New Nike FuelBand SE fitness tracker arrives November 6 at $149 (hands-on)
The successor to the Nike FuelBand fitness accessory, aptly named the FuelBand SE, has become a reality.
The original fitness gadget just got a makeover.
Nike today unveiled the new FuelBand SE. The updated fitness tracker hits stores on November 6 for $149, with preorders starting today.
What's new in the FuelBand SE
Among the new improvements for the 2013 model are Bluetooth 4.0 compatibility (for persistent and seamless syncing with the iPhone) and improved resistance to water. Another fresh spin to this device are accents inside the band that flaunt different hues. Among these are Pink, Volt (yellowish green), Black, and Crimson. The Nike+ swoosh logo has also been added.
Perhaps to keep pace with other products such as the Jawbone Up and Fitbit Force, the FuelBand SE can now measure sleep. Just hold down the device's button for 3 seconds to kick the device into sleep-tracking mode. Hitting it again when you wake up commands the FuelBand to stop. You perform the same procedure to start logging workout "sessions," whether that be bicycling, playing tennis, palates, yoga, or what have you.
What's the same
Physically, the new Nike FuelBand SE is almost identical to its predecessor. The wrist-worn gadget has a circular shape with a mostly black color scheme, the same approach used by the previous gadget. Just like the first FuelBand, Android phone owners are out of luck, as the FuelBand SE remains an iOS-only accessory.
I can confirm that when I held the FuelBand SE in my hands, it feels just as light, yet as bulky, as Nike's first iteration of the product. The LED screen and menu animations, however, were more nimble and responsive.
Even more addictive Fuel
Similar to the Fitbit Force, Jawbone Up, and Basis Band, the new FuelBand SE is designed to push people toward moving more throughout the day. Indeed, Nike imagines FuelBand users to buy into its Fuel activity point system, which the company says is even more addictive than ever.
Why is Fuel so compelling a metric? Well Nike says it's the friendly competition among your peers, contacts, and friends that will push you toward your Fuel point goal that much faster. Also motivating is the chance to compare your Fuel point score against popular athletes to see just how you measure up -- or don't. Of course the original FuelBand relied on these tactics to leverage psychology, too.
To amp up the pressure to get off the couch, Nike has also given the FuelBand companion app a graph displaying your activity and motion within 24 hours. The freshly designed app now suggests you move at least 5 minutes per hour for a total of 7 hours a day. Additionally, badges and virtual awards will play a big role in the latest FuelBand system.
Outlook
This new FuelBand is the successor to Nike's original fitness tracker, which was first released in early 2012. While that product was a novelty at the time, competition in the market for wearable technology and fitness gadgets has exploded with the likes of products like the Fitbit Force and Jawbone Up.
Right now the Fitbit Force seems like a more compelling product based on its support for Android alone. Sure you can only sync directly to a select number of Samsung smartphones. Still, a companion Android app offers access to all of the Fitbit's other functions. Fitbit also has promised to add caller ID and text alerts (though only for iOS) in the near future.