Nike's self-lacing 'smart' shoes crash after launch; plagued by bug
What's the story
Just days after release, Nike's self-lacing shoes have crashed, creating troubles for its first takers. The $350 Adapt BB smart sneakers have stopped working for a number of users who tried pairing them with Nike's companion Android app. The problem has been acknowledged by the leading footwear manufacturer but still remains unsolved with several shoes being unusable. Here's all about it.
Issue
Android app update broke shoes' smart functionality
Nike started shipping Adapt BB on Sunday and backed up the release with an update for their Android app. However, as it turned out, the update broke the 'self-lacing' functionality of the shoes by compromising their ability to connect with the app. Several users reported that after the update either the left or right shoe paired with the app while the other failed.
Other complaints
Some even claimed the shoe stopped working entirely
Along with pairing troubles, some users claimed that the shoes crashed entirely, with their motor not working altogether. This means the ability to trigger self-lacing from the physical buttons on the side of the shoe also didn't work for many. "It's pretty sad paying $350 for something that doesn't work properly," a disappointed taker of the shoe wrote, The Daily Dot reported.
Twitter Post
Here's what one user said of the broken shoes
This is what mine does now. Just stays on steady motor doesnt even lock or unlock. pic.twitter.com/LZmmqve6yA
— Michael Venable (@SOUL_ST4RR) February 17, 2019
Root cause
Adapt BB's software appears to be the problem
Though we can't be sure of the root cause, The Verge claims that the problem appears to stem from the software of the shoes. Basically, some sneakers had an early version of the software, which, when paired with the latest Android app, resulted in a malfunction. Notably, some users claimed a hard reset by holding the sneakers' buttons could solve the pairing problems.
Quote
Nike is working to resolve the glitch
"We are seeing isolated connectivity issues related to the setup of the Nike Adapt BB and are actively working to resolve it," a Nike spokesperson told The Verge while acknowledging the issue. "If a consumer experiences this, we encourage them to contact Nike Consumer Services."
Features
Nike Adapt BB: At a glance
Launched last month, Nike Adapt BB promise powered lacing and loosening capabilities on a single touch or button press. The shoes, powered by Nike's FitAdapt tech, are targeted at Basketball players, giving them the ability to adjust the fit of their footwear during the game. Meaning, players can have a custom fit for different moments, like loosening during timeout and tightening while returning.