Mobile Phone | Evolving Consumer

Boingo Brings Wi-Fi To NIC

Visitors to the Pettit National Ice Center, which features an indoor speed skating oval, and is also homet o the National Speed Skating Museum and Hall of Fame, will now have access to Wi-Fi from Boingo Wiless. This will be helpful to the 500,000 annual visitors who attend the speed skating and figure skating events, as well as those attending the training schools and other activities at the Milwaukee center.

“We’ve increasingly received requests for Wi-Fi Internet from our athletes and visitors alike,” said Randy Dean, executive director for The Pettit Center. “This goes beyond family, friends and spectators watching and waiting for athletes practicing and competing. All here have an expectation to access the Internet to stay productive, informed and entertained.”

The Wi-Fi network will cover all indoor spaces, including the 400-meter indoor speed skating oval and two international-sized ice hockey rinks, as well as rental facilities and the Hall of Fame Room. Internet access at the arena is included for monthly subscribers to Boingo’s unlimited plan for the Americas, or visitors can purchase access for $1.99 per hour.

Boingo Wireless Official Website
Pettit National Ice Center Official Website

Motorola’s Rugged New DEFY+

Some mobile phones are built with more ruggedized features than others, but phone manufacturers often focus on drop and impact yet ignore some main culprits threatening a phone’s integrity: moisture, dirt and screen integrity. These are the main targets for the newly unveiled Motorola DEFY+, an Android-based phone that stands up to environment.

The DEFY+ runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Google’s latest version of the mobile operating system. The new operating system is optimized to work smarter, faster, and offers better battery life so you can go longer without plugging in.

The features we like are the water resistant, dust proof and scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass properties of the phone. We’ve tested Corning’s Gorilla Glass, and compared to the display glass used on most phones, this new glass stands up to threats such as keys, rocks and other sharp objects. It takes quite a bit of pressure before the glass shows any signs of distress. So you can put this in your pocket and not worry if the phone’s display dances with other gear you have stored alongside it. Continue reading Motorola’s Rugged New DEFY+

Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

After watching the great coverage on Versus or NBC of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge (UPCC), you may be inspired to come out to Colorado and tackle some of the highest, paved passes in the country. One of the great cycling experiences in the state of Colorado is climbing in the mountains, but it is difficult to pick your routes with just a road map. The state has a tremendous selection of canyons, passes and mountains to ascend with some of the most breathtaking views imaginable. Over the years my wife and I have been drawn to climb many of the passes and “classic climbs” in the state. We started in the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado climbing Coal Bank, Molas and Red Mountain.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Inspired by the USA Pro Cycling Challenge to Climb Some Colorado Mountain Passes?

myTREK Treks Over to iPhone and iPod Touch

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Want to monitor your pulse but want to ditch the bulky chest strap? Scosche Industries has released its myTREAK pulse monitor and app for for iPhone and iPod touch. The Scosche myTREK, an International CES Innovations 2011 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree, allows users track their pulse, calories burned, distance, speed, pace, store past workouts and much more.

“At 24 Hour Fitness, we know that fitness tools can be very useful in helping people achieve their goals; whether it’s to lose weight, run a faster marathon or to get healthier,” said Bill Quinn, senior vice president of merchandising, 24 Hour Fitness. “We are excited to be a Scosche launch partner for the new myTREK pulse monitor and offer our members another option to support them with their fitness journey.” Continue reading myTREK Treks Over to iPhone and iPod Touch

MapMyRun Takes On Marathons

MapMyFitness is an online training tool that uses social networking to track and discuss your workouts. The company offers tools for “MapMy” run, ride, walk, tri and hike. The MapMyRun segment is offering marathon tracking, according to some reports. The app is adapted with the MapMyRun software, RFID and GPS tracking to follow runners on race day.

Once runners are being tracked, friends can follow their competing friends, and watch the progress of other runners on the course. MapMyFitness tested the app at the New York City Marathon last fall, and the San Francisco Marathon, which took place last month.

A free version allows runners competing in the marathon to be tracked and later review results. A paid app ($1.99) lets spectators track their friends and other runners. Runners can post updates, though we think they might want to keep their mind and bodies on the course.

The basic version shows event info, the course map, participant listings and “buzz” which is likely Tweets and other conversational aspects on marathon day.

MapMyFitness and its free Marathon app on iTunes and Android

HTC Hangs Up Pro Cycling

Last week High Road Sports announced that the team was disbanding. Team manager Bob Stapleton noted that Team HTC-Highroad would dissolve at the end of the 2011 season after a failure to find a new sponsor. Title sponsor HTC’s contract had ended.

We at KineticShift are sad to see the team break up, but it has been an interesting ride for High Road, but also for the partnership between mobile phone makers and carriers and professional cycling. HTC is just one example, and from 1991-2003 was actually Team Telekom, after the Deutsche Telekom. From 2004-2007 it was T-Mobile-Team, and then after a period of non-phone sponsorship it called up HTC in 2009 when it first became Team Columbia-HTC followed by Team HTC-Columbia before this year’s HTC-Highroad. Continue reading HTC Hangs Up Pro Cycling

New Smart Phone, Same Velotrac Pak!

Almost anyone who has purchased a new phone knows the frustration of having to also purchase all new accessories. The ‘smarter’ the smart phone, the more expensive the accessories seem to be. The Velotrac Pak from VeloTrac Ventures, LLC based in Mission Viejo, CA has come to the rescue for those who like to mount their iPhone, Blackberry or Droid on their bike.

The Velotrac Pak is a soft side Nylon pack that mounts to the top tube of a bike using a three point strap system keeping the phone in easy reach of the rider. The top of the pack has a separate zipper compartment with a clear vinyl window that the smart phone is enclosed while on the bike. This vinyl window not only protects the smart phone, but also allows the user to interact with the phone while riding. Under the smart phone compartment is a larger zipper compartment for easy storage of your keys, wallet, PowerBar or anything else that is small in size which you need for your ride. The Velotrac Pak is a weather resistant pack meaning that it should handle some rain, but probably will not keep water out if the pack is submerged in water.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading New Smart Phone, Same Velotrac Pak!

Jawbone Thinks Things are Looking UP for Disease Prevention

Is functional jewelry the next trend in fitness? Mobility lifestyle company Jawbone certainly plans to make a play in that category with UP by Jawbone. UP is a wristband that monitors your activity including movement, diet and other vitals.

Jawbone first entered the market with a noise-reducing headset for mobile phones that transmitted sound from vibrations on your jawbone instead of using a microphone. According to the CDC lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer cause more deaths than communicable diseases. The company believes eating healthier, getting quality sleep and moving more can prevent many of those lifestyle diseases.

UP by Jawbone will be available later this year. Jawbone started talking about the device, which connects to the iPhone via an app, at the TEDGlobal conference. “We are excited to share our vision at TEDGlobal because this epidemic will take an entire community to affect a global change,” said Jawbone CEO Hosain Rahman. “TED is a community of thought leaders that can help propel this idea into a global movement.”

UP integrates robust computing and sophisticated sensor technology in the form of functional jewelry. It tracks your movement, sleep patterns, and nutrition and gives you feedback on how you’re doing based on data. The wristband connects to a mobile app that analyzes the activity, and an open platform that motivates you with personal social recommendations and challenges tailored to your goals.

“We’re passionate about creating products for the mobile lifestyle that people love to use every day. And now we’re harnessing that passion to approach a major global issue – health,” Rahman said. “We are focused on creating a highly accessible solution for this particular space that integrates seamlessly into a user’s daily life with the goal of making it absolutely easy for them to live better.”

It’s still early for details on the UP device, but Jawbone is collecting email addresses for notification when it’s ready for use.

Official UP by Jawbone site.

BioLogic Offers GPS BikeBrain

Riding with a smartphone might not let you get away from it all, but given the power that the handsets such as the iPhone now offer it would be a smart move to take them on the ride. And rather than just tucking the phone in your jersey pocket put it to work.

BioLogic’s BikeBrain app, which is currently rated 4.5 as a free app on the Apple App Store, will show what a smartphone can do your ride. This GPS-powered app offers cyclo-computer functionality. The BikeBrain Plus version, which is available for $1.99, takes it a step further with customizable programming features including intervals, zones and calories burned. It can even let users share data via Google Maps, Facebook and Twitter – plus it is compatible with MapMyRide.

“When sales of our bike-mounted iPhone cases took off, we knew a lot of people were using their iPhones on their bikes,” said Joakim Uimonen, BikeBrain Product Manager. “With the increased capabilities of BikeBrain Plus you really don’t need to buy a separate dedicated cycling computer to keep track of your rides.”

The free version, originally known as BikeBrain Lite, the BikeBrain app was launched at the beginning of April and had more than 20,000 downloads within the first 30 days. But given the functionality of the paid version, we think it is certainly worth the $1.99, making BikeBrain Plus a smart move indeed.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading BioLogic Offers GPS BikeBrain

VEA Sport Watch Does More

We’ve seen a lot of watches, and it isn’t that uncommon to have a device strapped to your wrists that can tell time, include alarms and even have a calculator (how 1980s is that). Much of this technology can now be included in mobile phones, so many people have stopped wearing high-tech watches altogether. That is until you want to work out, then the phone becomes the hassle and the watch is more useful – especially with the calorie counting and heart rate monitor functionality.

But now French-based VEA is rolling out a fitness watch that could make you want to ditch the mobile phone when you workout. The VEA Sportive Mobile Watch actually features a built-in MP3 player, pulse rate monitor, camera and even basic phone functionality. It is Bluetooth compatible, offers 8GB of storage and has an SOS button should you need to call for help.

However, you’ll have to run to Europe to get one. It will be released later this month for €399, but that price will reportedly run up to €499 in September, so if you’re a gadget connoisseur you might want to act now.

VEA Digital Official Website
[Via Engadget: VEA’s Sportive mobile watch is for those with money, calories to burn]

iPING Helps You Putt

Driving is just part of golf. The other part is putting. If you have trouble getting the ball in the hole, maybe your iPhone can help. iPING has introduced an app that transforms your iPhone 4 or iPod Touch into a putting analyzer. The good news is that this means a less bulky device than traditional analyzers and the better news is that this app is free!

The app promises to be easy to work with, and just requires a cradle that can be purchased from iPING to mount your phone to the club. The PING cradle costs about $30, but can you really put a price on a device and app that will help you save strokes on the green?

(Video after the jump) Continue reading iPING Helps You Putt

Sony Ericsson Xperia Active for Android-Loving Fitness and Outdoors Buffs

It’s a given that cell phones tend not to play well with the Earth’s elements, but whether it’s summer at the beach or a bike ride down a muddy trail, Sony Ericsson’s good-looking Xperia Active smartphone is designed to take a beating.

Rugged cell phones aren’t new, and the Xperia Active also isn’t the first rugged Android-based smartphone, either (Motorola and Casio have them). But the Xperia Active targets those with a fitness-focused lifestyle. Besides being water- and dust-resistant, the Xperia Active is ANT+ compliant for use with other compatible products such as exercise equipment and pulse monitors. Other sporty features include a Gear Kit that comes with an arm case, wrist strap, and headphones with ear straps; fitness-related apps; GPS, barometer, and compass functionality; and a screen that’s usable even when your fingers are wet.

Beneath its ruggedness is a full-featured Android smartphone that runs Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). It’s powered by a 1-gigahertz processor and features a 3-inch, 320×480 display with what Sony Ericsson calls the Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine. You can shoot videos in high definition, and you can download apps as you would with any Android phone. It’s slightly on the thick side, but what you sacrifice in size you get in protection (it is lighter than an iPhone 4, however, which is good news for those who don’t like being bogged down by stuff).

No pricing or market announcements have been made, yet, and there’s a chance it could never make it onto our shores. If it does, look for it in the third quarter of this year.

SONY ERICSSON XPERIA ACTIVE