When we heard that Maxxon’s Wireless Brake Light would use “Nintendo Wii” technology we didn’t know what that meant, but in essence the light is equipped with an accelerometer that detects a sudden deceleration and turns on a bright solid red light, so that those behind the rider will react much as they might to break lights in a car. It offers auto power-on capability as well s auto power-off, and the Wireless Brake Light provides steady and blink modes as well. Not a bad way to help alert drivers when riding at night or dusk.
Category: Gadget
This Bottle is Filled With Music
Music and cycling go nicely together, but not hearing the world around you isn’t a good idea. So instead of jamming earbuds in that block the outside world a speaker that broadcasts the music to you might be the better way to go. There are plenty of handlebar mounted speakers, but then we saw the Scoche boomBottle, which fits nicely in the waterbottle cage and shoots the music up to you.
The shockproof device delivers the beats via two 40mm drivers and a passive sub. This plays music via Bluetooth or an auxiliary input, so you will need to broadcast that music from another device. Obviously this won’t work with every bike but this is clearly designed for those long solo rides not race day on a streamlined TT bike.
SHOT Show: Smart Shooting
Not everyone is born to be a natural marksman and if you don’t have time to join the United States Marine Corp to bone up on your skills you can instead check out the Laxco SmartScope, which incorporates an auto targeting system and built-in digital range finder. It offers an auto target adjust when magnification changes, plus easy wind compensation to you’re always on target.
SHOT Show: Magellan Modern Day Hunter GPS
There are those who are born with the type of DNA of a backwoodsman and then there are the rest of us. For those who aren’t like a modern day Daniel Boone or Davey Crocket there is technology that will help us out. At the SHOT Show this week Magellan is introducing its new eXplorist 350 H, the latest GPS device designed specifically with the hunter in mind.
The 350H is the latest from Magellan’s eXplorist line of advanced, rugged and waterproof handheld GPS units that offer navigation solutions that are designed for the novice geocacher to the experienced backpacker and serious outdoorsman. The line is designed to provide innovative features, easy-to-use menus, sunlight readable screens and long battery life.
The eXplorist 350H features a camouflage exterior, 1:24K resolution base maps, making this handheld hunting GPS a must have aid in the backcountry.
2013 CES: Fitbit Gets Flexible
Fitness tracker Fitbit will introduce a new model this spring and it is designed for those who aren’t exactly rigid about their routines. As with other trackers the Fitbit Flex, which will arrive this spring, is designed for wearing on the wrist, and it is designed to track steps, distance traveled, calories burned, active minutes and quality of sleep. All of this can be synced to a user’s iPhone or Android drive via Bluetooth 4.0. It can even nudge wearer’s out of deep sleep with a gentle vibration.
2013 CES: 360-Degree Camera
Move over action cameras that offer a single point of view; the Geonaute camera can record 360-degree video and still images. Inside this device, which has to be worn on the top of one’s head it seems, are three 8MP cameras fitted with wide-angle lenses to capture everything in a 360-degree horizontal and 150-degree vertical field of view. This wearable camera can record up to two hours of video and can be controlled via a wristwatch-style remote.
This camera also promises to be rugged, and comes with a shockproof and waterproof housing, along with a variety of mounts so users can as adaptive as their adventures allow. Continue reading 2013 CES: 360-Degree Camera
2013 CES: Sony Rolls Out Rugged MP3 Player
Fitness and music go together. That’s a given. What is a problem is that many digital music players can barely endure a light job, and for those who get serious, not to mention wet, that iPod simply won’t do. But Sony has stepped in, and last week at CES introduced its Sports W Series Waterproof MP3 player.
This wireless headphone/MP3 device can go deep to a full two meters in the water and can be quick-charged for up to an hour’s worth of playback in just three minutes. It supports drag and drop playback of MP3, WMA, AAC and L-PCM files directly from the computer, and with Sony’s Clear Audio Technology users won’t miss a beat. Video after the jump
2013 CES: G-Form Converts iPhone into Action Camera
If you have an iPhone you don’t need a GoPro or another rugged camera, you just need the right case to turn the handset into an action camera. At last week’s CES we saw such a case: The G-Form G90, which even offers a special lens that turns the handset – or even iPod Touch – into a wearable camera. This lens even allows users to take images at a 90-degree angle, making it easier to mount the handset on a helmet or handlebars! Video after the jump
2013 CES: Guardian for the Phone
We’ve seen a number of waterproof cases for the iPhone but most are in essentially just extra tough baggies, or are so bulky that it makes the handset difficult to operate. The driSuit Guardian could be the best of both worlds as it features a design that is completely waterproof but allows full audio functionality.
The case is available in two models, with the Guardian 5 model (the step up from the Guardian 4) offering two layers of clear plastic protection that still makes it possible to use the phone underwater. This is an idea that is anything but all wet.
2013 CES: Panasonic Gets In on the Action
It seems like everyone is now getting in on the action camera bandwagon. At last week’s 2013 International CES in Las Vegas Panasonic introduced its HX-A100, which offers a unique twist in the “point-of-view active lifestyle camera” category. Unlike those “helmet-mountable” cameras from GoPro, Contour and others this one features an earhook that makes it wearable without a helmet! This one is even waterproof so perhaps would let swimmers get in on the action too.
It features built-in Wi-Fi so users can broadcast live video with simultaneous full-HD recording, which can be controlled from smartphone or tablet as well. The new A100 will offer 140 minutes of battery life and can record in Full HD at 1,920×1,080 resolution at 60FPX. It will be ready to go in march.
2013 CES: Fork Lift
What is the best way to stay fit? We think not getting out of shape in the first place. And the best way to lose weight is not to put in on. One way to better manage weight gain can be better managing how much you eat. There are endless diets, scales but now the developers of the HAPIfork have another thought.
At CES they showed off the digital fork that was developed for clinical use to encourage slower eating, and thus giving the body time to digest and feel full from more moderate food intake. There is even a soup spoon attachment as well. Video after the jump
Weekend Reading List (01.12.2013): CES Edition
From TUAW CES: BodyMedia introduces a new Core 2 fitness tracker, with some other interesting ideas
BodyMedia has become a regular stop on our annual CES tour — the company introduced its first Bluetooth-enabled, smartphone-connected fitness tracker a few years ago — and since then, they told us this year here in Las Vegas, the smartphone versions of the tracker are outselling more traditional versions “by far.” Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.12.2013): CES Edition
2013 CES: Fit to be Orb’d
Fitbug clearly had a great CES and introduced many new products, but it clearly saved the best for last as it introduced its first button-sized, Bluetooth Smart wireless device that is designed to track activity and sleep. The Fitbug Orb offers users seven wear options and even includes membership to the company’s online health and wellness support.
This wearable fitness monitor can track users’ activity and sleep patterns and send the data to Bluetooth Smart ready devices including iOS handsets and compatible Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy SIII. It can track activity during the day and by interpreting the amount of body movement throughout the night, the tracker reveals how much deep sleep was achieved and points out any periods of wakefulness.