5/24/06 author: Dippity Dawg Apple made a stretch to Nike to seemingly use a pedometer to measure running distance and the music to motivate the runner to run further. Making such a stretch, Apple is looking for other unlikely partners. Jenny Craig is a target to hook up to the iPod that will change the tempo of the music as dieters' stomachs growl. Another company Apple is looking seriously at is the company that produces the chia pet. The iPod will suggest funkier music as days progress and the chia pet metamorphoses from the seeds to the out of control weed lawn people try to avoid in their front yard, but seem to want to buy from infomercials and bring into their house on a clay mold. The iChia, as they are planning, will marry the two companies like two peas in a pod, similar to the Nike deal. If Apple is successful, they are planning to bundle the iPod with dog leashes, toilet seats and even whoopie cushions. The connections that can be made are endless. Apple is finding more arbitrary ways to expand their market on a grand scheme and seem to know exactly which companies to partner with. The move with Nike should also help put Microsoft in a panic for a need to catch up and compete with another market they got to too late. Prior: iMonopoly the antitrust game