Digital Trends

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

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit is well designed. The shoe-based transmitter is almost exactly the same width and length as a Secure Digital (SD) card, though thicker by 400%. The iPod-based receiver is even smaller and matches the white iPod nano. Unfortunately, those who own a black iPod nano will have to put up with mismatched colors. 

As for the design of the receiver, its diminutive size and dock connector make it easy to carry in a pocket, wallet or any small space; however I see two glaring problems. First, the receiver is so small, it can be easily misplaced. Second and perhaps most important, the receiver plugs into the dock connector and therefore juts out of the bottom of the iPod nano where it can easily be bent or subjected to accidental damage. The parts are not tough – no one intended them to be military grade – and a bent receiver could force a user to buy a new Sport kit and/or a new iPod nano. Given this fact, be sure to use an iPod nano arm-band, a Nike outfit with specially-designed iPod nano pockets, or some other form of solid protection for the iPod and receiver.