Nike + Apple = Nike Plus

Mark Parker and Steve Jobs, CEOs of Nike and Apple, announced the first collaboration between the two companies. Eighteen months in the making, Nike Plus is the first of many (we hope) products from these two much-admired consumer product brands. And while this is a great first step, the big story is what other products the two will introduce over time.

Nike Plus is a technology that allows runner's shoes to communicate with their iPod Nanos. The Nike+iPod Sport kit consists of a small oval pod that you insert under the liner of your shoe (much like a SIM card), and a small transmitter that attaches to your Nano. The kit will cost $29. You load up your Nano with selections from the iTunes Store's new Nike Sport Music section, manage your workout on the NikePlus site, put on your Nike Plus gear (see details on all of these after the jump), and you are good to go.

The software tracks the usual data like time and distance, and includes a voice over, much like the nav system in your car, which communicates the details. The training and inspiration mixes offer advice as well. Nike's lined up Lance Armstrong and Paula Radcliffe (who holds the women's marathon record) among others, to share their favorite music and provide their inspiration while you train.

Source: apple.comAdded: 24 May 2006