Casio G-Shock STB-100 Sport Watch hands-on: classic looks get smart

When you’ve got a design for a watch as ubiquitous as the Casio G-Shock on the market, you’re allowed to be late to the new technology party. This year Casio’s entry in the STB-100 comes in the form of Bluetooth 4.0 and a sports-tracking collection of bits and pieces in their slightly modified G-Shock design. While we’re not about to suggest this watch is in any way more all-inclusive than its smartwatch competitors from Sony, Samsung, Pebble, and the many others shown off this week at CES 2014, Casio still retains that built-in fan base they’ve cultivated for years.

Attaching itself to the iPhone alone, this particular sports watch is aimed at two groups - those that already own a G-Shock and want to expand their collection into the Bluetooth/smartwatch realm, and those that are looking for a sports-tracking device and don’t want to appear to actually be wearing one of these new-fangled “Smartwatch” thingies, so to speak. Casio has molded this device to look as naturally un-smart as any past model.

The iPhone app for the STB-100 - as they were showing off this week - is just about as bare-bones as a connected app gets. You’ll be able to control your music and track your steps in a variety of ways. You'll be able to track your running pace, time elapsed while running, distance traveled, and data for biking with its built-in cadence sensor.

For an Apple user used to listening to music on the go, this device’s control setup allows you to be able to press a button on your watch to switch music tracks, and that’s about it. Something rather similar to what you’re doing already with the wire connecting you to your earbuds, more than likely. One way or another, you’ll be able to skip a track.

At the moment it does not appear that Casio is doing just one whole heck of a lot with the data you’re getting,* but it does seem that they’ll be expanding their software soon - we’ll have to wait and see. Wait for the actual release of this device this year, that is.

*UPDATE: This watch will be connecting to Abvio’s Runmeter, Walkmeter, and Cyclemeter, as well as the app known as Wahoo Fitness. Casio is also working with other developers to expand this collection in the near future.

We’ll have to see how long it actually lasts when we get it wrapped around our own wrists. In black and gray or with a splash of fire red - with green accents, of course. Pricing and release information incoming - we'll let you know when we know!

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Griffin PowerMate Bluetooth revamps iconic dial as Mac controller

Griffin has brought the old PowerMate rotary controller back from the dead, snipping off the USB cable for the Powermate Bluetooth, a wireless version. Intended for video editors, digital artists, and anyone else who might want a physical control for their digital environment, the PowerMate Bluetooth defaults to volume and mute on your Mac - PC users are out of luck, sadly - but can be switched between different app presets by Griffin, or given user-assigned features.

So, out of the box there are iMovie and GarageBand presets, but the customization app allows the PowerMate to work as a scroll controller in Office documents, to perform macros if clicked, or anything else. Multiple PowerMates can be paired with a single Mac - it uses Bluetooth 4.0 - and as before there's a glowing blue base which lights up around the dial.

griffin_powermate_bluetooth_2That glow isn't just aesthetic. Using Griffin's software, it can be customized to pulse at different rates and in different patterns according to system notifications, such as new IM messages or emails.

The original PowerMate was simple - a large dial that also could be pressed as a select button, and which hooked up via USB - but it found quite the appreciative audience. The tactile, aluminum knob found itself installed into car dashboards as part of DIY infotainment systems, on coffee tables for HTPC control, and fitted into the walls of home-made smart homes.

Even after Griffin discontinued it, the eBay market for PowerMate controllers was always bubbling away. A quick check of the auction site shows various PowerMate sellers, with the peripheral commanding $30+ despite being more than a decade old.

The new PowerMate Bluetooth has some boots to fill, then, and it'll start trying to do that from this Summer, priced at $59.99.

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Lumen TL800 Bluetooth 4.0 light bulb hits Amazon on way to CES 2014

In the battle of the smart bulbs, it would appear that the Lumen TL800 is about to be a big contender starting here in 2014. There's been little damage done to the likes of Philips Hue's efforts in the smart light bulb business since inception, but all that may be about to change now that the Lumen TL800 arrives at Amazon online before being given a full showing at CES 2014. This light bulb is both multi-colored and smart enough to know when you've walked in the room.

Of course you'll need a device working with Bluetooth 4.0, that being the sort of Bluetooth that works with Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) and Bluetooth Smart. With this sort of technology, Lumen is able to make their lightbulbs turn on when you've arrived in-range. For Bluetooth 4.0, that means as far as 50 meters away.

There's a single Android app and an iOS app for use with the Lumen TL800 range, this app making simple work of the full functionality of the bulbs. Tapping hot or cold brings you a range of colors as such, and (supposing you've got your lightswitch set to power) you'll be able to tap on or off whenever you please.

    The TL800 provides various modes for different occasions. Features include:

    - Call Alert Mode: Notifies users of incoming calls by flashing when the phone rings.
    - Music Sync Mode: Visualize your music by synchronizing your music and lighting effects. Music Sync Mode is customizable, allowing users to choose desired color combinations.
    - Party Mode 1 and 2: Transform any space into a dance floor with pre-programmed flashing beats that match the music.
    - Wake Mode: Mimics the sunrise in the morning, gradually brightening until it reaches maximum intensity at the stipulated wake up time. Users can customize how long the brightening process should take, from 5 minutes to 15 minutes.
    - Romance Mode: Creates the perfect condition for a romantic date or quiet evening at home with a warm atmosphere.
    - Relaxation Mode: Simulates calming moonlight, creating a relaxing ambiance.

For those of you worrying about power consumption - when off, this bulb consumes negligable power due to its use of Bluetooth LE. Put simply - you're not going to run up your power bill to monstrous levels just because you've got your switch set to on when this bulb is screwed in. Right this minute you'll be able to pick a single bulb up for a cool $69.99 USD. Have at it!

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HTC loses to Nokia in Germany, must stop selling Android devices

Nokia has won an injunction to halt the sale of all HTC Android devices in Germany. The issue surrounds a Nokia-held patent which relates to peer-to-peer sharing via NFC or Bluetooth. The two companies have been tussling for some time, with HTC obtaining stays to allow the sales of their devices to continue elsewhere, but there will be no help this time around.

While we don’t know the specifics of the patent, Google has stepped in to try and have the patent invalidated. Whether or not that can be accomplished remains to be seen, but any success Google might have wouldn’t be helpful at this time. There is no quick reprieve that could come before the sales ban takes effect.

The patent is also believed to affect other Android OEMs, and perhaps even the Android platform itself. Nokia has apparently decided to go after OEMs rather than take the fight straight to Google in this matter, and it seems to be a race against time. As Nokia gains traction, and Google tries to have the patent invalidated (probably on the grounds that it’s commonly used tech), device manufacturers like HTC are the losers.

HTC is notably on a downward trend, also. As their business slumps and executives leave, HTC simply can’t afford (maybe literally) to lose sales. HTC is — of course — expected to appeal the decision, but they may have to end up removing or disabling features in their handsets to continue selling them in Germany, and perhaps elsewhere.




SOURCE: Android Community

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SuperTooth Freedom 'Bluetooth headphones' feature NFC tech

 A new set of wireless 'headphones' have debuted from SuperTooth called the Freedom. The headphones use Bluetooth technology for wirelessly 'connectivity' to your smartphone or other device. The headphones' use an over the ear design and will launch later this month online.

The headphones have integrated 'NFC technology' making it easy to pair them with compatible phones. The headphones use 40mm drivers' promising' high quality sound and bass. The Bluetooth tech in the 'headphones' supports A2DP enabled devices. The Freedom headphones also have 'controls' on the ear cups for tracks, volume, and answering calls.

The ear cups rotate for 'comfort' and the Freedom headphones ship with a carry pouch for storage. Voice calls are supported 'using' an omni-directional microphone. The internal lithium ion battery is good for 15 hours of music 'playback' per charge. Standby time for the battery' is 1000 hours and the charge time is three hours.

The Freedom headphones measure 160mm H x 187mm W x 71mm D and weigh 200 grams. The headphones have a 'wireless' range of 10 meters from the source device and will land in the UK on December 20 for £119. The 'headphones' do ship with a 3.5mm audio cable for use with devices that don’t have Bluetooth.






SOURCE: SuperTooth
SOURCE: Slashgear

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