Apple Releases BikeGearsFree

With all the iPhone 5 news last week, a few Apple announcements and releases got buried. The iPod touch and iPod nano announcements got not quite as much press as the new phone. But one thing that slipped into iTunes (a new iTunes) without much notice was BikeGearsFree. The app lets you calculate cadence and miles per hour based on the size of your chainring and sprocket. Continue reading Apple Releases BikeGearsFree

Hitcase Has the iPhone Covered

Apple announced its iPhone 5 last week and those who get one will likely want to ensure that it doesn’t get wrecked while using it as an action camera. That’s why Hitcase is on the case with a new waterproof, shockproof, wide angle point of view camera case.

It can also be paired with a free Videomaeter app so users can get an overlay on recorded video that shows speed, altitude and g-force. Video and press release after the jump

Weekend Reading List (9.15.2012): The Ending Summer, Cycling Apps, Shoe Tests, US Army and NFL Team Up

The Ending Summer

From Surf Magazine: Summer’s End
They say Labor Day marks the end of the summer, and what better way to end it then with a sizable south swell tearing through California.
Continue reading Weekend Reading List (9.15.2012): The Ending Summer, Cycling Apps, Shoe Tests, US Army and NFL Team Up

iPhone Bike Trainer Kicks Into High Gear

Wahoo Fitness has put a new spin on cycle training with its KICKR Bike Trainer, which can be controlled via an iPhone app. This looks a bit like the Lemond Revolution Trainer, which works much like a traditional cycle trainer but instead of spinning on a drum has users ditch the rear wheel completely by offering a cassette and gears. Resistance is controlled via the app, which also lets riders know the speed and watts produced. It reportedly can simulate different conditions such as riding uphill, where more effort is required. Continue reading iPhone Bike Trainer Kicks Into High Gear

Heart Right App

There are plenty of heart rate monitors and apps that can help watch your heart rate, but the Cardiio takes health-monitoring in a new direction. It works by obtaining the BPM heart rate by simply pointing the iPhone’s front-facing camera at your face.

From here the app measures the light reflection of the skin, which apparently is affected by the blood that is flowing. This $5 app provides a BPM estimate without the need for a band or other monitor. While we question whether this is as good as a true heart rate, perhaps it is enough for you to use it to guilt your friends and love ones to hit the gym – especially as it offers a life expectancy estimator. Fear can be a powerful motivator!

Cardiio on the Apple App Store

ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes

A helmet can help protect the wearer’s head in case of a fall or accident, but it can’t call for help. What is an individual to do if he or she falls while out alone and far from home? ICEdot (In Case of Emergency) is working to provide a solution, and the company has partnered with SenseTech LLC of Denver to develop and launch a helmet-mounted impact sensor.

In the event of an accident the sensor determines the crucial forces, and can activate communications on the wearer’s smartphone to send a request for help. This could be used with cycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing and even motocross helmets. Continue reading ICEdot to Provide Emergency Response System for Athletes

GoPro Goes to the App

Capturing the moment of triumph on video is easier than ever thanks to numerous wearable cameras, and this year the industry leader GoPro looks to maintain that lead by offering an iPhone/Android app that is compatible with the Wi-Fi BackPac, so users can control up to 50 Hero2 camera from a handset! This could allow large organizers in bike tours to capture action from multiple angles, or let race organizers in a variety of sports record footage from around the course without the need of multiple cameramen.

The app will allows users to view recorded footage, but the next step coming from the app will be the option to stream live video to a smartphone. The app will reportedly be free while the Wi-Fi kit is just $99.

[Via BikeRumor: GOPRO BRINGING LIVE STREAMING, CAMERA CONTROLLING SMARTPHONE APP]

Rugged Two-Way Global Communicator Goes the Distance

This week DeLorme, the maker of personal satellite messaging, track and navigation technology, announced the release of a major upgrade for its inReach two-way communicators. The latest firmware version, which is available at no cost, offers extended battery life and recharging options, as well as a newly updated Earthmate app that enables world topographic map downloads.

This builds on the satellite communicators two-way personal text messaging with delivery confirmation, SOS alerting and follow-me/find track functionally. Continue reading Rugged Two-Way Global Communicator Goes the Distance

BioLogic Makes Android Bike Mount

When cycling, I use the Strava app on my Android phone as a cycling computer. This is great to track distance, speed, and even where I bike. However it doesn’t help me so much when my phone is in my back pocket and I can’t access that information. Continue reading BioLogic Makes Android Bike Mount

Runtastic Adds to Mobile Fitness Tracking Apps

Runtastic added two features to its activity tracking app. Ideal Weight 2.0 and Altimeter are now part of the Runtastic Pro apps, which cost about $3.99 in the Android and iPhone app stores. Continue reading Runtastic Adds to Mobile Fitness Tracking Apps

GameBook Let’s Golfers Get Social

Who needs a trip to the clubhouse to share their time on the green? The Golf GameBook app for iOS and Android allows golfers to record and share golf performances, photos and scorecards, and post them to the GolfBook Clubhouse or directly to social networking sites such as Facebook. Users can comment on friends’ games in real-time, use it as way to set up tee times and see who can make a round. With the app friends can even create leagues and tournaments. The only drawback is that users might tend to watch their handsets as much as the ball!

Golf GameBook Official Website

Macaw Health and Fitness App Wins CTIA E-Tech Award

The U.S. Preventive Medicine’s Macaw has won in the Mobile Applications: Health, Wellness and Fitness category of CTIA’s Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards. Winners were announced earlier this month at the CTIA Wireless 2012 trade who, and the awards are in its seventh year, honoring the industry’s most innovative wireless products and services in the areas of mobile apps, consumer electronics, enterprise and vertical markets and infrastructure. Video after the jump

Exergy Tour Tracker App for Women’s Cycling Race

In cycling, women don’t get a ton of recognition. Few races are broadcast on TV, and there aren’t quite as many teams worldwide as there are for men’s cycling. Even if you the Exergy Tour cycling stage race going on this week throughout Southwestern Idaho won’t be broadcast near you, you can track the progress of female cyclists on the inaugural tour with the Exergy Tour Tracker app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android.

The app will provide live coverage of the women’s cycling race in Idaho.

“The unique ability to bring the inaugural Exergy Tour to a world-wide audience through Tour Tracker and its innovative mobile video platform speaks to Exergy’s vision to further engage corporate sponsors, media, spectators, athletes and fans,” said Heather Hill, marketing, communications and events director for the Exergy Tour, in a corporate statement.

“On site during the event, spectators will also be able to watch the live Tour Tracker video simulcast on the big screens – allowing fans to watch start-to-finish coverage every day of the Tour whether they are at work, out and about, on the course or at the finish line.”

Prior to the start of the race we loaded the Tour Tracker app. It lists participating teams but doesn’t yet have profiles on each of the riders. We like the “Cycling 101″ section under Extras, which explains cycling terms such as a tour, stage, time trial, neutral start, finish line, general classification, peloton, domestique and other terms commonly used in professional cycling.

Continue reading Exergy Tour Tracker App for Women’s Cycling Race