Under iPod nano software 1.1, the Settings screen included a Pedometer menu and, if you had a Nike+iPod dongle connected to the nano's dock-connector port, a Nike+iPod menu. The nano can use its built-in accelerometer to function as a handy pedometer, and the Pedometer menu let you input your weight to increase the accuracy; it also let you enable a daily step goal and choose the number of steps you hoped to walk each day. If you connected a Nike+iPod dongle, the Nike+iPod menu appeared and let you configure the , which, when used with a Nike+iPod sensor embedded in your shoe, or a compatible cardio machine at your gym, tracked your workout distance and time, the number of calories burned, and more. You could sync that information, via iTunes, with the website to track your progress, compare your results with friends, and share your achievements with others. (The Nike+iPod feature also includes some nifty motivational features, such as voice encouragement while you run and a Power Song for the final kick.)

The 1.2 software update provides a significant improvement here, and one that's sure to be a welcome change for fitness fans: The iPad nano can now us its built-in accelerometer as the Nike+iPod sensor--not only is the dock-connector dongle no longer needed (much like with the iPod touch), but you don't even need a Nike+iPod sensor in your shoe. In other words, you can now use Nike+iPod with any shoe brand and without having to spend more money for the sensor and dongle.

As a result of this change, the Nike+iPod settings are always available, although they're now grouped together with the pedometer settings (now called Walk) in the Settings menus. The options for both the pedometer and Nike+iPod are largely the same, although there's a new Height setting, presumably to increase accuracy, and a new separate setting for choosing units of measure. For obvious reasons, the options for pairing with a Nike+iPod sensor have been removed, but so are two notable features: options for connecting to Nike+iPod wireless heart-rate monitors and remote controls. The nano itself doesn't include the necessary wireless circuitry to make such connections. (These options magically reappear, however, if you connect a Nike+iPod dongle.)

If you're a Nike+iPod user who uses a wireless heart-rate monitor or remote, you'll still need to use that dongle. But if you mainly use it to track your workouts, the sixth-generation iPod nano--purchased new, or updated to the 1.2 software--just became a lot more interesting.