band, etc., they could be a real gem.
Here's the thing. the only thing that footpod gives you is distance calculation. That's totally unnecessary with the iPhone 3G since it has GPS built in. All Apple and Nike has to do, is create a 3G version of the software that takes advantage of this. The 2Gs would be left out in the cold, but they could create a hardware dongle to plug into the dock connector to solve that. Shoot, you could even add in a heart rate monitor if they went so far to create a dongle. There's nothing technical that's holding them back from doing this
Runkeeper does not give you more capability then the Garmin GPS Watch. you can't even program in a simple workout (i.e. 4x800 (60 seconds rest)) with RunKeeper. All you can do there is keep track of mile splits. Whoopie. My garmin 305 does that too. And my Garmin 305 data can be sent to my computer where the data can be imported to Google Maps. Give me one feature that Runkeeper gives that you cannot do with a Garmin series watch. I'll even take to task their accuracy on Runkeeper. I went on a 15 mile marked course run, and runkeeper came up over a mile short. My garmin....Pretty much on the money with each mile split. That's 6.7% error. In my mind that's unacceptable for any GPS device.
Make it or I will
I see that several of you mention 'why use the dongle/pod when the iPhone has the GPS' well what about when you are running indoors on a treadmill. I still have a 2nd gen Nano with the receiver because I run in lots of places. Nothing is more annoying than have a GPS cut out on you while running. I have Garmin 305 as well and while it is great I still run with my Nike+ because I like the tracking and community based site.
Now as for the iPhone/Nike+ integration... They really need to get moving on this. As far as I understand the issue with the current receiver is that it interferes with the Bluetooth, well how many people are going to be running with the iPhone and using the Bluetooth. It's not like the iPhone support A2DP for stereo BT anyway. Just plug in your headphones and get out and run. If there isn't valid talk from them at this upcoming MacWorld then I will just have to teach myself Xcode and write my own app.
I have a feeling it would be welcome app at $4.99 or less. Knowing Apple they would probably release a 3rd gen iPhone that does the same as the Touch, including Nike+ and a 32GB capacity. They are just waiting for July of 2009. I would put money on it. But I don't know if many folks would just throw another few hundre bucks for all that.
We shall see.
-Mark
I see that several of you mention 'why use the dongle/pod when the iPhone has the GPS' well what about when you are running indoors on a treadmill. I still have a 2nd gen Nano with the receiver because I run in lots of places. Nothing is more annoying than have a GPS cut out on you while running. I have Garmin 305 as well and while it is great I still run with my Nike+ because I like the tracking and community based site.
Now as for the iPhone/Nike+ integration... They really need to get moving on this. As far as I understand the issue with the current receiver is that it interferes with the Bluetooth, well how many people are going to be running with the iPhone and using the Bluetooth. It's not like the iPhone support A2DP for stereo BT anyway. Just plug in your headphones and get out and run. If there isn't valid talk from them at this upcoming MacWorld then I will just have to teach myself Xcode and write my own app.
I have a feeling it would be welcome app at $4.99 or less. Knowing Apple they would probably release a 3rd gen iPhone that does the same as the Touch, including Nike+ and a 32GB capacity. They are just waiting for July of 2009. I would put money on it. But I don't know if many folks would just throw another few hundre bucks for all that.
We shall see.
-Mark
Yes it is and I love it.
Now I only have to take ONE gadget with me. I have been looking forward to workouts since I started using the NIKE +
Also I like having a phone with me and all the other functions.
This is great, and one of the reasons that I shelled out for the 3G S.
Now I only have to take ONE gadget with me. I have been looking forward to workouts since I started using the NIKE +
Also I like having a phone with me and all the other functions.
This is great, and one of the reasons that I shelled out for the 3G S.
The 3G does not have the required radio antenna to use Nike+ only the iPod Touch G2 and nano's with the adapter and the 3G s.
Now that they have ported the software to the 3GS you would think they would allow us owners of the NIKE+ kits to use the receiver with the 3G models.
I've not check since I updated my phone to the new 3.0 software but I'm assuming the receiver isn't supported on the 3G models still.
Come on Apple! Provide a driver for the 3G to allow us to use the NIKE+ kit!!
I've not check since I updated my phone to the new 3.0 software but I'm assuming the receiver isn't supported on the 3G models still.
Come on Apple! Provide a driver for the 3G to allow us to use the NIKE+ kit!!
The 3G doesn't have the proper HARDWARE to recieve the signals from the Nike+ shoe insert. It's nothing to do with software.
You know, I agree completely. A music player with a touch screen is very awkward when you just want to switch songs or something. The only good side is the volume buttons. The Click Wheel does it right. The iPhone is perfect for everything else, but I just think that music players need dedicated physical buttons.