14 DAY TRIAL // Soon after the Let's Rock event was over, Apple updated its website with tons of new stuff, like advertising materials for the new iPods, guided tours, a whole section dedicated to the new Genius feature in iTunes 8, and more. However, under iPod + iTunes, there was one more section we hadn't yet looked at for updates – Nike + iPod.
Apple reveals that, with the built-in support for Nike + Sport Kit, your nano / touch becomes your running partner. “With the sensor in your shoe, your iPod gives you feedback while it records your run. [...] Grab your iPod nano or iPod touch, a pair of Nike+ shoes, and the Nike + iPod Sport Kit or Sensor. Put the sensor in your Nike+ shoe [...] Then connect the receiver to your iPod nano. [...] The sensor tracks your run, then sends the data to your iPod,” Apple explains.
New to the Nike + iPod workout-tracking solution is that iPod touch 2G includes built-in support for Nike+. That means that, with the new touch, you don't need to connect a receiver to the device. Just throw the sensor inside the special pocket of your Nike sneakers, and you're good to go.
However, before you start galloping, you should check out the Nike + iPod menu, and choose how you want to run, Apple advises. “You can use custom workout shortcuts to start your favorite workouts quickly,” the company explains, or try open-ended workouts, select one with time, distance, or calorie goals, and more.
But where's the fun in all this if you don't also listen to your favorite artists while working out? This is why the Nike + iPod gear also lets you pick your favorite playlist, and it's here that the new Genius feature included with the new iPods can really step in to make a difference. Having come across a song that goes great with a workout, simply hit the Genius button and you'll instantly get a whole playlist of songs that make sense during a workout session (provided that your library holds a few such songs). Alternately, you can choose Nike-created Sport Music and even program a PowerSong “to play when you need instant motivation,” says Apple.
At the end of a workout, as Nike+ users should already know, you must sync your iPod with nikeplus.com to see how fast you’ve run, or how efficient your workout has been. You can also go to the nikeplus web page to see other runners' accomplishments. Runners are holding their breath for an iPhone / iPod touch Nike + app that seamlessly syncs data on the go, but until that day comes, this is what you get.
