Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wearables

We’re sure you’re well aware of Nike and Apple’s mutual partnership (or two) by now, and this time Nike’s C.O.R.E. Backpack iD is getting some familiar iPod lovin’ with a built-in remote keypad system and dock connector interface. While we’re fairly certain you already own at least one piece of apparel with electrostatic iPod controls on them, they’ll eventually end up in the wash (we hope), leaving you liaison-less for the day. With Nike’s new pack, your books, laptop, Cheetos stash, and little white (or colorful) Apple are all taken care of on a daily basis. Nike allows you to fully customize the backpack, and aside from choosing your alma mater’s colors, the “Nike Flow” backpanel, or the sweet “security zippers,” you can opt to have the iPod controls built straight into the strap. Per usual, you can dictate the volume, track, and play / pause / stop functions while on the go, and it even boasts a handy headphone port as well as a storage compartment for when you ditch the cans and actually pay attention in class. The C.O.R.E. Backpack iD starts at just $55, but the oh-so-tempting iPod interface bumps the price up to $105, but it’s still a bit cheaper than your alternatives.

[Via iLounge]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Gaming, Wearables

While neither can match the simple geek elegance of street artist Invader’s Space Invader-themed kicks, Nintendo and Sony fanboys now have some sneakers of their own to covet, although both look to be harder to get your hands on than a Wii or PS3. Sony’s the only one of the two to get official with its sneaks, partnering with Nike for some PlayStation 3-themed footwear (at least that’s what they’re sayin’ — from the looks of it, Nike may have just taken the opportunity to unload some rejected designs.) Only 24 pairs of the PS3 sneaks were made, with most no doubt spoken for by now. You won’t fare any better with the Nintendo shoes, however; these stylish but apparently non-functional kicks being strictly one of a kind, created by an talented sneaker artist for a recent Sneakerpimps event in Baltimore.

Read – Sole Collector, “First Look at PlayStation 3 Kicks” [Via Hypebeast]
Read – Format Magazine, “Sneakerpimps Customs” [Via DS Fanboy]

 

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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Wearables

Even if the the Nike+iPod Sport Kit were inaccurate, unintuitive, and uncomfortable to wear — which it doesn’t seem to be — the handful of reviews we’ve read so far all agree that it possesses at least one attribute that might still make it a worthy purchase: it actually motivated the reviewers to run harder and more often than normal. Fortunately for people who also like their gear to function properly, the wireless pedometer cum personal trainer sounds like it does indeed perform as advertised, offering runners and joggers an easy setup, useful mid-workout statistics and updates, and perhaps most helpfully, a polished online interface to plot one’s progress against personal goals or compare esoteric stats with exercise enthusiasts around the world. There are a few downsides here, though, not the least of which is the fact that this is basically a disposable product; the non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery will supposedly crap out after about 1,000 miles or a year of regular use (and that’s assuming you remember to reach into your stinky shoes and turn off the transmitter after each run). You’ll also have to shell out for a new armband to secure your nano, as most currently available options (except for those from Nike, of course) won’t hold the combination of iPod plus wireless receiver. Overall, it doesn’t seem like the kit alone is compelling enough to encourage more folks to snatch up a nano, but if you already own one of these diminutive DAPs, it’s a cheap way to give it some extra functionality — especially if you forgo the special pair of $100+ Nike sneakers for a quick and easy DIY mod to your current kicks.

Read- Cnet
Read- Shiny Shiny
Read- Tewks

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Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Wearables

Okay, so it should have been pretty obvious that not everyone interested in indulging in the Nike+iPod Sport Kit would be shelling out for a brand new pair of (Nike) kicks. If you’re are one of those folks perfectly satisfied with the shoes you’ve already invested in, you’ve probably been chewing on ideas to get your kit to work effectively. Well, we’ve got good news, the answer is here and the solution is cheap and so easy it’s almost unimaginative. If you have even the smallest hint of the “handyman” gene in you, this project should have you up and running in no time: by securing a small piece of Velcro on your shoes of choice, you can affix the wireless bug to your shoe without emptying your wallet at Niketown. Although this solution may not seem exactly ingenious, it looks to work fairly well, and hey, it can’t hurt to give it a run-through.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio

Now that you can actually go out and purchase a Nike+iPod Sport Kit, you're probably wondering what exactly it is that you're getting with this package, so iLounge was kind enough to snap some photos of the unboxing process and post a few screenshots of the new menu options that will show up on your nano. Feature-wise, there's really nothing here that we didn't know already, though we did learn some more details about the kit's integration with the Nikeplus website -- besides tracking your workout statistics and long-term progress, you can also compare your performance with runners much better than yourself, providing you with an incentive to either work harder or try your hand at another sport. Also worth noting is the fact that the kit will definitely not work with any iPod other than the nano, and your device must sport the latest firmware in order to recognize the adapter. Keep reading to scope out a few of the menu screens, head over to iLounge for the full rundown, and stay tuned for a roundup as reviews start trickling out...

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Filed under: Peripherals, Portable Audio, Wearables

So we've been on the Nike+iPod Sport Kit's jock (har) since it was announced way back in May, and after some false starts its finally materialized. Beginning on July 13th (i.e. today), retail Apple stores as well as Niketowns will stock the $29 kit, which as you may recall utilizes a proprietary wireless protocol to transmit data from the sneaker-bound sensor to your data displaying iPod nano. If you thought Apple and Nike weren't gonna do this up real big on launch day, they're proving otherwise with some big city celebrations -- Niketown New York is holding an extravaganza to kick off the release by having superstars Mariano Rivera from the NY Yankees and AJ Pierzynski from the Chicago White Sox on site, just to name a couple. If you've been looking an excuse to start exercising again, now's your shot, so run -- don't walk -- to your local joint to pick one up. While you're at it you might as well keep track of your pace as you hoof it back.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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The preparations are complete, and the Nike+iPod sport kit is now available in Apple stores.

Apple sent out emails today to users advising them that you can now head to stores to pick up the Nike+ shoes at Nike stores today, July 13th. In case you forgot how it works, here's the video.

According to iProng, NIKETOWN stores are going to have live product demonstrations and a chance for you to try the system for yourself. Pre-orders shipped yesterday and people should be getting theirs soon.

Click on the image for a bigger version. – Jason Chen

Nike to launch Nike+iPod at retail stores today [iProng]

Filed under: Portable Audio

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Portable Audio, Wireless

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Nike is usually known for its stylish footwear and athletic equipment. What it’s not known for, at least not yet, is its wicked-cool kiosks. Japanese pop star Hiroshi Fujiwara recently snapped some shots at the Nike headquarters in Portland and Los Angeles, including the NIKE-ID machine. These futuristic-looking devices let you custom-build your own shoes. Not only do they look like they can transport you to Mars, but they also sport a pair of Nikes. Because running to Mars takes a toll on your feet.

NIKE-ID: Designs that Challenge even Apple [noDRM]