Is unusual for many reasons. To start with, it only displays hours and minutes. No seconds, no date, no alarm, no stopwatch. And to see the time, you actually have to press a button to illuminate the LED display. But the Amp+ isn’t designed to be an all-around running or fitness watch. It’s specifically designed for runners who already have the Nike + iPod kit. Similar to the Timex iControl we recently reviewed, the Nike Amp+ is a remote control for your iPod Nano, however unlike the Timex, the Nike Amp+ uses the existing Nike + iPod gadget that plugs into your iPod, so you’re actually adding the iPod remote control to the Nike iPod system.

Ok,… that’s a little confusing. Let’s slow down and start from the beginning. You’re a runner or walker who wants to track your workouts electronically, and easily control your iPod. After installing a special wireless sensor in your Nike shoes, the Nike + iPod kit let’s you use your iPod to: Track your time, distance, pace, and the number calories you’ve burned.

Choose workouts with specific types of goals, and record your personal bests. Program a “power song” which is selectable from a special menu for when you need some additional motivation. Receive voice feedback about your workout so you don’t have to look at your iPod while running. So now you’re using your iPod to listen to music, and to record and track workout information, but the problem is that iPods aren’t all that easy to use while running. Imagine needing that power song at the foot of a killer incline, and having to fiddle with the scroll wheel to find it. That’s where the Amp+ comes in. With the Nike Amp+ watch, you can:

- Start and stop your workout.

- Change tracks forward or backward.

- Easily play your power song with the press of a button.

- Raise or lower your iPod’s volume.

- Check your workout progress.

So now in addition to using your iPod to record and track your workout information, you’re using your watch to wirelessly control your iPod. The other advantage of the Nike Amp+ watch is that it’s water resistant to 50 meters (about 160 feet) while iPods don’t do well with any kind of moisture, so if it’s raining outside, your iPod can stay safely tucked away. For more information just visit  nike website.

www.nike.com