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'Alto's Odyssey: The Lost City' trailer previews the new urban backdrop
An expanded edition of the endless runner hits Apple Arcade on July 16th.
'Alto's Odyssey: The Lost City' is coming to Apple Arcade
"Alto's Odyssey: The Lost City" is coming to Apple Arcade with extra content, developer Snowman has announced.
Under Armour edition of Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active 2 arrives today
It's been a couple of months since we found out about Under Armour's spin on Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active 2. And all we heard back at IFA 2019 was that the wearable, which is geared toward runners, would be launching this fall. But, if you've had your eyes on it since its reveal in August, you'll be happy to hear that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 Under Armour Edition (say that ten times fast) can be yours starting today. As you've come to expect from most smartwatches, the UA Watch Active 2 features a heart-rate monitor and can show you stats like calories burned and distance covered. That said, where Samsung and Under Armour really want to make it shine is with its fitness coaching and training plans, which are customized for you using data from the watch during your runs. It can tell you how to improve your form in real time, for instance.
Under Armour's HOVR connected shoes aim to make you a smarter runner
Under Armour has been making a major push into smart running shoes for a couple of years now, and in 2019 the company is taking those efforts even further. This year, it plans to launch a suite of connected sneakers (five, to be exact), starting with the HOVR Infinite. Pictured above, the Infinite is a $120 running shoe that can be paired to Under Armour's MapMyRun app via Bluetooth, letting you keep track of your stats right on your smartphone.
Under Armour’s HOVR smart running shoes are more than just a gimmick
As fascinating as shoes like Nike's "PlayStation" PG2s or Adidas' "4D" Futurecrafts are, those particular models don't offer many (if any) benefits to avid runners. They're more geared toward sneakerheads than anyone else. But, that doesn't mean there aren't any tech-oriented pairs designed for people who enjoy running, be it casually or on a regular basis. That's exactly the demographic Under Armour is going after with its HOVR connected shoes, which consist of two different versions: a low-top (the Sonic) and a mid-top (the Phantom, pictured here).
Gibson's Trainer headphones look to keep runners safe after dark
It might sound odd that a guitar maker is getting into fitness headphones, however Gibson falls under the same corporate umbrella as Philips, Onkyo and other personal audio brands. That being said, it's still a bit strange to see the iconic guitar brand stamped on a pair of on-ears. I was curious enough to give them a shot, and in the process, discovered there was much more to the Usain Bolt-endorsed Trainer headphones than the initial announcement let on. Those are indeed onboard controls on the right earpad, and they sort not only play/pause and skip functions, but also toggle on/off a feature that dampens the sound so you can hear what's going on around you. You can use it to converse with a workout pal, and it's also sure to come in handy when you're coming up on a busy intersection.
Harmonix announces 'rhythm-runner' Record Run for mobile
Harmonix announced the development of a new free-to-play game at PAX East in Boston today called Record Run. Described by the developer as a "rhythm-runner," the game is "coming soon" to as-yet-undetermined mobile platforms. Record Run features gameplay that compares to Gaijin Games' Bit.Trip series, according to Harmonix head Alex Rigopulos. The game uses songs from players' mobile devices as the backdrop for its levels, which features a character running down a sidewalk, avoiding obstacles and collecting music records, all seen during Rigopulous' presentation. He noted that Harmonix has "lots of other irons in the fire on mobile" aside from Record Run. [Image: Harmonix]
Bit.Trip Runner2 sprints, hops, slides to Vita next week
The adorably addictive Bit.Trip pseudo-series of technicolor games is expanding again with word that the sequel to Bit.Trip Runner will make its Vita handheld debut on December 17. Officially titled "Bit.Trip Presents ... Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien," Runner2 is a game in which your character runs, constantly and with no regard for his or her personal safety. It's your job as the player to use a few simple maneuvers (jumping and sliding, for example) to ensure that your on-screen pal doesn't meet a grisly death by dashing off the side of a cliff or sprinting into something sharp. It's a simple formula, but as the cult success of Bit.Trip Runner and the console iterations of Runner2 demonstrate, it's also incredibly addictive. The Vita version of Runner2 is said to be identical to its console counterparts, right down to its DLC offerings. The Good Friends Character Pack DLC (an addition that allows you to play as the protagonists of Psychonauts, Spelunky and other esoteric hits) will be available alongside Runner2 when it launches on December 17. On debut, the game will set you back $10 on the PlayStation Network Store, while the DLC is priced at $3. PlayStation Plus subscribers can expect a discount on both, with the game being reduced to $8 and the DLC to $2.09.
TomTom's Runner and Multi-Sport watches now available
With all this talk of some prominent companies casting their wrists into the increasingly hot world of wearables, let's not forget the number of folks that have been toiling away in that world for some time now. Companies like TomTom, which is already on the, erm, pulse of the watch world. The GPS-maker announced plans for two new sporty additions to its line earlier this year, and now the Runner and Multi-Sport have found their way to the market. The Runner's got indoor tracking, a speedy GPS locator, desktop stat syncing, a heart rate monitor, 10-hour battery and waterproof / scratch resistant casing. The Multi-Sport's got all of the above, plus a bike mount, altimeter, motion sensor for swimming and a cadence sensor. Both are available now in the states, priced at $170 and $200, respectively.
Daily iPhone App: Mansion Run through some spooky pixels
Underground Pixel is a retro game developer that's put out a few iOS titles already, and their latest release is called Mansion Run, now available on the App Store for just US$0.99. Mansion Run is simple by design -- in fact, it's almost too simple. The idea is that you're a skeleton named Boney Wellington (nice) who has to run through a house full of poltergeisted furniture. There are four levels to run on, and the whole game is that you simply swipe up or down to switch levels, dodging furniture for as long as you can. That's it -- all of the furniture is essentially the same, and none of it ever moves. Just run and dodge. That simplicity may sound a bit off-putting, and it is -- Mansion Run doesn't put any of its complexity up front. There are some minigames to mix things up (including a quick-time event where you need to swipe the screen in a certain pattern), and extra rooms to find, but honestly, even after about 10 or 15 runs, I was never able to find or pull off either of those. There are also various characters to unlock and powerups to use, but these don't really seem to affect the game all that much. Still, Mansion Run is charming, due to the great pixel graphics and the excellent soundtrack. The game's vibe is very fun, and it's the kind of game that you can get immensely good at over time -- you can slide through very small spaces in the furniture, so if your twitch muscles are well-tuned, you can pull off some nice runs. It's hardly a deep game, but it is well-made and provides plenty of entertainment for the price. If you want a cheap, fun and simple runner to add a little joy to your iPhone gaming time, give Mansion Run a try.
Bluetooth SIG releases certifications for fitness devices aimed at runners and cyclists
Fitness gadgets are great, but you never quite know what you're going to get when it comes to calorie counts, or a reading of how many miles you've run. That could change, though, thanks to a set of standards the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is adopting with regard to fitness devices. These two certifications, which apply to running and cycling gadgets, respectively, affect the way data (e.g., cadence, speed, distance) is transmitted to paired devices like smartphones, sports watches and cycling computers. As far as SIG is concerned, too, more standardization means OEMs will have an easier time bringing new products to market -- not that there's any current shortage of options to choose from.
Double amputee Oscar Pistorius will race in the London Olympic games
Four years ago, double amputee Oscar Pistorius -- aka the Blade Runner -- was battling bureaucracy (and his own ability) for the chance to compete in the Beijing Olympics. He might not have made the cut for China, but this time around he's secured his ticket to London. The South African athlete was already penned in for the 4 x 400 meters relay, and will now also compete in the singles 400 meters -- said to be his favorite distance. The South African Olympic committee made a last-minute decision to include Pistorius in the team, making him the first amputee track athlete to compete in the full Olympic games. An amazing achievement in its own right, but a race victory on top of the bureaucratic one would surely be the ultimate finish.
Epson joins fitness market with world's lightest GPS watch
In the world of electronics, the size of a device directly relates to its ability to pull ahead of the competition -- especially when it comes to fitness-tracking gadgets. The latest and greatest in this field has emerged from the most unexpected of places, with Epson, a company known for its printers and projectors, releasing the world's lightest GPS watch. This timepiece, specifically designed for runners, reportedly offers more accurate readings and better battery life (up to 12 hours on one charge) than competing products from Garmin, with acute data on distance, speed and pace, all due to its newly-designed 13mm-thick module. If sweat is an issue, the water-resistant casing offers protection against a full submersion of up to 50 meters -- you can wipe your brow with a sigh of relief. Pricing and availability on the company's latest concept is still unknown, but you can let your eyes do the jogging as you peruse the press release just past the break.
Bit.Trip Complete trailer recaps an arduous journey
Launching alongside Bit.Trip Saga for 3DS, Bit.Trip Complete assembles all of Gaijin's rhythmic WiiWare titles at retail on September 13. Prepare yourself for ignominious deaths, spirited restarts and a pure delivery of disc content.
Nike+ GPS social update may make people run from your Twitter, Facebook accounts
Nike this week rolled out updates to its Nike+ GPS app, including bug fixes and an auto-calibration feature, which should help improve the accuracy of your run. Also on-board are social features, which push running updates to Facebook and Twitter. The tweets / posts can thankfully be edited before being sent out into the world, but we'd recommend using a bit of discretion before loading up your feeds with the minutiae of your latest workout. The updated app can be downloaded now for $2 from iTunes.
3D printed toy features the runner from Canabalt
It's no Angry Birds toy, but I like the idea of this Runner figurine. It features the little guy from the popular iPhone game that spawned a genre, Canabalt. Not only does the resemblance to the little pixelated guy shine right through, but the figure is actually 3D printed in color, and then UV coated to hold the whole thing together. Pretty cool. Voxelous has it on sale right now for $14 along with a few other indie gaming stars, though supplies are limited. What other indie iPhone games need figures like this? I wouldn't mind having a printout of my favorite Bitizen in Tiny Tower...
VEA's Sportive mobile watch is for those with money, calories to burn
When you go for a run, the less you've got to carry on your person, the better. Think of VEA's new Sportive mobile watch as something of a digital fannypack: it looks goofy, but it'll help you consolidate some of that extra baggage. The device has some basic phone functionality, a camera, and an MP3 player -- oh, and it apparently does the time as well. It's got a nano-sized 1.5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, 8GB of storage, and an SOS button that sends out your location and other vital info, should anything happen to you on your run. It'll start shipping on July 14th for €399 ($578). Run, don't walk, because the price bumps up to an even more lofty €499 ($722) in September.
NintendoWare Weekly: Bit. Trip Runner demo, Rival Turf!
Gaijin Games has made it simple for you to try out its super-hard platformer Bit.Trip Runner, releasing a demo on the Wii Shop today -- just as it has for most of the Bit.Trip games. You should absolutely try this one, unless you get frustrated easily. Also on Wii today: Rival Turf!, a game that isn't actually very good, but has a distinctive box art that ... also isn't very good.
Marathon man preps for second live stream, with multiple iPhones, iPad
Readers may recall our report last year on runner and TUAW reader Joseph Tame, who streamed the Tokyo marathon from a head-mounted iPhone. This year's marathon will be held on February 27, and Joseph has found additional ways to make the 42km run even more difficult. Check out the get-up that he's planning to wear for the race (pictured). He has four rotatable iPhones and an Android handset, plus an iPad to monitor the marathon's Twitter hashtag (#tm2011). He'll be streaming video from multiple cameras using either Skype or FaceTime, and he'll have assistance from friends in an off-site studio who will mix the incoming video streams and rebroadcast them via Ustream. He'll be transmitting location and heart rate data, plus temperature and CO2 levels, too. Naturally, he's dubbed the whole contraption the iRun, though I can't help but think that it sort of resembles a Glo-Worm/Optimus Prime love-child. Awesome, by any name. I've gotten to know Joseph over the past couple of years, and this sort of fun geekery is surprisingly normal for him. Recently he has been dabbling in GPS art as well, using Runkeeper to draw the face of Hello Kitty over Tokyo's Shinjuku district, covering 45km in the process. Check out his video demo explaining his iRun below, and stay tuned to his website for more updates as the day of the big race approaches.
Athlete Robot runs just a few steps before falling down, does it with style
Since 2007, researchers at Tokyo University's ISI Lab have been working on a prototype of a running robot, which we've seen several of in the past. Athlete Robot (as it is seemingly dubbed) is a little bit different though. While it hasn't outwardly been given the humanoid treatment in any significant way, technologically, it works very much like a human. As you'll see in the video below, early prototypes of the bot which were less 'human' like in design didn't function as well as the newer version, which boasts McKibben artificial muscles and a biologically correct musculoskeletal system. Now, the robot still can't run very far without falling over, but it's impressive to watch its movements nonetheless.
