Nike+ Review

May 13th, 2008

Gadgets - I flippin’ love ‘em almost as much as I love web geekary, so a system that combines the two sounded right up my street. (Actually, what is right up my street is a cost-cutter and a pizza place, but that’s another story).

Nike have just launched their new Nike+ Sportsband. This is a small USB pen type device that straps around your wrist and links wirelessly to a small accelerometer in your shoe. After running (or walking) the device connects to your computer and uploads all of it’s data to your online Nike+ account, where you can set challenges, goals, training programs and (even better) compare your stats with those of other runners from all over the world.

Performance

In terms of accuracy, the Nike+ system is spot on. I calibrated the device using a know 1/4 mile and it got it dead on. Even using a small pouch to hold the sensor rather than the official Nike+ shoes the accuracy is perfect.

The website is a bit of a hit and miss affair - The runs get uploaded ok, but the training section doesn’t really work for me at all. They need to debug that thing big time. But, there’s enough other features on there to keep me happy - and it’s the tracking of the runs that really interests me anyway.

Price

As I’ve only just started running, I didn’t want to invest in an expensive pair of running shoes - So I brought a £40 pair of New Balance 736’s. To attach the Nike+ sensor to the shoes I used good old eBay to get a neoprene pouch that threads through the laces for £8 (inc P&P). That works really well, it’s only just bigger than the sensor so it holds it very tightly - which is important for the accuracy of the sensor.

The actual Nike+ band (including the sensor) is £40, which I thought was quite reasonable.

I really wouldn’t recommend that anyone start like I did though - Get to a proper running shop and get yourself on their treadmill. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of shoes you need to support your particular style of running. I need to do this sharpish!

Verdict

I love it! Perfect for keeping me motivated and challenged, and at £40 it’s reasonably priced. I just wouldn’t go buying the expensive Nike+ running shoes.

3 Comments »

Twittertastic

May 2nd, 2008

What do I do all day at work? I sit in front of my laptop drawing pretty pictures, writing code and hacking through more CSS than you could shake a stick at. I am, by all accounts, a geek. I even gave that last instance of “CSS” an abbreviation tag, and even worse linked the words “abbreviation tag” to the w3schools article on the subject so the reader, if so inclined, could find out more.

Yes, I’m “into” the web big time. I do it for a job, think about it when I’m out, and the other night I had this dream about this giant mouse trying to kill me… But that’s another story.

There’s a few things that people like me, erm, like (bad English not withstanding). They are Facebook, Twitter and Skype. Granted there are a LOT more, but for the purposes of this post - they’re the only web services that exist, got it?

So I’m feeling like I want to update all my “friends” (God forbid that I actually have people I talk to in real like, no that would be scary). I’m particularly enjoying a cup of tea perhaps, or have smashed my car into yet another wall. Only, I can’t be bothered to Twitter it, update my skype status AND do my little “Jon Roobottom is…” thing on farsebook. That’s where two magic apps come to your rescue.

The first is Twitterrific. This cool little (Mac only) app not only shows you your friends twitters and allows you to twitter until you fall off your chair with excitement, it also updates your skype status for you! Sweet. One down, one to go.

So jump on Facebook and find an app called “TwitterSync” - add this bad boy, and it’ll update your status based on your last Twitter! Awesome.

Follow these two simple instructions, and pretty soon you’ll be having your twitters sh*t out all over the net. Result.

7 Comments »