Plea for an Integrated Nike + iPod Running System

Spring’s preview sprung a new running season upon me yesterday.

Unfortunately, this year I’m going solo - the comforting voice of my Nike + iPod is no longer with me after the device broke last fall. (Something about being constantly stepped on?)

I’m now looking for a new running tool.

When Steve Jobs unveiled his latest Nano iPods last fall, I was excited with the prospect that I’d no longer need an external device to measure distance. When I’m running, the little button in my shoe can be somewhat of a bother. And when it comes to running, gadgets should be compact and unobtrusive.

Alas, the pedometre function deflated my hopes - it’s of little help that it simply counts steps.

I suppose I was too quick to think Apple would abandon Nike so quickly on this one. But you know what would really make me look? If Apple and Nike worked together to incorporate the Nike + iPod system within iPods themselves.