Gadget | Evolving Consumer

Chopping at the Bit

There are plenty of durable and very secure bike locks on the market, but one problem is that if you lose the key you’re bike isn’t exactly accessible. However, Mehrdad Majzoobi is looking to launch a Kickstarter project for the BitLock, which turns a smartphone into the key for the lock.

This works with iOS and Android and takes advantage of Bluetooth technology. In addition to providing a secure key that you hopefully won’t use, it also records the location of the bike lock via GPS, which can allow multiple users to “share” a bike and find it when it is needed.

We’ll be sure to watch this project and let readers know when it goes live.

BitLock Kickstarter Site

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

Rugged Case Needs Not Hide

When out in the wilds you don’t need to hide your tablet device, you need to protect it. The DropTech Hideway rugged case isn’t meant o hide, but it does feature a disappearing stand. The designers are looking to a Kickstarter campaign to bring out this stand, which could be used in a variety of settings all while ensuring that the tablet is truly protected. Video after the jump

Drink Fit

Throughout the day how much effort to you make to track your hydration? While calories and even what you ate might be counted, what you drink often isn’t. However, the BluFit could change all that. It is an intelligent water bottle that works in synchronization with a smartphone will help consumers maintain optimum levels of hydration. Through the smart bottle and app, BluFit will determine how much water you need, how much you have consumed and will alert you when it’s time to hydrate. Video after the jump

Goal Zero Scores With New Charger/Flashlight

Having the right tool for the job is key to doing something right, and Goal Zero scores again with its Switch 8 Recharger and Bolt Flashlight Tip. This wining team converts the recharger into a small flashlight, but the recharger can also be used to juice up a mobile phone in the backcountry.

It offers enough power to bring a dead phone back to life, while also being there as a 160 lumens flashlight that can run for three hours on a single charge. During the day it can also be charged up with a solar panel, so each night it can be there to in turn do the charging.

Goal Zero Official Website

Third Time Hero

GoPro has announced the release of the Hero3+ line of action cameras; and these have slimmed down while including a whole lot more. These new models are up to 20 percent smaller and lighter but offer a 30 percent improvement in battery life. The new Black edition can capture video at 4K resolution while the Silver model can do Full HD 1080p video.

If you are betting on Black, expect recording of 15 fps in 4K (3,840×2,160), or at 1080p in 24,30, 48 and 60 fps. At 720p you can even get up to 120 fps. There is also a wide-angle mode called SuperView that will include more of the surroundings in the frame. This model can also snap 12megapixel still images with bursts of up to 30 images per second. The Black edition features improved low-light performance and can go deep – as in it is waterproof to 131 feet (40 meters), when the included housing is used. It offers built-in WiFi along with a micro-HDMI port. It is available now for $399.99.

The Silver edition also shines, and for $299.99 it offers Full HD 1080p resolution video at 24, 30, 50 or 60 fps. It includes the same wide-angle lens and can capture 10megapixel stills at bursts of 10 images per second.

GoPro Official Website

Ready to Climax with ClimbAX

There are plenty of fitness monitors that can track heart rate and performance, but the ClimbAX is designed with climbers in mind. This system consists of two rubber-coated wristbands that contain an accelerometer, orientation sensor, altitude sensor, a NAND memory chip, and a 16-bit microprocessor.

This can help detect the orientation of the climber’s arms and track movement and even composure. The wearer can get information that is presented via four metrics that look at power, stability, control and speed. This can determine the strength that was used, the ability to transition between holds and even the total time it took during a climb.

Unlike many fitness trackers that provide real-time monitoring the idea with this one is for climbers to analyze their efforts after an ascent. Trying to look at one’s wrists while climbing wouldn’t be a good idea now would it?

ClimbAX Official Website

Pure ENERGI Plus!

The new TYLT backpack will ensure that your gizmos and gadgets are juiced up when you need them. The ENERGI+ Backpack features a built-in charging system via a removable 10,400mAh rechargeable lithium ion battery. The 11 ounce battery features seven pass-thrus and can charge three devices simultaneously, while the backpack still offers 1,450 cubic inches of internal space and 13 total pockets. Specs after the jump

Go Ballistic

For the release of new iPhones Ballistic has introduced a new lineup of cases that have been engineered to provide drop protection. These feature reinforced corners, durable interior rubber to absorb shock and a raised lip for screen protection, preventing screens from touching the surfaces they are placed on, to prevent any cracks or damage. These cases come in a range of colors, styles and protection strengths to meet user’s needs. Continue reading Go Ballistic

Nikon Changes it Up

There is no shortage of rugged cameras on the market, and while most of these can endure an adventure these often leave something to be desired when it comes to photos. Fortunately Nikon has realized that a point-and-shoot camera in a rugged body simply won’t do.

The company has introduced the Nikon 1 AW1, the world’s first waterproof and shockproof interchangeable lens camera. This is the latest addition to the camera maker’s popular Nikon 1 system that offers versatility with functionality. It is waterproof to 49 feet, shockproof to about six and a half feet and freezeproof to 14 degrees. In other words you might give up before the camera does! Continue reading Nikon Changes it Up

Stick Sensor

We’ve seen sensors make their way to all sorts of devices and the Quattriuum Team is looking to deliver the Powershot, the first performance sensor for hockey players via a Kickstarter project. The Powershot sensor, which is designed to attach to a hockey stick, can reportedly measure the puck speed, acceleration, shot speed, duration and angle of slapshots and snapshots.

The Powershot can further learn how the user plays and targets both strengths and weaknesses and follow progress over time while comparing performance to other players. It weighs only 50 grams and can store up to 1,000 shots – moreover it can sync with the FWD Powershot app for Android and iOS device. Video after the jump

Sigma ROX On

The Sigma ROX 10.0 will help you find your way on the bike. The company’s first GPS-enable bike computer supports ANT+ plus offers route guidance and navigation, in addition to speed, cadence, altitude and heart rate functions.

It features a 1.7-inch LCD display with a reported “super bright “backlight, plus the computer is compatible with ANT+ power meters for added training data. It also comes with Data Center 3 software that can be used to download and analyze ride data, create routes or share your rides on any site that uses .FIT or .GPX files.

The Li-ion battery is charged with a standard micro USB cable and promises 13-plus hours of use per charge.ROX on!

Sigma ROX 10.0 GPS Official Website

Interbike 2013: Pioneer Starts a Dual

Pioneer is looking to power up, or rather have cyclists get in the power know with its new power meter system and cyclocomputer, which made their debut at last week’s Interbike trade show. This new robust system is the first to ever achieve on-bike, real time, dual-leg pedaling power measurements and analysis that graphically illustrates left and right power output, as well as pedaling stroke efficiency, power loss, force vector analysis and torque.

The SGX-CA900 Cyclocomputer and SGY-PM900H79 Pedaling Monitor/Power Meter Sensor can track cadence and heart rate; GPS positioning, speed, distance and elevation gain/loss; and even barometric pressure and ambient temperature. The system is now available through KHS Bicycles, located in Rancho Dominguez, California, and QBP, located in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Video after the jump