Category: Consumer Electronics Show

Timbuk2 Rolls Out Bags with Bike-Friendly Features

Whether you bike your commute to work, are out for fun or extensive exercise, you may have some gear to tote along. A shoulder bag gets in the way, and sometimes even your standard backpack feels inappropriate while riding.

Timbuk2 has a few new bag designs that address the specific needs of cyclists. Those are streamlined, well-balanced and with the right pockets to store laptops and tablets, every day items and even bike-specific gear such as helmets and locks.

While the bag company showed its upcoming products for the year at CES earlier this month, some of its bike-friendly bags won’t be available until about September’s Interbike. The new line of backpacks,  includes the Amnesia, Hemlock and Q. The former is something we’ll be sure to remember as we wait for it to arrive.

The Amnesia features a ventilated back panel to help ensure that you don’t get too hot under the collar, while custom-fit straps give a truer, more comfortable fit. The refined weave 840 ballistic nylon pack offers a “swing around” side access compartment that can fit a laptop or tablet up to 15-inches. Separate front organizer pockets are available for accessories. This bag features an bottle opener on one of the straps. Once you’re off your bike you can use the paired Velcro loops on the bag’s face to secure your helmet or headphones – we recommend you keep the helmet on your head while on the bike. Continue reading Timbuk2 Rolls Out Bags with Bike-Friendly Features

Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

Speck ToughSkin case for the iPhone 4 is ready to play.

Speaking as someone who has caused a quick demise of an MP3 player or two on the treadmill (the treadmill!), I think I can say that not all cases are built to withstand that type of torture. They’re made to withstand the torment of being tossed into a bag, purse or pocket. But a drop of a few feet, and at the velocity of someone running? Good bye. That said, Speck just came out with a line of Toughskin and Toughshell cases for the iPhone 4.

The ToughSkin for iPhone 4 ($39.95) is a three-layered system with an inner plastic shell that can be used all on its own, an outer rubber and rugged shell and an detachable holster with a rotating belt clip. The inner, plastic hard shell can stand on its own as a case when you’re not as active. However the rubberized outer case adds extra cushioning for your phone that will protect it if your phone launches from your hands while running or partaking in other activities. The holster has a rotating belt that you clip the phone into facing either direction. You can face your iPhone 4 inward to protect the screen from any damage, or clip it facing out so you can watch video or look at images. Continue reading Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

Trade shows, especially for journalists, are a time for getting work done. Meeting exhibitors and seeing product. It’s easy to lose sight of your fitness routines. As the Consumer Electronics Show approached and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) approached me to wear an activity meter and compete for the journalist who takes the most steps, I was intrigued. There are a few shows including CES and the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) where I know I log a lot of steps because I’m running (sometimes literally) back and forth between several spread out halls to get to appointments and to see the show. I’ve always been curious just how many steps I’ve taken and calories I’ve burned at these shows. Now I had the perfect tool to give me the answer. Not only that, but immediately after CES I was headed to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and was curious to see how that show compared in steps and energy output. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

CES 2011 Recap: The Open Range EV

If you’re going to take it off road, do so in style and do it while still being eco-friendly we say. That’s sort of the idea behind the Ranger EV, the first ever electric, off-road capable utility vehicle from Polaris. The Ranger EV rolled into Las Vegas for the Showstoppers press event during last week’s Consumer Electronics Show and it certainly turned heads.

The Ranger EV features the longest battery pack in the industry, and thus offers the longest range of any electric midsize vehicle. It is powered by an exclusive 48-volt, AC induction motor, and can cruise with a top speed of 25 mph. It has a range of 50 miles and comes with a 500 pound cargo box, plus can tow up to 1,250 pounds, while offering a 1,000 total payload capacity. In other words, this green machine – which isn’t actually the color green – is up for the off-road and so much more.

Polaris Official Website

CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS

CES maybe over but we’ll be posting about all the cool stuff all week long.

Some partnerships just seem like a match made in heaven, and we’re not talking about Peanut Butter Cups either. Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show we heard an announcement that frankly was more earth shattering than the Apple iPhone for Verizon deal. Nike and TomTom are collaborating to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS, which will now utilize TomTom’s GPS functionality.

This will provide athletes with the ability to know where they’re going as well as how much they ran, plus all the usual information including calories burned, pace, distance and time. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will feature the same simple and intuitive user interface as the past models with a mere three buttons and tap screen for navigation. Continue reading CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS

CES 2011: Mini Video Camera Takes on Water Activity

If you’re having too much fun doing water sports or want to film all three stages of your next triathlon, the SportsCam Waterproof Mini Video Camera from Swann Security may just be for you. The SportsCam is sheathed in a rugged waterproof case and has a handful of mounting options to secure it to your person or equipment and get you set up for filming. Continue reading CES 2011: Mini Video Camera Takes on Water Activity

CES 2011: Check Blood Pressure with Withings iPhone Monitor

When we need to get our blood pressure check, we either head to our doctor or to the supermarket, where there’s usually a free blood pressure monitor machine by the pharmacy. But with Withings’ new blood pressure monitor for the iPhone, we can now play doctor and check our measurements at home through our smartphone.

Of course, this won’t replace a visit to a real medical professional, but it’d allow users to keep track of their health in between doctor visits.

The device works with iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches, and will sell for $129. The device is being demonstrated now at CES. See full release below.

Withings

Withings Launches World’s First iPhone Connected Blood Pressure Monitor with Online Monitoring and Measurement Storage

This revolutionary new product created by Withings, dramatically improves access to BP measurements for users worldwide

Las Vegas, Nevada – January 4, 2011- CES/ North Hall/ Booth #3619- With hypertension affecting almost 25% of the world population , blood pressure measurement can help to save lives. However, until now, taking your blood pressure required the use of complex devices with multiple manipulations, mathematical operations and data recording procedures. Self-measurement has been recommended by the medical profession for many years , but no one had yet found concrete solutions to expand its use.

This is why Withings chose to rethink the blood pressure monitor and turn it into an attractive, user-friendly connected device.

With the Withings Blood Pressure monitor, measuring and understanding your blood pressure couldn’t be easier. All data is recorded and saved to the user’s secure online space for easy measurement access and retrieval through their iPhone, iPad or other screen connected to a user-friendly interface.

Self-measurement is made simple by the Withings Blood Pressure monitor.  It improves the reliability of readings and offers the option to share them with relatives, healthcare providers or medical professionals.

Through the Withings API, specialist partners can interface with the platform to offer additional services, as Withings has already proven with its WiFi Body Scale and partners such as Google Health, Microsoft HealthVault and numerous health & sports coaching websites such as DailyBurn.com, RunKeeper.com, FitOrbit.com, gymtechnik.com, aujourdhui.com, Strands.com, Danholt4mac.com, Jogmap.de…and many more.

Says Withings co-founder Cédric Hutchings: “Apple revolutionized the world of smartphones by making them more user-friendly than ever before. By adding connectivity to high-tech devices, we simplify their usage and enrich them with extra services. Our goal is to take the drama out of using devices that can promote healthier lifestyles for all. We have achieved this with our Withings body scale, and are now repeating our success with the Withings Blood Pressure monitor”.

The Withings Blood Pressure monitor works together with an iPhone / iPad / iPod touch. The Withings Blood Pressure monitor, priced 129 euros or $129 US, will be available in January, 2011 on www.withings.com

CES 2011: ContourGPS Camera Adds Bluetooth Support for Wireless Viewing

So you’re looking to capture some footage during your snowboard runs down the slope or bike ride through the city, but performing these activities while holding a camera is difficult, if not impossible. The folks at Contour have  developed hands-free camcorders to help you achieve just that, in high definition. Their ContourGPS Camera adds location tracking as well as speed and altitude info. And just announced today at CES, they’re adding Bluetooth support that lets you turn your iPhone or Android-based smartphone into a wireless viewfinder (current owners also benefit, as all ContourGPS models has always had Bluetooth support; it’s now being activated through a firmware upgrade). It also lets you control the camera settings and view recorded footage on the smartphone, and Contour is working on other applications that can take advantage of the Bluetooth feature. The ContourGPS sells for $350, and the apps for iPhone and Android are coming soon. See below for the full release.

Contour

Contour Turns Your Mobile Phone into a Live Viewfinder for its ContourGPS Camera

January 5, 2011 (Seattle, Wash.) – Contour, a market leader in hands-free video cameras, is announcing a new feature for its award winning ContourGPS model: Bluetooth. Already the first hands-free video camera to capture speed and location in real-time, Contour is unveiling a built-in Bluetooth chip in the ContourGPS along with a mobile app that together enable your phone to become a live viewfinder. Now you can see what your camera sees while configuring your settings, all from the most remote locations. Applications are currently being developed for the Android and iOS platforms. Contour will be demonstrating this new functionality at the Consumer Electronics Show.

“We’re excited about turning a phone into a live screen for the ContourGPS and delivering the single feature nearly all of our customers have been asking for,” says Marc Barros, Contour’s CEO. “ContourGPS was already the first hands-free camera to introduce real-time GPS, bringing a whole new level of video storytelling to our customers around the world. But with the enabling of Bluetooth, ContourGPS becomes the only hands-free video camera with a wireless viewfinder.”

Hands-free is one of the fastest growing video camera categories, but it’s often limited in its application by the lack of a screen. By unlocking Bluetooth, ContourGPS opens itself to connectivity with audio, remote control, and mobile accessories. Most importantly, it enables a mobile app to turn your phone into a live viewfinder.

The ContourGPS camera brings together three of the hottest trends: location, mobile, and video. It goes beyond being just a camera – it’s an all-in-one platform that offers innovative software in conjunction with a vibrant online community. Customers can record, post, and share their video adventures while tracking their path, speed, and elevation on a map – all at the same time. A rugged video camera made specifically for the estimated 100 million outdoor enthusiasts around the world; ContourGPS makes it easy to capture video from within the action and share it online in seconds.

CES 2011: BodyMedia Measures Each Step at CES 2011

This year several companies and organizations are giving pedometers to attendees of the Consumer Electronics Show to settle the curiosity that is, how much walking did I actually do? The answer for many people at trade shows, especially CES, is a lot. The folks at BodyMedia are giving select attendees a BodyMedia FIT Armband BW that measures activity and logs it via Bluetooth to the BodyMedia FIT mobile app.

BodyMedia is an online and mobile application that watches your activity and calories to help you achieve your select goals such as weight loss, maintenance, and increasing your activity level. At registration, the application asks you a few questions on vitals, and then lets you set your goals. If weight loss is your plan, you can set the goal of how quickly you want to lose and it gives you a date on when you can expect to reach your goal. For instance, if you plan to lose a total five pounds and choose half a pound a week, then it will set the end goal for two and a half months. Continue reading CES 2011: BodyMedia Measures Each Step at CES 2011

CES 2011: CE to Help People Get Fit

In a few hours people will be making their New Year’s resolutions, and for many that will be to get back in shape and be healthier. As we launched this site about a year ago, we think that technology can help. And according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association, fitness technologies could be the key to helping consumers stay motivated and keep their resolutions to get fit in the New Year.

The CEA’s newly released research study: Getting Fit With Consumer Electronics shows almost half of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, and 37 percent anticipate purchasing a fitness technology in the next 12 months. According to the study, 54 percent of consumers cite lack of motivation as the main reason not to exercise. The study also found 76 percent exercise alone without the guidance of exercise professionals, and 74 percent of consumers exercise at home. Fitness technologies can help these consumers assess their fitness level; set realistic, achievable goals; track the amount of physical activity they get each day; monitor their calorie intake; track progress on fitness goals; and ultimately help make the journey more fun and engaging.

“Fitness technologies can play a significant role in motivating consumers,” said Rhonda Daniel, manager of market research at CEA. “Compared to consumers who are not using fitness technologies, consumers who use these devices view exercise more positively, and are more likely to enjoy exercising and to view it as important to their health.”

Next week’s show will include a Fitness TechZone, which will showcase the newest innovations and tools for the sports enthusiast, and spotlight key trends impacting the collective multi-billion dollar sports, fitness and outdoors markets. Sponsored by Living in Digital Times, the Fitness TechZone is a focused lifestyle exhibition and conference embedded within the International CES, the world’s largest technology tradeshow and the global stage for innovation.

We’ll be sure to report from the zone. Stay tuned and Happy New Year.

CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

Two fitness challenges will push the health agenda at CES 2011 for health insurance agency UnitedHealth Group. Participants will compete for an iPad and Xbox 360 with Kinect over the course of the conference running from January 6-9. Continue reading CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

CES 2011: Kodak to Roll Out Burton Snowboard Branded Camera

Next week’s Consumer Electronics Show won’t have any shortage of cameras, but one camera is already leading the pack in style. This week Kodak announced a new marketing relationship with Burton Snowboards, and this will include the release of a special KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, Burton Edition. It features the orange pixilated design of Burton’s popular Custom 154 Snowboard. So for the fashion forward boarders, it will practically be a match made in heaven.

The camera will be bundled with a camera holster that can be worn on the arm or leg, thus making this an easy camera to access during a day on the snow. It comes with a remote control, rechargeable battery and a 4GB SDHC Memory Card.  This rugged HD video camera should prove tough enough, and it is waterproof for up to 10 feet, and can capture 1080p HD video as well as 5megapixel still images. It features electronic image stabilization and LCD Glare Shield, along with built-in software with USB output for easy editing – so you can put your “dailies” up to YouTube and Facebook. The only catch for those looking to grab one is that it won’t be available until later in January from Burton.com or Kodak.com (MSRP $199.95). In the meantime, if you head to Las Vegas next week you’ll be able to see it at the Kodak Booth.

Kodak Official Website

Burton Snowboard Official Website

CES 2011: Bluetooth SIG Looks at Digital Healthcare

While we’ve been seeing press releases for all sorts of new (and supposedly innovative) products that will utilize wireless technology, including Bluetooth, most leave us scratching our heads. Does the world really need a Bluetooth Cooking Thermometer? Probably not, but we do think that Bluetooth has many health and fitness benefits. Continue reading CES 2011: Bluetooth SIG Looks at Digital Healthcare