Nike+

[Gusto]

Check this thing out. Great idea.

http://www.nike.com/nikeplus/

[wishbone]

next ipod should be BT and nike should make BT shoes.

everything should be bluetooth.

no wires ftw.

be a nerd and hear this news a day earlier! www.gizmodo.com for all your nerdy gadgety bloggy news <3

back to ryan's thunder.

[Gusto]

this isn't about me. it's about revolutionizing sports ok.

[Grapes]

I have this built in system that tells me info about my run. It's called my brain(tm), and it can estimate, in conjunction with my body, how long I've been running for, how far I've gone and how hard I've worked. Very cost effective, and lightweight. In fact, it's so good that practically everyone's got one these days.

In conclusion: to hell with gizmo fetishism.

[wishbone]

what about flanders shoes that homer wanted from that episode?
those were pretyt high tech.

[mapleleaf4ever]

Originally Posted by Grapes

In fact, it's so good that practically everyone's got one these days.

Indeed there are some People whom I question their ownership.

[stringbeans]

Originally Posted by Grapes

I have this built in system that tells me info about my run. It's called my brain(tm), and it can estimate, in conjunction with my body, how long I've been running for, how far I've gone and how hard I've worked. Very cost effective, and lightweight. In fact, it's so good that practically everyone's got one these days.

In conclusion: to hell with gizmo fetishism.

were you around to oppose the invention of the stop watch too? luddites have done so much for everyone!

[Senior]

Nike make me laugh, see the following (long winded I know but very funny).



Nike Personalized "Sweatshop" Shoes



Nike now lets you personalize your shoes by submitting a word or
phrase which they will stitch onto your shoes, under the swoosh. So
Jonah Peretti filled out the form and sent them $50 to stitch
"sweatshop" onto his shoes. Here's the responses he received.

Note that the San Jose Mercury spoke with Peretti and verified that
this really happened.


From: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com>
To: "'Jonah H. Peretti'" <peretti@media.mit.edu>
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Your NIKE iD order was canceled for one or more of the following reasons.

1) Your Personal iD contains another party's trademark or other intellectual
property.

2) Your Personal iD contains the name of an athlete or team we do not have
the legal right to use.

3) Your Personal iD was left blank. Did you not want any personalization?

4) Your Personal iD contains profanity or inappropriate slang, and besides,
your mother would slap us.

If you wish to reorder your NIKE iD product with a new personalization please
visit us again at www.nike.com

Thank you, NIKE iD




From: "Jonah H. Peretti" <peretti@media.mit.edu>
To: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com>
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Greetings,

My order was canceled but my personal NIKE iD does not violate any of the
criteria outlined in your message. The Personal iD on my custom ZOOM XC USA
running shoes was the word "sweatshop."

Sweatshop is not:
1) another's party's trademark,
2) the name of an athlete,
3) blank, or
4) profanity.

I choose the iD because I wanted to remember the toil and labor of the
children that made my shoes. Could you please ship them to me immediately.
Thanks and Happy New Year, Jonah Peretti




From: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com
To: "'Jonah H. Peretti'" <peretti@media.mit.edu
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Dear NIKE iD Customer,

Your NIKE iD order was canceled because the iD you have chosen contains, as
stated in the previous e-mail correspondence, "inappropriate slang".

If you wish to reorder your NIKE iD product with a new personalization please
visit us again at www.nike.com

Thank you, NIKE iD




From: "Jonah H. Peretti" <peretti@media.mit.edu To: "Personalize, NIKE
iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order
o16468000

Dear NIKE iD,

Thank you for your quick response to my inquiry about my custom ZOOM XC USA
disagree with the claim that my personal iD was inappropriate slang.

After consulting Webster's Dictionary, I discovered that "sweatshop" is in
fact part of standard English, and not slang. The word means: "a shop or
factory in which workers are employed for long hours at low wages and under
unhealthy conditions" and its origin dates from 1892. So my personal iD does
meet the criteria detailed in your first email.

Your web site advertises that the NIKE iD program is "about freedom to choose
and freedom to express who you are." I share Nike's love of freedom and
personal expression. The site also says that "If you want it done
right...build it yourself." I was thrilled to be able to build my own shoes,
and my personal iD was offered as a small token of appreciation for the
sweatshop workers poised to help me realize my vision. I hope that you will
value my freedom of expression and reconsider your decision to reject my
order.

Thank you, Jonah Peretti




From: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com>
To: "'Jonah H. Peretti'" <peretti@media.mit.edu>
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Dear NIKE iD Customer,

Regarding the rules for personalization it also states on the NIKE iD web
site that "Nike reserves the right to cancel any Personal iD up to 24 hours
after it has been submitted".

In addition it further explains: "While we honor most personal iDs, we cannot
honor every one. Some may be (or contain) others trademarks, or the names of
certain professional sports teams, athletes or celebrities that Nike does not
have the right to use. Others may contain material that we consider
inappropriate or simply do not want to place on our products.

Unfortunately, at times this obliges us to decline personal iDs that may
otherwise seem unobjectionable. In any event, we will let you know if we
decline your personal iD, and we will offer you the chance to submit
another."

Thank you, NIKE iD




From: "Jonah H. Peretti" <peretti@media.mit.edu>
To: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com>
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Dear NIKE iD,

Thank you for the time and energy you have spent on my request. I have
decided to order the shoes with a different iD, but I would like to make one
small request. Please send me a color snapshot of the ten-year-old
Vietnamese girl who makes my shoes?

Thanks, Jonah Peretti




The last message received no response.

[nipvicious]

watch em gps all our shoes

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by stringbeans

were you around to oppose the invention of the stop watch too? luddites have done so much for everyone!

Nothing wrong with the stopwatch.. or the computer I'm typing on, for that matter. This isn't about opposing everything that's ever been invented, this is about recognizing when you're actually fulfilling a need, and when you're inventing for the sake of having a new product to promote (with an attractive but non-threatening black man)... while I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the corporate world feels the need to crank out another flashy gimmick, I am a bit disappointed that so many people seem continually impressed with these constant "improvements" that they buy, and most likely forget about not long after.

The stopwatch is a great idea. Anyone who's truly serious about running competitvely should get themselves a coach or a trainer who can hold it. Everyone else, the real key is not having a new addition to your ipod nano, it's getting off your ass and out the door.

Just got back from a run myself, and my brain(tm) worked great. Too bad my lungs(tm) didn't function as well.

[Ms.Tarantula]

i thought it was pretty cool...

[Grapes]

Despite my smarminess, I wouldn't really begrudge anyone for buying it. Suffice to say, I'm personally saving my money for beer and shows.

[FeelGood]

where the fuck is MANGLE?

[Grapes]

That depends on where you can find the audio commentary

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by Grapes

Anyone who's truly serious about running competitvely should get themselves a coach or a trainer who can hold it.

that's kind of expensive and inconvenient. and the device is pretty cheap too, assuming you already have a nano. it has some collaborative stuff as well, like the ability to share "stats" with friends, compete with people over the internet, set goals, etc. just an interesting idea. really it's just a pedometer that interfaces with your ipod.

[mojo]

ccol idea, but ill go with the watch thnx.

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by Gusto

that's kind of expensive and inconvenient. and the device is pretty cheap too, assuming you already have a nano. it has some collaborative stuff as well, like the ability to share "stats" with friends, compete with people over the internet, set goals, etc. just an interesting idea. really it's just a pedometer that interfaces with your ipod.

'Tis wankery, I say.

PS I heard you can feel the lump in your shoe that is recording the data.

PPS I'm not sharing my stats with anyone!

[Gusto]

Originally Posted by Grapes

PS I heard you can feel the lump in your shoe that is recording the data.

maybe it's a tumor.

[Dean]

i think its pretty fucking cool

[mapleleaf4ever]

Originally Posted by Senior

...
From: "Jonah H. Peretti" <peretti@media.mit.edu>
To: "Personalize, NIKE iD" <nikeid_personalize@nike.com>
Subject: RE: Your NIKE iD order o16468000

Dear NIKE iD,

Thank you for the time and energy you have spent on my request. I have
decided to order the shoes with a different iD, but I would like to make one
small request. Please send me a color snapshot of the ten-year-old
Vietnamese girl who makes my shoes?

Thanks, Jonah Peretti




The last message received no response.

[stringbeans]

Originally Posted by Grapes

Nothing wrong with the stopwatch.. or the computer I'm typing on, for that matter. This isn't about opposing everything that's ever been invented, this is about recognizing when you're actually fulfilling a need, and when you're inventing for the sake of having a new product to promote (with an attractive but non-threatening black man)... while I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the corporate world feels the need to crank out another flashy gimmick, I am a bit disappointed that so many people seem continually impressed with these constant "improvements" that they buy, and most likely forget about not long after.

The stopwatch is a great idea. Anyone who's truly serious about running competitvely should get themselves a coach or a trainer who can hold it. Everyone else, the real key is not having a new addition to your ipod nano, it's getting off your ass and out the door.

Just got back from a run myself, and my brain(tm) worked great. Too bad my lungs(tm) didn't function as well.

it might seem gimmicky but its really not. technology today is all about integration, which is why you're seeing products like the blackberry or mp3 phones doing so well because they're integrating multiple functions into a single device. with this new nike+ thing its basically integrating the function of the stopwatch (along with a bunch of other cool functions) into the ipod that you're probably already running with anyways. for an extra $30 its hardly even an issue.

when it comes down to it necessity has little to do with the gadgets we buy. its all about convenience

[wishbone]

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadge...oft-176118.php

OMG APPLE COPIED MS

[Grapes]

when it comes down to it necessity has little to do with the gadgets we buy. its all about convenience

I think this is very true, and well put. Because what we're talking about here is leaving behind "need" (which the powerful western world doesn't have to deal with on a day to day basis, having excess of food, transport, shelter, etc) and moving on to "want".

I think we're built/programmed to want to acquire things, for whatever reason. Perhaps it's our hunter/gatherer nature... the possibility of improved convenience or efficiency is a big part of how our modern society fulfils that inbuilt "want", now that hunting/gathering takes a mere hour or two a week at the supermarket.

There was an article in the Guardian the other day talking about Heinz's new product.. instant beans on toast. Apparently here in England, beans on toast is a popular snack (which is weird to the point of deserving its own thread) and heinz has now come up with a prepackaged product that is beans already on toast.

The graphic for the story showed a can of beans a knife, and a piece of toast, and then the finished product asking "When did (A) + (B) = (C) become too hard?" And of course, it's not too hard, but wouldn't it be that much more *convenient* if it was already done for you? (if you could put aside the fact that Heinz's product probably tastes horrible and is bad for you, which you really shouldn't).

This Ipod/running shoe combination is obviously a far better product, but the fact remains that I can see on a map how far I've run (approximately.. does that extra half km matter much?).. I don't even bring a watch, I tend to look at the clock when I leave and again when I come back.. what am I missing out on that someone who has this new technology is gaining?

When have our lives got convenient enough that we don't need to make them more efficient, on the whole? Is there a limit? Or since we're built to want to improve improve improve, should we keep feeding that desire, in our absence of real need? Maybe the latter is the case.. maybe it's not healthy to sit on our hands and go "good enough"?

Though my opinions on the particular gadget under discussion obviously aren't going to change much, I'm fully open to debate on this broader issue.

[Gusto]

bottom line: thirty bucks aint no thang

[Grapes]

Way to bottom line me :(