Apple Watch - Apple and Nike launch perfect running partner

Apple launched its latest version of the Apple Watch, Series 2, by reviving the huge partnership with Nike to create the "perfect running partner".

What are the changes?

• Two times brighter display
• Water resistant up to 50 metres
• A powerful dual core processor
• Siri Commands
• Strong integration with the Nike Run Community

As this is the smartwatch, the GPS tracker, Heart Rate monitor, Weather, and Stopwatch are already built in. Apple are clearly aiming to tap into the huge running community that Nike have assembled with the Nike+ Run Club. However, with their water resistant watch, I wonder are they also looking to take in the triathlon/ironman communities.

Running Community

I had recently covered the changes to the Nike+ Run Club, which haven't gone down too well (nike-running-app-changed-for-worse). But I think ultimately Apple want to tap into the motivation and coaching plans, and most importantly the social aspect. If runners start comparing training with each other, then it ultimately leads to more sales (similar to the way Strava took off).

The Future

It's hard to see Apple/Nike taking over the GPS watch market. However, if new runners / fitness enthusiasts already have a smart watch, then why would they need to buy a GPS watch. So is this how sports watches are going to evolve? Perhaps

Apple Watch Series 2 goes on sale this Friday 9th September, with anticipated availability in Ireland at the end of October. Pricing in the US will be $369 for the 38mm and $399 for the 42mm watch.

Nike+ Running App - Changed for the Worse

The Nike Running App is one of the most popular downloads for runners and general fitness enthusiasts for years. It has tens of millions of installs on Google Play and IOS. I've used it myself on occasion, I have the Nike+ sportswatch, and used the app if I forgot the watch.

Change - and nobody's happy about it!

Recently Nike decided to completely re-vamp the app saying that it was being designed "for runners, by runners" (I thought that only race directors had copyright on that phrase!). But the response hasn't been good, and they've angered their large base of users.

What's Changed?

So the main functions are still in place, it'll track your route with GPS and measure distance and pace. What they have changed is things like sharing, challenges and coaching. The first two are a bit of an annoyance for the user really, if you like sharing on social media, then it's now become really difficult. If you got involved with challenges within the community (which were very popular), then these have been replaced by hashtags, which seem pretty crappy. 

But most importantly in my opinion, if you were following one of the coaching plans, you just lost all your historic progress. For me, that's one thing that would mean a swift delete of the app, and download the Runkeeper / Strava / MapMyRun.

With Asics recently acquiring Runkeeper for $85M, have Nike just opened a door for them?