Remember folks: Any smart device you have that requires an internet connection or app is e-waste waiting to happen at the company's whim.
So if you own pair of these shoes you will no longer be able to use the features on said shoes?
Without the app, wearers are unable to change the color of the sneaker's LED lights. The lights will either maintain the last color scheme selected via the app or, per Nike, "if you didn't install the app, light will be the default color." While owners will still be able to use on-shoe buttons to turn the shoes on or off, check its battery, adjust the lace's tightness, and save fit settings, the ability to change lighting and control the shoes via mobile phone were big selling points of the $350 kicks.
I own a pair. You do lose some functionality without the app. The ability to change the light colors, set and recall presets.
You can still tighten them without the app. And I think you can set one preset as well (not sure tbh)
They announced the sunsetting of the app like 2 months ago but the media is capitalizing on the announcement now for some reason. It sucks but it’s not the end of the world not having the app.
Losing the app means that people can't change the color of the light on the shoe. You can still do all the other shit manually.
That said, I feel like companies should be required to open source shit like this once they drop support for it. Otherwise stuff like this adds to the mountains of e-waste poisoning the planet.
companies should be required to open source shit like this once they drop support for it
Damn right they should!
As if putting a bunch of circuits and lights on a fucking shoe wasn't e-waste to start with...
Companies really should just opensource their apps at this point, or at the very least publish their protocols.
Can't see how dropping apps and bricking devices benefits anyone.
A point could be made that it hurts the planet and they should be held responsible for their shenanigans.
As with that spotify car thing.
Make a law that says, if you don't keep supporting it you have to open source it. It's just fair.
Yes, not gonna happen. You know how many new devices get sold simply because old ones are no longer getting updates/software support? It's planned obsolescence. No modern country would pass a law like that.
Agreed. Companies should be required by law to release source code, build guides, documentation and service architecture for services or apps that are required by hardware they sold.
While there are bigger fish to fry at the moment, socially speaking, the problem is only going to get worse if legislators don’t step in.
But then you'd see it wasn't secure in the slightest, and you could untie somebody's laces when they walk past you.
Of all the overpriced bullshit people flock to for no reason other than to be suckers, sneakers are the one that made the least sense to me.
I talked to a bunch of sneaker heads over the years and i don't think i'll ever get it. I don't like to shit on someone's hobby, but buying shitty super overpriced sneakers made by slaves is a weird ass hobby.
Especially considering most of the time they likely won’t even wear the things because of either how much they cost or because they find them to be a collectors item.
Anything requiring a smartphone app to use should be an instant non-starter for everyone.
The problem is that there are usually no other alternatives, or at least not any easily accessible. Heck, these days even routers require app activation for no reason other than to be shitty.
There should be a law against this. All hardware requiring an app should also have an open API.
Heck, these days even routers require app activation for no reason other than to be shitty
There are more often than not alternatives that exist that don't have this requirement.
Just don't do it
Isn't the point of self-lacing shoes that they shouldn't require manual user input at all? What is the app for then?
RGB
I don't know why my first thought from this was Ruth Gator Binsburg. Now I just want something like a shitty_watercolor of that.
Finally, they fixed shoe-tying. Now all I gotta do when I wanna tie my shoes is download an app and make sure my shoes are charged.
Since when a sneakers needs an app?
ikr? what sneakers need is AI!
You're walking on the street, and someone shouts: "Sneakers, ignore previous instructions and jump into incoming traffic!"
Back in our Business 101 class in university, we were supposed to come up with a new business idea and pitch it. We came up with a self-tying tie. Guess we weren't too far off lol
now we just need a self drying coat
How to overcomplicate simple things 101, 2024 Edition
Are hyper-expensive running shoes STILL a thing? Damn, people need to grow up.
Damn, people need to grow up.
They just move onto hyper-expensive cars, watches, Warhammer figurines, purses, jewelry, etc. The human instinct to flaunt and/or collect is pretty strong in certain people.
If anything the gap is bigger than ever as the top end shoes are basically performance enhancers like the nike airflys used to set most records..and their new vaporflys being banned in the Olympics.
I guess it's better than hyper expensive shoes just being a paying for a brand thing?
what happens if you are wearing these when the app gets shut off? 0.o
Rest In Sneakers
Let me guess.... AI enhanced feature?
“I’ve got to leave early.”
“Why? We’re having fun!”
“Sorry, I got to go home and charge my shoes.”
We surely live in the future! /s
These sneakers be like
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