Gadget | Evolving Consumer

CES: Up Next

The NextONE smartwatch and wristband pedometer made its debut at last week’s CES. YiFang Digital introduced the new device combo that can track daily activity, while also adding a social networking component to the experience.

“YiFang is excited to launch two products in the wearables category at CES 2014,” said Tina Yu, sales director, YiFang Digital Smart Device Unit. “YiFang is committed to making cutting-edge technology accessible to everyone with appcessories that enhance the smartphone experience. The NextONE smartwatch and wristband pedometer are designed to make a users’ life simpler and more enjoyable.”

The NextONE smartwatch runs on the Android 4.1 operating system, and thus provides an open architecture system, which allows verified third party applications to be utilized. The NextONE smartwatch can also act as a remote control for a smartphone, controlling both the camera and music. It has a calendar, calculator, recorder, weather, file manager and clock apps built-in. The smartwatch features a 1.55 inch TFT capacitive touch screen with 240×240 resolution, a 1.0GHz low power MCU, 4GB ROM, 512MB RAM, 290mAh battery, and a built-in microphone.

YiFang Digital Official Website

Weekend Reading List (01.11.2014): CES Recaps – Fit Right, Big Fit, App It

CES: Fit Right

From Yahoo Tech: At CES, There Are Fitness Trackers For Everyone (And Their Dogs, Too)
You’ve seen fitness bands that track your steps, count your calories, and clock your mileage. But at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES), fitness and health monitors have taken over more floor space than ever, with well over a hundred companies presenting new devices claiming to improve your well-being, and that of your kids – even your dog. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.11.2014): CES Recaps – Fit Right, Big Fit, App It

CES: Scosche Shows it Has Rhythm (Smart)

Scosche unveiled its RHYTHM SMART + wearable at CES this week, an Innovations Award Honoree. This armband heart monitor optically measures blood flow and movement to calculate heart rate and calories burned more accurately than conventional heart rate monitors. It is a dual wireless band that operates on both Bluetooth Smart and ANT+, and allows it to be used with smartphones, sport watches and other supported exercise equipment from up to 100 feet. It is compatible with popular fitness apps including RunKeeper, Map My Fitness, Strava and all other apps that support Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitors.

In addition the onboard memory allows users to workout via a freeRUN mode without the need to carry another device.

Scosche Official Website

CES: Sleep Smart

Do you get enough sleep? And do you get quality sleep. Withings Aura is a 2014 CES Innovations Award honoree in the Health & Fitness category and it is designed to monitor and improve the quality of sleep.

The unit discreetly records a user’s sleeping environment and provides a complete understanding of sleep patterns. Using revolutionary and scientifically-validated light and sound programs, Withings Aura positively impacts the wake-up and fall-asleep experience, which are both instrumental in improving sleep cycles and overall well-being.

Withings Aura is comprised of a soft and discreet sleep sensor that slips under a user’s mattress and works in synchronization with the sensitively designed bedside device. Together, the two units record and monitor an array of factors, which provides a deep understanding of the sleeping experience. The sleep sensor focuses on personal patterns (body movements, breathing cycles and heart rate) while the bedside device screens your bedroom environment (noise pollution, room temperature and light levels).

With this data Withings Aura can provide users with scientifically-validated light and sound programs that will adapt to one’s personal body clock and positively impact the sleeping conditions. The multi-color LED dimming lighting technology makes the most of a proven correlation between lighting wavelengths and secretion of Melatonin, the hormone responsible for the sleep-wake cycle, whilst delicate sound programs replicate the circadian rhythm’s frequency and pattern. These can be relaxing as one falls asleep, and stimulating upon waking up.

In other words, good sleep!

Withings Official Website

CES: Clip it On

Bracketon has introduced its new GoPro-friendly camera mounts at this week’s International CES in Las Vegas. These include the Vented Helmet Strap, which can attach to almost every helmet on the market. The strap’s ball joints allows for a complete 360-degree rotation, so riders can capture the experience from any direction.

For those who take adventure in their hearts, the Xventure Chest Harness secures a GoPro camera safely to the torso to capture any excursions. This system features two durable side clips on either side for easy mounting and removal, along with an adjustable shoulder and side strap, making this harness a one-size-fits-most accessory.

The new Xventure Xlip Mount is also compatible with any GoPro camera and it allows any action camera to be clipped on, while the 360-degree rotation and adjustable neck allows users to take photos from almost any degree. The smooth, rubberized clamp makes it easy to attach to almost any stable surface.

Bracketron Official Website

CES: Razer on Cutting Edge with Nabu

Razer was on the cutting edge of fitness technology at this week’s CES in Las Vegas, and introduced its Razer Nabu, a new entry in the wearable’s category. It can deliver notifications from a smartphone directly to the wrist and is designed as an open platform that can be used by third-party app developers. The Razer Nabu features advanced sensors for data tracking, including location information, bio data feedback (steps walked, distance traveled, stairs climbed, etc.), sleep data and band-to-band communication.

“Smart watches in their current form are too bulky and fitness trackers are easily forgotten after the initial novelty wears off—we have fixed all of that,” noted Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. “The Razer Nabu provides a revolutionary new platform that bridges the divide between so-called smart watches and fitness bands. It delivers only the information you need, collects data that you want, and deepens your social interactions. Most excitingly, with our open platform, developers can utilize data collected by the Nabu to deliver incredible experiences to individuals via mobile or desktop apps—social or otherwise.”

The Razer Nabu will be out later this year.

Razer Nabu Official Website

CES: Fitness Ear Plug In

Fitness Technologies Inc. is showing off its Plug-In AM Module that works with the new Fitness Technologies UWaterG8X and UWaterK9 Micro MP3 and FM players. This plug-in gives users – including those looking to listen while swimming – the option to tune-in to AM radio for talk shows, news and sports. Of course the players still provide FM radio, MP3 music and even audio books.

“We saw a need to combine AM broadcasting with our existing waterproof line of FM and MP3 micro players,” stated Opher Pail, President of Fitness Technologies, Inc. “We have many customers over 55, a group comprising the lion share of AM talk radio and news audiences, and we are very pleased to enhance their audio experience with our easy to use, affordable, new plug-in AM module.”

The Fitness Technologies Plug-in AM Module is 100 percent waterproof, includes a built-in 3.5mm audio connection for the included waterproof earphones, and is available in 3 colors – Neon Green, Orange and Metallic Grey. Device features after the jump

SHOT Show Preview: iMarksman Hits the Target

At next week’s SHOT Show iMarksman will give a sneak preview of its new IR system that apparently will allow users to dry-fire anywhere and which can work with a laptop. This new “Practice Anywhere Virtual Training System” will feature a SIRT Red Simulator Handgun, a sensor camera, tripod, and software. The sensor camera will read your hits and muzzle movements, so you will be able to review the history of shots, see shot placement, the timing between the shots, and gun movement during the shooting. You can even upload background images, select targets, make it timed or untimed, and put it in random, video, script, or manual mode. An infrared insert cartridge will also be available so you can practice with your own gun.

We hope to put this in our sights next week at SHOT Show.

iMarksman Official Website

CES: Come To Your SenseGiz

A new Star is born, at least in the world of fitness monitors at this week’s CES in Las Vegas. The SenseGiz Star is a wearable fitness trackers that can monitor the number of steps a user makes, distance traveled and of course calories burned. The 24/7 monitor can also track sleep patterns.

Unlike other wearable sensors this one can also track falls and crashes thanks to an on-board sensor, and this can be used to alert others remotely should the wearer take a spill and not recover. This tracking functionality can be used with cyclists and skiers and help ensure that in an accident the user isn’t left waiting for help that might otherwise not arrive.

SenseGiz Official Website

Do You Believe in Magnic?

We have seen a lot of health related gadgets and gizmos at CES this week, but one that might not be here yet is the Magnic Light iC, a contractless bicycle dynamo. Currently the developers are looking to bring it out via a Kickstarter project.

The concept to this one is to power a 60g light unit for bicycles without batteries and without direct contact to the wheels. It utilizes eddy current technology where energy is drawn from the rotating wheel but without physical contact and thus without friction. This means the rider could power up the light and not face added resistance in the process. We’ll be sure to watch where this one heads next. Video after the jump

CES: Isometric View

At CES this week TAO-Wellness introduced the TAO, the world’s first mobile, isometric exercise system, which can be used by just about anyone, just about anywhere. This handheld unit, the TAO WellShell, works with an app for Android and iOS devices, and is based on the concept of isometrics – the science of applying pressure as a way to improve muscle strength, tone and circulation.

“Our vision is to provides every individual with a simple, effective, motivating and time saving way to enhance fitness and wellness – anywhere, anytime,” says Dr. Kosta Yanev, CEO and co-founder of TAO-Wellness.

The TAO WellShell is designed to fit into the user’s hand where it can provide pressure during measured isometric exercises. The unit offers TTP (Tilt, Tap, Press) navigation that means there are no buttons to press just pressure!

TAO Wellness Official Website

CES: The Aqua Man’s Speaker

Electronics and water don’t often mix, but at this week’s International CES in Las Vegas we’re seeing more devices that can stand up to nature. NYNE introduced the Aqua, the first IPX7 waterproof, floating, Bluetooth 4.0 portable speaker. While ideal for a pool, it could also be a great go anywhere speaker as it can be fully submersed in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It also features a built-in waterproof microphone to answer incoming calls, listen to voicemails and hear text notifications. It has a 2200mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery and a 3.5mm auxiliary input for an optional wired connection or non-Bluetooth devices.

“Aqua answers the need for a portable, high-quality audio speaker that can play music outdoors and withstand the elements,” said Arman Arami, president of NYNE. “With up to 10 hours of playtime, the party can last all day at the beach, pool, lake, campsite, or backyard, even when an unexpected rainstorm hits. Aqua plays music from any Bluetooth-enabled device within a 33-foot range, without a wired or dock connection, so your phone or tablet can stay easily accessible and dry.”

It offers 10 watts of power and is equipped with an EQ button that delivers four preset equalizer settings.

NYNE Official Website

CES: Nothing but Air

This week at CES iON America is showing off its iON Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi wearable action HD Point of View (POV) camera. This third generation device is full waterproof to 49 feet without extra housing and can record Full HD 1080p video at up to 60 frames per second.

The Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi can run for 2.5 hours on a single battery charge and offers a 160-degree angle lens that can be tightened to 140 or 150-degrees via an iOS or Android app.

“We designed the Air Pro 3 Wi-Fi to be best in class. It builds upon the great features of the earlier Air Pro models, with better image quality in a wider variety of conditions, plus a new, ultra-tough body that will withstand the most demanding environments,” said Giovanni Tomaselli, CEO, iON America. “I’m proud of the strides we’ve made, in just a little over a year, in a competitive market. The Air Pro 3 will take us one step further in inspiring the Shoot/Share revolution.” Video and features after the jump