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All-weather Satsports GPS handles navigation duties for snow bunnies, other athletes (video)

by Darren Murph posted Oct 15th 2009 at 2:13PM

Ripxx is already targeting athletes-in-training with its GPS-enabled Personal Measurement Device, but it looks as if that very unit may have a little competition. Satsports GPS claims to be the world's first device to combine "true real time interactive navigation for skiing, snowboarding, golfing, running, cycling and automotive enthusiasts in a portable, all-weather device." Granted, it's not like you couldn't get your hands on a rugged navigator before, but the software here is what takes things to another level. It promises athletes real-time routing and data logging, and after your runs are through, you can sync the data with Google Earth to get a good look at what all you just accomplished. As for specs, you'll find a 2.7-inch touchscreen, 400MHz Samsung processor and a microSD expansion card. Oh, and if you're not down with dropping $490 on this, you can opt for the Satski, Pocket Caddy and / or Sports Log apps for WinMo and Android. Check the details in the press release and demo vid after the break.

Gallery: All-weather Satsports GPS handles navigation duties for snow bunnies, other athletes (video)

Continue reading All-weather Satsports GPS handles navigation duties for snow bunnies, other athletes (video)

Sony single lens 240 fps camera is great for 3D (& 2D) sports

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 1st 2009 at 3:56AM

We've said it before and we'll say it again, sports, not movies or video games is 3D's killer app, and this prototype camera from Sony is designed specifically to help bring the two closer together. Set to debut at CEATEC next week, the HFR Comfort-3D records at 240 fps through just one lens instead of two thanks to a new half-mirror system that takes left and right eye images at the same time, better for capturing fast motion and providing viewers lacking polarized glasses a 2D picture with minimal blurring. One of our few complaints during last year's BCS National Championship 3D experience was occasional benefits caused by fast left-right motion which this system could make a non-issue. Check after the break for a detailed (in Japanese) diagram that should help make things clearer -- for those that can read the language -- the rest of us are waiting for ESPN or someone else to tote a few of these down to the Super Bowl in 2010 and make magic happen.

[Via AV Watch, thanks Derek for English PR]

Continue reading Sony single lens 240 fps camera is great for 3D (& 2D) sports

Video: TOTO robot catches tennis balls, hopes for a deeper purpose in life

by Darren Murph posted Sep 30th 2009 at 10:41AM

Fido conked out for the evening? Your youngster not really into "playing catch" at age 14? Enter TOTO -- a brilliant robotic contraption conceived at Reinhold-Würth University -- that can absolutely act as a suitable replacement. Short for Tracking of Thrown Objects, the camera-equipped system views and tracks incoming objects, and once said object is within catching range, it clamps down in order to grab hold. Eventually, the inventors would love to see the machine have an impact within a manufacturing facility, but considering just how effective conveyor belts have been over the past few scores, we'd say it has its work cut out for it. Video's after the break, and it's worth checking out.

[Via PlasticPals]

Continue reading Video: TOTO robot catches tennis balls, hopes for a deeper purpose in life

Wii Sports Resort bundle doubles-down with a MotionPlus pair: $60 on October 12

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 25th 2009 at 6:23AM

The Tokyo Game Show may be winding down but a few bits of information are still trickling out. Like this new limited edition Wii Sport Resort bundle with a pair of MotionPlus accessories. The bundle lands on October 12th for a penny shy of $60 -- saving you $10 if you bought the standard $50 Sport Resort with MotionPlus plus a second $20 MotionPlus separately. Hoozah?

Ripxx debuts Personal Measurement Device for exercise nerds and Olympic athletes

by Darren Murph posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 6:49PM

If we're being candid, the Ripxx Personal Measurement Device (or PMD, as the hip kids call it) looks a lot like the original SPOT with the addition of a display. But aside from the physical likeness, there aren't too many similarities between the two gizmos. Launched this month, the handheld fitness tool is apt to be a surefire winner for any competitive athlete, not to mention competitive individuals in general who just need a statistical way to track their dominance. Essentially, an integrated GPS tracker pumps out ten tracking signals every second during, let's say, a ski run. That information, coupled with data gathered from a trio of accelerometers and gyroscopes, is used to record your location, orientation, speed, vertical drop, rolls, spins, turns and just about any other movement you make. Once you're done, those points can be plotted on a map for review. We're told that the U.S. Olympic team is already using a prototype to train for the 2010 winter games, though mere lay people won't be able to buy one until mid-December for $329.

Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 23rd 2009 at 9:03AM

Know what's more alluring to the five-O than glazed confectionary goods? Nintendo's Wii, apparently. Or at least the lure of bowling without all the heavy lifting. See, a team of undercover cops raiding the home of a convicted Florida drug dealer was smitten enough by the console to quit their search and fire up Wii Sports for a bit of taxpayer fun over a period of, oh... about nine hours -- unaware that the home security system was recording the whole thing. Your dose of self-righteous indignation can be found after the break.

[Thanks, Maurice]

Continue reading Video: Drug raid turns into 9 hour Wii bowl-a-thon

Rugged, waterproof Predator VX360 wearable camcorder destined for X Games

by Darren Murph posted Sep 22nd 2009 at 2:50AM

Had your daily dose of Sal Masekela? No? Shame on you! Though, we have to say, if this here wearable camcorder takes off, you could very well hear that very fellow doing color commentary over some pretty sick footage. The Predator VX360 is a rugged, waterproof wearable video camera that's engineered to withstand abuse from the elements while popping 1080 kickflips on the halfpipe, and unlike many head-worn alternatives, this one has its recording module (complete with a built-in LCD) strapped to an armband. The "eyeball camera" is still meant to cling tightly to your dome, but details are scant when it comes to resolution and the like. It's available now for daredevils in the UK, though the £549.99 ($892) sticker is apt to keep most of 'em at bay.

[Via I4U News]

Garmin debuts Edge 500 GPS for bicyclists, determined unicyclists

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 2nd 2009 at 10:12AM

Garmin's cyclist-minded GPS devices have sure come a long way from their earlier, bulkier days, and it looks like the company has now produced one of its sleekest units to date in the form of its new Edge 500 GPS. Like most such devices, this one is primarily intended to track your cycling progress rather than lead you to your destination, and it promises to give you precise data on things like speed, distance, time, calories burned, and even climb and descent information, which is further bolstered by a built-in barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation. The unit can also sync up with various third-party devices that make use of ANT+ technology, and it can naturally be paired with a Garmin heart rate monitor to keep a close watch on your vitals. Look for the standalone unit to set you back about $250, while the bundle with a heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor bumps things up to $350.

NFL to let Cowboys giant HD scoreboard stay as-is, at least for 2009

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 30th 2009 at 7:16PM

The NFL has ruled on the Dallas Cowboys punt blocking super-sized videoboard deciding to leave it where it is, 90 feet above the playing field, at least for this season. That's no surprise to us, on the last EHD Podcast we figured no one would be able to tell Jerry Jones there's a problem with his billion dollar baby, obstructed view seating and all. So far there's just the one strike in the books, but if it happens again, it is a dead ball and the clock and down will both be reset. Haven't seen the punt heard round the world yet? Check after the break for a clip of the kick that caused all the commotion, though we're still waiting for a ruling on whether or not Gears of War tournaments on the thing are still legal.

Continue reading NFL to let Cowboys giant HD scoreboard stay as-is, at least for 2009

Nintendo KIRFs Nerf with soft football patent attempt

by Vladislav Savov posted Aug 26th 2009 at 9:31AM

Ready for your daily dose of absurdity? Nintendo has filed for patent protection of yet another inflatable idea, this time throwing up a spongy football accoutrement for your Wiimote. The "ball" has a strap to keep you from actually throwing it, and in-game trajectories are calculated on the basis of the angle and force of your pseudo-throwing motion. If you're thinking the Wiimote can do all this even without a plush attachment, you'd be right, but then you'd just look silly jumping and juking in front of your TV without a proper accessory in hand.

[Via Joystiq]

Roku Video player now streaming live HD baseball games from MLB.TV

by Nilay Patel posted Aug 11th 2009 at 12:01AM

We've always loved the Roku Video Player, and it's getting even more flexible over time -- in addition to Netflix and Amazon video rentals, the $99 box can now play, pause, and rewind live HD baseball games in 720p from MLB.TV, as well as play archived games from the previous week on demand. You'll have to pay the one-time MLB.TV subscription fee of $35, but that's not terrible, especially if you're an out-of-market fan looking to catch your favorite team without having to trek out to a bar. Now if only the NFL would let anyone but DirecTV carry Sunday Ticket, we'd be all set.

Gallery: Roku Video Player MLB.TV interface

Nike announces updated Nike+ SportBand

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 14th 2009 at 4:16AM

The original Nike+ SportBand was pretty well received when it rolled out last year, but time marches on, and Nike's now back for another go 'round with a slightly updated model, plus a few other bonuses for the runners and walkers out there. In addition to some new two-tone color schemes, the updated Nike+ SportBand packs an improved screen with a white background for better visibility, along with a welded seal for water resistance and, of course, all the usual Nike+ features that can be used in conjunction with iPod nano, iPod touch, or iPhone (though you can also just use the device on its own). According to Boing Boing Gadgets' just-published review of the device (linked below), all of that is "pretty rad" and, at just $59, is certainly affordable, especially considering that it can also double as a watch. What's more, Nike's also announced that it has merged its existing nikeplus.com and nikerunning.com sites into one site, and it's dropped word that an iPhone / iPod touch-specific website is also in the works, although there's no word on a launch date for it just yet.

Read - Nike+ SportBand Press Release
Read - Boing Boing Gadgets Review

[Via ipodnn]

Pool-Mate watch packs built-in accelerometer to track laps

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 1st 2009 at 9:41PM

It may not monitor your heart rate or double as a media player like some other devices for swimmers, but this new Pool-Mate watch from Swimovate looks like it should appeal to quite a few folks nonetheless, with it packing a built-in accelerometer to help you keep track of lap counts. That's apparently done by detecting the glide portion of your swim after each turn, which Swmovate says it's able to do with 99.75 percent accuracy in all pools longer than 10 meters. You'll also be able to use it to keep track of your overall time, average strokes per lap, speed, distance, and calories burned. Somewhat strangely, however, Swimovate says that the watch will only last for about twelve months, after which you'll actually have to send it back to the company to get the battery replaced. A bit of a drawback, to be sure, but the $114 price tag isn't too out of line, and you won't have to wait long to get your hands on one, with it set to ship later this month. Head on past the break for a quick video overview.

Continue reading Pool-Mate watch packs built-in accelerometer to track laps

Apple patent filing shows off activity monitor for skiers, bikers

by Laura June posted Jun 11th 2009 at 2:46PM

Fans of more extreme sports will probably be stoked to hear that Apple just might be developing a device with them in mind. Apple Insider's discovered a recent patent filing that could possibly signal the development of a monitoring device (much like Nike+) which can detect, track, and display a visual and quantitative measure, for instance, of a skier's speed and air time. The device looks like it would contain one or more loft sensors (in one photo it is shown installed in a snowboard) and a microprocessor subsystem to determine loft time. There are of course, no guarantees that a product like this will ever see the light of day, but we sure hope so: runner favoritism must end. One more page of the filing after the break.

Continue reading Apple patent filing shows off activity monitor for skiers, bikers

Volleyball-playing robot has Mac mini brain, heart of a champion

by Donald Melanson posted May 29th 2009 at 5:24PM

Volleyball-playing robots may only come around every ten years or so, but they at least bring along some fairly big improvements when they do show up -- like actual mobility, in this case. Of course, "volleyball-playing" is still a bit of a stretch. The bot is actually designed to be more of a training aid, with it making use of a range of sensors, built-in GPS, a compass, and an iSight camera (all linked to a Mac mini) to track down balls and set them up for spiking drills. As you can see in the unfortunately short video after the break, all of that more or less works as advertised, although it seems that we'll still have to wait quite a while for the inevitable robot vs. robot match.

Continue reading Volleyball-playing robot has Mac mini brain, heart of a champion