Comments on: It's the shoes!

It's the shoes!

fixedgear — Tue, 23 May 2006 13:50:27 -0800

Yeah, another iPod post. And a Nike post. iPod + Nike, guaranteed to inflame millions.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Tue, 23 May 2006 13:56:19 -0800

It's kind of crazy that you have to have a certain pair of Nike shoes. Can't you just tie some sensor to your laces on any shoe and turn an ipod into a general purpose pedometer?

By: diastematic

diastematic — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:02:04 -0800

If you're handy with RFID, I don't see why not. Sounds like a pretty nifty MAKE article, Matt.

By: fixedgear

fixedgear — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:04:43 -0800

We're thinking that the bike version will be HRM/cyclometer/iPod, stay tuned for that.

By: BeerFilter

BeerFilter — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:07:32 -0800

Needs more heelpump.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:12:59 -0800

well, most states (as well as common sense) say you can't ride a bike with headphones on, so I'm not sure why you'd have an ipod on your bike.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:14:43 -0800

"Information on time, distance, calories burned and pace is stored on the iPod and displayed on the screen...."If you can incorporate time, distance and calories burned together, and make it function for both the fitness runner and the high-level athlete, it will take working out to a whole other level," Armstrong said in a statement." [CNET News.com] And what to do with the data and results of your training sessions and races:

"The community site We Endure gives you a place to connect with other performance athletes. Set up an account, post your results in races and in training sessions for cycling, swimming, and running, then share and compare your progress. Users can post their detailed stats for any event they participate in, be it professional or amatuer, race or club meeting. In addition to tracking events you're participating in, you can track your performance goals and your equipment purchases. We Endure will add up all of your results, telling you how many miles you've swim, biked, or run, and how your goals are progressing. If you want, you can just use We Endure as a tool to log your results and progress, but the sharing element is where the site becomes really useful. Many users have friends in the system. Some tell stories about their races or training sessions and link to their friends' pages. You can also use the We Endure events listings to find events in your area or other people to train with. We Endure is a great example of successful Web 2.0 community software. The site was built by Joshua Cohen using Ruby on Rails." [Wired.com]

By: fixedgear

fixedgear — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:24:22 -0800

Matt, I don't ride with headphones or advocate doing so. I'm just sayin' that is the speculation among bike folks.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:27:30 -0800

Wow. I actually have Nike's first attempt at doing this. It used a pretty clunky pod you lace into any kind of shoes. There was a transmit-to-watch version and one with a built-in display. I have the latter, since it had much better battery life. Anyways, the one I have used tilt sensors and was a marvel of engineering from some Israeli guys. It's accuracy is sick and it works even in the forest. It never really caught on though, and I thought GPS had replaced it in this market nowadays.

By: dios

dios — Tue, 23 May 2006 14:45:38 -0800

well, most states (as well as common sense) say you can't ride a bike with headphones on, so I'm not sure why you'd have an ipod on your bike. posted by mathowie at 4:12 PM CST on May 23 Out of curiosity, I've just recently started riding my bike again on this long closed off trail through my neighborhood. And I wear ear phones. Does common sense say that is a bad idea? I do not wear them on my ride to the entrance point to the trail, but I wear them once I start the round trip ride. I don't think in that context it would make any less sense for a bike rider to wear ear phones than a jogger (and 75% of the joggers do). Assuming you aren't riding around cars on streets, does common sense still say you can't ride a bike with headphones on?

By: JMOZ

JMOZ — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:00:17 -0800

dios: I'm not sure about common sense or your jurisdiction, but California law says it's illegal. (I can look for the CVC if you're interested.) Anyhow, a fellow cyclist might say, "On your left" when s/he's passing you, and with headphones, you won't hear him/her. Bike collisions are much more dangerous than jogger collisions (which are rather infrequent, anyhow.) On a multi-use (cycling and jogger path), joggers should (but frequently don't) face oncoming traffic, which would increase their awareness.

By: adamgreenfield

adamgreenfield — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:06:07 -0800

dios, please continue to do just what you're doing.

By: kyleg

kyleg — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:10:36 -0800

This would be really awesome if the iPod could "smart shuffle" and match the bpm of the music to your running pace. You could have the perfect workout mix, and it would be different every time. It would also be awesome if it wasn't proprietary and overpriced.

By: wendell

wendell — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:12:15 -0800

Add a coupon for Starbucks and we have a trifecta. Tifecta... that's one of the sizes of Starbucks coffee, right?

By: chemoboy

chemoboy — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:22:36 -0800

This is cool. Assuming it monitors heart rate as well as run speed, incline and distance travelled. Oh yeah, the swinging motion of your arms should recharge the iPod. And periodically the sounds of a sweatshop should be mixed into your White Stripes.

By: mathowie

mathowie — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:24:13 -0800

dios, that's an edgecase. You have to ride down streets to get to your trail and even then I'd say it's less than safe to ride even on a private closed trail with headphones, since you won't hear if someone yells at you to stop/move/swerve/etc.

By: jacalata

jacalata — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:35:32 -0800

kyleg, that's absolutely what I was expecting it to do. And if it did that, and I could afford an ipod and a new pair of nikes AND a crazy sports kit thing, I'd totally be in.

By: Mean Mr. Bucket

Mean Mr. Bucket — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:38:37 -0800

I only run in Asics.

By: ericb

ericb — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:42:22 -0800

A friend who is a physician in NYC and takes his share of emergency room/ICU shifts has mentioned that over the past few years he has seen a noticeable uptick in head trauma and related injuries due to people who have been cycling or rollerblading while listening to headsets -- often involving collisions with other people (walking, running, blading and cycling) in Central Park alone.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:48:20 -0800

This dude was wearing headphones, on the trail: http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=ae8ef3ee-16ed-462c-925a-62549063fd94&k=1441 And a few weeks back some maniac, I think in the print Guardian, was arguing for the pleasures of riding (in urban UK) while plugged into his tunes - that his vision was so acute, that he was so otherwise attuned to the traffic that to ride with Snow Patrol as his copilot elevated his cycle commutes to a religious experience. No way, I say, can you ride safely without hearing what kind of action's bearing down on you from behind. Here in Oxford you see that all the time, and the talking on cell phones, and the texting. Iyiyi. Then again, this same maniac - he has a weekly cycling column - was on another occasion railing against the red-light runners and the sidewalk riders - that's me, I guess.

By: mkultra

mkultra — Tue, 23 May 2006 15:57:33 -0800

It's kind of crazy that you have to have a certain pair of Nike shoes. Can't you just tie some sensor to your laces on any shoe and turn an ipod into a general purpose pedometer? Pffft... How's Nike supposed to make money off THAT?

By: kyleg

kyleg — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:08:37 -0800

The sensor’s battery is not replaceable. Battery life will vary considerably based on use and other factors. [1] The Nike+iPod Sport Kit will be available in late June for a suggested retail price of $29 (US). [2] Ka-ching. Nike Sport Music Coming soon to the iTunes Music Store, the Nike Sport Music section features Nike-created content. Continuous Workout Mixes Workout routines developed for use with Nike+iPod time- or distance-based workouts. Each routine offers coaching, motivational, and training tips over a continuous mix of music. Sport iMixes Professionally selected playlists designed to motivate you through the most demanding workouts. [3] Ka-ching ka-ching ka-ching. I guess when you have people literally waiting in line just to buy your products somewhere new, you might as well milk the fools for all you can.

By: mzurer

mzurer — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:12:17 -0800

This is slightly off-topic, but I have never seen it persuasively argued that biking with headphones is illegal in my state of California. The California Vehicle Code talks about "headsets" and "earplugs" and I have never heard of anyone getting ticketed. I used to ride quite frequently in SF with sizable headphones and never got stopped. I once got yelled at by another cyclist. The fact that I could hear him kind of undercut his point.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:15:51 -0800

$30 is pretty damn cheap for this kind of thing. I don't think you'll find a competitor for less than $150. I expected it be around $100.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:18:24 -0800

Also, they have some info on the main page for this. The FPP just linked to the gear page.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:36:51 -0800

A whitepaper (PDF) on how it works, for the tech junkies.

By: nuriaoliver

nuriaoliver — Tue, 23 May 2006 16:49:15 -0800

This is really exciting. I am positive that there is going to be many more similar systems soon. I have been working on this project: http://research.microsoft.com/~nuria/MPTrain/MPTrain.htm that does what Nike and iPod are doing and much more.....

By: JMOZ

JMOZ — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:05:26 -0800

mzurer: "This is slightly off-topic, but I have never seen it persuasively argued that biking with headphones is illegal in my state of California. The California Vehicle Code talks about "headsets" and "earplugs" and I have never heard of anyone getting ticketed. . . ." For what it's worth, I have personally seen several people get ticketed for riding with iPods. One was on a limited-access bikepath. Also, the California Highway Patrol seems to think it is illegal to ride with "headphones covering both ears" (see item 10). A pedant might argue that in-ear heaphones might be exempt, as they do not cover your ears, but I'm fairly sure that would be laughed out of court.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:06:54 -0800

Is it called the iDo it? (didn't rtfa)

By: slatternus

slatternus — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:11:02 -0800

Towards a grand harmonic convergence of knee-jerk brand haters everywhere.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:14:58 -0800

well, most states (as well as common sense) say you can't ride a bike with headphones on I am amazed that nobody seems to find this as ridiculous as I do. Do they have laws about wearing earmuffs in the winter too, or that corrective lenses must be worn if prescribed while operating a human-powered vehicle? How about if you're skateboarding, or inline skating? Or wheelchairs? Are phones/buds prohibited no matter what sort of wheeled vehicle you're operating? Then again, I'm on the do-what-thou-wilt side of helmet laws, as well, which, if not exactly the same thing, seem to spring from the same well-fertilized 'you're too stupid to know what's good for you so we're making a law' soil.

By: mr_crash_davis

mr_crash_davis — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:39:57 -0800

Perhaps these should be sold through iPodiatrists.

By: mzurer

mzurer — Tue, 23 May 2006 17:48:16 -0800

JMOZ, you're correct that the CHP web site says "headphones," but the Code does not. Now I know that I may get some unwelcome attention from Poncho and JB, though. So I stand semi-corrected.

By: thejoshu

thejoshu — Tue, 23 May 2006 18:40:31 -0800

My understanding in NYS has always been that you can legally bike with one earphone inserted. Could've made this up a long time ago.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 18:44:01 -0800

Talk about synergy. If you look at the Nike site, they are also making iPod nano-compatible running tops. Pockets in the arm and builtin in cord guides. (Not that I know many people who jog in long sleeve shirts, but still...)

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 23 May 2006 20:32:13 -0800

well, most states (as well as common sense) say you can't ride a bike with headphones on, so I'm not sure why you'd have an ipod on your bike. Common sense says you should wear a bike helmet, so fuck that!

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 23 May 2006 20:35:27 -0800

I am amazed that nobody seems to find this as ridiculous as I do. Do they have laws about wearing earmuffs in the winter too, or that corrective lenses must be worn if prescribed while operating a human-powered vehicle? How about if you're skateboarding, or inline skating? Or wheelchairs? Are phones/buds prohibited no matter what sort of wheeled vehicle you're operating? Yeah, and what about operating while deaf?!?!?!?!

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 23 May 2006 20:40:39 -0800

/looks up Iowa law. The only thing in the Iowa code about bicycles is that you can't have more people on your bike then it was designed for (no riding on the handlebars), and that you can't have a siren or whistle, and that you need to have a white lamp in front, not that anyone has lamps on their bikes though.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Tue, 23 May 2006 21:11:27 -0800

You'd think this post was actually about biking in some way.

By: Songdog

Songdog — Tue, 23 May 2006 21:16:39 -0800

stavrosthewonderchicken writes "Then again, I'm on the do-what-thou-wilt side of helmet laws, as well, which, if not exactly the same thing, seem to spring from the same well-fertilized 'you're too stupid to know what's good for you so we're making a law' soil." Stav, taking a look at all the helmetless parents out riding with their kids in my town, people apparently are too stupid to know what's good for them. I wish we had a helmet law for adults.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Tue, 23 May 2006 21:57:10 -0800

Helmets save lives, but do they look cool? Not at all.

By: slatternus

slatternus — Tue, 23 May 2006 22:39:53 -0800

Uma Thurman looked cool wearing a motorcycle helmet in Kill Bill. But she had a sword too.

By: fixedgear

fixedgear — Wed, 24 May 2006 02:10:48 -0800

Man, I knew I should have never made that cycling comment. Derailed my own thread I did. Oh, and smackfu: Lots of people run in long sleeve shirts. We have a season here we call 'winter.'

By: flabdablet

flabdablet — Wed, 24 May 2006 03:38:31 -0800

iDoit, iDiot, iDios, whatever.

By: Songdog

Songdog — Wed, 24 May 2006 05:46:00 -0800

"You'd think this post was actually about biking in some way." The post isn't, but the poster's first comment was. "Helmets save lives, but do they look cool? Not at all." People look really cool after a head injury, though..
Sorry, fixedgear. In New Jersey you are required by law to have a bell (or a horn) on your bike, and you're required to have a headlamp, taillamp, and rear reflector when riding at night. There isn't any law specifically prohibiting headphones while riding, but there is a provision that cyclists bear all the rights and responsibilities which apply to motor vehicles, and I'm willing to bet there's a law that you can't wear headphones (two, anyway) while driving a car. This might be a legal gray area, but IANAL etc. etc.. As a cyclist I have occasionally been tempted to take music along on a long solo ride, but I always dismiss it as a crazy and reckless notion. It has occurred to me, however, that open-air speakers mounted in the helmet would be reasonably safe at low volumes. The sound fidelity would be poor but it would be sufficient for listening to podcasts or the like without blocking out the sounds of the road or trail. There is a good bit of convergence in cyclometers these days. I'd be a little surprised at an iPod/cyclometer, but since we already have cadence, heart rate, power, elevation, and now GPS what else is there to add? A bluetooth cell phone? An address book? A digital camera? A black box to record what happened in a crash when a rider tries to find the right button?

By: Meemer

Meemer — Wed, 24 May 2006 21:03:26 -0800

I also enjoy the Asics, device free.

By: webfanatic

webfanatic — Tue, 30 May 2006 22:06:32 -0800

I would pay money for something that accurately tracked and recorded my distance, and upped the BPM over the course as needed. Integrate in a HRM and I'd be good to go. Need GPS, too of course. Mash it up with GoogleMaps and I'm all set.