Nike announces updated Nike+ SportBand

The original Nike+ SportBand was pretty well received when it rolled out last year, but time marches on, and Nike's now back for another go 'round with a slightly updated model, plus a few other bonuses for the runners and walkers out there. In addition to some new two-tone color schemes, the updated Nike+ SportBand packs an improved screen with a white background for better visibility, along with a welded seal for water resistance and, of course, all the usual Nike+ features that can be used in conjunction with iPod nano, iPod touch, or iPhone (though you can also just use the device on its own). According to Boing Boing Gadgets' just-published review of the device (linked below), all of that is "pretty rad" and, at just $59, is certainly affordable, especially considering that it can also double as a watch. What's more, Nike's also announced that it has merged its existing nikeplus.com and nikerunning.com sites into one site, and it's dropped word that an iPhone / iPod touch-specific website is also in the works, although there's no word on a launch date for it just yet.

Read - Nike+ SportBand Press Release
Read - Boing Boing Gadgets Review

[Via ipodnn]

[Jeff @ Jul 14th 2009 4:43AM]

First
is it honestly a good upgrade I u already own one?

[rony @ Jul 14th 2009 5:00AM]

good luck with hoping your question will prevent you from being low-ranked.


however just in case.............second!!!

um...how much does the watch weigh?

[Jordan Biffle @ Jul 14th 2009 4:57AM]

So, judging by the way they refer to it as "Nike +" I'm hoping its a sign that they are expanding it to the Zune.

[Alex @ Jul 14th 2009 5:13AM]

it has always been called nike +

[phasetrip @ Jul 14th 2009 10:14AM]

why would anyone buy a Zune?

[stevenmtucker @ Jul 14th 2009 12:35PM]

What is a Zune? (lol)

[rembex @ Jul 14th 2009 5:29AM]

does it have backlighting and a seconds hand?

[jayteemo @ Jul 14th 2009 8:43AM]

i don't think it has any hands... it is digital.

[ric @ Jul 14th 2009 6:00AM]

"Welded seal" - is this Apple's insistence on everything connected to their product range not having a user-removable battery?

[Kelmon @ Jul 14th 2009 6:21AM]

I think this is more a "let's not get sweat in the electrics" thing. Somehow I doubt that Apple had any involvement in the development of this device.

[Adam @ Jul 14th 2009 6:33AM]

It's actually because the first Sportsband was a total disaster in terms of quality assurance. Go read the Nike+ forums. Nike is actually replacing anyone who bought a 1st gen Sportband with these new ones because the problem was that bad.

[Adam @ Jul 14th 2009 6:34AM]

Oh, and this has nothing to do with Apple. This is solely a Nike product. No need to use iTunes to transfer to the Nike+ website as Nike provides an uploading tool.

[wagedomain @ Jul 14th 2009 12:31PM]

@Adam

They are replacing the faulty bands, so long as you're willing to wait 1-2 months. Which is ridiculous.

[Craig @ Jul 14th 2009 6:11AM]

Okay, raise your hand if you thought, as I did, that the second-from-the-right watch said "Milf"?

[Kelmon @ Jul 14th 2009 6:22AM]

* Sound of wind *

* A tumbleweed blows by *

* Sound of crickets *

[andrew @ Jul 14th 2009 11:30AM]

Oh this? just my milf band. . .

[TheEggMaster @ Jul 14th 2009 6:59AM]

I had to return my original Nike+ Sportband after the seal failed. It was a known problem and I'm glad to see it's been addressed in this one. I was impressed with the original unit before it failed and I did get a refund so I'll spend it on this one instead.

[pr @ Jul 14th 2009 8:37AM]

Yeah. I returned a few and got replacements from the Nike Store, but the last time I went in (around September of last year) they wouldn't give me one -- they just refunded my money and said that they weren't selling it anymore due to safety issues with sweat getting into the electronics.

[MrGutts @ Jul 14th 2009 8:08AM]

They need to update the damn Nike+ software.

[Quikboy @ Jul 14th 2009 9:30AM]

I want Nike+ for my Zune.

[Tristan @ Jul 14th 2009 9:46AM]

If only this watch (or the old one) would work to control the iPhone 3GS ALL THE TIME... not only when the Nike + app is open... THEN I would be a happy camper!

[Cameron @ Jul 14th 2009 11:14AM]

Jailbreak, my friend. A little app called Backgrounder will solve your woes.

[Vikas Kewalramani @ Jul 14th 2009 10:16AM]

Waiting on a Runkeeper GPS Palm Pre app, but in the meantime this should do the trick

[CaptCaveman @ Jul 14th 2009 11:16AM]

I've just started using the Nike + sensor with my iPhone. I have to say that I'm impressed. Its great for motivation and the on-line challenges are great.
Good to hear that they are coming out with a new version of the wrist strap. Because I'm sure the GF will be wanting one soon. And since she doesn't have an iPod or iPhone this will be her only option.

[John @ Jul 14th 2009 11:17AM]

Still no heart rate monitor?

[David @ Jul 14th 2009 12:18PM]

The first iteration wasn't well thought out. Running past an hour, it no longer measured seconds. Running in the dark was a lost cause because there's no backlight. After about 6 months, it became a little game to get my computer to read the USB plug in due to corosion (I guess). After nine months, it no longer connected at all.

I know it's only $60 and you get what you pay for, but really, it kind of sucked. At the same time, I really enjoyed the simplicity of it. Being able to plug the face directly into the computer with no wires was kind of genius... if it actually worked.

This watch has potential. It's not for people who are seriously training, but for a casual runner, it should be fine. Again, as long as the damn thing actually works.

[wagedomain @ Jul 14th 2009 12:29PM]

The first generation was actually recalled. It failed on a bunch of different counts - display was not sealed well so running in rain/mist/sweating too much/etc caused the display to get water and condensation on it, which ruined the displays. This has nothing to do with "APPLE IS SCREWING US REMOVEABLE BATTERIES WAAH" kind of stuff, they know that people get sweaty, run in rain, etc. and need to fix it.

My first gen had this happen recently, so it's nice that gen 2 is out tomorrow. I had zero connectivity issues (besides the one time when they updated nikeplus.com and it took down all sportsbands for a day), and the product itself is excellent. Shame about the few flaws, but it was a 1.0 product. I expect a lot more from this 2.0 product.

[bruintoo @ Jul 14th 2009 5:59PM]

Now that the iPhone 3GS has Nike+ built-in, I am using it more instead of my 3gen nano with adapter. Bluetooth headphones+iPhone 3GS+Nike sensor = wireless all around when running

[Fanfoot @ Jul 15th 2009 12:38AM]

Whats this "watch" you speak of?

[Dougp @ Jul 15th 2009 1:21AM]

I have had conversation with both Nike phone support and NikeTown in
NYC, if you have a version 1 of the SportBand that has a seal issue
(bubbles in the display), they will trade out your broken unit for
the new one in store or via mail, no questions asked. Pretty great
deal if you ask me! Took way too long to fix a pretty serious
problem though.
BTW: these should be in store any day between now and a couple weeks according to the same sources as above. If you mail your unit in, they will replace it right away with the new one (just have to wait for it all to get processed) or you can wait for the stores to get them in.

[phr3qu3ncy441 @ Aug 5th 2009 1:47PM]

i had the original and i liked it a lot before it broke down. hopefully this one is good. if it had a hrm, then that'd take the cake for me, but i'm satisfied with what it is right now. though ironically, i use both this and the garmin 305.