Hasta La Gadget!

Outdoor Technology might be a name that only some are familiar with, so here is a little bit of an “educational class”, so to speak. Basically, the company is the cutting-edge creator of action lifestyle accessories, where they will soon let you rock out under your helmet thanks to the introduction of CHIPS, a wireless drop-in audio system which will play nice in all helmets with audio enabled liners – a universal device, actually. Extreme sport enthusiasts will definitely fall in love with it, as they can now enjoy their favorite tunes while making calls without having to take off their helmets. The patent pending method of delivering wireless audio to helmets is touted to be the first its kind in the market, and it also delivers a tangle free solution to the action sports market.

Using it is a snap actually, being so simple, you can basically rock out and speak freely sans any pesky wires hanging around from April 2013 onwards in locations such as Chile, Australia and New Zealand. As for other regions, interested folks will just have to wait until winter 2013, where it will be accompanied by a sticker price tag of $129.95.

Caro Krissman, Co-Founder and CEO, said, “The CHIPS are a game changer, we solved a problem with a simple solution that changes the game for the hundreds millions who ski or board with helmets with no good audio system. Why have annoying wires and small buttons hanging from your helmet or no audio at all when you can be totally connected yet unplugged with simple easy to use controls.”

Using the Outdoor Technology CHIPS will require you to just drop the CHIPS into the slots within a helmet liner, and you can then listen to your favorite tunes or make calls without ever having to remove your helmet. Thanks to a minimalist two button design, you are able to operate the CHIPS inside any liner, even when you are equipped with the bulkiest gloves or mittens. Double click the left earpiece and you can raise the volume just in case the other party is a little bit hard to hear, and double click again to lower the volume. In order to play/pause, press the right earpiece once and you’re good to go.

Press Release
[ Outdoor Technology CHIPS announced copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers around, but not many are capable of being used outside, at least without suffering damage from the elements. The Turtle Shell is pretty durable, and it will play your music almost anywhere.

Outdoor Technology’s Turtle Shell is a rugged Bluetooth-enabled speaker made to handle plenty of rough situations. It’s shock-proof, dust-proof and water-resistant. The underside of the shell has a threaded mount for any standard tripod and a reinforced latch to attach carabiners too. The controls are pretty simple. It has three buttons, which allow you to change songs. It also comes with a built-in microphone to receive and make calls.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for 9 hours and comes in a number of different colors. It was launched over on Kickstarter, and has already amassed about $9,000 of it’s $40,000 goal with 17 days of fundraising left. You’ll have to pledge $99(USD) to get yours.

[via Cool Hunting]