Nike Inc., the world's largest athletic-shoe company, and Apple Computer Inc. have teamed up to create a new wireless device that will help runners collect data on their speed and pace using an iPod.


The Nike+iPod Sport Kit includes a sensor and receiver that allows Nike footwear to communicate with an iPod nano to collect the information, the companies said today at a press conference in New York. It costs $29 and requires users to have a special Nike+ shoe.


"

There's a lot of opportunity here for real-time information and inspiration,"

said Mark Parker, chief executive officer of Nike.


The iPod is the best-selling digital music player in the U.S., with a 77 percent of the market as of April, according to the NPD Group Inc. in Port Washington, New York. Sunnyvale, California-based Sandisk Corp. and Singapore-based Creative Technology Ltd., the No. 2 and No. 3 makers, each have less than a 10 percent share, NPD said.

Follow up:

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has sold more than 50.8 million iPods since introducing the gadget in September 2001, including 8.5 million units in the quarter ended April 1. Sales of the iPod, Apple's fastest-selling product, and music sold through the iTunes online store accounted for 50 percent of the company's sales last quarter, up from 38 percent a year earlier.


The new device will available within 60 days at Apple stores. The Nike+ Air Zoom Moire will cost about $100.

"The shoes and the iPod can talk to each other," Jobs said today. "The iPod is doing all the calculations to give the runner times, distance and calories."

Apple sells three models of the iPod, ranging in price from $69 to $399. Apple made the announcement after opening a 24-hour subterranean store in New York City last week. The outlet is the company's 147th and will be the first stay open around the clock.


Shares of Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike rose $3.22 to $81.20 at 12:22 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Shares of Apple, based in Cupertino, California, rose 74 cents to $64.12 in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading.


Source: Chicago Tribune