ContourGPS helmet cam review

ContourGPS helmetcam review

Helmet cameras have now achieved the pinnacle of HD recording: 1080p. If you have the cash, a head, and a pastime worth filming you have a few choices for full HD extreme POV recording. So what’s a little lid-mounted recorder to do for its next trick? If you’re Contour it’s to add a positional sensor and the letters G, P, and S to your product and create the ContourGPS. It lets you not only record your extreme antics but also how fast you were going when you were partaking in them, plus a lot of other information. And, more promisingly, there’s a suite of hardware updates here, some paving the way to letting you use your smartphone as a viewfinder. But how does this $350 piece of helmet jewelry perform on the ice? Keep on reading for some video evidence.

Gallery: ContourGPS

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ContourGPS helmet cam review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comodo console brings internet to Israeli autos, dares you to keep your eyes on the road

Considering how far we’ve come with in-flight connectivity, internet for the automobile hasn’t gained an awful lot of traction. With the introduction of the 3G-connected Comodo console, Israeli start-up Iway Mobile and cellphone provider Cellcom are hoping to change that. The Comodo — for all intents and purposes — looks like an iPhone on a stick, and sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen, rear camera for easy reversing, GPS antenna and a cellular modem for consistent connections. Predictably, there’s also 3D navigation, an MP3 player, and functionality in 30 different languages. Drivers can access 80 total apps and receive, but not send e-mail — video functions are accessible only when the car is stationary. Comodo’s website features the device mysteriously shrouded in black satin, and provides no evidence of a spec sheet. According to Cellcom, the console costs 109 shekels (or $23.50) a month for 36 months and hits Israel in February. No word on when Comodo will make its US debut, but honestly, we’d be content to just strap our smart phone in and go to town.

Comodo console brings internet to Israeli autos, dares you to keep your eyes on the road originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FAA warns of ongoing GPS issues in southeastern US due to Defense Department ‘tests’

Don’t panic, but anyone planning on using GPS in the southeastern US for the next month or so will likely want to make sure they have a fallback option. That’s according to a flight advisory just issued by the FAA, which warns pilots that their GPS signal “may be unreliable or unavailable” due to “GPS tests” that the Department of Defense will be conducting between January 20th and February 22nd. Details are fairly light beyond that, but the FAA does note that when the “tests” occur they will be active for 45 minutes, and be followed by 15 minutes of off time — additional notices to pilots will apparently be issued at least 24 hours prior to any test. Of course, while this particular advisory is directed at pilots, it will presumably will also affect all other GPS devices, as the FAA doesn’t mention any GPS issues specific to aviation. The real question, however, is just what those mysterious “GPS tests” are — if they’re, in fact, GPS tests at all…

[Thanks, Brady]

FAA warns of ongoing GPS issues in southeastern US due to Defense Department ‘tests’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second-gen CherryPad rumored to feature better specs for a bigger price tag

After seeing Android tablets galore at CES, it seems strangely fitting that a device bearing the CherryPad moniker could top off this month’s tablet news dog pile. Specifically, Mobile Magazine is sharing “unconfirmed details” about a new 7-inch Cherry-branded tablet that’s said to run Android 2.2 “at a minimum” and feature a 1024×600 capacitive multi-touch display, front and rear three megapixel cameras, a 1GHz Cortex A8 cpu, and either 8 or 16GB of flash memory. Other goodies on the sequel’s spec list include an integrated HDMI output, accelerometer, microSD slot and even an unlocked GSM antenna. Unfortunately, these enhancements won’t be available at the old CherryPad’s $200 price point — which was pretty much the only thing the original had going for it. Instead, the new device is rumored to cost $300 to $400. The same source also reports that an official announcement is expected in just a few weeks, so in the meantime, we’ll pass the hours debating whether it makes more sense to name tablets after fruits or rocks.

Second-gen CherryPad rumored to feature better specs for a bigger price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JVC KW-NT30HD / 50HDT navigation systems offer iPhone-controlled HD radio

JVC’s new in-dash GPS navigation systems won’t whisper soothing reassurances in your ear when traffic gets bad, but they can offer some easy listening (if you’re into that sort of thing) for your daily commute. The KW-NT50HDT and KW-NT30HD, which JVC debuted at CES 2011, sport 6.1-inch displays and come equipped with HD radio and iPhone connectivity via USB. Using ClearChannel’s iheartradio app, you can view song and artist information and scan channels from either the navigation device or the iPhone. The NT50HDT also comes with a free lifetime subscription to the Total Traffic HD+ Network, which provides data like traffic reports, news, and weather information. Both devices come equipped with WAAS navigation, map coverage of all 50 US states, as well as Canada and Puerto Rico, and voice guidance in English, French, and Spanish. The musically inclined navigators hit the market in March, with the NT30HD running $1,000 and the NT50HDT coming in at $1,200.

JVC KW-NT30HD / 50HDT navigation systems offer iPhone-controlled HD radio originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Think Android has reached its limit when it comes to applications? Think again. Pioneer has conjured up a new cyclocomputer, and compared to the antediluvian rivals available on the market today, this one looks like a bona fide supercomputer. It’s designed for mounting on the bike’s handlebars, where riders can then see speed, cadence, heart rate, and power at a glance. The device is engineered to play nice with the ANT+ wireless specification, and it can also pull data from optional crank sensors that can be installed to monitor one’s pedaling force. Furthermore, it’s equipped with GPS, and we’re guessing it’s a prime candidate for running Google’s own My Tracks app. There’s no time table for release, but we’re guessing the International Cycling Union will have one out in no time… one that continuously tests riders for illicit substances, of course. Video’s after the break, if you’re down for more.

Continue reading Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dokobots game for iOS brings together the inevitable: robots and geolocation

Now, wait. Don’t just write Dokobots off because you hate Foursquare… this one has robots! While we’ve seen plenty of similar uses for geolocation, Dokobots operates as a sort of global scavenger hunt, with the ability to ‘scan’ the map of your surrounding area for items needed to charge up and repair your little robots. So far, we haven’t gotten up the steam to walk the block and a half to pick up the batteries we need, but there’s also a magnet tool for the super lazy, and other Dokobots will ‘visit’ your location over time, allowing you to record and photograph those moments for posterity. While we can’t say yet if this game has staying power in our app catalog, it’s definitely adorable at first glance. Dokobots is a free application available now in iTunes.

Dokobots game for iOS brings together the inevitable: robots and geolocation originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video)

Harmon's Experimental HMI has netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations (video)

Yes, folks, more fun infotainment systems to hope that your manufacturer of choice picks up before your ‘Ol Bessie gives up the ghost and has to be put out to pasture. Regardless of which logo you prefer on your grille there’s a good chance that Harman works with them, and so maybe they’ll pick up this. It’s called the Experimental HMI and it’s basically a netbook for your dash — minus the keyboard and junk. It’s running an Atom processor and has a Flash-based interface, making it easy to develop for. The killer app at this point is an augmented reality navigation system you can see demoed in the video below, but it’ll ultimately be up to the manufacturers to do what they will with it.

Continue reading Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video)

Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nixie tube reverse geocache box makes us long for the 80s, our very own spy card

This reverse geocache box reminds us of something out of Mission: Impossible — the second-run of the TV series, not that dreadful Tom Cruise franchise — only it won’t self-destruct in five minutes. It will, however, unlock when it reaches a pre-programmed location. Like the Deluxe Reverse Geocache, this box gives its holder a mission should they choose to accept: use the display to find the box’s final resting spot. Unlike its predecessor, this one uses three nixie tubes, not an LCD screen, to track the box’s distance from its destination. A built-in Arduino GPS sensor does all the tracking, and a servo motor pops the top when triggered. The refashioned French army medical box operates off of three D-cells, and can do about 600 GPS fixes before powering down. We’re definitely fond of this throw-back treasure chest, we just wish it had a built-in audio player for bumping the MI theme. Yeah, we said it.

Nixie tube reverse geocache box makes us long for the 80s, our very own spy card originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 07:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator hands-on

Among tons of generic GPS devices at its booth, Garmin had the new GTU 10 GPS locator out for the world to see on the CES floor. If you need a refresher, this little tracker connects to AT&T’s network and and lets you keep tabs on anything you choose to hook it onto. The signage showed the compact locator on a dog collar, though there’s also a carabiner attachment so you can attach it to pretty much anything. We spotted the tracking app running on a Galaxy Tab, so it looks like Android support is definitely on the table — we’re still in the dark on compatibility with other mobile operating systems. Other than that there’s not much to say, but feel free to peruse our shots of the discreet black blob in our gallery below.

Garmin GTU 10 GPS locator hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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