New Delhi: Philips India (www.philips.com), a subsidiary of the Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics and India's most respected company in the consumer durable sector, in association with Nike (www.nikebiz.com) has today launched the world's first new generation portable audio players.

The range includes wearable, skip-free and sport-ready FM, CD and MP3 players. The Philips Nike portable audio products promise to be a perfect partner while you jog, run, dance or even during any kind of exercise, yoga and aerobics.

The alliance has been announced to merge the athletic and digital technology expertise of Philips and Nike to develop innovative technology product solutions, which create a richer, more motivating environment for physical activity.

The co-branded product offering will initially take the form of portable audio products specifically designed for sport, but will progress, over time, to include apparel and equipment that combine communications, connectivity and information to motivate athletic activity.

Philips-Nike: Range of portable sports audio products MP3 Player - ACT 200 MRP: Rs 8,500 Built in 64 MB memory 10 hour battery life 3 colour LED indicator Splash proof Remote control FM Radio - ACT 100 MRP: Rs 2,950 Stereo FM Radio 10 station presets Automatic digital tuning Designed for movement CD & MP3 Player - ACT 400 MRP: Rs 9,500 Electronic Skip Protection (ESP) Designed for movement Smart wire management 15 hour battery life Dynamic Bass Boost Headphone Range MRP: Rs 900 & Rs 1,350 Behind the head design with rear cable exit improves stability while running Comfortable and lightweight

The hi-end offerings from the Nike and Philips alliance will include a new line of portable MP3 and MP3-CD players that have been designed for sport through the integration of ergonomics, usability, portability and solid state technology. The range of portable audio players and accessories are comfortable to wear during sport and fitness activities, can be operated intuitively by feel, rather than sight, and deliver a high quality audio experience.

Nike and Philips bring unique strengths to the venture. Nike has exceptional expertise in sports and material technology, marketing and innovation. The company transformed athletic footwear with the invention of air technology. Philips is a leading innovator of ''wearable electronics'' technologies and has a long heritage of technology innovation, especially in the digital arena, as well as intimate knowledge of consumers.

Philips originated the idea of wearable electronics in 1995 and has a reputation for introducing high-quality, cutting-edge electronic products. But, more importantly, the vision of the future is that the co-branded Nike and Philips products should lead to a vibrant new category and gradually offer the consumer brand extensions with a foray into the apparel category.

These exclusive products would be sold mainly through the Nike sportstations and premium Philips outlets.