Nike+ FuelBand

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Nike FuelBand
Manufacturer Nike Inc.
Type Activity Tracker
Release date February 22, 2012 (2012-02-22)
Connectivity Bluetooth

The Nike+ FuelBand is an activity tracker that is worn on the wrist and is to be used with an Apple iPhone or iPad device.

As part of the Quantified Self movement, the FuelBand allows its wearers to track their physical activity, steps taken daily, and amount of calories burned. The information from the wristband is integrated into the Nike+ online community and phone application, allowing wearers to set their own fitness goals, monitor their progression, and compare themselves to others part of the community. Nike+ relies on the gamification of fitness activities turning all tracked movement into NikeFuel points, which can unlock achievements, can be shared with friends, or can be used to engage others in competition.

Development History

Nike+ FuelBand

Nike Fuelband was created in Orlando, Florida

Nike+ FuelBand SE

The SE has Bluetooth 4.0, automatically synchronizing with the Nike Activity tracker mobile app. Like the Jawbone UP24 and FitBit Force, The Nike+ Fuelband SE can now track your sleep schedule. Introduced the new feature "sessions". Released November 27th, 2013 for $149.99. Only available for iOS 7--- devices(11/28/2013).[1] Battery Life: 8 days

Launch

The FuelBand became available for pre-order for U.S. customers online at NikeStore.com on January 19, 2012,[2] and was officially released in the U.S. at select Nike stores on February 22, 2012.[3] Initially the FuelBand was available in only one colour, "Black Steel", but a limited edition "Ice" colour was released on July 27, 2012, and following that, on October 31, 2012, "White Ice" and "Black Ice" began retail in both Nike and Apple stores.[4] October 31 also marked the launch of Nike+ FuelBand in Canada,[5] while earlier in the year on May 1, 2012, the FuelBand was released in the United Kingdom for £139.[6]

Sales

Nike Inc.'s Equipment division saw an 18% rise in profits for the 2012 fiscal year after introduction of the Nike+ FuelBand, in comparison to the -1% loss during the 2011 fiscal year.[7] Before the FuelBand's official American release, it was open for pre-order online, and was sold out both times within the same day.[8][9] A consumer on Twitter timed one of the pre-order periods to be exactly 4 minutes before all FuelBands were sold out and Nikestore.com was overloaded due to customer traffic.[10] Nike+ FuelBands were being sold on eBay during the first couple of months after pre-order for approximately double the retail price.[11]

Web community

The FuelBand comes with access to the Nike+ web community that is setup via the Nike+ Connect Software. The software is a necessary component of the activity tracking, as the customization of personal statistics through the software is what enables the FuelBand to calculate the amount of calories burned, as well as the number of NikeFuel points gained. The Nike+ web community allows product owners to create an online profile where they can showcase their personal statistics, such as how many goals have been met, how many steps have been taken, and how many NikeFuel points have been amassed. The profile also displays the trophies and achievements an individual has unlocked, and can be integrated with Facebook and Twitter in order to connect with friends. Upon logging into the Nike+ site, users are given a graphical display of their daily activity, proximity to hitting their goal, positive feedback, and recommendations for more activities. The website also has an activity section that gives a graphical breakdown of a user's total activity by year, month, and day.[12]

Mobile application

The FuelBand has a mobile phone application that is compatible with only iOS 5.0+. The Nike+ FuelBand application is an on-the-go addition to the web community; it syncs information from the wristband to the iPhone (or iPad) via Bluetooth, and subsequently uploads the information to the Nike+ site. Users are able to change their daily goal, unlock achievements, see activity breakdown, and connect with friends through the mobile application.[13] The Nike+ FuelBand application is 142 MB, free to download, and has a 4+ rating on the iTunes store.[14]

Specifications

  • Sizes (circumference): small (5.97 in), medium (6.77 in), large (7.76 in)
Can be customized to fit using 0.32in or 0.63in inserts.
  • Width: 0.63in at LED, 0.75in at latch
  • Thickness: 0.27in at LED, 0.32in at latch
  • Weight: 27 g - 35 g (higher end includes insert)
  • Battery type: 2 Lithium Polymer Batteries (3.7 V)
  • Battery life: up to 7 days
  • Display type: 20 color red/green LED, 100 white LED
  • Display Modes:
  1. Time
  2. Calories burned
  3. Steps taken
  4. NikeFuel earned
  • Materials: Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) 43%, Polypropylene (PP) 34%, Magnesium 14%, Stainless Steel 9%
  • Warranty: 1 year out of box
  • Water Resistant: Yes
  • Waterproof: No

[15]

Nike+ API

On December 3, 2012, Hacknikefuelband.com received a cease and desist notice from Nike Inc. A month later Nike Inc. announces its Nike+ API, allowing developers "to explore the Nike+ API using the developer’s own profile and activity data, including NikeFuel, running pace and distance, running routes, records, streaks and more." [16]

Reception

As a device that sits on the wrist, the FuelBand has a difficult time tracking activities that rely solely upon lower body movement (such as a spin class) and it does not fare well for resistance based activities including weight lifting and yoga workouts. The FuelBand is water resistant, but not waterproof, thus it cannot be used for any in-water activities (e.g., swimming, wakeboarding, or surfing). FuelBand wearers have found that bumpy car rides can increase NikeFuel points[17] and that vigorous arm shaking also amounts to a significant point increase.

Michael Kim, who specializes in designing software to influence behaviours, critiques the FuelBand as not being sustainable in the long-haul, saying, "Points and badges do not lead to behavior change." [18] On the other hand, a nutritionist professor at Ryerson University is quoted as saying, “Anything that motivates exercise is a good thing, it could be really useful for people that need the support", and despite finding the FuelBand a useful tool for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, she also points out the FuelBand neglects to take into account caloric intake.[19]

Competition

The Nike+ FuelBand is in direct competition with Jawbone UP, Basis Watch, and Fitbit Flex. The FuelBand is also being compared to other fitness trackers that are not wrist-based, including the rest of the Fitbit Tracker family. While the Jawbone comes in more colors, has a longer battery life of up to 10 days, tracks sleep, and has a vibrational feedback for inactivity, the Fuelband has an LED screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and improved web content including the proprietary NikeFuel.[20] The Basis watch comes at a higher price than the FuelBand.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jerkovich, Nick. "The new Nike+ Fuelband SE". 
  2. ↑ Nike Inc. "Nike FuelBand Makes Life a Sport". Retrieved 2013-02-06. 
  3. ↑ Nike Inc. "Nike Fuelband Insider". Retrieved 2013-02-06. 
  4. ↑ Nike Inc. "Nike Launches New FuelBand Colors". Retrieved 2013-02-06. 
  5. ↑ Erick Bauer. "Nike Fuelband Launches in Canada". NewsWire. Retrieved 2013-02-06. 
  6. ↑ Mike Dent. "Nike unveils Fuelband, its 24/7 fitness-monitoring Jawbone Up rival". Wired UK. Retrieved 2013-02-06. 
  7. ↑ "Form 10-K for Nike Inc. on 24-Jul-2012". Yahoo! Business. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  8. ↑ Nikestore on Twitter
  9. ↑ Olsen Hanna Brooke. "Nike+ Fuel Band Review Roundup: Possibly Worth The Hype". Bliss Tree. Retrieved 2013-02-010. 
  10. ↑ Kamer Foster. "Nike’s Fuelband, the Shiny iOS-Powered New Fitness Gadget, Sold Out in Four Minutes". The New York Observer. Retrieved 2013-02-010. 
  11. ↑ Munarriz Rick. "Just Fuel It? Nike Fans Get Exercised Over FuelBands". Daily Finance. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  12. ↑ Wiese Alec. "Nike+ FuelBand Review". TechSPCE. Retrieved 2013-02-09. 
  13. ↑ Shakeshaft Jordan. "Tech Spotlight: Nike+ FuelBand". The Greatist. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  14. ↑ "Nike+ FuelBand for iPhone". iTunes. Retrieved 2013-02-09. 
  15. ↑ Nike Inc. "Nike+ Fuelband Online Manual". Retrieved 2013-02-05. 
  16. ↑ Nike Inc. "Nike Api Playground Now Open". Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  17. ↑ Ray. "Nike FuelBand In-Depth Review". DC Rainmaker. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  18. ↑ Wortham Jenna. "It’s Hard to Stay Friends With a Digital Exercise Monitor". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  19. ↑ Ptashnick Victoria. "Nike+ FuelBand for sale in Canada, but it’s not for everyone". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 
  20. ↑ Syouzi. "Nike+ Fuelband vs Jawbone Up vs Fitbit Ultra". FashioningTech. Retrieved 2013-02-10. 

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