Personal Electronics | Evolving Consumer

Yeti Tracks in the Snow

The Yeti – also known as the Abominable Snowman – is a mythical creature who lives in snow covered mountains. The Delazify Yeti is a wrist monitor that will make it easier to find your way on the slopes. It offers a GPS receiver, which tracks current/max/average speed, plus distance, number of runs you’ve made and even altitude.

The only complaint is that it is rather large – sort of like the Yeti of myth – but maybe that just makes it easier to see. And while there are plenty of apps for mobile phones that can do much of what the Yeti can do, this one is IP65 rated to be waterproof, freeze-proof and shock-resistant, so it can stand up to the mountains much more than say a typical smartphone.

Delazify Yeti Official Website

GPS Tracking Bike

Electric bikes offer some benefits beyond pedal assistance. The VANMOOF Electrified is an e-bike that also offers an integrated GPS anti-theft tracking system.

“”One of the features that had first turned me on to the VANMOOF Electrified was its GPS tracking ability,” said Adam Richmond, an Electrified early adopter, had three electric bicycles stolen from his home last month. “I used the app to track my bike, providing me with its exact location. Using this information, the West Palm Beach Police Department recovered my bike and returned it to me, unharmed, within hours of the theft.”

It is almost – just almost – enough to make you forgo the lock.

VANMOOF Official Website

TomTom RunRun

TomTom is giving Garmin and Nike a run for their money with its new Runner Cardio GPS Watch, which features a sensor that casts light through the skin to accurately measure blood flow without the need for a chest strap. The watch offers five intensity zones, and lets wearers track speed, endurance and even fat loss.

The TomTom Runner Cardio will be off and running later this month.

TomTom Runner Cardio Official Website

To Serve and PROTKT

Wahoo Fitness knows that many people might not be comfortable taking their expensive iPhone on a bike ride. Since an iOS app is a crucial part of the business strategy for Wahoo Fitness, the company has introduced the PROTKT iPhone 5 Bike Mount and Case, which provides weatherproof and shockproof protection.

It also offers secure and quick mounting to a handlebar, while providing full phone functionality. It can be paired with Wahoo’s Blue HR and Blue SC for real-time heart rate, speed and cadence data.

Wahoo Fitness Official Website

GI Go

When we think of a “G.I. Bike” we think of something American soldiers used in World War II, but the Gi Bike is something different. It is a full-sized, folding, electric bike designed for travel around town.

It folds up or down in just three seconds, and can run 40 miles on battery. It even offers smartphone integration with apps and maps, and designed to handle the mean streets with side lights that help riders be seen, while an anti-theft safety lock ensures the bike is there where you left it. This is Gi is ready to roll. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

Going Downhill

From Runner’s World:Three Tips for Running Downhill
Train on descents – without getting hurt – to build strength, boost coordination, and even have some fun. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

TAO-tally New Look

TAO Wellness has updated the design for its TAO WellShell, the portable, interactive and motivating exercise tool that turns exercise time into game time. The unit is set to be delivered to backers of the Tao-Wellness Kickstarter campaign this fall, and the new version of the WellShell will feature a smooth black top surface with a silver base that makes it easier for the user to exert uniform pressure from a variety of positions.

TAO Wellness Official Website

Galaxy Armor

There are plenty of cases on the market for the iPhone, but Urban Armor Gear have introduced a new phone case for the Samsung Galaxy S5, which combines style, functionality and protection – and still made it easy to use the handset while its armor is up.

This distinctive one-piece design features a hard armor shell that guards against sharp objects, while a soft rubber core and bumpers resists impact from drops and abuse. It even utilizes a high definition adhesive screen protector to protect against scratches. Each product is independently tested to meet military standards for drop and shock (MIL-STD 810G), and it offers UAG’s feather-lite construction, which results in a patented form fitting design that adds minimal size and weight to the Galaxy S5.

Under Armor Gear Official Website

Smart Thinking

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that the human brain can notice symbols faster than it notices generic lights, and with this in mind a group from the school developed Brainy Bike Lights, which feature an LED “cyclists” symbol instead of just a row of bulbs.

In tests the team found that people were able to quickly identify that it was a bicycle and more importantly reacted more quickly to it. Those in the study reacted about 100 milliseconds faster, which for a car traveling at 30 mph could mean the distance of 1.34 meters. That could make a difference for those on the bike!

The lights are reportedly visible from a distance of 20 meters and provide a field of view of almost 180 degrees. The headlight version can run for about 50 hours while flashing, and the tail light can run for 200 hours. That should be plenty of time to get noticed.

Brainy Bike Lights Official Website

Garmin Back on the Edge

Garmin has remained on the cutting edge again. This month it unveiled its Garmin Edge 1000, which will carry over many of the training features from its Edge 819 but also add the navigation features of the Edge Touring. This new cycling computer features a 3-inch touchscreen display with full-color 240×400 resolution.

The new cycling computer will come loaded with maps and points of interest including parks and trails, and can provide riders with turn-by-turn directions. It can synced with ANT+ products including heart rate monitors, power meters and speed/cadence sensors. The Edge 1000 is even compatible with Shimano’s Di2 with D-Fly system to display the current gear on the screen. This unit can also be paired with a smartphone so riders can view incoming calls and even text messages.

Once again Garmin could very well give riders an edge in more ways than one!

Video after the jump

X4 Lights the Spot

There are plenty of ways to be seen while riding or running at night, but Edward Ward of London has created the Commuter X4, a wearable, fiber optic rear bike light that helps drivers judge distance, width and even speed of the cyclist. Ward’s design was even selected as one of the final 20 of the British Inventors’ Project at the Gadget Show Live 2014. His design features four fiber optic light guides and this system can be worn over the back and can also be attached to bags and backpacks. What makes this system also stand out said Ward is that the human eye typically judges distances by focusing on two more focal points and the Commuter X4 provides much more than a single light.

This system is also designed to sit at the optimum height for all road users – again ensuring it can’t be missed. Ward has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to help the X4 get noticed by investors. Video after the jump

Shine Like a Eagle

The Eagle 600 bike light from Magicshine doesn’t necessarily soar higher than most lights, but it does have a little magic of another sort. Unlike most cycling lights this light features an OLED display that shows remaining battery and runtime.

It can be fully charged in about four hours and can run on full power for about 1.5 hours. It also has low modes plus flashing mode to preserve the battery life. On full blast it offers 600 lumens, which is enough to light the road ahead. The best feature is still that lets you know the runtime that is left with the light so you’re not left out in the dark.

Magic Shine Eagle 600 Official Website

GoPro Goes Double

GoPro has doubled down so to speak with the introduction of the new GoPro Dual HERO system, which can capture synchronized footage that can be converted to 3D. This set up will also allow users to capture simultaneous photo and video footage. It is compatible with two HERO3+ cameras (sold separately) and the system will retail for $199.

Continue reading GoPro Goes Double