17 Oct Nike to open tech-development office in San Francisco, unveils new FuelBand version
Nike on Tuesday announced two key developments in its expanding technology world.
The Washington County-based company said it was creating a Nike+ Fuel Lab in San Francisco, a successor to the Nike+ Accelerator program that had been based in Portland.
“The 2014 Nike+ Fuel Lab is designed for tech companies with an existing product offering and a desire to help people live more active lives,” says a news release. “Ten partner companies will be selected and given tools, resources and support to bring an integrated product to market by the end of the 12-week program. ”
In the 12-week Accelerator program, Nike provided mentorship, tools and connections for the 10 companies selected to participate, culminating with presentations to potential investors.
Also on Tuesday in New York, a new version of the Nike+ FuelBand was introduced. The Nike+ FuelBand SE offers more features than its predecessor, which was introduced in early 2012. the FuelBand SE will be available Nov. 6 for $149.
In addition, Nike announced that a new version of the Nike+ Running App for iPhone will allow users to share photos through social media platforms. And an auto-pause feature will use the app’s GPS technology to detect when the runner has stopped and automatically pauses the workout. When the app pauses, the camera icon pops up to enable picture taking.
And Nike introduced the Nike+ Move App for iPhone 5S. The app measures when, where and how the user moves.
At an investor event last week on the World Headquarters campus, Nike said about 15,000 people a day join Nike+, adding to the 20 million existing members.
— Allan Brettman