A silly little blog for me to drop the excrement of my mind.
In their latest string of "big announcements", Apple has announced their partnership with Nike to deliver the iPod Sport Pack.

Apparently, this will allow you to stick a sensor in your shoes (of course, you are also going to have to buy a special pair of Nike shoes that have the pocket for the sensor in the sole of the shoes) that will communicate with a receiver attached to your iPod Nano (Nano apparently required, so I guess us 5G owners are out of luck) and receive information on your workout.

This information will include such data as time, pace, calories burned and distance. You can then transmit this information to your computer. This will allow users to compare results, download specific workouts to load to the iPod, all in the name of making your workouts more effective.

A new Nike section of the iTunes store will also be opened, with motivating tracks and mixes hand picked by other athletes. All in the name of, well, let's be honest here. This is all about one thing:

Marketing.

This is an interesting gimmick, but nothing more if you ask me. I don't see those who are just starting to exercise regularly really getting into this. And those who are already serious about their running are going to see this for just what it is: a means to sell more shoes and iPod accessories.

But what do I know. Nothing, really. Even being the technophile that I am, I just don't see this as that big of a deal. I wouldn't be interested at all. But I am sure there will be plenty who are.
Comments
on May 24, 2006
I agree. They already have heart rate monitors and pedometers to measure how efficiently you are working out. If someone is interested in seeing that information, I would think they would choose the under $10 option of a pedometer to a brand new pair of shoes AND new iPod accessories!
on May 24, 2006

I would think they would choose the under $10 option of a pedometer to a brand new pair of shoes AND new iPod accessories!

Don't get me wrong, there are some cool things that this sounds like it will do.  But they are cool gimmicks.  Nothing more.  I agree.  You can get a decent pedometer for under $10, and if you really want to be able to track your workout, you will be getting a decent heart rate monitor.  Not a new pair of shoes.

on May 25, 2006
Gimicky cross-marketing at its finest. If you buy the shoes AND the Ipod, they even throw in a pair of headphones. Wow, what a bargain... (yes, I am being sarcastic).Link

on May 26, 2006
I actually think it is cool--and I am sure that some of my runner friends would do it in a heartbeat. it tracks your workout and allows you to upload it to your computer--pretty sweet if you ask me.

And actually, I'm one of those suckers that buys the iTune mixes by celebrities--I currently work out to Jennifer Garner's workout mix--but it's starting to get old. I'd love to see what some athletes listen to while working out.

Of course, I do realize it's marketing--but, heck, I'm a consumer. For people who own the nano and replace their running shoes often, it's not really asking much.