Nike snubs Google: FuelBand sticks to iOS and Web
Nike says it's not developing a companion app for its FuelBand fitness-tracking product on Google's Android platform.
Bad news for Nike FuelBand owners waiting for the company to release a companion app on Google's Android platform.
The company today said that's not happening, and that the only way to ferry over data to a mobile device will continue to be Apple's iOS platform.
"To deliver the best experience for all Nike+ FuelBand users, we are focusing on the FuelBand experience across iOS and nikeplus.com, where you can sync your activity, set new goals, and connect with friends," Nike told Droid Life in a statement. "At this time, we are not working on an Android version of the mobile app."
Nike released the FuelBand last February. The $149 device attaches around a user's wrist and tracks activity, converting it into Nike's proprietary "NikeFuel" metric. The device features an LED (light-emitting diode) readout that tracks daily progress, and can be toggled to show things like calories burned and the time with a single button. That data is stored on the device and can be synced over using Bluetooth to the iOS app, or on a computer with a built-in USB connector and through Nike's cross-platform desktop software.
Nike and Apple, of course, have a long history together. Besides Apple CEO Tim Cook currently serving on Nike's board of directors, the two companies have worked together to integrate Nike products into Apple's. That includes Nike's Nike+ platform and Apple's iPod line, which can be used together to track fitness.
Despite those ties, the news is surprising given the popularity of Google's Android platform. A December market share report published by ComScore last week put the Android platform out ahead with 53.4 percent market share versus Apple's 36.3 percent, making it a potentially larger target to entice.
