GeekSugar

Apple Wants to Make It Illegal to Hack Nike+ Shoes

GeekSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 02:01:29 -0700

Last week's Let's Rock announcements of new iPods made me want to finally take the plunge and get the Nike+ system so I can rock out with my new Nano and get fit at the same time.

One thing holding me back, though, is Nike's own line of running shoes that you're supposed to purchase to use with Nike+. Since I need a lot of support and am picky about my running shoes, I just thought I'd hack the system and put the Nike+ sensor in my chosen pair of shoes.

But hold up, says Apple - turns out they're filing a patent to make it illegal to put those little sensors in other shoes. I'm deflated. I understand that it's proprietary technology, but I can't tell my feet that! Do you use Nike+?

More Details About Apple's New Nanos!

GeekSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:30:35 -0700

If the name of Steve Job's latest presentation - Let's Rock - led you to believe that he would be unveiling new iPods, you would be right! But not only were we the first to see the new Nano design at the Yerba Buena Center For the Arts today in San Francisco, but we also got a sneak peek at some new yet-to-be-released games to hit the App Store, the details on the newest upgrades to iPod Touch, and the scoop on what the cool new features will be for iTunes 8.

The big news of the morning obviously was the new Nanos! This generation will be smaller, packed with more features, and more cost effective. Oh, did I mention the colors? The new Nano will make your plain old black and white versions green with envy. Not to mention purple, pink, red, blue, yellow, orange, and grey.

How much will the new Nano set you back? To get pricing, more product details, pics, and to find out what else is coming up in the world of Apple, just read more.

Also being included in the newest iTunes release, the Genius Playlist creator will analyze the current track you are playing and toss together a cool playlist based on the features of that song, giving you a mix of similar songs to listen to without having to hunt and peck through your music. Other goodies include an accelerometer, a built-in voice recorder, and a "Shake to Shuffle" feature. Yes, you really can shake it!

Thankfully, Steve wants us to save a little dough while enjoying our tunes! The new Nano will come in two versions: 8GB for $149 and 16GB for $199. Plus, they are available this week for you to pick up. My wallet already feels a little lighter. What else did Steve announce today? Here's a rundown:

iPod Touch will be smaller, sleeker, and louder with an on-board speaker. Plus, the Nike + iPod transmitter will be built right into the Touch - no more lame transmitter sticking out the bottom! The iPod Touch will come in three models: 8GB for $229, 16GB for $299, and $32GB for $399.
New games hitting the App Store include Spore Origins, Need for Speed: Undercover, and Real Soccer 09.
The iPod Classic will get a hefty storage bump, going from 80GB to 120GB with a $249 price tag.
iTunes will now offer HD TV shows, including those from NBC for $2.99
The update for your iPhone to 2.1 will fix bugs and dropped calls and will back up iTunes faster.

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Nike Plans To Offer iPod Workout Systems In All Shoes

GeekSugar — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 05:09:31 -0700

With the popularity of the iPod and the Nike + iPod nano system, Nike will be incorporating its workout system into all of its running shoes by the end of the year. Nike has already launched six lines of the Nike+ workout system runners for both men and women, priced at $80 and up. Nike + iPod kit includes a pedometer that fits inside Nike+ ready shoes.

The pedometer communicates wirelessly with your iPod nano so you can get audible and visual readouts of your time, speed, and distance while listening to tunes or podcast workouts.

RunKeeper: The Next Best Thing to Nike+ iPod Sports Kit

GeekSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:22:59 -0700

Fair enough, I may not be able to get my hands on the Nike+ system unless I purchase a pair of Nike running shoes - which totally irks me - but for only $10, I can get something that can help me during my runs, without compromising my favorite footwear.

RunKeeper is a new app for the iPhone that uses built-in GPS on the 3G models that helps runners, walkers, or cyclists monitor their route and distance throughout a city. So far it sounds like it is fairly accurate and is said to work better than Nike+ iPod's pedometer estimation tools. And best of all, once you get home you can check out your route, distance, and pace on Google Maps!

You can download the RunKeeper from Apple's iPhone App Store.

Which Apple Announcement Are You the Most Excited About?

GeekSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:33:21 -0700

It was a busy day in SF yesterday with all eyes on the "It's Only Rock and Roll" event. Not only did Steve Jobs made his triumphant, black turtlenecked return to the keynote stage after taking time off for his health, but iTunes 9 was introduced, and then there were the iPods. Oh, the video and FM tuner enabled iPods. Plus, who could forget the monster capacity bump to 160GB on the iPod Classic and new candy-colored iPod Shuffles? My head is spinning.

Personally, I'm pretty excited about the iPod Nano's video function (which shoots at VGA quality 640x480), as well as the integrated Nike + pedometer. I mean, hello - a geek's gotta stay in shape! Now share your favorites - which Apple announcement are you most excited about?

Apple Has Sold 100 Million iPods - Lance Says His Keeps Him Motivated

GeekSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 16:11:40 -0700

Today Apple announced that the 100 millionth iPod has been sold, making the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. The first iPod was sold five and a half years ago, in November 2001, and since then Apple has introduced more than 10 new iPod models, including five generations of iPod, two generations of iPod mini, two generations of iPod nano and two generations of iPod shuffle.

As you know, iPods, iPod-Nike combos and iPod accessories seem to be a big hit with geeksugar fans and geeky fans around the world, a fact Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs seems to genuinely appreciate. And heck, an iPod even stopped a bullet from hitting a soldier last week. Well deserved kudos indeed. Here's more:

“At this historic milestone, we want to thank music lovers everywhere for making iPod such an incredible success,” said Steve Jobs. “iPod has helped millions of people around the world rekindle their passion for music, and we’re thrilled to be a part of that.”

Celebrities also lined up to sing the praises of their favorite gadget, read more

“It’s hard to remember what I did before the iPod,” said Mary J. Blige, GRAMMY Award-winning singer. “iPod is more than just a music player, it’s an extension of your personality and a great way to take your favorite music with you everywhere you go.”
“Without the iPod, the digital music age would have been defined by files and folders instead of songs and albums,” said John Mayer, GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist. “Though the medium of music has changed, the iPod experience has kept the spirit of what it means to be a music lover alive."
"I take my running shoes and my iPod with me everywhere,” said Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France champion. “I listen to music when I run. Having my music with me is really motivating.”

Geek Gift Guide: Boss

GeekSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 16:14:19 -0800

I've been wrestling with the ultimate holiday dilemma: do I get my boss a gift this holiday season or not? On the one hand, it's kind of pushy, and she probably doesn't expect it, but on the other hand, she puts up with my tardiness and wild ideas year round. If I do decide to, these are my top picks:

Toothbrush Sanitizer

If your boss is a germaphobe like mine, he or she would probably be tickled pink to get a Toothbrush Sanitizer that uses UV light to eliminate up to 99.9 percent of germs. Get the Toothbrush Sanitizer for $50 from Brookstone.

For two more gift ideas for your boss, just read more

Smart Find Key Tracker

The Smart Find Key Tracker, $25, will locates your boss' keys with an audible alarm from up to 80 feet away. She'll just have to press the key ring transmitter button and the matching key ring will answer with a loud, 85-decibel alarm from anywhere in her home or office. If you get her this, she'll actually leave the office at six instead of hanging around and looking over everything you do.

Nike iPod Sport Kit

If your boss is the sporty type, she'll love the Nike Sport Kit, which will allow her Nike shoe to talk to her iPod nano. She'll just have to plug the receiver into her iPod nano and place the sensor in her Nike+ shoe. The sensor uses a sensitive accelerometer to measure the user's activity, then wirelessly transfers the data to the receiver on the iPod nano. Get a Nike Sport Kit for $29.

Apple's Let's Rock Event Updates

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:48 -0700

New iPod Nano's and Touches and iTunes oh my! As you can probably tell, I'm still getting over all of the exciting Apple announcements from the Let's Rock event here in San Francisco yesterday. But what about the minor details, and more importantly, the downloads? Find out some more info below in case you found yourself with a few questions after the announcements. Oh, and that cute song from the new commercial? BuzzSugar can tell you all about it!

The iPod Touch 2.1 software is now available for download. You can start downloading it here.
FYI. The Nike+ will only work with the 2nd Gen iPod Touch and not the 1st Gen iTouch, so don't even try it!
So you heard all great announcements from the Let's Rock event in San Francisco yesterday, but you really want to check out Steve Jobs' full keynote address. Well now you can watch it online here!

Stick Your iPod In An iSoundCap

GeekSugar — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 09:45:46 -0800

If you're tired of getting your iPod all hot and sweaty whenever you get a good workout, SoundCap Inc.’s latest invention offers a breathable, lightweight home for your favorite workout buddy - allowing you the freedom to get your burn on without wires hanging around your torso and the reassurance that your iPod is secure. It comes in pink, silver, green, black, red and blue, and is available for $22.95.

The newest iSoundCap is compatible with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which is a gadget the size of a quarter that drops into your shoe and connects with the wireless receiver attached to the Nano. The Nike + iPod Kit is used in conjunction with the iPod and allows the runner to upload their distance, time and caloric data (it's genius!). Trouble with the kit is, it generally uses an armband or belt clip, leaving wires hanging and in the way. If you're wearing the cap, you can do those complicated yoga and spinning exercises without the tangle up. Let's face it, there's nothing geekier than wires!

Geek Out: What's Your Favorite New iPod Nano Color?

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:45:07 -0700

After a whirlwind day of Apple treats, what I'm left with is thoughts of a new iPod Nano swirling in my head. For $149, I can totally afford to get a new Nano for working out - the Nike+, hot new body shape, and Genius feature on iTunes 8 totally make it worth it.

But you know what I'm really drooling over? Those amazing new colors. Forget buying a plain color and just putting it in a case - I'm going full throttle with a bright crazy color. I'm partial to the turquoise, orange, pink, and lime, but there's a side of me that also loves the super-chic gunmetal.

Now you tell me: Which is your favorite new Nano color: Gunmetal, violet, turquoise, lime, lemon, orange, red, or pink?