Nike+iPod Kit to launch with fanfare

Nike and Apple will officially release the Nike+iPod Sports Kit on Thursday, July 13. The Nike+iPod Sports Kit was announced in late May and features a small transmitter which, when placed in a special compartment unique to Nike+ shoes, records and wireless transmits running information. This information transmitted by the shoe can be later reviewed with iTunes. So far, this kit only works with the flash-based iPod nano player, not the large iPod with video or smaller iPod shuffle. The Kit costs $30 while the new shoes will cost between $80-100 at retailers. To use the Nike+iPod Kit users require iTunes 6.0.5 or later is required on a Mac or PC.

"This is the first result," Parker said of the new relationship at the May 23rd announcement, "and Nike+iPod will change the way people run. Nike+iPod creates a better running experience. We see many more such Nike+ innovations in the future."

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit allows Nike+ ready footwear to communicate with the Apple iPod nano through a sensor in the Nike+ footwear and a receiver plugged into the nano. The Nike+iPod Sport Kit allows the runner to receive audible updates on speed, distance and calories burned upon request throughout the run.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit will be available through the Apple Store, Niketown, NikeWomen stores, Nikeplus.com, and select retail stores in the US.

Nike launches new Nike+ footwear

In connection with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, Nike is 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 and can be purchased at Nike.com, Niketown, and select retail stores. The supporting website, nikeplus.com, will work seamlessly with the Nike+iPod Sport Kit as an extensive training log, offering interaction with other runners and links to exclusive music and coaching tools.

Launch events expected in NYC, Chicago, LA

Niketown locations in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles will host launch events to celebrate the Nike+iPod product being available at retail. The Nike+iPod Sport kit will be available for purchase first at Niketown New York tomorrow morning at a special event featuring Nike baseball players Mariano Rivera (New York), Chien-Ming Wang (New York) and AJ Pierzynski (Chicago), basketball player Ben Gordon (Chicago), retired basketball player Cynthia Cooper (Houston), Olympic speedskater Chad Hedrick and Olympic snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis.

Niketown Chicago will host an entire day of music in connection with the adjacent Apple store on North Michigan Avenue between Erie and Superior. The day will feature a lunchtime concert by Mae from 12:00pm - 1:00pm and performances by Chicago cover band Underwater People from 10:00am - 7:00pm.

Niketown Los Angeles will host a retail celebration hosted by local personality Carol Lewis and featuring Jeff Garcia from Power 106.

First Live Demo on CNBC

CNBC's "On The Money" television segment will perform the first live demonstration on tonight's edition at 7PM EST, according to AppleInsider. (MacNN will cover the demo tonight.)

Filed under: iPod