Get Pumped Up

PUMPBlueAnt is looking to pump it up with its new wireless multi-sport headphones that promise to deliver unrivaled HD audio in what is billed as an “Aussie design.” The PUMP HD Sportbuds are IP67 waterproof certified and can be immersed in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The Bluetooth earbuds further features a military-grade, rugged design to protect the premium audio components – which include 12.5 mm diameter drivers, Mylar composite diaphragms, Neodymium magnets and overhung voice coils – from rain, dust, debris, sweat and can be rinsed off post-workout without fear of damage.

These were developed in Australia over a three year period in coloration with extreme athletes and performance fitness enthusiasts. The result is the PUMP, which promises deep, thumping sound that is designed to let the beat set the pace.

BlueAnt PUMP Official Website

Uber Cool

UberBudsThere are plenty of fitness headphones on the market, but MuseMini has delivered what it deems to be the cool UberBuds. These ultra-compact, wireless, tangle-free and Bluetooth 4.0 enabled earbuds allow users to experience music like they never have in a Bluetooth headset with powerful 6mm drivers.

The UberBuds can stream audio from any APTX/AAC compatible device from up to 30 feet away, and the UberBuds SignalROM feature allows the paired device to be anywhere near the body, whether in the user’s pocket or gym bag

These come with a lifetime warranty against sweat, but also feature ear cushions that hug the critical portion of the ear so these will offer a snug fit for those running, skating or riding. The UberBuds offer up to eight hours of play time on a single charge, so most users might give out long before the music stops.

MuseMini UberBuds Official Website

Hoop Dreams

Wireless-Sports-Hoop-TrackerWearable sports technology firm Wireless Sports has announced that the Hoop Tracker is on the court. This is the world’s first basketball watch – and it can deliver in-depth analysis of shooting percentages as data that is obtained from each shooting session can be uploaded to Hoop Tracker’s software to analyze and improve shooting performance.

This system features a lightweight watch worn on your non-shooting wrist, while the shot detector is attached to the rim using the mounting pole, and together this can identify the make or miss of every shot taken.

Data recorded includes where the shot was taken and if the basketball hit the backboard, rim, or activates the internal lever. The only shot not automatically detected is an air ball – but In this case, the player can push the air ball button located on the side of the watch, and record the attempt as a missed shot. All statistics are later uploaded to the Hoop Tracker software for further analysis. Continue reading Hoop Dreams

Boom It’s Here

boomBottleWe heard about the boomBottle back in January, but now the wireless Bluetooth streaming speaker from Scosche that slips into the water bottle cage of bicycle is ready to roll. This waterproof speaker features a non-slip TPU exterior that is durable enough to withstand drops or vibration from rough riding, and it features dual 44mm drivers and subwoofer that provide 360 degree sound to you have music that rolls with you.

Scosche boomBottle Official Website

Golf of Game

At the end of the day golf is still a game, a potentially enjoyable game but still a game. Mastering golf is so much more, but the Game Golf looks to change that. This system utilizes a GYG device along with a set of club tags, which utilize GPS, NFC, compass, accelerometer and gyrometer. When heading out to the course golfers tag the club to the device, which records every shot.

Data is uploaded via low power wireless or USB to the Game platform, allowing golfers to know what clubs were used, how far the shots were and even accuracy. It could make for a whole new game. Game Golf is currently being developed through an Indiegogo project and its developers are looking to bring it out later this year. Video after the jump

ANT Can Control

Even in non-electrical powered bicycles there are more and more electrical gizmos and gadgets, and these include GPS devices and cycle computers. The “controls” for gear shifters and brakes are positioned within finger’s reach, but typically the controls for those electrical devices are not.

German sports electronics maker o-synce looks to change that, and has introduced a control interface that can be positioned next to the grips making it easier for riders to switch views, toggle through information and take full control of their ANT+ enabled devices.

o-synce ANT+ Remote Official Website

IHRSA: Ant+ the WASP

Things are sounding buggy with Ant+ but neither in the insect way, nor in the problematic area. Rather Ant Wireless and North Pole Engineering demonstrated the latest wireless fitness solution at last week’s IHRSA 2012 in Los Angeles, which included NPE’2 newly-launched WASP.

This is an ANT+ enabled Wi-Fi bridge that facilitates the demand for accessible, networked data in a club group environment. This completely portable and expandable system automatically links with over 30 brands of ANT+ digital heart straps, and modularized solutions allow for unlimited class sizes. Companies utilizing ANT+ and WASP include Free Motion, Garmin, Octane, Schwinn and Timex. Continue reading IHRSA: Ant+ the WASP

GIS Device Gets Rugged

While consumer GPS units have long been “rugged” some specialized field devices have lagged behind. But recently Trimble introduced its next generation of GNSS devices for GIS field applications, including the Trimble Juno 3B and 3D handhelds. These specially computers offer positioning, imaging and communications in a single package.

These units offer GPS, a 5MP autofocus camera and Windows Mobile Software. What is more impressive is this also offer Juno 3G wireless technology, which allows users to transfer data and stay connected via the device’s integrated mobile phone. These are designed for those in the gas, electric and water utilities, but we could see that such a device could have uses for consumers who need a rugged device that has the power and connectivity of a smartphone and can stand up to the elements.

Mobile phone makers – are you listening?

[Via FieldTechnologies: New Rugged Trimble Juno Series Puts GIS Field Work In Your Pocket]

Hands On: Jabra Sport Bluetooth Headset

The Jabra Sport is the first Bluetooth headset to unshackle runners from the constraints of their wired headphones. But can Jabra – a company who’s known for making Bluetooth headsets for the home and office – make a smooth transition into the sports world? In a word; yes. The Jabra Sport is comfortable, reliable, and as rugged as any other pair of sports headphones we’ve seen. It’s not perfect, but it’s a solid first attempt at a wireless headset for runners.

The $99 headphones are light and sit comfortably over the top of each ear. The buds themselves rest by your ear canal opening (not inside it), meaning they don’t provide any noise isolation. As a runner, that’s a good thing, since you should always be aware of your surroundings when running outdoors.  But for use at the gym, that means you’ll have to crank the volume up high to cancel out any noise from the treadmill or your fellow gym goers. Continue reading Hands On: Jabra Sport Bluetooth Headset

Cutting the Cord to Brake

In cycling technology we’ve seen numerous developments that have cut the cords and removed the wires. Cycling computers have gone wireless, and even the gear shifting has been made wireless (although it is still far from standard). The next big change could be wireless brakes, as Germany’s Saarland University has created a prototype wireless braking system, which could stop a bike in just 250 milliseconds. That equates to a rider traveling at about 18.5 miles an hour stopping in about 6.6 feet – not exactly the best, but researchers think they could do better with anti-lock and traction control functionality.

Professor Holger Hermanns, who is leading the research at the Saarbrücken Computer Science department, is already reportedly in contact with bike manufacturers about a commercial version. Currently the system utilizes multiple senders to transmit the same signal, and the whole system has 99.999999999997 percent reliability, which Hermanns notes isn’t perfect, “but acceptable.” We’ll be sure to watch this technology as it could give new meaning to stopping on a dime… or in the German’s case the 10 cent Euro.

[Via BikeRadar.com: World’s first wireless electronic bicycle brake]

Wireless Gets AMPED Up

If you’re away from the office that can be a good thing, but getting out to nature – such as in a boat or RV – can be a real drag if you need to rely on wireless.

But AMP Wireless has announced a new high power solution for indoor and outdoor application for use in boats, recreational vehicles, buildings and more. The UA600EX High Power Wireless-N 600mW Professional Series USB Adapter provides extreme range for Mac or Windows computer.

The Amped Wireless UA600EX High Power Wireless-N 600mW Pro USB Adapter is the first of a full line of Professional Series high power indoor and outdoor WiFi solutions for users who require demanding WiFi performance and range for their Windows or Mac based laptops and desktop computers. The high performance, High Power Wireless-N 600mW Pro USB Adapters allows PCs and Macs to connect to 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi networks from extreme distances indoors or outdoors. The UA600EX will have a MSRP of $119.99 and an estimated street price of $99.99.

Amped Wireless Online Store

Carbon Fiber Headset Offers Style and Balance

We at KineticShift love carbon fiber. It is the space age material that just makes everything better, lighter and stronger. OK, maybe not everything can benefit from carbon fiber, but we like it with bikes, tennis racquets and other sports and fitness gear. We also see that what works for fitness is translating into other sectors as well.

We also like Bluetooth, the wireless technology that is great for near area communications. So this week we saw something that turned our heads, namely a Bluetooth carbon fiber headset!

At the Hong Kong Electronics and Global Sources Fair this week Bluetrek Technologies introduced the CARBON, the world’s first Bluetooth headset made of carbon fiber. It promises to be equipped with the best in class audio enhancement technology so both the user and receiver can have crystal clear audio. . In addition, the patented mechanism embedded in the carbon fiber tube allows extended talk time, yet reduces weight to less than 6grams while retaining a slender aesthetic to the ear piece, warranting long time wear with superb comfort.

While CARBON might not be the most ideal fitness headset, we hope that this will just be a proof of concept. Bluetrek are you listening? If you had CARBON as a headset we think you’d hear us loud and clear.

Bluetrek Official Website

Woo Hoo, Wahoo Brings ANT+ to Android

From insect to robot, or rather ANT+ to Android, that’s the news that hit last week as Wahoo Fitness announced the release of the first ANT+ application program interface (API) that connects Google Android smartphones to Wahoo Fitness products as well as any ANT+ compatible equipment. This ain’t just for iPhone anymore, as Android API joins Wahoo Fitness’ line of products tailored for the iPhone, broadening the pool of users able to use their smartphones as a fitness training and tracking tool.

“Wahoo’s technology is a perfect complement for anyone interested in better understanding the true results of their workouts, whether they are a casual exerciser or an elite athlete,” said Chip Hawkins, CEO, Wahoo Fitness.  “The availability of our Android ANT+ API allows a new wave of fitness enthusiasts to benefit from Wahoo Fitness products by enabling them to them to monitor and manage their workout information on a device they use every day.” Continue reading Woo Hoo, Wahoo Brings ANT+ to Android