Consumer Electronics Show | Evolving Consumer

CES Preview: Uwater K7 Delivers Big Sound in Small Package

The Uwater K7 won’t shrink in water and that’s a good thing, because it is about as small as could be already. The world’s smallest 100 percent waterproof FM radio/receiver will be showcased at next month’s Consumer Electronics Show, and is provides music, news, sports and talk radio to swimmers.

The device has a built-in Li-Ion rechargeable battery, which juices up from a USB port, and it can run for eight hours on a single charge.

It features a one-inch LCD screen, 19 station preset, stereo sound, indoor/outdoor reception (even under water) and “twist & lock” earphones are included. The silicon ear tips even come in two sizes, and at just an ounce this one won’t hold you back in the water.

Fitness Tech USA Official Website

CES Innovations Award Winners: Oregon Scientific and Gaiam

While the Consumer Electronics Show is still a month and a half away, it is already awards season. Oregon Scientific, designer and worldwide marketer of person electronics, and Gaiam Inc., have announced that their button-free, touch-screen heart rate monitor the Gaiam Touch is a recipient of of the prestigious International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award in the Health & Wellness category.

The Gaiam Touch features fashion-forward colors and a comfortable, slim design which is two millimeters thinner than any other heart rate monitor on the market. It is available with a chest strap, allowing for continuous heart rate monitoring, or as a strap-free model for on-demand heart rate monitoring, while the strap-free Gaiam Touch utilizes ECG technology, requiring only a touch of a finger on the monitor’s sensor for an accurate heart rate reading. The strap model operates in digital and analog modes and tracks fat burned. Both strap and strap-free models easily track calories burned and heart rate data. Other features include stopwatch, zone alarm, clock and calendar functions. Continue reading CES Innovations Award Winners: Oregon Scientific and Gaiam

CES 2012: Digital Health and Sport and Fitness TechZones Returns to Las Vegas

Fitness is not a fad, at least not with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). This week it was announced that the Consumer Electronics Association’s International CES will feature dedicated TechZones on the exhibit floor in the areas of technology innovations in healthcare, fitness and other lifestyle-centric areas.

This will include the return of the Digital Health and Sport and Fitness TechZones, which will be produced by Living in Digital Times when the show runs Jan. 10-13 in Las Vegas. Continue reading CES 2012: Digital Health and Sport and Fitness TechZones Returns to Las Vegas

Wahoo Fitness To Turn iPhone Into Digital Trainer

Among the companies at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show that showcased new products in the health and tech space was Wahoo Fitness, which recently introduced a line of Apple-friendly products, with the goal to bridge the gap between expensive fitness gear and everyday users.

Wahoo Fitness has developed the unique “fisica” technology, which via a phone dongle lets the iPhone handset or an iPod Touch receive information from various fitness monitoring devices including heart rate monitors, pedometers and other gizmos and gadgets. This plug-and-play add-on can work with around 40 leading fitness apps, helping deliver data to the handheld. The products communicate using ANT+ wireless protocol technology.

We’ll be sure to watch what Wahoo Fitness brings to market this year.

Wahoo Fitness Official Website

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

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 2011: The Gymbox Goes for Free the TV Challenge

Last August Samsung kicked off its “Free the TV Challenge” to spur development of new connected TV content, and developers from across the country were invited to submit their best ideas for 2D and 3D TV applications across a range of categories. Finalists were selected from this range of submissions and the winners of the challenge will be announced this week at the Consumer Electronics Show.

We found there to be some very interesting finalists, but we’re pulling for Gymbox, which provides weekly, full-length workouts on demand. These include Step Aerobics, Kickboxing, Yoga, Pilates, Core Strength, Treadmill, Cycle, Strength Training, and Stretch. New classes are added weekly so you never have to repeat the same workout twice.

Free the TV Challenge: Gymbox

CES 2011: CE to Help People Get Fit

In a few hours people will be making their New Year’s resolutions, and for many that will be to get back in shape and be healthier. As we launched this site about a year ago, we think that technology can help. And according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association, fitness technologies could be the key to helping consumers stay motivated and keep their resolutions to get fit in the New Year.

The CEA’s newly released research study: Getting Fit With Consumer Electronics shows almost half of U.S. online consumers used a fitness technology in the past year, and 37 percent anticipate purchasing a fitness technology in the next 12 months. According to the study, 54 percent of consumers cite lack of motivation as the main reason not to exercise. The study also found 76 percent exercise alone without the guidance of exercise professionals, and 74 percent of consumers exercise at home. Fitness technologies can help these consumers assess their fitness level; set realistic, achievable goals; track the amount of physical activity they get each day; monitor their calorie intake; track progress on fitness goals; and ultimately help make the journey more fun and engaging.

“Fitness technologies can play a significant role in motivating consumers,” said Rhonda Daniel, manager of market research at CEA. “Compared to consumers who are not using fitness technologies, consumers who use these devices view exercise more positively, and are more likely to enjoy exercising and to view it as important to their health.”

Next week’s show will include a Fitness TechZone, which will showcase the newest innovations and tools for the sports enthusiast, and spotlight key trends impacting the collective multi-billion dollar sports, fitness and outdoors markets. Sponsored by Living in Digital Times, the Fitness TechZone is a focused lifestyle exhibition and conference embedded within the International CES, the world’s largest technology tradeshow and the global stage for innovation.

We’ll be sure to report from the zone. Stay tuned and Happy New Year.

CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

Two fitness challenges will push the health agenda at CES 2011 for health insurance agency UnitedHealth Group. Participants will compete for an iPad and Xbox 360 with Kinect over the course of the conference running from January 6-9. Continue reading CES 2011: UnitedHealth Group Plans Fitness Challenges for CES Attendees

CES 2011: Kodak to Roll Out Burton Snowboard Branded Camera

Next week’s Consumer Electronics Show won’t have any shortage of cameras, but one camera is already leading the pack in style. This week Kodak announced a new marketing relationship with Burton Snowboards, and this will include the release of a special KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera, Burton Edition. It features the orange pixilated design of Burton’s popular Custom 154 Snowboard. So for the fashion forward boarders, it will practically be a match made in heaven.

The camera will be bundled with a camera holster that can be worn on the arm or leg, thus making this an easy camera to access during a day on the snow. It comes with a remote control, rechargeable battery and a 4GB SDHC Memory Card. This rugged HD video camera should prove tough enough, and it is waterproof for up to 10 feet, and can capture 1080p HD video as well as 5megapixel still images. It features electronic image stabilization and LCD Glare Shield, along with built-in software with USB output for easy editing – so you can put your “dailies” up to YouTube and Facebook. The only catch for those looking to grab one is that it won’t be available until later in January from Burton.com or Kodak.com (MSRP $199.95). In the meantime, if you head to Las Vegas next week you’ll be able to see it at the Kodak Booth.

Kodak Official Website

Burton Snowboard Official Website

CES 2011: Bluetooth SIG Looks at Digital Healthcare

While we’ve been seeing press releases for all sorts of new (and supposedly innovative) products that will utilize wireless technology, including Bluetooth, most leave us scratching our heads. Does the world really need a Bluetooth Cooking Thermometer? Probably not, but we do think that Bluetooth has many health and fitness benefits. Continue reading CES 2011: Bluetooth SIG Looks at Digital Healthcare

Rugged Convertible Notebook for World Travelers

Planning a trip around the world, or just need to update your Facebook page while you’re off hiking? Either way the GammaTech D12C rugged notebook will survive the journey. This convertible notebook does the transformer thing, going from a traditional notebook to a tablet in a blink of the eye. It features a 12.1-inch Touch Screen display, along with a Web cam and HD stereo audio.

It is drop and shock resistant and tested to stringent MIL-STD-810G requirements. It further features a unique spill resistant design protects it from accidental spills, utilizing a C-face that helps protect the area around the keyboard, touchpad, speakers and wireless and power switches. When off in the wild the D12C is practically air tight as all input/output ports are fully dust resistant as well. Continue reading Rugged Convertible Notebook for World Travelers

SPOT On With CES Innovations Award

The Consumer Electronics Show is still more than a month away, but at the recent CES Unveiled press event in New York City the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator was named winner of the CES Innovations Award. The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program recognizes the most innovative consumer electronics (CE) across 35 of industry categories.

The Earthmate PN-60w was recognized as it the world’s first handheld GPS capable of sending custom text messages using SPOT satellite technology, and is thus ideal for outdoor enthusiasts (as well as international relief workers).

“DeLorme is deeply honored to receive this prestigious award, and especially excited to showcase the PN-60w with SPOT to the worldwide market at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in January,” said DeLorme Vice President Caleb Mason.

The Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator previously received a Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award and a National Geographic Adventure Gear of the Year honors.

DeLorme

SPOT