A lot of joggers already use Nike and Apple's Nike + iPod fitness scheme: run miles as the device embedded in the Nike shoes takes down the pace, time, and distance that you have covered during your workout. Now how about if you can upload all that data into a treadmill which will compute how much speed and distance you need to cover? Read all about it in the full article.

 

We spotted something in the Nike website which some of you non-couch potatoes out there might like. It's the Nike Amp Sport Remote Control and it's good to go with your iPod Nano anytime, anywhere. So if you thought that gadgets didn't go well with sports, think again.

The Amp is basically a water resistant watch that can connect to your iPod to control it when you're too tied up to tinker with it when in the sweat shop. The LED screen is specifically designed for the Apple iPod with all its icons and buttons to allow a minimal familiarization curve. Last but not the least, the Amp monitors your runs and progress if you ever decide to get Nike shoes and connect them to it.

The Nike Amp Sport Remote Control is listed in at the price of US$ 79.00 on the site. If you work out better with beats that make the activities a breeze, go for this one and sweat those inches away.

It was earlier announced by both Nike and Apple that the Nike+iPod exercise solution will be available in retail stores. Since then, the apparel had enjoyed tremendous commercial success. However, it seems that it isn't going to be smooth sailing from now on because the companies are facing a patent suit over the product.

Leaper Footwear, LLC owners Greg and Kenny Anderson filed the case this Monday in the United States District Court for The District of Utah Central Division. According to the two Andersons, they've created a similar product back in 1995 and was able to successfully had it patented in 1998.

The counsel for Leaper Footwear then sent a letter to Nike saying that the shoe maker take a license to the Anderson's patent. Nike, allegedly, wrote back two weeks after stating that it had "no interest in pursuing the idea." Part of the said suit reads:

Nike and Apple have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in infringing sales of iPod Nanos, Nike+ shoes, and Nike+iPod Sport Kits, easily exposing them to liability in the tens of millions of dollars for their infringement of Leapers patent.

It is further believed that Nike and Apples infringement has spawned additional revenues through sales of products related to the Nike+iPod system, such as the Nike Amp+ bracelet.

Nike and Apple have yet to make official statements and actions regarding the matter.

 

By the end of this year, you can very well tell your mother that all running shoes made by Nike could talk with the iPod Nano. Ain't that swell?

Well, although technically not being able to "talk" to each other, the Nike+iPod running kit enables runners to track their progress through software for the iPod Nano. Information such as time of workout, distance travelled, pace and calories burned by the individual wearing the Nike shoes could be tracked by the iPod, located in the inner sole of the Nike shoe.

Recently, Nike has reported soft third quarter sales. Other shoe manufacturers also reported a slump in their sales, such as Foot Locker Inc. and Finish Line Inc. We really don't know why, but Nike has promised that it will rise above its retail record down with the help of leading retail partners that will build strength.

Nike CEO and president Mark Parker didn't disclose any details about this strength-building partnership, but he said that some of these new Nike concepts at retail will be expected this calendar year. He hinted at changes to Nike's Shox and apparel lines, including plans to make all its running shoes compatible with its Nike+ technology by the end of the year.

Well...we just love the idea of shoes rapidly going electronic. Shoes!

The wearable tech trend just got another nudge forward from Nike. After the Nike+iPod sport kit project and the Nike iPod Watch comes another product called the Hatphone. Weird name, huh?

Anyhow, the Hatphone is a soft shell, therma-FIT hat which has built-in controls for your iPod nano. It also keeps your head warm on those cold workout days. As far as we can tell though, it has nothing to do with a cellphone.

According to Nike, this contraption is a "cozy, comfortable skullcap which features full functional Nano click wheel controls through a power mesh window in back so you can keep moving while mixing up your music". The Nike Hatphone skullcap goes for US$ 60 a pop and is available in black, grey, blue, and red.

Let's just hope this baby can't be hacked. You wouldn't want a stalker now, would you?

Apple and Nike are at it again, and this time they're planning to release a series of follow-ups to the successful Nike + iPod Sport Kit. According to iLounge, Nike plans to release a series of at least two and perhaps three hybrid watch and wireless remote control accessories for Nike + iPod Sport Kit-equipped iPod nanos.

The first one up is Flight+ (US$ 129), a wireless iPod remote control housed within a fully-working wristwatch body. iLounge reveals that "Flight+Â?s music controls, such as volume and track adjustment, are built into a rocking bezel around its central Electroluminescent (EL) backlit watch screen."

Flight+ will be available in two colors and will feature the typical watch functions such as time, date, and alarms as well as the ability to trigger the Nike + iPod Sport KitÂ?s voice feedback feature. The Flight + is planned for a May 1 release this year.

Check out more watches after the jump!

A lot of people welcomed the Nike+iPod into their lives when it was first announced and released. To most, this would be the perfect companion while they are sweating it out in the gym or while jogging. But to these computer science students, the Nike+iPod could also be used by criminals to track a person's whereabouts. Who would have thought that this flimsy-looking contraption that was made for less than US$ 300 could hack into one of Apple's precious innovations.

The Nike+iPod has a small computer chip in the shoe that would beam data to a receiver attached to an iPod Nano. The signal can be tracked up to 60 feet away by the device coupled with GoogleMaps, said Scott Saponas, a doctoral student in computer science at the University of Washington.

This could be the perfect tool for a thief (who'll be alerted once you step out to jog), or a stalker who could follow you while you do your rounds. So how would you protect yourself and your privacy? Simple. Just switch the device off. It is sold with the power on and most users never bother to turn it off, the researchers say.

Have a nice run folks!

You guys remember the "exercise solution" that Apple and Nike both came up with? Yep, we're talking about Nike+iPod Sport Kit here, and if you thought that the product already went the way of the dinosaurs then you're flat out wrong. In fact, it's just starting to shift to a higher gear.

Now, God knows not everybody wears (or can afford) Nikes, and Grantwood Technology is aware of that fact. So in order to spread the iPod love among runners and walkers, the company has just announced a new product called the Shoe Pouch, which basically turns any old pair of sports shoes into iPod-compatible footwear like the Nike+ shoes.

"For any number of valid reasons, many people prefer to wear Asics, New Balance, Saucony, Brooks, etc. and even Nike shoes that are not Nike+," says the company. "We wanted people to be able to use the Nike+iPod Sport Kit with any style of shoe."

Great idea, Grantwood people. We're betting that a lot of runners, walkers, and other exercise junkies will have this item on their Christmas wish lists. Just one question, though. You mentioned the words "valid reasons". Are there, by any chance, any INvalid reasons why people don't want to wear one particular brand of shoe? Just curious. Anyway, the Shoe Pouch, which is made of neoprene, attaches to one shoe through the laces and is priced at US$ 6.

Runners who have tried the Nike+ iPod Sports Kit were very impressed with the device. They were given accurate time, distance, calories burned, and average pace at the push of the iPod's center button. Best of all, they were able to access their tunes while they tailor their running experience for the ultimate workout. But of course, you'd have to switch to a Nike running shoes to use the kit. Well, not everyone prefers a Nike-branded running gear, so what does a guy (or girl) do when they're partial to say, Saucony Hurricanes? Well, podophile has a quick fix for that problem.

Using a strip of Velcro with adhesive backing, a needle, some thread, and sewing skills, you can modify your Nike+ iPod Sports Kit to work on non-Nike running shoes.

Just attach the "hard" side of the Velcro to the back of the transmitter. The "soft" side of the Velcro would then have to be attached to the tongue of the shoe. Sew the velcro and the tongue together to secure them. Once you're done showing off your sewing prowess, you can attach the transmitter to the shoe and lace it back up. The mod only takes up 10 minutes, so you can get back to running right away.

When podophile tested the newly-modified Nike+ iPod Sports Kit, early results indicate that having the transmitter under the laces does not affect the accuracy of the device.

   

iTunes, Apple's digital media player application, has been updated to v6.0.5. This latest version includes the following features:

• Allows previewing, buying, and downloading music videos, short films, and hit TV programs on the iTunes Music Store, and sync music and purchased videos with iPod to enjoy on the go.
• Allows synching  Nike + iPod workout data to nikeplus.com for progress tracking, setting training goals, challenging others, and much more. Visit the Nike Sport Music area on the iTunes Music Store to download workout mixes, Athlete Inspiration playlists, Nike podcasts, and more.

iTunes v6.0.5 requires

• Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
• Mac OS X version 10.4.2 or later is recommended
• Windows 2000 or XP

Download: [iTunes v6.0.5 for Windows]
Download: [iTunes v6.0.5 for Mac]