End of the Road for Self-Lacing Nikes: App Shutdown Leaves Adapt BB Owners with Limited Functionality

Nike’s foray into self-lacing footwear is facing a roadblock as the company announces the discontinuation of the Adapt BB mobile app. This app, essential for controlling features on the $350 Adapt BB basketball shoes, will be removed from app stores in August 2024.

Limited Functionality Without App

While the app’s disappearance won’t render the shoes entirely unusable, it will significantly limit their functionality. Owners will still be able to perform basic functions like turning the shoes on and off, adjusting tightness manually using on-shoe buttons, and checking battery life.

However, features like saving personalized tightness presets and customizing the LED lights will be lost.

Previously, the app offered a more robust experience. Users could configure three different tightness settings for various activities and personalize the lighting effects on the shoes. These features were particularly popular with athletes like Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic, who sported the Adapt BBs on the court.

Lost Functionality Raises Concerns

Nike’s decision to discontinue the app highlights the challenges associated with smart apparel. Unlike smartphones typically upgraded every few years, smart clothing, like the Adapt BBs, can remain in a consumer’s wardrobe for much longer. This creates a scenario where a company may stop supporting a product long before it reaches the end of its usable lifespan.

While the financial rationale behind stopping development for a discontinued product is clear, it leaves owners with a sense of lost value. After August, the app won’t be transferable to new devices, and future iOS updates might further limit functionality or even remove the app entirely.

The discontinuation of the Adapt BB app serves as a cautionary tale for consumers considering smart clothing. While the technology offers innovative features, long-term support and potential limitations should be factored into the purchasing decision.