All good things come to an end, including the Olympics. Throughout the 17 days of the games and before we cast the spotlight on some of the latest technology and innovations that were used to help the athletes train and perform. Here is our Kinetic Recap of some of the top stories of the 2012 Olympics: Continue reading Kinetic Recap: 2012 Olympics
Category: Personal Electronics
Weekend Reading List (8.11.2012): Olympic Recap – Fist Pumping, Olympic Tech, World’s Fair Worthy
Pump it Up
From Discovery New: Fist-pumping celebrations by Olympians linked to primates
Fist pumps, hands in the air and jumping up and down, seen at every event at the Olympics, turn out to be the same across all cultures and likely have their roots in non-human primate displays.
When Olympic athletes such as Michael Phelps, Gabby Douglas and Usain Bolt celebrate their wins, they are displaying a declaration of success that could date back to the earliest human societies and beyond, according to a new study that has been accepted for publication in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (8.11.2012): Olympic Recap – Fist Pumping, Olympic Tech, World’s Fair Worthy
Cardiio Takes Your Heart Rate With an iPhone Camera
It’s not so surprising to hear that an iPhone app can tell you your heart rate. What is surprising is that Cardiio can do it using the iPhone’s camera, and nothing else. The app uses the iPhone’s front-facing camera to analyze the amount of light reflected by your face. The developers discovered that when your heart beats, more blood is pumped into your face. The slight increase in blood volume ends causes your face to absorb more light. Then light is reflected more when the blood leaves your face. Continue reading Cardiio Takes Your Heart Rate With an iPhone Camera
Everybody Wang Buds Tonight
Headphone maker Fanny Wang created the Wang Buds, a pair of ear buds that packs the sound of a larger can-style headphone in an ergonomic earpiece. In addition to a full sound, the ear buds combine the comfort factor with dynamic dual drivers and massive air chambers to pound your workout. Continue reading Everybody Wang Buds Tonight
Bushnell Brings Power to the Bush
When out in the wild and off the grind you need to bring batteries or rely on a power generator. Fortunately if the sun is shining you have the best generator not under the sun, but in the guise of the sun itself. There are plenty of devices that can turn the rays into juice, and now Bushnell, which is known for quality optics, can help get power when off in the bush.
The company has introduced a new line of PowerSync portable charging devices, which will debut in January – likely in time for SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show) in Las Vegas.
Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker
We’ve seen a few products from Ecoxgear, and liked their concept for a waterproof case and speaker in one. Now the company has introduced its EcoxBT, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Unlike the Ecoxgear EcoxPRO, which is a speaker than contains the device inside, the EcoxBT allows the speaker to get wet while the Bluetooth device, such as MP3 player can remain safe on dry land. Continue reading Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker
Answer Won Could be the Answer for Riders Waiting for a Call
Answering nature’s call when in the woods is one thing, but a more urgent need can be answering the phone call before it goes to voicemail. Many riders might want to leave the phone behind during their ride, but if you absolutely can’t miss a call and like to wear full-finger gloves to protect the digits there is the added problem that today’s touchscreen smartphones don’t respond well to said gloves.
However the Answer Won gloves are the answer. The gloves feature the “answer-it” technology that provides a special material in the index fingers on each hand that allows for operation of a touchscreen. While it won’t make texting much easier, it will allow for basic operations, which is really the point. Continue reading Answer Won Could be the Answer for Riders Waiting for a Call
Epson Gets Sporty With Smart Watch
Epson has entered the smart watch category with its new E200 wrist watch, which can allow users a lot more than just telling time. It can track pulse rate via contact with the wrist and even tell wearer’s how much they need to pick it up to raise the heart rate and burn fat.
While it doesn’t offer as much information as a traditional heart rate monitor this does seem like the step in the right direction with smart watches, especially as it can tell wearer’s to take those extra steps. However to get one will require a trip to Japan for now. Continue reading Epson Gets Sporty With Smart Watch
Cerberus Three-Part System Helps You Stay On Track, Gets Help When You Need It
If the potential for getting lost is a reason for not venturing into the outdoors, it’s time to let go of that fear with the Cerberus tracking and alert system from Briartek. Named after the three-headed guardian dog of Hades, Cerberus is a three-part system that works in conjunction with your smart device to keep you from getting lost and get you help when you need it. Continue reading Cerberus Three-Part System Helps You Stay On Track, Gets Help When You Need It
Outrider Case Goes Along For The Ride
The iPhone isn’t a GoPro camera – but many iPhone owners might be asking why not? The handset can do a pretty good of capturing the action on video. We’ve seen many cases that offer protection the smartphone, but now the Mophie Outride case is pure genius!
The Outride is so much more than a case. It is an integrated polycarbonate case and mounting system that is waterproof and provides high-impact protection. The modular quick-release mounting system allows recording from virtually any angle and attachment to a variety of surfaces.
But unlike other cases or mounts this one also comes with the Outride app that makes it easy to capture, view and share the adventure.
Mophie Official Website Additional images and press release after the jump
Magellan Says Take a Hike
We’ve seen Magellan really go the distance this year with its eXplorist GPS receivers. These are rugged, waterproof and of course handheld. The fishing based ones cast off earlier this summer and now Magellan has said to take a hike.
The company announced its TOPO! Special Editions, which provide hikers with a best-in-class total navigation solution, offering National Geographic’s TOPO! maps with up to USGS 1:100,000-scaled topography for planning and visualizing long trips, while USGS 1:24,00-scale topography is also provided for fine detail.
The eXplorist 310 TOPO! Edition includes an eXplorist 310 GPS device with a 2.2-inch color screen with rich graphics and a simple user interface; while the eXplorist 510 TOPO! Edition includes an eXplorist 510 GPS device (right) with a built-in camera, microphone and a 3-inch color touchscreen. Both TOPO! Editions include one-year of unlimited map downloads that never expire once downloaded. The Magellan eXplorist TOPO! Editions will be available in August for an MSRP of $199.99 (eXplorist 310 TOPO! Edition) and $299.99 (eXplorist 510 TOPO! Edition).
Monster iSport USA In-Ear Headphones Launch for the Olympics
The US Olympic team gets attention from Monster. The home theater manufacturer just launched its limited edition iSport USA in-ear headphones in red, white and blue to honor the US Olympic team. The headphones are designed with OMNITIP, an earhook that fits in the ear to secure headphones in place. Continue reading Monster iSport USA In-Ear Headphones Launch for the Olympics
ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes
A helmet can help protect the wearer’s head in case of a fall or accident, but it can’t call for help. What is an individual to do if he or she falls while out alone and far from home? ICEdot (In Case of Emergency) is working to provide a solution, and the company has partnered with SenseTech LLC of Denver to develop and launch a helmet-mounted impact sensor.
In the event of an accident the sensor determines the crucial forces, and can activate communications on the wearer’s smartphone to send a request for help. This could be used with cycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing and even motocross helmets. Continue reading ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes