Nike sings to the tunes of iPod

Nike and Apple couldn't change the way Forest Gump (read Tom Hanks) ran but certainly they are going to do it now. Both are going to create history by launching a Nike+iPod sports kit priced @ $29, which is the first product from their partnership announced in May 2006. All Nike+ enabled footwear will be available at retail for $80-$100 (US).The Nike+iPod Sport Kit requires a Nike+ shoe and a iPod nano with Mac with a USB 2.0 and Mac OS X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6.0.5; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.0.5.

The Nike+ kit uses a tiny £19 digital chip placed in the sole of the shoe and a wireless receiver attached to the Apple gadget to collect information on running times, distance covered and the amount of calories burned. Users can then download the details straight from their iPod Nano directly into iTunes, which then automatically compares it to previous workouts via a special website. Distances are measured using a special technology that records when and for how long your feet touch the ground. By cross-referencing this information with the frequency of your steps, Nike and Apple reckon that the equipment is '90 percent accurate' straight out of the box. With some calibration, the equipment should be 100 percent accurate. Runners can also get extra motivation by choosing their own PowerSong at the press of a button, to give them a much-need boost when they "hit the wall". In connection with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, Nike is also introducing the Nike Air Zoom Moire+ and the Nike Air Zoom Plus+, the first of six styles of footwear that will be Nike + ready by the end of July. Nike+ ready footwear is the only footwear that is compatible with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. The supporting website will work seamlessly with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit an extensive training log, interaction with other runners and links to exclusive music and coaching tools. A punchline appropriate for this amazing range of futuristic product could be "Shoes that understand your emotions" contributed by Sid.