iPod Sport Kit: More than Music to Workout By

Listening to music while working out is not a new concept. For many, music provides a diversion to help see them through the monotony of a workout and in some cases can provide the motivation to go the full distance. Several months ago however, the iPod Sport Kit was introduced as the result of a collaborative effort by Apple and Nike, and the pairing of music with a workout has now reached a higher level.

The iPod Sport Kit acts as part coach and part cheerleader allowing runners, or walkers, to select the music that will motivate them throughout their workout as well as providing ongoing voice and graphic feedback regarding the distance already covered, the runner's pace, and how long they've been running. When finished with the workout, a summary of the total distance covered, the number of calories burned, and the runner's average speed is reported. The feedback provides a powerful tool for setting and achieving fitness goals whether the user is trying to lose a few pounds or prepare for a marathon.

At the conclusion of a workout, runner's can go back to their PC, transfer workout data from their iPod Nano to the Nikeplus.com site and get a complete evaluation of their performance over time, set goals, and even challenge others using the site. Users can sign up for a free account and also get music for their iPod, obtain a Nike podcast, and learn more about how world renowned athletes are training with their iPod's.

Other blessings of the iPod Sport Kit are its ease of use, comfort, and affordability. Luckily, after pulling the Sport Kit from the box, a runner merely needs to enter their weight, slip the sensor into the insole pocket of their Nike+ shoes, plug the receiver into their iPod Nano, and they are ready to start their workout. Once hooked up, runners will be oblivious to the ultra light sensor resting in their shoe. The price tag for the Sport Kit is a reasonable $29. The battery life of the sensor is generally the limiting factor but it's said to last for approximately 1,000 hours of use. For most of us, that's at least two or three years worth of workouts.

The iPod Sport Kit includes the wireless sensor for the Nike+ shoes and the wireless receiver for the iPod Nano. Although the kit is designed for Nike+ shoes with the special pouch designed specifically for the sensor, many do-it-yourselfers have reported adapting other shoes successfully to accommodate the sensor. The Nano can sync up with any PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000/XP or a Mac with either a 2.0 port or OS X version 10.3.9+ for access to the iTunes and Nikeplus.com sites.

With the iPod Sport Kit providing the inspiration and data to conquer personal goals, working out becomes a bit less painful and a lot more meaningful whether you're a committed fitness buff or a reluctant beginner.

Christine Peppler shares information about home entertainment and home electronics products, including iPod's, on her website at: http://www.homemedias.info.

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Managing Conference Call Services

Distance and time have a way of hampering communication and interaction in an organization. In a global economy where competition is at the highest level, every edge counts. That is why conference call services have recently come into vogue. Even when travel is cost or time prohibitive, there is still a way to get together and discuss strategy and planning.

Your Options

Reservationless conference call services enable you to set up meetings without a lot of planning. Participants are merely given the information that will allow them to join the call. You can conduct a call with any given number of people in separate locations at a moment's notice. Reservationless conferencing is also lower in cost. The disadvantage is that security in this type of service is lacking. You will also personally have to handle the comings and goings of all the participants in the call. Operator-assisted conference call services basically assign the logistics of the call to someone else. This way, you can focus on what the meeting is about. These services are costlier, but offer more value for your money. There are added security features including monitoring of participants, roll calls, and wrap-up reports. The operator can also handle additional parties to the call and help resolve any technical issues that may arise. Operator-assisted conferences have proven particularly useful in deal-making sessions.

If The Price Is Right

Conference call services are generally billed on a per-use basis. Most do not require long term agreements. There is also no need to use the same service as that which handles other aspects of your operations. You are free to experiment with alternatives to find out which is best for your needs. The pricing is usually per minute and per person. Pricing has experienced a drop in recent years. Flat rate pricing is also gaining popularity and is suitable if you have a high volume of calls and people in those calls. Only you can determine which is best for your situation.

There may be additional fees for features, such as call recording and translation. Conference call services can vary greatly in this regard. You can check which features they include as standard in any package that they offer. If you are a high volume user, you may be eligible for discounts. Also, look for tiered pricing as this may offer you flexibility in your particular situation.

The Deal Breakers

Technical support should be a primary factor in your decision. There is nothing worse than finally setting up a meeting with VIPs and having to fiddle with the telephone while they are all waiting. Even worse is the conferencing service that fails to hang up while you're already discussing the call in the office. Can you say awkward? Finally, check for lower rates if the calls are local. Chances are you can save even more money for the company in this area and show what a fiscally responsible executive you are. And that is great for the company and great for you.

Manage conference call services. Learn about free conference calling and what is VoIP. Visit Audio-Conferencing-Guide.com today.

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