CNBC report: Nike+ is revolutionary...

This evening on CNBC's, who first broke the story on the Nike and Apple alliance in May, "On The Money" they had an exclusive look at the Nike+iPod system. As MacNN reported earlier today, the new Nike+iPod Kit will be shipping tomorrow. According to CNBC, over 30 million Americans have taken up running as a sport and it is continuing to grow; over forty million running shoes were sold in the United States last year. The new system allows users to compare their statistics to their records or the records of their friends. The host Darren Rovell is an avid runner, he claims that this product could revolutionize the industry as it removes the need for treadmills to track statistics. He says that one of the most useful features is a built in voice that reads vital statistics to you by hitting the center button. He stated that, "This could really change the way people run, and the way people think about running." Neither company has plans for media buy, but instead both will rely on buzz to generate interest and sales. Below is a clip from the segment.

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.

Audible to offer paid podcast sermons

Audible today is expected to add sermons by Bishop T.D. Jakes -- a pastor of one of the largest "megachurches" in the U.S. -- to its online library. Audible will offer a digital subscription service for sermons from the megachurch, charging subscribers $14.95 per month to join "The Potter's House Audible Listener Plan" for spiritual teachings as audio downloads, according to The Wall Street Journal. Reverend Jakes will reportedly hand out iPods to promote the service at the annual "MegaFest" which expects to accumulate over 200,000 people in Atlanta's Georgia Dome next week.

Proporta launches Music Accessory Pack

Proporta has launched its Music Accessory Pack, containing numerous accessories to keep a portable media player such as Apple's iPod protected, clean, and functional. The pack contains a Neoprene case, stereo Y splitter, neck strap, screen protector, and a cleaning cloth. The screen protector is made from thick plastic, is removable, and acts to reduce glare, according to Proporta. A screen cleaning cloth reduces the risk of trapping dust beneath the screen protector, and the portable case shields the player within a Velcro enclosure. The detachable armband and lanyard neck strap further carrying options. The Music Accessory Pack is priced at $26, and fits iPod nano as well as video iPod models.

Russound multiroom audio dock for iPod

Russound released a new add-on to its full-house in wall and ceiling sounds systems to make them fully iPod compatible. The iBridge dock makes the iPod accessible to any zone of the house without any new controllers needed. All the songs in the iPod library will be available through controls throughout the house, and a iPod-esque interface on Russound's touchscreen remote (UNO-TS2) as well as song information (across the UNO product line). The dock is capable of charging the iPod as it plays and working wherever sound input to the system exists. The new system supports multiple docking stations identified by name when accessing the system. Included with the dock are iPod adapters and support for existing universal dock adapters. Priced at $425, the Russound BGD1 iBridge is available now.