Who hasn’t tried to go running with a mobile phone and wished they hadn’t? A mobile phone or portable music player can be a handful, and everyone has experienced that moment where the handful results in a dropped gizmo. John Murphy had a idea that he turned into the Thing Sling, a simple and low tech solution to ensuring that the device in the hand would stay in the hand. Continue reading CTIA 2012: That ThingSling You Do
Tag: Mobile Phone
Sunday Q&A: GAIN Fitness Talks Customized Workouts
Personal training should be available instantly to anyone, and now actually is – at least those with a mobile smartphone, thanks to GAIN Fitness, which offers customized workout plans based on an individual’s body, goals, and lifestyle.
Nicholas Gammell, Founder & CEO of GAIN Fitness tells what can be gained. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: GAIN Fitness Talks Customized Workouts
Mobile Personal Training Looks to Bulk Up
Those who use mobile personal training will soon get to bulk up – at least in terms of the software they use to help to stay fit. This week Cybex International Inc., exercise equipment manufacturer, and PumpOne, professional personal training solutions developer, announced a partnership that will provide users of online and mobile fitness applications with increased access to Cybex technology and research.
“PumpOne is on the cutting edge of fitness technology, and Cybex is proud to partner with them to provide exercise and programming content that will help FitnessBuilder users maximize their workout results,” said Ray Giannelli, senior vice president of research and development for Cybex.
In the coming months, official Cybex exercises will join the more than 2,000 exercises featured in PumpOne’s FitnessBuilder platform, available online and on iOS and Android mobile devices. In addition to the individual exercises at the core of the platform, FitnessBuilder will provide full workout programs designed by Cybex Research Institute (CRI) experts, and give users access to CRI’s fitness advice and innovative research.
“We’re excited to welcome Cybex into the FitnessBuilder family as we continue to build on the world’s largest exercise library,” said Craig Schlossberg, co-founder of PumpOne. “Cybex’s top-of-the-line equipment is an integral part of workouts for athletes, trainers, and gym members at all fitness levels, and the Cybex Research Institute’s expert advice will be invaluable to FitnessBuilder’s users.”
Pump One Official Website
Cybex International Official Website
Nike+ Shoes Go Digital
Last week we posted about Nike’s knit shoes, and now the company has gone to the other extreme with Nike+ Basketball and Nike+ Training shoes that are digital! The shoes feature a sensor system that can sync with software to provide wearer’s with detailed information to help during training and to track performance. Video after the jump
From the High Tech To Low Tech – Roof Rack Reminders Can Help Protect the Bike
As our friends at BikeRadar.com noted last week “Roof rack reminders could save your bike,” because we either have done it or know someone who has done it – driving into the garage with the bike on the roof of the car. The result is never pretty for the garage, the car and especially the bike. As the spring riding season is coming up, US Editor Matt Pacocha offered a piece that looked at a range of products designed to remind those with bicycle roof-racks that the bike is up there. Continue reading From the High Tech To Low Tech – Roof Rack Reminders Can Help Protect the Bike
Toy Fair: The O Let’s You Throw Your Phone
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.
Developed by Physical Apps, a NH-based technology company, The O takes mobile gaming to a whole new level – and in a very big way. Instead of just titling or shaking that iPhone or Android device you can put it in this special casing and really play with the phone! Throw it in a game of “hot potato” – just be sure you don’t play when “mom” calls! Video after the jump
iPhone Case for Underwater Adventures
The iPhone can do a lot but there is no app for making it waterproof. For that you need a case, and while there are plenty of big and bulky housings available, the Keystone ECO MarineCase is another good option as it is slim and compact but will still ensure that the smartphone can survive underwater up to 20 feet or six meters.
The clear protective silicon cover allows for use of the iPhone screen and won’t interfere with call functionality. Users can still playback video, send email, use apps and more whilst sill in the water. The IP58 certified case will protect the handset from snow, rain, dust and sand, and even let users snap non-flash photos and take video underwater.
No Bones About the SpeakGoggles
The sound of your voice is different than how you likely hear it, in part because part of the sound is transmitted through the bone to the inner ear. This is why people typically sound different when their voice is recorded, and now this same bone-conductivity can be used to allow you to talk on the phone – with a little help from the SpeakGoggle G33 from Buhel. These goggles connect to a smartphone or other handset via Bluetooth and feature a bone conduction microphone that is built into the frame.
So instead of the mic picking up normal sound through the air, it actually picks up what you’re saying as the sound waves travel through your own jaw bones and skull! The result of course is little to any background noise – so you could basically talk while skiing as wind won’t be an issue. Video after the jump
CES 2012: Kinomap Your Ride
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.
Unlike other virtual riding programs, which are built upon courses the companies decide to give you, this one is about community.
“Currently Kinomap is available for download and playback on the iPad and iPhone,” Laurent Desmons, CEO and founder of Kinomap told KineticShift.com. “The iOS devices can sync with existing monitors when the bike is on the trainer. When those devices arrive for the Android, we’ll have a version for that platform as well.”
Inspiring Rugged Phone From C Spire
While the big carriers in the United States have no shortage of mobile handsets for virtually any user, even the smaller carriers are getting on board with mobile phones designed for those who go off the beaten path. One recent example is the Sonim XP 3400 Armor ultra-rugged handset for use with C Spire. This handset is engineered to exceed military-grade specification, and is waterproof and submersible to up to 6.5 feet for an hour, dustproof and shockproof, where it can survive a 6.5 feet drop onto concrete. This handset has been certified against salt, fog, humidity, transport shock, thermal shock and can operate in temperatures from -5° F to 130° F.
This handset could be ideal for those who work outdoors or just like to get away from it all. It features an integrated FM radio and has a 2megapixel camera with an LED light that doubles as a flashlight. The screen is 1.5mm thick and is made of scratch and shock resistant Corning Gorilla glass. It offers noise cancelling with the microphone, while the speaker is water-resistant. Thanks to the hardened rubber molded reinforced fiberglass looks pretty tough too! Chances are most users aren’t as tough as this handset! With a two-year contract and $50 reward card rebate this phone is also just $49.99. Maybe the smaller carriers do have something serious to offer! Video after the jump
Stormin’ iPhone Bike Mount
The iPhone can be a great cycling computer, but this means exposing the expensive smartphone to the elements. For those who go off road there is the StormCruiser from Joy Factory, a bicycle mount designed to tackle spills and the elements. The StormCruiser is designed for the iPhone 4/4S, and the scratch resistant case offers protection from water, dust and grease. It can be mounted on the body frame, between the handle bar, or on the top tube.
At just $49.95, Joy Factory’s StormCruiser adds just enough protection, while allow riders to concentrate on the trail and not have a little less worry about their expensive handset.
Bike Offers USB Port For Device Charging
If you bring a camera, mobile phone, MP3 player or other electronic device on a long ride chances are it could end up out of juice before you do. But now Silverback is offering a way to use pedal power to power up your digital devices. The German bicycle company has added a USB port, powered by a dynamo hub, to its Starke 1 and 2 models.
The USB port is located in the head tube of the nickel alloy frame bicycles, which also feature Shimano components including front and rear hydraulic disc brakes. The dynamo hub also provides power to the bikes’ lights, while the Starke 1 even features an integrated electric motor that provides pedal assist.
The only drawback so far seems that devices can only be powered when the dynamo isn’t being used. So if you were hoping to do some riding to power up the mobile phone, or to listen to some tunes while resting your legs you might be out of luck. But it is still a good way to juice up your devices. The Silverback cycles will be ready to roll as part of the company’s 2012 line up.
Silverback Official Website
[Via Gizmag: USB port-packing Starke bikes deliver pedal-powered mobile charging]
CTIA Honors Rugged Case With Hot for the Holidays Award
The idea of “life proofing” portable electronics is a good one, especially with mobile smartphones. These things get dropped, get spilled on and get put through conditions that frankly they weren’t designed for. After dropping an iPhone many users probably have a moment of fear and do a quick “proof of life” test to see if it still works. Instead of worrying whether that fall or spill “killed” the handset, LifeProof it instead.
(Video after the jump) Continue reading CTIA Honors Rugged Case With Hot for the Holidays Award