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Nike seeking to expand software partnership with Apple following shutdown of wearable tech division

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOCKp9eij3A]

Nike’s Mark Parker reveals some advice given to him by Steve Jobs (2010)

Earlier this week, it was revealed that Nike was winding down its wearable technology efforts with the intention of focusing on fitness software, such as thhe Nike+ Running app seen above. Today Nike CEO Mark Parker told CNBC (clip below) that the company is looking to expand its partnerships with other companies, including Apple.

Parker stopped short of saying that the two were collaborating on a future fitness endeavour (such as the iWatch), but said that Nike is interested in working with many companies looking to integrate its NikeFuel software into their hardware. Parker said that his goal is to reach a total NikeFuel user base of 100 million, over three times the current number of 30 million.

Specifically regarding Apple, Parker said that he is “excited” to see where the future relationship between the two companies takes them. The Nike+ app is included on all new iPhones that are sold, and is designed to work with the Nike+ athletic sensors for monitoring workout progress.

Though nothing of the sort has been confirmed, it would certainly be interesting to see Apple’s upcoming Healthbook app integrate Nike’s software as a logical extension of the built-in Nike+ application. This could allow users to take even more health and fitness-related data into account when tallying up their FuelPoints.

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Comments

  1. MaRico NoHands Spikes - 10 years ago

    It’s crazy how a computer tech company can get a shoe/fitness apparel company to side step on a project that they have a very big lead on in the market.
    I wonder if the same deal would ever go down if TC wasn’t on Nikes Board.
    IMO The more and more I’m getting out of the ‘iBand/iWatch’ theory is it’s gonna be at least $400-$800, why that figure, cause it’s Apple, my point it’s not gonna be a low budget device.
    Only time will tell.

    • liquidwolverine1 - 10 years ago

      Wouldn’t make sense. Nike stopped their production to work more with Apple. They want to increase their user base from 30 million to 100 million. A watch costing $400-800 will not achieve that goal. If that were the case, Nike would have kept their hardware and also branched out to Apple as well.
      I see the watch starting around $200-300. Cost could go up based on the band style.

      • liquidwolverine1 - 10 years ago

        But the band would be an accessory.

      • Ethan Morgan (@duepeak) - 10 years ago

        That’s an interesting thought. Perhaps the main watch face (if thats the direction they go) will be sold and the band will be purchased separately, offering more expensive bands for different tastes. Would even allow 3rd parties to make bands as well.

      • MaRico NoHands Spikes - 10 years ago

        Like any company never made a ‘non-sense’ idea

  2. Barry Kushner - 10 years ago

    Why is John Mellencamp representing Nike?

  3. irelandjnr - 10 years ago

    I’m thinking iWatch start out at $299.