Mobile Phone | Evolving Consumer

Center Stage

Stages Cycling is powering up again, with an update to its mobile app and firmware on its crankarm-based power meter. This will add new features including a high-speed data analysis tool that could be useful for BMX racers and track sprinters who want to look at a very small sample of pedal stroke data. The meter, located on the left crank arm, records force and torque data 64 times per second. The data is sent via Bluetooth to the iOS app, which can then email the data in a .csv file.

The company further added pedal smoothness and torque efficiency data gathering, which can be used with Garmin’s 510 and 810 cycling computer models.

There is also new battery level features to its iOS mobile app, which when the app is connected via the Bluetooth LE wireless system will show the power meter’s battery level; when connected via the ANT+ wireless system. The app will further present a low battery warning when there is about 10 hours of battery life remaining.

The app includes a Fahrenheit/Celsius toggle to use during device calibration and a “Tools Page” that shows the meter’s calibration data and other settings.

Stages Cycling Official Website

Can Your Mobile Phone Really Keep you Healthy?

Modern western societies are swamped with the most advanced communication technology the world has ever seen. They’re also – almost universally – suffering from epidemics of obesity and preventable deaths from related conditions like diabetes. Are the two related? Well possibly. Certainly, we live more sedentary lives than when we were chasing our dinner. However, mobile technology can be a good guy as well as a villain in this story, with plenty of apps offering to keep an eye on your exercise program, monitor your health and help the disabled live more active lives. Continue reading Can Your Mobile Phone Really Keep you Healthy?

Going to PowerPot X

Things are really going to pot – and we mean that in the best way possible. The PowerPot X, which is being developed through a Kickstarter crowd funding project, has met its goals with just under a month to go. This 10-watt portable generator is designed to create electrical power while camping or otherwise out in the wilds.

Simple fire and water create power! The original PowerPot V was launched via Kickstarter in April 2012, and now the company is looking to bring it up a notch.

“We are astounded by the amount of support the PowerPot X has received in such a short time,” said Matt Ford, CEO of Power Practical. “We used Kickstarter to launch our inaugural PowerPot and Practical Meter, so we’re not new to the concept of crowdfunding, but we didn’t expect such preliminary success. This gives us a head start on getting the next generation in thermoelectric power manufactured and shipped to all our devoted supporters.”

This bigger, lighter and even strong addition to the PowerPot X Series emits 10 watts of power but has no moving parts. It can also be used to charge up to four devices (such as GoPro cameras) simultaneously, and can power up smartphones and even a tablet computer. It produces electricity in any weather, day or night. Video after the jump

Spinlister Makes Snowboard Renting a Snap

Need to rent a pair of skis or a snowboard? Don’t stand in line or wait on hold, use the smartphone the smart way. Signal Snowboards founder Dave Lee is helping promote the new rental service and mobile app Spinlister, which allows users to rent a board or skis from the handset. This even allows individuals to rent out their gear as well.

This Android and iOS app lets users list snowboards and rent snowboards anywhere in the world, with all listings GPS located to make it easy to find the gear near you. In addition, everything is exchanged through the app and listers are completely covered through the Spinlister insurance policy.

Spinlister Official Website

TRAINR Links Wearables to Fitness Regime

Wearables have become popular. Juniper Research forecasts $19 billion in revenue for the market by 2018. But with many health monitors and wearable devices there is a divide between fitness monitoring (and smart wearable devices), and getting coached on a training regimen. FOCUS: TRAINR is a newly-released app that links between your Samsung Galaxy Gear watch and compatible smartphones. Continue reading TRAINR Links Wearables to Fitness Regime

Holiday Gift Guide: The Glove For the Touch(Screen)

Nobody likes cold hands, but using a touchscreen in the winter often remains exposing the digits to the cold. That is unless you have gloves that are touchscreen compatible.

Dutch glove brand Mujjo has just launched a double-insulated knitted cycling glove in time for the holidays and it is designed with touchscreen devices in mind. It also includes an extra layer of wool to provide insulation along with a soft touch. It features silicone rip dot patterns on the palms for grip so you don’t have to worry about dropping that expensive gizmo or gadget. A leather strap crosses over a notch on the wrist also helps keep the wind and cold out.

Mujjo Official Website

Holiday Gift Guide: Power Up for the iPhone 5S

Bike2Power has rolled out is BikeConsole Smart Mount for the iPhone 5S, which features 90 percent more touchscreen sensitivity, while still being built to withstand extreme weather conditions. It utilizes SoundBoost microvent sealing technology, allowing the user to experience louder and clearer audio, while it can be rotated up to 360-degrees. It even features an anti-glare screen membrane that allows for optimal viewing in almost any condition. Continue reading Holiday Gift Guide: Power Up for the iPhone 5S

Slite of Handset

Whether out for a hike or just a trip to the wrong side of the tracks, the CM4 Slite Card Case for the iPhone 5C will come in handy. It features a built-in wallet that allows you to store your most frequently used cards and some cash. It can hold up to three cards – or ID – while the Screen Guard provides the device as well.

This could be the ultimate “Slite” of hand!

CM4 Slite Official Website

This Cricket Won’t Chirp

The sound of a cricket at night can be either soothing – if the insect happens to be outside and you’re in the country – but can be annoying when it might be in your house or apartment. The latter is likely what the developers of the Cricket bike alarm had in mind. However, instead of it making a chirp the alarm will alert bike owners.

As the developers noted, “as someone as much as touches your bikes, you’ll get an instant (as in one tenth of a second instant) notification in your smart phone.” That is one smart Cricket. It is now in development via an Indiegogo project. Video after the jump

CES Innovations Award: Magellan Echo

It is November and while that means Thanksgiving with Christmas just around the corner, it is also the time when we start to hear about the International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Awards. For the upcoming show, the Honoree in the Wearable Technologies category includes the Magellan Echo, the first smartwatch dedicated to running by connecting smartphone fitness apps to the wrist. It utilizes Bluetooth Smart to wirelessly connect with a smartphone and provides users control over their favorite fitness app and displays running metrics where it can be easily seen.

Magellan Echo drives integration with the world of sport and fitness apps, and has support from Strava, MapMyFitness, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness. Echo features a ruggedized design, water-resistance to withstand adverse conditions and a replaceable battery that lasts 6-11 months.

Magellan Echo Official Website

Recon Rolls out 4th Gen Heads Up Display

Recon Instruments has introduced its fourth generation of heads up display for skiers and snowboarders, the Recon Snow2, which is designed to work with goggles from leading manufacturers including Oakley, Smith, Scottt, Uvex, Alpina, Briko and Zeal. The Snow2 is also available for sale as a stand-alone unit that can replace an older Recon HUD, and it offers improved connectivity options with Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11a/b/g/n). It even features “Made for iPhone” certification.

Recon Snow2 is power for those hitting the powder. It features an efficient dual-core processor, which results in three times the processing power and has a 35 percent increase in battery life from the previous generation of HUD. Snow2 also now offers a dedicated graphics processing unit providing enhanced brightness and contrast, and greatly increased screen readability. Continue reading Recon Rolls out 4th Gen Heads Up Display

Pear One

Pear Sports has announced that its new cloud based portal has been updated for iOS7 and is now available on Android on the Samsung Galaxy S4. It allows users to access their entire workout library and schedule from their handset, as well as track and analyze results. This app utilizes typical heart rate monitor data including heart rate, calories, distance, time and more, and turns it into real-time coaching.

Pear Sports Official Website

Time to Cliiiimb

Strava certainly lets users push themselves, but often times you can’t tell how you’re doing until the ride is over. But now the personal mapping and tracking system for runners and cyclists is working with 4iiii’s, which produces special glasses that can stream data directly to the lenses.

The new Cliiiimb app can now pull live segment data from Strava and relay it to the Sportiiiis heads up display. Just be sure to keep your eyes on the road! Video after the jump