Hoop smarter, not harder.
Wilson is hoping its smart basketball is a swish with tech-savvy hoop fans. The longtime sporting goods company is introducing a $200 X Connected Basketball that tracks the range of shots attempted as well as whether they are made or missed, as reported by CNET. The smart ball is used in sync with a smartphone app.
Available in two sizes — official (29.5 inches) or intermediate (28.5 inches) — the Connected Basketball features a tiny Bluetooth logo on its side, allowing it to sync with iPhones and Android devices. Wilson's app for iPhones is available now, with its app arriving for Android devices in November.
That being said, CNET found the pairing to be difficult, even requiring users to spin the ball 10 feet in the air after the app is launched. Without the Bluetooth logo, people wouldn't be able to detect that it's even a smart ball.
Once connected, all you'll need is a 10-foot hoop. A sensor embedded into the basketball tracks shooting performance such as shots attempted, made and missed. The app allows four game modes: Free Range, Free Throw, Buzzer Beater and Game Time.
Free Range mode allows users to shoot from almost anywhere on the court, however, the ball has a range of seven feet from the basket, thus eliminating the chance of accounting for three-pointers. That's a big drawback. The Free Throw mode tests your accuracy from the charity stripe, while the other two modes put shooters in the pressure cooker, seeing how they perform in the clutch. Results from the shooting games can be shared with friends or coaches on social media.
The Wilson X Connected Basketball, which is currently available, doesn't require charging, but its battery lasts up to 100,000 shots.
