In 2006, Nike and Apple formally unveiled their Nike+iPod Sport Kit with major launch events at Niketown retail stores located in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Hundreds of people crowded on street to experience the newest idea brought by giants from two entirely different industries. By applying a very small wireless transmitter into your shoes, you can trace your runs through Apple's products such as iPod nano, iPod Touch, or iPhone. Numerical data can be recorded and annalyzed by runners themself. People, at least Nike's crazy fans, celebrated the combination of the most fancy technology makes running no longer a boring, lonely activity. The Nike+iPod Sport Kit was cool, but that's not the whole story. When launching the Sport Kit, Nike meanwhile set up a new website called Nike Running. It seemed not surprising to build up a website related to products. But what's more amazing was the community concept behind the buildup. Through the website, Nike tried to construct a platform for running enthusiasts to exchange their running experiences. Runners joined in the community to share experiences, set up new challenges, and exchange information. Suddenly, runners around the world are not LONELY anymore.
The networks among running enthusiasts greatly enhance Nike's sales performance on running shoes and accessories, the market Nike was not good at before, and the interactions among people in community moreover become a source of idea for product design and improvement.
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