General | Evolving Consumer

Nike+ Running Comes to Android, iOS Gets 4.0 Update

Nike is finally bringing its popular Nike+ Running app to the Android ecosystem. The app, which was originally released in 2010 for iOS, connects to nikeplus.com and lets runners track, share, and compare their runs using their smartphone.

Nike has simultaneously updated the iOS version of the app to version 4.0 and it too has assumed the Nike+ Running name. The GPS-enabled app now includes a widget option that lets you start a run from your phone’s home screen. You can also configure a list of “power songs” to start playing when you need a little motivation on the track.

Like most fitness apps, Nike+ Running lets users share their workout data on Facebook or Twitter. A new feature also lets you record the shoes you run in along with your cumulative mileage for that specific pair of shoes. Video after the jump

Made in America: Bijubee – Yoga, Pilates, and Exercise Wear

Bijubee Sweet Little Outfit (Bra and Short) - Geo Square

What does a “victorious crowned bee” have to do with yoga? Not much until taking a look at the line of yoga apparel from Bijubee. Based in South El Monte, California, Bijubee offers the active woman a very extensive line of yoga and exercise apparel, plus every piece is designed and manufactured “with love” in America. Video after the jump

Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks

Starbucks, Peet’s, The Brewing Market, or any number of mom and pop coffee shops around America, on any given weekend morning this is the select meeting spot for friends and family to start their day. Whether the activities involve a hike, skiing, a bike ride, or just relaxing, that shop not only acts as the meeting point, but also supplies a caffeinated beverage to kickstart the day. While waiting for that little pick-me-up to be prepared by the barista, have you ever browsed the mugs and other coffee related items sold by those shops? Flip any of those mugs or cups over and read the bottom – “Made in China” will probably be printed there. The argument could be made that it really doesn’t matter, but to a handful of people in East Liverpool, Ohio, it does. Continue reading Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks

Using Cordless Headset at Work Could Help You Shed Pounds, Avoid Health Problems Down the Road

When we saw this release from Headsets.com, titled “New Wireless Headset Helps Burn Calories as You Walk and Talk,” we couldn’t help but think of a story lifted off the pages of a supermarket tabloid. But when the product mentioned is from a company we’ve trusted for years, we were intrigued. Headsets.com, a seller of office telephone headsets for businesses, says the Sennheiser OfficeRunner Wireless Headset System could help you lose 50 pounds a year just by using it.

Of course, the product itself doesn’t have any magic to actually zap away pounds. Headsets.com is making a correlation between the OfficeRunner and research that shows “an average person who adds 1,500 steps a day can lose up to 500 calories a day, which translates into 1 pound a week or 50 pounds a year.” As a cordless device that lets you make and receive calls up to 400 feet away from your desk, the OfficeRunner lets you add physical activity to your workday as you talk on the phone by unchaining you from the desk. Continue reading Using Cordless Headset at Work Could Help You Shed Pounds, Avoid Health Problems Down the Road

Made in America: Thought Out Company – iPod and iPad Mounts

Do you own an iPad, iPod, or any other brand of smart phone or tablet? Have you tried to buy a mount for your device? Stroll into any Apple Store or Best Buy and prepare to be inundated with an overwhelming number of choices offering countless features to best hold your tablet or phone.

What you may also notice when reading the packages, often printed at the very bottom of the package on the back, is where the item is made. “Designed in the USA, Made in China” is a common phrase used by companies, possibly mimicking Apple’s labeling on most of their products. If you read the packaging on enough of these types of products, you might think that there is no alternatives to these types of items being produced overseas, but there are a few aftermarket accessory choices that are actually designed in America AND made in America. One such company is Thought Out of Shelton, Connecticut, which has been producing America made, innovative products since being founded in 2004. Video after the jump

New GoPro Bundle Gives Hero Cams WiFi and Remote Capabilities

Looking for new ways to use your GoPro Hero camera? The company’s new WiFi BacPac + WiFi Remote bundle is designed to give your camera remote and WiFi capabilities, all with a simple upgrade.

The WiFi BacPac is a small module that attaches to the back of your existing Hero camera giving it WiFi capabilities. The companion dual-button remote (which is both weatherproof and wearable) then lets you control the BacPac-equipped Hero from a range of up to 600 feet. Even better, the remote can control up to 50 different GoPro cameras simultaneously. Video after the jump

Sunday Q&A: Kitson Catches the Carbon Fiber Wave

The surf culture knows that protecting the waves is necessary to ensuring that the waves will be there in the future. To this end Kitson Boards has changed the way boards are made. Instead of the usual foam and fiberglass, Kitson’s team is utilizing carbon fiber for boards that will last a lifetime.

Michael Kitson, the president of the company, along with engineer Travis Dodge told us why carbon fiber is the way to catch the wave. Continue reading Sunday Q&A: Kitson Catches the Carbon Fiber Wave

Made in America: Murbles Outdoor Sports Game

Summer is the time of year to get outside to enjoy time with family and friends. The days are long and the nights are warm, plus there are hardly any new shows on the tube to veg-out in front of in the evenings. Backyard entertaining often involves some good games along with the grill and drinks, and quick trip to your local sporting goods will reveal many different gaming options for both small and large spaces. From tetherball to volleyball, there are plenty of choices to keep your guests on their feet, active, and entertained. As a bonus, many of these options can also be enjoyed by both young and old guests at the same time.

Unfortunately, a quick read of the labels will show that most of these games are made in China (yes, I checked just this past weekend while picking up some games for a BBQ). But this is not the case with everyone of them on the market, and there are a handful of games that are still made in America, including horseshoes and Whiffleball to name two. Another option that is nearly 25 years old, and one which you may not be familiar with is a game that is loosely based on marbles and Bocce. Murbles, short for Murray’s marbles, is the brainchild of Murray Kramer who created the game back in 1979 after he was unsuccessful at defeating his neighbor in horseshoes during his college years in Michigan. Continue reading Made in America: Murbles Outdoor Sports Game

Happy Memorial Day from KineticShift

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Made in America: Competition Headwear

The modern ball cap can trace its ties to baseball all the way back to 1860 when the Brooklyn Excelsiors wore a similar design to keep the sun out of their faces during game play. The ball cap has evolved throughout the years and is worn not only by baseball players, but almost every athlete wears one before, during, or after game play. Even our military wears them while on duty as part of the uniform (at least the Navy). Nearly everyone owns at least one ball cap, but do you know how many are made in the U.S.A.?

A look in my closet revealed this…

Even though its design was made popular by an American sport, of the 28 hats and visors in my closet, China topped the list with 21; followed by the Philippines with 2; and then Taiwan, Macau, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and U.S.A. each with 1. Even the NRA cap with an American flag stitched on the side was made in China. It is really difficult to walk into a store and find a cap that isn’t made overseas, but all hope is not lost. Competition Headwear, of Denver, Colorado, is one company that has bucked the trend of sending production overseas and only manufactures caps that are 100-percent made in America. Continue reading Made in America: Competition Headwear

Made in America: Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle Apparel

Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle - Saturn V Jersey — Saturn V Jersey

“Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China”. If you are reading this post on an iPhone or iPad, that is what is printed on the back. The Kindle Fire is not any better with the line “Assembled in China”. Long ago we lost a majority of electronics manufacturing to Asia along with many other goods, but lately if you look at a tag for cycling gear, production for that type of product is also migrating out of the U.S. This is not the case with every company that designs and sells cycling apparel. One company that we have mentioned a few times, Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle, still believes in the concept of designing AND manufacturing their apparel in the same country, not out sourcing to the cheapest sweatshop. Continue reading Made in America: Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle Apparel

Study Suggests Jogging Can Extend Your Life by Up to 6 Years

Good news for joggers. A new study shows that jogging — between one hour and 2.5 hours per week — can extend your life by up to 6 years.

Researchers at the Copenhagen City Heart Study in Denmark looked at a database of 20,000 joggers and non joggers, ranging in age from 23 to 93. They found that jogging, at a slow or average pace, extended the life expectancy of men by 6.2 years and of women by 5.6 years. Over a period of 35 years, those who didn’t jog had a total of 10,158 deaths, while there were only 122 deaths among those who jogged on a regular basis.

The study also suggested that breaking your runs into two or three sessions over the course of the week yields the best results. Likewise, high intensity speed intervals and training till exhaustion aren’t necessary. In fact, the study suggests that the risk of death was greater for people who logged in heavy miles (sorry, marathoners) or those who ran at faster paces. (Risk of death was also greater for people who ran less than one hour a week.)

And if that still isn’t enough to get you on the track, the study also reiterated all the health benefits we already know about jogging such as the fact that it lowers your blood pressure, improves cardiac function, and helps manage your weight.

[via The Atlantic: Jog 15 Minutes a Day, Extend Your Life by 5 Years or More]

Review: 2012 Lynskey Ridgeline-29 SL, 29er Titanium Frame

Why would anyone want to ride a single-speed? I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that question in the nearly 15 years that a single-speed mountain bike has been hanging in my stable of bikes. Having been a longtime believer in the KISS design principle, the single-speed beautifully embodies that idea. Wanna go for a ride? Hop on it and go with no worries of shifting issues. Oh no, a hill! Pedal harder or pop-up off of the saddle for a little more power. With little noise and such simplicity, the single-speed is one of my favorite bikes to grab when going for a ride.

After building my first 29er last year, I caught a bad case of the 29er bug. The larger wheels of a 29er—a mountain bike using 29-inch wheels—just handle the rocky trails along the Front Range of Colorado so much better that the 26-inch (26er). The 26er single-speed mountain bike that was hanging in my garage was an older Seven Verve from the mid-1990s. Don’t get me wrong, it was (and still is) a great bike, but the horizontal dropouts along with the 26-inch sized wheels sitting next to my new Moots Mooto X YBB had me longing for something new.

So the search began. Continue reading Review: 2012 Lynskey Ridgeline-29 SL, 29er Titanium Frame