Apple walks the walk
Even though the previous generation of the iPod nano had an "accelerometer" that could be synced to a plug-in to gather workout data, the use of the word "pedometer" on the new fifth-generation one announced last week has some people scratching their heads.
One of these things is not like the other: A voice recorder; a video camera, an FM radio tuner... and a pedometer?
Even though the previous generation of the iPod nano had an "accelerometer" that could be synced to a plug-in to gather workout data, the use of the word "pedometer" on the new fifth-generation one announced last week has some people scratching their heads. As one Internet wit offered moments after the specs were made public, "they forgot to include a corkscrew!" This blog entry from the Chicago Tribune also captures that attitude.
But many people have gone broke underestimating the power of Apple to define cultural trends. Remember how the translucent candy-colored iMacs inspired literally hundreds of different products - completely unrelated to computing - to suddenly be offered in those same translucent candy colors?
The question now is whether Apple will succeed at making walking a cool form of lifestyle entertainment along with the more traditional digital forms for which it's already cornered the market. Yes, this "pedometer" can actually deliver data on a lot of different forms of workout, but if walking, specifically, gets the boost in popularity that five-color translucence got ten years ago it could mean more than a short-lived design trend.
In other words, the iPod, furthering the work of the Sony walkman, has made exercising by walking more palatable by providing ever more customizable portable entertainment. Putting the pedometer on a par with other neato features could make people "think different" about their exercise drudgery, seeing it as not so much a block of time spent on a task as another fun mode of self-expression. Eventually - and here's the kicker - people could lavish the same pride and attention on their walking as most now do on their cars.
If that does wind up happening, it will be huge news for sustainability, as one more psychological advantage of the car topples in favor of walking. If it doesn't happen, well, no biggie - at least this futuristic state-of-the-art device finally allows you to listen to the radio!