Audio | Evolving Consumer

CES: Fitness Ear Plug In

Fitness Technologies Inc. is showing off its Plug-In AM Module that works with the new Fitness Technologies UWaterG8X and UWaterK9 Micro MP3 and FM players. This plug-in gives users – including those looking to listen while swimming – the option to tune-in to AM radio for talk shows, news and sports. Of course the players still provide FM radio, MP3 music and even audio books.

“We saw a need to combine AM broadcasting with our existing waterproof line of FM and MP3 micro players,” stated Opher Pail, President of Fitness Technologies, Inc. “We have many customers over 55, a group comprising the lion share of AM talk radio and news audiences, and we are very pleased to enhance their audio experience with our easy to use, affordable, new plug-in AM module.”

The Fitness Technologies Plug-in AM Module is 100 percent waterproof, includes a built-in 3.5mm audio connection for the included waterproof earphones, and is available in 3 colors – Neon Green, Orange and Metallic Grey. Device features after the jump

CES: The Aqua Man’s Speaker

Electronics and water don’t often mix, but at this week’s International CES in Las Vegas we’re seeing more devices that can stand up to nature. NYNE introduced the Aqua, the first IPX7 waterproof, floating, Bluetooth 4.0 portable speaker. While ideal for a pool, it could also be a great go anywhere speaker as it can be fully submersed in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It also features a built-in waterproof microphone to answer incoming calls, listen to voicemails and hear text notifications. It has a 2200mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery and a 3.5mm auxiliary input for an optional wired connection or non-Bluetooth devices.

“Aqua answers the need for a portable, high-quality audio speaker that can play music outdoors and withstand the elements,” said Arman Arami, president of NYNE. “With up to 10 hours of playtime, the party can last all day at the beach, pool, lake, campsite, or backyard, even when an unexpected rainstorm hits. Aqua plays music from any Bluetooth-enabled device within a 33-foot range, without a wired or dock connection, so your phone or tablet can stay easily accessible and dry.”

It offers 10 watts of power and is equipped with an EQ button that delivers four preset equalizer settings.

NYNE Official Website

CES Preview: vFit Fits the Bill

Velodyne will unveil its new-for-2014 vFit in-ear workout headphones at next month’s CES Unveiled in Las Vegas, taking place on Sunday, January 5. The company already highlighted the vFit in its blog, noting that the “vFit is my most anticipated Velodyne product release to date.”

We’ll be sure to check out the vFit and much more in a few weeks at CES.

[Via The Velodyne Voice: Work Off Holiday Excess With The vFit]

Just Beatz It

Riding a bike with earphones isn’t really recommended, but if you have to bring the tunes why not beat it out with the BikeBeatz. This speaker box contains two 6×9-inch speakers, a 240-watt amplifier and line-in port, which can be connected to virtually any portable music player.

It isn’t the lightest option we’ve seen, and no doubt those who share their music with the world may find not everyone has the same tastes in what is “good music.” Continue reading Just Beatz It

Holiday Gift Guide: Boom to the Box

Outdoor Tech’s Turtle Shell 2.0 outdoor speaker is as rugged as the original, but includes advanced CSR Chip, upgraded drivers, the latest audio codecs and what the company promises is a ridiculously long battery life. It features two speakers and passive bass port to pump out 96 decibels of quality sound, and it is built to withstand dust, water and shock at the IPX6 level– ideal for any action adventure or even the daily adventure of your shower.

Turtle Shell Official Website

Microsoft Kinect Used to Help Visually Impaired Do Yoga

What is the woman in the photo above doing wrong? To those of us that don’t do yoga it looks like a typical yoga pose, but this is actually the incorrect Warrior II pose. For those who are visually impaired it might be hard to follow to visual cues when doing yoga. Now researchers at the University of Washington have developed a program, dubbed the Eyes-Free Yoga, which utilizes the Microsoft Kinect software to track body movements and provide auditory cues in real time for six popular yoga poses.

“My hope for this technology is for people who are blind or low-vision to be able to try it out, and help give a basic understanding of yoga in a more comfortable setting,” said project lead Kyle Rector, a UW doctoral student in computer science and engineering. Continue reading Microsoft Kinect Used to Help Visually Impaired Do Yoga

Airwave Hello to Winter

Winter is on the way and for those who love the snow sports the Oakley Airwave 1.5 might be the way to wave hello to another season on the slopes. These snow sport goggles don’t just block the wind and snow, but features a heads-up display with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS integration. It can allow wearers to monitor speed and distance, note temperature and even control the music.

Say hello to winter with an Airwave!

Oakley Airwave 1.5 Official Website

Rock Out With the Rock Out 2

Goal Zero has scored again with the Rock Out 2 portable speaker that is designed for outdoor activity. It connects to virtually any portable music device via an auxiliary cable that connects to the headphone jack and brings music to the great outdoors thanks to its innovative chamber and DarkBass technology that combine to deliver high-quality sound.

This fall the Rock Out 2 even arrives with a Realtree camo pattern.

The Rock Out 2 features an internal Lithium-ion battery that delivers up to 20 hours or playback without draining the connected device’s battery. Rock Out 2 recharges in just 2 hours via USB or 3 hours from the sun with a Goal Zero Nomad 7 Solar Panel. Video after the jump

Head Smart

iriver might just be on to something. The company has launched the world’s first smart exercise headset, the iriver ON. This Bluetooth headset can continuously monitor real-time heart rate, physical location and workout data via a sensor in the earbud.

It is powered by PerformTek Precision Biometrics, a state-of-the-art sensor technology that continuously measures real-time biometric data with a high degree of accuracy and consistency. This actually provides more data than other personal monitors, and includes heart rate, distance, speed, VO2 max (aerobic fitness level) and calories burned. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

UniRider

From Gear Junkie: Man Rides Unicycle On 525-Mile Bike Tour
Riding 525 miles on a bicycle is a solid physical challenge. Grandfather of five Mark Massie made it tougher, opting to ride the entire California Coast Classic Bike Tour on a unicycle. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.12.2013): UniRider, Shoe Hole, Football Tech

Speak Up

“What did you say? I couldn’t hear you! That’s because I’m wearing headphones that block the outside world.”

We’ve all been there in one way or another, but Lou Tortola of Windsor, Canada is looking to change this with the AudioPLUX speaker system for cyclist. Tortola is now looking to Kickstarter to develop these speakers, which are meant to be “away from the ear” while still providing solid audio quality.

The idea is that these won’t suppress ambient sounds, but will still let you enjoy the tunes. Video after the jump

Scosche Pledges To the Cure, Gets in the Pink

Scosche announced that it will donate 10 percent of all October proceeds from purchases made on its site to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. And while the company is encouraging it customers to purchase pink versions of some of its most popular products to show their support for the fight against breast cancer all products and color variations will be counted toward the contribution.

Kudos to Scosche for helping fight this terrible disease.

Scosche Official Website

Interbike Preview: Adventure Buds

Music can provide a wonderful backdrop to an outdoor adventure and yurbuds is debuting its new Adventure Line that is geared towards those who like to head off the beaten path. These made their debut at last month’s Summer Outdoor Retailer show but will be at this week’s Interbike.

The new Adventure Line features all yurbuds qualities including a sweat and water resistant design for active use, FlexSoft comfort fit and TwistLock Technology that the company notes is guaranteed to never fall out. Additionally, the Adventure Line has tangle-resistant, rubberized woven cords which increase the water resistance to the IPX 5 level. The housing design and snap fit enhancers provide premium sound quality, and the QuikClik magnets allow for easy storage and access on the go.

Yurbuds Official Website