Running technology together

Nike and Apple have unveiled a system which allows a sports enthusiast’s training shoes to talk to the wearer’s iPod to give feedback on performance, record workouts and provide motivational music.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit, a wireless dongle that allows Nike+ footwear to communicate with an iPod nano, was unveiled at an event in New York attended by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and marathon world record-holder Paula Radcliffe.

Nike has designed its Nike+ Air Zoom Moire to talk to iPod and has plans to make more shoes Nike+ compliant. Information on time, distance, calories burned and pace is transmitted from the shoes, stored on the iPod and displayed on the screen.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit bluetooth transponder uses a proprietary 2.4 GHz signal to transfer information to the iPod, effectively excluding third party manufacturers from making compatible wireless accessories.

Real-time audible feedback is provided through headphones. A specialised online iTunes music store will be available for use with the kit, and users will be able to personalise their training through a Nike website. There will even be a facility to press a button to instantly blast out a ”power tune” to help users get through a particularly tough bit of training.