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 US$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 authorised 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 long time 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 authorised, 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 authorised) 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 shoe, 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 favourite 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,) 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: US$229 for the 8GB, US$299 for the 16GB, and US$399 for the 32GB. That’s US$100 cheaper than before. Here are all the features:

We don’t know just how robust the Nike+ maps support will be, but mapping routes directly on the iPhone could make for more organised 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]

Based on the renderings, you can display a rear view camera on the screen (technically impossible) or use the iPod like a Nike+ device to track your bike workout (might also be impossible). Still, very cool if you’re using this on rides that aren’t through traffic. [Cannondale Community via Cannondale via Trend Hunter]

What’s even better for people who live in cold places or don’t like to run out side (me) is that there are sensors for talking to exercise machines to fetch data. The only downside? Nike’s slow arse development cycle means you’re not going to see this for another year or two. Seriously. Some of these leaked Nike products back from January 2007 still haven’t been released. [iPodNN]