SMS Audio makes Intel’s heart-rate tracking earbuds a reality

Back at CES, Intel showed off its smart earbud concept that matched tunes to your pulse, and now it’s bringing similar tech to the masses. Thanks to a partnership with 50 Cent’s SMS Audio, the heart-rate-tracking chops will hit the gym inside the headphone maker’s new BioSport offering. Looking to “motivate and encourage” peak activity levels, the in-ear option packs a biometric optical sensor needed to monitor both physical exertion and relaxation. What’s more, the audio add-on syncs the collected data with RunKeeper to keep tabs on progress, and as you might expect, the pair is IPX4 certified for sweat and water resistance. So how did the collaboration come about? Well, I had a chat with Intel’s New Devices Group head Mike Bell and SMS Audio President Brian Nohe about just that.

If you’ll recall, SMS Audio revealed the first sweatproof devices in its Sport line back at CES, and now, with the new BioSport earbuds, it’s adding to the options in that series. In terms of design, the earbuds have a hook shape that helps keep them in place, and they grab power from your phone’s 3.5mm jack. As you might expect, the two companies tout the convenience of not having to strap on (or carry) a third device to keep tabs on your pulse while you’re at the gym. And there’s a tangle-free cord and in-line controls here, too.

“This project between our two companies is a much further refinement of that hardware you saw at CES.”

SMS Audio had been working on sport-focused portable audio devices, but in addition to regular options, it sought to add in the biometric component that would offer increased value to those looking to keep track of physical activity. Nohe told me the product came about pretty quickly due to Intel’s wearable-minded department and both companies’ interest in moving rapidly. “This project between our two companies is a much further refinement of that hardware you saw at CES. We’ve been able to take the same basic electronics, but use SMS’ expertise in fit, sound and sweatproof materials,” Bell said, when asked about Intel’s prototype.

Bell went on to say that similar devices require proprietary software that locks you into one company’s ecosystem, so to avoid that scenario, the device will support the popular RunKeeper app at launch. He did say that the demo music-changing app is still on the shelf, but didn’t tip off an official release, although more software compatibility is in the works. “We were really intent to bring most of the stuff, if not all of the stuff at CES, to market and we needed a partner who complemented us and really knew the market,” Bell continued. “And we were looking for the best.”

“We spent a lot of time on materials — as we do with all of our products. SMS is really known for the quality and durability — it’s something that 50, when he first started the company, made sure was there,” Nohe explained. So, what about a wireless option? Well, the headphone maker has found that wired headphones are still the most popular amongst the masses due to several factors, one of which is price. “We certainly could make them wireless, and it would be easier to just run everything off of a battery,” Bell said. However, cutting the cord requires one more charger to worry about, an extra clip (which BioSport sought to eliminate in the first place) and the added heft required for the earbuds themselves. The concept here was to keep the tech invisible and the ease of use the same as a regular pair of earbuds — no extra steps or setup needed.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on pricing, but you can expect the in-ear headphones to arrive in Q4.

Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Wearables, Intel

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The man responsible for pop-up ads reveals why he cursed us

To hear Ethan Zuckerman — an early Tripod employee and current head of MIT’s Center of Civic Media — tell it, Tripod’s bread and butter became analyzing the sites people created and targeting ads for them. The traditional banner ad could be a tricky proposition for a brand, though, since they could imply some sort of corporate endorsement of whatever’s on a given site (Zuckerman mentions a car company mortified to see one of its banners on a site discussing anal sex). That’s where the pop-up came in: they allowed ads to appear on a site without actually being on the site. Turns out, Zuckerman was instrumental in making these terrible things, well, a thing. To quote his statement to Wired:

Not only did I deploy what was probably the first popup, I wrote the javascript and the server-side Perl to launch it.

Little did Zuckerman and company know that they inadvertently released a scourge upon the rest of the internet — as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

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Source: The Atlantic

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Engadget’s Back to School 2014 sweepstakes: Enter to win one of 15 gadget-stuffed bags!

As another summer comes to a close, wallets are beginning to open up in anticipation of the new school year. Whether you’re looking to start fresh with new gadgets before heading off to campus or simply hoping to find a few dorm-room accessories, our guide has you covered. And for 15 lucky readers, our back-to-school sweepstakes will have them more than covered. We’ve rounded up 15 custom-made Timbuk2 messenger bags stuffed with all the tech you could possibly need for the new school (or work) year.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 13

As far as notebooks go, it doesn’t get more versatile than this. The Yoga 2 works in standard laptop mode along with tablet, stand and tent modes. We like the solid build quality and the 1080p, 13-inch touchscreen.

Smartphone

LG G3 (AT&T)

The G3′s one of our favorite Android phones for several reasons, not the least of which is that beautiful Quad HD display.

Digital Camera

Sony RX100 III

This point-and-shoot delivers excellent photos, and our lucky winners won’t have to stomach the $800 price.

Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5

With a beautiful display, a thin design and long battery life, the Tab S is one of the best Android tablets on the market. Samsung also offers a fingerprint reader and free popular magazines.

Headphones

Beats Solo2

The Solo2 on-ears deliver plenty of bass, though they’ll still sound plenty good when you fire up that classical playlist come finals time.

Hard drive

Western Digital My Passport Ultra

This My Passport Ultra gives you 1TB of storage — more than enough space for a year’s worth of papers, music and photos.

Bag

Timbuk2 Command Messenger

Timbuk2′s medium-sized messenger includes plenty of pockets and internal organizers for keeping everything nice and tidy. The Engadget logo sits front and center so you’ll never forget who’s to thank for all your newfound tech.

Monitor

AOC Q2963PM

This 29-inch, IPS monitor makes a great second screen for visual-arts projects and impromptu movie nights.

Accessories

Nerdtendo Gamebooze

This stainless steel flask holds eight ounces of your favorite alcohol and looks great doing it.

Keyport Slide 2.0 Bundle

If you acquire more than a few keys over the course of the year, this accessory will keep them all in one place. There’s also a 32GB USB flash drive, a mini flashlight and a bottle opener built in.

Gear Ties

Organize the mess of cords that will inevitably find a home on your desk. The ties also come in handy for keeping things neat in your bag.

Scosche smartBOX 2-in-1 retractable charge & sync cable

This portable charger includes a sliding adapter for juicing up your device via a Lightning or micro-USB connector.

Engadget’s Back to School Giveaway

Official Rules

No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

Eligibility: Engadget’s Back to School Giveaway (the “Giveaway”) is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (including the District of Columbia) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 years of age or older. Employees of AOL Inc., its advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Giveaways, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Giveaways (collectively “Giveaway Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are not eligible. All U.S., federal, state and local and Canadian federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void in Quebec, Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law.

Sponsor: The Giveaway is sponsored by AOL Inc., 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 (“Sponsor”).

Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

Giveaway Period: The Giveaway begins at 3:30 pm ET on August 14, 2014 and ends at 11:59 pm ET on September 13, 2014 (the “Giveaway Period”). The Giveaway Period shall be divided into fifteen (15) separate Entry Periods:

Entry Period 1 begins at 3:30PM ET on August 14, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 2 begins at 3:45PM ET on August 14, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 3 begins at 12PM ET on August 15, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 4 begins at 12PM ET on August 20, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 5 begins at 12PM ET on August 22, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 6 begins at 12PM ET on August 25, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 7 begins at 12PM ET on August 28, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 8 begins at 12PM ET on August 29, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 9 begins at 12PM ET on September 3, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 10 begins at 12PM ET on September 4, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 11 begins at 12PM ET on September 5, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 12 begins at 12PM ET on September 10, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 13 begins at 12PM ET on September 11, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 14 begins at 12PM ET on September 12, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.
Entry Period 15 begins at 1PM ET on September 12, 2014 and ends at 11:59PM ET on September 13, 2014.

Entry: During the Giveaway Period, go to http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/12/back-to-school-sweepstakes and follow the instructions to submit your entry. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person. Limit one (1) entry per person per Entry Period. Non-winning entries from one Entry Period do not carry over into subsequent Entry Periods.

Drawing: At the conclusion of the Giveaway Period, Sponsor will select the name of one (1) Grand Prize Winner from each of the fifteen (15) separate Entry Periods in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the applicable Entry Period. Potential Winners will be contacted via email and asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period.

Requirements of the Potential Winners: Except where prohibited, the potential winners will be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability/publicity release (the “Affidavit/Release”) and IRS W-9 form within seven (7) days of being notified. If a potential winner fails to sign and return the Affidavit/Release and W-9 form within the required time period, an alternate entrant may be selected in his/her place in a random drawing of all entries received. Acceptance of a prize constitutes consent to use winner’s name and likeness for editorial, advertising and publicity purposes without additional compensation, except where prohibited by law. In the event the potential winner of any prize is a Canadian resident, he/she will also be required to correctly answer a time-limited mathematical question to be administered by email, mail or phone to receive the prize. Limit one (1) prize per household.

Prizes: Fifteen (15) Grand Prize Winners will each receive a Back to School Prize Pack containing the following items: Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 13, Sony RX100 III, Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5, LG G3 (AT&T), Beats Solo2 headphones, Western Digital My Passport Ultra (1TB) hard drive, Timbuk2 Command messenger bag, AOC 29″ Q2963PM monitor, Nerdtendo Gamebooze flask, Keyport Slide 2.0 Bundle, Gear Ties, Scosche 12-watt USB wall charger. Approximate Retail Value of each Prize Pack is $3,200. Subscriptions are subject to issuer’s terms and conditions. Activation fees and monthly service fees not included with any smartphone/digital devices. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize or portion of a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. Winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize.

General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Giveaway is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Giveaway to address the impairment and then resume the Giveaway in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Giveaway or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Giveaway may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Giveaway, entrants agree to release, defend indemnify and hold harmless the Giveaway Entities from and against any claim or cause of action, including without limitation, any third party claim, arising out of participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Giveaway; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Giveaway or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Giveaway or receipt, use or misuse of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Giveaway Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Giveaway, and in no event shall the Giveaway Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE PRIZES AND ALL ELEMENTS THEREOF ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OR CONDITION OF ANY KIND. SPONSOR DISCLAIMS ALL EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND/OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. Some jurisdictions do not allow the disclaimer of implied warranties. In such jurisdictions, some of the foregoing disclaimers may not apply to you insofar as they relate to implied warranties.

Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Giveaway or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Giveaway, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Giveaway Results: To request the names of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Engadget Back to School Giveaway Winners, 770 Broadway, Attn: Jon Turi, New York, NY 10003. Requests must be received by November 30, 2014.

Filed under: Announcements

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As your kid grows, this bike will transform to fit them

Like clothes, children tend to outgrow bikes pretty quickly. But what if there was a way to buy one and have it convert to fit a growing kid? Well, that’s just what designer Andreas Bhend has done with the Miilo bike. What starts has a simple scoot along option with no pedals can adapt to fit an older child by flipping the frame and adding pedals. The handlebars and seat are also meant to adjust so that the bicycle can remain an option riders between the ages of 2.5 and 7 — unless your kid hits a crazy growth spurt, of course. The project was inspired by another training bike that Bhend made by hacking up a pair IKEA stools, and from there, the idea to have a model that transforms began.

Filed under: Transportation

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Via: Fast Company

Source: Coroflot

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