Will Fonda Reach Her Prime with Two Workout Videos?

She coined the term “workout” in the 80s with her highly acclaimed fitness video in 1982. Actress and two-time Academy Award winning actress Jane Fonda hopes to capture the magic again with her Prime Time videos geared toward baby boomers and older.

The so-called fitness queen made a huge impression in home video with the original workout. But sometimes technology isn’t kind. Fonda’s big hair and Freddie Kruger-esque black and red-striped leotard was one thing with the soft focus of the early 80s video. Now Jane Fonda: Prime Time Walkout and Jane Fonda: Prime Time Fit & Strong won’t necessarily be in high definition, but they will be in the sharp focus of DVD, and on widescreen. The audience, on the other hand, may not have a problem with larger-than-life aged Barbarella.

Waterproof Spy Camera and Oh So Much More

There is an episode of The Simpsons from way back in the first season where Bart Simpson ordered a spy camera, and hilarity ensued. Actually, the best part was Bart saying to the mail carrier, “where is my spy camera” supposedly for six months. That’s pretty much how we feel about the new spy watch camera that was released this summer.

This wasn’t your run of the mill spy watch camera either. This was a 4GB waterproof, motion detection, spy watch, hidden camera with mini DVR. How’d they get all that stuff in the camera-watch we don’t know, but it is worth noting that this sleek time keeping device didn’t come from Japan either, this is Chinese technology at its finest. As with many Chinese products it is hard to tell exactly who made it, kind of like how it is hard to tell exactly what is in Chinese food. We did find that this watch (Model TL-WSC-010) is sourced by Omejo Technology from Hong Kong. Continue reading Waterproof Spy Camera and Oh So Much More

Nike+ Plus GPS

The trouble with dongles is that these little things are easy to misplace. Maybe it is some sort of technology conspiracy theory that is part of the planned obsolescence. If you lose it, you must replace it and thus buy it again. That’s basic Marketing 101 stuff, but Nike has long been a company that skips the basics and goes the distance to earn customer satisfaction. To that end the company has decided to ditch the needed dongle that was part of its Nike+ system for the iPhone.

Instead, the new app version uses GPS radio in compatible iDevices to track a user instead. That is already good news, but it gets even better. With the app users can also plot a run on a map with the handset. The only downside is that you do need an iPhone for the full-fledged mapping options, as these aren’t available on the iPod Touch – but that still can keep track of distance via an accelerometer that tracks a runner’s steps.

What really makes us question Nike’s marketing approach is that the app is actually cheaper too. The Nike+ version with the shoe dongle actually cost $29, while the app is a mere $2. Of course, this company knows that keeping customers happy in the long run means making running easier in the first place. Nike doesn’t need to remind us to “Just Do It,” as they just did it, by making the Nike+ system for iPhone a whole lot easier (and cheaper to use).

Nike+ Website

[Via Wired: Nike+ App Ditches Dongle, Gains GPS]

Kick Off with the Nike Total 90 Tracer Ball

As football season starts here in America, it’s still worth thinking about the sport the rest of the world calls football, what we call Soccer in the U.S. Just in time for fall ‘futball’ Nike introduced its Total 90 Tracer ball. The new ball is designed for consistency, accuracy, touch and visual acuity. The ball has hand-sewn seams, improved bladder tension and the surface texture you expect to kick around the field. The surface texture is actually a micro-textured casing, which regulates airflow equally across the ball’s entire surface. The ball is then less prone to wobble, and takes a more direct, arrow-like flight. Continue reading Kick Off with the Nike Total 90 Tracer Ball

Carrera Introduces New Ski Helmets and Eyewear

The Italians take fashion seriously; there is simply no denying that fact. And although it is also a well-established fact that the Italians really like to keep their hair well styled, they also are taking safety on the mountains quite seriously these days. But just because you need to protect your eyes and your noggin on the slopes doesn’t mean you can’t look good at the same time.

This is especially true with Carrera’s new line of ski products that include new helmets with eye-catching colors, fine details and exclusive graphic effects. Among the new products for the 2010/11 ski season are the Bullet Rosso Line of lightweight, but still durable fiberglass ski helmets that ensures users an excellent fit with an aerodynamic design. The helmets feature a special “dry wave” inner lining that will absorb moisture and provide better comfort – unfortunately it can’t promise unkempt looking hair after a day in the powder, but that’s probably why the Italians eat dinner so late. Continue reading Carrera Introduces New Ski Helmets and Eyewear

Water Music

While true “Water Music” is the work of composer George Frideric Handel, whose three suites were first performed on a concert for King George I of England in 1717 on the River Thames, today any type of music can be water music thanks to the new Wavetooth headset from Brando.

This is actually the first waterproof Bluetooth headset, and it can be used near and around water. Users need not worry about being tethered to a headset cord, and this wireless headset can be used with an iPhone, smartphone or any Bluetooth compatible music player. Continue reading Water Music

Brace Yourself, and Your Ankles, for the Basketball Court

Basketball is almost synonymous with hi-tops. That’s due to the tendency for players to sprain their ankles with running, jumping and cutting moves typical of the game. Even with the added support of a higher shoe, injuries are still common and can rack up to $3,000 to $5,000 per sprain, and downtime from the season. A new company, Ektio, wants to reduce the number of injuries due to sprains with its two models the Wraptor and Post Up, which will be available in November for the early days of the basketball season.

The Wraptor is a traditional high top with leather, quilted stitching, perforated leather details and patent leather toe and ankle accents. The Post Up is a three-quarter top shoe with mesh walls to keep cool. The defining feature of both shoes in the Ektio line is built in straps within the wall of the shoe to anchor the ankle and prevent rollover injuries. The shoe’s design incorporates “anti-rollover bumpers” on the outside of the sole as well. Continue reading Brace Yourself, and Your Ankles, for the Basketball Court

Nike Brings New, Lightweight Uniforms to 10 College Football Teams

What’s the one defining characteristic of a team? Is it a legendary coach, the color of the stadium’s artificial turf, or the hide of the animal the team’s named after? Nike introduced its Nike Pro Combat Uniform to 10 college football teams that rank in the preseason top 25, and each have unique designs to their uniforms. The design of the uniforms also got a revamp.

Teams will have an advantage with a lighter uniform. The padded base layer allows for specific pad placement to suit each position, which adds a customized element to the new cloth. The base layer’s fabric and padding also allows for critical protection and greater mobility over traditional pads for unencumbered speed. Continue reading Nike Brings New, Lightweight Uniforms to 10 College Football Teams

Ricoh G700 Can Get Wet, Wild and a Whole Lot More

Alas, summer is behind us – but that doesn’t mean the time at the beach, pool or on the trail is completely over for this year. And if you’re heading to where you might get wet for an early autumn vacation, the Ricoh G700 waterproof camera will let you snap photos without fear.

This digital still camera can go deep too; up to five meters underwater in depth, and it can handle different types of spills on land as well. With its new shock resistance frame it can survive a drop of up to two meters and it is resistant to chemicals such as ethanol, which allows the camera to be disinfected while you travel. It can handle various weather conditions so this is truly a camera for all seasons. The G700 can keep snapping in cold weather conditions up to -10C, and it offers JIS/ICE dustproof protection to grade 6 to guard against infiltration by dust and sand for that next gaunt to the desert. Continue reading Ricoh G700 Can Get Wet, Wild and a Whole Lot More

Nintendo Summer 2010 Competition Draws to a Close

Photo: Casey Rodgers / AP Images for Nintendo of America

Today marks the end of summer for many people, but Nintendo made sure to have one last summer weekend bash with the Labor Day Wii Games: Summer 2010 Competition championships in the Los Angeles area. The X-Games it was not, but it did show attendees that video game doesn’t have to be a completely sedentary activity, and that gamers can (and we think should) get off the couch from time to time.

Approximately 200 finalists from around the country, who were joined by family, friends and spectators, took to the field in Redondo Beach, California to get in the game. Tournament play included game sessions with Wii Sports Resort, Wii Fit, as well as the new Super Marios Bros. Wii and Mario Kart Wii. Olympic Gold Medalist and Wii Games: Summer 2010 Ambassador Shawn Johnson was on hand to help with a warm-up session with “Hula Hoop Activity” from the Wii Fit Plus.

Wii Games Summer 2010 Official Site

Trek to Sponsor New Pro Cycling Team

This week Waterloo, Wisconsin based Trek Bicycles announced that it would sponsor a new pro cycling team for next year’s Tour de France. This new, to be named team, will be led by two-time Tour runner-up, and white jersey (for best young rider) winner Andy Schlek.

Schlek and his brother Frank, who was unable to finish this year’s Tour de France after crashing out early in the multi-stage race, had previously announced that they would be leaving the Saxo Bank team to start their own team based in their native Luxembourg for the upcoming season. This team has yet to announce its full roster or title sponsor.

Trek will join Specialized Bicycles in being a company that will provide cycles to more than one team, as this year Specialized had provided the bikes for Alberto Contador’s Team Astana. Contador, who won the tour, has made the move to Saxo Bank, which was the other team riding Specialized this year. It was also the first time that a Specialized bike was used by a tour winner. Contador and Team Astana had previously ridden Trek, but the company followed Lance Armstrong to the Radio Shack team for this season.

It was announced that Trek would continue to provide bikes for Radio Shack next season, despite the fact that Armstrong has announced that he will be retiring. It isn’t clear if Astana will be in the Tour next season, or if the company will be using Specialized bikes.

Trek Bicycles

Specialized Bicycles

Study Explains Difference Between the Sexes in Terms of Soccer

Research shows men kick the soccer ball differently than women. The study, published this month in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, finds males activate certain hip and leg muscles more than females during the most common soccer kicks – the instep and side-foot kicks. While men activate more muscles, the data may explain why female players are twice as likely as male players to sustain anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.

“By analyzing the detailed motion of a soccer kick in progress, our goal was to home in on some of the differences between the sexes and how they may relate to injury risk,” said orthopaedic surgeon Robert H. Brophy, MD, the study author and assistant professor of orthopedics at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Continue reading Study Explains Difference Between the Sexes in Terms of Soccer

Motorola Introduced Rugged Smartphone That Will Handle Extreme Travel and More

There are few sad truths about an active lifestyle. The first is that bones don’t heal as fast as you get older. The second is that while the BlackBerry and iPhone maybe great for staying connected while you’re out, on the road or off, the handsets aren’t exactly what we’d label as “rugged.”

Even with protective sleeves the mobile smartphones aren’t exactly designed for those with more active lifestyles. But Motorola is looking to defy what the traditional handset can do, and that’s where the Motorola Defy comes in. This is actually the company’s second rugged Android smartphone, and it promises to be waterproof and dustproof.

The Defy has a 3.7-inch 480×854 Corning Gorilla Glass Display, along with a 5megapixel auto focus camera that offers video recording, LED flash and most notably image stabilization, so you can capture the thrill of victory as well as your personal agony of defeat. The Defy also includes A-GPS, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, MotoBlur 1.5, a microSD card slot, and it runs on Android 2.1 OS.

That all sounds great, but there is some bad news, you’ll have to head to Europe to get one, when the Defy is released in Q4. No word on pricing or when this handset will arrive in hands in North America.