It’s Coming: Nike Fuelband 2 With Bluetooth 4.0, 3rd-Party Apps and Heart Rate Monitor

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A lot of companies right now are banking on the notion that wearable fitness computing is going to be big business, and no company is taking that more seriously than Nike. Nike’s always been interested in blending mobile technology and fitness in various ways — consider the Nike+ functionality built into every iPhone and iPod — but the Nike Fuelband, released late last year, took that dedication to a new level.

The Nike Fuelband was a cool product that not only looks like a little bit of 2001 on your wrist, but helps you quantify your daily activity into a more objective picture of your overall health. But it had a few shortcomings, which Nike is now reportedly addressing. Get ready for the Nike Fuelband 2.

According to a tipster speaking with Gearlive, the Nike Fuelband 2 is already being field-tested in cases that make them look identical to the current model.

Inside, though, they are vastly improved. For one thing, like the new Fitbit Flex, the Nike Fuelband 2 will support Bluetooth 4.0, which means a couple of things: your Fuelband will be able to keep in communication with your iPhone, giving you feedback and data throughout the day, as well as allowing other apps to use Nike Fuelband data.

Hooray! That should help a lot: previously, the Nike Fuelband felt a little bit like a closed system, especially compared to competitors like the Fitbit.

In addition, the Nike Fuelband 2 will gain a heart rate monitor, which you’ll activate by pinching the sensor against your wrist. Combined with app support, that could make the Nike Fuelband 2 an excellent solution for joggers (I’d love to use the Fuelband 2 alongside my favorite jogging app, Runkeeper).

There’s no word on when the Fuelband 2 will hit the market, but the competition in this space is heating up. Let’s hope we see the Fuelband 2 soon.

Source: Gearlive
Via: Slashgear

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