Neil Hughes
Contrary to earlier reports, Apple's recent hiring of a Nike designer was not related to his involvement in the Nike FuelBand project, because Ben Shaffer wasn't even involved in the wearable device.
Dispelling recent rumors about Apple's hiring of Shaffer, Fast Company reported this week that the former Nike designer "didn't even do work on the FuelBand." Instead, Shaffer's contributions at Nike involved "footwear innovation."
When Apple's hiring of Shaffer was revealed on Friday, it was initially — and incorrectly — reported that Shaffer was behind the FuelBand project. But the designer's time at Nike was focused on the Flyknit, a flagship, ultra-light line of sneakers from the shoemaker.
"If Apple wanted to steal talent from the FuelBand project, it would likely want to start with Nike's Digital Sport group or with a design firm like Astro," Fast Company's Austin Carr wrote. "Yes, Shaffer served as the Innovation Kitchen's studio director, but he and that group are all centrally involved in footwear: There are knitting machines and shoe prototypes all over the lab. The Digital Sport group, which led development of the FuelBand, is actually in a separate building."
With Apple rumored to be working on a wearable device dubbed the "iWatch," hopeful reports presumed that Shaffer might be nabbed from Nike for an alleged expertise in wearable electronics. But while it's possible Shaffer could end up working on an "iWatch" product, his hiring apparently has nothing to do with Nike's FuelBand fitness tracker.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook revealed himself to be a FuelBand wearer in an interview earlier this year.
But the company has also shown interest in devices such as "smart shoes" that notify users when they need replacing. A patent application uncovered by AppleInsider in January described a sensor and alarm system that could be embedded in footwear, informing users when the shoes are worn out.
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
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19 Comments
iShoes?
lol technology in ur shoes that makes you fly like Iron Man :D
This goes to show how many rumor mongers and pundits are idiots.
Apple’s CEO is one tricky man.
He tricked Samsung in making a watch, while working on wearable technology?
An iWatch makes no sense.
Why bear your phone on yr wrist if you can put it anywhere on yr body?
[quote name="Ochyming" url="/t/159826/apples-recent-hire-from-nike-wasnt-fuelband-designer-focused-on-shoes#post_2407629"]Apple’s CEO is one tricky man. He tricked Samsung in making a watch, while working on wearable technology? An iWatch makes no sense. Why bear your phone on yr wrist if you can put it anywhere on yr body? [/quote] 1) If you think that a wrist worn device would be phone or an iPhone replacement then, sure, an iWatch makes no sense, but why assume that at all? The wrist is simply an ideal place for many things computerized devices can do well or will soon be able to do well. A simple readout (like for telling time) to biometrics that can use the palmar side of the wrist (like for recording your pulse). 2) How the hell would a phone [I]anywhere[/I] on your body be better than on your wrist? Let's remember that Maxwell Smart's shoe-phone was meant to be funny because it's such a ridiculous concept.