QRide doesn’t want to keep anything down on the QT, instead it wants to include a QR code on cycling helmets as a way for emergency responders to access the information via a smartphone app. This could include emergency contact details, medical alerts, prescriptions or allergies on the online ID record. Although developed with cyclists in mind, QRide stickers can attach to just about any type of helmet.
If you’re riding with a light system that includes a battery power you could have an extra way to give your phone the juice it might need. This is the concept behind Sigma Sport’s IICON cable that allows users to power up their mobile phones, cameras and GPS units via the battery pack.
The IICON attaches to the IION/IION XL battery pack and a red LED indicator light shows that the device is being charged. The IICON is completely watertight for use even in damp conditions. Now this is still a robbing Peter to pay Paul type situation, especially if you need to ride home and actually need the light but sometimes being able to make that call can be a godsend!
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
When you are out of cellular range you don’t need to be out of luck if you have the DeLorme inReach SE, the satellite communicator that allows you to type, send and receive, track and even send out an SOS all from a single device. This promises off-the-grid communication without the need for a special satellite phone.
The inReach SE is read for adventure, and is waterproof, dustproof, and impact-resistant, with a color touch screen, GPS, and a battery that lasts for up to 100 hours. As with past models it can be used to share GPS coordinates to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and can send and receive texts or trigger an SOS that can go to the company’s 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center. It can even pair with a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth to provide even more features. With this device at hand’s reach you’ll be sure you can reach help if you really need it.
A smartphone on a bike ride can do many smartphones but only if it is accessible. Reaching to the back pocket while riding down the road isn’t exactly a good idea, but the Dew Motion iStick Playtime can provide access and control of many app features for an iPhone – with an Android version in the works.
The iStick, which is currently looking to crowd funding site Indiegogo to roll this one out, is designed as a wrist wearable controller that pairs with the handset via Bluetooth 4.0. This allows wearers to answer phone calls and control various apps. Video after the jump
Time to get out there and take the music with you. Audio-Technica’s new SonicSport headphones, which are designed for active use will bring the music to any workout. Three new SonicSport models are out now, and include the back cord-style ATH-CP700, which offers a microphone and controls for smartphones and other devices; the C-top-design ATH-CKP500 and the ear hook version ATH-CKP200.
All three models feature an IPX5-certified waterproof rating and are sweat-proof and washable. There’s a great big world out there but when that doesn’t mean you have to hear it when working out.
As super storm Sandy and other natural disasters have shown us, you never know when the power might go out. To that end it is good to have a flashlight, at least three days of food and water, but a radio or other communication device is a good idea too.
We’d recommend taking it a step further with something like Eton’s FRX3 – a multi-powered, multi-functon smartphone-charging, weather alert radio that can help light the way. We didn’t get to test the FRX3 in an actual emergency – for which we can be grateful – but we found that it does power up quickly by cranking the hand turbine for just about a minute. That is just enough to get a good 15 or so minutes of news, weather and even music – because in a disaster nothing beats some music. As a radio the unit provides a way to hear AM/FM and even NOAA weather band digital radio.
If that was all the Eton FRX3 did we’d still appreciate having it for those times when can’t simply turn on the TV or radio. But this unit, which can also be powered by the sun via a solar panel, can be used as an LED flashlight or beacon, and most importantly can charge a mobile phone.
There are certain devices you shouldn’t head out without, but this is one device that should be in the home as well as the campsite.
From SportTechie: LetsMoveDown: The App That Gets Fans Closer to the Action
We have all been there before. Heading to the game and then making a move towards more promising vacancies in the lower level shortly after tip-off or first pitch. Squatting in empty seats closer to the court or playing field will usually get you thrown out by an usher or embarrassed by the actual ticketholder. Well, now there’s an app for that. Read the rest of this entry »
StagesPower App has been posted to the Apple App Store and this new power meter utility app allows early adopters of Stages Power meters to update the firmware directly from an iOS device. While it isn’t intended to be a data capture app, it will provide read-only for both power and cadence, but more importantly it offers trouble shooting via iOS devices.
Want a little extra assurance that your waterproof case will stand up to its promise? LifeProof is so sure that its iPad and iPhone cases will keep your device safe that it sells extra protection; the company will guarantee its case for one year by offering a one-time repair or replacement of the device. Read the rest of this entry »
Want to play like a Tennis pro? Just like playing at Carnegie Hall it comes to down to practice, practice, practice. But even with practice you need to know how to do it right and some new apps from Vstrator might help. These are designed to collaborative social coaching tools that allows users to capture, create and share videos of “coachable moments” and further allows coaches to train athletes remotely. Currently Vstrator has apps for tennis, strength training, golf and football. Game on.
Electronic Arts makes fitness games, and also makes games for mobile devices including iOS devices. Now it’s made a fitness app for the iOS: Yogify, an instructional app that gives you a few yoga routines. Read the rest of this entry »
German glove maker ION has introduced its new bike gloves for spring. These include the Path, Ledge and Wisp and each model features “digital tips” that can work with touchscreen-enabled devices. ION has placed the tips on the actual tips of the fingers to make use with touchscreens a little easier.
The Path and Wisp are designed for off-road riding and for men and women respectively, while the Ledge model is for endure and gravity-oriented riders. All three models feature pre-curved fingers while the inner palm and inside panels of the gloves are made of “holy_cow” synthetic leather.
