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Following the precedent it set with the recent introduction of the audio-enhanced versions of its N91, N73 and N70 smartphones, Nokia today announced a Music Edition of its ruggedized exercise cell phone, the 5500 Sport. The 5500 Sport joins Nokia's XpressMusic brand as well, which also includes the recently unveiled 5200, 5300 and 3250.

The 5500 Sport Music Edition, available in a new copper-red color scheme, bundles a 512 MB microSD card, in addition to a fitness carrying strap for the arm or waist, bicycle holder and sports headset. Although you can buy microSD cards up to 2 GBs in size today, it appears the maximum capacity the 5500 Sport will allow is 1 GB.

Nokia also added its Music Manager application for transferring audio files from your PC to the cell phone.

All of these are smart additions for a music/fitness-orientated handset, and a bit of no brainier for a sports phone. As Nokia’s director of lifestyle products Antti Koivula points out, "Music is a great source of energy and inspiration for many - during a workout, a fitness routine, or just relaxing."

The tri-band GSM (900/1800/1900MHz) Symbian-based, S60 5500 Sport offers three user modes: phone, music, and sport; all accessible from a single activation button. In sport mode, an integrated pedometer monitor distance walked or calories burnt during exercise. There's also a database to monitor workout goals.

The phone maker says the 5500 Sport is built with the same materials used in the latest high performance running shoes, and includes a stainless steel casing, a splash and dust resistant shell, and rubber grips.

It measures 107 x 45 x 18 millimeters and weighs 103 grams, and is supposed to get up to 4.5 hours talk and 10 days standby time from its mAH lithium-ion battery.

There's also an FM radio, a 2-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, and Bluetooth with wireless headsets available as an option. The 5500 Sport has a 208 x 208 pixel resolution display that supports 262,144 colors.

Text-to-speech technology reads messages out loud, so -for example - you can stay focused on the task or exercise at hand. It'll even tell users the status of their workout.

The 5500 Sport can monitor activities other than walking and running, such as biking and cross-country sking, but only through an optional GPS module.

Workout results and routines can be transferred to PC.

Nokia is already shipping the Nokia 5500 Sport Music Edition in Europe for 350 EUR (about $445). Although the handset has been approved for U.S. release, there's been now word yet on American availability. We'll keep you posted.