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Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

cnet.com

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Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#11

Post by Jtsummers »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #6
interpares wrote: post #2

Not a fortuneteller but my guess is they're giving up way too early. One of the few mass-market, non-tech companies that actually had a shot in wearables.

With the iPhone having the M7 built-in is there any need for the Nike FuelBand? I find data from the M7 to be quite accurate. Seems like they can just create the software and let Apple (and eventually Android device makers) build the hardware.

But you can't always have your phone with you. It's not effective for the same use-case when you've handed it to someone else to use the phone or when you're out playing soccer (well some people might keep their phone on them on the field but I don't).

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#12

Post by rch »

changdizzle wrote: post #8

Even more amazing is that it was first reported on Secret a week ago: https://www.secret.ly/p/uxaztevdcicghcabkkczuzkpkz

> Mostly because the execs committed gross negligence, wasted tons of money, and didn't know what they were doing

This was my impression of how things were going even last year when they had that app development contest. It seemed a little desperate, right out of the gate.

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#13

Post by microtonal »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #6
interpares wrote: post #2

Not a fortuneteller but my guess is they're giving up way too early. One of the few mass-market, non-tech companies that actually had a shot in wearables.

With the iPhone having the M7 built-in is there any need for the Nike FuelBand? I find data from the M7 to be quite accurate. Seems like they can just create the software and let Apple (and eventually Android device makers) build the hardware.

I use a Garmin Forerunner. Before I used an iPhone. Not only is the Forerunner a far more accurate GPS and has better battery life, it's also far more convenient to 'carry' during running, since it's a simple and compact watch. Also, it's easy to monitor your stats at any moment, in contrast to iPhone arm bands.

In the end smart watches will probably eat this market. But the iPhone is certainly not a substitute.

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#14

Post by nanowatcher »

fidotron wrote: post #5

I'm seeing this from the bottom up in other areas. The general question being asked is "Isn't this actually just an app? Do we really need the device too?" And very often the answer is it's just an app. The Google coming in factor is not to be underestimated, however, what appears to be going on there is Google effectively ensuring no one (except Apple) gets to make money on wearable hardware. Apple will steal the pr…

You're reasoning is completely off. Google's Android wearables ensures nobody makes money on wearable OS i.e. software. Google has actually opened the door for companies to now make money on the wearables hardware since the software is standard. While Google launched wearable by focusing on the Now integration, there are still hints that fitness apps will be there at launch of the smartwatches. This is the first time Google and Apple are launching in a new category at the same time, it's a bit premature to conclude that Apple will capture the high-end (although they do have iOS customer captive in their ecosystem)

Nike doesn't figure into this at all. The fuelband never even worked with Android devices (Tim Cook holding a spot on the Nike board for the past 9 years might do something with that). Mike's play is to get out of the wristband business before Apple jumps in while keeping their Nike+ integration with Apple via software and SHOES (Nike's real business) as done previously. However if this new upcoming Nike+ API can be used by Android devices it would represent the first real shift in Nike's strategy

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#15

Post by leoc »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #6
interpares wrote: post #2

Not a fortuneteller but my guess is they're giving up way too early. One of the few mass-market, non-tech companies that actually had a shot in wearables.

With the iPhone having the M7 built-in is there any need for the Nike FuelBand? I find data from the M7 to be quite accurate. Seems like they can just create the software and let Apple (and eventually Android device makers) build the hardware.

The iPhone's still a heavy, bulky, expensive and fragile thing to take with you to the gym or out running, as are other smartphones. The screen is also not easy to interact with while you're exercising seriously. However, smartwatches or smartglasses with 5s-level-or-better motion sensing and the capacity to run apps independently of a smartphone do have to the potential to make dedicated fitness trackers mostly obsolete, though expense and fragility will still be concerns.

EDIT: This Gruber reaction http://www.cnet.com/news/nike-fires-fuelband-engineers-will-... heightens my suspicion that this is an early omen of an Apple smartwatch launch.

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#17

Post by lnanek2 »

nanowatcher wrote: post #14
fidotron wrote: post #5

I'm seeing this from the bottom up in other areas. The general question being asked is "Isn't this actually just an app? Do we really need the device too?" And very often the answer is it's just an app. The Google coming in factor is not to be underestimated, however, what appears to be going on there is Google effectively ensuring no one (except Apple) gets to make money on wearable hardware. Apple will steal the pr…

You're reasoning is completely off. Google's Android wearables ensures nobody makes money on wearable OS i.e. software . Google has actually opened the door for companies to now make money on the wearables hardware since the software is standard. While Google launched wearable by focusing on the Now integration, there are still hints that fitness apps will be there at launch of the smartwatches. This is the first tim…

Honestly, Google does prevent almost anyone from making money off the hardware as well. I was at an Android OEM when Google first started sourcing their own Nexus line at cut throat prices and Android hardware projects were definitely canceled because we just couldn't compete with Google. Samsung is about the only one that can since they have massive economic advantages due to making most of their own parts. Other Android OEMs make very little numbers or profit.

Re: Nike fires majority of FuelBand team, will stop making wearable hardware

#18

Post by 0x0 »

napoleoncomplex wrote: post #10

It's surprising to see it so early, but they probably see the writing on the wall. Once Android Wear and Apple wearables start rolling out, it's going to be a slaughter out there. Apple and Nike teaming up for the iWatch launch is probably a safe bet now too.

Interesting to note that Tim Cook is on the Nike board, while iOS8 is rumored to feature a new "healthbook" type app, plus all those iWatch rumors.
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