We first heard about Cardo Systems and their BK-1 helmet-mounted communications and entertainment system for cyclists back in March. The system lets cyclists – or anyone – communicate via Bluetooth for up to a 1,600 foot range. That means those conversations on the road can happen even when cyclists are single-file, or not one right behind the other. Continue reading Interbike: Cardo Systems BK-1 Demos in the Desert
Tag: Bluetooth
Free Bird That Sprints
The newest headset from JayBird isn’t about to fly away, instead it looks to sprint to the finish and then some. The Freedom Sprint is the latest from the company’s line of wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and it offers a smaller package – reportedly 40 percent smaller than the original Freedom earbuds – and will run for 4.5 hours. Additional photo and video after the jump
Bluetooth Sets Standards for Sports and Fitness Device Market
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) this week finalized standards for sports and fitness equipment using Bluetooth wireless technology sensors. The guidelines are for Bluetooth v4.0, which is a low energy technology. These guidelines are geared toward sensors using Bluetooth that measure spead and cadence for running and cycling activity. The new standard dictates specification for applications that can include running cadence, stride length, total distance or cycling speed, distance and pedal cadence. Continue reading Bluetooth Sets Standards for Sports and Fitness Device Market
Velocomputer Rolls Out SmartSensor and App
If you have an iPhone or an Android device you already have a potentially excellent cycling computer, and thanks to GPS and any number of apps you can monitor speed, time and distance. What you can’t track is cadence, but Velocomputer has a new mobile app that will do the above but thanks to the SmartSensor 4 that can sync with the mobile handset via Bluetooth it can also track cadence and more. Continue reading Velocomputer Rolls Out SmartSensor and App
Soundmatters Back-to-School Promotion Accessorizes Your Bike
Soundmatters is offering a back-to-school promotion, “Accessorize Your FoxL,” which runs from August 17 through September 30. Customers purchasing a foxLv2 Bluetooth pocket-sized wireless speaker will receive a free foxL Mini Travel Trunk or free foxL bicycle mount. Each of the freebies are a value of about $30. Continue reading Soundmatters Back-to-School Promotion Accessorizes Your Bike
Train With Bluetooth
As summer soon will head to fall it means that riding on the trainer won’t be far behind. There are many cycle computers systems that pair with smartphones for riding on the road but now cycle trainer maker Kinetic (we like the name as much as we like their trainers) is set to roll out the Bluetooth Smart system that can be used with its fluid trainers.
The Kinetic inRide Watt Meter consists of a heart rate monitor, power sensor that connects to the rear of the trainer and an app for the iPhone 4S and new iPad. This system can measure speed and cadence while the user does the spin thing. The accompanying app can track power including current, average and max; heart rate, including current, average and max; speed; cadence, distance; and calories burned. Continue reading Train With Bluetooth
Bike Speakers Bring the Noise
The loneliness of the long distance ride can be unbearable at times. While it is one thing to take in the scenery and enjoy the ride sometimes a little music will make that climb or just the miles on the road go by a little quicker. Headphones – especially in-ear headphones or earbuds – can block the outside world, and while that might seem a good idea in fact it really isn’t. Continue reading Bike Speakers Bring the Noise
Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker
We’ve seen a few products from Ecoxgear, and liked their concept for a waterproof case and speaker in one. Now the company has introduced its EcoxBT, a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. Unlike the Ecoxgear EcoxPRO, which is a speaker than contains the device inside, the EcoxBT allows the speaker to get wet while the Bluetooth device, such as MP3 player can remain safe on dry land. Continue reading Ecoxgear Cuts the Cord with Bluetooth Speaker
XWave Sports Puts Workouts on the Brain(waves)
Much has been made about the possibilities of what can be used with brainwaves, including in tracking responses during fitness sessions, most of the interfaces seem to be far more geek than chic. While working out should be about the working out and not a fashion show, brainwave interfaces can often be too cumbersome to use while working out.
So a solution that is less obtrusive and a bit more fashionable is the XWave Sport from PLX Devices, which offers a brain computer interface in a headband. Users can’t use this technology to lift weights or even control devices such as their phone, but it does allow for tracking of the wearer’s state of mind during workout.
The XWave sport can be used to measure and detect the electrical impulses transmitted through the skull and converts these into digital signals. Various parameters, such as focus level be tracked, and the data can be sent via Bluetooth from the headband to a PC, iPhone or Android device.
There are plenty of ways to track and monitor calories but this one can track the state of mind during a work out.
Smart(phone) Way to Fish
With a smartphone you can easily search for a seafood restaurant, or you could use it to go directly to the source. While we’ve seen gizmos such as the Magellan eXplorist line of GPS devices that now include fishing hotspots map, once there you still need to see if the fish are actually there to bite.
For that the Deeper FishFinder might just do the trick. It is a sonar-enable waterproof ball that won’t sink but it will sync with the smartphone. The Bluetooth-enabled device can scan the water and send location information directly to an iOS or Android phone or tablet. It shows the approximate location of fish with a depth chart as well so you can cast off in just the right spot. Continue reading Smart(phone) Way to Fish
Clever Ski Pole
Winter is finally over – in fact it never arrived for much of the country – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t too early to think about next year. Actually it is Neva too early, as in Anthony Griesel’s Neva microprocessor-equipped ski poles that will bring “smart” technology to skiing and back wood snowshoeing and hiking.
Each pole features a waterproof grip with a mini-computer that can be linked via Bluetooth to an app on a user’s iPhone or Android device, and this could allow for flashes for incoming calls and even the ability to take calls without taking off the gloves. Other possibilities include text messages, and basic (but very useful data) such as temperature and elevation, as well as time. GPS could of course be a future possibility. Video after the jump
Are the Days of ANT+ Numbered?
You may not realize it, but there’s a small war brewing in the sports and fitness industry. The combatants are ANT+ and the newer Bluetooth Smart technology. Since it’s introduction in 2010, ANT+ (which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Garmin) has been the technology of choice for various fitness gadgets ranging from heart rate monitors to foot pods. The technology allows for the collection, automatic transfer, and tracking of sensor data. In other words, it’s the reason the heart rate strap on your chest can communicate with the heart rate monitor on your wrist.
However, Bluetooth Smart, which uses less power than ANT+, is quickly gaining traction and according to a recent report from IMS Research, it will overtake ANT+ as the technology of choice for fitness gear by 2016.
We’ve already started seeing gadgets using the new technology. Among the heavy hitters supporting Bluetooth Smart are Wahoo Fitness, Motorola, and Nike. Smartphones are also expected to side with Bluetooth Smart (the Motororla DROID RAZR and Apple iPhone 4S are among the more popular handsets.) Continue reading Are the Days of ANT+ Numbered?
Bluetooth Brings Radio to Riders
If you’ve felt envious of the pro riders with their race radios, you can now have your own communication system – and unlike the riders in the big races, you can go wireless.
Cardo Systems has introduced a new model of Bluetooth wireless radios specifically with cyclists in mind. The BK-1 features a design that is similar to cardo’s scala rider line for motorcycle headsets, and offers voice-activated, two-way and even three-way rider communications within a 1,600ft range. It also provides hands-free use with Bluetooth compatible devices including mobile phones, MP3 players and GPS units. Continue reading Bluetooth Brings Radio to Riders