by Larry Eder
Nike introduced this category buster at the CES show, January 7-9 in Las Vegas. If Garmin
never thought that they had a bullseye on them, they will now. Using
technology from TomTom, Nike has gone to the front of the row with this
product, and the consumers will be buying them as if they were the next
coming. The Nike+SportWatch GPS is no longer a whisper-it will knock its competition over the head.
I have used all of the Nikeplus products since their launch in 2006, and the evolution has been fascinating. With products from Timex and Nike, Garmin now has, not only real competitors, but a competitor like Nike who can spend what they will on marketing such a product.
Like Apple, the Swooshvolk in Beaverton
knows that design sells and cool design sells even faster. Using
digital assets to get the word out, Nike included not only a press
release, but also video and photos of the new product.
The Nike+SportWatch will be available in the US and UK around April 1. Watch for a review here as soon as we can get product.
NIKE AND TOMTOM UNVEIL GAME-CHANGING
NIKE+ SPORTWATCH GPS
New Watch Delivers World’s Most Dynamic Running
Experience
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (January 5, 2011) – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) and TomTom
(AEX: TOM2) have collaborated to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by
TomTom. The new running watch, unveiled today at the 2011 International Consumer
Electronics Show, will provide athletes with the most dynamic and motivational
running experience in the world thanks to its unique functionality, beautiful
design, and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com,
the world’s leading running community with almost 4 million members.
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is
designed for high-performance with an extremely clear and
readable user interface that delivers the information necessary to the user while
in-run. It adds personalization and motivational features to the running
experience, including audible sounds, challenges, run reminders and more.
“The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is
a game-changing product that furthers our commitment to provide all athletes
with unparalleled motivation and the tools to get better,” said Stefan Olander,
VP of Nike Digital Sport.
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is
scheduled to be at retail stores and online in the U.S. and the U.K. beginning
April 1. Broader distribution is scheduled for July 1. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS
will be previewed for consumers at Nikerunning.com and TomTom.com beginning
today.
“It is part of TomTom
Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast-growing sports and fitness market.
This true partnership with Nike combines the strengths of two leading companies
to deliver a game-changing product for runners,” said Corinne Vigreux, Managing
Director, TomTom Consumer. TomTom is the world’s leading provider of location
and navigation solutions.
On-Watch Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is
designed to be simple and intuitive with only three buttons and a Tap Screen
for navigation. During the run, the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS captures location
information while showing runners their time, distance, pace, and calories
burned on an easy-to-read screen featuring a customizable layout. Throughout
the run, the GPS receiver works in tandem with the shoe-based Nike+ Sensor to
deliver highly accurate pace and distance data.
On-watch features include:
·
Tap Screen for setting
laps and activating backlight
·
Run History with data
from past runs
·
Personal Records
including those imported from Nikeplus.com
·
Quick Start with optional shoe-based Nike+ Sensor
·
Heart Rate Monitor
compatibility
Some of the unique
motivating factors the Nike+ SportWatch GPS offer runners on-screen include:
·
Recognition (or
“Attaboys”) for personal records
·
Run Reminders that
appear after five days if a run has not been logged
·
Post-run
acknowledgement and encouragement
Post-Run Experience
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS
plugs neatly into any USB port on a Mac or PC, then immediately launches the
Nike+ Connect interface which automatically transfers information to www.nikeplus.com.
“With more than 150 million
runs logged since its launch in 2006, Nikeplus.com captures the pulse of the
running world everyday,” added Olander.
Nikeplus.com presents
runners with the GPS mapping, total miles, pace and elevation data for their
most recent run in a rich and engaging way that will be familiar to users of
the popular Nike+ GPS iPhone application.
“Providing runners with
accurate pace, distance and location information during and after their run
gives them the information they need to better train and track their progress,”
added Vigreux.
Data from each run is
automatically applied to all current Nike+ Challenges, Nike+ Goals, and Nike+
Coach programs in which the runner is participating.
Additional Features at
Nikeplus.com
Athletes who want to get the
most out of their run and from the Nike+ SportWatch GPS will have access to a
huge catalogue of run routes logged by Nike and published by other runners on
streets and trails around the world.
Each run will be graphically
mapped with the help of TomTom technology, and include route notes, elevation
and length. Runners will also be able to find the perfect route by searching
the catalogue by location, length, difficulty, and even landmarks.
Since the 2006 launch of
Nike+ in partnership with Apple, a variety of Nike+ enabled devices have been
introduced to help runners reach their full potential including the Nike+ iPod
Sport Kit for iPod nano and iPod touch, the Nike+ SportBand, and the new Nike+
GPS App for use with the iPhone.
NOTE: Additional imagery
available at www.nikemedia.com, video
available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XqELGTGXNM
###
About
Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer,
marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and
accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned
Nike subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes
athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Cole Haan, which designs, markets
and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Umbro Ltd., a
leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand; and Hurley
International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth
lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.
About TomTom N.V.
TomTom N.V. (AEX: TOM2) is the world’s leading
provider of location and navigation solutions. Headquartered in The
Netherlands, it employs over 3,000 employees worldwide. Over 45 million people
daily use its solutions, be it in the form of dedicated portable navigation
devices (PNDs), in-dash car systems or tracking and tracing solutions for fleet
management. In addition, hundreds of millions of people use TomTom’s digital
maps on the internet or mobile phone.
In 2009, TomTom reported €1.5 billion in revenues and
a €340 million net cash flow from operating activities. More information about
TomTom can be found on www.TomTom.com.
For
the world’s most up-to-date route planner, including LIVE traffic information
visit: www.routes.TomTom.com.
