Android | Evolving Consumer

Console Power

The Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy line of smartphones make good cycling computers, and now Bike2Power has introduced the new BikeConsole Power Plus Rechargeable Mount to protect the handsets. These provide a weatherproof and shock-protected all-in-one solution that also recharges a user’s smartphone while riding. It is sealed against rain, snow, dust, and dirt and can help provide protection from crashes as well.

It provides full phone functionality, and offers a 360 degree swivel design plus a battery backup so you’ll have the juice to go the distance.

Bike2Power Official Website

Garmin Gets Going

Garmin has revolutionized the world of cycling computers with its GPS-enabled devices, and now the company could be looking to take on GoPro with two new full HD action cameras.

The VIRB and Wi-Fi-enabled/GPS-enabled VIRB Elite both feature a 1.4-inch display for watching those “dailies” while each unit can capture three hours of HD (1080p) footage on a single charge, and each can be used to capture 16megapixel still images as well.

The VIRB Elite adds the Wi-Fi and GPS functionality, allowing users to embed info on altitude, speed and location into their footage or connect wirelessly to an Android or iOS device. Both cameras will be ready to roll this fall.

Garmin VIRB Official Website

Swing Right With the Swingbyte

Golf has been around for a long time, and while the game has evolved over the years with new equipment the last decade has seen the game on the green really go high-tech. Among the newest advances are apps, and the Swingbyte is one that works with Android and iOS and features a simple device that attaches to any club including driver or putter. It is paired with a mobile device via Bluetooth and automatically records details on swings including club head speed, acceleration and club face angle.

With this users can analyze each swing and see what they were doing right and wrong.

Swingbyte Official Website

GoPro Goes With Added App Functionality

GoPro has introduced a new revised app that will boost the functionality of its Hero2 and Hero3 action cameras. These new tweaks will enable users to take full remote control of a camera’s functionality, and make it easier to take stills or start recording. The apps further allow the transfer of content wirelessly from a mobile handset or tablet and even share with social media. the new app is available for Android and iOS.

With this new app there is no reason to miss on the action. Video after the jump

RangerX Leads the Way for Tablets

While U.S. Army Rangers may lead the way, and won’t leave a man behind, the RangerX is a tablet you won’t want to leave at home. This is the first table from Xplore Technologies, which has actually been making tablets for 15 years, to feature the Android OS.

The tablet features an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, as well as an MIL-STD-810G rating that proves it can stand up to the elements and so much more. It can withstand 95 percent humidity and operation at cold and heat extremes that would leave other devices on the sidelines.

Inside it offers an ARM Cortex A9 processor running at 1.5 GHz on an Intel QM57 Express chipset, along with 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 and integrated GPS, as well as an FM transfer plus NFC and RFID technology. It offers connections as well, including two USB 2.0 ports, a micros-HDMI out. Video after the jump

Trace Your Activity

The ActiveReplay Trace is not your run-of-the-mill fitness tracker. This new device is designed to help make action sports measurable, sharable and comparable. It is the first piece of technology that can correctly and automatically identify data and tricks as they are being performed by skaters, skiiers, snowboarders and surfers; while ActiveReplay’s Kickstarter campaign is aimed at helping to boost awareness of Trace and raise funds to continue its development.

With 9-axis sensors, advanced multi-Hz GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, and its own processor, Trace is a small device that measures a huge amount of events and tricks athletes perform in skiing, snowboarding, surfing and skating, and it allows athletes from all these disciplines to compare and share those metrics with leaderboards and networks via social media.

The pocket sized device offers more than seven hours of battery life and is durable, shockproof and waterproof. It consists of two parts: the data collection pod and the mount. Attaching and activating Trace is easy: The mount is attached to any hard surface like a board or helmet. Trace slides in the mount. The athlete pushes a button and begins their sport.

It can pair with a smartphone, and comes with three mobile apps including AlpineReplay (for ski and snowboard), SkateReplay (for skate) and SurfReplay (for surf). The apps are compatible with Android and iOS. Video after the jump

Apps Take Aim

While Apple doesn’t do those “there’s an app for that” commercials these days, here is one we wouldn’t expect them to air. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has released its new Where To Shoot mobile app — available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices — that locates shooting ranges near you.

Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play, Where To Shoot puts North America’s most comprehensive directory of shooting ranges in the palm of your hand. It also includes video tips for shooters, news and firearm safety information.

Users can reportedly search by current location or zip code and find specifics about each range, including shooting activities offered, accessibility and contact information. The app also makes it easy to get directions to the range.

The app is modeled after NSSF’s popular WhereToShoot.org website and is updated frequently with range information in every U.S. state and Canadian province. New tips for hunters and shooters are also added regularly.

Where To Shoot Official Website

Android GPS

Today Garmin announced the Monterra, the company’s first Wi-Fi-enabled outdoor handheld GPS unit that combines Garmin’s powerful location and mapping capabilities with the versatility of Google’s Android operating system.

From this device users will have easy access the Google Play Store, and can download apps through an available WiFi connection right onto their outdoor optimized Garmin handheld, offering a new ways to explore the great outdoors, The Garmin Monterra is rugged and features an IPX7 waterproof rating, while also offering a backlight LED display that only needs to be turned on in low light conditions. Continue reading Android GPS

Sony Handset Ready to Get Wet

Water doesn’t go so well with most mobile phones, but a lot of people use their handset to snap photos. If a day at the beach or pool is how to you plan this spend this summer than perhaps you should consider the Sony Xperia ZR “waterproof” mobile smartphone. This Android-powered device can snap photos and even Full HD videos underwater.

It features a 13megapixel camera along with a 4.6-inch HD Reality display. This is also a serious phone, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5 GHz process and runs on the 4G LTE networks. But for those who like to get wet this might be a smart phone indeed. Video after the jump

Remote Control

A smartphone on a bike ride can do many smartphones but only if it is accessible. Reaching to the back pocket while riding down the road isn’t exactly a good idea, but the Dew Motion iStick Playtime can provide access and control of many app features for an iPhone – with an Android version in the works.

The iStick, which is currently looking to crowd funding site Indiegogo to roll this one out, is designed as a wrist wearable controller that pairs with the handset via Bluetooth 4.0. This allows wearers to answer phone calls and control various apps. Video after the jump

Class Act

Class is in session, FitnessClass that is and you don’t need to go to school to take part. PumpOne has introduced its new FitnessClass mobile health app for Android along with the new Fitnessclass.com web access. This providers users with anytime, anywhere access to hundreds of full-length workout videos.

It has been one of the top downloaded fitness apps for the iOS and is now available for Android. Combined there is a full library of more than 420 videos. Users can view a selection of free workouts, or subscribe to a month or year “ClassPass” for $9.99 or $69.99 respectively.

FitnessClass Official Website

Easy Breezing

There are plenty of wearable devices that can track activity as well as calorie intake. However the actual tracking isn’t actually accurate because these devices – including heart rate monitors – can’t determine an individual’s specific metabolism and thus can’t really determine how fast one is really burning calories. While the devices aren’t technically guessing, the results aren’t 100 percent accurate, and this is why some users don’t see the results they think they should be getting. Continue reading Easy Breezing

2013 CES: Fitbit Gets Flexible

Fitness tracker Fitbit will introduce a new model this spring and it is designed for those who aren’t exactly rigid about their routines. As with other trackers the Fitbit Flex, which will arrive this spring, is designed for wearing on the wrist, and it is designed to track steps, distance traveled, calories burned, active minutes and quality of sleep. All of this can be synced to a user’s iPhone or Android drive via Bluetooth 4.0. It can even nudge wearer’s out of deep sleep with a gentle vibration.

Fitbit Official Website