Digital Trends

Nike+iPod Sport Kit July 23rd, 2006 | by Jason Tomczak

Prior to connecting the iPod nano to your computer, it is important to set up a user account at nikeplus.com. Setting up a nikeplus.com account is easy and only takes a few short minutes. Once your nikeplus.com account is set up, configure iTunes with your nikeplus.com account info (your chosen email address and password). Select whether iTunes will automatically update nikeplus.com with your exercise stats or whether you’d like to manually approve the data transfer each time. 

After completing an exercise regimen, connect the iPod to your computer. In a matter of seconds the iPod transfers the exercise stats to iTunes, which in turn transmits the data to your nikeplus.com account. Log into nikeplus.com to view each run/walk session individually or in a graph series for comparison. You can even set short and long term goals for distances run, overall time spent running or walking, calories burned, etc. The graphical interface and goal setting features make the nikeplus.com experience quite entertaining and meaningful. 

Nike+ and Apple iPod

According to all marketing efforts, the Nike+iPod Sport Kit requires the iPod nano and special Nike shoes with the Sport Kit insert slot. While the integration is certainly flawless, it is not necessary to use the Nike shoes. On the very day the Nike+iPod Sport Kit was released, rumors of it working in normal shoes hit the internet. Pictures popped up on several Mac-related websites showing proof of the nondiscriminatory nature of the Sport Kit.

I spoke with a Nike rep to see if the reports were true. I was cautioned that the Nike shoes were specifically designed to provide accurate results and that other shoes could not be relied upon. Being fond of certain types of civil disobedience (especially those that involve gadgetry and graphs), I decided to test that theory on my own. 

After having performed the calibration tests with the Nike shoes, prepared two tests with non-Nike branded shoes. For my first test, I placed the Nike+iPod transmitter under the laces of my dusty old New Balance running shoes. I hit my custom-painted road to see how the New Balance shoes would rate. On a half-mile run, the Nike+iPod transmitter reported .51 miles. 

For my second test, I placed the Nike+iPod transmitter in a self-cut hole in the insole of my New Balance running shoes. The transmitter fit perfectly, though my Xacto knife hole was nowhere near as professional looking as the Nike-built housing in the Nike shoes. On my half-mile walk back, the distance read-out on the iPod nano showed exactly .50 miles, however I reached the painted half-mile mark about 4 paces after the iPod nano said I’d attained my target distance. This is a negligible margin of error. 

To summarize the results of my Nike+iPod Sport Kit hack, the New Balance running test was accurate to 1/220 of a mile, just as accurate as the Nike shoes. My New Balance walking test was even more accurate, giving only an error margin of 1/440 of a mile. Of course, neither the Nike nor New Balance shoes are “more accurate” than the other. All the intelligent work is done between the Nike+iPod transmitter and receiver. Inconsistencies are likely to be changes in the user’s pace and stride.

Nike+iPod enabled shoes are available in men’s sizes up to 15 and women’s sizes up to 12. For runners and walkers who, like my brother, have shoe sizes of 16 and beyond, use your own shoes. You’re only $29 and an iPod nano away from an exciting new exercise regimen!