The collaboration between Nike and Apple is probably the most surprising news for this week. At least for me. I’ve never heard about the co-op plan before and probably would never did if I didn’t use my iBook to connect to the internet today. So, this is the story.

The two giant companies, Nike and Apple, are going to develop several new products in the future, that combine sport and music element together, under the Nike+iPod brand. This plan was unveiled by Mark Parker, Nike’s CEO, and Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, during an event in New York attended by Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France true champion, and Paula Radcliffe, the current marathon world record holder.

The first product developed under the Nike+iPod brand is the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. This is a wireless system that lets Nike+ footwear series to communicate with the iPod Nano. By connecting the in-shoe sensor - included on the kit - to the Nike+ shoes and the receiver to Nano, users can receive several useful information such as time, distance, calories burner, and pace. This data will be stored directly on the Ipod and can be either displayed on its screen or heard through the headphones.

The first shoe that will be compatible with Nike+iPod Sport Kit is the Nike+ Air Zoom Moire footwear. Nike plans to make more of its shoes Nike+iPod-ready in the future. As explained by Parker, he believes that Nike+iPod will change the way people run and creates a better running experience, so there’ll be more such Nike+ innovations in the future.

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit is expected to hit the market within 60 days (August?). The price is around $29 and it will be available thorugh Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers, as well as Nike’s website, Niketown, NikeWomen stores and selected retail stores in the US.

[ Press Release - Nike ] [ Press Release - Apple ]