Otterbox Ready For Tour of Duty

The crew at OtterBox have long created durable iPhone and other smartphone cases for the demanding users, but now they haven’t created a Military-Style version for the iPhone 4S that looks tough enough to take into battle. It is available in 11 color options including Urban Funk (black/gray digital camouflage silicone with pink polycarbonate), Blizzard (gray/white digital camouflage silicone with black polycarbonate), Ocean (blue digital camouflage silicone with black or blue polycarbonate), Desert (brown/tan digital camouflage silicone with black or white polycarbonate), Urban (black/gray digital camouflage silicone with black or gray polycarbonate), Jungle (green/brown/black old-school camouflage silicone with black or orange polycarbonate), and Forest (green digital camouflage silicone with black polycarbonate) among others.

Beyond the army looking design, this case is the real deal providing an impenetrable screen protector will be accompanied by a second layer, that is a high-impact polycarbonate shell. As for the third layer, this robust silicone skin features a military-style camouflage pattern. The cases, which cost $60, are ready to fall in for deployment.

Otterbox Official Website

Something to GAIN

There is the old saying about “no pain, no gain,” but maybe GAIN Fitness can make the gain a little less painful and a little gainful. The company introduced its GAIN 3.0 app for the iPhone last week, and it offers a GAIN Plan for users, a custom 4-week workout plan, as well as a expansion pack store for multiple training styles. Video after the jump

Bluetooth Brings Radio to Riders

If you’ve felt envious of the pro riders with their race radios, you can now have your own communication system – and unlike the riders in the big races, you can go wireless.

Cardo Systems has introduced a new model of Bluetooth wireless radios specifically with cyclists in mind. The BK-1 features a design that is similar to cardo’s scala rider line for motorcycle headsets, and offers voice-activated, two-way and even three-way rider communications within a 1,600ft range. It also provides hands-free use with Bluetooth compatible devices including mobile phones, MP3 players and GPS units. Continue reading Bluetooth Brings Radio to Riders

Sunday Q&A: Talking With Jesse Kropelnicki on the QT2

Getting ready to do a triathlon? Jesse Kropelnicki can offer some tips on going the distance. He is an elite/pro level triathlon coach who founded QT2 Systems, LLC, a leading provider of personal triathlon coaching; TriathlonCalculator.com; TheCoreDiet.com, a leading provider of sports nutrition; and Your 26.2 a marathon training company.

He is the triathlon coach of professional athletes Caitlin Snow, Ethan Brown, and Pedro Gomes among others. His interests lie in coaching professional triathletes using quantitative training and nutrition protocols. You can track his other coaching comments/ideas via his blog.

Jesse talked to KineticShift about technology and training. Interview with Jesse after the jump

G-GO Water Resistant Speaker is on Target

Heading into a season of water sports and fun doesn’t have to mean the action happens without music. The G-GO from G-Project is a portable, water resistant Bluetooth speaker that’s easy to take waterside and connects to any Bluetooth device to play music. Continue reading G-GO Water Resistant Speaker is on Target

Spin Like a Mad Dogg!

While spring is upon us and that means it is time to get those rides in outdoors, there is still much to be said for spinning. Now Mad Dogg Athletics, the creators of the Spinning indoor cycling program , along with Digifit, a mobile wireless health and fitness developer, have announced the launch of the Spinning app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, as well as the Spinning Tracker website.

The new app and website will allow riders to get into the spin with a complete system for heart-rate and cadence tracking as well as a progress-management solution for fitness trainers. The new Spinning app is designed to track heart-rate, cadence, caloric burn and several other metrics, which are measured by the app for reference during and post workout. Each Spinning session is digitally documented and instantly transferred to a personalized online Spinning Tracker account where users can view, share and edit exercise results. Continue reading Spin Like a Mad Dogg!

Mobile Personal Training Looks to Bulk Up

Those who use mobile personal training will soon get to bulk up – at least in terms of the software they use to help to stay fit. This week Cybex International Inc., exercise equipment manufacturer, and PumpOne, professional personal training solutions developer, announced a partnership that will provide users of online and mobile fitness applications with increased access to Cybex technology and research.

“PumpOne is on the cutting edge of fitness technology, and Cybex is proud to partner with them to provide exercise and programming content that will help FitnessBuilder users maximize their workout results,” said Ray Giannelli, senior vice president of research and development for Cybex.

In the coming months, official Cybex exercises will join the more than 2,000 exercises featured in PumpOne’s FitnessBuilder platform, available online and on iOS and Android mobile devices. In addition to the individual exercises at the core of the platform, FitnessBuilder will provide full workout programs designed by Cybex Research Institute (CRI) experts, and give users access to CRI’s fitness advice and innovative research.

“We’re excited to welcome Cybex into the FitnessBuilder family as we continue to build on the world’s largest exercise library,” said Craig Schlossberg, co-founder of PumpOne. “Cybex’s top-of-the-line equipment is an integral part of workouts for athletes, trainers, and gym members at all fitness levels, and the Cybex Research Institute’s expert advice will be invaluable to FitnessBuilder’s users.”

Pump One Official Website
Cybex International Official Website

Phiaton PS 20 Headset Gives You Great Sound Wirelessly

While everything around us seems to be going wireless, when it comes to headphones most are us are still tethered. Anyone who uses headphones during a workout or activity knows how cumbersome they can be when they’re flailing around. New wireless technologies like Bluetooth, however, have allowed headphone manufacturers to cut the cord. One such product is the Phiaton PS 20 BT Stereo Headset ($149), a pair on in-ear headphones that are Bluetooth 3.0 compatible, which provides amazing sound quality, according to Phiaton.

When paired with your phone you can answer calls without removing them; you can pair up to eight devices at once, while using two of them simultaneously. Other features include the “Echo-Off” noise reduction; 14.3mm drivers that Phiaton says produces pure and accurate sound; a “half in-ear” design that’s ergonomic, and offers “excellent bass response of in-ear style buds with the crystal clear high frequency response of open-ear style earphones”; “MaxBass” technology with a dual-chamber structure to reduce or eliminate vibration and echo; and calling time of 6 hours, music-playing time of 6 hours, and 250 hours of standby time.

Phiaton Official Website

National Parks iPhone App Makes Parks Experience More Interactive

For years enthusiasts of the National Parks have brought their park passport book to all the monuments and parks around the nation. My sister was very into her passport for a while and collected stamps at many parks on a drive across the country. Now an iPhone app can work in tandem with your passport book to add even more fun to the preserved outdoors.

The app features information from the passport book. You can also use the app to view park maps, websites and other information on each National Park. When you’re at the park you can use the camera to record photos and video to be stored with the park on your app.

Eastern National (National Parks) Official Website
Eastern National iPhone App page

Military Grade Case Coming for iPhone

Does the military use smartphones? Actually there is more and more crossover and likely some military personnel as well as those who work alongside the military might use an iPhone. So the good news is that iCA have introduced the iCA Military Edition, a camera case that turns the handset into a camera lookalike.

As has been noted, it even makes the iPhone look like the old Leica range finders that military photographers used to carry. It features a viewfinder, top mounted shutter button, and offers the ability to attach a macro or fisheye lenses. Of course this case, which is available for pre-order for $70.00, promises to be durable enough for the military, but available to civilians. Additional images after the jump

Strava and GU Challenge Runners This Spring

Get your running gear ready. Srava has a new running app, and has partnered with GU Energy Labs to create a challenge for spring. Between March 9 and April 9 there is but one goal. Run. The GU 100,000 Mile Challenge encourages participants to run as many miles as they can in 31 days. Continue reading Strava and GU Challenge Runners This Spring

Samsung Rugby Smart Packs Both Brains and Brawn

If smartphones could defend themselves, the Rugby Smart would be the Rocky Balboa of Android phones.

The latest invinci-phone to enter the arena, the Rugby Smart bucks Samsung’s signature Galaxy S styling for a rugged exterior, joining the ranks of the Motorola Defy with the ability to withstand dust, humidity, rain, shock, and extreme temperatures. The military spec phone can even be dunked in up to 3 feet of water (for 30 minutes), making it an ideal pick for hikers and beach lovers alike. Continue reading Samsung Rugby Smart Packs Both Brains and Brawn

Set, Track Fitness Goals with Team4Cures App

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has created a free fitness tracking app to support its Team In Training (TNT) endurance sports training efforts. Team4Cures, the new app, helps get a fitness program in action whether the sport is running, walking, swimming, cycling or hiking.

Continue reading Set, Track Fitness Goals with Team4Cures App