“Music, physical movement, technology and being cool have long gone hand in hand. Now, two iconic brands, Apple Computer and Nike, are collaborating on a new system of gizmos that take exercising and digital-music players to a new level. The Nike+iPod Sport Kit allows runners and walkers to listen to songs and to record, store and share information (such as speed, distance covered and calories burned) with others about their exercise sessions. The system also “talks” to runners in real time, providing information as they jog along. The $29 kit consists of two gadgets — a receiver that plugs into an iPod Nano and a sensor that sits inside the inner sole of specially made Nike shoes and transmits data to the receiver wirelessly. Buyers also get software to download the running data to a special website where the information can be stored and tracked over time and shared with other runners,” according to Knowledge@Wharton.
Members of Wharton’s marketing department say it’s a winning combination that will bolster each company’s image and open the door to other co-branding opportunities. But they disagree as to whether the joint effort will actually sell more Nanos and Nike shoes.
Full article here.
Related articles:
USA Today: Clever Nike+iPod Sport Kit makes running more fun – July 21, 2006
Time Magazine’s Gadget of the Week: Nike+iPod Sport Kit – July 20, 2006
PC Magazine review gives ‘Nike+iPod Sport Kit’ 4.5 out of 5 stars – July 18, 2006
Using Apple’s iPod Sport Kit with non-Nike shoes – July 17, 2006
Apple’s Nike+iPod Sport Kit officially released today (link to High-res photos) – July 13, 2006
Apple releases iTunes 6.0.5 with Nike+iPod Sport Kit sync features – June 29, 2006
Nike+iPod Sport Kit now available for order at Apple Store – June 13, 2006
Dvorak thinks iPod+Nike Sport Kit is ‘nutty’ – May 24, 2006
The making of Apple iPod+Nike Sport Kit and there’s more to come – May 24, 2006
Nike+iPod Sport Kit sensor’s battery will outlast the shoes – May 24, 2006
Analyst: Nike+Apple = iPod as a platform – May 23, 2006
Apple and Nike shares rise folowing Nike+iPod announcement – May 23, 2006
Nike and Apple team up to launch Nike+iPod, footwear that talks to your iPod – May 23, 2006
Getting me some Nikes so I guess it will.
it’s a brilliant idea that will only create winners.
Yes. Definitely.
I’m creeping up near my 30’s and the wifey’s gonna get me a Nano (after the next update), the kit and some Nike’s. Used to run x-country in HS, but haven’t really ran much in the last few years. This baby would do the trick!
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Yeap I bought a nano because of the sport kit. I am thinking about getting the shoes. But I prefer my $30 new balances to $100 nikes
This damn Nike+iPod thing is addictive. I keep pushing myself to walk/run faster and farther. It is much better than a treadmill especially because you are outside. This device is great.
This is the first step in making iPod into a wearable computer platform. Future iPods may provide the display, audio feedback, data storage, CPU processing, and user input method for an endless array of other mini-devices that perform various functions (like the Nike kit) and “talk” wirelessly to the iPod. The iPod serves as the central hub for these other devices.
What other devices? I don’t know for sure, but they could be medical devices such heart or blood pressure monitors for people who would benefit from closely tracking such details. Or perhaps a GPS that shows where you are and tracks where you’ve been. There are probably standalone devices that perform the same functions, but the iPod would consolidate the common functions such as the need for a visual display and data storage. The possibilities seem endless.
The beauty of what Apple is doing here is that Apple does not need to create a wearable computer platform “in advance.” For now, iPod is mostly “just” a media player. However, this Nike device shows it can do much more. Over time, iPod (the media player) is getting worn on the bodies of tens of millions of users. Without up-front investment, Apple is creating a wearable computer platform, with iPod as the central component, AND it will already be deployed. Amazingly, this must have been the intent from the beginning. Apple named it “iPod” for a reason. If the intial plan was just a music player, it would have been called something more music oriented.
It may not directly create a huge number of additional sales, but branding yourself is about mindshare, and the more places and the more ‘standard’ the iPod appears to be, the more people are likely to make it their default purchase.
People tend to follow the crowd. I know this from my days at the ole Apple retailer when people asked regarding the iPod Minis , “what color is everyone buying”?
You’d be surprised how many people find comfort in numbers when it comes to making purchase decisions.
Bought my Nano.
Looking for the Sport Kit (Apple Store was sold out).
Ordered my Nikes, but they were the wrong model; going to return them to local JC Penney and see if I can find the right ones there or at NikeWoman.
I’d say there’s at least a small increase in sales; folks who have a Nano might get the shoes to go with it, folks looking at Nike shoes might end up buying a Nano at the same time.
MW=working; the synergy is working…
A small increase in sales of both I think. I already own a Nano and just recently started running so while I am in the US next month I intend to buy the shoes & kit to see if they help me push myself.
YEP. It will sell more Nanos and Nike Shoes. It is cutting edge, trendy, inexpensive – $29 is not much to pay if you already have or want a Nano and a pair of running shoes…
More importantly it shows what a little creativity can produce – and how creative the boys and girls at Apple really are.
Every manufacturer with any commonsense will now be looking hard to see whether they can be the first amongst their peers to find some synergy with the iPod.
I suspect there are lots of “gee whiz” fun products in the wings.
By the way, is it true that Bill Gates decided to resign from Microsoft when his wife gave him a Nano/Nike kit and he loved it??
Excellent article! I’ve got Nike+iPod Sport Kit too and loving it!
I absolutely agree it will sell more Nano’s and Nike gear.
But Nike needs to get their act together, fast.
I haven’t bough Nike sneakers in at least 10 years, but after this announcement, I bought two pairs.
They both stink. The quality is low, the design (running support, not fashion) is remarkably bad.
One set of shoes is starting to hurt my feat for a myriad of subtle quality issues.
There is a reason why serious runners never buy Nikes.
I know I can use the kit with other brands of sneakers, but I am trying to vote with my wallet and reward the company which was involved in this fantastic innovation.
But I will not continue purchasing Nike’s unless they get their act together.
Recently bought a new pair of Adidas running shoes, and will get the the Sport Kit and a new 1gig nano to go with my old iPod and shuffle. So, that’s a thumbs up for a new nano, and a thumbs down on new running shoes.
Absolutely! I purchased a new pair of Nike’s and the kit a week after it came out. It works great and is highly motivational when combined with the (very-well designed) website for tracking progress. I find myself wanting to stop other runners/walkers to tell them what a great product this is and why they should get one.
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