Jan 6th 2011: Nike and TomTom revealed yesterday, during CES Las Vegas, their collaboration in the making of the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom. The new running watch will combine unique functionality, beautiful design, and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com, the world’s leading running community counting almost 4 million members.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS has been designed for performance thanks to the extremely clear and readable user interface. It adds personalization and motivational features to the running experience, including audible sounds, challenges, run reminders and more.

“The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is a game-changing product that furthers our commitment to provide all athletes with unparalleled motivation and the tools to get better,” said Stefan Olander, VP of Nike Digital Sport.

“It is part of TomTom Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast-growing sports and fitness market. This true partnership with Nike combines the strengths of two leading companies to deliver a game-changing product for runners,” said Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director, TomTom Consumer. TomTom is the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is scheduled to be at retail stores and online in the U.S. and the U.K. beginning April 1. Broader distribution is scheduled for July 1. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will be previewed for consumers at Nikerunning.com and TomTom.com beginning today.

Find here a video with the highlights:

On-Watch Experience

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed to be simple and intuitive with only three buttons and a Tap Screen for navigation. During the run, the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS captures location information while showing runners their time, distance, pace, and calories burned on an easy-to-read screen featuring a customizable layout. Throughout the run, the GPS receiver works in tandem with the shoe-based Nike+ Sensor to deliver highly accurate pace and distance data.

On-watch features include:

• Tap Screen for setting laps and activating backlight

• Run History with data from past runs

• Personal Records including those imported from Nikeplus.com

• Quick Start with optional shoe-based Nike+ Sensor

• Heart Rate Monitor compatibility

Some of the unique motivating factors the Nike+ SportWatch GPS offer runners on-screen include:

• Recognition (or “Attaboys”) for personal records

• Run Reminders that appear after five days if a run has not been logged

• Post-run acknowledgement and encouragement

Post-Run Experience

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS plugs neatly into any USB port on a Mac or PC, then immediately launches the Nike+ Connect interface which automatically transfers information to www.nikeplus.com.

“With more than 150 million runs logged since its launch in 2006, Nikeplus.com captures the pulse of the running world everyday,” added Olander.

Nikeplus.com presents runners with the GPS mapping, total miles, pace and elevation data for their most recent run in a rich and engaging way that will be familiar to users of the popular Nike+ GPS iPhone application.

“Providing runners with accurate pace, distance and location information during and after their run gives them the information they need to better train and track their progress,” added Vigreux.

Data from each run is automatically applied to all current Nike+ Challenges, Nike+ Goals, and Nike+ Coach programs in which the runner is participating.

Additional Features at Nikeplus.com

Athletes who want to get the most out of their run and from the Nike+ SportWatch GPS will have access to a huge catalogue of run routes logged by Nike and published by other runners on streets and trails around the world.

Each run will be graphically mapped with the help of TomTom technology, and include route notes, elevation and length. Runners will also be able to find the perfect route by searching the catalogue by location, length, difficulty, and even landmarks.

Since the 2006 launch of Nike+ in partnership with Apple, a variety of Nike+ enabled devices have been introduced to help runners reach their full potential including the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano and iPod touch, the Nike+ SportBand, and the new Nike+ GPS App for use with the iPhone.