This week Panasonic announced that will re-enter the European mobile phone market with a waterproof, dustproof phone called the Eluga. While pricey – as much as $650 in American currency – the phones will utilized the Google Android OS.
The Eluga smartphone’s features include a 1GHz dual-core CPU, 1GB of internal RAM plus 8GB of internal flash memory (there is no mention of a microSD slot) and a 4.3″ 540 x 960 pixel qHD touchscreen display. It is reportedly waterproof and dustproof rated to IP57 standards, and it can be immersed in a maximum of 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes.
Panasonic is currently the leader in the UK market for “ruggedized products” and the company is looking to build on the success of the products in its Toughbook laptop line. No word on whether the Eluga would arrive in America, but we’re sure to hear more about it at next week’s Mobile World Congress from Barcelona.
Admit it – there are times when you just want to throw your phone. You know you shouldn’t do it but it would feel so good. At last week’s Toy Fair The O was awarded the Popular Science Best of Toy Fair 2012 award for making a way to throw the phone and even make a game of it.
Google has many eyeballs on its search engine, as well as eyeballs on its mobile Android OS and of course eyes on the Google Chrome browser. Now it seems Google may be looking to get eyes looking through sporty looking eyewear too. Rumors have been circulating that Google Glasses could be on the way, offering an HUD screen on one lens to see a miniature screen, and earbuds to listen to music and make calls.
Feel the burn, that’s one way to know you’re doing it right. But Nike has another idea – the company has introduced the FuelBand, a wristband device that is designed to measure daily movements of the wearer, tracking steps taken and calories burned. But the device also features the NikeFuel, a fitness metric that utilizes the rate of oxygen consumption and motion.
After a workout it is time to hit the showers, and now you can enjoy some music while you get clean. At CES this week iDevices introduced its iShow, a water resistant, Bluetooth-enabled speaker that can stream music from portable devices. And while it is the “i” in the name, an Apple device isn’t required. It will stream directly from any device that offers Bluetooth, including a PC or Android device, making it ideal for use in the shower, or just at the beach or by the pool. It features a 200-foote range, and runs for 15 hours on three AA batteries. 
When we ride our bikes on the road we ride where we want to go, and while most riders appreciate some directions and even a tip or two as to where to ride, chances are everyone has that special ride. So why not share it? If your friends can come to ride with you, with Kinomap, which was shown at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show, you can record a course, upload it and then share it.
While the troops are coming home, or mostly have come home from Iraq, a large presence of U.S. soldiers still remains in the field around the world. The time in Iraq and Afghanistan no doubt made it clear to military planners as to what technology worked and more importantly what likely needed improvement.
Getting fit is no doubt many a resolution, but this year PumpOne looks to make the personal training experience a little easier. For 2012 the company has brought out its FitnessBuilder app to the Android platform, building on tis successful iOS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
The U.K. will get a limited edition of the Android-based Motorola Defy+ with a rugged shell from construction and demolition company JCB. The added layer, or armor, on the phone will keep your phone protected, regardless of your extreme activities. If it takes a fall, you won’t have to worry so much. The built-in case improves the phone’s shock resistance capabilities.
This week Trimble announced the release of its suite of apps for outdoor enthusiasts. The apps are designed for users to plan trips and navigate the outdoors. The first app, Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps, is a mapping and trip planning app for the Apple iPad to organize outdoor adventures, while the second app, Trimble Outdoors Navigator, offers in-the-field GPS navigation and mapping for the iPhone and Android devices, and be used on trails and in remote backcountry areas.
A majority of bike shop are owned and staffed by knowledgeable and honest people, but have you ever walked into a bike shop and felt that you were being steered towards a particular bike or size that didn’t seem to fit right? Were you told that a certain model was not available in another color? If you have run into this before at a bike shop, the best option is to either walk out or find another sales person, but what do you do if that shop is the only one in town that is an authorized dealer for the brand of bike that you want? Another option is to arm yourself with knowledge, and Felt Bicycles is helping you do that – at least for its brand.