aboutGolf is getting smart about balls. The innovator of golf simulation technology has announced the release of Ball Smarts, a user friendly app that uses a combination of ball data gathered through the aboutGolf 3Track technology along with preferences indicated by the golfer to identify the most compatible balls for a particular player’s game. The app provides advanced analysis testing of each recommended ball to allow the golfer to assess the ball based on speed, compression ratings and cost. The application is fully compatible with PGA TOUR Simulators. Continue reading If the Ball Fits
Category: Computing
G-GO Water Resistant Speaker is on Target
Heading into a season of water sports and fun doesn’t have to mean the action happens without music. The G-GO from G-Project is a portable, water resistant Bluetooth speaker that’s easy to take waterside and connects to any Bluetooth device to play music. Continue reading G-GO Water Resistant Speaker is on Target
IHRSA: Ant+ the WASP
Things are sounding buggy with Ant+ but neither in the insect way, nor in the problematic area. Rather Ant Wireless and North Pole Engineering demonstrated the latest wireless fitness solution at last week’s IHRSA 2012 in Los Angeles, which included NPE’2 newly-launched WASP.
This is an ANT+ enabled Wi-Fi bridge that facilitates the demand for accessible, networked data in a club group environment. This completely portable and expandable system automatically links with over 30 brands of ANT+ digital heart straps, and modularized solutions allow for unlimited class sizes. Companies utilizing ANT+ and WASP include Free Motion, Garmin, Octane, Schwinn and Timex. Continue reading IHRSA: Ant+ the WASP
U.S. Soccer Picks Polar
Last week Polar announced that it will be the “Official Heat Rate Technology Supplier” for U.S. Soccer through 2013, and this will include this year’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Polar will supply devices for nine national teams including the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, the Under-23, Under-20 and Under-17 Men’s and Women’s respective teams as well as the U.S. National Paralympics Soccer Team.
Each team will use the Polar Team2 Pro Set to help coaches and trainers gain insight into each individual athlete’s fitness level, where the monitors can be used to help athletes optimize fitness levels and prevent over training that could result in injury. Continue reading U.S. Soccer Picks Polar
New Study Finds Fitness Video Games May Not Be So Fit, After All
We have written a few stories about the fitness video game trend (in fact, we just posted one the other day), but one new study has found that such games don’t offer kids any benefits, according to a HealthDay report, and questions whether using video games as a way to get kids active is appropriate or not
The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, examined the physical gaming activity of two groups of kids (78 children between the ages 9 and 12) over a three-month period. Each child was given a Nintendo Wii system (none of the kids had ever owned one) plus accompanying accessories. One group of kids could choose from a selection of five fitness-based titles such as Wii Fit Plus, while the second group played “non-active” video games like Mario Kart Wii. Continue reading New Study Finds Fitness Video Games May Not Be So Fit, After All
Make the iPad “Battle Ready”
Soldiers wear helmets to protect their heads, body armor and even special boots these days. Vehicles are getting retro-fitted with extra armor as well. And now Flying Circle Bags, a supplier of field, tactical and travel bags for the U.S. Military has introduced the Tactical iPad Cover.
This cover has been optimized to securely hold an iPad in a variety of methods including one handed and on hands-free with an adjustable leg strap. It features a removable viewing hood that can reduce glared in bright sunlight, and more importantly reduce the visual signature during no-light and low-light conditions. Video after the jump
MotionFit Ready For Developers
Motion tracking devices have made some major strides in the last couple of years, and now InvenSense, a provider of motion tracking technology, announced this week the availability of its MotionFit System Developers Kit (SDK). This promises to help accelerate design and commercialization of wearable sensor devices for the growing fitness and remote health monitoring markets.
And while this is big news it comes ina small package, as the SKD consists of a small 40mm x 37mm development board incorporating the InvenSense MPU-9150 single chip 9-axis MotionTracking device, a pressure sensor for altitude tracking, a TI MSP430 microcontroller with external serial flash for data logging, a 110mA/hr rechargeable battery, and communication via USB or Bluetooth interfaces enabling real-time streaming of data to smartphones. Continue reading MotionFit Ready For Developers
Ballistic Tough Jacket Lets You Take iPad 2 Into the Wild Without Worry
For those planning to take their iPads out in the field, Ballistic has a new case that will help protect the pricey device from getting damaged. The Tough Jacket for iPad 2 has three layers of material that resist impact and absorb shock. One layer features an inner silicone to absorb shock, the second is impact-resistant hard plastic, and the third is shock absorbent polymer. “Ballistic corners” protect the sides from drops and prevent the screen from making actual contact with a surface. The removable cover protects the screen but can also be used as a kickstand to prop up the iPad. Available in black or red, the case has a list price of $69.99.
Trimble Yuma Tablet Computer Now Available in Ubuntu Linux Flavor
Tablet computers must be big business or forecasted to be, since every manufacturer seems to have one or a few in their lineup (although it’s hard to tell if any of them are lucrative, since Apple’s iPad still dominates this market). Enter the latest contender, the Trimble Yuma from SDG Systems. Unlike other tablets that run on familiar operating systems like iOS, Android, or Windows, the Trimble Yuma uses Ubuntu Linux.
The Trimble Yuma, to clarify, is not completely new. A version that uses Windows 7 already exists. What’s new is the use of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Netbook Edition Linux, which SDG added based on customer demand. It’s also designed for military and industrial applications. Starting at $3,695, this is not for the general consumer. SDG will also customize the unit with a different version of Linux for a fee.
In addition to a 7-inch display that works in sunlight, a magnesium alloy shell, a solid-state drive, and military-grade resistance to various environment conditions, the Trimble Yuma’s is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, like the ones found in many netbook computers. Also built-in are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two cameras, GPS, and two card slots.
Like we said, this isn’t for the most of us, unless your activities frequently take you to places like the Gobi Desert.
SDG Systems Official Website
[PCWorld: Ready for Another Linux Tablet? Meet the Rugged Trimble Yuma]
U.S. Air Force Picks Getac B300 Rugged Computer
Ever wonder who actually buys those bulky, rugged, military-grade computers? Why, the military, of course! Getac, a maker of rugged computers, and NCS Technologies, which makes “mission-specific” computers and some Getac products under license, announced that the U.S. Air Force has selected the Getac B300 fully rugged notebook computer as part of its Quantum Enterprise Buy (QEB) program, in the Fully Rugged Laptop category.
The QEB selection process evaluates each vendor’s products for quality, performance, price, and compatibility with the USAF’s strict security requirements. Getac said, “The B300 rugged notebook computer was selected for the program for meeting those stringent requirements while delivering performance, reliability, and consistent ability to withstand the harshest work and environmental conditions.”
So, what’s in a B300? You’ll find a 2.5-GHz Intel Core i5 processor, the industry’s brightest 1400 NITs QuadraClear display, 100mw high-power Wi-Fi, a 120GB SSD drive with 128-bit encryption, and a dual-battery configuration for up to 30 hours. The B300, which will be built by NCS, will be available through the QEB program in June 2012.
What does this all mean to you? Probably nothing, but if you are shopping for a rugged portable computer that can handle the elements and meets requirements to satisfy the Air Force, we point you toward the B300.
Getac Official Website
[Marketwire Press Release: United States Air Force Selects Getac B300 for QEB Fully Rugged Laptop Category]
Fitness Goes to Orbit With Breathe
FitOrbit, the online solution that provides 24/7 accessibility to certified personal trainers, is telling members to “Breathe,” by launching its new logging and tracking experience. “Breathe” offers users the ability to select meals and workouts online, and with a click of the mouse it lets the trainer know what you’ve accomplished for the day. This online tracking also allows for a “quick add” with an intelligent algorithm that identifies what users are looking for, and even remembers preferences and favorites.
FitOrbit’s “Breathe” allows users to talk to their trainer anytime and anyway, without even having log onto the Website, as it now offers an email app that can be used with mobile phones. Sounds like a breath of fresh air! Press release after the jump
Bluetooth SIG Forms Sports and Fitness Working Group
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group formed the Sports and Fitness Working Group with the goal of participating companies to “work together to enhance interoperability between Bluetooth enabled sports and fitness sensor products and training computers (Bluetooth Smart devices) and hub devices such as smartphones, PCs, TVs (Bluetooth Smart Ready devices), gym equipment, watches and more to allow a new generation of functionality.”
The working group will work to advance the use and abilities of Bluetooth in sports and fitness devices. In particular, the group will work with the new generation, Bluetooth v4.0, a low energy technology that gives devices connectivity without using too much battery life.
Mosoro, one of the working group’s first members, is working on a Bluetooth Smart sensor that connects to a golf club to record and send data on a player’s golf swing, which is sent to a smartphone for real-time feedback. Devices that serve as an example for the group are the Motorola MOTOACTV fitness watch and Nike+ FielBand, a wristband that uses Bluetooth to sync with a user’s smartphone to track and analyze physical activity.
Bluetooth SIG is accepting new members to the Sports and Fitness Working Group. Registration for the Sports and Fitness Working Group and Sports and Fitness Bluetooth Ecosystem Team (BET) is open to Bluetooth SIG Associate and Promoter members.
GammaTech RT10C Gives New Meaning to “Fully Rugged”
Designed for industrial applications, the GammaTech RT10C fully rugged computer could be one for those who need a solid machine for globetrotting adventures. This lightweight computer is built to Military 810G standards and IP65 rated for dust and water protection. With its sealed design it is a tablet PC that is drop-proof, spill-proof, shock-proof and truly watertight.
It features a touch-screen 10.2-inch wide display with LED backlight – meaning it can be used even if shade isn’t always an option. It is powered by an Intel Core i7-620UE mobile processor and offers integrated HD graphics, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. For security it features TPM 1.2 fingerprint recognition.
The RT10C offers as many connections as it might take to get to the middle of nowhere, including two USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, PCMCIA slot, two mini card slots, CompactFlash slot and VGA port. An optional vehicle or office docking station includes four USB 2.0 ports, an Ethernet port, Serial port, and VGA port. Battery life is rated at five hours of usage with its nine-cell Smart lithium-ion battery. Pricing to be announced, but can you really put a price on a machine that might just live up to be indestructible?