NIKE and TomTom have collaborated to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom.
The new running watch, unveiled 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, design and direct connection to www.nikeplus.com, the brand’s running community, which has almost four million members.
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed for high performance and has an extremely clear and readable user interface that delivers the information necessary to the user while in-run. It adds personalisation and motivational features to the running experience, including audible sounds, challenges and run reminders.
“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,” says Stefan Olander, VP of Nike Digital Sport.
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is scheduled to be at retail stores and online in the US and the UK from April 1. Broader distribution is scheduled for July 1.
“It is part of TomTom Consumer’s strategy to move into the fast growing sports and fitness market,” says Corinne Vigreux, managing director of TomTom Consumer.
“This partnership with Nike combines the strengths of two leading companies to deliver a game changing product for runners.”
With only three buttons and a tap screen for navigation, the Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed to be simple and intuitive.
During a 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 customisable 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 offers runners on-screen include:
• Recognition (or ‘Attaboys’) for personal records.
• Run reminders, which appear after five days if a run has not been logged.
• Post-run acknowledgement and encouragement.
The Nike+ SportWatch GPS plugs 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,” says 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,” adds 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.
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 includes 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.
