Withings Steel HR Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
There are fitness trackers galore that track heart rate, but none I can think of that do it with an analog watch. Withings says the new Steel HR is the first of its kind. I believe it.
The Withings Steel HR arrives at the beginning of October for $180 (38mm), equivalent to £137/AU$239, or $200 (42mm), equivalent to £152/AU$266.
The Withings Activite was an analog-type watch with a digital inside, tracking steps and sleep automatically and syncing via Bluetooth, too. A stainless-steel version, much like what you see here, was released last year. Steel HR takes another step forward by adding an optical heart-rate monitor to the back of the newly redesigned watch, as well as a digital display within the watch face to show heart rate, activity and notification data.
Heart rate on display.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
So, it’s analog, but digital. Its design is certainly sharp as hell.
Withings, now a part of Nokia, hasn’t incorporated heart rate into any of its current fitness trackers. A newly updated Withings Health app will fold in the data, much like other fitness apps have already done.
Not too thick.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Withings Steel HR comes in two versions: 38mm in black or white, and 42mm in black. Unlike the older Activite watches, which used a replaceable battery that lasted for over six months, the Steel HR is rechargeable via an included and lasts up to 25 days when tracking heart rate — and another 20 days after that in a “low power mode” that still shows time and tracks steps and sleep. Heart rate tracking continues at night to get resting heart rate while sleeping. The Steel HR is 5ATM water resistant for swimming, too.
Hands-on impressions are coming shortly, but this already looks promising. Of course, how well it tracks heart rate is also important, and we don’t know that yet.
Canon EOS C700 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Canon
Canon’s cinema-focused camera line gets a lot more flexible and professional — and way more expensive — with the introduction of its EOS C700 models. Redesigned for the needs of professionals, the new versions offer service-center interchangeable EF- and PL-mounts, plus a model of the camera with a global shutter.
These top-of-the-line models shoot 4K video in both DCI and UHD resolutions, and Canon claims a 15-stop dynamic range for the Super 35mm-sized, 4.5K-resolution sensors. Mac-based producers will welcome native support for the ProRes codec. Canon also introduces the ability to shoot anamorphic 2:39:1 aspect-ratio video with algorithmic corrections to facilitate accurate monitoring.
In conjunction with the cameras, there will be a new external Codex recorder model (CDX-36150) that will enable features like 4.5K raw at 100fps, 4K raw at 120fps, 4K ProRes at 60fps, HD ProRes at 240FPS and XF-AVC at 60fps.
Canon expects to ship the C700 and C700 PL in December 2016 for $35,000 (£28,840); the EOS C700 GS PL should follow in January 2017 for $38,000 (£30,790). I don’t think it’s been announced in Australia, but those prices directly convert to about AU$46,375 and AU$50,350. Support for the Codex recorder comes later via a firmware update in March 2017.
Canon XC15 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
Canon
After about a year an a half since the introduction of the XC10, Canon’s compact UHD 4K prosumer camcorder receives a minor update. The XC15 has an XLR input for external microphones and the “look” modes that have been in the higher-end models so that you can better match the video from the XC15 with them.
Canon expects to ship the XC15 in September 2016 for $3,000 (£2,410). I don’t think it’s been announced yet for Australia, but the price converts to roughly AU$4,000.
Fitbit Adventures lets you run the New York City marathon virtually
Fitbit’s app rolled out with several new updates today, squarely focused on offering ways to experience virtual outings in the form of Fitbit Adventures.
Utilizing a series of non-competitive micro challenges, Fitbit Adventures will task you with running the New York City Marathon or hiking the trails of Yosemite from the comfort of the gym or your own home. Instead of trudging away on the treadmill, you can pretend you’re experiencing something much more majestic.
Each program will allow you to splice it up into multiple day plans or tackle them in one day, offering photographs and other interactive experiences that correlate with where you’re currently at in the trail. Moving your phone around will alter what you’re currently looking at, as if you were actually hiking each trail, much like apps do in VR space.
If you’re looking for a way to spice up your fitness routine, you could do way worse than this. The update’s available now if you want to give it a go.
Via: Fast Company
Xerox shows off a machine that can print on any 3D object
Xerox’s new printer works on almost any object — even if it does’t have a flat surface. Instead of being able to print on paper, it can print on helmets, bottle caps, water bottles, and anything else made of plastic, metals, ceramics and glass. You just stick whatever you want to mark in there and let the machine do its job. Since the printer sprays ink using nozzles half the width of human hair at around a quarter inch away, it doesn’t matter if the object is smooth, rough, curved or flat.
The machine can handle up to 30 objects at once and can print out images between 300 and 1,200 dpi in resolution. Obviously, it was made with retailers or manufacturers in mind. But if you think having a magic printer that can personalize almost everything you own sounds cool, and you have $145,000 lying around, you can always contact Xerox to make you one.
The company demoed its Direct to Object Inkjet Printer at the drupa print media fair, and you can watch it in action below:
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Xerox (1), (2)
Make crusty towels feel new again with this simple trick – CNET
Get the fluff back with vinegar and baking soda.
Alina Bradford/CNET
Eventually even the best towels can become stiff, scratchy and not very absorbent. It happens when fabric softeners and residue from dryer sheets build up on the fibers.
But even the crustiest of towels can feel like new by washing them with this simple trick.
First, load your washer with towels (clean or dirty, doesn’t matter) and set your washer’s temperature to hot water or the sanitize cycle. Then add a cup of vinegar by pouring it in the area where you normally pour the laundry soap. If your washer doesn’t have a special place to pour the laundry soap, just add it to the drum before adding the towels.
Don’t add fabric softener or laundry soap and run the wash, rinse and spin cycle like you normally would.
When the towels are done, run the load again, but this time add a cup of baking soda to the load the same way you added the vinegar. Once again, don’t add fabric softener or laundry soap and run the wash, rinse and spin cycle as you normally would with hot water or on the sanitize mode. Dry the towels using the sanitize or high heat option.
The baking soda and vinegar will strip the residue from the towels, leaving them fluffy and absorbent again. My towels were getting so bad I was going to buy new ones, but this trick saved them from the rag pile.
If your towels are really coated with residue you may need to repeat these steps one more time. To keep your towels fresh, give your towels this treatment once a month or whenever they start to feel crunchy.
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Lenovo’s beautiful Yoga Book should run Chrome OS, not Android
Lenovo’s best convertible ever would be even better with Chrome OS.
Lenovo’s new Yoga Books are simply beautiful. If you haven’t yet seen what I’m talking about, take a minute, scroll down and watch our hands-on video — really, you need to see it. With a full size (10.1-inches) touch screen keyboard that doubles as a drawing surface, 64GB of storage and modest but adequate internals (Intel Atom, 4GB RAM) it flips all the switches that tell me to buy it. Except one. It should be running Chrome OS.
Lenovo was smart enough to make two versions — one runs Windows 10 and one runs Android — so potential buyers have a choice. Unless you’re an ultra power user of some sort, the Windows version should be able to handle anything you need while away from your desk, and the Android version gives the mobile experience for folks that prefer it. We still get to make a choice, but either can be a sleek Yoga Book with a sexy Halo Keyboard. It remains to be seen how well the fancy keyboard and drawing surface actually works for people who need or want to use either input method. I can’t see myself fiddling around in the back-end of AC at 60 words per minute too often while typing on glass, but it’s so damn pretty I want to try the Windows version.
All this gushing (dare I say excitement?) is echoed by most people talking about the Yoga Book, so Lenovo is probably happy. Yet every time I watch that video or read the words someone had to say about it, the Android model is still just an Android tablet. There’s plenty you can do with an Android tablet, and some things are even better than they are on other platforms — watching YouTube or Google Play Movies, for example. But when it comes to using it on the internet through a browser, nothing is better than a Chromebook. I’ll say it — a Yoga Book running Chrome OS would be better for folks who primarily work or play through the browser than both the Windows and Android models. Chromebooks are faster, more secure and maintenance free. Plus, they run Android apps. All the Android apps.
A Chromebook can run all the Android apps as well as the very best web experience.
That’s the kicker. A Yoga Chromebook could have been done exactly like the ASUS Flip. It runs Chrome OS, which includes a complete Android subsystem and everything from the Google Play Store(s). Any app you can use on the Android model would also run — exactly the same — on a Chrome model. And when it comes time to hit the web, Facebook or Google Docs or any other website is better on a desktop browser with full extension support than it is on anything built for Android. This is a no-brainer. Nothing is lost, and for all of us who would primarily use the thing on the web, things just got a whole helluva lot better.
The Yoga Book is both innovative and beautiful. And I really do want to try the Windows 10 version and see if it could be a MacBook Air replacement or if the keyboard just doesn’t cut it. If nothing else, I could use it to draw cartoons of me being frustrated at the keyboard. But I have no desire to buy the Android model. I already have a Pixel C and Google’s folio keyboard, and the pretty factor doesn’t sweeten the deal enough for me to spend my hard-earned dollars. And honestly, with an ASUS Flip in my bag I couldn’t go back to using something only half as good.
Unless there is a third model coming later in the year, I haven’t found the Flip replacement I’ve been looking for. Sorry, Lenovo.
Chromebooks
- The best Chromebooks
- Should you buy a Chromebook?
- Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
- Acer Chromebook 14 review
- Join our Chromebook forums
Top 5 Reasons Why You Need a Streaming VPN
VPN services have become such essential without which today’s internet user cannot survive. While there are many reasons to opt for a streaming VPN, the main reason is the requirement of data and online identity protection. A VPN protects users from cyber criminals and various kinds of viruses while providing access to geo-blocked movies, TV shows and sports.
How Does a VPN Give You Access to Geo-Locked Content?
OneVPN has a built-in streaming feature called One-Stream. The streaming feature gives access to all the desired content from anywhere in the world be it movies, TV shows or sports. OneVPN has its servers installed in various parts of the world to help users access whatever they want from wherever.
And now, here’re the top 5 reasons why you need a streaming VPN:
5. Watch Sports Online
Accessing sports content online due to regional restrictions isn’t an issue when you have a VPN. OneVPN, for instance, allows sports fans to catch each of their desired sports event, thanks to the dynamic IPs it provides. Once a user connects to OneVPN, it lets them select desired server locations to access content from, on the go. You can watch a number of upcoming sports with OneVPN including Mixed Martial Arts and Formula Racing events live online from channels across the world including NBC in the US, Fox Sports in the Netherlands, and so on.
4. Watch Movies Online
A VPN basically funnels your network traffic through an encrypted tunnel, hiding your identity, and mitigating against ISP-level censorship in countries like China and even Russia. But did you know VPNs can help you watch TV shows? Video-streaming services like Netflix only allow people living in certain countries to access them but a streaming VPN opens up all the blocked passages for streaming.
3. Watch TV Shows Online
If movies aren’t your thing but TV shows are, you can use a streaming VPN such as OneVPN to access television programming. When you’re not in certain countries, access to TV content gets difficult. With OneVPN, you have nothing to worry about as you can access a wide range of online streaming channels showing comedy shows, dramas, thrillers, action shows, and so on. You can easily bypass geographical restrictions to watch your favorite shows by switching your IP with one provided by the VPN provider.
2. Watch UFC on Pay-Per-View
Do you ever miss UFC on PPV because of the hassle involved with accessing the fights? Well, with a VPN such as OneVPN you never have to miss a single punch again. OneVPN’s One-Stream will let you access content from all around the world including the upcoming UFC 203 featuring Miocic, Overeem and Punk. The fights will be broadcasted in the US only, but now fans outside the US can access the fights as well.
They can even have an ad-free experience thanks to OneVPN’s Ad-Blocker Add-On. All you need to do is to get your OneVPN subscription, configure it on your preferred device, choose your required server from the list, and connect.
1. Watch Home Channel in Native Language
OneVPN or a VPN is not just about accessing geo locked content. A VPN lets users enjoy their native content in their own language no matter where they are. This is an ideal thing for travelers because those who move a lot are not able to access their favorite content from back home. OneVPN has deployed servers in so many countries that they enable you to access home channels in native language with total ease.
So, these were your top 5 reasons why you need a streaming VPN for online streaming. You can grab your OneVPN subscription now and start streaming the content you love, from anywhere and anytime.
Jabra Elite Sport headphones remove the cables, tracks your heart rate from your ear
Jabra has announced a pair of in-ear headphones that ditch the cables completely and are able to track your heart rate from within your ear.
The Jabra Elite Sport, as they will be known, delivers a cord-free wearing style whether you choose to use one or both earbuds and come with an array of ear gels and ear wings presented in-box, as well as foam tips for passive noise-cancellation and enhanced bass.
“They are a true training aid which are waterproof and delivers freedom of movement, ground-breaking in-ear fitness analysis, strong battery life and great music for anyone who wants to work out,” claims the company, revealing them for the first time at the IFA consumer electronics trade show in Berlin, Germany.
To get the most from the new wireless earbuds, users will be expected to use accompanying app that offers a range of audio training tools including advanced personalised fitness analysis thanks to an in-ear heart rate monitor. The app also offers automatic fitness testing (VO2 Max measurement), race-time predictor and recovery advisor.
As you would expect for a fitness app tied to a pair of headphones, the Jabra Sport Life app delivers these updates straight to your ears.
With all that exercising, Jabra has said it wants to make sure you can hear and talk to people on the go too. Each earbud has two integrated microphones: one to capture your voice and the other to focus on reducing background noise.
The earbud will run up to three hours of calls and music when fully charged, plus up to six hours of additional charge from the compact carry-case.
The earbuds are sweat and waterproof to IP67 rating, although there is no protection against losing them.
The Jabra Elite Sport will be available online and in selected markets from Q4 2016, and cost £229.99 in the UK.
Has Qualcomm just revealed what we can expect from Google Daydream hardware?
Qualcomm, the company that provides modems and processors for the majority of smartphones on the market today, is putting its full weight behind Virtual Reality with the creation of a reference headset for manufacturers.
The reference device, which will offer the full power of its latest flagship processor alongside other tech will also have an ace up its sleeve. It won’t need to be connected to a computer or console to work.
The company is hoping that by making a dedicated mobile VR experience to show off, device makers will be able to use the new reference design to quickly develop their own standalone headsets optimized for VR content and applications to release to the market in the coming months.
The move could spell an era where dozens of different headsets by different manufacturers are available to buy ultimately pushing down the price for dedicated VR devices for consumers.
Time to Daydream?
The news by Qualcomm could also mean we are about to see the launch of Google’s upcoming Daydream VR experience on a dedicated VR headset rather than require you to put your phone in a cardboard casing to experience the virtual world.
Google’s Daydream, launched at Google I/O earlier in the year, promises to effectively simplify access to virtual reality content on a mobile device both from a device perspective, but also a hardware one too.
- What is Daydream and when is it coming? Google’s Android VR platform explained
- Google might launch its Daydream platform soon with new VR hardware
Although details of Google Daydream have yet to be fully detailed, the thinking is that manufactures will either have to create mobile phones to an optimal specification list set up Google, or build dedicated headsets that meet the company’s standards.
A powerful dedicated VR headset with all the pieces of the puzzle already available to get the ball rolling fits that scenario nicely.
A crowded market
The VR market is currently dominated by four hardware makers: HTC, Oculus, and Samsung with the Vive, Rift, and Gear VR offerings respectfully, with Sony expected to quickly be crowded on top with the launch of the PlayStation VR. That could all quickly change though, with the news from Qualcomm today.
“Consumers everywhere are captivated by truly immersive VR experiences, and Qualcomm Technologies’ capabilities in graphics, displays, video, audio, computer vision and sensor technologies uniquely positions us to help customers bring these experiences to life,” said Anthony Murray, a senior exec at Qualcomm told Pocket-lint in a statement on the news before going on to add that “The Snapdragon VR820 provides a springboard for OEMs and developers to usher in the next generation of truly portable and untethered devices that we think are necessary for mass consumer adoption of VR.”
The reference headset, which won’t be available for consumers to buy, features a Snapdragon 820 processor that has been tweaked specifically for VR.
It includes features such as integrated eye tracking with two cameras, dual front facing cameras for six degrees of freedom and see-through applications, four microphones, gyro, accelerometer, and magnetometer sensors.
Devices makers, will be expected to create their own design for the headset.
Devices possibly coming as soon as October
Qualcomm says the Snapdragon VR820 offering is anticipated to be available from October with the first commercial devices based on the platform expected to be available shortly thereafter.
Some device makers have already started offering standalone VR headsets. Pico Neo is a headset powered by the Snapdragon 820 in its gamepad for example, while Alcatel announced the launch of the Vision, powered by a lower spec Qualcomm processor for launch early 2017. It is unsure at this time given the news from Qualcomm, whether both companies will look to upgrade their offerings before the products land on the shelves.
AIVAnet 