One big trend at this year’s Interbike trade show was virtual trainers, and while we didn’t see BKool at the show, the Spanish brand of cycle trainers has been developing its own software system for four years. BKool offers an online component so riders can compete against others either recorded or live, plus power output, personalized training sessions with automatic resistance changes via the laptop. Continue reading BKool Trainer is Cool Indeed
Category: Mobile Phone
Made in America: Bag that Phone – Jersey Style
Most cyclists ride with their cell phone, usually stashed in the jersey pocket if it is not being used on the handlebar as a cycling computer. One ride is all it usually takes to realize that sweat builds up on the phone and regardless of the chance of rain, the following ride usually sees the phone placed in a zipper closure plastic bag before being put in a jersey pocket.
This is exactly the scenario that played out when I first purchased my iPhone. Since the replacement cost of that phone can exceed $600, every following ride saw the iPhone being protected by a Ziplock bag. Over time the zipper usually stops properly sealing and the bag breaks apart. While at Interbike this year, the crew from the 2013 Amgen Tour of California was giving away JerseyBins, the vinyl zipper pouch used to protect cell phones, cash, or anything else that may need to be protected while out for a ride. This little pouch seemed like the perfect solution.
The JerseyBin is a heavyweight zipper closure pouch that is available in four different sizes. The 10-gauge vinyl is cold crack tolerant to below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, yet it allows the use of a touch screen without removing your phone from the pouch – that can be difficult to do through a normal Ziplock bag. Continue reading Made in America: Bag that Phone – Jersey Style
PEARSports Takes A Bite Out of Apple iPhone
We first saw PEARSports when it came out with a device that worked with the iPod Shuffle. The small Apple music player plugged into a port that helped runners maintain a pace and get feedback during a workout. Now PEAR has introduced the PEAR Mobile Training Intelligence App, which pairs with the PEAR Mobile Training Intelligence Kit. Continue reading PEARSports Takes A Bite Out of Apple iPhone
BRIGHT Idea Lamp and Phone Charger
Even when off the grid it is nice to have some portable power to provide some light and even to charge a mobile phone – because you may not want to make a call, but in an emergency it could come in handy. BRIGHT Products has come up with a bright idea with its new solar-powered lamp that could make the kerosene lamp a thing of the past.
While it is easy to see plenty of applications for this solar-charging system that involve not-quite-roughing it such as camping, this could be a very useful product in the developing world, where a connection to the grid is sketchy at best. The BRIGHT solar charger features a light, which can run for up to 50 hours on low, or eight hours on medium, and even up to four hours on high, after just eight to ten hours of sunlight charging. Video after the jump
Get a (Lark)Life
Everyone can use a little motivation to stay on the path and reach the goals. Sometimes that motivation can come from a life coach but now it can just as easily come from Larklife, a wearable fitness device that tracks users activities including exercise, diet and even sleep patterns. It features a vibrating alarm clock, sleep quality tracker, calorie counter, hydration tracker and of course offers fitness coaching tips.
Where this one differs from similar devices is that it syncs with an iOS app – Android app is a possibility down the road – and this can provide real-time feedback on your efforts. Continue reading Get a (Lark)Life
Yurbuds Makes Inspire for Women Sport Earphones
Earbuds and me have never been friends. They hurt my ears and never stay in place. Newer models with silicone caps do a better job of staying in my ears and staying pain free. But now yurbuds is making a special version of its Inspire sport earphones specifically for women, which will be available exclusively at Target.
The sport earphones were designed by Annie Karayiannis, creative director for yurbuds. To make the women-specific model, Karayiannis spent time researching female athletes to determine the best earphone size, shape and colors needed. The colors are just aesthetic, but still make the earbuds for many of us. Continue reading Yurbuds Makes Inspire for Women Sport Earphones
MarineCase II Waterproof Smartphone Case
Since the form factor on the iPhone has largely remained the same – until the larger screen and thinner body of the iPhone 5 – case manufacturers have had great success offering cases for the single-model. Android and other smartphones, however, have very different form factors, and therefore don’t have as many options. This is why it’s great to see the MarineCase II, a universal-sized waterproof hard case for large screen smartphones.
The MarineCase II is IP58 certified against sand and water intrusion. It protects against water, sand and dust. It is shock and impact resistant against scratches, dents and screen shatter. The case can go up to 20 feet – or six meters – under water and capture video while being submerged. Manufacturer Concord Keystone makes the MarineCase II with a high-impact polycarbonate, integrated with a silicone surface for even more protection. The case is shock and impact-proof for drops and bumps. Continue reading MarineCase II Waterproof Smartphone Case
Turtle Shell Sound
If the turtle in that turtle vs. the hare race had a bicycle we think he’d have an edge. But if either decided to ride a bike they shouldn’t do so with headphones, which could make it hard to hear traffic and other riders. A handlebar-mounted speaker is the better way to go.
We’ve seen a number of these, and the Outdoor Technology Turtle Shell offers a new twist on the design – plus it allows us to actually mention the whole turtle thing. So what makes this one stand out? This is the first to feature a camera tripod threading that makes it a little more versatile than other speakers, while the Turtle Claw mount grips the handlebars to ensure it doesn’t fall off during a ride. Video after the jump
Interbike 2012: Keep the iPhone in the Pocket But Display on Handlebars
Last week at the Interbike trade show Wahoo Fitness offered a peak at its new RFLKT Bike Computer, which allows riders to keep their expensive iPhones tucked in a pocket or tool bag but still be able to get crucial information sent to a receiver on the handlebars.
The small gizmo weighs just two ounces and should be able to run on a single coin cell battery for up to a year. Data is transmitted from the handset to the RFLKT device via Bluetooh 4.0 and it is compatible with a variety of iPhone apps. Press release after the jump
Cygnett Drops the iPhone 5
Apple said it sold over 5 million iPhone 5 handsets in the first weekend. This means 5 million people (and that number keeps on rising) have a new phone and need a way to protect it. A few of you are probably taking those iPhone 5s out with you when you’re running, biking, or taking part in any number of activities that put the phone at risk of dropping on unforgiving cement. Continue reading Cygnett Drops the iPhone 5
Ass-tastic iPhone Bike Light
Having some sort of light is a good idea when riding a bike at night. But instead of buying yet one more gizmo, the team at Monocle have created an abrasion-resistant synthetic webbing that holds and iPhone and uses the handsets flash to blink through a red lens – thus transforming the handset into a bike light.
Monocle’s designers are now looking to raise funds to make this ass-tastic light a reality with a Kickstarter campaign. Video after the jump
Interbike 2012: Stages Cycling Puts Power Meter on Center Stage
Cyclists of all levels use devices to track distance, time, calories burned and even altitude. But one aspect has largely been ignored – power! At Interbike this week Stages Cycling launched its new patent-pending power meter, the StageONE, which go on sale in January.
The new crank-based power meter aims to allow riders to take advantage of the ability to track power output while riding. The meter is sold factory assembled and built on 14 different aluminum crank models from Cannondale, Shimano and SRAM – with prices starting at just $699. The power meter can transmit to any ANT+ enabled device, and also is compatible with Bluetooth Smart radio devices, so it can work with smartphones utilizing Bluetooth 4.0, including iOS devices. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Stages Cycling Puts Power Meter on Center Stage
Apple Releases BikeGearsFree
With all the iPhone 5 news last week, a few Apple announcements and releases got buried. The iPod touch and iPod nano announcements got not quite as much press as the new phone. But one thing that slipped into iTunes (a new iTunes) without much notice was BikeGearsFree. The app lets you calculate cadence and miles per hour based on the size of your chainring and sprocket. Continue reading Apple Releases BikeGearsFree