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Seiko Slimstick keeps tabs on your exercise routines
While there's a smattering of products out there meant to log your running miles, Seiko's looking out for those who'd rather do a few sit-ups or handle some heavy lifting rather than placing a beating on their knees. The adequately minuscule Slimstick (15-grams; 2- x 6.4- x 0.89-centimeters in size) is meant to reside in the pocket of a given exerciser and track calories burned along with an "overall workout value," which can be benchmarked against one's goal. To do so, it packs a dual-axis accelerometer and a decent amount of fairy dust, and yes, it promises to do all the things your paltry (or lazy, as it were) pedometer simply won't. Your next fitness buddy is available now for just ¥5,775 ($55), or ¥6,980 ($67) with a presumably supreme "strap set."[Via technabob]
Box swap: My Weight Loss Coach
Only a week and a half after we questioned Ubisoft's My Weight Loss Coach boxart -- as we've made a habit of doing with the publisher's boxes -- the placeholder art posted on Amazon has been replaced with a much more predictable and bland cover. While weren't sure if we fancied the previous packshot or not, we're very sure about not liking this one. Ubisoft has done away with the old box's minimalist presentation and Don Hertzfeldt-esque stick figures. Instead, the packaging is crowded with the publisher's enlarged logo, the software's bundled pedometer, a stock photo of a running couple, and a looming, slimmed waist. Also, you can now see the same banner and chunky, slab-serif typeface used on Ubisoft's other "My Coach" covers.Bring your disdain past the post break for larger comparison shots of the boxes.%Gallery-15787%
My Weight Loss Coach boxart: Lazy or fitting?
We loaded up My Weight Loss Coach's product page on Amazon earlier today and received two surprises: $39.99. We're used to seeing that sort of markup only on Square-Enix titles and almost never on casual titles, but we suppose that bundled pedometer comes at a price. That price being ten additional dollars. Its stark, untraditional packaging art. At first, the cover seemed like an apathetic production, reminiscent of the Konami's Best box design, but perhaps this simple, almost Apple-esque approach will draw in weight-concerned adult casuals, Ubisoft's target audience. If they really want to bring in the big bucks, they'll shoot a commercial of someone pulling the case out of a manila envelope while Yael Naim sings the lyrics to "New Soul."If you're one of those strange people who like to judge a title by its actual content and not its cover, jump into our gallery below to see new screenshots of the get-in-shape software. %Gallery-15787% [Via NeoGAF]
Ubisoft's DS pedometer wants you to lose
It's not enough that the Wii Fit is trying to cajole you into getting off your couch and actually engaging in physical activity -- now the DS is worming in on the action. Developer Ubisoft is rolling out My Weight Loss Coach for the handheld, and going the extra mile (ha ha!) by including a pedometer add-on which interfaces with the system. Apparently, the idea is that you'll keep the pedometer in a pocket or on a belt buckle during the day, then plug the unit into your DS and let the software calculate how much fat you've burned -- thus keeping track of your daily regimen and adjusting accordingly. The game / device combo is launching in one-croissant-too-many Europe this summer, no word on when it hits the morbidly obese States.[Via DS Fanboy]
Ubisoft reveals DS pedometer, our fight against the flab begins here
Do your evenings typically consist of you perching your overweight frame on the couch, slurping down microwaveable pizzas between guttural sobs of despair? If so, the compact device above could be the way to a healthier, leaner you. Why? Because that's the pedometer that will ship with Ubisoft's My Weight Loss Coach, silly!We've already stated how much we like this game's simple-yet-elegant visual style, and My Weight Loss Coach's pedometer only elevates it further above more standard training fare on the DS. The idea is straightforward enough: keep the pedometer on your person all day, letting it count every step you take, then plug it into the GBA slot of your DS and let the software analyze how much blubber you've burned off. Pretty soon, you'll look a bit like this guy, right down to the toned arms and rictus grin. Excellent!This should be arriving in Europe this summer, so until then you'll have to breathe in sharply if you want to squeeze into the gallery below.%Gallery-15787%[Via press release]
DS Fit: Ubisoft announces My Weight Loss Coach
For those of you looking for a weight-loss alternative to methamphetamines, you can finally put down that needle -- Ubisoft has just the game for you! My Weight Loss Coach acts as both a fitness coach and nutritionist to help you trim those extra pounds. Pretty soon, you'll be able to slip into that old pair of daisy dukes that kept your telephone ringing all throughout your high school years.The casual software will come bundled with a pedometer, an accessory which detects nearby sexual predators counts every step you take, similar to the Nike+iPod Sports Kit. The device plugs into your DS, presumably through the handheld's GBA slot, and keeps track of your progress, updating your personal profile. Based on the data it gathers, My Weight Loss Coach helps you balance your food intake and meet "landmark checkpoints." And it doesn't even give you meth mouth!The stick-figure art direction is simple but charming, like a Don Hertzfeldt animation, perfect for a genre that doesn't really benefit from graphics that push the system's limits. Check our gallery below for 15 screenshots of the healthy title. My Weight Loss Coach isn't scheduled for release until this summer, but don't wait until then to get off the ice.%Gallery-15787%
USB pedometer logs your steps on the cheap
If you've somehow managed to avoid buying a gizmo with some sort of pedometer built in, the simply-titled USB Pedometer could be the device that finally gets you jazzed about walking. The target-styled unit can be rocked proudly (or not) on one's belt, displays steps taken to 999,999, keeps a log of up to three days of step data, and allows you to upload your information to your Windows-based PC in order to chart your progress. Best of all, this motivator will only set you back $16.99.[Via EverythingUSB]
Sportline's Solo 960 watch packs heart rate monitor, pedometer
Although there's plenty of options out there when scouting a relatively ugly, GPS-enabled timepiece, Sportline is claiming that its Solo 960 is the "world's only heart rate watch and accelerometer combination." This fairly decent looking wristwatch includes a pedometer (which utilizes the motion-sensing accelerometer), the firm's own "3Beat Sensor and One-Touch technologies for ECG accurate heart-rate measurement," an EL backlight, five alarms, dual time zone display, and oh yeah, it actually tells the current time of day, too. Not too shabby for $99.99, we think.
Samsung and Adidas working on SGH-F110 handset?
Although the SGH-F110 was initially believed to be a sure bet, things have since turned, as the German site Area Mobile has updated its article by removing the bulk of the text at Samsung's request. Nevertheless, this could also mean that Sammy just wants the thing kept under wraps a bit longer, so here's what we know so far. The black slider will reportedly boast quad-band GSM and EDGE connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0, a two-megapixel camera, microSD expansion slot, two-inch LCD, and a host of exercise-centric features such as a pedometer, heart rate monitor, distance / calorie burning calculator, and possibly a "voice coach" to keep you going just one more lap. Unsurprisingly, there's no details on price nor availability, and we're still not sure if the pictured design will stick if this thing does emerge, but there's no time like the summer to bust out a fitness phone, eh?[Via Pocket-Lint]
Third-party Wii Pedometer available for the fitness-oriented gamer
We're sure all our readers out there are gearing up for the forthcoming Wii Fit and the plethora of exercise accessories that are sure to follow. In the spirit of that, you can now purchase a quirky "Wii"-branded pedometer to track your fitness goals in a more traditional way. Although it appears a little light on features, the Sports "Gage" Pedometer for Wii Gamers is as inexpensive as it looks at only $6.98, though why it comes shaped like a dog bone is beyond us. The vendor and producer also seem unable to agree on the proper spelling of the word Gage... or is it Guage? (For the record, it's Gauge) But don't let little details like that discourage you! A word of caution, however: the ever-so-slight alteration of the trademarked Wii logo (and complete absence of the word "Nintendo" from its packaging) likely indicates this to be an unlicensed product without any approval from the big N, so don't be fooled that this is any kind of official companion to Wii Fit's balance board. But for such a low price, it might still be of interest to Wii-oriented gyms out there.
Doggy Pedometer ushers in new era of dog training
Sometimes all we can do is tell you about a product and leave it as is. In this case, Yamasa Tokei delivers the canine accessory for which all jogging dog owners have been pining -- the Doggy Pedometer. Tripling as a dog tag, timer, and pedometer, this little gadget has several uses outside of the obvious. Say Scrapps runs away and you want to know how far he went. Or you don't have a pedometer yourself and go jogging with the dog all the time. Or you're a concerned pet owner and want to make sure Scrapps is exercising and running about in the back yard when you're away. Maybe you're a jealous spouse and want to see if your husband is running farther than he says. Perhaps you're an architect and you want to use Scrapper-do to measure long distances. Stop us now.
Stridekick disposable pedometer tells you when to chuck those kicks
Just because you replace your running shoes every time they go all Scruffy McScruffington on you doesn't mean you're necessarily doing your feet a service. Podiatrists, running experts and overprotective moms the world over agree that you should replace your running shoes at around 350-500 miles, which is a good bit before most shoes start showing visible wear. To the rescue is Stridekick, a disposable pedometer designed to be attached to your laces -- a la Nike+iPod -- which tracks the mileage you've put on your shoes on a small display so you know when to throw them out. The device was developed and patented by a pair of Babson College MBA students, who have received an $11,500 grant to develop their idea. Apparently they're already in discussions with running shoe manufacturers, so it might not be too terribly long until you'll start getting nagged by yet another teensy sensor that thinks it's smarter than you.[Via The Raw Feed, image via The Final Sprint]
Sony NW-S205 2GB Network Walkman reviewed
After we let the cat out of the bag, it didn't take long for CNET to get their hands on Sony's latest excuse to exercise. The NW-S205, appearing only in black and housing 2GB of capacity, is their newest Network Walkman and is apparently poised to combat the Nike+iPod craze. It seems to have done quite well at accomplishing that goal, as the myriad of features and bundled accessories (Sony, is that you?) readily revealed its "athletic intentions." Although the reviewers weren't too fond of being forced to transfer files via SonicStage, there was plenty of love for the cigar-shaped DAP. The player seemed well-built for its intentions: having a water (and sweat) resistant enclosure, throwing in a comfortable armband, and including the G-Sensor (Sony's name for a pedometer) made this a viable alternative to Apple's offering. CNET was most impressed with the built-in FM tuner -- something sorely missing on the nano -- and the intelligent playlist changer that hopped lists when you broke into a run or slowed to a walk. Thanks to a $150 asking price and superb "out-of-the-box" functionality, the NW-S205 was highly regarded, and will be tempting legs everywhere to make good use of themselves in August.
Sony packs pedometers into upcoming Network Walkmen
Watch out Apple and Nike, because Sony's got a new set of Network Walkmen waiting in the wings that pack a pedometer right into the players themselves, eliminating the need for a separate kit and expensive pair of sneakers. Although it doesn't sound like the cigar-shaped, 2GB NW-S205F and 1GB NW-S203F will offer the same online experience as you'd find at the Nikeplus website, you're still getting calorie, step, and distance counter functionality right out of the box, along with a stopwatch and FM tuner -- plus an armband to keep everything secure. The nano still holds the edge in screen quality -- and capacity, obviously -- as the new Sonys sport but a one-line OLED display. Pricing here is pretty attractive, with the black S205F and silver S203F going for $150 and $120, respectively, when they hit stores in either September or October.
Nike+iPod Sport Kit review roundup
Even if the the Nike+iPod Sport Kit were inaccurate, unintuitive, and uncomfortable to wear -- which it doesn't seem to be -- the handful of reviews we've read so far all agree that it possesses at least one attribute that might still make it a worthy purchase: it actually motivated the reviewers to run harder and more often than normal. Fortunately for people who also like their gear to function properly, the wireless pedometer cum personal trainer sounds like it does indeed perform as advertised, offering runners and joggers an easy setup, useful mid-workout statistics and updates, and perhaps most helpfully, a polished online interface to plot one's progress against personal goals or compare esoteric stats with exercise enthusiasts around the world. There are a few downsides here, though, not the least of which is the fact that this is basically a disposable product; the non-rechargeable, non-replaceable battery will supposedly crap out after about 1,000 miles or a year of regular use (and that's assuming you remember to reach into your stinky shoes and turn off the transmitter after each run). You'll also have to shell out for a new armband to secure your nano, as most currently available options (except for those from Nike, of course) won't hold the combination of iPod plus wireless receiver. Overall, it doesn't seem like the kit alone is compelling enough to encourage more folks to snatch up a nano, but if you already own one of these diminutive DAPs, it's a cheap way to give it some extra functionality -- especially if you forgo the special pair of $100+ Nike sneakers for a quick and easy DIY mod to your current kicks.Read - CNETRead - Shiny ShinyRead - TewksRead - iLounge Read - WSJ