Gadget | Evolving Consumer

TomTom Joins the Club

Garmin might have to look over its shoulder as TomTom is set to introduce its own line of Multi-Sport GPS watches this year. Aimed at cyclists and triathletes, these entry level watches feature scratch and impact-resistant glass screens that offer three graphical race training functions. These allow for wearers to race against previous time in the Race mode, while Goal lets wears go for distance, time or calorie count, while Zone tracks a set heart rate. The watches are compatible with Bluetooth heart rate monitors and cadence sensors, and the step up model offers a built-in altimeter.

The Multi-Sport GPS watches reportedly lock onto the Russian GLONASS satellite array in case that means anything to you, Conrad!

TomTom Official Website

Atom Bomb

Siva Cycle has launched its Atom Bomb. Well not really, but the company has launched its Kickstarter campaign for the Siva Cycle Atom, which aims to power your life on pedal stroke at a time.

The Atom is designed to be a lightweight yet highly efficient bicycle generator and rechargeable battery pack that can mount to most bicycle frames in a snap. The Atom is designed with top of the line magnetic rotors and features a lithium battery.

The idea is that you can power your devices while you pedal. Video after the jump

Read and Run

Early reading lessons for kids often consist of “see Dick run,” “see Spot run,” and of course “see Jane run.” However, actually reading while running isn’t really so easy – even on a treadmill. There are stands that can allow for placement of a book or magazine but the motion of running can make it hard to concentrate on the words.

This is where the ReadingMate comes in as this new system, which is being developed at Purdue University, utilizes a video monitor with head-tracking technology to keep onscreen text bobbing in unison with a runner’s eyes. The monitor also increased font size making it easier to see. All this should help runners stay focused on what they are reading and that could help runners put in more time on the treadmill.

[Via Purdue University: System allows multitasking runners to read on a treadmill]

Adventure Pod

Spiderman could – if the theme of the animated show was to be believed – do whatever a spider could (can). The Adventure Camera Kit from Breffo won’t let your action camera climb up a wall, but it will provide greater mounting options. Unlike specialized handlebar mounts this one is adaptable to multiple uses. Its eight bendable legs can be used to prop up the camera, or secure it in place and even wrap around handlebars and other objects..

The legs are rubber-coated and waterproof so ready for to whatever adventure you’re experiencing. Just let the crime fighting to the super heroes. Continue reading Adventure Pod

Boom It’s Here

We heard about the boomBottle back in January, but now the wireless Bluetooth streaming speaker from Scosche that slips into the water bottle cage of bicycle is ready to roll. This waterproof speaker features a non-slip TPU exterior that is durable enough to withstand drops or vibration from rough riding, and it features dual 44mm drivers and subwoofer that provide 360 degree sound to you have music that rolls with you.

Scosche boomBottle Official Website

Stage is Set

StagesPower App has been posted to the Apple App Store and this new power meter utility app allows early adopters of Stages Power meters to update the firmware directly from an iOS device. While it isn’t intended to be a data capture app, it will provide read-only for both power and cadence, but more importantly it offers trouble shooting via iOS devices.

StagesPower App Official Website

Health Awareness on the Rise

The market for wearable health tracking devices is truly on the rise as these have attracted increased attention from health-conscious consumers. According to IHS iSuppli MEMS and Sensors Service revenue for MEMS sensors in wearable electronics and fitness monitoring is set to climb to $31.0 million this year and then jump 33 percent to $41.3 million in 2014.

“The biggest leap will occur in 2016 when annual revenue rises 50 percent to $91.5 million,” said Marwan Boustany, senior analyst for MEMS & sensors at IHS. “That means the market by then will have expanded by more than a factor of four from $20.8 million in 2011.” Continue reading Health Awareness on the Rise

Heart and Soleus

Soleus has long made running watches, but now the company is looking to get into the spin of things with a line of cycling monitors and watches. These include the new Soleus GPS Draft, a cycling computer that offers current/avg/max speed, auto-lap detection, calories burned calculator, chronograph, alarms, auto calendar, 30 ride file storage and EL backlight. This water-resistant monitor is Strava-compatible and will be ready to roll out later this month for just $99!

Soleus Official Website

Magicshine to Light Up Sea Otter Classic

Bicycle light maker Magicshine, which is a Sea Otter Classic Gold level sponsor, announced that it will help light the trails in the festival’s first even mountain and road night rides on Saturday, April 20.

At Sea Otter the company will offer three new lights (above – left to right) including the Magicshine MJ-88, which features two high-power Cree XM-L LEDs with 2000 Lumens and a run-time of 2.5 hours; the Magicshine MJ-872, a broad beamed four LED lgith with 1600 Lumens and run time of 2.2 hours; and the single LED Magicshine MJ-890 USB, rechargeable lithium polymer battery powered light that offers 160 lumens and a run time of three hours.

Magicshine Official Website
Volkswagen Seaotter Classic: Magicshine Night Ride Official Website

Magnetic Attraction

Timbuk2 founder Rob Honeycutt has created many companies over the years, and he’s currently working on a Kickstarter effort called the Elroy Project. The idea here is to cut the cord on headphones… literally. Honeycutt has seen that in many cases long earbud cords are ungainly for running and cycling, and his solution is to get rid of about 2/3 of the length and replace it with a Bluetooth unit that can be clipped to a collar or on a cycling helmet.

We’ve seen many attempts to “cut the cord” but here is one that really does it! Moreover Elroy also includes a magnetic docking point that allows earbuds to be stored and available when needed. Music or other audio can be transmitted via Bluetooth and this unit promises about five hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby time. Video after the jump

ION Grips Cycling

German glove maker ION has introduced its new bike gloves for spring. These include the Path, Ledge and Wisp and each model features “digital tips” that can work with touchscreen-enabled devices. ION has placed the tips on the actual tips of the fingers to make use with touchscreens a little easier.

The Path and Wisp are designed for off-road riding and for men and women respectively, while the Ledge model is for endure and gravity-oriented riders. All three models feature pre-curved fingers while the inner palm and inside panels of the gloves are made of “holy_cow” synthetic leather.

ION Products Official Website

Shifting Gears… For You

Tired of shifting gears so much? The AutoBike, which features a NuVinci system, will do the shifting for you. The Michigan-based company is launching its automatic transmission line of bicycles that are aimed at commuters. These feature a Nuvinci N360 CVP hub, which offers continuously variable gearing.

This system reportedly analyzes the rider’s actual condition (speed, grade, gear ratio and cadence) and determines when it is time to do the shifting – so you don’t have to. Continue reading Shifting Gears… For You

Golf of Game

At the end of the day golf is still a game, a potentially enjoyable game but still a game. Mastering golf is so much more, but the Game Golf looks to change that. This system utilizes a GYG device along with a set of club tags, which utilize GPS, NFC, compass, accelerometer and gyrometer. When heading out to the course golfers tag the club to the device, which records every shot.

Data is uploaded via low power wireless or USB to the Game platform, allowing golfers to know what clubs were used, how far the shots were and even accuracy. It could make for a whole new game. Game Golf is currently being developed through an Indiegogo project and its developers are looking to bring it out later this year. Video after the jump