Nike FuelBand out of gas

[grow_thumb image=”https://telecareaware.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/FuelBand.jpeg” thumb_width=”175″ /]In what is the first of the major players in fitness bands and wearables exiting the category, CNet reported last Friday that Nike is winding up its hardware business with the layoff last Thursday of nearly 80 percent of its Digital Sport staff. Previously, Nike had canceled a new version of the FuelBand due for release later this year, but they will continue sales and support for the present iteration which only works with Apple. Their focus is now on fitness and athletic software, which can plug into smartphones and other companies’ devices at far less cost and greater profit than the hotly competitive band business. Much of the speculation surrounds their strong Apple connection; Tim Cook, Apple CEO, sits on the Nike board. This maneuver could benefit them both greatly when Apple finally gets into the smartwatch biz. Perhaps two world-class brands could better sort out what to do with the data, which is another sore point according to PC Magazine’s take on it. Further reasonable discussion on this courtesy of Gigaom. Hat tip on the last to David E. Albert, MD via Twitter @DrDave01.  (Nike photo)