Sorry Apple, looks like this time you're the one copying Microsoft. Your iPod Sport Kit? Microsoft Research did it already.

The MPTrain is a personal trainer using both hardware and software to do pretty much the same thing your Sport Kit does. The cellphone interface keeps track of your speed, distance, workout time, heart-rate, and calories burned. It can even select music with different attributes to make the user speed up or slow down, depending on their current exercise regime.

We know, we know, Microsoft's solution is more technical and less user friendly than the iPod and Nike product. That's your whole schtick, to make technology easier to use. But we're just pointing out that Microsoft got there first, and you just made it better. There's room for both of you after all.

Note to Apple..Microsoft beat you this time.. [Mobility Today]

Send an email to Jason Chen, the author of this post, at jchen@gizmodo.com.