Review: Nike+ GPS app

Posted on 8 September, 2010 by Jimmy Liew

Apple has included an app by Nike in their iPod and iPhones since 2006 to track your runs. The first Nike+ kit consists of the small sensor and a receiver which you plug to the back of the iPod. From 2008, first on the iPod touch followed by the iPhone 3GS, Apple included a built-in receiver, removing the need for the add-on receiver.

A few days back, Nike released a new app called Nike+ GPS (iTunes link) – which eliminates the use of the sensor on the shoe by tracking your run with a combination of data from the built-in GPS and accelerometer found on the iPhone and iPod touch running iOS4.

Live mapping of your run

The main difference between this new app and the one found in your iPhone is the use of the iPhone’s GPS. This allows the app to map out your run instantaneously and also shows the elevation of the route. But with all GPS apps, the accuracy will depend on the GPS coverage. As you can see from my trial this morning, with the phone in my pocket and me on the bus, the GPS tracking isn’t that accurate. Will update again on the accuracy when I do a run, with better weather.

Instant sync to Nike+ site

Previously, you’ll need to sync your run with iTunes, log-in to the Nike+ site, map your run before you can sync your run with the route. With the new Nike+ GPS app, that is done within the app and the sync is done immediately after you stop, which is fairly good if you want to have that information up on the web fast.

How it performs indoors

If you are running in the gym – the GPS function is redundant and the app relies on the accelerometer sensors to track your run on the treadmill. That means you will need to have the iPhone or iPod touch on your body when you run – either strapped to your arm or in your shorts pocket. The other thing that you’ll need to take note is as it uses the accelerometer, you will need to keep the Nike+ GPS app at the forefront, thus you can’t use it with other running apps like C25K (iTunes link) as it will pause your tracking if you put the Nike+ GPS app to the background. The accuracy of the tracking with accelerometer is pretty close as it matches what I see on the treadmill.

Challenge Me

Another new feature is the option to challenge yourself which gives you the option to set targets for your next run – either farther, longer or faster. Or you can try to beat your previous best. They have added motivational messages from Nike’s top athletes when you achieve your targets.

Worth paying for it?

As compared to the pre-installed Nike + iPod app, the Nike+ GPS app costs US$1.99 to purchase. But with this new app, you need not fork out S$29.90 to buy the Nike+ shoe sensor, and maybe a bit more to buy a shoe pocket to hold the sensor if you didn’t shell out more money on a pair of Nike trainers that work with the sensor. So yes, if you are one who likes to keep track of your run, and do a bit of boasting to friends with your runs but have not bought the Nike+ shoe sensor, the new Nike+ GPS app is worth every cent.

The app is beautifully designed and many features were made with runners in mind. The instant syncing, GPS mapping and also the seamless linking with the Nike+ website makes this a must-have app for all you runners out there. Get it from iTunes now at US$1.99.

[xrr rating=5/5]

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