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BeeLine's bike computer makes every ride an adventure
Cycling in a city can be stressful, especially if you're headed somewhere that you've never been to before. Most people ride with a specialized cycle computer, or with a smartphone strapped to their handlebars. While useful, both devices can be a distraction on busy, dangerous roads. Instructive turn-by-turn directions also do little to improve your street-level knowledge -- the screen becomes a crutch, rather than a tool to help you learn about the various roads, bridges and tunnels around you.
LG's next robots include an Echo-like assistant
When LG said it was pouring a ton of effort into robots, it wasn't kidding. The electronics firm is teasing a whole lineup of robots for CES, including one that could theoretically replace your Echo speaker. The flagship, the Hub Robot (not shown here), will serve as both a personal assistant and a smart home platform. This doesn't mean that it'll be the robotic butler of your dreams, but you might not have to walk into a specific room to turn on the lights using your voice.
Essential Camping Gadgets For Survival
Regardless of the type of trip, you are taking soonest; there are a lot of exciting gadgets that can help you stay safe and have fun.
5 Outdoor Tech Gadgets you Need in your Life
We're taking a look at some of the coolest tech for camping and general out and about use this summer and beyond.
6 tents that take technology off-grid
By Cat DiStasio People often go camping to escape the modern world, but a little technology can make a good vacation even better. The tents of the future set up in a snap, protect campers from lightning strikes and incorporate solar panels so you can keep your cellphone charged. Some even allow you to sleep high off the ground in a suspended treehouse. Read on for a look at six high-tech tents that offer a temporary oasis away from home.
Google shutters My Tracks outdoor activity-logging app
Google's My Tracks app for logging outdoor activity isn't long for this world. The company plans to shutter the software at the end of April, though it regularly updated the GPS-based app in quite some time. This isn't just an end of support, the app won't run at all after that date. If you stuck with My Tracks, Google says you can export collected data to Drive or external storage. The company says closing down the app will allow it to focus on "more wide-reaching mapping projects."
This drone follows you down the trail after you toss it up in the air
Aerial footage is a nice way to capture those action sports endeavors, and it's even better if you can fit the gear in your backpack. Lily ticks those boxes, and all you have to do to launch it is toss it up in the air. Once airborne, the camera UAV will follow you down the slopes or along the trail thanks to a tracking device that you wear on your wrist (or stuff in a pocket, we'd surmise). It's a similar setup to the Airdog we saw on Kickstarter last year. On board, the drone packs a camera capable of 12-megapixel stills, 1080p footage at 60 frames per second and 720p video at 120 fps. Those optics offer a 94-degree filed of view and the settings can be dialed in with a smartphone app. You can take the thing out on the water too, as the drone is waterproof and floats -- should it land in the rapids.
Braven's BRV-PRO modular speaker is a camper's delight
A Swiss Army knife and a Leatherman. Both of those items are capable of performing a number of tasks while remaining compact and easily packable. But what if the portable speaker that provides your campsite with tunes could do multiple things? Well, Braven's BRV-PRO can not only recharge your phone or tablet, but also its smattering of add-ons provide light, extend battery life, juice up the gadget with the sun's rays and more. The speaker is still fairly small despite its modular aspirations, so it won't take up much space in your backpack. If you splurge for the full collection of accessories though, the entire setup demands a slightly larger pocket, but they're all flat and should stow easily.
Friendly competition on the slopes by using Lines
We had the first big snow storm of the season and some ski resorts are already open and others are getting ready for the season. That means you and your friends need to be preparing for the first ski trip of the winter. As part of you preparations, I recommend you download Lines onto your phone. Lines is a new app for skiers and snowboarders that allows you to turn the trips with your buddies into a friendly competition. Lines is just for iPhones and runs on iOS 7.0 or later. If you and your friends are like most groups I know, everything you do becomes a competition on some level whether it is downing a few cold ones or shooting some hoops in the back yard. Guys are competitive by nature and now with Lines your ski trips can become single day or trip long contests based just on your skiing. Once you complete a free registration on the app, you can strap on your skis or board and hit the slope. Set up a new Ride and hit the start button. Lines tracks a variety of elements while you ski or snowboard and awards points. The app measures how far you ski. And you get points for that. What was your maximum speed? You earn points for that too so the faster you get down the hill the more points you receive. How big was the vertical drop? The steeper the slope the higher the points awarded. You can also earn points for the number of runs you make each day, how many jumps you take, and how much time you spend in the air after jumping. At the end of each run, save the data and Lines will compile a running total of all the categories. Once the run is saved, you can go back to check the data and Lines also inserts a map showing your run on the mountain. At the end of the day while sipping a refreshing cup of cocoa or another drink of your choice you and your friends can check out your profiles and compare all the various areas plus the all important points total for the day. Find out not only who scored the most points but who skied the longest distance and went the fastest. You and your friends can set up your own group within the app and keep track of how each of you are doing if you some times ski alone or with a different set of people. You can also check other users from around the world. The developer is an English company and all the groups I saw were in the UK but you can change that. Download Lines and get your friends to join you and let's find out who the champion skier is in your group. Maybe you can even find a way that the low total buys those refreshing drinks at the end of the day.
MTBProject offers big assist for mountain biking enthusiasts
If you do a lot of mountain biking, you need this app. You should download MTBProject even if you only hit the trails occasionally. The free universal app runs on iOS 6.1 or later and offers an in depth database of thousands of trails across the United States and users don't need to have cell or wi-fi service to use the app. The MTBProject app allows users to access detailed information on all of these trails beforehand and download the information to your phone. Users automatically can see trails near their current location but can also choose data on trails from all fifty states, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and some European and Asian countries. Just download the ones you need and you can delete the info later if you want. Once you select the state, the map indicates where included trails can be found and as you zoom in on the map the individual trails become visible. Each trail is color-coded from green to green/yellow to yellow to yellow/blue to black as they increase in the number of challenges and overall difficulty. The map has satellite imagery so users can get a good look at just what the terrain will be along the path. Tap the trail you want to ride and the app brings up an overview with the length of the trail, how much change of elevation both going up and coming back down, the highest and lowest points of the trail, a detailed map, an elevation profile, and any photos other users have uploaded to the app from along the trail. At the bottom of the page is a detail written description of just what riders will encounter during the trip including climbs, descents, obstacles, changes in surface, and other details to let you know what lies ahead. The profile section for each trail provides riders with a side view of what the elevation changes are along the entire route, The graph shows actual elevations along the trail and by tapping anywhere along the route you will see the distance from the beginning of the ride, the elevation, and the angle of the slope at that point. Other markings on the trail maps include parking locations, hazards, and scenic overlooks. Additionally once you check in and begin your ride, the GPS in your phone will mark your exact location on the trail map. About the only other thing users might want is some type of social media connection that you could use to share your ride or pictures right from the app. Overall I found MTBProject to be quite detailed and thorough with loads of graphics, photos, and information that should give mountain biking enthusiasts just about everything they need to be prepared for their next cycling adventure.
ConnectedAfield: A worthwhile hunting and fishing companion
When you're planning your next hunting or fishing trip and putting together a list of all the items you need to take with you, consider downloading ConnectedAfield. This free universal app requires iOS 7.1 or later and will provide you with some helpful tools for your time in the wilderness. ConnectedAfield offers some features you would expect. Users can get the latest weather information based on their GPS location. The weather information includes the current data, hourly and daily forecasts and the latest radar image for your location. You will also have access to updated solunar tables listing sunrise, sunset, and moonrise times plus the most likely feeding times for your prey. I found the Mapping feature to be especially useful. The app provides interactive maps based on your GPS location. Or you can enter a location so you can use the map before your trip. Once you call up a map you can save it for future use. ConnectedAfield allows users to put marks on the map to identify important spots. Users get a number of symbols to choose from to use as markers so you can indicate spots where you killed a specific animal such as a deer or bear, a good place to camp, where you placed a trail camera, a feeding area, where a tree stand is located, yours or someone else's, a rock pile off shore in a lake where fish congregate and many more. Almost no limit to the number and kinds of spots you can mark for future reference. Another feature in mapping is the use of a ruler to measure the distance between two points. Just place the crosshairs from the app on the two points and the distance appears at the bottom of the screen. This will be useful if you are marking the distance from camp or off a road, or how long the hike is to an area you want to hunt. Lots of uses for this tool. ConnectedAfield has a social media section too so you can check out pictures and information from other outdoorsmen or post your trip info and photos of your kills or catches. This area is broken into more specific segments for general information, predators, or almost every type of prey you can hunt or catch: bear, deer, elk, waterfowl, small game, fresh water fish, salt water fish, and many more. Three other sections worth noting. The app provides an area for you to compile a journal so you make notes on each trip. ConnectedAfield also saves the weather and solunar information with each entry. The second area is a classified section so you can buy and sell all kinds of hunting and fishing gear or services. And finally users will find links to each state's hunting and fishing regulations so you can double check season dates and catch and size limitations. Overall I believe ConnectedAfield will prove to be a valuable app to keep with you the next time you venture out hunting or fishing. You will still need the knowledge and skills to be successful but it provides some important assists.
Generate power to recharge gadgets while grilling with this camp stove
BioLite has been recharging smartphones, action cams and GPS units via camp stove fire since 2012, but now it's offering a larger model that will grill enough grub to feed your entire crew. The BaseCamp stove offers the same heat-to-electricity conversion, but with a much larger cooking surface for grilling dinner (up to eight burgers at a time) for more than just a pair of weary hikers. The built-in power pack has been upgraded as well, generating 5W and storing power for juicing up devices during dessert alongside a UI that gauges temperature and displays the amount of electricity being generated. Need to use a pot to boil water? That cooking surface can wrangle the flame for optimal output with the flip of a lever. If all of that sounds too good to pass up, units are set to ship in September and you can one for $299 during the company's Kickstarter effort.
Spot Gen3 outdoor beacon adds more robust tracking options, improved battery life
It looks nearly the same as it did in 2007, but Spot's outdoor beacon has evolved quite nicely on the inside. Now in its third incarnation, the Spot Gen3 is designed to help wandering argonauts keep their loved ones informed of their location for an even longer period of time. Engineered to be worn by those intentionally heading off of the conventional grid, the Spot Gen3 adds unlimited tracking (enabling wearers to pre-set the device to send tracks every 5, 10, 30 or 60 minutes), motion activated tracking and longer battery life. According to the company, this guy will last nearly twice as long as prior versions, and you can also power it via battery or USB. The downside, of course, is that you'll need to pay $149.95 for the unit itself, along with a required annual subscription plan that starts at $149.99 per year. No one ever said adventuring was a poor man's sport, eh?
Mobile device power shines with Etón's new BoostSolar
It may rank closer to the "inconvenience" end on the post-disaster scale of challenges, but a lack of power for mobile devices certainly didn't help matters in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy last year. Innovative devices like the BioLite camp stove made appearances on the streets of New York as residents scoured darkened neighborhoods for a chance to plug in. For accessory manufacturer Etón, which partners with the American Red Cross to co-brand emergency-use chargers, radios and flashlights, flexible charging is a key component of the company's product line. Many Etón products include a handcrank option for quick charging when you're off the grid. The latest member of the Etón family draws its joules from a new, old source: the sun. The $US99.99 BoostSolar charger includes both a conventional, replaceable 5000mAh lithium battery and a solar panel for walkabout charging. You can plug the battery in to any USB port to charge the night before your hike (7 hours to full charge) and then march on with solar charging to top off during the day (16 hours from zero to full on solar alone). With a nod towards outdoor and camping use, the BoostSolar includes corner fastening loops for a carabiner or backpack strap. It's also rated IPX-4 for splash and rain resistance -- it might not survive being dropped in a puddle, but short of that it should be good to go. The BoostSolar can charge both 1A and 2.1A USB devices, so the iPad will fast-charge when connected. A micro-USB input port allows the use of most non-iPhone device chargers to top off the battery, or you can connect a micro-USB cable to almost any iOS device charger and be good to go. If you're shopping for the BoostSolar, it's available -- in black or green -- starting today from Amazon, buygreen.com and REI. Additional lithium battery packs will be available separately.
STMicroelectronics details pressure sensor in your Galaxy S III, can tell when you're mountaineering
If you're the sort to tear down your Galaxy S III, you might have noticed a mysterious STMicroelectronics LSP331AP chip lurking on the motherboard. While we've known that it's a pressure sensor, we now know that it's a new generation -- new enough that ST is just getting to explaining the technology to a mainstream audience. The piezoresistor-equipped MEMS chip tracks altitude through atmospheric pressure with an uncanny knack for precision; it can tell when you've crossing between floors, which could be more than handy for future iterations of indoor navigation. Don't worry if you're an extreme sports junkie that might push the limits, either. The sensor can do its job at the kinds of pressure you'd normally see when 32,800 feet high or 5,900 feet below sea level, which should keep it working even if you're checking your phone during a climb up K2 or a HALO skydive. We don't know if anyone beyond Samsung is lined up to use ST's pressure sensor in their devices, but we wouldn't be surprised if it becomes a mainstay for smartphones and outdoor gear in the near future.
Garmin unveils Fenix, its first GPS watch for deep-pocketed outdoorsy types (hands-on)
There may be a few more years remaining before a forced retirement, but there's no question that dedicated automotive GPS units are on the way out. Integrated products, apps and the aviation sector will keep companies like Garmin afloat, but now's as good a time as any to focus on other markets -- and where better to slap that global positioning goodness than on our wrists. Watches seems to be a growing focus for the guidance giant, following last month's GPS-less Garmin Swim introduction. That device has a relatively narrow target (namely, swimmers willing to invest $150 in the sport), but the company is back with a more versatile wearable, complete with an altimeter, barometer, compass, an optional external ANT temperature sensor and Bluetooth connectivity. There's also a GPS receiver, which can be used not only to calibrate the time and sensors, but also to track a route, direct you towards waypoints and guide you back to your starting point with TracBack. The Fenix, as the full-featured watch is being called, is expected to retail for $400 when it hits stores at the end of August. Four bills hardly qualifies it for the luxury wristwatch category, but as digital wearables go, that's certainly approaching the top end. We had an opportunity to try out the device in an office setting (not exactly an ideal environment for a rugged GPS watch, but that's the best we could do in the middle of NYC), and the Fenix had quite a bit of heft to it -- it'll surely look out of place on smaller wrists, and probably won't score you any points among fashion-conscious friends. Inner geeks should be appeased, however -- the enclosure definitely seems an adequate size for housing all of those instruments. It also functions quite nicely as a watch -- in default mode, it displays the time and date in large characters on the backlit LCD, with a nifty ring around the digits to indicate seconds. The Garmin Fenix is on track for a late-August ship date, but you can scroll through the gallery below or dive into the PR after the break to get your fix in the meantime.%Gallery-159616%
National Geographic TOPO! maps find their way to Magellan eXplorist GPS devices
If you're more about the mountainous views, than Mountain View, then you might be pleased to hear that Magellan is bringing National Geographic's TOPO! maps to its eXplorist range of outdoor GPS devices. More specifically the 310, 510, 610 and 710 models. If you like the sound of the full color USGS topographic maps, then they are available on a subscription basis for $30 a year. If you don't already own a Magellan device, however, then you might be more interested in one of the forthcoming TOPO! bundles, if you can find your way to a retailer that is.
Ask Massively: Stay inside edition
In sharp contrast to last week's advice, this time around, I'm advising everyone to stay inside. There's all sorts of cool stuff wherever you are right now, and it's kind of hot out today. Besides, look at how much fun Christopher Walken is having inside. Don't you want to be like Christopher Walken? Don't you want the ability to fly when your indoor cavorting requires it? In other news, please enjoy the earbug that's infected the entirety of the Massively staff on the day this was written. In other other news, it's time for this week's installment of Ask Massively, addressing significantly less weighty issues than last week's gold selling question. No, this week we're talking about old livestream videos, the reason for the non-ubiquity of authenticators, and of course, the great outdoors. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future edition of the column, leave it in the comments or send it along to ask@massively.com.
Ricoh unveils waterproof, dirt-resistant PX camera for outdoorsy photographers
Just a few months after releasing its outdoorsy, G700 point and shoot, Ricoh has taken the wraps off yet another rugged digital camera -- the waterproof, shockproof and dust-resistant PX. This small warrior packs a 16-megapixel CCD sensor along with a 5x optical wide zoom lens and is capable of booting up in just 1.4 seconds. The device also supports subject-tracking and face-priority auto-focus features, in addition to a host of shooting modes, including toy camera, soft-focus and high-contrast black and white, among others. Most alluring, however, is its resilience. According to Ricoh, the PX can survive drops from an altitude of up to five feet, remains waterproof at depths of about ten feet, and is impermeable to dust, sand and dirt. There's also a 2.7-inch, scratch-resistant LCD on its backside, meaning you won't have to worry about casually tossing it in your backpack as you make your way along the trail. More flamboyant hikers, meanwhile, can add their own personal touch to the PX by wrapping it in a protective silicon sleeve, available in five, vibrant colors. If you're interested, you can grab a PX of your own when it hits stores later this month, for $300 AUD (about $317). You can check out some sample images from Digital Photography Review by hitting the link below, or flip through some pics of the PX in the gallery below. There's also a full PR waiting for you, after the break. %Gallery-125925%
Garmin announces redesigned line of eTrex GPS handhelds with enhanced geocaching
Lost hikers and outdoorsmen will soon have yet another arrow to add to their navigational quivers, now that Garmin has decided to upgrade its eTrex line of GPS handhelds. The refresh, announced this morning, will bring three new models to the eTrex family during the third quarter of this year. First up is the eTrex 10 -- a basic, $120 little guy that carries a global database of locations, as well as a monochrome display that can be read under the sun. The $200 eTrex 20, on the other hand, displays images in 65k color on a 2.2-inch screen and can support topographic, roadway and marine maps. At the high end of the spectrum is the eTrex 30 ($300), which offers all the features you'll find on the eTrex 20, plus a tilt-compensated electronic compass, barometric altimeter and wireless data transfer capabilities. All three models allow users to download geocached information directly to their devices and boast a lengthy 25-hour battery life -- giving you plenty of time to find your bearings before calling in the rescue squad. Full PR after the break.
