Nike and Apple tell runners: "It's worth it"
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Is all this exercise really helping me?
Nike Inc. said on Tuesday it is making running shoes that will tell the wearer how far and how fast he or she has run and how many calories they have burned.
The instant information will come from a miniature Apple Computer Inc. iPod and a new wireless system called Nike+iPod.
Nike shares rose over 2 percent following the announcement of its plan to capitalize on the popularity of iPod portable digital music players with runners, 75 percent of whom already listen to music while they exercise.
Using a Nike+iPod Sports Kit, expected to sell for about $29, miniature versions of the iPod will be able to give audio data on time, distance, pace and calories burned on-demand through an attachable receiver that gets data from a sensor in the insole of special Nike shoes.
The new Air Zoom Moire line of running shoes -- priced at $100 -- are the first to have space for the sensor, but others will follow, Nike said. The removable sensor, about the size of a piece of bubble gum, can be used with any compatible shoe.
In 2004 archrival Adidas-Salomon AG launched a so-called "smart shoe," embedded with a computer chip and a motor that constantly adjusts the shoe's cushioning to suit the runner's needs.
But Nike Chief Executive Mark Parker said such a "smart shoe," would not, by itself, be able to access relevant data until after the run was done and the shoes had been removed.
"We realized making a smart shoe wasn't really smart enough," Parker said at a New York launch event attended by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and marathon record-holder Paula Radcliffe.
Nike, the world's biggest maker of sports shoes and apparel, also launched a line of performance clothing, including jackets, shirts and shorts, that holds iPods and keeps wires untangled and out of sight.
"We share the same types of consumers (with Apple)," said Trevor Edwards, Nike's vice president of global brand management. "We know that these two brands work really well together."
A 2002 deal between Nike and the Netherlands' Philips Electronics NV that resulted in a portable digital music player that tracked time and distance fizzled, Edwards said, because of differences in the two companies' target consumers.
Apple came to Nike after it separated from Philips, CEO Parker said after the event.
"We both had a mutual interest in pursuing (an) opportunity in this area," Parker told Reuters. "Not for Nike to get into the mp3 market per se, but for Nike to establish an opportunity with somebody who is really leading in that area."
Apple, which has shipped over 50 million iPods, controls 77 percent of the U.S. market for portable digital music players, according to market research firm NPD Group.
SELLING MORE FOOTWEAR?
Analyst John Shanley of Susquehanna Financial Group said the Nike+iPod launch was innovative but would not appeal to the company's core base of teenage boys.
"Is it going to move the needle in terms of them selling more footwear?" he asked. "Probably not."
But investors and sporting goods retailers were encouraged by Nike adding to its performance apparel business, since sales of that line have been outpaced by growing brand Under Armor Inc..
The connector kit will be available in both Nike and Apple stores within two months, the companies said, adding that Nike will also sell nano iPods, but Apple will not sell Nike shoes.
Apple will also include a Nike Sport Music section on its iTunes music store, which will feature playlists of well-known athletes such as Armstrong, the companies said.
The Nike+iPod system will let runners call up a favorite song instantly and then instantly upload their workout information to a Nike Web site, www.nikeplus.com, where they can share the information with their friends.
Nike shares closed up $1.01, or 1.3 percent, at $78.99 on the New York Stock Exchange. Apple shares fell 23 cents or less than 1 percent to $63.15 on Nasdaq.
Brooks & Dunn win at country music awards
LAS VEGAS - Brooks & Dunn, the most honored artists in the history of the Academy of Country Music's awards show, picked up a record 20th and 21st trophies Tuesday night as country music's elite gathered to perform and compete for honors.
Newcomer Carrie Underwood, last year's "American Idol" winner, was also a double winner, taking top new female vocalist and single of the year awards. The latter was for "Jesus Take the Wheel," a song she performed on the show.
"I wouldn't be here if God hadn't opened all the doors for me," she told the audience.
Kenny Chesney captured the entertainer of the year award.
Brooks & Dunn claimed the first award handed out Tuesday, song of the year for "Believe," a gospel-tinged tune written by Craig Wiseman, co-writer of the 2005 song of the year, "Live Like You Were Dying."
"It's always fun to be a part of something so strong and so spiritual," said Kix Brooks, who also shared the top vocal duo award with Dunn.
Brad Paisley, who had a leading six nominations going into the show, got the award he said he wanted, album of the year for "Time Well Wasted." He also shared vocal event of the year honors with Dolly Parton for "When I Get Where I'm Going."
Keith Urban was top male vocalist for a second year and Sara Evans, up against Underwood, Martina McBride, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack, captured her first ACM award, for top female vocalist.
"I've waited for this my whole life," she said.
Jason Aldean, whose song "Why" is No. 1 this week, was named top new male vocalist and Sugarland was honored as top new duo or vocal group.
The three-hour show was as much about music as awards, however, and Trace Adkins provided one of the evening's musical highlights. Dressed all in black — from his cowboy hat to his leather suit — Adkins added a Las Vegas touch to the program as he performed his song "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" while surrounded by shimmying showgirls.
Reba McEntire, hosting the show for an eighth time, also took a shot at country music's newest outlaws, the Dixie Chicks.
"I don't know why I was so nervous about hosting this show this year," she said. "If the Dixie Chicks can sing with their foot in their mouths, surely I can host this sucker."
The Chicks, criticized in country circles when Natalie Maines told an audience in 2003, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," are striking back at their critics in their new single, "Not Ready to Make Nice."
Earlier in the show, Wilson paid tribute to more traditional country themes, including the nation's soldiers, working men and the Bible, in the song "Politically Incorrect."
This year's 41st annual ceremony, at the MGM Grand, was the third to be held in Las Vegas after it moved from Los Angeles. Airing on CBS, it went up against part one of the two-part "American Idol" finale on Fox.
The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Tuesday that the academy wants to move the awards show to April to escape the conflict with "Idol," TV's top-rated show. The size of the "Idol" audience has dwarfed that for the awards show the past three years.
Performers Tuesday included Paisley, Underwood, Urban, Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Dierks Bentley, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich and McBride.
There was also a medley of songs honoring the late Buck Owens. The creator of country music's Bakersfield Sound died in March.
Vince Gill received the Home Depot Humanitarian Award for his community service and charitable giving of his time and talent — a trophy and a playground built in a city of his choice. He said that probably would be New Orleans. Previous winners include McEntire, McBride, Lonestar and Neal McCoy.
Awards announced before the broadcast included: producer, Buddy Cannon; on-air personality — national, Blair Garner; on-air personality — major market, Gerry House; on-air personality, medium market — Scott Innes; on-air personality, small market — Becky Austin and Brad Austin; radio station, major market — WFMS-FM; radio station, medium market — WUSY-FM; radio station, small market (tie) — WGSQ-FM, WYCT-FM; bass player, Michael Rhodes; fiddle player, Jonathan Yudkin; guitar player, Pat Buchanan; percussionist-drum, Shannon Forrest; piano-keyboard, Mike Rojas; specialty instrument, Bryan Sutton; steel guitar, Paul Franklin.
The 3,000 members of the academy select the nominees and winners of the awards.
It's McPheever versus Hicks' on 'Idol'
LOS ANGELES - In Tuesday night's final showdown between ashen-haired soulster Taylor Hicks and sultry Katharine McPhee, the "American Idol" winner was clear to one person: Simon Cowell.
"Assuming that I was right — the show was tied — then you have just won `American Idol,'" the tart-tongued "Idol" judge told Hicks following his last performance.
After the show, Hicks told The Associated Press in response to Cowell's comment: "I just hope that people don't get complacent."
McPhee and Hicks each performed three songs in Tuesday's sing-off, staged in front of more than 3,000 fans at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. The winner will be crowned Wednesday.
At the show's start, Cowell offered the singers typically sugar-free advice: "I would suggest that the contestants pray that the other one forget the words."
In the first round, McPhee, 22, opened with a rendition of "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." Cowell called it "good with a small `g'."
Hicks wore a purple velvet jacket — "arguably the worst jacket I've ever seen in my life," Cowell sniped — for his first number, a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City." Cowell handed his vote to Hicks: "It was a great way to start ... Round one to you."
Round two was a reverse of the first.
McPhee's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," drew praise from judges — and tears from her father, Daniel.
"You worked it out again — that was hot!" judge Randy Jackson gushed.
Hicks sang Elton John's "Levon" to mixed reviews.
"I think Kat has taken the second round," Cowell commented.
The final round had McPhee and Hicks debuting new singles.
McPhee, wearing a silky blue dress, performed a pop ballad, "My Destiny." Jackson praised her but derided the song choice as "average."
"I would say to everyone who wants to vote for Kat, vote and remember the second song," Cowell reminded viewers.
Then Hicks performed "Do I Make You Proud?" and Cowell declared the 29-year-old Alabama native the winner.
"My vision as an artist is to inject as much soul as I can into popular music," Hicks told the AP later.
McPhee, looking calm and pretty in a flowered top and bare feet, told the AP backstage after the show that she was "totally at peace with whatever the outcome."
"But onstage I also thought, `Never underestimate the power of my fans,'" she continued.
Even though Cowell chose Hicks as the winner, the audience was split. Fans held signs saying "Hicks, Hometown Hero" and "We Got the McPheever."
Scarlet Swall traveled from Kansas City to attend her third "Idol" finale and considers Hicks "brilliant."
"It's kind of my birthday gift being here at the Kodak," the 65-year-old Swall said. "It's so exciting. Back in Kansas City, we have neighborhood parties up to the finals."
McPhee fan Tess Kleinhammes was upset at Cowell's statement.
"I didn't think that was fair at all," said the 13-year-old, who had flashed a sparkly sign in support of McPhee. "I think Katharine is better than Taylor. She's one of my role models."
When told about Tess' support of her, McPhee said, "I love being a role model. It's still a man's world in society." Her advice: "Girls should keep working on themselves."
Which, she said, she's done herself.
"I've been through many therapy sessions ... It's an ongoing struggle to work on myself."
It was a party atmosphere at the Kodak Theater from the moment the fans started arriving.
Los Angeles resident Steven Ahn, 47, came out with his daughter, 8-year-old Kirsten and her best friend Maggie. Asked who they wanted to win, they chimed in: "Katharine! Because she's a good singer!"
"Yeah," they continued. "We want to grow up to be like her."