Archive for March, 2009
LCD w/ Stand for Home Treadmill, Elliptical or Stationary Bike
INVU has designed the simple-but-useful VU44 fitness product that might help add to your workout at home motivation and energy level. So when you want to “step up” from The FIRM Wave exercise system, this is the next logical step.
Once you start training with television and LCD entertainment it can be hard to go back to staring at cement block again. The VU44 could add life and interest to elliptical trainers, stationary bikes and treadmills purchased before integrated LCD panels became the “it” thing.
The 15″ LCD comes integrated with a DVD player and telescoping stand. The stand is nice because it adjusts to a comfortable viewing height and includes cable management. The LCD Television is the star of the show of course – it offers 720p resolution, inputs for cable/satellite feeds and acceptable brightness / contrast.
The INVU currently is on sale for $350 down from the original $699 price. Not a bad deal especially if this LCD Television saves you money by helping you avoid succumbing to a gym membership. Learn more at INVU’s product page.
Further reading:
Customer Reviews of 15 Inch LCD TV DVD for Treadmill or Elliptical [via FirstPageFitness]
Sixth Sense Invention Sees Dead Surface, Represents Huge Leap for Wearable Tech
A group from MIT has developed a surprisingly practical inexpensive and compelling take on what the Personal Area Network (PAN) may someday offer us. A “PAN” is several portable devices working in concert to do more than they could do alone. Could MIT’s vision be only a few years away from reality?
Imagine a portable, cheap ($350 today), context aware version of Microsoft Surface and you may be close to what MIT presented at TED2009. Sixth Sense at it’s core is a camera and projector you carry around with you – not too amazing right? What if they worked together to project information about products, places and even people right on whatever surface happens to be in your vicinity – maybe even your hands?
Sixth Sense combines an ordinary SmartPhone, camera and mini-projector. The camera tracks your gestures and environment. The projector displays information and an interface relevant to the situation. The phone runs the necessary apps, connects to the internet and provides the horsepower.
The best way to appreciate what Sixth Sense can do is to see it in action. The video is long but full of clever nuggets and “ah-ha” moments. But if you don’t have the time, skip to about 3:10 and you’ll instantly get the plot with some insanely cool demos.
Further Reading
TED: Maes & Mistry: Unveiling the “Sixth Sense,” game-changing wearable tech
iGizmodo: Sixth Sense May Change How We Look At The World Forever
Engadget: MIT’s “sixth sense” augmented reality device demonstrated on video
Steve Wozniak Dances With, Appalls, the Stars
We respect and admire Steve “Woz” Wozniak, whose computer engineering feats helped propel the venerable Apple II line into every school in the 1980’s. He also seems like a fellow with a great sense of humor a real enjoyment of life and likely a thick skin (hey he had to work with Steve Jobs for many many years!). These attributes served him well after his intro in Dancing With the Stars:
To Woz’s credit he’s not all bad and he’s clearly been working hard at it. We’re guessing he’s not going to make it too far but we’re keeping the flame alive anyway – Woz is really dancing on behalf of all geeks everywhere. So good luck Steve!
(No word on whether Steve Jobs will throw his own turtleneck in the ring next season.)
Great Deals
More Resources
High Priority Thread
Star Trek Delta Shield Tee