Filed under: Cellphones

And to think, we actually believed that Nike and Apple were this close to delivering the long-awaited running application for the iPhone. While it was widely reported that these shots were indeed the real deal, AppleInsider is pointing out a chink in the armor: Cupertino doesn’t offer iPhone developers a programming interface for accessing one’s music, yet this mysterious program clearly showed someone listening to Chris Martin and friends while attempting to make it to 0.02km. The take away? It’s still pretty likely that the two outfits are working to create a fitness program for the App Store, but those screenshots ain’t it.

[Thanks, Michael]

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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

It has taken its sweet, sweet time in arriving, but it seems the iPhone Nike+ running application is just… about… here. A slew of new screenshots of the application have emerged, and while there are no juicy tidbits to accompany ‘em (release date, cost, etc.), we all know how many lines of text a single snapshot is worth. Hang tight runners, the app you’ve been waiting (and waiting) for can’t be far from the finish line now.

[Via MacRumors]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Directly rewarding efforts with results, now that’s the way to get someone moving. As we’ve seen time and time again, providing a clear, undiluted motivator is a perfect way to make fitness a top priority in life, and that’s exactly what Takara Tomy is hoping to achieve with its pocket-friendly Jinsei Game of Life pedometer. Essentially, this device is a portable version of the famed Game of Life board game, but users are purportedly not allowed to take a turn unless they take 300 steps first. Additionally, two players can take on one another via the “communication mode,” but there’s a good chance the most chiseled among you will take home the gold regardless of luck. Out this month in Japan for ¥3,675 ($34).

[Via CScout Japan]

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Filed under: Gaming

From the get-go, Nintendo’s latest console was seen as a dream come true for folks who’d love to lose a few pounds, yet would rather log a few hours on the couch rather than the track. Shortly after the Wii Fit’s launch, we’re already seeing another wave of dedicated users reporting weight loss, and the trend is even bleeding into the medical field. According to Sue Stanley-Green, a professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College, the Wii Fit and other fitness-related games have “great potential for core strengthening and rehabilitation and may boost compliance with rehabilitation exercises.” She also noted that these games were “being used more and more in nursing homes,” and particularly with youngsters, titles such as Wii Fit are the only ones that stand a chance at getting them active. We can’t decide if that’s a positive thing or just downright depressing.

[Thanks, Juergen]

Read - Wii Fit in rehab
Read - Wii Fit weight loss

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Filed under: Gaming

Okay, so you’ve had ample time now to shed a few pounds courtesy of Wii Fit. Whether or not you’ve been diligent enough to stick with it is another thing. Regardless of your level of dedication, we’re certain there’s a few things Nintendo could have done differently to make the entire experience a bit better. Heck, our own Ryan Block has already chimed in with a few things that he would like to see tweaked, so what’s stopping you? Post up your comments while training for bonus points.

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

Getting the low-down on your body fat percentages can involve a scale, calipers, calculator, spreadsheet, and lots of math. Enter the Tanita Ironman Segmental and Full Body Composition monitor. This torture device comes with retractable hand-grip electrodes that measure each body quadrant’s water, muscle mass, bone mass, BMR, visceral fat, metabolic age, and physique rating. Engadget Fitness Club (EFC) public service note: keep in mind that electrodes of this sort can be a bit inaccurate based on your water weight. Most fitness experts consider calipers to be the most accurate way to get body composition data even though they’re a bear to use. That said, this could be a great long-term monitoring tool if the $299 price tag doesn’t scare you off and Wii Fit just isn’t doing it for you.

[Via ChipChick]

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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

While there’s a plethora of products out there meant to log your running miles, Seiko’s looking out for those who’d rather jump rope or do some heavy lifting rather than placing a beating on their knees. The adequately minuscule Slimstick (15-grams; 2- x 6.4- x 0.89-centimeters in size) is meant to reside in the pocket of a given exerciser and track calories burned along with an “overall workout value,” which can be benchmarked against one’s goal. To do so, it packs a dual-axis accelerometer and a decent amount of fairy dust, and yes, it promises to do all the things your paltry (or lazy, as it were) pedometer simply won’t. Your next fitness buddy is available now for just ¥5,775 ($55), or ¥6,980 ($67) with a presumably supreme “strap set.”

[Via technabob]

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Filed under: Wearables

For those breaking into a sweat trying to decide whether or not the Nike+ SportBand is really worth your hard earned dollars / euros / pounds / Schrutebucks, simmer on down. The runners over at the Stuff offices have snapped one up and tossed out their two pence. Summarized as a “Nike+iPod system without music,” the unit was given fairly high marks all around. It was noted that calibration was highly recommended before taking on the London Marathon, but that setup was a real lesson in simplicity. Design wise, most everything was kosher save for the detachable face (Link USB drive) that may not fit perfectly in slim laptops sitting flush on a table and the non-backlit display that proved difficult to see at night. Believe it or not, critics still found the SportBand to be a joy to use despite the aforesaid quirks, but given the drawbacks, we’d certainly recommend trying out a pal’s before throwing down for your own.

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Filed under: Wearables

Right on cue, Nike’s making things official with its oft-rumored (and still unpriced) Nike+ SportBand and even had the time to toss in details about Nike+ Coach, too. The band, which opens up features at the NikePlus website along with enabling runners to check out distance, pace, time and calories burned, is indeed marketed as a standalone device for those who’d prefer not to have a DAP flanking their arm when exercising. Moreover, the outfit’s online Nike+ Coach system will allow runners to have the information they need to appropriately train for long distance events or achieve customized goals. Get those kicks cleaned up prior to April 10th — after all, that’s the day you’ll be sprinting out to pick this thing up, right?

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Filed under: Wearables

Make of it what you will, but Germany’s own Mac Life has apparently grabbed hold of a few more details concerning that SportBand we saw sashay into the FCC’s database late last month. Reportedly, the unit isn’t meant to replace the Nike+iPod system; rather, it’s an alternative for runners who’d prefer not to have earbuds in and a DAP on their person when logging their treks. As expected, time, speed, distance and calories will all be tracked, and each run can be captured and stored on the outfit’s website after you thumb a ride back home. We’re told to expect said device in April for €59.95 ($93), but only time will tell if that’s an accurate assertion (and true worldwide).

[Thanks, Susanne]

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Filed under: Wearables

Well what do you know, the Nike+ product line continues to evolve. This time, however, Apple’s iPod appears to be out of the picture. Based on that illustration above, the 2.62 x 2.62-inch Nike+ SportBand device wedges its way into a bracelet where it communicates with the standard Nike+ shoe adapter. You then insert the USB device into your PC or Mac (presumably) to track your runs. Be sure to peep the actual device in the gallery — looks like the FCC managed to bust the SportBand’s USB connector during their tests. That doesn’t bode well for final product now does it?

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