Personal Electronics | Evolving Consumer

Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Bike Decline

From Bicycle Retailer: The single biggest issue facing the bike industry (A blog by Jay Townley)
As we finish the first quarter of 2014 the U.S. bicycle business is preparing for its April gathering of industry leaders at the Bicycle Leadership Conference and the IBD Summit. We have noticed that the U.S. bicycle business continues to separate the meetings of the specialty bicycle retail, or bike shop channel of trade suppliers from the retailers and the separate agendas for these two important annual gatherings still do not mention or pay attention to the most important single issue facing the U.S. bicycle business today!

The following chart (above) is a graphic presentation of the 18-year history of U.S. bicycle riding participation from 1995 through 2012. The data is from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). The overall trend is a slow decline, from the peak of 56 million in 1995 to flat overall bicycle riding participation at 39 million for the last three years. 2013 bicycle riding participation will be available in early April, but we don’t anticipate any significant change from the history you see here. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Halo Glow

Whether you are running, cycling or even just out for a walk at night you will want to be seen, especially in areas where there might not be a lot of lights. The Halo Belt 2.0, and update to the original Halo Belt, will offer some illumination so that you can’t be missed.

The new version of this wearable light system is being launched through a Kickstarter campaign, and it has been redesigned to be brighter and rechargeable while the designers have integrated a refined LED fiber optic system and 3M reflective elastic onto the belt. This can also be adjusted to the desired size and length to accommodate most users. Video after the jump

Mobile Exercise System Gets Kickstarted

Last month the TAO WellShell, which was demonstrated at this past CES, recently launched as a Kickstarter campaign. TAO-Wellness is looking to develop the world’s first mobile, isometric exercise system for a fall 2014 release.

“We received a great deal of interest from the tech and fitness community as a result of our launch at CES,” says Philo Northrup, president and co-founder of TAO-Wellness. “But the question we kept getting asked was, ‘When and where can I get a TAO?’ We decided to optimize TAO for manufacturing and turn to Kickstarter to deliver them to our supporters as quickly as possible.”

The Kickstarter campaign will run through April 17. Video after the jump

Olympus Gets Tough Again

Olympus has risen – with a new rugged camera we mean. The new Olympus Stylus Tough TG-3 is ready to go where the adventure takes you. It is freezeproof to -14 degrees F, waterproof to 50 feet, shockproof from seven feet, crushproof to 220 lbs., and dustproof. It features a high-speed f2.0 lens, 16MP backlit CMOS sensor, and TruePic VII image processor, which are joined by 1080p Full HD video recording, a 3-inch LCD monitor, GPS, and built-in Wi-Fi.

Olympus Official Website

Wahoo on Google

Wahoo Fitness is now offering its mobile fitness app for Android devices and it can be found in the Google Play Store. With it Android users can combine the app with Wahoo Fitness products and sensors to track heart rate and stride rate data, cycling speed, cadence, and power data for running and cycling activities. At launch, Wahoo products supported by the Android app include: TICKR, BlueHR, BlueSC, RPM and the KICKR trainer. Additional products will be supported in the coming months.

“Over 80 percent of the smartphones shipped around the world run on Android. That’s well over a billion athletes that can now leverage the full power of Wahoo products and sensors to enhance and inspire their workout,” said Chip Hawkins, Wahoo’s CEO. “The most powerful fitness device that most athletes have access to is the smartphone right in their pocket. True to our belief that athletes should have the right to choose, we’re clearly very happy to bring another OS platform to the Wahooligan community.”

Google Play: Wahoo Fitness

Knock Out Game

The infamous “knock out game” that kids may be playing on the streets is no joke, but the truth is boxing can be a good way to burn some calories and relieve some stress. Virtual KnockOut looks to go from mobile boxing game to a realistic, full impact boxing training. The developer have launched a Kickstarter project to bring the game to market.

“The days of boring workouts are over,” says Pete Gustin, founder and CEO. “With mobile technology, manufacturers can deliver arcade quality experiences at incredibly affordable price.”

By combining mitt trainers with a mobile app users can punch away and make a real game of it! Video after the jump

Wello There!

There are plenty of fitness trackers on the market, but the Wello Health Tracker is much more. It is designed to provide reliable information about your body, and can provide instant feedback while watching your patterns that help users better manage their lives. It can monitor blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, temperature and even lung function and ECG without the need for special equipment or wires.

Wello Official Website

Get Insight

There are plenty of fitness monitors on the market, but BSX Athletics is looking to bring out the Insight, which it has billed as the first ever all-in-one wearable sensor that can pair with a sports watch. It includes lactate threshold technology, heart rate monitoring, cadence tracking, and can monitor pace and calories burned.

The Insight can sync at the same time with both ANT+ and Bluetooth 4.0, and thus provides greater flexibility to uses. BSX Athletics has launched a Kickstarter project to bring the Insight to market. Video after the jump

Panasonic Gets Wearable

The wearable market is hot and Panasonic is on board with the first 4K/30p Wearable Camera, the HX-A500 (A500). It features Wi-Fi and NFC to allow for quick connectivity to a mobile device.

The main unit of this camera is separate from the lens so it can be mounted at face level to provide hands-free shooting, while the main body offers a 1.50inch LCD monitor for previewing or reviewing recordings. This camera can record up to 30 minutes of video in 4K, and while not the most rugged device on the market it offers an IPX8 waterproof rating, and can survive in up to three meters (about 10 feet) of water. It is also rated IPX5 for dust.

The A500 also offers a 1080p option at 60fps, 720p at 120fps and 480p at 240fps crawl – the latter options allowing for true “slo-mo” recording. Continue reading Panasonic Gets Wearable

Allo Allo!

The Allo promises to be the world’s first bike mount-speaker combination, which can provide riders with a safer way to access a smartphone while riding. The Allo features a built-in speaker that can allows users to listen to music, navigation and even make phone calls without having to take their hands off the handlebars and without the need of headphones.

“I’m passionate about biking and music and saw there was no safe product out there that let me combine the two,” said Benji Miller, inventor of the Allo. “After seeing many cyclists illegally and unsafely use their earbuds or phones while riding, I wanted to create a way for people to use their smartphones while still being safe, which is when I first started designing and creating the Allo. With design experts on the team, they fine-tuned the concept to what it is today.”

Miller launched a Kickstarter project earlier this month to help produce the Allo. Video after the jump

Get Pumped Up

BlueAnt is looking to pump it up with its new wireless multi-sport headphones that promise to deliver unrivaled HD audio in what is billed as an “Aussie design.” The PUMP HD Sportbuds are IP67 waterproof certified and can be immersed in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The Bluetooth earbuds further features a military-grade, rugged design to protect the premium audio components – which include 12.5 mm diameter drivers, Mylar composite diaphragms, Neodymium magnets and overhung voice coils – from rain, dust, debris, sweat and can be rinsed off post-workout without fear of damage.

These were developed in Australia over a three year period in coloration with extreme athletes and performance fitness enthusiasts. The result is the PUMP, which promises deep, thumping sound that is designed to let the beat set the pace.

BlueAnt PUMP Official Website

Weekend Reading List (03.22.2014): BikeRadar on YouTube, Total Madness, Famous Falls

BikeRadar on YouTube

httpv://youtu.be/EKPrSw5xF7k

BikeRadar launches new-look YouTube channel
Eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed that our YouTube channel has been overhauled and that content is cleaner, slicker and sharper than ever. Not seen it? Head to the channel right now to check it out. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (03.22.2014): BikeRadar on YouTube, Total Madness, Famous Falls

Zippo Lighter

There never can be too much light around the camp site, and while an old Zippo can start a fire the Zippo Outdoors LED Rugged Lantern can bring a whole lot of illumination where it is needed. It features a metal support cage and rubberized corners, which help cushion it from everyday use. This lantern can even survive drops up to five feet, plus it is water-resistant — and will float if knocked into the drink.

It offers three brightness settings as well as a flashing SOS feature for use in emergencies, and it runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery – with runtime as long as 40 hours on low.

Zippo Outdoor Official Website