Well, Apple has joined up with Nike to bring the worlds of sport and music closer together. The first product that they have created is called the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. This product will work with compatible Nike shoes and will “talk” to you iPod nano through a wireless connection. The first shoe that is compatible is the new Air Zoom Moire shown above.

The new system will hopefully change the way people run. Music and sport have always been connected and Steve Jobs hopes to take it to the next level with the introduction of the Sport Kit.

So, you are probably wondering, what the heck does it do? Well, the Nike+iPod Sport Kit allows the iPod nano and the Nike shoes to be at the core of your workout and running experience. A simple receiver is attached to the USB connection of the nano and the sensors in the Air Zoom Moire begin “talking” or sending signals.

Next, you select a custom workout and the iPod nano begins to displays and stores the time you have been running, calories burned, distance run, and pace of your run. However, the iPod also gives voice feedback in real time for the statistics above so you can hear how you are doing through your headphones.

Once you are done your run, you can connect the iPod nano to your PC and all the information stored on the nano will be transferred to nikeplus.com. Nike has launched nikeplus.com (they have a cool demo video there) to be the place where one can create workout logs, fitness goals, and review your data.

A feature called the PowerSong feature which plays your Power song if you need a boost. To do that you simply hold down the center button of the iPod nano and the Power song will begin playing.

Nike is also going to introduce Nike+ clothing (jackets, armbands, shorts, tops) that will allow a place to house the iPod nano. They will also be adding 6 more shoes with built-in sensors by this fall.

Apple has expanded iTunes to include with a Nike Sport Music section that contains Workouts (music with voiceover instructions) and Athlete Inspirations (playlists and audio from athletes) and Sport iMix (playlists created by athletes and users) .

I think that the Nike+iPod combination will work. For those who do work out or exercise, it’s great to finally bring music closer to your routine. It’s a pretty innovative gadget that will allow those who take there exercise seriously to have a place to track what they do and have music be a large part of it. And hey, “talking” shoes are always cool.

The Nike+iPod Sports Kit will be ready in 2 months (around August 2006) and will cost $29. Of course you will also have to purchase the shoes and the iPod which is not included in the price.

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