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The Engadget Podcast Ep 16: Feds Watching
Managing editor Dana Wollman and senior editor Devindra Hardawar join host Terrence O'Brien to talk about the week's biggest tech news, including Nike's new self-lacing shoes, Netlix's offline mode and "yelfies." Then they'll rant about what's been bother them this week, whether that's DirecTV, crappy touchpads or Amazon's convoluted pile of apps. Lastly they'll try to unravel the complicated mess that is Rule 41 and what it means for privacy in America.
A first look at Nike's self-lacing HyperAdapt sneakers
More than eight months after introducing the HyperAdapt 1.0, Nike is finally making its highly anticipated self-lacing shoes available to the public. The sneaker costs a whopping $720 and is pitched as the consumer version of Nike's 2016 Mag, the model inspired by the film Back to the Future Part II. Obviously, what makes them both stand out are their power laces, because who can resist not having to tie their own shoes? I tried on the HyperAdapts at a private event in New York City, and despite wearing the limited-edition Mags before, I couldn't help but feel tickled when I first put on the new pair.
Nike's self-lacing HyperAdapt shoes cost $720
Even if you couldn't get your hands on an ultra-exclusive pair of Power Mags, there is a way to get self-lacing Nikes in 2016. The company's HyperAdapt 1.0 shoes are about to go on sale, and they automatically adjust when the wearer puts them on. Despite internet rumors suggesting they would retail for more than $1,000 YouTuber Jacques Slade confirmed the correct price of $720.
The Morning After: Monday, November 14, 2016
Engadget's weekend included a Japan-only Kindle made for manga and comics, an early tour of Nike's tech-packed store in NYC and staring at a supermoon. So it wasn't a bad weekend. This week, expect to hear plenty of car news direct from the LA Auto Show. And even if you're no petrolhead, there should be more than enough tech news, reviews and occasionally furious editorials to get you through the week.
Nike's new store in New York City is loaded with tech
SoHo is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York City. It's home to hundreds of shops from some of the most popular brands, including Apple, Adidas and, as of last month, Google. Now you can add Nike to this list. On November 18th, the sportswear giant will open a five-story 55,000-square-foot space loaded with technology, from 3D-printed decorations (pictured above) to a Kinect-powered basketball court. There are also other simple, yet useful, things such as Apple Pay support and large touchscreens on walls that help you call an associate or buy products on the spot.
Adidas made an ocean-plastic shoe you can actually buy
Late last year, Adidas teamed up with Parley, an organization raising awareness against ocean pollution, to design a partially 3D-printed shoe made from up-cycled marine plastic. Then, in 2016, the two companies took that partnership one step further with the limited-edition Adidas x Parley, a running sneaker that also featured materials created from ocean waste. Ultimately, both of these concepts pave the way for what the sportswear giant is announcing today: the UltraBoost Uncaged Parley.
Nike's power-laced Mags net millions for Parkinson's research
All the nostalgia around Nike's self-lacing shoe, the 2016 Mag, came together in a major way for a great cause. Today, the sportswear titan revealed it raised $6.75 million through its online raffle and two auctions, with all proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation. The money, as a refresher, will help the organization try to find a cure for Parkinson's disease. Michael J. Fox, who starred in the Back to the Future II film that made the sneakers popular, suffers from Parkinson's himself.
Nike's self-lacing Mags are hot, won't catch fire
For Nike, yesterday was the culmination of a passion project which began in 2007. It was then that iconic designer Tinker Hatfield, who is behind the most popular Air Jordan models, took on the task of creating an innovative shoe based on the one worn by Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in Back to the Future Part II. Now, as demoed by Fox himself last year, the Nike Mag is finally more than a film prop, thanks to a self-lacing technology the sportswear giant calls "Adaptive Fit."
Nike's 'Back to the Future' shoes can be yours in a raffle
The Nike Mag, aka Back to the Future sneakers, have been a work in progress since 2011. However, it wasn't until 2015 that they featured the self-lacing technology which made them a pop culture hit. Now, after a brief tease by Michael J. Fox last year, Nike today announced its plans for a general (albeit very limited) release of its second-gen Mags, this time with the "Adaptive Fit" laces that tighten themselves. Here's how it works: Nike has opened an online raffle for people to have a chance at winning a pair, where they can buy an unlimited amount of tickets for $10 each.
Recommended Reading: A closer look at Nike's self-lacing shoes
The Secret Lab Where Nike Invented the Power-Lacing Shoe of Our Dreams Scott Eden, Wired Nike announced this week that it's self-lacing HyperAdapt shoes will go on sale November 28th. They're sure to be crazy limited, but the company invited Wired in for a behind-the-scenes look at the shoe's development. You might have a hard time grabbing a pair of your own, but at least you can take a closer look at the design process via some leisurely reading.
Nike's self-lacing HyperAdapt shoes go on sale November 28th
Nike designer Tinker Hatfield promised us power-lacing shoes to mimic the kicks from Back to the Future in 2016, and now we know what day they'll go on sale. The Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 will be available at "select" retail locations by appointment beginning November 28th. The company brought Wired in for a look behind the scenes of the shoe's development, but we're expecting more details, like how to set up an appointment and pricing, in the coming weeks.
Nike and EA bring back 1994 with 16-bit soccer shoes
Every year since 1994, EA Sports has added a new game to its FIFA video game line-up. Next week marks the release of FIFA 17, its 24th instalment, and to celebrate, the company has teamed up with Nike to create a limited edition Mercurial Superfly cleat (or boot if you speak the Queen's English). According to Nike, these slick soccer shoes chart the advancements of the game over the past two decades -- nerdy they are not.
The Engadget Podcast, Ep 5: Applesauce
Editor in Chief Michael Gorman, executive editor Christopher Trout and managing editor Dana Wollman join host Terrence O'Brien for a special all Apple edition of the podcast from San Francisco. On the show they'll search for the definition of courage, tell you what it's really like on the floor of a major press event and give a state of the Apple union.
The Apple Watch Nike+ is a running watch I might actually use
I've been wearing the original Apple Watch every day for the past eight months, but never as a running watch. As much as I enjoy the device for its notifications, slick Activity app and stylish design, I would never, ever trust it on a training run. My hangup, and many runners' hangup, has been the lack of a GPS radio. Without that crucial bit of technology, the distance tracking is off -- and no, running with your iPhone on your person to triangulate your location isn't the same. Needless to say, if your distance tracking is inaccurate, your average pace will be inaccurate, and to a runner, even a casual one, that is bad news indeed. So until now, I've been sticking with my trusty Garmin Forerunner watch, even as I continue to use the Apple Watch for everyday step-tracking. With the newest-gen Apple Watch, though, I might be willing to reconsider.
Apple and Nike have made a special edition Watch Series 2
Looks like Tim Cook's appointment as lead independent director on Nike's board earlier this year preempted a deeper relationship forming between the two companies. Alongside the Apple Watch Series 2 with built-in GPS, a special Nike+ edition of the wearable was announced on stage today. Aimed squarely at runners, the Nike version features custom software including special watch faces and the Run Club app. This is for quick-starting workouts, receiving personal coaching plans and keeping you motivated with various reasons you might want to get that lactic acid flowing, such as pitting you against friends or reminding you it's nice outside.
Nike used 3D printing and Olympic sprinters to design its new track shoe
When Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce competes in the women's 100m and 4x100m relay at the Olympics this month, she'll do so wearing what Nike claims is one of its most advanced track and field shoes yet. The 29-year-old Jamaican, who is favored for gold in Rio, actually helped Nike design her new spikes, the Zoom Superfly Elite. In the years leading up to the 2016 summer games, she worked with Nike's Sport Research Lab to figure out the ideal performance for a sprinter silhouette. Among other experiments, she test-3D-printed prototypes of the spikes, which were tailor-made based on captured data that measured her speed on the track and, most importantly, off the blocks.
Nike's latest soccer cleat is its most data-driven shoe yet
In soccer, like most other sports, footwear plays a major role in helping athletes perform at their best. Your shoes say a lot about who you are as a player, and you need them almost as much as you need the ball to play. This week, soccer pros all over the world will test-drive Nike's latest flagship football boot, known as the Magista 2. Unlike the original, released in 2014, Nike says its new model is fully driven by two years of research. Over that span, the sportswear giant relied on collecting athlete data and 3D-printed prototypes to build the design that hits stores tomorrow.
Apple CEO Tim Cook takes a new role on Nike's board
A leadership change at Nike is affecting Tim Cook's role with the apparel maker slightly. Cook, a Nike board member since 2005, is now the lead independent director of the board. The reason why Nike needs one now is because founder Phil Knight is retiring from his position as chairman of the board.
Nike FuelBand designers bought by a consulting giant
Synapse, a key creator of the Nike+ FuelBand (among other gadgets), is moving on to greener pastures. Product development giant Cambridge Consultants has bought Synapse for an unspecified amount. As Cambridge's parent company Altran says, this is all about giving Cambridge a product development foothold in the American West -- it can design gear for partners ranging from the UK to Silicon Valley. It's part of a plan to double the size of Cambridge by 2020.
How Instagram became the perfect platform for streetwear resellers
Instagram isn't just about pictures of food. Search certain hashtags -- #yeezysforsale, for example -- and you'll find countless images of the most in-demand streetwear. Behind those photos are resellers who have turned the social network into a platform for buying, selling and trading items. This is where those coveted Yeezy sneakers end up for resale, often in the thousands of dollars. The same goes for limited-edition Air Jordans or clothing from Supreme, a New York City-based brand that's taking a particular section of the fashion world by storm.
