Bike Android from Pioneer

Gadget blogs are buzzing — or should we say spinning their wheels — about an Android-based cyclocomputer in development by Pioneer. It wasn’t openly on display at CES earlier this month, and Pioneer doesn’t have anything posted on its US or Japan sites, however this video from DigInfo has an interview with one of the developers in Japan and some operational footage of the unit itself.

It will measure the typical speed, distance and cadence. Expect it also to have navigation and other typical read outs. A sensor on the crank, or pedaling meter will measure the force vectors of their left and right feet on the pedals and crank.

The computer will be Ant+ compliant, which is a wireless sensor network solution, so it will be able to talk to other devices. We expect for starters it will talk to your Android-based phone.

Last summer Apple filed a patent for a cycling app, though there haven’t been any announcements on when that will come out or if it will have even half of the functionality of this Pioneer computer.

via [Engadget and Android Fanatic]

Kinetic(mis)Shift: Fitness Tech Bood Camp Promo Video

There are plenty of tech-enhanced video products promoted with videos on Youtube. Yet, there are so many that fall short. This promo video from Fitness Tech Boot Camp is just another one of those. Hello Fitness Tech Boot Camp, who are you? We just watched your 52-second video and am both baffled and a little turned off.

No amount of hard, angry music is going to make us want to choose you to get into shape. We still don’t know what “tech” you’re employing, other than the ability to create a 52-second video containing nothing more than a slide show. The video could have spent the time showing me what technology is employed, or actual video of sample workouts. Tell us who you are. Show us who you are. Right now, we got nothing.

And then we clicked on this video, which had slightly better music and possibly some photos of people doing the workout, but still in slideshow form.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

SHOT Show: KineticShift Goes Back to Vegas

Another week another trade show. There is no rest for the weary in January, and after hitting the Consumer Electronics Show and the Detroit Auto Show, we’re back to “Sin City” to check out the latest offerings and most innovative products that will be available this year for hunters, sport shooters and firearms enthusiasts 

This is the largest and most comprehensive trade show for all professionals involved with the shooting sports and hunting industries. Last year’s show in Orlando saw nearly 60,000 in total attendance with more than 1,600 exhibitors and nearly 700,000 square feet of exhibit space – and this year the National Shooting Sports Foundation expects an even bigger show with nearly 2,000 members of the media in attendance.

SHOT Show Official Website

Not a Slouch Through Powder

With the recent news of snow being present in 49 of the 50 states, you may have gotten the urge to get outside and float through the white stuff. If you enjoy spending your days on the slopes riding in fresh powder, then Ride Snowboards may have the board for you. 

The Slackcountry UL snowboard is specifically designed to float above deep snow using a high rocker or front tip called the HighRize rocker. This increased rocker height design helps keep the front of the board from diving into the snow and makes it much easy to float on top. The Slackcountry UL board has a ‘Twinish’ shape which means that it can also be ridden rear tip forward or switch foot. Ride also increased the rocker height of the rear tip, but the rear rocker rise is not as much as the front. 

Another unique feature of the Slackcountry UL is the traditional plastic top sheet has been replaced by hemp. The all new Hemp Brain Topless Technology uses the renewable resource, hemp, to create a top sheet which is reported to be lighter and stronger than a similar plastic top sheet. Not only is the rider suppose to have an improved product over plastic, they can feel warm and fuzzy on the inside knowing that they are ridding a product that is better for the environment. Continue reading Not a Slouch Through Powder

Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

Speck ToughSkin case for the iPhone 4 is ready to play.

Speaking as someone who has caused a quick demise of an MP3 player or two on the treadmill (the treadmill!), I think I can say that not all cases are built to withstand that type of torture. They’re made to withstand the torment of being tossed into a bag, purse or pocket. But a drop of a few feet, and at the velocity of someone running? Good bye. That said, Speck just came out with a line of Toughskin and Toughshell cases for the iPhone 4.

The ToughSkin for iPhone 4 ($39.95) is a three-layered system with an inner plastic shell that can be used all on its own, an outer rubber and rugged shell and an detachable holster with a rotating belt clip. The inner, plastic hard shell can stand on its own as a case when you’re not as active. However the rubberized outer case adds extra cushioning for your phone that will protect it if your phone launches from your hands while running or partaking in other activities. The holster has a rotating belt that you clip the phone into facing either direction. You can face your iPhone 4 inward to protect the screen from any damage, or clip it facing out so you can watch video or look at images. Continue reading Speck Gets Tough on the iPhone

FitnessClass is in Session with PumpOne

PumpOne, a mobile personal training tool, just introduced its FitnessClass App for the iPad. Available in the App Store, this FitnessClass offers on-demand, streaming fitness workouts on the Apple tablet, provided you have an Internet connection.

The program starts with 230 full-length workouts and plans to add more from well-known fitness instructors including Kathy Smith, Cathe Friedrich, Chris Freytag, Ellen Barrett, Iliara Montagnani, Michael Olajide Jr., Patricia Moreno and Patrick Goudeau. Classes cover a variety of modalities such as bodyweight bootcamp, med ball core, hip-hop dance, yoga, Pilates, kettlebells, dumbbells, Swiss ball and TRX sessions.

Two pricing options make the FitnessClass App easy to work with for many iPad users using In App transactions. Preview workouts for free using the App. Then purchase an on-going subscription to a series, or purchase individual workouts. You can access any purchased, or subscription-based, workouts any time as long as you have an Internet connection. Continue reading FitnessClass is in Session with PumpOne

NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

At the North American International Auto Show, also referred to as the Detroit Auto Show, Daimler’s smart ebike concept bike was on display. We wrote about the bike last fall when electric car manufacturer smart planned to display it at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. We thought it was worth showing again now that we got to take a look at it, and find out more details.

It’s a striking bike. The simple modified triangle design looks futuristic. While it looks light, it weighs in at approximately 50 lbs. With a full charge, the bike has about a 50 mile range though that varies on how much you use the electricity versus pedaling. There’s four modes of electric assist that seem to kick in as needed rather than controlled by the rider. At 50 lbs. I can see wanting the assist more often than on any of my current bikes, especially when faced with a hill. You recharge the battery slightly when you brake, so you can squeeze a few more miles to a ride if you’re strategic. Continue reading NAIAS: Smart Shows its Ebike

CES Recap: Panasonic Gets in the Game

At the Consumer Electronics Show Panasonic had many things to highlight, but missing from the buzz was their new line of in-the-ear clip earphones with remote controller and microphone. The new RP-HSC200 headphones are compatible with the latest iPod products as well as the iPhone. Best of all these ‘phones are water resistant for active workouts. These include soft, comfort fit elastomer hanger to ensure that the earphones stay in place so you can do your thing without the worry that these will fall out. Ear pieces are also included in small, medium and large sizes to help you get a snug fit.

These sports headphones give users the ability to control the volume and music, including play/pause/forward and ability to skip tracks, from the cord of the right earpiece. The remote also includes a built-in microphone when used with the iPhone. The earphones feature side mounted 12.4mm speakers and boast a frequency response of 10Hz – 22kHz. The RP-HSC200 sports earphones will be available in March for $59.99.

Panasonic Official Website

Is One-on-One Fitness the New Way to Work Out?

Ever wonder how serious athletes get so seriously in shape, or how celebrities can tone up for a movie role? Part of is that this is what their job is all about. They don’t spend the day working and then go hit the gym of course, but another part of it is that they get one-on-one training. This is what Jaime Brenkus has in mind with his “concierge” weight loss and training program.

Brenkus had previously pioneered the concept of the 8-Minutes Abs Program and is looking to take his Slim & FIT Centers to the next level with his new program. He looks to address the issue that many people just don’t like to work out.

“It wasn’t the usual litany of how they couldn’t afford it or didn’t have the time,” said Brenkus. “With most of them, it boiled down to the fact that they were so out of shape, they were embarrassed to go to a gym and work out in front of strangers.”

Now Brenkus has sold 21 franchises with locations in major cities in the country, and here visitors can go to a single destination to work out and get personalized counseling as well. The centers provide a private setting. Let’s hope it catches on.

Slim & Fit Centers Official Website

Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

Trade shows, especially for journalists, are a time for getting work done. Meeting exhibitors and seeing product. It’s easy to lose sight of your fitness routines. As the Consumer Electronics Show approached and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) approached me to wear an activity meter and compete for the journalist who takes the most steps, I was intrigued. There are a few shows including CES and the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) where I know I log a lot of steps because I’m running (sometimes literally) back and forth between several spread out halls to get to appointments and to see the show. I’ve always been curious just how many steps I’ve taken and calories I’ve burned at these shows. Now I had the perfect tool to give me the answer. Not only that, but immediately after CES I was headed to the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and was curious to see how that show compared in steps and energy output. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Wearing the BodyMedia Fit

Master the Shot with SHOT Master

Whilst not everyone can become a master of the fairways and dominate the greens, every golfer can probably improve their technique and with it their overall game. That’s the idea behind SHOT Master, an interactive golf guide and e-tutorial that helps golfers improve their skill. It features carefully organized and detailed game improvement tips and easy-to-follow videos that can be conveniently used wherever the golfer goes. 

SHOT Master is the brain child of independent developers Charles Casteel, Jr. and Charles Casteel, Sr., an Information Technology expert, and professional golfer and golf instructor Willie Roberson. SHOT Master specializes in those rough shots, such as being stuck behind a tree in the rough or trapped in a bunker. It is a great tool as a golfer finding themselves in these “rough” situations can simply take out their iPod touch or iPhone and find out in a nice detailed tutorial how to get the best shot from where they are stuck.

“We are pleased to fill a void for the avid golfer to get help in real time. We know there are some very difficult golf shot and we wanted to create a coach that can be with the golfer at all times”,  said Charles Casteel, Sr., SHOT Master part-owner and developer. “Golfers all over the world can improve their game by mastering some of golf’s most changeling shots by using our Golf App while on the golf course from the convenience of their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.” Continue reading Master the Shot with SHOT Master

CES 2011 Recap: The Open Range EV

If you’re going to take it off road, do so in style and do it while still being eco-friendly we say. That’s sort of the idea behind the Ranger EV, the first ever electric, off-road capable utility vehicle from Polaris. The Ranger EV rolled into Las Vegas for the Showstoppers press event during last week’s Consumer Electronics Show and it certainly turned heads.

The Ranger EV features the longest battery pack in the industry, and thus offers the longest range of any electric midsize vehicle. It is powered by an exclusive 48-volt, AC induction motor, and can cruise with a top speed of 25 mph. It has a range of 50 miles and comes with a 500 pound cargo box, plus can tow up to 1,250 pounds, while offering a 1,000 total payload capacity. In other words, this green machine – which isn’t actually the color green – is up for the off-road and so much more.

Polaris Official Website

CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS

CES maybe over but we’ll be posting about all the cool stuff all week long.

Some partnerships just seem like a match made in heaven, and we’re not talking about Peanut Butter Cups either. Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show we heard an announcement that frankly was more earth shattering than the Apple iPhone for Verizon deal. Nike and TomTom are collaborating to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS, which will now utilize TomTom’s GPS functionality.

This will provide athletes with the ability to know where they’re going as well as how much they ran, plus all the usual information including calories burned, pace, distance and time. The Nike+ SportWatch GPS will feature the same simple and intuitive user interface as the past models with a mere three buttons and tap screen for navigation. Continue reading CES: Nike and TomTom Partner Up for SportWatch GPS