Summer is here and now is the time to get wet and wild. And Eliot Germanovsky of BoatsToGo talked with us about the new innovations in practical boats that can be folded, inflated and ready for the water. Best of all these boats are compact enough that they can be easily transported and stored when not in use. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Eliot Germanovsky Talks New Boating Technology
Author: Peter Suciu
Aston Martin To Introduce Bike Worthy of Secret Agent
We all know that James Bond often drives an Aston Martin (except for those BMW years), and now the automaker is introducing a “”superbike” that would be worthy of the super spy. The One-77 superberbike will be released in July, but it might take a license to kill to acquire one – or at least a lot of money.
The limited edition bike “borrows” (much like spies borrow things) technology used in the Factor001, and that’s not really surprising as Factorbikes actually built the One-77. There is technology in the bike that provides riders with more than 100 channels of data including speed, temperature, rate of climb there are accelerometers to measure crank torque levels, while biometric data including respiration rate and core body temperature can be tracked. Continue reading Aston Martin To Introduce Bike Worthy of Secret Agent
Sony’s Underwater Camcorder Makes a Big Splash
There are many cameras that claim to be able to “go-anywhere” but Sony is looking to prove it. The company unveiled its HandyCam HDR-GW77V last week, a pocket video cam that features a compact vertical body design with a flip-out waterproof three-inch LCD touchscreen. It is waterproof and impact resistant.
The new HandyCam uses the AVCHD compression standard to capture HD videos at up to 1,920×1,080 HD resolution. It features a G-series 17x optical zoom lens and a 20.4-megapixel imager, and will be available in three colors. It hit Japan last month and should make a big splash in the United States later this summer. Video after the jump
Waterproof Phone Case Doubles as Speaker
If there is one thing that smartphone users have learned (after not to drop it), it is that water and phones don’t go together. There are plenty of cases out there, and even cases that allow a device to be attached to an external speaker. But now Grace Digital Audio – maker of waterproof speakers such as the Eco Extreme and Eco Terra – has created the next must-have gadget for the beach this summer in the guise of a simple package that allows the phone to be protected while also doubling as a speaker. Continue reading Waterproof Phone Case Doubles as Speaker
Walnut Studiolo Lets Cyclists Get a Handle
Last year we noted that Portland-based Walnut Studiolo was using simple basic leather for numerous bike related products, including a U-lock holster and handlebar wrap. The company has introduced another product and is looking to raise some money as a Kickstart project.
It is simple, so simple that it begs the question why hadn’t someone thought of it before – it is a Frame Handle (or “The Little Lifter”), which can be used on just about any traditional double diamond frame. It mounts above the front derailleur and below the water bottle cage mounts and literally adds a handle where it is needed most to carry a bike comfortably. Video after the jump
FitBug Launches Game Framework
As we’ve seen competition – friendly competition – can help be a major motivating way to keep up with fitness goals. And Fitbug will help users stay motivated with the new Games Framework and iPhone app that allows taems or individuals to compete against each other in a variety of virtual challenges.
This new capability encompasses Google map-based progress and hotspot graphics, as well as Chatterbox and social media features to keep users motivated and connected. It also offers a team leader boards, and builds upon Fitbug’s previous league challenge, Fantasy Footfall. These games can further be customized to any route and branded to meet client requirements. The new games platform has been designed to enable Fitbug to provide a library of readily available challenges to clients and, where required, quickly build custom challenges for specific client requirements. Continue reading FitBug Launches Game Framework
Columbia Sportswear Introduces Omni-Freeze ZERO
The heat is on, and rightfully so as June is here and that means summer – at least in the Northern Hemisphere. And Columbia Sportswear is talking about Omni-Freeze ZERO, the company’s new groundbreaking apparel technology, which is the culmination of a four-year development project.
The result is a new line of apparel that actually cooler in hot, moist conditions. It features distinctive blue rings, embedded and visible in the fabric to help disperse heat! How cool is that? About the only thing not cool is that we’ll have to wait until Spring 2013 to try it out.
Google Offer Hiking Trail Views
Google noted last week that it was “obsessed over building great maps for our users—maps that are totally comprehensive (we’re shooting for literally the whole world), ever more accurate and incredibly easy to navigate.”
We’ve seen this with Google Earth, which offers that bird’s eye view of just about everywhere. On the ground there has been Google Street View as well – but now the company is heading to the trails with Google Street View Trekker, a hi-tech backpack-contained system that will essentially bring Street View to places that can only be reached on foot. Video after the jump
Sunday Q&A: bübi bottle’s Inventor Gives Lowdown
Craig Madaus is an athlete but also an entrepreneur and principal of Ocean Sailing Consulting LLC. He has traveled the world looking for new places to run, and along find that staying hydrated was a big issue because store-bought bottles were environmentally inexcusable, while conventional, refillable bottles took up as much space empty as they did full.
Thus was born the bübi bottle, the first scrunchable refillable water bottle. Craig tells us its story. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: bübi bottle’s Inventor Gives Lowdown
InCOG Stashes Bike Tools on the Bike
In the fictional world of George Orwell’s 1984 Ingsoc was the political ideology of the totalitarian government, and it was known for double speak, a type of hiding the real message. InCOG on the other hand has nothing to do with a nefarious world order, but it offers another take on hiding things.
In this case it is about stashing tools for a bicycle… within a bicycle! The InCOG is a bike-specific multi-tool that can slide into the bike’s handlebars, thus being where it is needed most. The main tool includes hex wrenches and screwdriver bits, while a second tool comes with tire repair kit. It can fit into virtually any handlebar because it basically a series of compartments slung together by an elastic band, thus snaking its way in and out of the bar.
The tool kit is available for pre-order on Ideacious and we say this is an idea whose time has come.
Light&Motion Provides Light for Bicycle Motion
Riding at night can be dangerous, especially if the streets aren’t well lit. So riding with a quality bike light can make the difference between getting there and getting there safely. Light & Motion has provided some very bright lights and now the company has introduced CREE XML bulbs for the latest Seca bike light, offering 1400 to 1700 lumens.
Additionally the company has reduced the size of the battery from six to three cells but still manages to provide long run time for the long ride long. The Seca 800 will certainly light the way with 1700 lumens, and it can run for 1.5 hours on high, three hours on medium or even six on low. This lightweight light is just 345grams too. So the only downside might be the $469 retail price. But for those who have to travel in the dark this one will certainly shine!
E3 2012: Wii Fit U Announced
While not the first in the space, Nintendo was one of the pioneers to bring fitness to the video game platform with Wii Fit, and now at the Electronic Entertainment Expo this week Nintendo has announced Wii Fit U for its upcoming Wii U platform.
In addition to announcing the game, Nintendo revealed the Wii Fit U Pedometer, and announced that the device will work with Wii Fit U specifically. The Pedometer will be able to count your steps, track your altitude, and estimate your calories burned during your exercise sessions. You’ll also be able to generally track all of your physical activity while you’re not directly in front of your television as well. Trailer video after the jump
Swimsuit Drama Continues
There hasn’t been this much drama over swim attire since the bikini arrived followed World War II. With just two months until the London Olympics swimsuits are stirring up trouble. This comes in the wake of the Speedo LZR Racer Elite was banned following the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
The Speedo LZR Racer Elite was notably worn by Olympic gold metalist Michael Phelps, and after the games aquatic leaders banned all rubberized bodysuits. This was thought to be the end of the technological “arms race” that stirred up the trouble in the first place. Bob Bowman, coach of Phelps has gone on the record to say that the suit matters and helps, but that it doesn’t change the swimmer. In other words the Speedo LZR Racer Elite doesn’t make Phelps transform into Aquaman. Continue reading Swimsuit Drama Continues