Mike was previously on the Newton team before he left to work on stuff like Nike's Techlab, which produced products like the Nike+ iPod system that I actually used three hours ago.

Will Michael be back to head up the marketing efforts for the Apple Tablet? Or maybe some sort of exercise device similar to the Nike+? Is it annoying when I write sentences in the form of a question? [NYTimes]

The upside is that it's only $59 and functions as a wristwatch when you're not running. It doesn't have all the features that an iPod and Nike+ combination does, and you obviously can't listen to music, but it lets you run without all that extra stuff on you.

BoingBoingGadgets doesn't say whether or not you can actually calibrate your runs, but you can use Gmaps to map out your path and use that as calibration. Not an optimal solution if you're only going to be running on treadmills.

Still, it's $59, and if all you want to do is run, this is it. Launches Wednesday. [BBG via iPodNN]

The new ball was designed for the three big football leagues (England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, and Italy's Serie A) and it will undoubtedly lead to less games that end regulation tied 0-0. Essentially, Nike has expanded the sweet spot to cover the entire ball using a three-layer construction that will equate to longer kicks, greater accuracy and better speed. They have even updated the ball with a high tech look to increase visibility. If I had $140 and I wasn't an American with little interest in soccer, I would be all over this. [Nike via Crunchgear]

Designed and decorated like gigantic toy cartons complete with the extra little flap thing that allows to box to secure itself to a hook (sorry, packaging terminology is not our specialty), they're just retro enough to make you think that you're going to get a real Transformer (but then you just get a stupid pair of shoes that you're just to old to justify ever wearing off of your own property).

Look for the limited edition Soundwave, Megatron and Bumblebee footwear this July for between $100-120—if you're able to score a pair before they head to eBay. [Kix and the City via StreetLevel via walyou]

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Seriously though, even if you did have a legitimate use for a t-shirt gun, getting your hands on one is not going to be an easy task. The guns are limited edition models—each numbered and engraved with the signature of a Nike athlete. They also cost $1500. You would think that price tag would be a deterrent, but the guns are already sold out. [Nike via Doobybrain via Likecool]

Then again, its much harder to actually run up a wall in real life than it is to draw someone doing it. [Vimeo via DVICE]

While actually shipping July 15th, the Marty MacFly 2015 Hat Replica is available for pre-order today for the low, low price of $25. But not only does the hat's rainbow styling give you a taste of fashion to come, its one-size-fits-all design is outfitted with Velcro—the space-age fastening technology that's normally so rare and expensive that only Payless shoe stores can afford to fly in available stock from Jupiter.

Living in the future is the best, isn't it? [Amazon via ChipChick]

Using a few Xbox 360 controllers, Happ joysticks and 14 buttons, one modder built two Mad Catz Fightsticks of his own...in a pair of shoeboxes. Apparently Nike boxes can withstand the wear and tear of intense SFIV sessions (but if not, they're not all that difficult to service).

I'm pretty keen on the design, but I'd probably rip those boxes a new one trying to fend off the 2D onslaught of Matt Buchanan. [Kotaku]

While the Nintendo Wii innovated with the motion-controlled Wiimote, the Wii Blazer innovates with a clever white color scheme and a well-suited ostrich print. Nintendo shoe aficionados will also appreciate the incorporation of the Wii's power button, meticulously stitched by the finest third world child labor on the tongue.

The cynical amongst you may see this shoe as a ridiculously easy way to make money. But when you really examine the details, I mean, really examine them, you'll see that this shoe is not just a shoe. It's the product of a student who should have flunked out of design school making it in the competitive world of high-top fashion. The Wii Blazer is, in short, the American dream. [Weekly Drop via Kotaku]

But it's finally happened. Bandai has developed the RPG Pedometer.

Space Cruiser Yamato and 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother are two game/pedometers that Bandai will release in time for this holiday season. As users walk, their characters will both level up and reach new destinations on the map, unlocking new chapters in a story that unfolds over 90 days of exercise.
And while the game hardware itself doesn't look that robust, the systems feature an online component similar to Nike+ that tracks your workouts and weight.

Priced at $45, the only point we're not certain about is whether or not the games will be localized for the US. While we get clarification on the matter, it's probably best to assume Japan only. [Trends in Japan via bbGadgets]

Filed last year and published only in the last few days, the patent frames the problem as such:

In order to accommodate the sensor and provide appropriate data to the iPod nano, the shoe must be a Nike+ model with a special pocket in which to place the sensor. However, some people have taken it upon themselves to remove the sensor from the special pocket of the Nike+ shoe and place it at inappropriate locations (shoelaces, for example) or place it on non-Nike+ model shoes.

Yes, someone has taken it upon themselves to use the $29 Sport Kit's sensor in shoes other than those with a tiny pouch specifically engineered by Nike to be the only way to get accurate data from the sensor. So this obviously calls for action:

A method of electronically pairing a sensor and a garment, comprising:(a) establishing a communication link between the sensor and the garment; (b) determining if the garment is an authorized garment; and(c) electronically pairing the garment and the sensor.

Granted, the system also calls for some useful two-way communication between your shoes and the Nike+ software, including potential wear notifications when your toe is about to jump out of your kicks, if you didn't know already. But as is SOP for patent filings, all bases are covered, which means that when our smart auto-drying jackets have to phone home to a Auto-Drying Jacket Genuine Advantage server before firing up after we've taken a dip in the clock tower reflecting pool, we can all thank Apple, who just made two cents off of the transaction. [US Patent Filing via Ars Technica via BBG]

The app itself works perfectly. As a longtime sporadic Nike+ iPod user on the old iPod nano, we can say that all those features we expect to be there are ported over with the right amount of care for the larger screen. But there's nothing really all that revolutionary. Custom workouts, where you can pre-set options for time, distance or playlist are a nice addition, and it's nice to look at your workout history in a clearer fashion, but how come we couldn't get charts and graphs like on the Nike site? Something like the chart below, fetched from our own online history, would have been an easy addition to the feature set. And where, my fit readers, is the communication between your iPod touch and your online Nike account?

Our other complaint is that you're forced to buy the 2nd generation iPod touch in order to take advantage of the app. Plugging in the dongle to your iPhone, iPhone 3G or 1st generation touch isn't even an option. Even with firmware 2.1, you still get the "This accessory is not supported by iPhone" error. Why? The dongle solution works fine on iPod nanos, why couldn't Apple copy over the Nike+ app and make use of the transmitter?

Despite our gripes about the lack of device support and lack of new features, we still love the app. It's much prettier and readable when running than the version on even the iPod nano 4G (which have the equivalent red and white larger icons), and if you're already a serious Nike+ iPod user, the touch is a slightly better way to do what you're already doing. It's not quite good enough for you to upgrade from your current device, but think of it as an added bonus if you were thinking about getting an iPod touch for yourself so you can pass off your old iPod nano to your spouse so he or she can get into shape too. [Amazon]

Since, a runner's stride and stride type can vary over the course of a run (a sprint typically uses more of a toe plant style whereas a power walker would use more of a heel plant style), a user's running style profile can also vary over the course of the run (as well as well as over the course or months or years, or as the running shoes wear, or between different, but authorized, running shoes). Therefore, in order to more accurately gauge a user's overall running style, a user's average running style can be calculated. In some cases, the user's average running style is accumulated from a number of previous runs using the same running shoe or can incorporate average running styles from different (but authorized) running shoes, if desired. In this way, a user has the ability to compare running styles and/or performance not only from one run to another, but from one running shoe to another, or merely deduce an overall running style regardless of the running shoe used.

In addition to the tracking of the actual striding pattern, and the wear and tear of the running show, Apple is also contemplating the idea of incorporating a GPS receiver in the shoes, which will track the running precisely but also provide with context so the iPod can tell to the runner point of interest and, get this, location-based advertisement. Let's hope they make this optional because, otherwise, not even our favorite Running Man, Bra Collector, and Gizmodo Editor Jason Chen is going to get them.

GALLERY

[AppleInsider]

The new iPod touch is out. It has a new design: chrome rim, with a tapered back similar to the iPhone, but thinner. It now includes external volume controls as well. It also has Nike+ integrated with no transmitter needed (you still need the in-shoe transmitter, but it has an RFID receiver built-in) as well as on-the-fly genius playlist creation, all included in the new iPhone 2.1 software. It also comes with new prices, available today: $229 for the 8GB, $299 for the 16GB, and $399 for the 32GB. That's $100 cheaper than before. Here are all the features:

• 3.5-inch display.
• Volume controls.
• Accelerometer.
• 802.11 b/g wireless.
• Built-in speaker.

But the most important things are:

• The Nike+ is now built-in, with a matching application and without the need of transmitter with the in-shoe RF transmitter on sale separately (as it always has been) for $19. It doesn't require a receiver however, as it comes with it built-in. Looks like the leaked shots.

• The Genius playlist. There's an atom icon up, below the play/pause icon on the Now Playing screen. If you click it, it will create a Genius Playlist of songs that you may like based on the currently playing song.

Apple Introduces New iPod touch

The Funnest iPod Ever - Perfect for Music, Movies & Games

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Apple(R) today introduced the second generation iPod(R) touch featuring an amazingly thin contoured metal design, a gorgeous 3.5-inch widescreen glass display, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi wireless networking, integrated volume control buttons, a built-in speaker for casual listening, a built-in accelerometer and other advanced sensors, and Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch(TM) user interface. iPod touch, now available for just $229 for the 8GB model, is perfect for playing music, movies and games, with millions of songs, thousands of Hollywood movies and hundreds of games available on the iTunes(R) Store.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU545)

"iPod touch is the funnest iPod we've ever created," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch."

The new iPod touch is smaller and lighter than the original, with a sleek new design that features a contoured metal enclosure with integrated volume control buttons and a brilliant 3.5-inch widescreen glass display. With its rounded edges, flush display and curved, more compact design, the new iPod touch is more comfortable to hold and more portable than ever.

iPod touch users can choose from hundreds of exciting game titles such as "Spore Origins" and "Scrabble" from Electronic Arts, and "Real Football 2009" from Gameloft available on iTunes or directly through the App Store application on the iPod touch. The revolutionary App Store works over Wi-Fi, enabling users to browse, purchase and wirelessly download applications directly onto their iPod touch and start using them instantly. The App Store features an incredible array of applications in a wide variety of categories, including games, travel, entertainment, social networking, sports and much more.

iPod touch works seamlessly with iTunes so you can import, manage, and then easily auto-sync your favorite content. With up to 36 hours of music playback or six hours of video playback on a single charge, the new iPod touch is the ultra-portable way to enjoy your favorite music, TV shows, movies and games on the go. The 32GB model holds up to 7,000 songs, 25,000 photos or 40 hours of video; the 16GB model holds up to 3,500 songs, 20,000 photos or 20 hours of video, and the 8GB model holds up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 photos and 10 hours of video.*

The new iPod touch works with the new iTunes 8 Genius feature, allowing customers to automatically create playlists while on the go. Users can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later.

The new iPod touch also features built-in Nike + iPod support making it an incredible workout companion. Users simply place the optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19 US) in their Nike + shoe to seamlessly connect with the new iPod touch to track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment.

The iPod is the world's most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple's incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price — 120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved metal and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229. iPod owners can choose from a vast ecosystem of accessories with over 5,000 products made specifically for the iPod including speaker systems, fitness accessories, fashionable cases and iPod connectivity available in over 90 percent of new car models sold in the US.

Pricing & Availability

The new iPod touch is available immediately for a suggested price of $229 (US) for the 8GB model, $299 (US) for the 16GB and $399 (US) for the 32 GB model through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod touch requires a Mac(R) with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS(R) X v10.4.10 or later and iTunes 8; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 8. Existing iPod touch users can update to the latest 2.1 software for just $9.95 to add the new Genius feature. iPod touch owners who already have the 2.0 software get the 2.1 software update for free. Simply download the latest version of iTunes onto your Mac or PC, and purchase the 2.1 software update via iTunes.

*Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See http://www.apple.com/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes; and video capacity is based on H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its
award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

We don't know just how robust the Nike+ maps support will be, but mapping routes directly on the iPhone could make for more organized training sessions. If only we had the coordination to use the iPhone's touch interface while running. Hell, if only we had the coordination to run. Hit the link for a lot more shots. [iPhone.fr via Ubergizmo]

What do we want? We want to build something like this:

• The motion in the video clip above suggests that pneumatics is the way to go. The tension can be regulated by an adjustable valve. The canister need not be mounted on the shoe, since we can run hosing down from a leg mount. A motor wouldn't have enough torque to lace a shoe without much gearing, and even then, it would be very slow. And the motor and gearbox would have to be mounted on the shoe somewhere. Bulky.

• I'm playing around with the idea of needing one lace or many individual laces. One lace will require a lot of tension and the upper section might cinch up. Either way, the leather holes in the shoe need to be punched out and opened up with plastic or brass holes to reduce friction.

Anyone else have any other thoughts?