Nike is introducing a Nike+ Sportband for 2009, which is said to have a welded seal in order to ward off moisture which plagued the first generation of the device.

It gives a runner real-time performance feedback on distance, pace, time and calories burned just by glancing at the display. The runner can also share statistics via Nike’s website by synchronizing the device with a computer (the display part is removable and is fitted with a standard USB plug).

This time, they went with the regular dark on light scheme for the display rather than the inverted light on dark for the first generation. While the latter looks cool, the former is definitely easier on the eyes.

The Nike+ Sportband will be available starting tomorrow, July 15, 2009, for an estimated retail price of $59 USD. The running gadget is priced attractively, considering you can use it without any other equipment and that it doubles as a timekeeper. Colors available are grey with interior pink, dark grey or yellow and black with interior red.

If you want to know more details about why Nike did a recall on the first generation of their Nike+ Sportband, read here. Basically, it’s because the seal was not exactly… well, sealed. This posed a problem as it allowed moisture to enter the electronics of the device, thereby ruining the display along with not allowing it to sync properly. The first generation Nike+ Sportband was launched April 2008.

NikePlus.com Nike has merged the popular nikeplus.com website and its close to 2 million members with www.nikerunning.com to give users a one-stop running destination online. In addition, nikeplus.com has added many new features and social media opportunities including:

Personalization – The new navigational system includes a customizable homepage for members providing at-a-glance views of your training, progress in goals and challenges, and your Nike+ Mini. Now runners can personalize every run to illustrate their mood, weather, terrain, route and more.

Find Your Friends – Runners will now be able to search for like-minded and similarly-skilled runners, accept new friend requests and initiate challenges in conjunction with their favorite social media platforms. And because no good run should go unpublished, runners can broadcast their own successes beyond Nike+, with automatic updates to Facebook status, Twitter feeds and much more.

Upgraded Challenges – Once runners tap into their own personal running network, Nike+ will now recommend challenges from the gallery to help inspire a little healthy competition with other runners who have similar running styles or profiles.

New Shoe Finder – This feature asks runners to answer a few simple questions in order to receive a customized shoe recommendation based on the latest shoe technology.

Improved Goals and Challenges – In addition to helpful news, training tips, and event details, the newly redesigned site also features new professional coaching programs from some of Nike’s top running coaches and athletes. Runners can choose from a pre-set coaching program, or personalize their own routine and goals with more flexibility.

Lastly, Nike is launching a Nike+ iPhone mobile site to give users access to Nike+ data anywhere.

[via News Blaze]