Hasta La Gadget!

Wearables like Google Glass may be eye-catching, but it’s tiny fitness monitors like Jawbone UP, Nike Fuelband, and others that are actually showing up clipped or strapped to people, and that’s the market Fitbit is chasing with the new Flex. We grabbed some hands-on time with the new Bluetooth 4.0 equipped activity dongle – and its companion smartphone app – at CES to see if it could oust UP from our wrist.

It’s certainly small. While Fitbit has been focusing on Flex as used with a wristband, the dongle itself can be removed and used with another type of clip; when out, it’s a small, sturdy lozenge of plastic. On the outer edge there’s a discrete row of LEDs which show your progress toward your daily goal in 20-percent increments; it’s a nice balance between the fuller (but battery-consuming) display of the Fuelband, and the UP which gives no feedback whatsoever until you plug it into your phone.

The strap itself fixes on snugly, and Fitbit will supply two sizes to suit different wrists; it’ll also be available in a range of colors, depending on whether you want a more discrete black, or prefer something eye-catching like bright red.

Fitbit Flex hands-on:

It’s the app and the Bluetooth that really make Flex special, however. The low-power Bluetooth – when used with the right phone – sends over performance data in real-time to your device, allowing you to monitor how you’re going through the day. It also records sleep patterns, showing different light or deep phases, and telling you if you’ve had a rough night.

All in all, we’re left with warm, fuzzy feelings about the Flex, and even though Fitbit is later to the market with it than Nike or Jawbone, the company appears to have learned from its forebears with elements like the battery-sipping LEDs and the water-resistance. It’s up for preorder now, priced at $99.99, and will ship in the spring.

Fitbit Flex hands-on is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Sony has unveiled a massive array of Cybershot and Handycam cameras and camcorders that it will be rolling out this year. The 8 Handycam models support Bravia’s TRILUMINOS Display, while the 7 Cybershot models boast an array of features, including water resistance, durability, and a combination of CCD and CMOS sensors. Check out the pictures after the jump.

First up is the upcoming Cybershot line, which is comprised of the following models: the WX200 (18.2-megapixels, Exmor R CMOS sensor), WX80(16.2-megapixels, Exmor R CMOS sensor), WX60 (16.2-megapixels, Exmor R CMOS sensor), TF1 (16.1-megapixels, Super HAD CCD sensor), H200 (20.1-megapixels, Super HAD CCD sensor), W730 (16.1-megapixels, Super HAD CCD sensor), and the W710 (16.1-megapixels, Super HAD CCD sensor).

All of the models feature a 2.7-inch ClearPhoto LCD with the exception of the H200, which has a 3-inch display. The WX60, WX80, and WX200 models feature Improved Superior Auto and Improved Optical Steadyshot, and support for TRILUMINOS color. The latter two models are both Wi-Fi enabled, while all seven models feature Advanced Flash and Beauty Effect. All seven models will be released in Europe next month.

The Handycam camcorder line up is composed of the following models: the PJ780VE, JP650VE, PJ420VE, PJ320E, CX410VE, CX320E, CX280E, and the CX220E. All the camcorders feature full HD recording, TRILUMINOS Display support, and the Exmor R CMOS sensor, as well as optical/extended zoom of various powers. Select models include Sony’s Advanced Sound System. Like the Cybershot models, these Handycams will roll out next month.

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Sony shows off new lines of Handycam camcorders and Cybershot cameras is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The folks from Verizon Wireless have a new tablet to grace their blazing fast 4G LTE network. That tablet is the popular and versatile Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and its S-Pen stylus. While the content creating device has been available for some time, Verizon leaks show it’s coming soon and this is the first we’ve seen of it. So lets take a quick look.

First off, The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 4G LTE on Verizon is nearly the exact same as the original model readily available, only it has a few noteworthy additions we mention in our hands-on video below. For one, the tablet is already updated to the latest Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean with Samsung’s Multi-view multi window mode, as well as allowing complete resizing and dragging.

The original Note 10.1 is still currently on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and doesn’t feature the multi-view modes that will be available at launch with Verizon. In case you aren’t familiar, this allows you to browse the web while viewing an email. Or watch YouTube while replying to that pesky boss all with ease using the full 10.1-inch screen and Android multitasking. Check it out below.

Now for the details, since you should all know plenty from our Galaxy Note 10.1 Review. Verizon’s 4G LTE packing edition rocks Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, has multi-view window modes, as well as all new photo editing tools. Verizon hasn’t confirmed much at this point, but Samsung states it will be available later this month. No details on pricing at this point but we’ve reached out to Verizon and will update accordingly.

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 4G LTE hands-on is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Action camcorders that you strap onto your body in whatever fashion are a dime a dozen nowadays. However, we came across a new similar device that offers some of the same features as today’s action cams, but it’s specifically meant for business use, specifically police officers. It’s called the Vidcie Tough from Looxcie, and it allows users to catch all the action from a person’s point of view.

We ended up getting some hands-on time with the new camera, and it’s actually one of the company’s more rugged offerings over the Looxcie 2 and the Looxcie HD. However, the Tough doesn’t shoot high-definition, but the camera allows you to stream the video in real-time back to headquarters, allowing viewers to see exactly what you see from the same perspective.

Obviously, from the pictures we took, the camera mounts to the side of glasses or sunglasses, and it offers a no-hassle approach to recording and streaming video. You can also use the camera alongside the mobile app on a smartphone or tablet, providing that you’re on a mobile network or a WiFi network.

The idea here is that the camera will allow team members to stay in constant contact with one another, and the public safety field is the perfect application for this type of camera. Looxcie points out that the camera can be a great training device, like creating first-person training videos, and it can provide much more interactive tools for users, instead of just still images.

Looxcie Vidcie Tough camcorder hands-on is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amped Wireless is famous for its super-strength WiFi gear, which can stretch internet over huge distances and through houses where no other internet signal dares to tread. We’ve spent the last few minutes taking a look at the hardware it’ll be putting out over the next few months and if you come with us after the break, we’ll talk you through the new range — including a few sneak peeks into what it’s going to be putting out in the future as well as pricing information.

Continue reading Amped Wireless 2013-era super-range WiFi gear unveiled at CES

Filed under: Wireless, Networking

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