Let’s Get Physical – Gadgets That Are Good For Workouts

Summer is here, and if you are finding it hard to get some motivation together to stay fit, or get in shape for summer, we have reviewed a handful of Gadgets to assist that transition. Workout routines can become monotonous, however with the right Gadget, it can turn that workout into a fun, motivating and accountable exercise.

Planning and Research is critical when buying a workout Gadget, because just that it looks cool, or says that it is going to transform your workout, can become an expensive exercise (pardon the pun). When making a purchase, talk to your friends, research on the Internet, and see what others are saying about the particular purchase in mind, and how they rate against other comparable products in the market.
Other important factors to take into consideration include Compatibility and Portability. Before you make a purchase, ensure that your new Gadget is compatible with any existing technology that you may have at home including Computers and Smart Phones. Many of the latest gadgets enable you to take advantage of additional features like tracking your exercise via software that requires a connection to the internet or using GPS, and it is important that you are not paying for features that you will not be able to use, or that will not work as designed without the required compatibility.
It is also important to ensure that the Gadget is not going to detract from your workout if you are constantly having to adjust it, becoming a hindrance, rather than adding to the success of your workout.

RunKeeper:
Smart Phones are a great invention, and with RunKeeper you can transform your iPhone / Android or Windows 7 phone into a powerful fitness tracking device. RunKeeper is now a free app, is simple to use, and is great for Running, Walking, Hiking, Cycling, Skiing or Rollerblading. Simply load the app, register, and select your exercise. RunKeeper has a clean user interface, with integrated health graph that will track diet, sleep, weight and activity. Free – www.runkeeper.com

WiFi Body Scales:
The wifi body scale uses Wi-Fi to automatically transmit your weight to your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. It also graphs your weight, lean/fat muscle mass and BMI so you can access it from your iOS device at any time. With its extra slim glass and steel design, the wifi body scale is jam-packed with technology yet remains simple to use. It can automatically record all your weight and impedance measurements wirelessly to your device, or is compatible with other apps such as RunKeeper. $249.00 – www.wifiscale.com.au

Nike + SportsBand:
If running is your thing, and you don’t like the distraction of headphones and music whilst running, Check out the Nike + SportsBand. Keep track of every run and compare your personal best using the Nike+ Website. Set fitness goals or improve your running using the integrated programs. Also great for Treadmills and Gym Workouts. Water resistant band, and integrated USB to connect and upload via your Laptop / PC. – $89.95 Nike+ www.nikestore.com.au/

Apple iPod Nano:
If you are a music addict, and cannot leave home without your headphones, try the updated Apple iPod Nano. In my opinion, music makes any exercise better, especially when it’s a song that gets you motivated to get moving. With a built in accelerometer you receive real-time feedback on your workout, and your workout is upload to the Nike+ website. Track your steps, distance, pace and time. In addition, the updated iPod Nano has cute multi-touch screen, comes in 8GB or 16GB capacity, holds hundreds of songs, durable, lightweight, and has a great clip feature for attaching the unit to your t-shirt or shorts. Apple – $149

 Twitter users have been tweeting from countries as far as the  UK, Ireland, Canada and Mexico, stating that the service is also being rolled out. Although Apple have not officially released iTunes Match to market, the service is Now Live, and accepting subscriptions from user.

Upon testing the service this afternoon, the known errors  that were appearing yesterday, and no longer appearing, and the iTunes Match services is allowing you to authorise machines via iTunes and scan the local libraries of your MAC or PC.

To ensure that your PC/MAC  is set up correctly for iTunes Match, you will need to ensure that Apple iTunes 10.5.2 is downloaded or updated on your computer.

Click to Download iTunes 10.5.2 or Run iTunes Software Update

What is iTunes Match?

For AU $34.99/Per year, iTunes Match is an iCloud based streaming service, that will analyse your local iTunes library, and provides a copy of your latest music track or album in the iCloud via iTunes.  

How does iTunes Match Work?

Once you have subscribed and selected iTunes Match from within iTunes, the service will analyse the contents of your library, and match as many songs from the 20 + Million songs that are available from within the Apple iTunes catalogue.

For someone with multiple computes, iPhones, iPads etc, this is a major win, as this service provide a copy of your favourite track, or album on up to 10 devices without having to sync and download to every device. Once iTunes has identified all of the matched tracks from their extensive catalogue, iTunes Match will then upload up to 10,000 tracks to your iCloud account.

Once tracks have been uploaded to iCloud, simply access your content from any of your various iDevices:

- From your iOS device, select Settings | Music | Enable iTunes Match.
- From your MAC, Open iTunes | select Store Menu | select Turn On iTunes Match
- From your Apple TV | Select Music | iCloud Library

Check out Macworlds – Hands on with iTunes Match by Dan Moren for an extensive review and breakdown of iTunes Match. 

Unfortunately, the service may have been launched too early, or in error, as after you subscribe to the service, there are errors within iTunes preventing the service from operating as designed.

Error Reported: When users register within Australia for the iTunes Match services, the following error appears prompting that “iTunes Match has encountered an error. Please choose Sign Out and the Sign In from the iTunes Store menu and try again.

Mac blog site iClarified, have advised that Apple have confirmed via correspondence that “Apple has accidentally launched iTunes Match internationally“, and that “Apple has since begun refunding customers who were billed for service”.

This comes as a blow to Australian users, that are left waiting in the wings of the US and Brazil iTunes Match users that have had access to the service since it’s release in mid November within the US, and more recently in Brazil.

iTunes Australian users have been able to register for iTunes Match, after the link was published via Tech Blog Gizmodo, however it is uncertain how Apple will handle the influx of interest from the UK, European, NZ and Australian markets, and if the issues reported, and related to a technical glitch, or just that ”Apple has accidentally launched iTunes Match internationally“, as reported by iClarified.

[MacRumours via Gizmodo]

iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs.

Apple iTunes 10.5.2 can be downloaded directly from Apples iTunes page. Only minor details of the Apple software update have been release on the support page, however this could be due to a pending release that has not been released to date.

Click to Download iTunes 10.5.2 or Run iTunes Software Update

Although iTunes Match has been released in the US, there is still no release date for Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia, however are still hopeful for an announcement by the end of year.

What is iTunes Match?

For US$24.99/Per year, iTunes Match is an iCloud based streaming service, that will analyse your local iTunes library, and provides an exact copy of the track or album in the Cloud via iTunes. If a song is not matched, it is uploaded in its current format, ensuring that your existing music is not compromised in quality. Once your library has been scanned and uploaded you can access this content from any iTunes enabled device (including iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad).

Today the service is LIVE, and accepting subscriptions to their Streaming Service, and is offering 1 Months Free Trial to check out the service via your PC or MAC browser.

GeekEvangelist has signed up, and will be giving the service a good working over, and will provide a full review on the GeekEvangelist Blog in the coming weeks. 

To register for the 1 Month Free Trial, simply visit the link below, and enter your details.

http://now.jbhifi.com.au/ via (LifeHacker)

From the makers of Opena, the Quad Lock is a revolutionary new case based mounting solution for your iPhone4 allowing use of your iPhone in more places than ever before. The Quad Lock Case uses a fixed based mounting systems, so once you have secured your base mount, simply attach the secure protective case on your Bike, Dashboard, Wall with a twist. The locking mechanism will allow you to lock your Quad Case in either portrait or landscape position to suit the application.

MTB Mount - Quad Lock Pro Mount

The Quad Lock Case Project is head up by Australian entrepreneurs Rob Ward and Chris Peters, and is self funded to date, however the team are looking for further support via KickStarter site, where people can back the project, and ensure the concept gets off the ground.Currently $9,282 has been pledged of the required $20,000 goal required by Jan 15th 2012.

The Quad Lock Case comes in two models, the Quad Lock ST Mount best for static areas being walls in your office or kitchen, car or plane dashboard which ever method of commute you prefer.

Photo’s and Video www.quadlockcase.com or www.kickstarter.com 

Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tablet - www.samsung.com

After much anticipation, Samsung Australia today have launched the GALAXY Tab 10.1 to market. The Tablet was launched today after Australian Federal Court lifted the ban of the product, due to claims from Apple that the product had allegedly borrowed many of its features from Apple’s iPad.

For those that are not familiar with the Samsung Tablet, the GALAXY features a 1Ghz Processor, 10.1 Inch Screen, WiFi & 3G capabilities, bluetooth, two on-board cameras, a rear facing 3-Megapixel camera capable of  1080p HD video, a 2-Megapixel front camera,for Skype and Video Chat, USB & Flash Support.

The Samsung Galaxy 10.1 table is available from all good technology retailers, and is priced as follows:

RRP of $579 (16GB WiFi)
RRP of $729 (16GB 3G)

via Macworld or visit: http://www.samsung.com.au/ for more information.

JB Hi-Fi NOW - http://now.jbhifi.com.au/

JB Hi-Fi have announced that in the second quarter of 2012, they will releasing to the Australian market JB Hi-Fi NOW Music Streaming Service . Published on their website, JB Hi-Fi will allow subscribers to listen to unlimited music from their catalogue of around 6-8 Million songs, from over 100,000 local and international artists, via an internet connection, anywhere in Australia.

The JB Hi-Fi NOW Streaming Service will be initially rolled out across Mac & PC, and later released via a mobile solution shortly thereafter. JB HI-FI Now subscription will hit the market to compete with its major competitor Sony’s Qriocity Service and allows subscribers to listen to unlimited music for as little as $6.67 per month.

JB Hi-Fi’s NOW will join a list of global streaming / cloud based subscription services that are on offer, including Apple iTunes Match  and AMAZON is one of many new alternatives

To register for further updates, go to http://now.jbhifi.com.au/  

via (ZDNet)

How great would it be if you could get WiFi Access from any Australia Post mailbox. A great use of existing property, and excellent for the city. Reminds me of a concept Telstra put forward some years back, about offering WiFi via their phone boxes.

As with all great ideas, will they never happen. Would you use Australia Post as a Telco service provider?

Check out: GizmodoAU

Australia Post is hoping that you would; it’s all primed for a major push into the telecommunications market as part of a shift away from those old-fashioned paper things that people used to send each other. I think I remember those…  via [GizModo]

Well the Apple Black Friday Sale is Here.. One Day Only Sale from Apple. What specials will you be purchasing today, and putting away till Christmas?

Apple has not only punched out some great savings on their main stock lines (iPad, iPod, iMac and Macbook range), but have also released some great specials on other products including GiftCards, iPad Accessories, Headphones, Software, Cases and More:

iPad 2 – Save $45.00

iPod Touch – Save $21.00

iPod Nano – Save – $11.00

MacBook Air – Save – $121.00

MacBook Pro – Save $121.00

iMac – Save $121.00

Withings WiFi Fitness Body Scales – Save $39.95

Mobee Magic Charger for Apple Magic Mouse – Save $15.95

AirPort Express – Save $11.00

Magic TrackPad – Save $11.00

Apple