Category: Mobile Phone

Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

Speck ToughSkin case for the iPhone 4 is ready to play.

Speaking as someone who has caused a quick demise of an MP3 player or two on the treadmill (the treadmill!), I think I can say that not all cases are built to withstand that type of torture. They’re made to withstand the torment of being tossed into a bag, purse or pocket. But a drop of a few feet, and at the velocity of someone running? Good bye. That said, Speck just came out with a line of Toughskin and Toughshell cases for the iPhone 4.

The ToughSkin for iPhone 4 ($39.95) is a three-layered system with an inner plastic shell that can be used all on its own, an outer rubber and rugged shell and an detachable holster with a rotating belt clip. The inner, plastic hard shell can stand on its own as a case when you’re not as active. However the rubberized outer case adds extra cushioning for your phone that will protect it if your phone launches from your hands while running or partaking in other activities. The holster has a rotating belt that you clip the phone into facing either direction. You can face your iPhone 4 inward to protect the screen from any damage, or clip it facing out so you can watch video or look at images. Continue reading Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

CES Recap: Panasonic Gets in the Game

At the Consumer Electronics Show Panasonic had many things to highlight, but missing from the buzz was their new line of in-the-ear clip earphones with remote controller and microphone. The new RP-HSC200 headphones are compatible with the latest iPod products as well as the iPhone. Best of all these ‘phones are water resistant for active workouts. These include soft, comfort fit elastomer hanger to ensure that the earphones stay in place so you can do your thing without the worry that these will fall out. Ear pieces are also included in small, medium and large sizes to help you get a snug fit.

These sports headphones give users the ability to control the volume and music, including play/pause/forward and ability to skip tracks, from the cord of the right earpiece. The remote also includes a built-in microphone when used with the iPhone. The earphones feature side mounted 12.4mm speakers and boast a frequency response of 10Hz – 22kHz. The RP-HSC200 sports earphones will be available in March for $59.99.

Panasonic Official Website

Master the Shot with SHOT Master

Whilst not everyone can become a master of the fairways and dominate the greens, every golfer can probably improve their technique and with it their overall game. That’s the idea behind SHOT Master, an interactive golf guide and e-tutorial that helps golfers improve their skill. It features carefully organized and detailed game improvement tips and easy-to-follow videos that can be conveniently used wherever the golfer goes. 

SHOT Master is the brain child of independent developers Charles Casteel, Jr. and Charles Casteel, Sr., an Information Technology expert, and professional golfer and golf instructor Willie Roberson. SHOT Master specializes in those rough shots, such as being stuck behind a tree in the rough or trapped in a bunker. It is a great tool as a golfer finding themselves in these “rough” situations can simply take out their iPod touch or iPhone and find out in a nice detailed tutorial how to get the best shot from where they are stuck.

“We are pleased to fill a void for the avid golfer to get help in real time. We know there are some very difficult golf shot and we wanted to create a coach that can be with the golfer at all times”,  said Charles Casteel, Sr., SHOT Master part-owner and developer. “Golfers all over the world can improve their game by mastering some of golf’s most changeling shots by using our Golf App while on the golf course from the convenience of their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.” Continue reading Master the Shot with SHOT Master

CES 2011: Check Blood Pressure with Withings iPhone Monitor

When we need to get our blood pressure check, we either head to our doctor or to the supermarket, where there’s usually a free blood pressure monitor machine by the pharmacy. But with Withings’ new blood pressure monitor for the iPhone, we can now play doctor and check our measurements at home through our smartphone.

Of course, this won’t replace a visit to a real medical professional, but it’d allow users to keep track of their health in between doctor visits.

The device works with iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches, and will sell for $129. The device is being demonstrated now at CES. See full release below.

Withings

Withings Launches World’s First iPhone Connected Blood Pressure Monitor with Online Monitoring and Measurement Storage

This revolutionary new product created by Withings, dramatically improves access to BP measurements for users worldwide

Las Vegas, Nevada – January 4, 2011- CES/ North Hall/ Booth #3619- With hypertension affecting almost 25% of the world population , blood pressure measurement can help to save lives. However, until now, taking your blood pressure required the use of complex devices with multiple manipulations, mathematical operations and data recording procedures. Self-measurement has been recommended by the medical profession for many years , but no one had yet found concrete solutions to expand its use.

This is why Withings chose to rethink the blood pressure monitor and turn it into an attractive, user-friendly connected device.

With the Withings Blood Pressure monitor, measuring and understanding your blood pressure couldn’t be easier. All data is recorded and saved to the user’s secure online space for easy measurement access and retrieval through their iPhone, iPad or other screen connected to a user-friendly interface.

Self-measurement is made simple by the Withings Blood Pressure monitor.  It improves the reliability of readings and offers the option to share them with relatives, healthcare providers or medical professionals.

Through the Withings API, specialist partners can interface with the platform to offer additional services, as Withings has already proven with its WiFi Body Scale and partners such as Google Health, Microsoft HealthVault and numerous health & sports coaching websites such as DailyBurn.com, RunKeeper.com, FitOrbit.com, gymtechnik.com, aujourdhui.com, Strands.com, Danholt4mac.com, Jogmap.de…and many more.

Says Withings co-founder Cédric Hutchings: “Apple revolutionized the world of smartphones by making them more user-friendly than ever before. By adding connectivity to high-tech devices, we simplify their usage and enrich them with extra services. Our goal is to take the drama out of using devices that can promote healthier lifestyles for all. We have achieved this with our Withings body scale, and are now repeating our success with the Withings Blood Pressure monitor”.

The Withings Blood Pressure monitor works together with an iPhone / iPad / iPod touch. The Withings Blood Pressure monitor, priced 129 euros or $129 US, will be available in January, 2011 on www.withings.com

CES 2011: ContourGPS Camera Adds Bluetooth Support for Wireless Viewing

So you’re looking to capture some footage during your snowboard runs down the slope or bike ride through the city, but performing these activities while holding a camera is difficult, if not impossible. The folks at Contour have  developed hands-free camcorders to help you achieve just that, in high definition. Their ContourGPS Camera adds location tracking as well as speed and altitude info. And just announced today at CES, they’re adding Bluetooth support that lets you turn your iPhone or Android-based smartphone into a wireless viewfinder (current owners also benefit, as all ContourGPS models has always had Bluetooth support; it’s now being activated through a firmware upgrade). It also lets you control the camera settings and view recorded footage on the smartphone, and Contour is working on other applications that can take advantage of the Bluetooth feature. The ContourGPS sells for $350, and the apps for iPhone and Android are coming soon. See below for the full release.

Contour

Contour Turns Your Mobile Phone into a Live Viewfinder for its ContourGPS Camera

January 5, 2011 (Seattle, Wash.) – Contour, a market leader in hands-free video cameras, is announcing a new feature for its award winning ContourGPS model: Bluetooth. Already the first hands-free video camera to capture speed and location in real-time, Contour is unveiling a built-in Bluetooth chip in the ContourGPS along with a mobile app that together enable your phone to become a live viewfinder. Now you can see what your camera sees while configuring your settings, all from the most remote locations. Applications are currently being developed for the Android and iOS platforms. Contour will be demonstrating this new functionality at the Consumer Electronics Show.

“We’re excited about turning a phone into a live screen for the ContourGPS and delivering the single feature nearly all of our customers have been asking for,” says Marc Barros, Contour’s CEO. “ContourGPS was already the first hands-free camera to introduce real-time GPS, bringing a whole new level of video storytelling to our customers around the world. But with the enabling of Bluetooth, ContourGPS becomes the only hands-free video camera with a wireless viewfinder.”

Hands-free is one of the fastest growing video camera categories, but it’s often limited in its application by the lack of a screen. By unlocking Bluetooth, ContourGPS opens itself to connectivity with audio, remote control, and mobile accessories. Most importantly, it enables a mobile app to turn your phone into a live viewfinder.

The ContourGPS camera brings together three of the hottest trends: location, mobile, and video. It goes beyond being just a camera – it’s an all-in-one platform that offers innovative software in conjunction with a vibrant online community. Customers can record, post, and share their video adventures while tracking their path, speed, and elevation on a map – all at the same time. A rugged video camera made specifically for the estimated 100 million outdoor enthusiasts around the world; ContourGPS makes it easy to capture video from within the action and share it online in seconds.

CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

Two fitness challenges will push the health agenda at CES 2011 for health insurance agency UnitedHealth Group. Participants will compete for an iPad and Xbox 360 with Kinect over the course of the conference running from January 6-9. Continue reading CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

An App to Stack ‘em and Attack ‘em

Last week STACK Media announced a new partnership with ATTACK Athletics to create a new app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. This app will let you stack and attack through a 12-week program designed for the ultimate workout for basketball players.

The STACK ATTACK Workout was created by Tim Grover, founder of ATTACK Athletics in Chicago, and this one requires no special equipment, but provides 80 instructional videos that take users through two bodyweight workouts each week with step-by-step instructions.

Grover, a former coach for Michael Jordan, developed his cutting edge physiological and nutrition-based performance enhancement program for other NBA players include Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant. Now he shares his secrets in this app.

“During my career, I’ve had the privilege to train some of the best athletes in the world,” Grover said. “This app allows me to bring that training knowledge and expertise to all athletes, so they too can improve their performance through smart training and hard work.”

The STACK ATTACK Workout is available now for download for $2.99 from the Apple App Store.

STACK Media Official Website

Skateboard Ramps Go High Tech

While we normally look at the technology of the skateboards, there has been some interesting innovation with the skateboard ramps. Here are a couple of interesting videos that show how an iPhone app can measure each skaters “air time” and landings from an interactive projection. The top video was for a promotion for the premier of the movie Tron Legacy, while the bottom video shows how cameras were synchronised with skaters and snowboarder movements.

Red Bull Off the planet from ENESS on Vimeo.

Tron Legacy Premiere – A Light Session from ENESS on Vimeo.

Burn it Up With Your iPad

The holidays are a time for many things, including seeing family, visiting with friends, eating too much and basically blowing off exercise. That’s probably why come January 2 many people vow to “do it right” and pledge to turn over a new leaf. Maybe one way to start the New Year off right is by better managing your food intake.

One problem say experts is that you can easily shed pounds by reducing intake, but as soon as you go back to old habits – which die hard and quickly – you’re likely to regain the weight. Additionally, people who reportedly lose weight more slowly while increasing the exercise tend to keep the pounds off.

Brian Young realized this, and he’s worked to develop an app that helps you track and burn, hence the Tracknburn app for the iPod and iPhone. It incorporates the BMI formula that “is accurate as it gets,” says Young, who further notes that one of the most popular ways to determine how many calories are needed to sustain the same body weight is to use the body mass index (BMI) and current activity level. Subtract 250 calories a day to lose 1/2 pound per week.

Sounds simple, but Young notes that this formula also changes as you lose weight, making it hard to track over time. The Tracknburn essentially picks up on this, and does the weight loss math for you. This app takes a users individual profile, along with weight goal and helps make responsible choices. It can be used a food log with more than 140,000 common foods to choose from, and by tracking what you can eat, you can more easily lose at the same time. Now that sounds like a winning solution.

Tracknburn Official Website

Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

It is hard not to love Best Buy. As a guy I love everything Best Buy, from the huge TVs to mobile phones, computers to even the appliances.  But the truth is that Best Buy has also sort of been one of those stores that made me feel a little guilty too. It has so much stuff that I love; but yet very little “active” type products for on the go. While there are plenty of digital cameras, GPS devices and now tons of video games that claim to inspire fitness, the truth is that Best Buy remains about those big, big TVs that draw you in, where you just want to sit back on a couch and let the day pass you by.

However, the retailer has announced a new national rollout of health and fitness products at 600 Best Buy stores across the country as well as online at Bestbuy.com. This is truly a good thing, as it should help inspire – dare we say “guilt” – visitors to do something besides sit on a couch whilst enjoying Blu-ray and HDTV. This also comes just in time for all those New Years’ resolutions that we hope readers will keep.

“We were encouraged by the enthusiastic response we saw from our customers during the initial pilot of these health and fitness products,” said Chris Koller, vice president of the Portable Electronics Solutions Group at Best Buy. “We clearly tapped into a desire for Best Buy to provide the latest and greatest technology to enhance health regimens, and to help people discover how they can integrate these devices with other personal technology to monitor and share their progress, and to stay motivated.” Continue reading Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

iMapMyApp Tracks Your Whole Workout

Whatever mode you plan for your outdoor workout, iMapMy apps tracks it. MapMyFitness apps include iMapMyRun, iMapMyRide and iMapMyWalk. The iPhone programs are part of a partnership between MapMyFitness and Wahoo Fitness. The free apps work with the Fisica ANT+30 pin Sensor Key to track heart rate, which translates into other data. The app uses the GPS technology of the iPhone to record and chart workout route, pace, time, calories burned and heart rate, then saves the data to the MapMyFitness websites, whichever matches your mode of exercise. Continue reading iMapMyApp Tracks Your Whole Workout

Bodybugg Out The Calories

With the holiday season upon us, you could find yourself indulging a bit too much. The Bodybugg Calorie Management System will let you help monitor your intake so you won’t bulge from the holiday indulge. The system provides an accurate daily record of calories consumed and lets you trak how many you’ve burned. Continue reading Bodybugg Out The Calories

Organic Medicine Now on the iPhone

‘Tis the season of holiday gatherings, gift baskets, rich foods and spirits that aren’t always of the holiday variety. It can result in many a New Year’s resolution to indulge less so as to lose some of the end of the year bulge.

How about heading off the bad habits by boning up on some healthy tips? That’s where the 42 Healthy Solutions iPhone app can come in. It was devised by Dr. Craig Koniver, MD, a graduate of Brown University and Jefferson Medical College, who opened the Primary Plus Organic Medicine, LLC in Charleston, SC in 2006 to focus on his expertise in natural medicine. By combining his background in modern, conventional medicine with his unique expertise in organic, natural medicine to treat thousands of patients each year, he created the 42 Healthy Solutions iPhone App. Continue reading Organic Medicine Now on the iPhone