Gadget | Evolving Consumer

Wahoo Gets in Cadence

Wahoo Fitness has introduced its RPM Cadence Sensor, which is just seven grams and attaches to the bicycle crank with a 3M adhesive or a sleeve. It can connect wirelessly to an IOS device via Bluetooth 4.0. Cadence can be displayed on any compatible cycling app, including Strava, Wahoo Fitness and MapMyRide. LED lights flash when sensor is connected to the iOS app.

The sensor does not need to be charged and will run on one coin cell battery for up to two years.

Wahoo Fitness Official Website

http://www.wahoofitness.com/

CES: 360 Degree View

Last year the GEONAUTE 360 action camera made its debut at CES, and it was the first to provide a 360 degree view of the action. Since that time we didn’t hear much about it, but it has gone from proof of concept to actual product.

It features three wide-angle lenses that are each equipped with an 8megapixel sensor and together can capture a unique 360 degree spherical image. This can create 2K videos or even 4K photos, and truly immerse the viewer into the action.

GEONAUTE 360 Official Website

CES: Magellan Gets Colorful

At this week’s CES Magellan will show its true colors and then some. It will introduce its sporting applications to its current Echo smartwatch and is looking to add golf, skiing, hiking and other outdoor activities to its capabilities, as well as adding Dark Blue and Gray to complete the line-up of 5 colors.

“After Echo initially launched, we quickly saw its potential for sports beyond running,” commented Clark Weber, senior director of fitness and wearable products at Magellan. “As an open platform, Echo is designed to work with any app that can leverage a ruggedized, sporty smartwatch. We are proud to announce that leading apps such as Golf Pad, FreeCaddie and AllTrails will be supporting Echo in the near future. Retailers, also, have recognized the advantages of a product focused on sport, rather than general-use smart watches, that don’t meet the needs of athletes.”

The Echo is compatible with iPhone 4S, 5, 5C and 5S, while Android support is coming soon.

Magellan Official Website

January: The Month of Trade Shows

The holidays are over and it is time to get back to work! Whether you like it or not now ‘tis the season of trade shows and for KineticShift that means CES, SHOT Show, North American International Auto Show and SIA Snow Show, where we’ll be seeing all the products that will help you keep those resolutions this year.

Check back all month for our reports from these shows!

CES Official Website
NSSF SHOT Show Official Website
North American International Auto Show Official Website
SIA Snow Show Official Website

The Right Fit

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS announced that it is developing a wearable sports monitoring system. The FitnessSHIRT contains new technology that pairs it with a pedelec bike powertrain and smartphone app that can seamlessly manage motor output based on the user’s physiological data.

What this means is that as the rider tires the motor can kick in and give a boost of power. The FitnessSHIRT utilizes conductive textile electrodes as well as an elastic band that is worn around the upper body, and together these can track metrics including pulse, breathing and even changes in heart rate.

Researchers from IIS recently demonstrated how the FitnessSHIRT will work in conjunction with the MENTORbike, a new type of training device considering of a pedelec, smartphone and an online user service site, live at the Medica 2013 Trade Fair in Düsseldorf last November.

Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS Official Website

SHOT Show Preview: Intelligent Shooting

Inteliscope can help anyone become a better shot and at the SHOT Show the company will announce the launch of its latest products that extend its line of weapon-mounted digital multi-tool adapters and smartphone sighting apps.

With a smartphone mounted to a firearm, designer Jason Giddings will live video stream from the weapon point of view to a large screen TV to demonstrate the digital multi-tool capability the following new Inteliscope products including the InteliscopePRO – Universal mounting system of durable metal construction, overlaid in rubberized coating to mount smartphones and protective cases; the new Android version Inteliscope Multi-Function App; a new video record function and Reticle Packs.

This will be one we won’t want to miss, and don’t expect Giddings to miss the mark either!

WHEN: January 14, 2014, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: SHOT Show 2014 Press Conference Room (Venetian Room Murano 3201).

SHOT Show Preview: SAG Bag

If you’re headed to DisneyWorld you can pick up a camera bag at Target or WalMart, but if you’re the kind of person who goes to spots that are a little off the beaten path than the SAG Tactical Photo Gear Bags might be more your speed.

This Polish company specializes in making tactical bags for the military and law enforcement, and it just launched a new line of photo gear bags that is built to withstand extreme conditions and abuse. This includes a line of camera bags that are designed to fit full-size DSLR’s with an attached lens or full frame sensor up to 11cm long. These are versatile and customizable, and can also be used with their lens, flash, and other accessory pouches.

International Supplies will be importing and distributing the bags in the U.S. market in 2014. We’ll be sure to check out what they have to show us at the upcoming SHOT Show.

International Supplies Official Website
SAG Tactical Official Website

CES Preview: The Clear View

There are plenty of cases that protect the device from a drop or a spill, but NueVue will introduce its line of smartphone and tablet cases that could protect you from what is on the devices. We’re not talking about computer viruses but the germs and microbes that can live on the surface of these devices. NueVue cases feature antimicrobial protection will last the life of the product, and actively reduce the levels of nasty stuff on the surface. This BioCote is designed not to wear off or wash away.

NueVue Official Website

Pyle Scale for Those Who Piled on the Pounds

Did you pile on the pounds this holiday season? While the Pyle Audio Bluetooth Fitness Scale won’t actually help you shed the pounds, it could help you monitor the progress. Along with an integrated app it is designed to provide the most critical data points for any workout regimen including body fat, hydration levels, muscle level and bone level percentages.

It can wirelessly send data to a mobile device, and work with the free Pyle Health Fitness Tracker app to create user profiles and chart progress. Workout data can be shared online via Facebook and Twitter or kept password-protected for private tracking.

Pyle Audio Official Website

SIGGI Lights It Up

Sigma USA looks to cast some light with the SIGGI, a half watt USB rechargeable bike light that features an integrated silicone strap for quick mounting to the handlebars. It offers three modes of operation and has a claimed burn time of up to 10 hours on standard mode. Unlike other lights it provides side visibility panels that emit enough light for increased safety for the rider, but without blinding other riders or drivers. Yet another bright idea.

Sigma USA Official Website

CES Preview: It’s On

InvenSense will showcase its new “AlwaysOn” solutions at the upcoming 2014 CES, where sensors can track motion, audio, visual and even environmental conditions including pressure, temperature and humidity. This could enable a “human like” context of awareness, intuition and natural interaction. Wearable sensors could track touch, while audio devices could “hear.”

The company will showcase its new MPU-6515 product, the world’s first MotionTracking SoC optimized for Google’s Android KitKat 4.4. Android 4.4 defines several new sensor functions including Significant Motion Interrupt, Pedometer, Step Event and Event Batching.

We’ll be sure to check out the AlwaysOn technology in Las Vegas at CES.

InvenSense Official Website

Play Time

There have been a lot of efforts to make a game out of working out. The problem is that unless the game is engaging most people will still focus on the work part of working out, but Goji Play looks to change this and it claims it can make 30 minutes of working out feel like five minutes.

It utilizes a special controller, an iPad app and wireless sensors that can help truly make a workout seem a whole lot more fun. The system, which is portable enough to bring to the gym, includes a diverse and growing library of games as well. While working out may still require some dedication and even determination, Goji Play could help make it a little more fun.

Goji Play Official Website

CES Preview: The Echo Gets Awarded Again

The Magellan Echo made its debut this year at the Outdoor Retailer 2013 show and received two Best-in-Shows wards. Now it has been named a 2014 CES Innovations Award Honoree. This is the first smartwatch dedicated to running by connecting smartphone fitness apps to the wrist.

It utilizes Bluetooth Smart to wirelessly connect with a handset and provides control of apps, with support from Strava, MapMyFitness, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness. The rugged watch is water-resistant and can go the distance. We look forward to taking a closer look at the Echo at next month’s 2014 International CES. Video after the jump