Nike Plus GPS hits App Store

Nike in a Labor Day twist posted a special stand-alone version of its Nike+iPod app. Nike+ GPS ($2, App Store) uses an Apple device's built-in accelerometer and location finding, preferably an iPhone's GPS but also through iPod touch players, to track the pace and distance without needing the Nike+iPod shoe adapter. iPhone owners can get a visual map of the route tied into Google Maps.

The app still supports all the features of the version previously bundled with iPhones and iPods, including the mid-run coaching and a hand-picked boost song to get through the peak of the session. Information can still be sent to the Nike+ site and counts towards running stats.

Nike requires at least an iPhone 3GS or a second-generation iPod touch to use the app, and regardless of platform needs at least iOS 4. The shoemaker hasn't said if it has full background support, although the OS technically allows both location and music to run behind other apps. Apple still sells the Nike+iPod shoe transmitter and isn't likely to remove it given that the new iPod nano still needs the pedometer support for the exercise feature to work.

by MacNN Staff