Talk to the Gloves

That annoying expression “talk to the hand” might get new life thanks to Swany’s g.cell ski gloves, which feature built-in Bluetooth technology that transforms the hand warming ski gloves into a mobile phone speaker and microphone. Basically this allows a phone to stay in one’s pocket, while the gloves can be used to make calls, including voice activated commands. The speaker and microphone are embedded in the thumb of the right glove, which also features the controls.

The gloves were shown last month at the SIA Snow Show but won’t be available in the United States until fall. Until then users might have to actually speak to the phone and not to the hand. Video after the jump

No Bones About the SpeakGoggles

The sound of your voice is different than how you likely hear it, in part because part of the sound is transmitted through the bone to the inner ear. This is why people typically sound different when their voice is recorded, and now this same bone-conductivity can be used to allow you to talk on the phone – with a little help from the SpeakGoggle G33 from Buhel. These goggles connect to a smartphone or other handset via Bluetooth and feature a bone conduction microphone that is built into the frame.

So instead of the mic picking up normal sound through the air, it actually picks up what you’re saying as the sound waves travel through your own jaw bones and skull! The result of course is little to any background noise – so you could basically talk while skiing as wind won’t be an issue. Video after the jump

Orbea Bikes to Grow With Riders

One problem for many children (and even more so for their parents) is that bikes can be outgrown quickly and a bike that is too small can be as much of a problem as a bike that is too big. But Spanish bike maker Orbea has introduced something that allows growing children to have a bike that will the right size a bit longer.

While kids will grow, so will the Grow, a new line of bikes designed specially to grow with the rider. While most bikes allow for a seat to come up, the Grow also allows for the frame to be expanded as well, and this can result in a good fit for three to five years, and the bikes come in four sizes so once a frame is truly outgrown, parents can step up to the next size and let the kid grow with it. Video after the jump

SIA: Kali Helmets

Recorded at the SIA Snow Show 2012 in Denver KineticShift’s Enid Burns visits the Kali Protectives booth to get a look at Kali’s unique helmet design. Composite materials guru Brad Waldron has created a helmet with increased impact dissipation and lighter weight.

Kali Protectives Official Website

Toy Fair Preview: Digital Skateboard

We don’t normally think of the American International Toy Fair, which is held every February in New York City, as being a destination for fitness products; the truth is that many toys at least get kids up and going. And one new board that might get the gadget loving kids of today off the couch is the Radiate Skateboard from Rockboard, which features 48 LED lights on the underside of the deck. The lights are fully rechargeable and the board comes with power adapters.

In addition to perking interest these lights could provide a little safety too so riders can be seen even as the street lights come on, helping kits get home safely. The Rockboard Radiate Skateboard will be at this month’s Toy Fair, and will reportedly be available this spring for around $100. Rock on!

Rockboard Official Website

Apple Developing iOS Technology to Bring Head-to-Head Workouts

There is no arguing that Apple is a very competitive company, and hardcore Apple users could be considered also a bit competitive, so it is no surprise that last week it was reported that Apple is developing a new fitness technology that could be the biggest thing in competitive workouts since the first time some guy yelled “bring it.”

According to online reports, Apple outlined details in a patent filing dated from October that suggests the company is looking to create a head-to-head tracking system that could allow for real-time competition in workouts. For example two runners could wirelessly sync their respective devices – such as two iPods – together and go for a run, tracking each other’s pace, distance, heart rate, blood pressure and even calories burned. Imagine the possibility for digital bragging rights – “my heart rate was so much stronger than yours and I burned way more calories!”

[Via Apple Insider: Apple Developing iOS tech for real-time, head-to-head workout competitions]

Weekend Reading List (2.4.12): Runners Talk, NASA Innovates, House Votes Against Bikes

httpv://youtu.be/NPdb7ZDJKS4

New Day, Same Old Sh…

Welcome to the Weekend Reading List. We moved the list to Saturday to give our loyal readers something new for the weekend, and as a way to catch up on stories that they might have missed. This week we being with Sh*t Barefoot Runners Say (video above).

Enjoy the list and be sure to check back every Saturday. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (2.4.12): Runners Talk, NASA Innovates, House Votes Against Bikes

SIA: Lazer Sport Ski Helmet

Ski helmets came into prominence on the slope only within the past several years. Yet adoption is growing. Ski-Injury.com reports that in the 2009 – 2010 season, 57 percent of the total population on the slopes wore helmets.

Continue reading SIA: Lazer Sport Ski Helmet

Pedal Power Your Phone

We’ve seen all sorts of gizmos and gadgets that could be attached to a bicycle, including ways to power your mobile phone while you go the distance. But what if you need to juice up the handset yet have nowhere to go?

One solution is the new Power Box, a pedal powered generator, from K-Tor, which won a CES Innovations Design & Engineering Showcase Honor back in 2011. The new device allows users to pedal as they would on a bike to charge devices that require 20W and less. While it won’t offer as much of a workout as actually going for a ride, it could be more practical than those treadmill or bicycle desks that we’ve seen. This could be something put under a desk or table and basically turn a little burn into energy for the phone.

K-Tor also has introduced the Pocket Socket Hand Crank Generator, which as the name suggests is a hand crank that can power devices. The video below sums up this new product very well. Video after the jump

Move Over Folding Bike

Folding bikes have been around for years, and while there is no denying that the bikes can be easy to store, transport and of course ride there is another issue. What about having stuff like gloves and more importantly a helmet? This can make for a handful

And even if you ride a regular bike there is the issue of trying to store a helmet when you’re not around. You can lock up a helmet with a bike, but it can be easily damaged. So it means having yet another thing to worry about. Or you could have a helmet that folds up! Agency 360 designed the Overade folding helmet back in 2010, and it will reportedly go into production this year.

The helmet is small enough to be tossed in a bag, and should by accounts offer as much protection as a regular helmet. This will be one we’d like to put to the test when it unfolds later this year.

Agency 360 Official Website
[Via Ubergizmo: Overade folding bike helmet is convenient]

Wood Burning USB Charger

Heat is often the side effect of powered device. Engines give off heat, even light bulbs give off heat – most of the time this is a side effect that results in what is wasted energy. On the other hand heat from fire is another form of lost energy because besides providing warmth the heat does little else.

But we recently heard about the BioLite Camp Stove that can actually use the heat from the stove, which can be used to cook or just warm up those sitting next to it, as a power source. Essentially the heat is converted into electricity and can be used to power gadgets such as a mobile phone from a USB port. In this way the stove is both heater and generator. And as the name suggests it doesn’t run on fuel, but can burn wood and generate power for phones, lights and other electronics. Not bad for a $129 when the wood burning stove with a USB port arrives this spring.

BioLite Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Stove Burns Wood, Charges USB-Powered Gadgets on Side]

SIA: The Sights of the Snowshow in Denver

It snowed at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver during the SIA Snowshow.

Last week KineticShift headed to SIA, the Snowsports Industries America Snowshow, to check out winter sports gear coming out this year. Here are some of the highlights from the show. Click on the images for a larger view and more detail.

Continue reading SIA: The Sights of the Snowshow in Denver

Blow Up Boat

httpv://youtu.be/bgc_Vq_XeIc

When things blow up they often go “ka-bomb,” but when the BoatsToGo gets blown up (as in inflated) it becomes a KaBoat. We’re not sure if we’re the only ones that appreciate that joke, but it does describe this crossover that is somewhere between a full-fledged boat and a kayak.

It features a slim hull design that was reportedly modeled after narrow Asian Dragon boats, and this sleek profile allows the KaBoat to glide effortlessly over water at speeds faster than traditional boats, while still providing space for an outboard motor and supplies. As a result the boat travels at faster speeds due to less water resistance, and uses less energy to be propelled in the water as well. But what really turns our heads is that this boat is a lot easier to get in and out of the water.

The KaBoats is available in 12-foot, 14-foot, 16-foot and even an oversized 16-foot version, with prices ranging from $499 to $849. So whether it is half-kayak or half-boat we don’t think this one blows in any way!

BoatsToGo Official Website