On the bike, your smartphone isn’t just a communication device, many apps turn it into a cycling computer. But it’s difficult to see the readouts from the screen if you have your phone in a back pocket or pouch. Australian start-up Annex Products has a Quad Lock case and mount that solves that problem.
Continue reading Keep Your iPhone Secure in Action with Quad Lock
The Verge reports “Apple wants to see a new wave of app-based accessories using the new Bluetooth Low Energy profile in Bluetooth 4.0, with a particular focus on next-generation health and fitness gadgets like the FitBit Ultra and Jawbone Up.”
BLE is a feature in Bluetooth 4.0—the latest version of the wireless radio-based technology that connects two devices over a short distance, such as between cell phones and headsets—designed for low-power and -latency applications. It allows devices that utilize the protocol to realize long, continuous operation before a recharge.
Along with the ANT+ protocol, the medical community and health care-related industries have taken an interest in BLE and designing products around (more about BLE in health care explained here). But, if Apple, a major, influential player in the electronics industry, is throwing its support behind it, BLE could become standard across the board.
There are no further details or timeline, according to The Verge, but the site notes that while the iPhone 4S already supports Bluetooth 4.0, it could be some time before an abundance of products show up on shelves.
[Via The Verge: Apple preps iOS accessory makers for Bluetooth 4.0; not using Bluetooth for AirPlay]
Most of us have heard the old adage, “preventative medicine is the best medicine.” What does that really mean? At the base level it means making smart decisions in our everyday lives. Would William Henry Harrison have been a great president if he had just worn his hat and coat? We’ll never know since he chose to not dress properly for his inaugural address. What can we do to live a healthier life and how do we really evaluate if those little things like taking the stairs really help? U.S. Preventive Medicine, Inc., in collaboration with Qualcomm Life Inc., has launched a new app to help those wanting to live a better life, but just need a little help along the way. The Macaw app is designed as “a complete personal health monitor” and serve as a hub to track the user’s health and fitness.
There have been a lot of sports specific digital camcorders come onto the market, but Optrix HD Sport Mount (MSRP: $79.99) is doing a bit of hocus pocus. For its next trix, its transforming the iPhone or iPod Touch into an HD Action sports camera, complete with rugged waterproof case and mount. The iPhone already allows for uploading of Full HD 1080p resolution videos from the handset, making it an ideal action sports camera. The only missing link in using it was a case that could protect the rather fragile handset.
But according to reports the Optrix mount is durable enough for “military life” while providing easy access to the interface for playback, video editing and uploading. Talk about truly Optrix!
Optrix Official Website
[Via Ubergizmo: Optrix HD Sport targets extreme sports enthusiasts]
Activity meters are the new fitness gadget to beat. Unfortunately, the new-ish UP from Jawbone may have been beaten. However the company is making strides to remedy the situation and keep its users happy. Even if making its users happy means giving them the device for free.
The days when we can walk out of our house with just a phone, which will serve as method of payment and ID, aren’t here just yet. But iLID, a compact iPhone case, packs essentials including credit card, ID, cash and a house key. The iLID case is a Kickstarter project.
Made from polycarbonate material, the iLID is rugged. It measures in at just 17 mm thick, and slips into your pocket. If you’re biking or running, you have all the essentials in one small package that doesn’t take up too much space or add bulk. The iLID fits the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s.
The iLID design is streamlined, and a good solution for iPhone users. Other smartphone cases on the market also carry cash and cards. The Callet, which has cases for the iPhone and several BlackBerry models, also holds a few key items.
Even if all the sports and health mobile applications aren’t getting people in shape, it is making for a very healthy market. According to a new report from ABI Research the sports and health mobile application market will grow to over $400 million in 2016, way up from the $120 million the sector reported in 2010.
According to ABI much of that growth will be spurred by the ability of mobile handsets to offer connectivity to wearable devices that can provide greater functionality, accuracy and appeal to sports and fitness applications. The new apps can in essence replace, or at least replicate what standalone products such as heart rate monitors and calorie counters are currently providing. Continue reading Fitness and Health Apps: Big Business in Years to Come
Staying fit during Thanksgiving is a challenge for many of us, but attending these food-heavy family feasts doesn’t mean you have to gorge until you explode nor do you have to give up having fun in the name of fitness. Here are some simple things you can do to have a healthy Thanksgiving or any holiday celebration.
Prepare a Wholesome Dinner
If you are hosting a holiday dinner, you have the advantage of deciding what healthy foods to cook for you and your guests. Unless you have informed them of the menu ahead of time, keep in mind that your diners may be expecting traditional fixings, so you may not want to plan a meal completely around tofu or seitan.
You can serve a traditional meal but apply some adjustments. For example, you can cook lean turkey breasts instead of the whole bird, eliminating the dark meat. You can use a grain such as quinoa for the stuffing instead of bread, and amp up the sweet potato while cutting out white potato. The Mayo Clinic has a list of healthy recipes you can try, and you can find other recipes at sites such as Epicurious and the Food Network. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Tips and Tricks for a Fit Thanksgiving (and Other Holidays)
You may normally get up before the sun to go for a run or head to the gym, but the Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, has many people getting out of bed early to hit the stores. This year we want to point out some deals to be had on fitness-related items.
Callet cases for a number of smartphones including the iPhone and several BlackBerry models. These rubberized cases have a slot in the back to hold ID, credit card and a few dollars.
Use the code “Callet 30″ for 30 percent off the case, which costs $19.99.
Griffin Technology has its products marked down as much as 80 percent during Black Friday. Save on rugged cell phone cases to fit any smartphone or tablet, plus loads of accessories.
Get 30 percent off products from Grace Digital through November 29 by entering the code “bFriday30″ at checkout.Choices include a rugged, all-terrain speaker case and other waterproof audio accessories.
Life Time Fitness plans to host a Black Friday event with “over 30 incredible deals.” You don’t have to wait until January to join a gym. Get yourself and everyone on your list enrolled in one of many programs including a weight loss program, LifeSpa gift card, a program with a trainer and other activities.
The U.K. will get a limited edition of the Android-based Motorola Defy+ with a rugged shell from construction and demolition company JCB. The added layer, or armor, on the phone will keep your phone protected, regardless of your extreme activities. If it takes a fall, you won’t have to worry so much. The built-in case improves the phone’s shock resistance capabilities.
In addition to the armor, the limited edition phone will come bundled with apps such as Therodolite, Spirit Level, Torch, Decibel Reader and B&Q store locator. The Motorola Defy+ with JCB features is an exclusive, limited edition phone available December 6 exclusively from Clove in the U.K.
[via Ubergizmo: Motorola Defy+ gets JCB treatment, becomes even more rugged]
The iPhone can be a great cycling computer, but this means exposing the expensive smartphone to the elements. For those who go off road there is the StormCruiser from Joy Factory, a bicycle mount designed to tackle spills and the elements. The StormCruiser is designed for the iPhone 4/4S, and the scratch resistant case offers protection from water, dust and grease. It can be mounted on the body frame, between the handle bar, or on the top tube.
At just $49.95, Joy Factory’s StormCruiser adds just enough protection, while allow riders to concentrate on the trail and not have a little less worry about their expensive handset.
This week Trimble announced the release of its suite of apps for outdoor enthusiasts. The apps are designed for users to plan trips and navigate the outdoors. The first app, Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps, is a mapping and trip planning app for the Apple iPad to organize outdoor adventures, while the second app, Trimble Outdoors Navigator, offers in-the-field GPS navigation and mapping for the iPhone and Android devices, and be used on trails and in remote backcountry areas.
Although the two apps run independently, users’ personal trips can be exchanged between the apps via the free Trimble Outdoors Trip Cloud, a wireless service that allows users to exchange trips between apps and trimbleoutdoors.com.
“Our new ecosystem of apps and digital maps covers a full range of navigation needs for outdoor enthusiasts–from planning a trip at home or in the coffee shop to finding remote forest roads or campsites while in the outdoors,” said Rich Rudow, general manager of Trimble Outdoors. “The new apps offer best-in-class topographic and aerial maps, and tools to answer the specific demands of hikers, off-roaders and other outdoor enthusiasts.” Continue reading Trimble App Navigate the Outdoors
A majority of bike shop are owned and staffed by knowledgeable and honest people, but have you ever walked into a bike shop and felt that you were being steered towards a particular bike or size that didn’t seem to fit right? Were you told that a certain model was not available in another color? If you have run into this before at a bike shop, the best option is to either walk out or find another sales person, but what do you do if that shop is the only one in town that is an authorized dealer for the brand of bike that you want? Another option is to arm yourself with knowledge, and Felt Bicycles is helping you do that – at least for its brand.