Wilson just became a major name in sports equipment to release a “smart basketball” with their Wilson X Connected Basketball. The ball features a small sensor that connects to the Wilson X Connected Basketball smartphone app via Bluetooth, and allows the shooter to track made shots, missed shots and shot range.
The ball is designed for indoor and outdoor use, although it does require a hoop with a net to accurately track all of the shots. The Wilson X Connected Basketball is a basketball shooter’s experience; it is not designed to track short shots inside seven feet from the hoop.
The sensor does not need to be charged, as the battery life of the ball allots for 100,000 shots, which according to Wilson means around two years of heavy usage. If by chance the battery dies, Wilson will offer to replace the ball.
The app that pairs with the Wilson X Connected Basketball has four different games that cater to developing different shooting skillsets. Users are also supposed to plug headphones into their smartphone while shooting with the Wilson X Connected Basketball—the app will mimic real game audio, like crowd cheering and observations from sports commentators. Similar to a number of other sports sensors that pair with apps, the Wilson X Connected Basketball app possesses a social side, allowing users to share stats with friends, social media or coaches.
The technology behind the Wilson X Connected Basketball owes everything to a partnership between Wilson and SportIQ, a company that deals with sports technology and analytics. The process took about three years.
The Wilson X Connected Basketball will be joining a competitive market of devices that includes the wrist and net sensor system of ShotTracker, along with the 94Fifty Smart Basketball that is nearly identical to the Wilson X Connected Basketball.
Wilson will be hoping that their sleek design and recognizable name will draw customers in these early stages.
You can purchase the ball on Wilson’s website for $199.99.