In 2024, we are constantly being tracked. What we buy, what we watch, where we go, who we talk to, what we say, what we listen to, where we travel, and what we Google; none of it is private. We sign up for all of this by carrying smartphones and logging into accounts when we make purchases. Why don’t we care about our privacy? I find this perplexing.
Today, I’m taking a look inside two tracking devices from our recent past:
- The Nike+iPod activity tracker, circa 2006; and
- an Object-tracking device, by an unknown manufacturer.
Before 👆
After 👇
- Nike+iPod Activity Tracker
Tools used in this teardown:
- Precision Phillips head screwdriver
- Precision Flat head screwdriver
- Tweezers
- Exacto blades
- Push Pin
- Sewing Pin
- Hammer
- Plasticine
I started with the Nike+iPod Nano activity tracker. Designed to fit into a special Nike+ sneaker insole, the device worked with an app on the iPod Nano which tracked speed, distance covered, calories burned, and provided a voice-over personal trainer experience for runners.
I tried to split the device open with a flat head screwdriver, then a push pin, then a smaller pin. No cigar. I did some searching and found this video suggesting a way to open the device, and bizarrely enough, I had a jewelry saw on hand, and so tried to use that to crack through the outer layer. It did not work. Then I found another video and tried a few different exacto blades as suggested, but wanted to avoid a trip to the ER so I found a very thin flat head screw driver and decided brute force was the only way: I stuck the device in plasticine to hold it firmly to the table, and then I jammed a flat head down into it and smashed on it with a hammer. That finally worked!
Here are all the tools I tried to use 😅:
Here’s what actually worked:
So, what’s inside the Nike+iPod Nano tracker?
In addition to the pieces listed below, there were many rubbery adhesive strips used to keep everything in place.
| Component | Manufacturer and Number | Material | Purpose |
| Outer shell | hard plastic, high reflectivity | encase the product | |
| Reset Button (outer) | soft, flexible silicone | encase the reset switch | |
| Reset button (inner) | hard plastic and metal | trigger the reset | |
| Circuit board | metal | ||
| Battery | Panasonic CR 2032 3V | power source | |
| Wireless Transmitter | Nordic Semiconductor | ultra-low-power wireless transmitter (talks to the iPod) | |
| Micro chip | PIC16F688 | mini computer | |
| Antenna | Antenova A10192 | hard plastic, metal | converts current into radio waves |
For this device, the design choice that interested me most was the fact that it was so hard to open this sensor. There’s no way to recharge the battery, or replace it. You wont be surprised to learn that these were meant to be tossed out after the battery died, and replaced with a new one. At $29 a pop, with a 1000 mile battery life (approximately 1 year per Nike and Apple) the price for the tracker is reasonable. Considering that you can get a 5 pack of the Panasonic 3V batteries for $3.29, I wonder what the additional cost would be to make a tracker where the battery replaceable. Would more plastic required? Would a larger insole be needed?
The Nike+iPod product evolved along with Apple products, but this specific form-factor has been retired.
2. Moving on to to “Tile” Type Device
Tools used in this teardown:
- Precision Phillips head screwdriver
- Precision Flat head screwdriver
- Tweezers
This device is fairly simple as well, and only had a few parts:
Here’s what makes up the “Tile-type” tracker:
| Component | Manufacturer and Number | Material | Purpose |
| Outer shell/case | Hard plastic, low reflectivity, painted | encase the product | |
| Battery cap | Hard plastic, low reflectivity, painted | allow battery replacement | |
| Light cap? | hard, clear, frosted | I didnt’ find an LED so I’m not sure what this is for!! | |
| “D” Ring | hard plastic | used to attach object | |
| Battery | Panasonic CR 2032 3V | power source | |
| System-on-Chip | Texas Instruments CC2541 | micro-controller | |
| Circuit board | FP E204460 / M11 94V-0 | ||
| Date sticker | set for 8/2014 | identify approximate date of manufacture | |
| Antenna | Antenova A10192 | converts current into radio waves | |
For this design, the most interesting piece was the small, white/clear, semi-opaque piece of plastic that was found at the corner of the device. It seems like a cap to close the case, but also to allow light to pass through. However, as this isn’t a device to actively turn on and therefore doesn’t need a light to indicate whether its on or off, AND the fact that I didn’t find a light/LED in the device, I wonder what the point of it is. It doesn’t add functional or aesthetic value… and yet it was included.
All in all, this was a great exercise, I enjoyed cracking these devices open and taking a look at what was inside. Looking forward to learning more about how all of the parts work together this week!