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Apple hires top designer from Nike
9to5Mac is reporting that Apple recently hired former Nike design director Ben Shaffer. At Nike, Shaffer was the Studio Director of the Innovation Kitchen. This is Nike's research and development lab where new product designs are created. Under Shaffer's lead, Nike was named the most innovative company in 2013 by Fast Company. Nike's Innovation Kitchen has been connected to wearable products like the popular Nike Fuel Band, and most recently, the Flyknit shoe. The hiring of Shaffer comes just weeks after word surfaced that Apple had hired famed fitness guru and Nike FuelBand consultant Jay Blahnik. As for the reasons behind Apple's recent hires, the rumor mill suggests that Apple is shoring up its iWatch team with fitness experts to shore up functionality for the long-rumored device. While no Apple product is ever official until publicly announced, there have been no shortage of reports indicating that Apple is working on some sort of wearable device. Indeed, Tim Cook even noted during a recent interview at the All Things D conference that the "wrist is interesting" with respect to wearable technology. On top of that, remember that Apple has filed for iWatch trademarks in a number of countries across the globe. Returning back to Shaffer, Fast Company was able to source more details about his move from Nike to Apple. In doing so, Fast Company found that Shaffer was not, as initially reported, part of the team that helped develop the Nike FuelBand. We have confirmed that Shaffer no longer works at Nike and that he is indeed going to Apple. There's just one hiccup: Shaffer wasn't really involved in the FuelBand project. He was not a "FuelBand designer"; rather, his contributions at Nike were related to footwear innovation. In fact, one Nike source just told me that it's his understanding that Shaffer didn't even do work on the FuelBand. It's yet another example of the interminable Apple rumor mill--and serves as a sign of the intense anticipation for Apple to get involved in the wearable computer space, and of our tendency to grasp onto rumors and their expected connotations, regardless if they're even true. Still, Fast Company describes Shaffer as a brilliant engineer who played a key role in the development of Nike's Flyknit technology, which enables shoes to be extremely light weight. You can read more about that over here. So per usual, Apple seems to be up to something, but only the folks at Apple know specifically what that might be.
Apple hires Nike FuelBand advisor Jay Blahnik
Apple clearly loves Nike when there's Nike+ support across many iPhones and iPods, but that affection appears to be growing even deeper. Both 9to5 Mac and AllThingsD report that fitness expert Jay Blahnik, who consulted with Nike during the FuelBand's development, joined Apple earlier this month. While the new hire hasn't outlined his role, it's easy to see him working on wrist-worn devices given Tim Cook's professed interest in the category. We've reached out to the company for more details, and we'll let you know if we learn more. Whatever Blahnik's exact duties, his career move suggests that fitness plays an important role in Apple's device roadmap -- fans may want to lace up their running shoes. [Image credit: Nggcali12, Wikimedia Commons]
Apple hires former Nike FuelBand consultant Jay Blahnik
Apple has hired fitness expert and former Nike FuelBand consultant Jay Blahnik, reports 9to5Mac. Blahnik is well-known in the fitness industry and has worked for Apple in the past on unspecified products. The fact that Apple is now bringing him on in a full-time role now suggests that he will have a high level of input over a specific product, which many people assume to be the rumored "iWatch." Though his personal website has been taken offline, a cached version of it still exists where his bio reads: Jay has been a Nike Elite Athlete and Nike consultant for almost 20 years. He worked closely with Nike on the launch of Nike+Running, which has become the largest digital running community in the world. He was also the original creator and program developer of the Nike Training Club App, and the Nike Training Club in-gym program, which boasts over 6 million digital users. He is also a key expert and consultant for many of Nike's new Digital Sport initiatives that launched in 2012, including Nike+ Kinect Training and Nike+ FuelBand. Blahnik himself confirmed the news of his hire by Apple on Twitter, before removing the tweet.
MapMyFitness improves Jawbone UP integration, adds Nike FuelBand support
There are almost as many ways to monitor your fitness these days, as there are ways to get fit. While most hardware trackers come with their own solution to present your (hard-earned) data, some users prefer to keep it elsewhere. If that happens to be MapMyFitness, then good news -- there's full two-way sync for Jawbone UP, as well as Nike FuelBand support. Jawbone's UP has had API hooks with MapMyFitness for a while, but now workouts etc. can be pushed in either direction, so all those steps can be viewed online (though not your sleep, or manually logged workouts). It's a similar story with FuelBand, while the Nike+ app and watch have played nice with the services, the wearable was notably absent -- until now. Set up is easy, just head to the import section of your account and link them up. Sadly, so easy, you won't earn any fuel points.
Nike adds friends, leader boards to FuelBand iOS app
Nike continues to improve the now 1-year-old Nike+ FuelBand by adding new features to its iOS app. The latest version ups your motivation by letting you compare your level of fitness with your friends. The new Nike+ Friends feature has a custom leader board that pulls in information from your FuelBand-wearing friends. Another new feature in version 1.5 lets you add a photo to your fitness highlights so you can show people where you were and who you were with when you reached those milestones. The Nike FuelBand app for iOS is available for free and requires a Nike+ Fuelband. The FuelBand is available from Nike or the Apple Store for US$149. [Via The Verge]
Nike+ FuelBand app for iOS adds friends and sharing, no small amount of bragging
Where's the fun in owning an exercise tracker like the Nike+ FuelBand if you can't lord your healthiness over others? Nike must have wondered the same thing, as it just updated the FuelBand's iOS app to add Nike+ Friends. Wearers can now learn where their step count places them relative to their peers and share the results for all to see. Should there be any doubters, owners can attach photos, locations and mentions of nearby friends to back up their boasting. Yes, it's an upgrade that's primarily focused on oneupmanship, but it's good in our book if it makes us walk just a bit further each day.
Engadget Giveaway: win an iPad mini and Nike+ FuelBand, courtesy of WalkMe!
It may be April Fool's Day, but believe us when we say this is no joke -- we would never kid you when it comes to another chance to win awesome stuff. It's actually the second birthday of WalkMe, and the website guidance tool wants to celebrate by offering a 16GB WiFi iPad mini and Nike+ Fuelband to one lucky winner. WalkMe is a service that lets businesses offer a better user experience on their site by walking their customers each step of the way -- the company refers to it as a GPS navigation system for online tasks. So head to the widget below and get your entries in! Note: Please enter using the widget below, as comments are no longer valid methods of entry. The widget only requires your name and email address so we know how to get in touch with you if you win (your information is not given out to third parties), but you will have an option to receive an additional entry by following WalkMe on Twitter if you so desire. Winner: Congratulations to Adolpho F., Boynton Beach, FL, for being this week's winner!
Nike confirms no FuelBand app for Android in development, doesn't rule out future support
Nike's always been tight with Apple, as its Nike+ platform has gotten along with iPods and iPhones for years, and the cooperation continued with an iOS app for the FuelBand. Given the number of Android users out there, many figured the Swoosh would also release a 'droid friendly version, but it turns out those expectations will remain unfulfilled... for now. Nike Support's Twitter account confirmed as much today, saying its devs are focused on iOS and web and are not working on an Android app. Why no love for the little green 'bots? Well, Nike had this to say: To deliver the best experience for all Nike+ FuelBand users, we are focusing on the FuelBand experience across iOS and nikeplus.com, where you can sync your activity, set new goals, and connect with friends. At this time, we are not working on an Android version of the mobile app. When we asked if it's shelving its Android efforts permanently, the company informed us that it was not -- meaning we may see such an app at some undisclosed time in the future. So, hope springs eternal for all you FuelBand users with Googlefied phones.
Nike+ FuelBand app will stay iOS-exclusive for now
The Nike+ FuelBand is a smart bracelet that keeps track of your exercising, such as running -- dashing, if you will -- and now the sports brand has dashed the hopes of Android users hoping for a companion app, saying that it will be sticking with an iOS-only approach for the foreseeable future. Nike had said that an Android version of was in the works last year, but it failed to materialize by the promised fall 2012 release date. Now it appears that the brand isn't even working on a version for Google's mobile OS. "Right now, we're focused on iOS and web," the company confirmed in a tweet over the weekend. "We're not working on an Android app." The Nike+ FuelBand is sold in Apple Stores in addition to Nike's own retail locations, but we wouldn't read anything into the former fact having anything to do with the sports brand's decision-making process. What's more likely is that Nike is simply hitting a wall in terms of getting its hardware and software to play nicely with the countless combination of Android devices and OS revisions in consumers' hands, whereas on iOS such rampant fragmentation isn't a problem. [Via AppleInsider]
Fitbit introduces Flex wristband at CES 2013
Fitbit is one of the oldest names in fitness tracking these days, though given how new the industry actually is, the company's not really that old at all. But they have been around for a few years now, and this year at CES, the company introduced one more addition to its line of motion-based trackers. The Fitbit Flex is a wristband-style tracker (similar to the popular Nike FuelBand) that's designed to sit up near the higher end of the Fitbit line. At US$99.95, it's not very cheap, but Fitbit obviously wants this to be one of their most popular of trackers, making it easy to strap to your wrist, and from there track all sorts of stats, including steps taken, calories burned, time active, and even sleep time and quality. The Flex comes in five different colors, and each one has five different LED lights that are designed to let you know how close you are to your goal for the day, whatever that is. The device looks very smooth, and while the $99.95 price might be a tougher sell for those not yet on board the fitness tracker train, it definitely gives Fitbit one more excellent option in a market that's quickly filling up. Our good friends over at Engadget have more on the device, including a full gallery and a video with hands-on footage. The Flex is coming later on this spring, though you can pre-order it from Fitbit starting right now.
Nike+ aims to innovate wearable tech with virtual game and startup Accelerator program
With the recent resurrection of Jawbone's Up, as well as news of Nintendo's planned Wii U FitMeter, it's become clear that competition in wearables is just now heating up. And now Nike, one of the forerunners of the category, is reaching outside of the box with two new initiatives to propel adoption and expand usability of its activity-tracking devices. Announced as a teaser via its Youtube channel today, NikeFuel Missions -- a virtual game -- appears designed to motivate users by translating their collected movement data (read: NikeFuel points) into currency for escape from a gaming world "conquered by cold." Not much else has been made known about the title, but according to the company's Facebook page, further details will be revealed tomorrow, December 11th. Curious parties can head to that destination site now to sign-up for updates and register to be one of the first in line to play -- but be warned, you'll need a Nike+ device to participate. Further building upon its work in the wearables space, Nike+'s also announced the creation of a three-month long startup program, dubbed Accelerator. Set to take place in Portland, Oregon this coming March, the initiative will bring together 10 startups for an "immersive, mentor-driven" experience that aims to foster innovation and integration with its Nike+ tech. The deadline for consideration is this February 3rd, so if you think your small company could benefit from a swoosh of support, there's still plenty of time to apply at the source below. And while you're at it, be sure to click past the break for a preview of the virtual gaming goods Nike has in store.
Nike+ FuelBand, SportWatch GPS add some new colors for the holidays
The good news is that Nike is adding some new colors to its Nike+ connected FuelBand and SportWatch GPS lines so your wristwear can more closely match your kicks all winter. While the original translucent limited edition Nike+ FuelBand Ice won't be returning, at the end of October it will be available in new White Ice and Black Ice colors, with distribution expanded to more Nike stores in the US, Canada and UK. If you prefer GPS, precise timing and a multiplatform Nike+ Running app to LEDs, the TomTom-powered Nike+ SportWatch GPS is rolling out a new white/silver colorway. The bad news? If you were waiting for other updates, like a FuelBand with GPS, SportWatch that can pump out some MP3s while you run, FuelBand app for Android or really anything other than cosmetic changes, you're out of luck. We wouldn't let that get in the way of a workout however, check below for more details on each or return to customizing some NikeiD Lebron Xs -- your choice.
Nike+ FuelBand iOS app updated to run along your Path, sync in the background
If you decided to snag the latest Nike+ wristband earlier this year, you're about to get some added functionality thanks to an iOS application update. First, the outfit has added Path integration to the mobile software. Users can now keep track of the sights they've visited while out for a jog or bike ride and share said moments / achievements with their mates. When the day comes to a close, those points-of-interest along the trail will appear on the app's progress graph. You'll also encounter background syncing by holding down the FuelBand's button alongside the ability to check battery status, offline data access and setting the time with your iPhone or iPod touch. For a quick look at what you can expect to see with the refresh, sprint to the gallery below.
Nike+ FuelBand's internals get splayed at the FCC
All of these wrist-mounted fitness gizmos are pretty nifty, but we always wonder how they get those rigid circuit boards into such an unsuitable form-factor. Well, thanks to those scalpel-happy boffins at the FCC's underground bunker, wonder no more. Nike's FuelBand was wheeled in on a trolley and torn (quite literally) to pieces, and we felt we just had to share the pictures with you. A long peruse of the user manual revealed that the two metal extender links (for bigger-wristed enthusiasts) have to be swapped out using a sizing tool -- but the manual notes that if one isn't to hand, a bent paperclip will suffice. The documents also revealed that it's using a TI CC2564 Bluetooth radio and a stack provided by Stonestreet One. The monopole antenna is etched directly into the substrate of the flexible circuit board -- ensuring it'll bend around your bones and still operate. We also learned that once connected to your cellphone, it'll sit in a low-power "sniff mode," for two minutes and if there's no further activity it'll shut down. Of course, what's interesting to you (and us, honestly) is all the pictures in the second gallery, so get looking!
The Nike+ FuelBand measures activity in NikeFuel, ready for your NikeLife
While Nike might have beat competitors like the MotoACTV and Jawbone Up to the active bracelet market over two years ago, its original endeavor, the Nike+ SportBand, was getting long in the tooth. That changes today with the introduction of the far sleeker Nike+ FuelBand. It's much in the vein of the original, except boasts a more attractive 20 LED dot-matrix display and can measure activity in a new unit the company calls NikeFuel. That latter bit is a normalized score that unlike calories "awards equal points for the same activity regardless of physical makeup." We'll have to see about that, but we're definitively smitten with its design and that row of colorful LEDs that progressively fills as one gets closer to reaching their intended goal. The $149 pre-orders go live on the company's online store at 5PM ET, but those interested ought to peep the PR and video after the break.
