From hardware maker to platform provider, a part of Nike is turning into a software company. No longer will Nike+ health and fitness app work exclusively with Nike-made gadgets; instead, the company is allowing other wearable device owners to join the party. Namely, we’re talking about those with fitness equipment from Garmin, TomTom, Wahoo Fitness and Netpulse.
Even though Nike was one of the pioneers of the fitness band market, it failed to stay relevant with the rise of Fitbit and Jawbone.“Together with best-in-class partners like Garmin, TomTom, Wahoo Fitness and Netpulse, we can now deliver these experiences to even more runners, regardless of where they run or the device they prefer to run with,” said Adam Roth, VP of Nike Global Running Brand Marketing. “These partnerships are all about the runner – giving him or her even more ways to access the rewarding benefits of being a Nike+ Running member.”
To accommodate the change, Nike has updated both its iOS and Android apps. The Android version got improved shoe-tagging and a new auto-pause feature, while the iOS app will be enhanced with in-run music controls and access to route maps, along with an optimized armband mode.
Even though Nike was one of the pioneers of the fitness band market having launching the Nike FuelBand in January 2012, it failed to stay relevant with the rise of companies like Fitbit and Jawbone. Moreover, it’s now also facing competition from a growing number of smart watch makers.
Nike previously partnered with Samsung to offer the Nike+ Running App on the Gear S smartwatch.
[Via: CNet]