Category: Gadget

BodyMedia Announces new API

BodyMedia, the maker of body monitoring devices, has announced a developer API (Application Programming Interface), which should encourage developers to explore and discover new applications to help people know their bodies and improve their lives.

To meet these goals BodyMeida has partnered with Mashery, an API management and strategic services company, to create new apps, either within the existing lifestyle management platform or to apply the unique BodyMedia technology into new spaces, which could include gaming, fitness, entertainment or social networking.

“We want to take our unique data right from the Armbands of our consumers and put it directly into the hands of developers to discover new uses and markets,” stated Ivo Stivoric, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BodyMedia, Inc. “Our goal is to enable more people to leverage the powerful BodyMedia tools to expand the positive impact of body monitoring.” Continue reading BodyMedia Announces new API

GPS Device Adds Camera

Over the years we’ve seen GPS added to smartphones and many digital cameras now offer GPS tags. But now Garmin, the maker of satellite navigation technology, sees that turnabout is fair play. The company has announced the addition to the GPSMAP 62 series of rugged outdoor handheld devices – a built-in 5 megapixel camera with automatic geotagging to capture the highlights of any adventure and allow you to share the locations or navigate back to that site. GPSMAP 62stc and GPSMAP 62sc were unveiled at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, CO, capping a week of exciting new Garmin outdoor handheld announcements by Garmin that included innovations in the popular eTrex, Rino and Astro families.

In other words this is a GPS device with a build camera. Continue reading GPS Device Adds Camera

Polar USA Rolls Out Suite of Technology Accessories With New Computer

There is no denying that training computers have typically had very specific uses. What is good in the water isn’t so good on the bike, but Polar USA looks to change the way the game is tracked with its new RCX5 training computer. It builds on the company’s decades of experience, and this new device combines Polar heart rate tracking accuracy with features that make it ideal in the water, on the bike and even on the pavement as you pound out each and every step.

The device, which is now available in “smart black” and will available in “striking red” later this year, is includes sport profiles that are essential for multisport and triathletes. It allows users to quickly switch between sports during training, so no time or training data is lost between swims, rides or runs.

“Triathlons are one of the fastest-growing sport segments in the United States, and we understand better than anyone in the market that multisport athletes demand data, whether they are training for their first regional event or chasing a lifelong professional pursuit,” said Jeff Padovan, President, Polar USA. “The Polar brand has been an established name among elite athletes for more than 30 years, and we are proud of the loyalty and knowledge we’ve built within the ‘tri’ market specifically. The RCX5 is the realization of everything we’ve been hearing that ‘tri’ users require to get to that next level, packaged in a new, sleek design.”

The RCX5 features a ZoneOptimizer that adjusts to personal heart rate zones based on the user’s current physiological condition to optimize just the right level of training intensity; plus Race Pace that lets the wearer set a target time for certain distances to see how far ahead or behind on a course the user is at a given time; and even a Training Load feature to let a wearer known when he or she has recovered enough for the next session.

The RCX5 is available in multiple product sets for running, cycling and multi-sport use. There is even a WearLink+ Hybrid transmitter that can ensure transmission in the water via a comfortable, fabric chest transmitter that transfers data both in 5 kHz and 2.4 GHz.

Training may never be the same again.

Polar RCX5 Official Website

GPS Meets Two-Way Radios

It was only a matter of time before two-way radios became location aware. Garmin just released the Rino series, a line of three two-way radios with integrated GPS. The Rino 610, 650, 655t have different levels of features, and all three models operate with up to a 20-mile communication range.

With each of the three models you can send your exact location coordinates. Other Rino users will see the location pop up on their map page. Once two radios are paired, you’ll be able to see your friend, or at least the radio, on the map. This helps when someone is in a location where the radio can’t get a signal for voice communication. You can also send unit-to-unit text messages between radios. This feature is ideal for windy conditions where it’s hard to hear, or if you need to be quiet and not disturb wildlife. While you don’t get the benefits of viewable location, the Rino radios are compatible with conventional FRS/GMRS radios, so you can use them to communicate with park rangers or other two-way radio users in the area.

The Rino 650 and 655t include a built-in NOAA weather radio to warn you of hazardous weather approaching. The radio supports Specific Area Message Encoding, which lets you access National Weather Service warnings and watches displayed county-by-county on the map. The Rino 655t has a built-in 5-megapixel autofocus camera so you can take and store pictures of your outing.

All three Rino models have high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix, a feature that automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that to calculate a position for you. The devices have multiple profiles such as marine, recreational and automotive so the Rino radio can be customized to your activity.

Expect to see the Rino devices at retail in Q3. The 610 will retail for $349; the 650 for $499.99 and the 655t for $599.99.

 

Garmin blog

Garmin Rino

GolfBuddy Gets Worldly

Just in time to hit the links, GolfBuddy has gone global of sorts. The Golf GPS that carries no added fees has just launched with an international World model. GolfBuddy World comes pre-loaded with more than 33,000 courses and still does not require any subscription fees or download fees. It is ready to hit the fairway right out of the box.

The GPS device has the capacity to hold 40,000 courses in its internal memory, while offering a high resolution, color touch screen that is easy to navigate without or without golf gloves. It features an anti-glare screen that makes it remain visible, even in direct sunlight. The device offers a digital scorecard, statistical analysis, a shock and water resistant casing and 50 channel satellite reception. Continue reading GolfBuddy Gets Worldly

Sun Powered Golf Carts

Golf courses are designed to actually offer little in the way of shade, which is what you’d expect with the fairway and the green. But it is also means that solar power should be a no brainer.

Apparently Coconut Creek-based SolarCarts has seen that solar power is a bright idea for the transportation used on the golf courses. The company is the designer and manufacturer of solar energy retrofits for golf cars, and this week announced the launch of The Sun Eagle, a solar roof that transforms electric golf carts into solar-powered hybrid carts. Continue reading Sun Powered Golf Carts

No More Yelling “On Your Left” – Verbal Bike Bell Does It For You

If you ride on bike paths, in a large urban park or even on bike lanes, chances are you yell “On your left” at least once a ride. The alternative is a bell, but who wants to put a bell on their road bike or time trial bike? Shouting is good, but on a long ride can leave you more winded than the pedaling.

How about a Verbal Bicycle Bell? This can offer up to a 20-second recording, and features a 44mm speaker that plays messages at about 80 decibels – so it is audible over most ambient noise.

Of course this does need three LR44 batteries and is actually bigger than a bell, and will add about 2 1/3 ounces to your bike. Finally, this is the sort of thing that you’ll get at Hammacher Schlemmer rather than a bike shop, and at $24.95 you could probably use the money for something else – might we recommend the Bicycle Speakerphone that the shop also offers.

Seriously, it is a gimmicky device, but it is so silly that it might just be worth the $25 to impress your friends and seriously annoy all those you want to pass.

The Verbal Bicycle Bell at Hammacher Schlemmer
[Via Besportier: Verbal Bicycle Bell Very Effective Car Horn]

SensoGlove Partners With Golf Schools and PGA Instructors

A year ago we had just heard about SensoGlove, and this week Sensolutions, the maker of innovative IT systems for sports analysis, motion and performance measurement has announced that it has partnered with 20 golf schools and PGA professional instructors across the world to glove up.

The SensoGlove, the world’s first digital golf glove, will be used as a training tool to help correct the dreaded golf club “death grip” and help get golfers attuned to making more accurate and powerful golf swings.

“Many of the students we teach at our golf school struggle with grip pressure. More than 90 percent of our students grip the club too tight,” said Mark Durland, Director of Instructions at Naples Grande Golf Club, Naples, FL. “Until now, it has been a challenge to communicate proper grip pressure to a student. SensoGlove gives the student immediate feedback and creates a feeling of the proper grip pressure. I recommend SensoGlove to any student.” Continue reading SensoGlove Partners With Golf Schools and PGA Instructors

Polar Tour’s France

This week Polar USA announced that it is taking a “Yellow is Everything” attitude, and has announced the release of the CS500 Tour de France, the official Tour de France training computer. The granddaddy of cycling events kicks off in just a month and a half, and now you can give it your best and try to ride like the very best in cycling.

The device features an aerodynamic diamond shape and yellow accents, as the the CS500 Tour de France is designed for event riders who want to improve their fitness at the competitive level through highly effective training guidance. The CS500 Tour de France features twice as much memory than the original, and offers compatibility with the forthcoming Polar LOOK Keo Power pedals, the world’s first pedal-based system for measuring power output and cadence. Continue reading Polar Tour’s France

The Tough Touchscreen GPS

GPS is popular in the car, but it really likes the outdoors. The new Montana, a GPS handheld from Garmin, gives you a ruggedized device with touchscreen functionality. The Montana goes far beyond the state it was named after. It supports a wide range of Garmin cartography with its dual orientation and screen layout options. It has a barometric altimeter for elevation profiling and the ability to profile the route ahead using a worldwide elevation model. The device has a 3-axis compass that provides a heading while standing still, on the move or even when the Montana isn’t held level.

The ruggedized device has a 4-inch touchscreen and a 5-megapixel autofocus camera. Several features make the Montana useful for more than just directions. Two battery options keep your device powered during remote, outdoor adventures. The rechargeable, lithium ion battery pack is said to last up to 16 hours. You can substitute three AA batteries for an additional six hours of battery life when you can’t plug in your handheld.

The Montana supports geocaching GPX files for downloading geocaches and details straight to the unit. It stores key information including location, terrain, difficulty, hints and descriptions.

Official Garmin website

Hands On: The StemCAPtain Keeps You On Time

Back in March we mentioned the StemCAPtain in an entry titled “TIME to Ride with StemCAPtain” and happily a few weeks later we had our very own to test. We were sent the thermometer version and the clock version of the StemCAPtain with both red and black bases. The thermometer version is still being tested, but here is our reaction to the clock version.

The clock version of the StemCAPtain is one of those products whose success is based on either working or not working – there is really no middle ground. It is a simple accessory that replaces your threadless headset stem cap with an aluminum base cap that acts as a holder for the clock, thermometer, compass or picture frame version that you choose. The faces of the clock and thermometer are available in both black and white so we received a black faced clock and a white faced thermometer. It is true that the functions that the StemCAPtain perform are redundant if you have a cycling computer with these features, but the Stem CAPtain performs them in a more stylish way and frankly simple way when compared to most computers. Also, as a bonus with the clock version, you can leave your wrist watch at home an have one less tan line! Continue reading Hands On: The StemCAPtain Keeps You On Time

Hands On: The Tool to Pump You Up… in a Pinch

For 2011, Blackburn Design haas introduced a new line of Toolmanator multi-tools for the occasional adjustment or emergency that all of us encounter at some point while cycling. There are three different models in the Toolmanator series, but the one that caught my eye was the Toolmanator 3. Having been actively cycling for over 20 years, I have accumulated quite an assortment of multi-tools and I really did not need another one. The feature that persuaded me to purchase the Toolmanator 3 was the built in Mini Shock Pump… essentially eliminatiing the need to carry a shock pump in my pack. Continue reading Hands On: The Tool to Pump You Up… in a Pinch

Go Geocaching on the iPhone or Android Phone

Geocaching, a modern day treasure hunt complete with GPS device, can be a fun activity. Seek out containers and other goodies left for you to find. Maybe place your own geocache for others to find.

Garmin just made it easier to take part in geocaching. It’s now offering an OpenCaching app for iPhone and Android devices. The app is an extension of Garmin’s geocaching web site OpenCaching, which went live in December. The app is currently free, though that could change. Continue reading Go Geocaching on the iPhone or Android Phone