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Nike

HyperAdapt 1 nike self lacing tying sneaker
Shoes, Wearable Technology

Nike Announces First Mass Produced Self Lacing Sneaker

HyperAdapt 1.0 nike self lacing tying sneaker Nike+

There was a lot of excitement last October when Nike unveiled that it was actually going to release the self-tying Nike Mag from Back To The Future 2. Unfortunately the sneakers, which launch next month, will be very limited in quantity and only available via auction (which translates to prices possibly north of $10,000). That means the dream of “futuristic” self-lacing shoes is still only a dream for most of us…that is until last night when Nike announced the HyperAdapt 1.0. The HyperAdapt 1.0 will be the first mass produced self-tying sneaker. When you slide the shoe on and press your heel down, the laces engage and automatically tighten around your foot. Small buttons on the side of the shoe allow you to make micro adjustments to the tightness, either loosening or tightening the laces as needed. If your feet swell when you run, no need to stop, re-adjust, and re-tie your shoes, just tap the loosen button. Eventually Nike envisions shoes that will automatically sense when they need to adjust their fit and make the necessary tweaks. If you liked the bling from the Nike Mags, you can rest soundly because the new HyperAdapt also has LED lights. The HyperAdapt 1.0 is expected to launch in time for the holidays and we are guessing it will be on a lot of wish lists (we cannot wait to get our hands on a pair)! Pricing has not be announced, but no matter what it will cost less than a pair of Mags would set you back. When the shoes launch, they will be available exclusively through the Nike+ app. Speaking of which, the app is about to receive a shopping oriented makeover in the coming months [the Nike+ running app needs lots of updates but shopping was not one of them, just restore our map data you lost last summer and fall Nike!].  

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OMsignal Hexoskin Smart Software Update Indiegogo OMrun OMbra Strava Nike Plus Runkeeper MapMyRuns
Clothing, Sports

Both OMsignal and Hexoskin Expand Smartshirt’s Software Offerings

OMsignal Hexoskin Smart Software Update Indiegogo OMrun OMbra Strava Nike Plus Runkeeper MapMyRuns

We are well past a year since the launch of both Hexoskin’s and OMsignal’s smartshirts. These compression shirts (and now sports bra) monitor everything from breathing, to heart rate, to movement. They present the information as raw data and as a summary of fitness levels. At CES this year, both companies took advantage of the venue to announce expanded software offerings. OMsignal introduced the new OMrun platform – a very logic next step for the company, especially with the launch of the OMbra. OMrun looks to offer a suite of data that is especially tailored to helping runners understand an improve their performance. Among the new metrics are cadence, distance, Running Economy (how much O2 you need to travel a distance), and Breathing Rhythm (the number of footsteps per breath in or out). Along with the new focus on running, OMsignal has added new services to connect with, including Runkeeper, Strava, and Nike+. OMrun will launch this spring.  

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2015 Gift Guide Best Fashion Tech
Gift Guide

2015 Gift Guide: Fashion Tech

2015 Gift Guide Best Fashion Tech

Fashion tech promises to seamlessly integrate technology into clothing. It has the potential to allow garments to respond to the surrounding environment, to better express one’s style, and to be simpler and more ecological to manufacture; fashion technology feels like the exciting next frontier of clothing. But it is an uphill battle, both from a technology and perception standpoint. After years of hiding our phones away in our pockets, smartwatches are slowing introducing the public to the idea of wearing a piece of technology. The idea is still fairly foreign though and it is an uphill battle to overcome the ‘nerdy’ image people associate with any kind of wearable technology. Additionally, batteries and electronics need to reach milestones of miniaturization, durability, and longevity for the true potential of fashion and technology to be realized. That said, we have seen a lot of exciting ideas in fashion tech this year. Whether it is Rebecca Street’s LED dress or Chromat’s breathing sports bra, most of the current fashion tech concepts are still relegated to the runway…but not all of them. In this gift guide we take a look at some of our favorite fashion tech that you can own!  

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Nike Air Mags Self Lacing Back To The Future 2 Power
Shoes

Self Lacing Nike Sneakers Officially Launching In 2016 (UPDATED)

Nike Air Mags Self Lacing Back To The Future 2 Power

UPDATE: Nike has posted about Michael J. Fox’s pair #1 of the new Nike Mags. The post also (sadly) confirms the sneakers will only be released via a limited auction, similar to the 2011 version. Hopefully it is easier to obtain than a Pepsi Perfect.

While it might be missing the October 21st, 2015, Back To The Future Day, Nike will debut sneakers with a self lacing mechanism in Spring 2016. In a video posted to the MichaelJFox.org twitter feed, we see the Back To The Future star put on a pair of Air Mags with “power laces.” Much like in the movie, Marty Michael J. Fox is in shock as the sneakers tighten around his foot. We have to admit, there is something amazing, and slightly mind melting, about seeing him pull on the Air Mags just has he did on this day in the fictional 2015.

Currently little is known other than the tweet stating that it is real and coming next year. No word on if the self lacing technology will debut in a pair of Air Mags, but it would be a HUGE shame is it did not. “Spring 2016” cannot come soon enough! Oh, and Nike, please do all the fans a favor and not limit this to only a few hundred pair again.

 

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Sports

Nike Prototypes “Ice Hat” For Olympian Ashton Eaton

Nike Cooling Mask Ice hat

Olympic champion and  world record holder Ashton Eaton has been working with Nike to find new ways to help athletes feel refreshed and recharged. When Eaton competes in the decathlon he has to perform his best across 10 events over 2 days. To maximize his performance, he ideally would like to start each event feeling like it was his first; that involves reducing both mental and physical attrition. Eaton noticed he performed better after pouring water over his head and wondered if there was a more efficient (and less damp) way to gain the same results. Turns out Nike Sports Research Lab (NSRL) was already investigating the effects of facial cooling, finding out the face is 2 to 5 times more aware of surface temperature than elsewhere on our body. It was at this point that the Nike Apparel Innovation Team was brought onboard and a prototype was developed.

The end result of the collaboration is a fabric hood that covers the scalp, neck, and around the eyes. According to Sandy Bodecker, VP of Special Projects, Nike Innovation, the so-called Ice Hat utilizes  

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Nike FuelBand Class Action Suit
Business

Nike Settles Class Action Suit Over FuelBand

Nike FuelBand Class Action Suit

Do you have a Nike FuelBand and would like a few extra greenbacks in your pocket? Well, luckily for you, a settlement has been reached over a 2013 class action suit brought against Nike and Apple over the device. According to the plaintiffs, led by class representative Carolyn Levin, despite advertisements and claims that the FuelBand accurately tracked activity, the band did not accurately record calories burnt, steps taken, or NikeFuel points. They alleged both Apple and Nike knew of the product’s deficiencies yet continued to sell it. Nike has agreed to pay out $2.4 million to band owners while it appears Apple will have no penalties.

If you purchased a FuelBand anytime between January 19th, 2012 and June 17th, 2015, you are eligible to be a class member. By filing out an online claims form by January 6th, 2016, you can receive either a $15 payment or a $25 Nike gift card. If you are eligible, you should have received an email this past Friday.

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Nike Zoom Soldier 8 Flyease
Shoes

Nike Releases Sneaker Designed For People With Disabilities

Nike Zoom Soldier 8 Flyease

Nike has released a new sneaker especially designed for people with disabilities. The no-lace sneaker was the result of 3 years of work by renown Nike designer Tobie Hatfield. It features a zipper at the heel to allow the sneaker to be easily put on with one hand. This technology, called Flyease, has actually been in the works for longer than the sneaker, seven years, and is the key to what makes the new Zoom Soldier 8 easy to be worn by amputees and people with disabilities, such as cerebral palsy. Nike promises that other styles of shoes will become available with the Flyease technology.

The sneaker aligns perfectly with Nike’s mission statement of “If you have a body, you’re an athlete.” The story of how the Zoom Soldier 8 came be to is impressive for a company of Nike’s size. Matthew Walzer, a 16 year old high school junior, wrote to Nike explaining that he was nervous about going to college because he could not tie or untie his shoes due to cerebral palsy. The letter made its way to Tobie Hatfield who adopted the project. He worked closely with Matthew Walzer to design shoes that addressed his needs. Head past the break for video of the story:  

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