In their latest string of "big announcements", Apple has announced their partnership with Nike to deliver the iPod Sport Pack.

Apparently, this will allow you to stick a sensor in your shoes (of course, you are also going to have to buy a special pair of Nike shoes that have the pocket for the sensor in the sole of the shoes) that will communicate with a receiver attached to your iPod Nano (Nano apparently required, so I guess us 5G owners are out of luck) and receive information on your workout.

This information will include such data as time, pace, calories burned and distance. You can then transmit this information to your computer. This will allow users to compare results, download specific workouts to load to the iPod, all in the name of making your workouts more effective.

A new Nike section of the iTunes store will also be opened, with motivating tracks and mixes hand picked by other athletes. All in the name of, well, let's be honest here. This is all about one thing:

Marketing.

This is an interesting gimmick, but nothing more if you ask me. I don't see those who are just starting to exercise regularly really getting into this. And those who are already serious about their running are going to see this for just what it is: a means to sell more shoes and iPod accessories.

But what do I know. Nothing, really. Even being the technophile that I am, I just don't see this as that big of a deal. I wouldn't be interested at all. But I am sure there will be plenty who are.