The Nike+ Sportwatch we’ve just got hands-on with at CES 2011 heralds a revolution for GPS joggers’ watches. Unlike Garmin’s wristpieces for runners, it actually looks good while charting your route, courtesy of TomTom GPS skills. The result is what we’re sure will be considered the ultimate in fitness accessories and an absolute must-have for serious runners and trainers. Read on to find out why we want one now.
Catching our eyes immediately at CES 2011, the Nike+ Sportwatch uses GPS technology and the Nike+ shoe sensor to capture every step of your run before sending it to the Nikeplus.com website.
As intimidating as that may sound to tech and fitness novices it’s actually pretty easy to use thanks to a simple three-button layout. A tap interface even lets users tap its screen to mark laps when running.
The Nike+ Sportwatch will track your laps for you, which interval trainers will find handy. Even neater is that the Nike+ Sportwatch can track velocity and fitness deets indoors too, even when out of GPS range, making it a great gym tool.
The best feature of the Nike+ Sportwatch? It has a USB connector built in, hidden under the strap, in what Nike is calling Direct Connect, letting wearers plug the Nike+ Sportwatch directly into to upload run data and juice up its battery, which we were told will run for 3-4 months on a full charge.
Other trainer-specific features include Attaboys: after specific milestones such as 5, 10 or 15 miles of mileage the Nike+ Sportwatch will congratulate you on your performance, or for achieving personal records for fast miles and lengthy runs. It’ll even warn you after lengthy periods of inactivity.
Nike+ Sportwatch is currently set for simultaneous UK and U.S April 1st release before the rest of the world can nab one come July 2011. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but expect to pay between $199-$299 (£130-£190) for what will become a much-desired piece of sporty wristwear.
Out April 1st (UK and US), July (rest of the world) | $199-$299 | Nike
