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Puma Debuts $330 iPhone-Connected Self-Lacing Sneakers to Compete With Nike

While the technology is neat, it shows that shoe executives have way to much money to spend on R & D. That is money that could go to increasing the third-world wages for those that actually construct the shoes that %99.9999999 of the consumers purchase.

KGBguy said:
This is defiantly will be useful for those folks that can’t reach their shoes. Usually it’s the obiese ones, but there some disabled folks that may find it useful.
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People with those conditions have home care aides. People with those physical disabilities typically use slip-on shoes and velcro.
 
ztw2002 said:
Is it really that difficult to tie your own shoelaces? I don't mind spend money on good looking shoe, but this one is ugly AF!
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I like the design better than the Nike alternative... I guess it is just taste. The US market is very different from for example the German one. PUMA is a German brand and as I am from Germany, I think their shoe will more popular than the Nike. (Obviously I can be wrong, but that would definitely be the case for me and my friends)
 
CrystalQuest76 said:
While the technology is neat, it shows that shoe executives have way to much money to spend on R & D. That is money that could go to increasing the third-world wages for those that actually construct the shoes that %99.9999999 of the consumers purchase.


People with those conditions have home care aides. People with those physical disabilities typically use slip-on shoes and velcro.
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But why should a shoe brand act different than any other brand. Your phone is not produced with fair wages and all companies want to innovate. I bet in future sport shoes will move in this direction and only fancy shoes for suits etc. will be self laced.
 
Can I get my smart shoe in a form factor other than a sneaker? How about as a boot or something more dressy?
 
I find myself asking why for a lot of these products as well, but then I remember we're the ones buying this stuff so what are companies to do but try to "innovate" and find the next viral sensation
 
MacRumors said:
The Fi can also be controlled via an iPhone, and there is included Apple Watch support. Using the iPhone controls, you can change the tightness, see battery life, and make small micro adjustments not possible with the on-shoe controls.
Nike
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While I appreciate this is an Apple centric site, it should be noted that Puma will also provide an Android app. This article makes it sound like the sneakers are an Apple exclusive product.

Anyone can sign up for the Fi Beta Test program through PUMATRAC, PUMAs training app which is available on the App Store and on Google Play.
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Taken from the press release here...
 
So now when you get rolled for your iPhone, you will have to give up your kicks too.
 
how lazy as a society are we going to be? Plus, I almost never tie my shoes, just slip them on.
 
I see a lot of shortcomings in this design. First, if the motor is going to make noise, it needs to MAKE NOISE. If I'm going to wear these (I'm not), I want to sound like an AT-AT from Star Wars as I'm walking. With the volume up past 11.

Second, The app needs to include some sort of anti-theft mechanism. Let's face it...the people who are going to buy these are the ones who already spend hundreds of dollars on the latest kicks, only to get them stolen by muggers while walking downtown. If I'm going to own a pair of these (I'm not), when I get beaten up and my shoes get stolen I want the tech to recognize that they are involuntarily leaving my possession and to electrically shock the person carrying them and contact the authorities.

Next, I completely agree with the Payless comparison. Sure, they added a few lights, but come on...if I'm going to buy these (I'm not), they need to go full-on TRON with the flashy lights. I mean, it's not like they could be made to look stupider, right?

Lastly, I do see one major enhancement that needs to be added ASAP. Currently I suffer what I'm sure is a common affliction, which is that I tend to kick off my shoes and leave them where they land, only to spend five minutes each day wondering where the heck I left my shoes. Seems to me the app needs a "find my Pumas" feature on it.

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