Downton Abbey fans might know that the show begins in 1912 (just after the 1912 sinking of the Titanic), but even soccer fans likely couldn’t tell you that American soccer began just a year later. But in fact this year does represent the 100-year anniversary of the birth of U.S. soccer, which was established through the United States Football Association. That 100 years has seen its share of ups and downs, but to celebrate Nike has introduced its Centennial U.S. soccer kit for both men and women.
These include minimalist jerseys that are inspired by the original ones worn in America’s first international match – a 3-2 victory against Sweden. However, while the look may be retro, these new uniforms feature advanced Dri-Fit technology that includes 96 percent polyester from recycled plastic bottles. The more things stay the same, the more some things change.
Nike has chosen 10 companies to be part of its Nike+ Accelerator program, which is looking to help motivate and inspire more people to lead active, healthy lifestyles. Each of these companies will receive access to the Nike+ API, Nike+ mobile SDKs and Nike FuelBand Dev Kit along with tech support from experienced developers.
While Frank Sinatra may have sung, “fly me to the moon,” it is Nike that is looking to take flight and make a moon landing, with its Nike Flyknit Lunar 1+, which combines the Flyknit technology with the lightweight Lunarlon foam cushioning. The result is a shoe that that offers support and structure with less seams, less weight and might have you feeling your walking on air – or should we say moon walking.
This week Nike announced that the Nike+ FuelBand is now available at Apple Stores nationwide, as well as in Canada and the U.K. Two new colors, including Black Ice and Black Steel, have been added as well. The Nike+ FuelBand was launched earlier this year and allows users the ability to track various fitness and activity metrics throughout the day including steps taken and calories burned. Activity is tracked and the NikeFuel score assigned based on efforts, while users can even share and compare progress with friends.
The Air Jordan apparently has been deflated, but Nike is still in the game – introducing the Nike Lebron X in honor of LeBron James’ first NBA championship, and the first signature shoe to offer Nike+ Baskeball support. This shoe actually lets you track in-game activity to an iPhone, and is reportedly the first Nike shoe to feature the full-length visible Nike Zoom unit. It offers Hyperfuse construction with a one-piece upper, and Flywire technology to provide secure fit while still feeling lightweight.
This past Saturday saw the release of a very different Nike shoe, the Nike Free Inneva Woven. This footwear featured a new 360-degree hand-woven system that unifies the laces with nylon webbing upper made from various strand widths. The idea is a shoe that fits better, offers great support and can truly breathe!
We’ve seen a number of Nike shoes this year, but the Nike SB Challenge Court is aimed at two seemingly different types of athletes. As Nike shows in the video below it can appeal to both Gino Iannucci, Nike Skateboarding team rider, and tennis champ Jon McEnroe alike! 
All good things come to an end, including the Olympics. Throughout the 17 days of the games and before we cast the spotlight on some of the latest technology and innovations that were used to help the athletes train and perform. Here is our Kinetic Recap of some of the top stories of the 2012 Olympics: 
The BMX competition at the Olympics is still a week away, but Team USA riders are probably already suiting up in their Nike uniforms, which have gotten rave reviews. While the fashionable uniforms have turned heads, the riders will get the technological benefits when they go for the cloud.
While much is made about where some of the American uniforms and team kits for the upcoming Olympics were made, we have to say the cycling uniforms look very nice. The U.S. Cycling Team officially unveiled its uniforms this week. The road, track and mountain bike kits were designed by SKINS while Nike worked with freestyle legend Bob Haro to design the BMX collection. 
Nike is a big player on the grid iron for the way football is played in America, but it also has a new boot for the pitch as well. The new Nike GS Football Boot – designed for what we in the States call soccer – promises to be the lightest and most innovative shoe yet. It is also quite green, and not just in color.
The company that says just do it, has done it again – introducing a performance-oriented jacket that has just a flare of style too. The DWR Chambray Vapor is lightweight, wind- and water-resistant and looks good for a morning run or a day out and about!