With the brand new Nike fuel band se coming to market December 6th the main question on everybody’s mind is why is it only compatible with Apple? Apple and Nike have a long history of partnering going back to the release of the Nike plus app and sensor in 2006, but is it a smart decision to ignore Android which owns basically 80% of the market. They have been able to get away with only using Apple on their first fuel band, but as they aim to promote their product overseas where android’s share is much higher, can they continue to get by without android compatibility?
Relating to class, I personally believe this is a big mistake in terms of their business plan, and operations. The cost of creating the software to also work on Android would be completely trumped by the opportunity cost of selling more product. After the first fuel band proved to be a hit they should’ve recognized their global potential. The reality is that there is no issue stopping them from producing an android app as well, other than their relationship to Apple and if they do choose to expand the rewards will be huge.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57607611-94/nikes-no-android-stance-on-fuelband-is-a-huge-mistake/