Nike Releases Nike+ GPS iPhone App - $1.99

Nike has released the Nike+ GPS iPhone application to help you track, map and analyze your runs. It is a paid $1.99 application. Without needing the shoes, wristband, and/or monitor, the Nike+ application uses GPS to track your runs. It is very well done and can run in the background using iOS4. It is noteworthy that Nike has decided to sell the application. The Nike+ gear (shoes, monitors, etc) can cost $100+. The application does everything the gear does... but $1.99 won't exactly make a dent in Nike's sales. You would think they would opt for mass distribution and view it as a way to promote the Nike Running line, community, and events. Furthermore, it is a relatively competitive space - some of the most popular applications are markedly more expensive (~$10) but there are free alternatively (despite having less functionality). Again, $1.99 is not priced for market share and some buyers will ask themselves if it is worth spending money after having already purchased a running app(s).

For past users of Nike+, it is a familiar interface. The app can track an entire run or guide you to a pre-determined distance or speed. Once you complete your run, you can sync it with NikeRunning.com, earn badges based on your historical performance and connect with friends.

But the best part is the mapping. Below is a heatmap from a walk to the grocery store. It shows speeds at different points and then charts against the fastest / slowest moments of the run / walk. Simple concept - but it is very well done and surprisingly very fun to use:

Golfsmith & Nike National Golf Day Give Free Nike Golf Balls to Facebook Fans

This weekend, your local Golfsmith will be hosting Nike's National Golf Day - which features Nike product demos, discounts, etc. But Facebook fans of both Nike Golf and Golfsmith get the VIP treatment with a free sleeve of Nike ONE Vapor golf balls and a 30% trade-in bonus on new Nike clubs: It is interesting to see Nike and Golfsmith tag-team across Facebook and provide exclusive, high value offers to fans. That's just the first step: fans have to then "check in at the store": Golfsmith will have in-store Facebook "fan check-in stations" for fans to broadcast and promote their experience.

Considering the partnership, in-store program and offer (which is compelling to golfers) - there are several steps to the program. Screenshots and explanation are below:

Visit your local Golfsmith store on June 26th for the Nike National Golf Day event (10am - 6pm) and, from 4:30pm - 6pm, facebook fans get exclusive prizes, discounts, and come to win big in the Guess Your Drive contest! It's our way to say "Thanks" for joining the Golfsmith family!

THREE STEPS TO GETTING MORE

1.Follow this link to print your invite 2. Check In at the Store — Say hi at the Facebook fan check-in station. 3. Enjoy Your Bonuses — Meet your fellow golf fans, get free stuff, and win!

FACEBOOK EXCLUSIVE DOOR PRIZES AND ACTIVITIES:

• FREE sleeve of Nike golf balls - Limited to first 24 people. • 30% trade-in bonus when you buy new Nike Golf clubs** • Guess Your Drive Contest: Each local winner gets a $25 Golfsmith cash card and a chance to win the national prize, a Nike driver of your choice worth up to $399.99!*

Promotion on Nike Golf

First, Nike promotes the 'fan exclusive' to its ~200,000 fans - which in turn drives traffic to Golfsmith's page (which had ~40,000 fans going into the promotion)

RSVP to the Facebook Fan Exclusive

The feed post on both Nike and Golfsmith is an event RSVP to the June 26th Nike National Golf Day Event at Golfsmith.

Become a Golfsmith Fan

The first requirement is becoming a fan of Golfsmith... which you can't miss:

You Now Qualify for the Facebook Fan Exclusive

Nike Uses Facebook to Showcase Golfers' US Open Outfits

In advance of the US Open at Pebble Beach this Thursday - Sunday, Nike has taken to Facebook to reveal their sponsored golfer's daily outfits. Each golfer has a page within their "Athlete Apparel: 2010 US OPEN" photo album. it features outfits with specific information and product IDs (hat, shirt and pants) for each day of the open. Facebook fans are then able to comment, like and share. It is an interesting campaign by Nike - who rarely previews their player's gear so specifically and in such a social setting. It also strikes me a test to gauge fan interest on Facebook - if users indeed interact around the players and their outfits, Nike could build a Facebook application to enable in-app purchasing, exploration, etc of each product / outfit. Fans could share specific products and ensembles - and even outfit their favorite players and share with their networks.

Even if a test, it seems that users are actively engaging (despite relatively moderate volume). Tiger Woods' outfit, for example, has ~100 comments and 'likes' that are a mix of product feedback and interest:

Tiger Woods' US Open Outfits: Day by Day

All Nike Golfers US Open Outfits

Foursquare Teams Up with NBA for Lakers / Celtics Finals

It's part Foursquare, part Fanpulse and part ESPN / vintage InGameNow: Foursquare has teamed up with the NBA to award Celtics and Lakers badges to fans who 'check in' tonight and shout either "Go Lakers" or "Go Celtics". It is different than your typical Foursquare 'check in' in that it is determined by content rather than location... but it will clearly be a big driver of traffic and usage. And clearly the NBA is getting behind the relationship: in 53 seconds, 186 Facebook users commented on the badges and 163 others liked it.

3.5 Million Facebook Updates At Peak of Olympic Hockey Game

Great stats from Facebook regarding the Olympic Hockey game yesterday afternoon:

Olympic Spirit: The sending of status messages on Facebook peaked Sunday at 2:29 pm PST and 2:54 pm PST during two significant goals in the Olympic hockey finals: when the U.S. tied and Canada won. More than 3.5 million status updates were sent during the time frame of those key plays, twice the pace of the rest of the day.

Nike Revamps NikeGolf.com - Sans Tiger Woods

This morning, Nike announced the unveiling of their new Nike Golf website via Facebook: Like most Nike online experiences: it is good looking, has slick UI, and is easy to navigate. The surprising part was the clear omission of Tiger Woods... particularly as one of the lone remaining sponsors. Nike's Golf site used to be canvased with Tiger - now you have to work to find any mention of him. To be fair to Nike, they removed much of the Tiger imagery and promotion in recent months... but the announcement of a new NikeGolf.com looks as though the unveiling was more about removing Tiger than renovating the site.

Of course, I am not the only one to notice this. The Facebook announcement led to a mixture of responses from fans - about both the site and Tiger Woods:

Bobby Kane: The post was about the launch of Nike's new Golf site; why for the love of all that is holy does someone have to bring Tiger Woods and his PERSONAL LIFE into it. Nike Golf Facebook moderator, the new site looks great.

Nike Golf: Thank you Bobby Kane!

Dogpatch Labs Resident FanPulse Launches for Super Bowl

Congratulations to Dogpatch Labs residents Fanpulse on the launch of their iPhone App - just in time for the Super Bowl. FanPulse allows sports fans to "check in" to sporting games and interact with other fans in real-time. Congratulations to Vish Prabhakara (formerly Digg), Art Chang (Yardbarker) and Joe Pestro (Yardbarker). We are glad to host them at Dogpatch Labs San Francisco. For more information:

- read the TechCrunch launcharticle - download the FanPulse app here - visit them on the web at Fanpul.se