By the end of this year, you can very well tell your mother that all running shoes made by Nike could talk with the iPod Nano. Ain't that swell?

Well, although technically not being able to "talk" to each other, the Nike+iPod running kit enables runners to track their progress through software for the iPod Nano. Information such as time of workout, distance travelled, pace and calories burned by the individual wearing the Nike shoes could be tracked by the iPod, located in the inner sole of the Nike shoe.

Recently, Nike has reported soft third quarter sales. Other shoe manufacturers also reported a slump in their sales, such as Foot Locker Inc. and Finish Line Inc. We really don't know why, but Nike has promised that it will rise above its retail record down with the help of leading retail partners that will build strength.

Nike CEO and president Mark Parker didn't disclose any details about this strength-building partnership, but he said that some of these new Nike concepts at retail will be expected this calendar year. He hinted at changes to Nike's Shox and apparel lines, including plans to make all its running shoes compatible with its Nike+ technology by the end of the year.

Well...we just love the idea of shoes rapidly going electronic. Shoes!