Smartwatch Week continues, with the Adidas-owned Runtastic introducing the Moment, its first conventional smartwatch. Though it also sells a heart rate monitor and the Orbit fitness tracker, Runtastic is better known as a leading fitness app developer, claiming 70 million registered users. The Moment looks like an analog watch rather than a tracker. It's aimed squarely at … [Read more...]
Adidas Buys Runtastic, as Gear Companies Continue Software Rollups
Adidas has a nice business going in wearable sports tech with its miCoach line, and just expanded its reach by buying Runtastic for $239 million. Runtastic sells a line of smart bands, smart monitors and scales -- some of which overlap Adidas's existing products. The real value is probably Runtastic's 70 million registered users. The Adidas deal is the latest rollup of … [Read more...]
Little-known Sarvint Sues Tech Clothing Industry for Patent Infringement
A small and little-known Atlanta company is suing leaders in the technology clothing business for patent infringement, claiming that those companies have fallen afoul of exclusive licenses granted by Georgia Tech. Sarvint on Friday filed suit in U.S. District Court in Atlanta against Adidas North America, Victoria's Secret Stores, Ralph Lauren Corporation, Athos Works and … [Read more...]
Adidas Sues Under Armour on Wearables Patents
Adidas is suing outfitter Under Armour, claiming the Baltimore-based activewear company is infringing a series of patents on wearable technologies. Specifically, Adidas says UA's Armour39 watches and chest straps, as well as the recently acquired MapMyFitness, use legally protected technology in Adidas's own miCoach products. The suit is filed in federal district court in … [Read more...]
Adidas Joins the Smartwatch Crowd
First Fitbit, then Nike. Now Adidas has announced its own smartwatch, the miCoach Smart Run. As its name implies, the Smart Run is aimed at runners, not a general fitness audience, so it competes more with products from Garmin or Basis than Fitbit or Nike. That would help explain its $399 price. The Smart Run includes a GPS tracker and a heart rate sensor (as well as a … [Read more...]