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NikeFuel integration is coming to MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava
Nike's line of FuelBand wearables has been a popular choice for those looking to keep tabs on daily activity, but Fuel tallies haven't meant much outside of the company's own apps. Now, with the launch of the Nike+ Fuel Lab in San Francisco, the athletic outfit is looking to expand through partnerships and collaboration. Through the initiative, the Fuel platform will soon team up with "industry-leading companies" that include the likes of MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava. According to Nike, this means that over 100 million new participants will have access to its "common universal currency to monitor and evaluate" all kinds of activity. "The demand for simpler data-powered experiences is soaring, and all-day sensing is more available on mobile and wearable devices than ever before," said Nike VP of Digital Sport Stefan Olander. "Nike is committed to broadening the use of NikeFuel through collaborations with industry leaders to create smarter products and services." Unfortunately, there's no word on when the integration will begin just yet.
Nike+ Move for iPhone 5s is a gateway to activity apps, won't replace a FuelBand
While Apple was explaining the iPhone 5s' new M7 motion coprocessor, it mentioned a Nike+ Move tracking app that left us wondering about the FuelBand's fate -- is it redundant? In a word, no. Nike tells us that Move is simply an "introductory experience" that generates a Nike Fuel score based on day-to-day movements. Those serious about activity tracking will want to continue using a FuelBand or the Nike+ Running app, the company says. While that news may prove disappointing for some fitness gurus, we wouldn't be too worried at this stage -- there are likely to be at least a few apps that combine M7 support with advanced features.
Nike+ Running iOS update adds social challenges, trash talk
Sometimes you need a little extra encouragement to hit the trail. The latest update to Nike+ Running for iOS should give you that friend-based push to lace up when you're feeling particularly lazy. Social competitions make up most of what's new in version 4.3, bringing in the same functionality between the app and its Nike+ FuelBand counterpart. To start a challenge, simply set a distance, a duration and invite your buddies. From there, group chats allow for motivation (read: trash talk) and checking in on your temporary frenemies' progress. Each time you clown your pals, you'll earn a medal. Like Nike+ Fuel, what those are good for is anyone's guess. After you're done topping the leaderboards, sprint to Distro's latest issue for an inside look at the swoosh company's Accelerator startup program.
Nike selects ten companies to participate in Accelerator program
A couple of months after Nike opened its Accelerator startup program for registration, the sportswear giant has deemed just ten companies out of hundreds of applicants to be worthy enough to jump on board the Nike+ API train: FitDeck, GoRecess, Chroma.io, CoachBase, GoFitCause, HighFive, Sprout At Work, GeoPalz, Incomparable Things and RecBob. Selected ideas range from a deck of fitness cards to interactive gaming rewards. As a reminder, the TechStars-run program was designed to encourage companies to use Nike-collected data from devices like the Fuelband and the Sportswatch. As a reward for getting picked, the winners will undergo a three-month retreat in Portland, Oregon, where they'll develop and bring those solutions to fruition. Each company gets $20,000 to use to their advantage, along with expert advice from Nike-selected mentors. At the end of it all, they'll get to pitch their ideas to industry leaders and angel investors in the hopes of taking it to the next level. To find out what each selected participant offers, have a peek at the Nike source link below.
Nike+ opens up its APIs, lets developers see what NikeFuel really is
It looks like Nike+ is making moves to get more people playing with its gear. The Next Web reports that Nike has opened up its APIs on the company developer site today, which means devs now have a way to hook into the data all those FuelBands and SportWatches generate. Among these streams of info is access to a chronological list of user activities, GPS data, and the amount of NikeFuel earned both in total and on an individual activity basis. If that's got you dreaming up fitness apps and games, head on over to the source armed with your Nike+ login info, and that treasure trove of data can be yours to play with, too. TNW goes on to point out that the APIs were freed in conjunction with Nike's Accelerator startup program, on the off chance that any of those apps are part of a worthy business plan. In case you weren't aware, the Accelerator startup incubator's run by TechStars, the same people who also provide seed money and business guidance to aspiring Kinect devs. So, idea-men and women should feel free to embrace the Xbox collaboration possibilities knowing their angel funding's coming from folks who'll understand them. Sound like something you're into? The deadline to apply is February 3rd, so those applying best be ready to hit the ground running when the Accelerator starts a month later.
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.
TomTom's Nike+Sportwatch gets revamped, adds NikeFuel, subtracts price (video)
Nike and TomTom have updated the GPS-toting Sportwatch to include NikeFuel and maintain parity with its FuelBand active bracelet. NikeFuel is a universal standard that converts your exertions into a normalized score -- great for when you want to want to compare your exertions against friends with different hobbies. It's also heralding a revamped Nike Plus website where we hope it'll integrate with the recently announced Xbox edition. The Anthracite Blue Glow (or "Black and Blue") edition lacks a Nike+ shoe sensor so costs €150 ($190), while the other three colors will, pushing the price up to €170 ($215).
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.
