My USB Is Faster Than Yours

MacLife.de says Nike's SportBand, an armband that connects to the Nike+ running device, might be finally coming to retail some time in April 2008. The armband will still be wireless and still require you to shove a Nike+ kit into your shoe in order to track how fast/far you run, but you won't have to carry an iPod Nano on you, which lowers the chance of muggings (but raises the chance of being bored while running). Once you're done with your workout, take out the attached USB stick and plug it into your computer to sync data with nikeplus.com

What is nike+, you ask?

"The all-new Nike+ SportBand is the newest way to link to the world’s largest running club. The Nike+ Sportband lets you track your distance, time, pace, and calories right from your wrist. Wear it while you run and reap all the benefits of Nike+. Be sure to download the SportBand utility from nikeplus.com before you plug the Link into your computer’s USB connection. This utility is necessary to sync your data and save it to nikeplus.com. Once configured, you’ll instantly be able to upload your runs to nikeplus.com, where you can track your runs, set goals, get training programs, and join challenges with runners from all over the world."


As a runner, this is really exciting for me. I don't know how many times I've tried to plot out my mileage by reading my odometer in my car, only to forget if I was at 4.5 or 4.6 miles. This little gadget takes all the guess work out of tracking mileage and pace and makes it easier to focus on the important stuff. In my opinion, the global "challenge" feature is where Nike hit it on the head, as taps into people's natural sense of competition and now a runner in Queens can see how they stack up to someone in India.

According to Nike’s Vice President of Global Brand and Category Management, Trevor Edwards, Nike + iPod revolutionized running. Now the Nike+ SportBand gives more choice and allows Nike+ to cover any running situation. It tracks your distance, calories burned and other performance information while providing a simple link to the world’s largest running club, when you choose not to or can’t run with music.” Acting as your personal coach, it gives real-time accounts of a runner's progress and allows people to track progress individually or alongside others.

With so much customization and freedom of the Nike+ program, users will have a sense of control that is sure to be a driver in its popularity, and I can't wait to see the progression of this amazing technology.

[Click here for source]