Tag: Mobile Phone

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

Macworld Expo:Abvio Brings Out the Meters

While last week’s Macworld Expo didn’t exactly bring out any big announcements – the Verizon iPhone was already old news, and it was hard to say much about updates to the iPad or iPhone anyway – fitness was in the news.

Last week Abvio previewed its 5.0 version of its trio of iPhone apps, which include the Runmeter, Walkmeter and Cyclemeter. These offer similar features yet are a tuned into – note we didn’t say iTuned in – to specific forms of exercise. The 5.0 releases have also been submitted to Apple, so now it is just time to play the waiting game before going the distance with the meters.

Each of these will take advantage of the social networking opportunities as the company has partnered with dailymile.com, a 200,000 member social network for runners and fitness buffs. This integration will allow users of the Abvio app to share workout results in real time through the website and even get responses from other users during their workout. Information can also be shared with Facebook and Twitter, or send to friends via e-mail.

The apps will also utilize the GPS capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to trek their course and monitor the progress, complete with audio feedback about pace and distance.

The dailymile link-up will further add a new level of friendly yet Virtual Competition. Friends can import a friend’s route as well as time and progress and try to beat it. We say game on, so get going.

Abvio Official Website

Push It, This is War

It almost seems fitting that DailyBurn would introduce an iPhone app called “Push-Up War” this month. The late Jack LaLanne still holds the world’s record for doing 1,000 push-ups in just 23 minutes – and now this app, which integrates with Facebook and Apple’s GameCenter, allows users the ability to see how they stack up on the leaderboards.

The app takes advantage of an iPhone’s camera to easily record a video of a user’s push-up session, and this can be uploaded online, where users can earn new “ranks” as they continue entering more pushups. To ensure that there is no cheating – something we know Jack would never do – a video recording of every push-ups entry is required.

The Push-Up Wars app is available for download from the Apple App Store for just $0.99, and we’re hearing word that an Android version in the works. So get ready to push it real good, because this time it means war.

Push-Up Wars Leaderboards

Master the Shot with SHOT Master

Whilst not everyone can become a master of the fairways and dominate the greens, every golfer can probably improve their technique and with it their overall game. That’s the idea behind SHOT Master, an interactive golf guide and e-tutorial that helps golfers improve their skill. It features carefully organized and detailed game improvement tips and easy-to-follow videos that can be conveniently used wherever the golfer goes. 

SHOT Master is the brain child of independent developers Charles Casteel, Jr. and Charles Casteel, Sr., an Information Technology expert, and professional golfer and golf instructor Willie Roberson. SHOT Master specializes in those rough shots, such as being stuck behind a tree in the rough or trapped in a bunker. It is a great tool as a golfer finding themselves in these “rough” situations can simply take out their iPod touch or iPhone and find out in a nice detailed tutorial how to get the best shot from where they are stuck.

“We are pleased to fill a void for the avid golfer to get help in real time. We know there are some very difficult golf shot and we wanted to create a coach that can be with the golfer at all times”,  said Charles Casteel, Sr., SHOT Master part-owner and developer. “Golfers all over the world can improve their game by mastering some of golf’s most changeling shots by using our Golf App while on the golf course from the convenience of their iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad.” Continue reading Master the Shot with SHOT Master

Bodybugg Out The Calories

With the holiday season upon us, you could find yourself indulging a bit too much. The Bodybugg Calorie Management System will let you help monitor your intake so you won’t bulge from the holiday indulge. The system provides an accurate daily record of calories consumed and lets you trak how many you’ve burned. Continue reading Bodybugg Out The Calories

CrunchTime App Helps Set Work-Life Balance Goals

Today might be the day after Thanksgiving, but many Americans aren’t experiencing a long weekend. In fact, more American workers are working harder than ever.

All work and no play can make Jack a dull boy. It can also result in a stressed out Jack. This week Tav Shande announced the new CrunchTime app for the iPhone and iPod Touch, which promises to help users track work hours with health, and vacation hours.

The idea is “crunching,” or working extremely long hours, which has become a global epidemic in the workplace. This app helps users track the hours, and even receive achievement badges to better balance work-life goals.

“CrunchTime has been developed to help improve quality of life for anyone who has a job. Many employees would like to have more time outside of work to do the things that make them happy and we are delighted to deliver help by putting CrunchTime into the pockets of millions of people around the world who are carrying iPhone and iPod touch devices,” said Tav Shande, CrunchTime’s Chief Architect.

Tav Shande CrunchTime Website

Hit the Trails with Trimble apps on V Cast

A topographic map of the Mount Evans trail in Colorado.

Whether you’re working out; hiking or seeking geocached treasures, you may be bringing three or more devices on your jaunt. A phone to stay connected and be able to call for help if necessary; a GPS device to guide you on your walks or track progress for workouts; and possibly an MP3 player to keep you entertained on the long run.

Verizon added three services from GPS-enabled outdoors activity provider Trimble: AllSport GPS; Trimble Outdoors; and Geocache Navigator through its V Cast subscription service. AllSport is an app that tracks workouts such as walks, runs and bike rides with maps. The app records more than 20 stats including distance, time, speed, and calories burned. The program lets you track goals as you progress through the season. Continue reading Hit the Trails with Trimble apps on V Cast

Cyclist Uses Twitter To Call for Help

Even after her crash Leigh Fazzina couldn’t stop “Tweeting”

Ready for the big cycling race? Have your check list ready for a safe race: tubes, check; water, check; helmet, check; gloves, check; first aid kit, check; mobile phone with Twitter account, what you say? The last item might seem like a stretch, because after all, who needs to make a call or send a Tweet while they’re in the middle of a race. But for Leigh Fazzina being able to send a Tweet to her Twitter follows may have just saved her life.

After getting lost in a 300-acre Connecticut woods last Tuesday during the downhill stage of a mini-triathlon, Fazzina crashed when her front wheel hit some roots. The 36-year old was bleeding, and unable to walk. Instead of panicking, she tried to use her mobile phone to call relatives, but as the calls failed, she resorted to using Twitter to reach out to 1,000+ “followers.” Continue reading Cyclist Uses Twitter To Call for Help

Phoning in Your Workout

No, you can’t send your phone on a run, but you can take it along with you for added benefits. The new touch screen handset Samsung Eternity II, available through AT&T, is packed with features including apps and GPS. The GPS allows for fitness tracking so you can chart your routes and where you biked, ran, or otherwise traversed in a cardiovascular manner. If you explored the trails at a local park and aren’t sure how far you actually went, you can review your journey post-workout and map the trails plus tabulate the distance.

What’s unclear is whether the GPS app just tracks distance, or also calculates grade and elevation so you can see your progress on those hill repeats. The Eternity II also has expandable memory up to 32 GB leaving plenty of room for music to take along on your workout. The two features, plus any upcoming apps available through the AT&T AppCenter, reduce the number of gadgets you take with you for a workout, and puts more power behind that muscle.

AT&T product page

Pedal Power to Power Mobile Phones

Handlebar mounted mobile phone complete with charger - your legs supply the power

Being able to burn some calories while charging a mobile phone might sound like a great combination, especially for those looking to go green. But this technology could be a life changer, especially in areas where reliable power isn’t always available. Nokia has shifted in high gear, basically by utilizing a familiar technology, but with a new twist. The Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit can help power a mobile phone as soon as you reach a walking speed (around 6 km/h), while at 12 km/h it can actually be as efficient as a plug-in charger. It can install on practically any bike, and it works much like those 1960-1970 era lighting systems, where it generated power as a wheel made contact with the actual bike tire. The faster you pedaled the brighter the light. It was so simple; it is a wonder why it hasn’t been used for other applications.

But now Nokia has essentially taken the technology and adapted as a phone charger. It consists of a bottle dynamo, a charger and a phone holder. The bottle attaches to the front of the bike via a mounting bracket, while the charger and phone holder are mounted to the handlebars. To the serious rider this could be a turn off as it will add some weight, but except for race day it shouldn’t matter.

For those in less fashion-centric locations, where a bike is a means of everyday transportation, this could have a big impact. TMCnet is reporting that this technology is already being used in parts of Africa, where reliable power isn’t always readily available to users. This makes for an easy to use alternative, and unlike wind and solar recharging devices is good for those on the go.

Via TMCnet: How Nokia Turns Bicycle Technology Into Charging Device

Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit

Rugged Handset and More

There are plenty of smart looking handsets, but there are times when a stylish smartphone isn’t a smart move. If you’re travels take you to the rough part of town or on rugged treks, consider the new Sonim XP2 Spirit handset, which is now available to our friends in Europe. It can handle a drop on concrete from up to two meters, and can endure temperature shifts from -20C to +55C, and this handset can even get wet and wild to boot.

This week Sonim announced a new partnership with Nimbuzz, an award-winning next generation mobile messaging service, which would see the Nimbuzz Java client pre-installed on the XP2 Spirit handsets. This gives users access to IM and chat client that aggregates multiple social networks into one contact list. The phone further features an in-phone app store, plus an MP3 player and still/video camera making this a communication and entertainment device for your mobile adventures!