Cool technology NY Times today, Sports section

[Guest guest]

By JOHN BIGGS

Published: July 27, 2006

While the marriage of iPods and shoes might seem strange to some, die-hard

runners and fans of " Get Smart " will be happy to know that their

iPod<http://tech2.nytimes.com/gst/technology/techsearch.html?st=p & cat= & query=ipo\

d & inline=nyt-classifier>Nano

music player can now do more than just pump out the tunes: it can also

talk to your Nikes.

The

Nike<http://www.nytimes.com/redirect/marketwatch/redirect.ctx?MW=http://custom.m\

arketwatch.com/custom/nyt-com/html-companyprofile.asp & symb=NKE>+iPod,

a partnership between Nike and Apple, consists of an attachment for the Nano

and a sensor that fits into specially designed Nike shoes, sold separately.

The sensor wirelessly transmits speed and stride length to the Nano

attachment, which plugs into the bottom of the player. Using special

software, the Nano then becomes a training partner, providing time, distance

and speed information on its color screen or via voice prompts piped through

the

headphones<http://tech2.nytimes.com/gst/technology/techsearch.html?st=p & cat= & que\

ry=headphones & inline=nyt-classifier>

..

Once you reach home, the Nike+iPod can connect to your PC or Mac and upload

data about your run.

The kit, available online for $30, works best with the Nike+ line of shoes,

which cost about $100. The shoes have a small hole in the instep that

cushions the sensor. The sensor itself weighs less than an ounce, so you

won't notice it during your wind sprints.

--

Sincerely,

Kalman PhD©, RD

Miami, FL.

" When choosing between two evils, I always like to choose the one I've never

tried before. " Mae West.