The shoe and iPod makers said they’re actively working with major gym equipment manufacturers such as Life Fitness, Precor, Star Trac and Technogym to make their cardio equipment Nike + iPod compatible so members can easily track workouts on gym equipment.

Come this summer, Nike + iPod Sport Kit users will be able to simply plug their iPod nano into compatible equipment at the start of their workout to automatically record their progress. Users can then connect their iPod with their computer to upload the workout to NikePlus.com.

“The iPod is an essential part of millions of people’s workouts and now users can easily set goals and track their progress with Nike + iPod,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing for iPod. “We’re excited to be working with Nike and leading equipment manufacturers to bring the Nike + iPod experience to the gym.”

Among the participating gyms are 24 Hour Fitness nationwide and Virgin Active Health Clubs internationally, where members will see workout data from their Nike + iPod sport kits converted to “CardioMiles” following each work out, so that they can easily set goals and participate in challenges with runners and with users of other cardio equipment.

Next time you’re strolling through Japan don’t get all excited when someone winks at you. Because a Japanese researcher says he has developed a system that will soon let people run their iPods with the flick of an eye.

The system, comprising a single-chip computer and a couple of infrared sensors, monitors movements of the temple and is so tiny that it can be built into the side of a pair of eyeglasses.

Closing both eyes for one second starts an iPod, while blinking again stops the machine. A wink with the right eye makes the machine skip to the next tune while with a wink of the left eye it goes back.

As a person does not have to move either hand, the system can serve as “a third hand” for caregivers, rock-climbers, motorbike drivers and astronauts, as well as people with disabilities.

“You don’t have to worry about the system moving incorrectly as the system picks up signals when you close your eyes firmly. You can use this when you’re eating or chatting with someone,” said the device’s developer, Kazuhiro Taniguchi.

Whats special about this system is that it can differentiate between a normal blink and deliberate blink. This new switch can also work with air conditioners, TV’s, and room lighting. Kazuhiro Taniguchi hopes that some day his technology can be used for wheelchairs, and even robots.

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