Author: KineticShift

Scary Spice Moves to Get Fit

Mel B, formerly Scary Spice of the Brit Pop group the Spice Girls, has been getting fit, and the latest title, Get Fit With Mel B has been released for the PlayStation Move for the PlayStation 3. This one offers you fitness expert Mel B, who offers positive feedback, encouragement and real-time guidance on your performance, while providing 25 different workout goals. The game features a custom workout program and a daily menu to help gamers stay on track (while getting off the couch).

“There’s never been a combination of technology and passion for fitness like this before,” says Deep Silver COO Geoff Mulligan, whose company developed the game. This is as close as you’re going to get to having a personal trainer in your own home. We’re incredibly proud that Get Fit with Mel B is the first fitness title available for the PlayStation Move platform and that critics are already hailing it as the best option for getting fit with an interactive program.”

In addition to programs the game also features social networking integration so users can share their workout results and accomplishments with friends via Facebook. It is almost as good as having Mel B as a close and personal friend.

Get Fit With Mel B Official Website

Lindsey Vonn Dons Oakleys

Oakley, the maker of premium eyewear, has announced that World Class skier Lindsey Vonn has chosen Oakley goggles and sunglasses for the upcoming season. Oakley High Definition Optics (HDO) features a collection of optical technologies engineered to meet the demands of athletes such as Vonn. These include impact protection as well as 100 UV filtering on and off the hill, while Oakley also offers a full spectrum of lens tints to allow athletes to precisely match with environmental conditions.

“I am thrilled to be with a brand so passionate about optics and protection,” said Lindsey Vonn. “Oakley meets all my needs with a range of lens tints, and so much more. Medals are decided by hundredths of a second, so I need assurance that my vision is perfect every time I compete, no matter what the conditions. That’s why Oakley was the obvious choice, and I wouldn’t think of entering a competition with anything less.”

Lindsey Vonn will take advantage of the Oakley advantage in the World Cup competition and beyond.

Oakley Official Website

Video Games Won’t Get You Fit, But Can They Get You in Shape to Get Fit?

We’ve long taken the opinion that video games are not an acceptable alternative to hitting the gym, but we also agree that fitness related games – including dance games, workout titles and anything that involves “moving” you off the couch is still a good thing. But now comes word from a few sources that the American Heart Association has found that Wii games such as Wii Sports and Wii Fit could be an actual “gateway” to the real deal.

According to Dr. Barry A. Franklin, who was quoted by My Fox Houston, games not a substitute for actual exercise, but do encourage people to get healthier. Franklin’s view:

“The fact of the matter is that 70 percent of Americans don’t exercise. Some of the reasons they don’t exercise s that it’s not enjoyable, it’s no fun, and it’s not readily accessible.

“Often times the boxing, the golfing, and other activities have an energy expenditure that is equivalent to slow, moderate walking. That’s a lot better than sitting on the couch.”

With the recent release of the PlayStation Move this past September, as well as this week’s release of the Xbox 360 Kinect we expect a lot of gaming to occur, but at least this could be a gateway to healthier gamers.

Deca Sports Heads to Kinect

When the Kinect for Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is released next month gamers will be able to compete in 10 sporting events from the single Deca Sports Freedom title. This one will feature controller free gaming, which should hopefully get players off the couch and get their hearts pumping as they take part in tennis, boxing, archery, paintball, beach volleyball, dodge ball, kendo, mogul skiing, snowboard cross and figure skating. We’re not sure how all these will work, but we like the sound of it.

“DECA SPORTS FREEDOM is an exciting step forward for the DECA SPORTS franchise,” said Mike Pepe, Director of Marketing at Hudson Entertainment.  “We’re proud to embrace new technologies and innovations in gaming in our mission to deliver games that appeal to players of all ages and skill levels.”

The game, which is being published by Hudson Entertainment, will arrive with the release of the Kinect for Xbox 360 video game system on November 18.

Deca Sports Freedom Official Website

Bluetooth SIG Announces World Cup 2010 Finalists

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced the finalized for the Bluetooth Innovation World Cup (IWC). These include applications that make use of the new Bluetooth low energy wireless technology feature, with an emphasis on applications for sports & fitness, health care and home automation. The nine best ideas out of all 270 international submissions have been selected by an international panel of experts.

In the low energy technology for health care are an ear worn sensor for activity recognition developed by Louis Atallah from Great Britain. It measures balance, body posture or heart rate and seamlessly transmits that information to a medical help desk. Furthermore, Ahang Baghschomali from Germany submitted an ambient assisted sensing system which combines Classic Bluetooth technology with Bluetooth low energy technology and makes life easier for people with hearing problems as it gives instructions through the hearing aid. The Oxygen Flow Controller by Jimmy Vincent from India describes an innovative way to optimize the monitoring of blood oxygen with automatic adjustment of the oxygen supply for the patient.

The Bluetooth Innovation World Cup 2010 is sponsored by Anritsu (Preferred Technology Partner), Nordic Semiconductor, STMicroelectronics, Suunto and Texas Instruments.

Bluetooth Special Interest Group Official Website

Wii Goes Soft and Safe

While we like the idea that the Wii can get gamers off the couch and actually get their hearts pumping, we don’t like the fact that the hard plastic controllers will leave a mark when they come in contact with an opponent’s skin. In other words: getting hit with a controller mid-match just plain hurts. And this isn’t what we had in mind when we said no pain, no gain.

But BLAZE has gone for a soft touch with its latest Fitness First licensed product line, the Wii Fitness First Soft & Safe sports pack. These padded controllers feature soft foam materials so you can swing away without worrying about causing physical injuries. The attachments, which include bow, handle bars, Frisbee, paddle and bat are all fully motion plus compatible and can be used with Wii Sports Resort and other Wii Sporting titles. The Blaze Fitness First, Soft & Safe Sports Pack will be available in November.

Wii Fitness First Soft & Safe Sports Pack

Cervélo TestTeam Offers More Behind the Scenes of the Tour de France

This week Cervélo announced that the release of the next episode of the second season of Beyond The Peloton, the High-Definition documentary following the racing exploits of Cervélo TestTeam. The series, which is available on YouTube, is the next best thing to an all-access pass to the Tour. It follows filmmakers Joe Finkleman and Booker Sim as they return to show you what race footage fails to capture “beyond the peloton”.

Beyond the Peloton

PlayStation Moves One Million Units

The world is moving at a faster and faster pace every day, and some are doing the Move directly in the living rooms. In fact, more than one million might be doing so it seems. This week Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that it has shipped more than one million units of the PlayStation Move in North and Latin America in the first 30 days since its release.

The system is one of the latest innovations in video game development, getting gamers off the couch and being a bit more active. “PlayStation Move is the most recent example of how product innovation continues to provide our customers with new and exciting ways to enjoy our technology,” said Jack Tretton, Chief Executive Officer, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC. 

Currently 24 titles are available for the PlayStation Move, with 15 additional titles slated for release in the upcoming months. The PlayStation Move is now available at retail, as a bundle with PlayStation Eye camera, and PlayStation Move motion controller as well as Sports Champions on Blu-ray and a demo disc add-on for $99.99.

Sony PlayStation Official Site

17 Controller-Free Games to Launch With Microsoft’s Kinect for Xbox 360

Will gamers get off the couch and get fit? That’s certainly the hope with the upcoming release of Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox 360. The motion-control system – which sort of makes the hype about “controller-free” seem not quite accurate – is already sold-out in pre-orders.

Despite that fact, Microsoft has now announced the launch of a multiyear advertising campaign, and more importantly revealed the lineup of 17 controller-free games. Of those, the ones that are most notable for the fitness crowd include:

  • Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (Ubisoft)
  • Dance Central (MTV Games/Harmonix)
  • The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout (THQ)
  • DanceMasters (Konami)
  • EA Sports Active 2 (EA Sports), which comes with Total Body Tracking that includes heart rate data
  • Zumba Fitness (Majesco)

Kinect for Xbox 360 will be available worldwide starting on November 4. It will be released as part of a new Xbox 360 4GB console bundle for $299.99, as well as a standalone unit for $149.99.

For more information:

Microsoft Xbox 360

Exercise Bikes Lead the Pack in Global Market Trend

In a sign that we hope means people will take fitness more seriously, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. is reporting that the global market for physical fitness equipment will exceed $10.5 billion (with a B) by 2015. Much of this will be spurred by a growing fitness mantra, and it won’t be limited to the United States – as developing regions including Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East will be looking to get toned as well.

The new market report further suggests that the despite an economic slowdown, fitness related gear will continue to sell – and hopefully this won’t be limited to products offering quick fixes and easy solutions. You need to sweat and burn to earn that weight loss after all. The United States will represent the single largest market for physical fitness equipment, with Asia-Pacific emerging as the fastest growing regional market. Continue reading Exercise Bikes Lead the Pack in Global Market Trend

Shred in the Mall with Tony Hawk

While many shopping malls and other community establishments have banned skateboarding, this fall you’ll be able to grind your way with Tony Hawk during an upcoming tour. The Hawkman won’t be making personal appearances however, but this could be the next best thing as Activision is taking Tony Hawk: Shred on a national mall tour – but totally unlike those old mall tours with Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.

The 10-city Mall Tour kicked off this past weekend, and is giving fans a chance to jump on the game’s unique board controller and experience the thrill of skate and snowboarding. The best part is that no one will chase you away for being possessed to skate.

Upcoming dates include:

  • Rockaway Town Square, New York, NY – October 23 – 24
  • Plymouth Meeting Mall, Philadelphia, PA – October 30 –  31
  • Virginia Center Commons, Washington, DC – November  6 –7
  • Orland Square, Chicago, IL – November 13 – 14
  • Mall of Georgia, Atlanta, GA – November 20 – 21
  • Katy Mills, Houston, Texas – November 27 – 28
  • Irving Mall, Dallas, Texas – December  4 – 5
  • Brea Mall, Los Angeles, Calif. – December 11 – 12
  • Stoneridge Mall, San Francisco, Calif. – December 18 – 19

Shred will be in stores on October 26.

Tony Hawk Shred Official Website

London Calling: New Bike Show for January

After the surprise announcement that Interbike would be staying put, comes word that the Cycle Show, the former London Cycle Show, would move from London’s Earls Court to NEC area in Birmingham. Our friends at BikeRadar.com reported that the organizers are looking to make this move as Birmingham will allow for a “significant expansion.”

The event, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary will take place just weeks after Interbike, and run from September 29 to October 2. Meanwhile BikeRadar also announced that London Town won’t be without a bike show.

In a (confusing) twist, the London Bike Show will take place from January 13-16. We can hope this will mean lots more bicycle tech for us to report on, and for all of us to ride on next season and beyond.

London Bike Show

Interbike 2011: Vegas, Baby, Vegas

Forget everything you heard about Interbike moving to Anaheim for next August. The show is staying put in Las Vegas. The bicycle show’s organizers made it official yesterday. The show will stay in Las Vegas, and will be held September 12-16.

“The announcement that we were moving the show dates and location elicited a very real response that surveys and discussions alone couldn’t accomplish,” said Andy Tompkins, Interbike show director. “Due to the overwhelmingly positive response to this year’s show and the countless conversations we’ve personally had with exhibitors and retailers regarding the future dates and location of Interbike, we are reversing our earlier decision to move the 2011 show to Anaheim in August. We are hearing loud and clear that, at this time, the industry prefers September dates and the convenience of Las Vegas.”

We’re already looking forward to next year’s show, and we’ll be sure to do the right down the Vegas strip!