Tech Gadgets That Will Take Your Workout to the Next Level

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Fitness tech has come a long way, with bulky bands giving way to sleek clip-ons, unobtrusive necklaces and stylish bracelets and watches. The problem isn't finding a gadget that works for your lifestyle, but rather choosing from among the countless options that are on the market. Smartwatch or smart shirt? A wireless sleep tracker you don't even have to wear? How about a life tracker that might actually extend your life? 

With so many to choose from, more information is better. Here are some of the latest and greatest workout-boosting gadgets for both fitness fanatics and the weekend warriors: 

1. The Polar A300

If your goal is to move more, this stylish watch-style tracker not only offers smart coaching, but also prompts you to get up and go when it senses you've been on your duff for too long. Pair with the Polar H7 for bonus features like motivational post-workout feedback and fitness testing. 

For the fashion conscious, it comes in six waterproof color options so you can even enjoy your favourite water sports if you live near a lake or seaside in style. 

2. Sony Noise Cancelling Earbuds

When weather, schedules, or space make going to a crowded gym a necessity, combat distractions with some serious blood pumping audio. 

Sony makes noise cancelling earbuds that deliver high-resolution audio, while blocking out the grunts and clangs of the meatheads and the drone of the gym TVs. 

3. Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2

This cutting-edge percussion massager, is the recovery device preferred by many of the world's elite athletes. It uses a combination of pressure and vibration at three different speed settings to enhance your pre and post-workout results. 

Use the Hypervolt Go 2 for self massage, warm ups and to loosen up tight muscles. 

4. FitBit Versa 2

The classic FitBit features are paired with smartwatch technology in the Versa 2, which tracks fitness data and alerts you to calls and texts on a stunning full-color touchscreen. There's also music control, so you don't have to fumble with yet another device on the treadmill. 

Running out of ideas on what to do at the gym? This device also includes workout tips!

5. Under Armour's Health Box

This brand's leap into the gadget market comes with a big endorsement from prima ballerina of the moment, Misty Copeland. 

The Health Box is a three-part system with the UA Band (a wearable tracker that displays workout data), a chest-strap heart rate monitor, and a smart scale – all of which use Bluetooth to sync to the UA app. 

6. Gymwatch Sensor

Heavy lifters will love this German-made sensor that's relatively new to the US. Wear it while using machines, free weights or isometric techniques, and it senses when your form is off. 

Instant audio feedback via the companion app reminds you to adjust grip, posture or pace – no personal trainer necessary.

7. The Hexoskin Shirt

Touted as the “world’s first biometric smart shirt" for men and women, Hexoskin's shirt (plus hardware pack) maps heart rate, breathing rate and movement data. 

Then syncs up with wellness apps such as MapMyRun, so you can track your workouts without bulky wearables.

Conclusion 

Why add gadgets to your workout routine? Because they are an easy way to optimize and track performance so you can get the most out of your workouts and meet your fitness goals, whether they are big or small.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Ten Gadgets that Will Make your Life so Much Easier

Know of any other interesting gadgets? Let me know.

(DISCLOSURE: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefitted from personally. Thank you for your support!)

*by andreascy*

Our Selection of the Top 10 Devices Revealed at CES 2014 Mega - Event

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello Brothers & Sisters entire world. Enjoy your days in this blessed week. Not sure what you're after, but we hope the rest of your day is good. 😃

Thanks to you, THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY is continuously growing! Do you want to shape the future with us? We are currently conducting a survey and we'd appreciate if you share your valuable feedback. The survey will only take a few minutes. Please, help us to serve you better! 

If you enjoy our blog site, then you know it, if it's Tech it's here. And today, we bring you the future. We dive into CES 2014, the Gigantic Tradeshow event (Location: Las Vegas, USA) and we present the Hottest New Technology gadgets around. 

Another year, another Consumer Electronics Show has come and gone, and our editorial team picks the best devices that hit the show floor. Some truly interesting innovations, including Smart Watches, Gaming hardware, PC Concepts, TVs, and more.

So what are we waiting for? Let's get to know the Top 10 Devices from this year's event. With a drum roll, ladies and gentlemen, here is the honour list:

1. Pebble Steel Smartwatch

Now hand watches do better than showing time, date, stopwatch and alarms. Pebble Watch came at CES with a new metallic version called "Pebble Steel Smartwatch".

Still supporting Android and iOS, this version includes Corning Gorilla Glass, protecting the E-lnk screen. The battery of the watch was created to last for a week. It's price is $249 and is going to be available from January 28, 2014.

2. Oculus Rift Crystal Cove

The 3D headset for gamers has been improved: Oculus VR revealed its new prototype for Oculus Rift, code-named "Crystal Cove".

This model includes small infrared LEDs on the front surface of the headset. These LEDs that look like white dots emit signals that a camera captures, similar to a webcam. By the way, the graphics are more detailed: Crystal Cove can refresh much faster the information displayed (every 1 to 2 milliseconds compared to 16 milliseconds from the previous model).

3. Project Christine

Here is an interesting concept PC, perfect for huge RTS (real-time strategy) games like League of Legends or StarCraft II. "Project Christine" is a bold re-imagining of the modern desktop with a modular design, made by Razer, a not very large company that develops and sells devices for gamers.

Christine comes with this fascinating design, and several modules like CD/DVD drives, Hard Disk Drives, GPU, RAM Memory etc. Users can customize or upgrade the PC by simply changing the modules on the central tower in order to have a better gaming experience. You can even hot swap the power supply!

4. PlayStation Now

Two months after the release of the PlayStation 4, Sony unveiled it's cloud service "PlayStation Now". Players were waiting for this since 2012, after the acquisition of Gaikai, a company which provides technology for the streaming of high-end video games.

We don't have a release date for the moment, however we know that the service will be compatible with PS4, PS Vita and maybe with smartphones, tablets and TVs. Also it will allow users to play PS3 games (and PS2?) without installing the games on the console.

5. LG’s Curved TV

The key number of this TV by LG is 105. Actually 105 inches for the LG Curved Ultra HD TV, with a 21:9 screen.

The advantage of this curved TV is it's viewing angle. The viewing angles are as wide as you like and the picture is extremely clear from virtually any perspective. By the way, LG, knowing that there'll be a little number of adopters, also made a 65-inch version. Simply awesome!

6. Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

We wonder how Samsung was inspired for it's Galaxy Note Pro tablet: you just have to see the home screen to say that it reminds a bit Windows 8 Modern UI (Metro).

Going by the specs this lightweight (759gr) 12.2 - inch tablet, measures 7.95 mm thick. It comes with Android 4.4 KitKat, and offers a huge display resolution of 2560x1600 (pixels), 3 Gb of RAM, and a huge Exynos 5 Octa chip plus a combined 1.9 GHz Quad Core and a 1.3 GHz Quad Core processor. And it's performance doesn't stop here.

7. Parrot MiniDrone

Star of the CES 2014, the Parrot MiniDrone, a quadricopter that received several awards including an Innovation Award in the category "Wireless Handset Accessories".

The MiniDrone works by being connected to a smartphone or a tablet using Bluetooth Smart. With it's ultra compact design, it can do high speed flights, do acrobatics with great precision and climb along walls with two ultralight wheels. This thing can really fly...

8. EyeLock Myris Iris Scanner

Forget fingerprints! Between DNA and Technology, there is Eyelock Myris, a USB iris scanner device, which has an arguably better take on biometric security. Pick it up, flip it over, look at it, and the sensor will scan your eye to verify your identity. It can work with your PC, Mac or Chrome OS.

Better than using passwords! Myris allows you to protect your digital life while making it more easily accessible. Thank you DNA!

9. Nvidia Tegra K1 Processor

It also had it's say at CES. Nvidia unveiled Tegra K1 Processor, having 192 GPU cores and 4 Gb of Memory.

The processor brings huge graphics performances from PCs or consoles to tablets and smartphones. It allows for example to play PC or console games on Android, with an amazing graphics rendering. The 32 bit version will be released on the first half of 2014.

10. Makerbot Z18 Industrial 3D Printer

As we talk a bit more about 3D printing, Makerbot revealed it's Replicator Z18 which is definitively a beast of a 3D printer.

Even if it's cost is huge ($6,499), the Replicator Z18 3D Printer allows prints up to 12x12x18 inches (about 30x30x45 cm). According to Bre Pettis, CEO of Makerbot Industries, "this is industrial-strength 3D printing".

With that we're closing the curtains on CES 2014. We hope you liked our selection. Please take our poll on the best devices below, and leave a comment about your own opinion.

What was the best gadget of CES?
	Pebble Steel Smartwatch
	Oculus Rift Crystal Cove
	Project Christine
	Playstation Now
	LG’s Curved TV
	Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
	Parrot MiniDrone
	EyeLock Myris Iris Scanner
	Nvidia Tegra K1 Processor
	Makerbot Z18 Industrial 3D Printer
pollcode.com free polls

Learn about the latest happenings on Social Media, news and comments, plus tips on using Facebook and other web social tools.

Thank you all for your support! Have a productive week. 😎💓

*by andreascy*

Top 21 Weatherproof Products and Aluma-Tough Tags

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

From a Notebook that sustains water jets to anodized aluminum tags that last 20 years in sea salt, these cutting-edge products stand up to just about anything. 

Stay connected, organized and dry with the top 21 weatherproof products of 2013. Ranging from quirky to practical, these products were carefully selected as shining examples of how technology makes everyday products better, and people’s lives easier.

Links to all the items are available here.
If you liked this infographic then discover even more and feel free to share them with your friends and other social circles. Send your suggestions or contact us if you want to feature your infographics on our Blog. 

*by andreascy*

How To Build A Home Theatre At A Reasonable Price

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Many people these days have that magical room in their house known as the home theatre. Often referred to as a “movie room” or “media centre” the home theatre is now a highly popular place for families and friends to gather.

People inexperienced in the whole home theatre scene are often concerned at how expensive it could be to construct and how much room it may take up. But things have changed. People who have not upgraded their television in quite a while are still assuming the prices of flat screens and speakers are in excess of £3000. It is possible to spend that much, but that is only if you are looking at getting that brand new 50” OLED television that isn’t really worth it.

Make Sure Your System Fits Your Space

The first thing I did when I began looking for the speakers I needed was to size up the room that would become my home theatre. It’s easy to maximize the sound of your room if the space is smaller than average. The smaller the space, the less power needed to amplify the speakers. This means you can get a fairly medium powered receiver/amp and speakers that won’t require a lot of power. A lot of people will pack their room with huge over-sized speakers; you will definitely save a lot more money and have better sounding 5.1 using the correct speakers. 

Don’t Let That Salesman In The Shop Fool You

You can always end up spending more when you visit some of the large chain shops. Commission sales are what drives staff members to come rushing up to you as soon as you come through the door. Don’t let them try and sell you every useless item under the sun, they will definitely try. Make sure you find out EXACTLY what you are looking for before you walk into the shop. 

Speakers

Equipment can cost a lot of money; it’s in your interest to shop around before making any large decisions, I’ve found that quality is definitely worth investing in. I bought speakers from a local shop that sold speakers as separates. This means that I basically selected different front and rear speakers according to my taste, once I had decided on this I began looking for the ideal centre speaker.

The main problem with buying separate speakers is that they vary in color shape and size; it’s difficult to keep the speakers coordinated. I would however, definitely pick separates over an all in one speaker kit. All in one kits are usually great for the budget but not so great for sound quality, unless you’re spending upwards of £1000 I would not suggest it.

If you are upgrading your home theatre, always look out for shops that will allow you to trade in your previous speakers to then put towards your new ones. You may also want to use an online auction site such as eBay to get rid of your old speakers, or even buy your new ones!

Televisions

The television is one item to be careful of. There are hundreds on the market and they range from 300 to 3000+. You must first decide on what the room is primarily going to be used for, Movies? Gaming?

If gaming is a big factor for your setup and you’re looking at getting the £400 budget Samsung LCD or whichever brand, make sure you check what latency the screen has! 

This is usually referred to as “response time” and it can greatly affect how fast your control inputs feel coming through to the television. The smaller the response time the better. The minimum response time for gaming would be around 8ms, any more than that and you’ll be at a disadvantage. LCD televisions can have quite a large response time where as Plasma is known to be a lot smaller but it’s not always the case.

Projectors

Projectors are coming down in price these days so make sure you have a look at those, but don’t forget to include the cost of the pull down screen! Projectors can be a great way to maximize the size of the screen. You can get fairly decent HD projectors now at quite a good price. Projectors can be quite hard to watch in the daytime due to daylight shooting through the window. I had to put up blinds and thick curtains to be able to see the screen. One other thing about projectors is they have a lamp life, the bulb inside the projector can only be used for a certain amount of time before it effectively becomes useless. When I last had a projector its bulb could cost up to £400 for a replacement, so keep that in mind.

Although people assume it to be ridiculously expensive, building a home theatre doesn’t have to be. Just make sure you research what you’re looking for and check the specifics of all items!

If you like our article then kindly share it with your friends. If you want to support us then subscribe on our RSS feed and Daily Newsletter for future updates. Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

*by andreascy*

CNETTV : Sony's Xperia S comes to America!

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The Sony Xperia S is the first product to emerge from the newly consolidated Sony Mobile group. Although it'll inevitably be treated as the bellwether for Sony's attempt at going it alone on the mobile front, this phone's design and development can rightfully be attributed to the former Sony Ericsson partnership.

The Sony Xperia S doesn’t differ too much from the Xperia Ion : Its 4.3-inch display has a 1280 x 720 resolution, the camera features a 12-megapixel Exmor R sensor, and beating inside is a dual-core Snapdragon heart clocked at 1.5GHz.. If it looks familiar, it’s because we have seen this phone before under the codename Nozomi (hands on video at CES 2012). The phone also boasts Near Field Communication (NFC) support. 

The Xperia NXT family of smartphones is making its way to the United States market and it’s coming in no fewer than three different flavors: the Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia U. Variations of these phones have already been made available to international markets, so it’s not like they’re bringing a lot of high powered novelty to the mobile table.

NXT line is now available in the United States via the Company's stores and its website. The Xperia S comes in black and white and will set you back $559.99, the Xperia P comes in black, red and silver and costs $479.99, while the Xperia U comes in Black/Pink, Black/White and White/Yellow variants for $299.99. Naturally these are all prices for unlocked smartphones and you don't need to sign any kind of contract.

The trio will also be offered via Newegg.com and other online retailers, but pricing may vary as the above prices are manufacturer suggested.

Learn more at :
CNET

*by andreascy*

SONY XAV-601BT Double DIN A/V Receiver : Control Smartphone Features and Apps thanks to MirrorLink™ Technology

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hey Brothers & Sisters entire world. Have a great days in this blessed weekend. We would love to keep you updated with all the latest trends so here we go.

We present to you Sony's best-in-class audio/video infotainment system. An In-Dash Receiver that provides great dynamic sound capabilities using an EQ7 7-band equalizer and a rear bass enhancer to allow your back speakers to act as a subwoofer. 

Featuring Jump Mode, SensMe, and the new MirrorLink applications the receiver makes search capabilities a lot easier. Experience music playback and connectivity like never before with brand new technology that is revolutionizing the car audio industry.

With integrated Bluetooth technology, Pandora internet radio control, integrated HD Radio™ tuner, SiriusXM™ satellite radio connectivity, dual USB inputs and CD/DVD playback to maximize a mobile audio experience. 

We got a glimpse of this at CES, but the XAV-601BT has Sony's MirrorLink technology. Now, for those with smartphones, you can control and enjoy music, navigation and other smartphone apps safely while on the move.

MirrorLink gives you in-dash control over applications and data that you have saved on your phone. With the first MirrorLink™ compatible in-car AV centre head unit, you’re always in touch with your digital world while you’re behind the wheel. 

Just connect your MirrorLink™ certified smartphone to the XAV-601BT and you’re ready for the road. 

As well as making and receiving calls safely, it’s easy to interact with your phone’s media collection and compatible apps while your smartphone’s battery charges via USB. 

You can even get directions and interact via the large 15.5cm (6.1”) touch panel with your phone’s built-in navigation app (NB: supported functions depend on capabilities of connected smartphone). 

From launch, the XAV-601BT offers guaranteed MirrorLink™ compatibility with these Symbian smartphones: Nokia 701, 700, 603, N8, E7, C7, X7, C6-01. The head unit is future-proofed with simple firmware updates to add compatibility with more apps and a growing range of smartphones from other manufacturers. 

You don’t even have to be a driver to enjoy all the fun. Passenger App Control lets travel companions view videos and interact with apps from their connected iPhone and iPod Touch on the head unit’s touchscreen. (NB: iPod video playback requires optional cable). 

Dual USB ports allow simultaneous connection of two portable devices. Make calls and use your smartphone’s navigation app, while browsing album artwork and playlists on your iPod/iPhone or Walkman or listening to tracks stored on USB flash memory. 

Music searches, control of linked devices and other functions are a pleasure via the touchscreen’s speedy, responsive ‘3D-style’ interface. Choose your background wallpaper image, or select from a choice of six eye-grabbing visualizations that bring music playback to life. 

Audio/video quality of the XAV-601BT is everything you’d expect from Sony’s range-topping AV Centre head unit. You’ll enjoy detail-packed DVD video playback, plus a clear view of playlists and album artwork on the large 15.5cm (6.1”) WVGA touchscreen. 

Pristine video is teamed with unmatched in-car sound. Immerse yourself in the emotion of a live concert with 4.1 multi-channel surround sound plus a virtual centre speaker. Sony’s unique Advanced Sound Engine lets you fine-tune each performance with a wide palette of sonic refinements to suit your mood and your music collection. 

Unique to Sony, radio reception is enhanced by a Digital Clarity Tuner that improves stereo channel separation and sound quality if you’re driving in areas with weak FM signal coverage. 

Naturally the XAV-601BT supports Bluetooth for safe hands-free calls from your phone, and wireless music streaming from your Walkman or Bluetooth -enabled MP3 player. 

For additional peace of mind, the XAV-601BT features a removable front panel that detaches in an instant for improved anti-theft security while you’re away from the vehicle. 

About MirrorLink™ Technology:

MirrorLink™ is a technology standard developed by the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) that unites many of the world’s major electronics, automotive and mobile communications companies. 

Drivers can safely access many of their smartphone’s capabilities from behind the wheel, without looking at or touching the phone itself. 

It seamlessly connects your phone with your vehicle’s information and entertainment system.

Approved applications and content are ‘mirrored’ from the mobile device onto the display of your in-dash head unit. This connectivity allows you to interact safely with your smartphone via the car’s head unit display, steering wheel buttons and audio system. 

The new XAV-601BT in-car AV Centre with MirrorLink™ compatibility by Sony is available in Europe from June 2012. Enjoy the video!

The Sony XAV-601BT is great for turning any road trip into a fun and entertaining adventure. With great sound quality and performance, this receiver provides a new lively experience while your out on the road. 
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*by andreascy*

Skype for Sony PlayStation VITA app now available

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The Skype for Sony PS VITA app is now available!

Professional Gamer Fatal1ty takes us through Skype for PS Vita and demonstrates how to use the key features, find contacts and make voice and video calls.

All the Skype features you've come to know and love are now available on your PS Vita so you can Skype call your friends and family on the go via 3G or WiFi.

The Skype for PS VITA app can run in the background on your console, so you can keep playing and receive calls at the same time without compromising gameplay, you can pause games by answering a call and pick up right where you left off when you're done talking. 

With Skype credit, you can also use the Skype for PS VITA app to make voice calls to any number, just top up your account to make calls to mobiles and landlines.

Skype for Sony PS VITA is available for free download now from the PlayStation store. 

*by andreascy*