Smartphone | Evolving Consumer

Galaxy Armor

There are plenty of cases on the market for the iPhone, but Urban Armor Gear have introduced a new phone case for the Samsung Galaxy S5, which combines style, functionality and protection – and still made it easy to use the handset while its armor is up.

This distinctive one-piece design features a hard armor shell that guards against sharp objects, while a soft rubber core and bumpers resists impact from drops and abuse. It even utilizes a high definition adhesive screen protector to protect against scratches. Each product is independently tested to meet military standards for drop and shock (MIL-STD 810G), and it offers UAG’s feather-lite construction, which results in a patented form fitting design that adds minimal size and weight to the Galaxy S5.

Under Armor Gear Official Website

Garmin Back on the Edge

Garmin has remained on the cutting edge again. This month it unveiled its Garmin Edge 1000, which will carry over many of the training features from its Edge 819 but also add the navigation features of the Edge Touring. This new cycling computer features a 3-inch touchscreen display with full-color 240×400 resolution.

The new cycling computer will come loaded with maps and points of interest including parks and trails, and can provide riders with turn-by-turn directions. It can synced with ANT+ products including heart rate monitors, power meters and speed/cadence sensors. The Edge 1000 is even compatible with Shimano’s Di2 with D-Fly system to display the current gear on the screen. This unit can also be paired with a smartphone so riders can view incoming calls and even text messages.

Once again Garmin could very well give riders an edge in more ways than one!

Video after the jump

Light Time

This long winter has kept many indoors and that means out of the sun. That might not sound so bad, but getting some of the sun’s rays can actually help improve well being. Too much sun and you can burn, even in the winter, but not enough and you might feel downright blue.

So how do you know if you’re getting of the good UV rays? SunSprite is the world’s first wearable device that can track daily light and sun exposure. It can be paired with a smartphone and help users reach personalized goals to get just the right amount of sun to support a healthy lifestyle.

SunSprite, which is now being developed via an Indiegogo crowd funding project, is also unique in wearables in that it tracks the sun’s light and does so through solar power! Video after the jump

Making Tracks

If hitting the slopes early means a lot to you then the First Tracks app for Android and iOS devices is something that should be on the phone. This isn’t just an alarm, it actually will wake you early if snow has fallen and there is fresh powder to enjoy. On the other hand if conditions remain unchanged then the alarm will go off at the normal time so you can get your beauty sleep.

First Tracks Official Website

Crash on ICEdot

There’s talk about the need for a list of ICE contacts, or In Case of Emergency contacts on your phone so emergency crews know who to contact if something should happen. But what if you need to contact your ICE list to get emergency crews to come look for you? We hope that never happens, but if you’re like us and go for bike rides, hikes, climbs and other activities in the outdoors, you may want to set up a safety net. Continue reading Crash on ICEdot

CES Preview: The Echo Gets Awarded Again

The Magellan Echo made its debut this year at the Outdoor Retailer 2013 show and received two Best-in-Shows wards. Now it has been named a 2014 CES Innovations Award Honoree. This is the first smartwatch dedicated to running by connecting smartphone fitness apps to the wrist.

It utilizes Bluetooth Smart to wirelessly connect with a handset and provides control of apps, with support from Strava, MapMyFitness, iSmoothRun and Wahoo Fitness. The rugged watch is water-resistant and can go the distance. We look forward to taking a closer look at the Echo at next month’s 2014 International CES. Video after the jump

Spinlister Makes Snowboard Renting a Snap

Need to rent a pair of skis or a snowboard? Don’t stand in line or wait on hold, use the smartphone the smart way. Signal Snowboards founder Dave Lee is helping promote the new rental service and mobile app Spinlister, which allows users to rent a board or skis from the handset. This even allows individuals to rent out their gear as well.

This Android and iOS app lets users list snowboards and rent snowboards anywhere in the world, with all listings GPS located to make it easy to find the gear near you. In addition, everything is exchanged through the app and listers are completely covered through the Spinlister insurance policy.

Spinlister Official Website

Ready for the Xventure

Taking the mobile smartphone on the road shouldn’t result in a journey to the store afterward to buy a new handset should the weather turn. The Xventure Smartphone Handlebar Mount from Bracketron offers an ergonomic compartment that is universally designed for smartphones, GPS devices and MP3 players. It even offers a compartment for credit card, some cash or other small items. The Xventure mount is water resistant and yet will allow touchscreen access and control.

Bracketron Official Website

Interbike Preview: Proof of Life

At next week’s Interbike trade show LifeProof will demonstrate its latest iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII and iPad Mini waterproof and shockproof cases. These allow users to have full control of the smartphone/tablet touchscreens while further providing a built-in scratch protector.

In addition the LifeProof Bike Mount allows those devices to go on the ride with you, while further ensuring quick removal with one hand via a quick release. We’ll be sure to check out LifeProof’s latest offerings at Interbike in Las Vegas.

LifeProof Official Website

Same Old SAEM Old

Taking a smartphone on the go can be a good idea given the apps that can track distance, heart rate and even GPS information. Protecting the smartphone in the right case is an smarter idea, and the Veho SAEM waterproof case seems clever indeed. It offers a patented “pinnagrip” technology to security house the handset, while the water resistant body still allows for full operation through the x-touch screen.

There is even a karabiner for outdoor and marine use while a handlebar mount is available for use with a bicycle. The case will be ready to protect your handset this fall.

Veho Official Website

Gadgets Get a Showers Pass

It can rain on your parade but with the Showers Pass new line of waterproof cases for the tablets and smartphones it won’t matter. These cases are designed for year-round all-weather use for cyclists and other outdoor activities, as each case offers a slim profile with welded edges to keep out rain, snow, dirt and water but retain touchscreen, phone call and camera functionality in all conditions. These cases offer a dual zip-lock feature keeps every device safe from an accidental splash in the water.

The Cloudcover include a pull-tab for easy opening on-the-go, a side tab to attach to a keychain or mini-carabiner as well as a dual zip-lock for ultra waterproof protection, plus reflective elements for easy location in the dark and welded edges that also help to cushion any falls or blows on the trail. The Cloudcover line includes cases for iPads for $49.99; iPad Minis for $37.50; Kindles for $37.50; smartphones (Samsung Glaxy, etc.) for $24.99; iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 for $24.99; as well as a dry wallet for $19.99.

Showers Pass Official Website

One Tough Galaxy

Smartphones can do a lot of things, but most are rather delicate devices. You can rely on special cases and try your best to protect the handset, or you could look to the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active, a ruggedized version of the Galaxy S4. This Android-powered smartphone can survive a bit water as well as dust and dirt, or even a drop on the ground.

It features a 5-inch Full HD display – TFT LCD rather than AMOLED in order to provide that ruggedness – and if offers an 8megapixel rear camera, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, plus a water-resistant earphone jack. For those who want to take their smartphone on the go the S4 Active might be the smart move to make.

Samsung Galaxy Official Website

Sony Handset Ready to Get Wet

Water doesn’t go so well with most mobile phones, but a lot of people use their handset to snap photos. If a day at the beach or pool is how to you plan this spend this summer than perhaps you should consider the Sony Xperia ZR “waterproof” mobile smartphone. This Android-powered device can snap photos and even Full HD videos underwater.

It features a 13megapixel camera along with a 4.6-inch HD Reality display. This is also a serious phone, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core 1.5 GHz process and runs on the 4G LTE networks. But for those who like to get wet this might be a smart phone indeed. Video after the jump