Personal Electronics | Evolving Consumer

Can’t Break Polar’s Stride

Polar looks to track every step you make with the Polar Strike Sensor Bluetooth Smart, the first sensor that allows runners to track speed, distance and capture intelligent training data. This small, lightweight device clips onto the user’s shoe and can record a range of data including stride length, cadence, running speed and distance.

This is good for urban areas where GPS doesn’t always work so well, and the data can be analyzed and shared wirelessly via mobile training applications for smartphones, tablets or any Bluetooth Smart ready device. It is also compatible with the latest version of Polar Beat, the training app for iOS. Continue reading Can’t Break Polar’s Stride

One Tough Galaxy

Smartphones can do a lot of things, but most are rather delicate devices. You can rely on special cases and try your best to protect the handset, or you could look to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, a ruggedized version of the Galaxy S4. This Android-powered smartphone can survive a bit water as well as dust and dirt, or even a drop on the ground.

It features a 5-inch Full HD display – TFT LCD rather than AMOLED in order to provide that ruggedness – and if offers an 8megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, plus a water-resistant earphone jack. For those who want to take their smartphone on the go the S4 Active might be the smart move to make.

Samsung Galaxy Official Website

eLECT(ric) Fork

While an electric fork might be something that Homer Simpson would use for dinner, Magura has introduced something entirely different. The bicycle component maker has followed RockShox and Fox by introducing a fork for mountain bikes that provides an electronic auto-lockout technology called eLECT.

This new fork system replaces the top-mounted adjustment cap/knob that is typically found on suspension forks. Instead eLECT offers a lightweight module that contains a microprocessor, servo motor, 3D accelerometer and it all runs on a lithium-ion battery that can be juiced up via a micro USB port.

The accelerometer is there to detect when the tire hits a rough patch – and it registers the size of the bump and just as fast the module alternates the suspension accordingly. It can also determine whether the bike is going uphill, down or rolling on flats. When on flats or downhill the suspension will remain opened to soften the ride; while on the uphill can be automatically locked to the most rigid setting to make it easier for the rider to climb. This system can reportedly even detect if the bike has “caught” some air and will respond to help soften the landing.

With this new technology we say put a “fork” in it – it’s done and ready to ride.

Magura Official Website

Jet Powered Glasses

Recon Instruments have introduced a range of heads-up displays that can be used for skiing and snowboarding as well as skydiving. These can provide speed, distance and other useful information. However, the goggles for skiing aren’t exactly going to work while running on the beach.

To this end Recon has gotten Jet powered, and has introduced a stylish pair of sun glasses that provide the same heads-up display but in a much smaller package. These were revealed at the Google I/O event last month.

The Jet features a dual-core processor, dedicated graphics, GPS, HD camera, speaker and microphone. The glasses offer wireless connectivity to compatible devices via Wi-Fi, Ant+ and Bluetooth 4.0. The Glasses are ready to give the display for runners and cyclists and could change the way athletes are presented with real-time fitness data. Video after the jump

Adidas Blows It Up With Nitrocharge

The soccer pitch won’t know what hit it. Adidas has introduced the new Nitrocharge soccer cleat/football boot, which offers a high-elastic upper element called the ENERGYSling to provide extra agility, while the ENERGYPULSE on the sole provides improved push-off and gives greater energy return to let the wearer go the distance.

The Sprintframe outsole offers TRAXION 2.0 stud placement to provide greater balance traction, stability and all in a lightweight shoe. The Nitrocharge also offers a miCoach speed cell fitness-tracking chip that allows the wearer to monitor speed, distance and even number of sprints. This can connect with an iOS device for a post game recap of the shoe’s explosive moments.

Adidas Nitrocharge Official Website

Music Player Fit for a King of the Sea

Neptune was king of the sea according to Greek mythology, and the Finis Neptune waterproof audio player is thus fittingly named. It utilizes bone conduction to deliver sound to the audio canal so swimmers can get in tune with their strokes.

It offers 4GB of memory, an integrated OLED display, improved file transfer compatibility with iTunes and is waterproof to 3 meters (10 ft). Video after the jump

First Person Shooter

We do love our first person shooter video games, but these don’t really provide much of a workout. While we’ve worked up a sweat from playing these it isn’t the kind of “good sweat” that you get from actually running around. Tek Recon could be the new ultimate first person shooter.

It isn’t as messy as paintball and doesn’t really require a special place to play like laser tag. This game has players use special “blasters” that shoot soft projectiles up to 75 feet, while these can be integrated with an iOS or Android device that provides a heads up display, radar tracking and even in-game chat. The result is an action game that is very much like a video game but one that requires real world activity.

The developers are now engaged in a Kickstarter campaign. We think of this as their way of doing a little recon for Tek Recon. Video after the jump

BrakeIT

What is better than a bike light to be seen? How about multiple bike lights that react to motion? LucidBRAKE is a stop sign-shaped brake light that mounts practically anywhere and is waterproof and lightweight. It features a three axis accelerometer that is able to detect braking forces relative to gravity and lights up much like a brake light on a car.

It offers two different braking speeds but also can be set to random blinking mode to help ensure it is seen at night or adverse weather conditions. LucidBRAKE is now looking to Kickstarter to get this thing rolling. Video after the jump

More Monkey Business

We first heard about the MonkeyLectric system that lights up bicycle wheels last fall, and now the company has looked to Kickstarter to kick start its efforts to bring more colorful designs to a road near you. The company is looking to create web-based software that will allow riders to create images and animations that can be seen in the wheels.

The Monkey Light Pro system is designed to be waterproof, durable and designed for use on city streets. The technology, which is being designed and manufactured in California, reportedly adds just 500 grams to the bike and can run for three to eight hours at full brightness – based on what graphics are shown.

Does anyone need this? No, but it does sound like an interesting way to get your message out there. Video after the jump

The iScope

Not everyone can be born to be a crack shot ala Sgt. Alvin York, but now there is an app out there that might help you better site the target. The Inteliscope mount system attaches and iPhone or iPod Touch to any firearm with a Pictatinny (Mil-STD-1913) or Weaver tactical rail.

The onscreen, heads-up display of the Inteliscope app features selectable crosshairs, 5X digital zoom, video record and playback, sight-in with ballistics and windage data, and even offers a built-in compass. There is GPS positioning, and this app features a shot timer as well as 5X zoom. There is even a flashlight and strobe as well.

This system features high-strength composite-reinforced polymer and ruggedized tactile rubber finish with quick-release portable protective cover. There is an adjustable mount position and the handset can be used in either portrait or landscape orientation.

About the only thing this system won’t do is pull the trigger for you.

Inteliscope Official Website

Secure Liberty

While not everyone likes guns, even gun owners agree that having a quality way to secure them up is a good idea. Liberty Safe has introduced the latest addition to its line of portable and wireless alarm system. The SafElert is a compact 3x2x1-inch wireless high-tech communication device that can be employed almost anywhere. While ideal for helping secure a firearm, it could be used with the liquor cabinet, dresser drawers or in other applications.

The alarm and reports can be sent as texts or emails through a home’s Wi-Fi system, or sent via email messaging to a mobile phone via the Elertus Cloud service. Up to five people can receive this information as well The alarm can notify the users if any safe or door is jarred, hit, pried, moved, opened or over-heated. The system can also report on weekly humidity to help users know that their treasured positions are in good order.

Liberty Safe Official Website

Stem Ware

Paul Component Engineering is offering an alternative way to mount a GoPro on a bike. Not on the helmet or the handlebars but on the stem. This can allow the bars to be in the shot and thus get a sense of being in the action while watching the video. The Camera Mount also allows for the camera to be more centered in the action. It is compatible with all HERO3, HERO2, and HD HERO Original GoPro cameras.

So regardless of why, it now can be done and done right. Video after the jump

Light Bar

A built-in bike light seems like a good idea, and while we seen systems that integrate the lights into the stem, the Helios Bars are more than just a built-in light. These do provide proximity lighting that allows the bike to automatically turn on or off when the rider is near, and provide turn singles to help drivers know what you’re about to do. But the Helios Bars also provide GPS tracking via SMS from anywhere in the United States, where users can receive coordinates of the bike via Google Maps.

These bars also offer a visual speedometer, and can provide turn-by-turn navigation when synced with a mobile phone via Bluetooth 4.0. There is even ambient lighting options to set the mood while riding. Video after the jump