JAKKS Pacific Enters Action Sport Camera Market

JAKKS Pacific just released its HD Action Shot Camera System. The camera uses a secure mounting system to mount to surfaces such as skateboards, bikes or helmets to capture first-person action on the road, trails or anywhere your sport takes you. Continue reading JAKKS Pacific Enters Action Sport Camera Market

Take the XShot

The various action cameras are great for providing a first-person perspective to a long ride or other activity, but what if you want to be the star of your own movie? XShot has you covered and ready for your close up with the XShot Pro Camera Extender.

Of course to do this you need to be your own cameraman but it can also allow for shots from angles that are simply impossible with a helmet-mounted or handle-bar mounted camera. While the original extender was released in 2010, at this year’s Outdoor Retailer Show the company offered a peek at its next XShot Pro Camera Extender, which can stand up just about anything you’d care to try it with. Just be sure to keep your eyes on the path. Video after the jump

BikeCharge into Action

While pedal power can be used to get to work it can also be used to power up your devices. And the BikeCharge Dynamo from Hong Kong-based iBikeConsole uses the same pedal power that moves to the bike to juice the phone. It can be installed on a bike and it acts as a DC generator that is can power up devices via a USB port.

While it could take two to three hours of pedaling to get a full charge, it could be used during a regular commute to “top off” a phone or at least get enough power for a call or two. It features a waterproof design that can stand up to the elements but since most phones aren’t we’d suggest the appropriate case just in case the weather ruins the ride home.

iBikeConsole Official Website

Kinetic Recap: 2012 Olympics

All good things come to an end, including the Olympics. Throughout the 17 days of the games and before we cast the spotlight on some of the latest technology and innovations that were used to help the athletes train and perform. Here is our Kinetic Recap of some of the top stories of the 2012 Olympics: Continue reading Kinetic Recap: 2012 Olympics

Weekend Reading List (8.11.2012): Olympic Recap – Fist Pumping, Olympic Tech, World’s Fair Worthy

 Pump it Up

(Photo: Bob Willingham / FRPS )

From Discovery New: Fist-pumping celebrations by Olympians linked to primates
Fist pumps, hands in the air and jumping up and down, seen at every event at the Olympics, turn out to be the same across all cultures and likely have their roots in non-human primate displays.

When Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas and Usain Bolt celebrate their wins, they are displaying a declaration of success that could date back to the earliest human societies and beyond, according to a new study that has been accepted for publication in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (8.11.2012): Olympic Recap – Fist Pumping, Olympic Tech, World’s Fair Worthy

Everybody Wang Buds Tonight

Headphone maker Fanny Wang created the Wang Buds, a pair of ear buds that packs the sound of a larger can-style headphone in an ergonomic earpiece. In addition to a full sound, the ear buds combine the comfort factor with dynamic dual drivers and massive air chambers to pound your workout. Continue reading Everybody Wang Buds Tonight

Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker

We’ve seen a few products from Ecoxgear, and liked their concept for a waterproof case and speaker in one. Now the company has introduced its EcoxBT, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Unlike the Ecoxgear EcoxPRO, which is a speaker than contains the device inside, the EcoxBT allows the speaker to get wet while the Bluetooth device, such as MP3 player can remain safe on dry land. Continue reading Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker

Epson Gets Sporty With Smart Watch

Epson has entered the smart watch category with its new E200 wrist watch, which can allow users a lot more than just telling time. It can track pulse rate via contact with the wrist and even tell wearer’s how much they need to pick it up to raise the heart rate and burn fat.

While it doesn’t offer as much information as a traditional heart rate monitor this does seem like the step in the right direction with smart watches, especially as it can tell wearer’s to take those extra steps. However to get one will require a trip to Japan for now. Continue reading Epson Gets Sporty With Smart Watch

Cerberus Three-Part System Helps You Stay On Track, Gets Help When You Need It

Cerberus CerberLink

If the potential for getting lost is a reason for not venturing into the outdoors, it’s time to let go of that fear with the Cerberus tracking and alert system from Briartek. Named after the three-headed guardian dog of Hades, Cerberus is a three-part system that works in conjunction with your smart device to keep you from getting lost and get you help when you need it.  Continue reading Cerberus Three-Part System Helps You Stay On Track, Gets Help When You Need It

Outrider Case Goes Along For The Ride

The iPhone isn’t a GoPro camera – but many iPhone owners might be asking why not? The handset can do a pretty good of capturing the action on video. We’ve seen many cases that offer protection the smartphone, but now the Mophie Outride case is pure genius!

The Outride is so much more than a case. It is an integrated polycarbonate case and mounting system that is waterproof and provides high-impact protection. The modular quick-release mounting system allows recording from virtually any angle and attachment to a variety of surfaces.

But unlike other cases or mounts this one also comes with the Outride app that makes it easy to capture, view and share the adventure.

Mophie Official Website Additional images and press release after the jump

Magellan Says Take a Hike

We’ve seen Magellan really go the distance this year with its eXplorist GPS receivers. These are rugged, waterproof and of course handheld. The fishing based ones cast off earlier this summer and now Magellan has said to take a hike.

The company announced its TOPO! Special Editions, which provide hikers with a best-in-class total navigation solution, offering National Geographic’s TOPO! maps with up to USGS 1:100,000-scaled topography for planning and visualizing long trips, while USGS 1:24,00-scale topography is also provided for fine detail.

The eXplorist 310 TOPO! Edition includes an eXplorist 310 GPS device with a 2.2-inch color screen with rich graphics and a simple user interface; while the eXplorist 510 TOPO! Edition includes an eXplorist 510 GPS device (right) with a built-in camera, microphone and a 3-inch color touchscreen. Both TOPO! Editions include one-year of unlimited map downloads that never expire once downloaded. The Magellan eXplorist TOPO! Editions will be available in August for an MSRP of $199.99 (eXplorist 310 TOPO! Edition) and $299.99 (eXplorist 510 TOPO! Edition).

Magellan eXplorist Official Website

ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes

A helmet can help protect the wearer’s head in case of a fall or accident, but it can’t call for help. What is an individual to do if he or she falls while out alone and far from home? ICEdot (In Case of Emergency) is working to provide a solution, and the company has partnered with SenseTech LLC of Denver to develop and launch a helmet-mounted impact sensor.

In the event of an accident the sensor determines the crucial forces, and can activate communications on the wearer’s smartphone to send a request for help. This could be used with cycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing and even motocross helmets. Continue reading ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes

Dive Computer Casing

The iGills SE-35 is a waterproof case for the iPhone. It will allow users to go very deep as well, up to 40 meters or 130 feet. The polycarbonate housing should protect the camera in the water and even from reasonable drops on land. Each unit is reportedly tested in a hyperbaric chamber to ensure that it will stand up to the depths that scuba divers might go.

While all that is impressive, the SE-35 goes deeper in other ways, and transform an iPhone into a Smart Diving System. Video after the jump