14 DAY TRIAL // Some of you may recall that Apple shook hands with Nike in 2006 to roll out the Nike+iPod Sports Kit, a device which measures and records the distance and pace of a person walking or running through a transmitter that is mounted in the shoe and a receiver that connects to the iPod. The two companies have now announced their ongoing collaboration on gym equipment, based on the same concept that helps one set workout goals and upload them on Nikeplus.com.
PC World informs that Tuesday saw Nike and Apple announcing they are working with "major gym equipment manufacturers including Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Technogym" to produce more Nike+ iPod compatible equipment, this time for use in the gym. Speaking of which, those will include 24 Hour Fitness and Virgin Active Health Clubs, according to the same source.
By inserting the Nike+ sensor into the Air Zoom Moire shoe pocket (or any other Nike+ ready shoe) and by plugging in their iPods, "users and their personal trainers will be able to track workouts on cardio equipment." The workout data is converted to "CardioMiles," so users can track how much they've used the cardio equipment. Also, users can set goals and participate in challenges using the device and the Nikeplus.com service.
The kit is able to store information such as the elapsed time of the workout, the distance traveled, pace, or calories burned by the individual wearing the shoes, and display it on the screen or broadcast it through the headphones of an iPod.
The Nike+ kit consists of two pieces: 1 - a piezoelectric accelerometer ? transmitter ? which is mounted under the inner sole of the shoe; 2 - a receiver that connects to the iPod. Nike recommends that the shoe be a Nike+ model as these models sport a special pocket in which to place the device. Nike sells the accelerometer individually, meaning that consumers do not have to purchase the whole set.