I’m in Nike’s HQ in Oregon where, apart from checking out the footwear it’s fashioned for all 32 Olympic events (yes, including horse riding), I’ve had a chinwag with a Nike+ spokeperson to see where the running companion is headed following the arrival of miCoach.
The first piece of news is that Nike+ will definitely be extending its compatibility beyond the iPod Nano to the iPhone and iPod Touch. No surprise there really, but the interesting detail is that it could also make use of both devices Wi-Fi (and, ultimately for the iPhone, 3G capability) to let you update your training log on the fly. Once you’ve legged round your local park you’ll be able to send the data (probably via a software app like the one the new SportBand uses) wirelessly without having to sit down and drip sweat over your computer. Very cool.
This will come in particularly handy when using the new Nike+ Coach feature (above), which is due to go live today. Clearly an attempt to match the personal trainer qualities of Samsung and Adidas’ miCoach system, the Coach gives you the option of picking a 5k, 10k, half marathon or full marathon programs and provides a calendar to let you schedule runs.
It’s still not a sophisticated as miCoach, which uses a heart rate monitor to split your run into various zones that vary in pace, but you can add notes to each run and, naturally, share and compare schedules with your Nike+ buddies. With gym compatibility and extra downloadable audio feedback beyond a pat on the back from Lance Armstrong also in the pipeline, your iPod could soon start resembling a pet dog – a great companion that won't be satisfied until you've taken it out for a run.
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