Have Apple and Nike Missed the Mark?
Apple and Nike today announced a brilliant idea: integrate the iPod with a sensor in one’s running shoes. As you run, the sensor in the shoes detects your pace, distance run, timing, and even calories burned. It relays that data to your iPod, which can then display that data on screen, or synchronize it with your Mac for historical purposes. It’s a great idea — as people run, they often listen to music. Furthermore, the extra feedback can provide an added motivation for those who sometimes need a little extra nudge to workout.
But, the integration is incomplete. Although the system will support the notion of a “power song,” a song the runner can select to give him or herself an extra boost, it does not actually integrate any of the pacing data with the music selection. During our introductory course to the PhD program, I designed such an interface. At the start of the workout, the runner inputs a target pace. As the runner exceeds the pace, the system selects music with a slower beat. As the runner slows, the system selects music with a higher pace. Alternatively, a non-verbal “pulse” can convey a similar sense, without having to superimpose an annoying “Your pace is seven-fifteen” voice-over on the music. I know I’d certainly love to see such a “smart-shuffle” feature added.