Audio | Evolving Consumer

Washable Earbuds for Sweaty Runners

We’ve seen sweat-proof earbuds before, but Pioneer’s take on sweat-proofing brings things to a whole new level. The SE-CL331 earbuds are IPx5 and IPx7 certified (the “IP” stands for International Protection). The former means they can withstand the occasional splash of liquid such as rain and sweat while the latter, more stringent certification means these earbuds can withstand immersion in up to 39″ of water for up to 30 minutes.

In other words, in addition to withstanding your sweaty cardio sessions, these earbuds can actually be washed after each use, keeping them clean and gunk free. The headphones come with four interchangeable ear tips (in sizes XS through L) and include a carrying pouch. They’re available in yellow, blue, pink, or white for $59. Who is you can’t have form and function?

Pioneer Official Website
[Via Coolest Gadgets: Pioneer SE-CL331-Y Water-resistant Earbud Headphones]

Think Fitness This Black Friday

You may normally get up before the sun to go for a run or head to the gym, but the Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, has many people getting out of bed early to hit the stores. This year we want to point out some deals to be had on fitness-related items.

Callet cases for a number of smartphones including the iPhone and several BlackBerry models. These rubberized cases have a slot in the back to hold ID, credit card and a few dollars.
Use the code “Callet 30″ for 30 percent off the case, which costs $19.99.

Griffin Technology has its products marked down as much as 80 percent during Black Friday. Save on rugged cell phone cases to fit any smartphone or tablet, plus loads of accessories.

Get 30 percent off products from Grace Digital through November 29 by entering the code “bFriday30″ at checkout.Choices include a rugged, all-terrain speaker case and other waterproof audio accessories.

Life Time Fitness plans to host a Black Friday event with “over 30 incredible deals.” You don’t have to wait until January to join a gym. Get yourself and everyone on your list enrolled in one of many programs including a weight loss program, LifeSpa gift card, a program with a trainer and other activities.

The 1st Generation Apple iPod Nano is Hot Again!

You might not be aware that different stories are sometimes posted on the KineticShift Facebook wall, but if you missed the post on the Apple iPod Nano recall, this information is worth passing on to all of our readers. Apple has decided to recall some on the early 1st generation iPod Nanos. Apparently the battery in some of these units are overheating and may “pose a safety risk.” The specific Nanos being recalled were sold between September 2005 and December 2006, and the issue has been traced to a single battery supplier.

Continue reading The 1st Generation Apple iPod Nano is Hot Again!

Looxcie 2 Allows You to Record What You See

At first glance the Looxcie 2 appears to be a BlueTooth hands free headset, but it is actually much more. It is a video camera as well as hands free device all in one small package that is being advertised as the “world’s first ‘Wear & Share’ video cam.” The Looxcie 2 is worn over the ear and allows the user to capture video while engaging in just about any activity. If something happens that you simply must share through your social network, you can do it instantly by uploading the video using your smartphone.

Continue reading Looxcie 2 Allows You to Record What You See

Yamaha Delivers Audio Anywhere You Go

If your day outdoors involves a solo activity like running the trails than an iPod is a good companion, but if you have an actual human companion and are hiking, camping, or just taking in the great outdoors you either have to listen to the sounds of nature or figure out a way to share the tunes. Now Yamaha has a solution that lets you share the music with its rugged PDX-11 portable player dock.

The iPod/iPhone dock features an octagonal horn-shaped design with a perforated steel grill that is tough enough for an on-the-go lifestyle, and it includes a “grab it and go” roll bar chrome handle. The PDX-11 is available in four colors including white, dark blue, green and black, and can run on battery or AC power. With six AA batteries you’ll get about eight hours of a soundtrack for the outdoor life. Continue reading Yamaha Delivers Audio Anywhere You Go

SwiMP3 Player

FINIS isn’t close to being finished with its innovation in waterproof digital music player. The company, which is a developer and provider of select training equipment for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team, announces the release of its SwiMP3 2G, an upgraded version of its award-winning underwater MP3 player.

The SwiMP3 2G brings music to the pool and beach, and is therefore perfect for swimmers and triathletes looking to eliminate the watery silence of swimming lap after lap. The player offers twice as much music as the original version for a total of 30 hours or approximately 500 songs, and features a unique and patented bone conduction technology by transmitting high-fidelity sound underneath the water. Continue reading SwiMP3 Player

Hold onto your iPhone or iPod with the iCat

“It just slipped out of my hand.” Most of us have heard this line after watching someone drop their iPhone or iPod. Usually the results are the same, a cracked screen and a very sad owner, especially if they did not purchase the insurance. A replacement iPhone or iPod can be expensive and dealing with a cracked screen can be annoying or even dangerous. EK Ekcessories of Logan, Utah has a product to help you avoid even dropping your iPhone or iPod – the iCat.

Continue reading Hold onto your iPhone or iPod with the iCat

iHome Earphones Track Your Heart Rate and Calories Burned

Working out with a standard pair of headphones is a recipe for disaster. Not only is it impossible to keep them in place when you’re in motion, but the slightest exposure to sweat and your headphones are instant paperweights. With that in mind, iHome and New Balance have teamed up to create the NB639 Fitness Evolved Headphones.

These headphones are designed for the serious, note-taking athlete as they also come with a dongle that doubles as a pedometer, one-touch heart rate monitor, and stopwatch. Simply place your finger on the dongle’s grooved surface during your workout and after a few seconds it’ll verbally read out your heart rate, calories burned, and distance traveled all without the need for an irritating chest strap. Best of all, it’ll read our your stats without interrupting your playlist.

When you’re done with your workout, plug in the dongle to your computer’s USB port and using the built-in software you can track your performance and set new goals. The dongle is also capable of recharging via USB, eliminating the need for batteries.

Video after the jump. Continue reading iHome Earphones Track Your Heart Rate and Calories Burned

Sound Protection

The sport of shooting requires that safety is addressed at absolutely all times, and this doesn’t just include gun safety in handling a firearm, but also in ensuring that proper protection is utilized for the eyes and ears. The problem is that many products that are offered to help protect the ears are uncomfortable, hot and just not effective. If sound is too greatly reduced, safety is an issue as shooters can’t hear their surroundings.

However, Starkey Laboratories has created a new in-ear protection that makes use of the same noise reduction technology found in quality headphones. The SoundGear by LaPierre provides electronic hearing protection in a instant fit device. It features digital processing to allow wearers to experience lower noise levels, with less feedback and yet have the ability to tune into the surroundings while protecting their hearing. It provides both sound enhancement and hearing protection in a single device. Continue reading Sound Protection

Best Buy Has New Buds

Consumer electronics retail giant Best Buy has a new bud of sorts. The retailer’s venture capital arm, Best Buy Capital, led a $5.5 million series of B round of venture financing in Raleigh-based Valancell, the developer of mobile health and fitness earbud technology.

Valencell has created new technology to track physiological metrics such as heart rate, calories burned, steps taken, distance traveled and speed. The data can be tracked in real time while the user listens to music or talks on the phone. Data can be streamed to smart phones or mp3 players through wired or wireless links, which would allow the user to use that personal information with training, coaching or fitness applications on mobile devices and online.

“People everywhere are listening to music while running and exercising,” CEO and co-founder Steven LeBoeuf said in a prepared statement. “Integrating heart rate sensors directly and seamlessly into music earbuds fits right into the behavior of consumers today.”

It was just late last year that Best Buy entered the fitness arena, and this could be further proof that the company is serious about sport and workout equipment being part of the offerings at its big box stores.

Valancell Official Website

Polk Audio Introduces Its First Performance Headphones

polk_performance — Polk Audio UltraFit 2000 Sports Headphones

Sports- and fitness-centric headphones aren’t anything new. Go to any shop that sells headphones and you’ll most likely find a pair with the word “sport” on the packaging. Many of them are just ordinary tinny-sounding speakers rebranded and repackaged for the “active lifestyle.” But Polk Audio’s new performance headphones might be something worth looking into and not an exercise in clever marketing.

Available in the fall, Polk Audio’s new performance lineup includes sports headphones and noise canceling headphones designed for exercise and fitness (as well as those who don’t participate in any activity, naturally). The UltraFit sports headphones are available as in-ear, on-ear and in-ear canal models that come in a variety of colors. They feature water resistance, iPhone/iPod controls, Kevlar-reinforced hinge points for durability, and comfortable non-slip materials in the ear area. For its two UltraFocus models, Polk Audio designed active noise cancelation for an in-ear model and an over-ear version. No water resistance or Kevlar here, but features include comfortable design and iPhone/iPad controls.

Polk Audio makes good stuff. We have tested their products in the past and know they put lots of effort into making great-sounding speakers. But we have only known Polk Audio for their home speaker products, and, as this is Polk Audio’s first step into the performance headphone market, we’ll reserve any opinion until we actually test one out. But if the headphones are anything like their home speaker products in terms of build and performance, the UltraFit and UltraFocus products might be some of the few legit sports headphones available.

POLK AUDIO Official Website