There must be a demand for waterproof cases. Not long after we mentioned to you about the DryCASE, the folks at Benzitech sent us info on their new iDry waterproof cases for smart phones and tablets. The cases seal a device to keep out water, yet allow the devices’ touch screens to be used through the case without removal. They can submerge down to 30 feet underwater, and they float, too. The iDry products come with waterproof ear bud headphones, armbands, and neck straps.
Category: Mobile Phone
CES 2012: DryBUDS SPORT Waterproof Headphones and Mic Let You Gab in Water
Cell phones and H2O should normally never mix, but for those who cannot live without their phones even when in or near water, the DryBUDS SPORT headphones with built-in waterproof microphone is the accessory for you.
Shown this week at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show, the DryBUDS SPORT is completely waterproof, according to its manufacturer, Dry Corp. That means you can bring it into the pool or shower to listen to your tunes. Paired with your phone using Dry Corp’s DryCASE vacuum-sealed waterproof case, you can utilize the microphone to make/receive calls while you soap up your bod or perform your backstrokes. The ability to access your phone through the headphones is also great for times when you can’t physically reach for the phone, like when you’re busy canoeing down a river, for example.
US Army to Deploy Smartphones
While the troops are coming home, or mostly have come home from Iraq, a large presence of U.S. soldiers still remains in the field around the world. The time in Iraq and Afghanistan no doubt made it clear to military planners as to what technology worked and more importantly what likely needed improvement.
Last week The Army Times reported “Army expects to field smartphones next year,” and this will include Army-issued handsets. According to the story these will include a secure version of the Android operating system, which will get certification from the National Security Agency. Additionally, the iPhone and iPad iOS is being considered as another option. Continue reading US Army to Deploy Smartphones
MapMyFitness Gets Shape’d Up
For its 2012 SHAPE Fitness Challenge the active lifestyle magazine for women has announced that it is partnering with MapMyFITNESS, the suite of mobile and web tools designed to make fitness training simpler and shareable, and ASICS, maker of performance athletic technology. The challenge will offer participants to set goals, track progress and share results with friends and family.
Sponsored solely by ASICS, the 2012 SHAPE Fitness Challenge will be integrated with in-book, online and mobile components, and began with the start of New Year with the goal to inspire participants to make and keep resolutions. While it began on December 28, and will run for 60 days, users can still take part to get in shape!
2012 SHAPE Fitness Challenge Official Website
MapMyFITNESS Official Website
Press Release after the jump
iFitness Allows You to Run with Your Smartphone
This past December saw record smartphone sales, and some of you may be getting used to this new gadget in your pocket and the features it offers. There are a number of music options for these phones and countless apps to track your walk or run. But do you want to be hassled with carrying this device in your hand, or worse see that expensive new phone in pieces after you drop it? A running belt from iFitness may just be what you need to safely and securely carry your new iPhone or Android phone with you while out on your walk or run. Continue reading iFitness Allows You to Run with Your Smartphone
What Does the Amazon Price Check App Mean for Bicycle Retailers?
This past holiday season saw a record number of smartphones and tablets sold, but this has some people worried in the bicycle industry. Amazon.com has released an app that allows people to visit a brick and mortar bike shop, take up an employee’s time to be fitted, scan the bar code and immediately order the product from Amazon – presumably at a discount. In response, Mike Sinyard, President and Founder of Specialized Bicycle Components, has sent out a letter to its dealer highlighting this new app and Amazon’s plunge into the bicycle market. Letter after the jump
Pump up the New Year
Getting fit is no doubt many a resolution, but this year PumpOne looks to make the personal training experience a little easier. For 2012 the company has brought out its FitnessBuilder app to the Android platform, building on tis successful iOS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Fitness Builder Official Website Feature list after the jump
CES 2012 Preview: Wahoo Blue in the Tooth
We’ll be interested to get a closer look at the Wahoo Blue HR Bluetooth heart rate monitor that will be officially unveiled at next month’s Consumer Electronics Sow. It will reportedly connect with an iPhone 4S as well as other devices that are Bluetooth Smart (4.0) ready. Video and full press release after the jump
CES 2012 Preview: AirGo Sounds Out(doors)
Bringing some sound to the great outdoors is what Russound hopes to show off at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show. The company will demo its AirGo Outdoor Sound Station, which is designed to stream music from an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or PC and via iTunes, Pandora or other music services. While we haven’t heard it, this wireless speaker system could be the thing to bring music to outside ergo the AirGo is one we’ll want to see – and more importantly hear!
U.S. Government Health Agencies Call Upon App Developers to Create Health-Centric Apps
There’s no shortage of fitness- and health-related apps for smart phones like the iPhone and those based on Android, but we could soon see apps that are approved by the U.S. federal government.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is launching the Healthy Apps Challenge, a project the ONC is teaming up with the Surgeon General to encourage software developers to create new apps that promote fitness and fitness. The project is one way the ONC is trying to help Americans lead healthier lifestyles and combat major issues such as obesity, by helping them become more aware of their health-related choices. Continue reading U.S. Government Health Agencies Call Upon App Developers to Create Health-Centric Apps
Inspiring Rugged Phone From C Spire
While the big carriers in the United States have no shortage of mobile handsets for virtually any user, even the smaller carriers are getting on board with mobile phones designed for those who go off the beaten path. One recent example is the Sonim XP 3400 Armor ultra-rugged handset for use with C Spire. This handset is engineered to exceed military-grade specification, and is waterproof and submersible to up to 6.5 feet for an hour, dustproof and shockproof, where it can survive a 6.5 feet drop onto concrete. This handset has been certified against salt, fog, humidity, transport shock, thermal shock and can operate in temperatures from -5° F to 130° F.
This handset could be ideal for those who work outdoors or just like to get away from it all. It features an integrated FM radio and has a 2megapixel camera with an LED light that doubles as a flashlight. The screen is 1.5mm thick and is made of scratch and shock resistant Corning Gorilla glass. It offers noise cancelling with the microphone, while the speaker is water-resistant. Thanks to the hardened rubber molded reinforced fiberglass looks pretty tough too! Chances are most users aren’t as tough as this handset! With a two-year contract and $50 reward card rebate this phone is also just $49.99. Maybe the smaller carriers do have something serious to offer! Video after the jump
CES 2012 Preview: Map My Cardio
There are apps to map your ride, and now there is an app for iOS to map your training. At next month’s Consumer Electronics Show attendees will get to see the new Cardio Mapper app, which can connect and read data from Bluetooth Smart (formerly Bluetooth 4.0) , and SmartHRM WiFi.
CardioMapper is designed to help users with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and includes an interval coach that tells when to increase or decrease intensity, as well as offering full real time and post exercise analysis including: calories, duration, pace, speed, and of course distance. The app utilizes the iPhone’s GPS to track a user’s route while running, hiking, or biking and thus provides metrics including speed, calories burn, and distance.
Additionally, CardioMapper is the first iOS App approved by Apple that supports BLE Heart Rate Monitors, and connects with the newest dongle-free devices such as the SmartHRM and Bluetooth Smart 4.0 (BLE). Live pulse data will graph heart beat rhythm to match your heart.
The new CardioMapper 1.0.0 app is available now from the Apple App Store ($1.99), for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It could be a map to a new level of fitness.
Virtual Active and BitGym Offer New App
Whether you trek the globe on business, or just hit the gym the truth is that there are times when you’d likely reather be somewhere else, and now the Virtual Active: BitGym Edition fitness app for iOS can take you there. Available now the app takes a user’s workout intensity into account and responds accordingly, providing a first person perspective of locals ranging from the Swiss Alps to Venice to the Grand Canyon. The app is free to try, and costs $7.99 to buy.
The twist here is that it is available for mobile devices, so rather than being immersed in a large HDTV experience, users can take it to the gym and use on an exercise bike. Thus for those who travel the world, but not for biking adventures, can still feel like they’re riding in the Alps. Video after the jump