FitOrbit, the online solution that provides 24/7 accessibility to certified personal trainers, is telling members to “Breathe,” by launching its new logging and tracking experience. “Breathe” offers users the ability to select meals and workouts online, and with a click of the mouse it lets the trainer know what you’ve accomplished for the day. This online tracking also allows for a “quick add” with an intelligent algorithm that identifies what users are looking for, and even remembers preferences and favorites.
FitOrbit’s “Breathe” allows users to talk to their trainer anytime and anyway, without even having log onto the Website, as it now offers an email app that can be used with mobile phones. Sounds like a breath of fresh air! Press release after the jump
In the 1980s “The Clapper” worked with sound to allow lazy people to turn lights on and off without having to get up to do so. Now Crestron is looking to help simply our daily lives in a similar way – but by actually using some motion. Read the rest of this entry »
The Motorola MOTOACTV only was released back in October and already Motorola has offered an update. Not only that but last week the company even released a video to tell about the updates. Look for better battery life, new clock faces and a new stopwatch feature! Video after the jump
There’s no shortage of fitness- and health-related apps for smart phones like the iPhone and those based on Android, but we could soon see apps that are approved by the U.S. federal government.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is launching the Healthy Apps Challenge, a project the ONC is teaming up with the Surgeon General to encourage software developers to create new apps that promote fitness and fitness. The project is one way the ONC is trying to help Americans lead healthier lifestyles and combat major issues such as obesity, by helping them become more aware of their health-related choices. Read the rest of this entry »
There are apps to map your ride, and now there is an app for iOS to map your training. At next month’s Consumer Electronics Show attendees will get to see the new Cardio Mapper app, which can connect and read data from Bluetooth Smart (formerly Bluetooth 4.0) , and SmartHRM WiFi.
CardioMapper is designed to help users with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), and includes an interval coach that tells when to increase or decrease intensity, as well as offering full real time and post exercise analysis including: calories, duration, pace, speed, and of course distance. The app utilizes the iPhone’s GPS to track a user’s route while running, hiking, or biking and thus provides metrics including speed, calories burn, and distance.
Additionally, CardioMapper is the first iOS App approved by Apple that supports BLE Heart Rate Monitors, and connects with the newest dongle-free devices such as the SmartHRM and Bluetooth Smart 4.0 (BLE). Live pulse data will graph heart beat rhythm to match your heart.
The new CardioMapper 1.0.0 app is available now from the Apple App Store ($1.99), for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It could be a map to a new level of fitness.
Whether you trek the globe on business, or just hit the gym the truth is that there are times when you’d likely reather be somewhere else, and now the Virtual Active: BitGym Edition fitness app for iOS can take you there. Available now the app takes a user’s workout intensity into account and responds accordingly, providing a first person perspective of locals ranging from the Swiss Alps to Venice to the Grand Canyon. The app is free to try, and costs $7.99 to buy.
The twist here is that it is available for mobile devices, so rather than being immersed in a large HDTV experience, users can take it to the gym and use on an exercise bike. Thus for those who travel the world, but not for biking adventures, can still feel like they’re riding in the Alps. Video after the jump
There seems to be no shortage of portable video cameras that can take a dive, but the Easy Shot Clip HD Diving Kit is one more to consider. Developed by Concord Keystone, this small HD digital camera allows divers and swimmers to capture 720 HD video and sound from depths up to 100 feet. It comes with its own waterproof housing that is clipped to a 360-degree rotating mounting bracket, so it can be attached to diving or swimming masks or goggles. Video after the jump
Even if all the sports and health mobile applications aren’t getting people in shape, it is making for a very healthy market. According to a new report from ABI Research the sports and health mobile application market will grow to over $400 million in 2016, way up from the $120 million the sector reported in 2010.
According to ABI much of that growth will be spurred by the ability of mobile handsets to offer connectivity to wearable devices that can provide greater functionality, accuracy and appeal to sports and fitness applications. The new apps can in essence replace, or at least replicate what standalone products such as heart rate monitors and calorie counters are currently providing. Read the rest of this entry »
The world of video games has long seen a split between the consoles and the PC. And despite the rumors that PC gaming is dead, it is very much alive and well. The rumors have been greatly exaggerated, especially as the PC will soon get a boost from the Microsoft Kinect. This is really no surprise as Microsoft entered the gaming arena as a PC software developer and publisher, as well as creating a variety of hardware for the PC.
There are already devices that we’ve covered that allow a PC to be used with a bike trainer, golf simulator or other devices, but where the PC has lagged behind in recent years is with motion control that makes gaming fitness possible. Now Microsoft is offering a true game changer as the Kinect will arrive on the PC next year.
This week Trimble announced the release of its suite of apps for outdoor enthusiasts. The apps are designed for users to plan trips and navigate the outdoors. The first app, Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps, is a mapping and trip planning app for the Apple iPad to organize outdoor adventures, while the second app, Trimble Outdoors Navigator, offers in-the-field GPS navigation and mapping for the iPhone and Android devices, and be used on trails and in remote backcountry areas.
Although the two apps run independently, users’ personal trips can be exchanged between the apps via the free Trimble Outdoors Trip Cloud, a wireless service that allows users to exchange trips between apps and trimbleoutdoors.com.
“Our new ecosystem of apps and digital maps covers a full range of navigation needs for outdoor enthusiasts–from planning a trip at home or in the coffee shop to finding remote forest roads or campsites while in the outdoors,” said Rich Rudow, general manager of Trimble Outdoors. “The new apps offer best-in-class topographic and aerial maps, and tools to answer the specific demands of hikers, off-roaders and other outdoor enthusiasts.” Read the rest of this entry »
There is a new app for coaches and athletes looking to get precise, automatic measurement of fitness levels and athletic performance in five categories including flying sprints, sprint & shuttle, vertical jump, repetitions and beep test. Kaiser & Kaiser has announced the release of the fitnessMeter 1.0 for iOS, which is capable of providing results for more than 20 standard tests and exercises, the app uses the device’s camera and/or accelerometer to achieve an accuracy of +/- 0.02 of a second. fitnessMeter leverages technology originally developed for the company’s successful sprintTimer app.
The app can be used to measure conditioning, fitness, and performance accurately, which has traditionally been challenging, particularly when the subject of measurement has no one available to lend assistance. The fitnessMeter app employs Kaiser & Kaiser’s Photo Finish technology to supply results that are more accurate than a stopwatch through use of the device’s built-in camera. Following selection of one of the five categories pre-programmed into the app, the user simply aligns the device, which will then automatically signal the start of the test and save the results. Video after the jump
Microsoft and Ubisoft have provided a few more details for its Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012, which will officially launch tomorrow, via the new YouTube video (above). The fitness/sports game looks to build on the past success of the Your Shape Fitness franchise and once again promises to help gamers get off the couch and get a little more fit via the Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Never a bad thing.
Winter can be a good time to tone up for spring, and Majesco Entertainment Company looks to get gamers fit for the New Year. The company announced this week the sequel to its best-selling fitness video game for Kinect for the Microsoft Xbox 360. Zumba Fitness Rush will get gamer’s hearts pumping this coming February with another controller-free dance workout game.
Zumba Fitness Rush promises to offer 42 hot new music tracks, sizzling choreography and a huge variety of new dance styles and arenas, which invite players to dance their way into shape with a fun and proven program. Six Zumba instructors get you moving to the beat, including celebrity instructors Beto Perez, Tanya Beardsley and Gina Grant, plus new stars exclusive to the Kinect game: Kass Martin, Jason Thompson and Erica Pierce. Each star instructor personally guides players through choreography that ranges in style from Merengue and Samba to Bollywood and Latin Pop. Dance hands-free as Kinect for Xbox 360 accurately tracks your every move. Read the rest of this entry »
FitOrbit, the online solution that provides 24/7 accessibility to certified personal trainers, is telling members to “Breathe,” by launching its new logging and tracking experience. “Breathe” offers users the ability to select meals and workouts online, and with a click of the mouse it lets the trainer know what you’ve accomplished for the day. This online tracking also allows for a “quick add” with an intelligent algorithm that identifies what users are looking for, and even remembers preferences and favorites.
The Motorola MOTOACTV only was released back in October and already Motorola has offered an update. Not only that but last week the company even released a video to tell about the updates. Look for better battery life, new clock faces and a new stopwatch feature! 
There’s no shortage of fitness- and health-related apps for smart phones like the iPhone and those based on Android, but we could soon see apps that are approved by the U.S. federal government.
There are apps to map your ride, and now there is an app for iOS to map your training. At next month’s Consumer Electronics Show attendees will get to see the new Cardio Mapper app, which can connect and read data from Bluetooth Smart (formerly Bluetooth 4.0) , and SmartHRM WiFi.
Whether you trek the globe on business, or just hit the gym the truth is that there are times when you’d likely reather be somewhere else, and now the Virtual Active: BitGym Edition fitness app for iOS can take you there. Available now the app takes a user’s workout intensity into account and responds accordingly, providing a first person perspective of locals ranging from the Swiss Alps to Venice to the Grand Canyon. The app is free to try, and costs $7.99 to buy.
There seems to be no shortage of portable video cameras that can take a dive, but the Easy Shot Clip HD Diving Kit is one more to consider. Developed by Concord Keystone, this small HD digital camera allows divers and swimmers to capture 720 HD video and sound from depths up to 100 feet. It comes with its own waterproof housing that is clipped to a 360-degree rotating mounting bracket, so it can be attached to diving or swimming masks or goggles. 
Even if all the sports and health mobile applications aren’t getting people in shape, it is making for a very healthy market. According to a new report from ABI Research the sports and health mobile application market will grow to over $400 million in 2016, way up from the $120 million the sector reported in 2010.
The world of video games has long seen a split between the consoles and the PC. And despite the rumors that PC gaming is dead, it is very much alive and well. The rumors have been greatly exaggerated, especially as the PC will soon get a boost from the Microsoft Kinect. This is really no surprise as Microsoft entered the gaming arena as a PC software developer and publisher, as well as creating a variety of hardware for the PC.
This week Trimble announced the release of its suite of apps for outdoor enthusiasts. The apps are designed for users to plan trips and navigate the outdoors. The first app, Trimble Outdoors MyTopo Maps, is a mapping and trip planning app for the Apple iPad to organize outdoor adventures, while the second app, Trimble Outdoors Navigator, offers in-the-field GPS navigation and mapping for the iPhone and Android devices, and be used on trails and in remote backcountry areas.
