A recent study by the Oxygen Network revealed what I've always suspected (about myself, at least): women like tech toys more than shoes. Apparently, we'd rather have a plasma tellie and top-of-the-line cellie than this season's designer pumps.
But what if the ladies could have both -- would the universe implode?
Nike, the shoe industry's Nelly (i.e. they duet with everyone, including a current collaboration with Cole Haan) and Apple are daring to give women shoes AND technology in the form of the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit. For $29, a user can "...transform your iPod nano into a personal workout coach with the Nike + iPod Sport Kit. This wireless sensor and receiver combination works exclusively with your Nike+ shoes and iPod nano to give you real-time feedback during workouts and let you track your performance on your Mac or PC."
Not that I need to know any more to impulsively run out (ha!) and buy an iPod nano, the Sport Kit and a pair of the "special" $149-$249 tennies that have the inner sole pocket to hold the sensor -- but here are some details : the Kit calibrates to the user's exercise goals and announces how the running/walking session is going every so often (in a male, female, or "no" voice(?). If you need a boost, hitting a button on the iPod launches a pre-designated "Power Song". Afterwards, the session's exercise data is loaded into your computer from the iPod to track progress.
As I said, I'm nearly at the mall right now, but The Dairy Queen actually managed to pre-early adopt on me, already bought a kit, and has been using it. Her take:
"…that nike + ipod running thing= who is your daddy?!? Usually, im lucky if I can get in a three mile run; last night I used it and ran 5.16, and burned 518 calories! Plus, the little dude comes on and tells me I'm running a nine minute mile and I love him. He motivates me...he tells me what a good job I'm doing...he has the same taste in music as me. (BLOGORELLI INTERJECTS: He sounds like good boyfriend material were he not a machine.) And the great news is I found a way to strap the sensor into my insole without having to buy another $100 pair of shoes!"
With my new sleek physique from the Nike + iPod "personal" training, I'm gonna look totally hot in all those fall shoes I'll be buying!
This is almost the stupidest thing I have ever heard - it is the Reebok pump of 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reebok_Pump
Posted by: bobby crocker | Wednesday, 16 August 2006 at 04:55 PM
I actually velcrod the sensor onto the tongue of my shoe and then wrapped over it with the laces....
17 miles in 6 days baby... I'm converted (although I did have to take a weekend off so i could sit on my ass driving to rescue my cat this weekend).
yea... i don't know if the dude's voice was lance... but he does come on at the end of your workout to wish you a congratulations when you beat your last time. its kinda hot.
Posted by: dairy queen | Tuesday, 15 August 2006 at 01:39 PM
I actually velcrod the sensor onto the tongue of my shoe and then wrapped over it with the laces....
17 miles in 6 days baby... I'm converted (although I did have to take a weekend off so i could sit on my ass driving to rescue my cat this weekend).
I adore the little sucker (both the ipod/nike thingamagig and the cat!).
Posted by: dairy queen | Tuesday, 15 August 2006 at 01:38 PM
I've been eyeing that nike+ipod sports kit for a while now too. It sounds great! But I'm thinking that *another* ipod is the last thing I need right now. Let me know when they make it compatible with the shuffle!
Posted by: the polish princess | Tuesday, 15 August 2006 at 01:18 PM
whatever - you love typewriters. hot keystroke action.
Posted by: petey | Tuesday, 15 August 2006 at 10:57 AM