Hasta La Gadget!

GoPro ain’t the only name in the action camera game, and here at CES Unveiled we’ve just got a look at Liquid Image’s latest mountable cam — the Ego Mini (that’s it on the right, pictured next to the first-gen Ego). It shoots 1080p video at 30 fps or 720p at 60 fps, and is WiFi enabled, so you can livestream if hooked up to something with internet access. Obviously it’s pretty small and light (as well as waterproof), and we saw it nestled inside a motorbike helmet, and in various mount configurations, like four cams pointing in all directions for 360-degree recording, and two side-by-side for 3D video. In camera mode, it can shoot 12-megapixel stills with a continuous photo-taking mode if you want something in-between full video recording.

The Liquid Image app, which has just been released for iOS and will be making its way into the Google Play store at some point in the future, can pair with the cam and solicit the live video view. It can also access data stored on the Ego Mini’s microSD card (up to 32GB supported), and upload short clips to social networks. The app also works as a remote control for taking stills and will allow you to change settings on the camera. We saw the app in action briefly, and it worked as described, with only a little lag in the video stream, and pretty good image quality from what we could tell from an iPhone screen. Due to arrive in stores in August 2013, the Ego Mini is expected to cost $200. Check out the PR after the break for more info, and check out the gallery below for our hands-on pics. If you’re interested in a more integrated action cam specifically for snowsports, we also took a quick tour of Liquid Image’s Apex HD+ goggles (or HD + WiFi depending on your source), which started shipping in November 2012.

Richard Lawler contributed to this report.

Continue reading Hands-on with Liquid Image’s Ego Mini action cam at CES Unveiled

Filed under: Cameras, Wearables, Wireless, HD

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BodyMedia introduced its CORE 2 fitness tracker armband earlier today, but all we saw of it were a couple of rendered photos. Well, we just got to see some prototypes of the device, including the basic CORE 2 band, its metal bracelet and swappable plastic face plate accessories, and learned a bit more about the device.

As you can see in our gallery of photos, the new model is quite a bit smaller and thinner than BodyMedia’s previous health trackers. For now, the basic CORE 2 model comes with an adjustable elastic band (available in multiple colors) and a sensor module packing an accelerometer and three heat and skin sensors. The band’s lightweight and comfortable to wear (at least it was in our limited time with it), but given that it’s meant to gather data 24 hours a day, it’s not exactly the best look for a night out on the town. Good thing BodyMedia’s making a shiny metal armband and swappable face plates (sold separately) to provide a more elegant look. It’s a sturdy band, but we wonder how long folks will be comfortable wearing something so rigid on their upper arm.

In addition to the CORE 2, we also saw BodyMedia’s new disposable sensor platform, the View Patch. It provides the same data as the armband, but it can be worn in the shower and it’s only meant to be worn for seven days at a time. Alas, exact pricing and availability continue to elude us, but we were told the band will cost around $150 this August, while the patch will run less than $50 a month later.

Filed under: Wearables

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BodyMedia’s line of armbands has been helping folks monitor their health for years, and today the company has announced a new, smaller and more fashionable member of the family. Called the CORE 2, it packs a three-axis accelerometer, plus temperature, heat flux and galvanic skin response sensors to measure all kinds of biometric data. Those internals gather over 5,000 bits of data every minute to track how hard you exercise and how many calories you burn when doing so. It doesn’t take nights off either, as the band also tracks sleeping patterns to give wearers a full 24/7/365 picture of their health.

Using Bluetooth 4.0, those biometrics get passed on to BodyMedia’s existing mobile apps and web portal to track your fitness over time, create custom workouts and recommend dietary adjustments to help your body be the best it can be. What really sets the CORE 2 apart from other fitness bands is that it has interchangeable faceplates, straps and cuffs, so folks can tailor the bracelet’s appearance to match their outfit. Unfortunately, the CORE 2 isn’t yet ready for sale just yet, so we don’t know when it’ll be available or how much it’ll cost. However, fitness fashionistas stay tuned — we’ll be seeing it in person here at CES, so there’ll be more pictures coming your way this week.

Continue reading BodyMedia’s CORE 2 armband tracks your health, or lack thereof

Filed under: Wearables

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In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you’d like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with “Insert Coin” as the subject line.

Granted, the Garmin Fenix already does decent GPS from your wrist, but there’s a limit to what it can accomplish on its basic little LCD. Enter Leikr: a Gorilla Glass beast with a 2-inch, 320 x 240 display that can throw out a wide range of endurance stats simultaneously or switch to a color navigation mode using up to 8GB-worth of onboard OpenStreetMap data. It’s designed by former Nokia engineers who claim they’ve used their mobile skills to make the Leikr catch a quicker GPS signal, connect directly to a cloud-based, Endomondo-integrated exercise portal using WiFi and Linux-based software, and at the same time stick to a smartphone-like 10mm thickness.

The project’s Kickstarter page has just gone live, with early bird deals still available — at the time of writing, a minimum $229 buy-in is required to lock down a final production Leikr by the summer. That’s hardly cheap, but it’s not at $400 Fenix proportions either, so take a look at the video after the break and the funding link below (scroll to the bottom of that page for full specs) and then, you know, dwell on it.

Continue reading Insert Coin: Leikr GPS sports watch has 2-inch screen, ex-Nokia engineers on its side

Filed under: Wearables, Wireless, Mobile

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Source: Leikr (Kickstarter)

Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we’ll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You’ll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won’t stick around long.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to be a bit more frugal with your tech purchases, perhaps we can help you get a jump start on said goal a day early. A Sony stereo gaming headset and Ultimate Ears UE 500 in-ear headphones look to lure those needing audio accessories, while a Pentax K-5 and Garmin Forerunner 110 GPS watch may lend a hand with other 2013 plans. Head on past the break to check out the full lot, but pay careful attention to rebate forms and coupon codes to insure you get the full discount.

Continue reading Slickdeals’ best in tech for December 31st: Sony Pulse headset, UE 500 earbuds and Pentax K-5

Filed under: Cameras, Gaming, Laptops, Portable Audio/Video, Wearables

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Source: Slickdeals