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Most people leave their phone home when they go out for a jog. With the introduction of the new mid-range 5500 Sport phone, however, Nokia would like to give folks an extra incentive to carry a mobile handset along with them when they exercise.

The Symbian-based, S60 smartphone offers three modes: phone, music, and sport; all accessible from a single activation button.

In sport mode, an integrated pedometer serves to monitor distance walked or calories burnt during exercise. There's also a database to monitor workout goals.

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

Nokia senior VP of mobile phones Heikki Norta says, "There is a very sizeable audience of consumers who demand port-inspired products, even if they are not professional athletes themselves. The Nokia 5500 Sport offers these consumers a mobile phone suited to their specific needs - during a jog in the park, a day at the beach and even that dress-to-impress first date."

The triband GSM/EDGE (900/1800/1900 MHz) smartphone supports a variety of music formats and up to a 1 GB microSD card for approximately 750 songs. There's also an FM radio and a 2-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom.

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

"The Nokia 5500 Sport combines the passion and spirit of sports with the latest in mobile communications. It's an ideal companion for an active, urban lifestyle," according to Norta.

Nokia says the 5500 Sport should ship this summer for about 300 Euros (around $381) before taxes and subsidies. It is not clear when or if, even with FCC approval, the smartphone will be available in the U.S.