Nike unveils NFT platform, Steve Jobs’ sandals sell for $200K and more

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Nike unveils NFT platform, Steve Jobs’ sandals sell for $200K and more

Nike's "Dot Swoosh" platform landsFootwear and apparel giant Nike has unveiled its latest foray into the non-fungible token (NFT) and Metaverse space

Nike’s “Dot Swoosh” platform lands

Footwear and apparel giant Nike has unveiled its latest foray into the non-fungible token (NFT) and Metaverse space with the launch of an NFT marketplace named “.Swoosh”

While .Swoosh is still in the beta phase, Nike announced that its “first digital collection” is set to launch on the eb3 platform in 2023, with the rest of 2022 devoted to growing the platform and user base.

Among the “virtual creations” to become available next year are digital sneakers, apparel, accessories and other collectibles. In addition, some will unlock benefits such as access to real-life products and events.

Following the first collection drop, members can enter a community challenge to win the opportunity to co-create a virtual product with Nike.

According to Nike, the winners of the challenge can earn an undisclosed amount of royalties on the virtual product they help co-create.

Ron Faris, general manager of Nike Virtual Studios, said .Swoosh offers a “gateway into a new digital arena,” while the Twitter post from Nike said the platform would help “onboard the next millions” into the “wonderful world of web3 and digital assets.”

“We are shaping a marketplace of the future with an accessible platform for the web3-curious,” he added.

In 2021, Nike entered the Metaverse game through the acquisition of virtual sneakers and collectibles brand RTFKT. It also launched the virtual world Nikeland.

.SWOOSH uses similar tools and technologies but all three are different projects for the company.

Steve Jobs NFT sandals go under the hammer

A one-of-a-kind non-fungible token (NFT) of the Birkenstocks sandals worn by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs at various times during his life has sold for $218,750 at an auction.

Steve Jobs sandals, complete with imprints of his feet. Source: Julien’s Auctions

Julien’s Auctions ran the auction from Nov. 11 to Nov. 13, with 19 people overall trying to claim the footwear with offers ranging from $15,000 to $175,000.

Included in the deal was an NFT featuring a 360° digital representation of Steve Jobs sandals and was minted on the Polygon blockchain.

The NFT is a 1-of-1 Edition and included the physical sandals, with the “imprint of Steve Jobs’ feet.” It also came with a hard case for storage and transport and a Jean Pigozzi book titled “The 213 Most Important Men in My Life.”

Initially, the sandals and NFT were projected to fetch between $60,000 and $80,000, but after 19 bids, the sandals ended up going for $218,750. The new owner of the sandal NFT has not been publically disclosed.

Jobs and Steve Wozniak co-founded Apple in 1976. Jobs died of pancreatic cancer in 2011.

First airport metaverse takes flight in India 

Bangalore International Airport has launched Metaport, a metaverse airport built on the Polygon blockchain. 

Inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Nov. 11, the metaverse features a virtual reproduction of Terminal 2 at Bangalore International Airport and allows users to network with other travelers, access entertainment and go shopping in the digital space.

Arpit Sharma, Vice President of Enterprises at Polygon, posted a Nov. 12 video of Metaport in action.

In the video a user logs into the Metaverse airport, customizes their avatar’s appearance and clothing, and then wanders around the virtual space.

The avatar interacts with several other users through a text-based chat, goes on an art tour, and gets the chance to purchase digital items before a boarding call prompts the user to leave the metaverse. 

The project is the result of a joint venture between Bangalore International Airport, Polygon, Intel and Amazon Web Services and is being called the first metaverse airport in the world by its creators.

2022 FIFA World Cup NFTs kicking off 

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is rapidly approaching its Nov. 20 kickoff in Qatar and in the leadup, several companies have been releasing NFT collections and announcing Web3 games for the event. 

Sportswear manufacturer Adidas posted a Nov. 14 promotional trailer for the…

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