Accessories

Sony Tracks Fitness at MWC 2014

  • PDF

Mobile World Congress 2014 offers a look at the Sony take on fitness trackers first announced at CES 2014-- specifically the Core, an activity sensor slotted inside the SmartBand (SWR10) bracelet.

Sony SmartbandThe Core pairs with Android smartphones and Sony-developed fitness app Lifelog. Unlike similar offerings from Jawbone and Nike, the Core allows wearers to keep track not only of physical activities and sleep patterns, but also of communications, places visited and entertainment. In other words it provides (wait for it) a log of one's life.

While not an actual "smart" device, the Core  also vibrates to let users know of received messages or alarms.

Designed to be worn 24/7, the Core communicates with smartphones via Bluetooth or NFC and tracks activities even when out of range from a paired device. It is waterproof is easily removed from the included rubber strap.

Read more...

Mad Catz Debuts iDevice Gamepad

  • PDF

Mad Catz characterMad Catz is the next vendor following the likes of Logitech and Moga in iOS7-compatible game controllers, launching the C.T.R.i wireless gamepad at Mobile World Congress 2014.

Aesthetically the C.T.R.L.i looks quite familiar-- as it should, since it is actually a reconfigured version of the gampepad packaged with the M.O.J.O. micro console, which in turn is a version of the Mad Catz MLG Pro Circuit Xbox 360 controller.

Read more...

The E-Cigarette-Speakerphone Combo

  • PDF

Do your customers demand the hands-free convenience of a speakerphone and the smoke-free nicotine of an electronic cigarette? They should be in luck with the Supersmoker Bluetooth, a device that's exactly the combination of the two.

SupersmokerAccording to its makers the Supersmoker Bluetooth "aesthetically combines the convenience of electronic smoking with modern-day technology." Curious description aside, the Supersmoker connects to smartphones via Bluetooth and provides a built-in microphone, speaker and a trio of buttons to handle call-answering duties. Not while smoking though, since one has to put the speaker next to their ear and the microphone near their mouth.

Read more...

The Smartwatches of CES 2014

  • PDF

Pebble SteelWherever you went within the cavernous halls of CES 2014 one word showed up with at times distressing regularity-- "wearables," most times in reference to any number of announcements of smartwatch-style devices taking place at the show.

Even Intel caught the wearable electronics bug, presenting a miniature computer called Edison perfect for powering smartwatches, as well as smart earbuds and smart baby onesies. However, for the sake of brevity this feature will only cover smartwatches, meaning we won't talk of app-connected fitness trackers such as the Razer Nabu, LG Lifeband and Misfit Wearables' Shine sensor. Sorry, fellas!

Read more...

Mophie Boosts iPhone Battery, Storage

  • PDF

Battery-case maker Mophie outs a new kind of product at CES 2014-- the Space Pack, the first case packing local built-in iPhone 5/5s storage as well as the regular rechargeable battery.

Mophie Space Pack"Many people know Mophie as a mobile battery company, but our primary goal is built on the idea of allowing our customers to do more with their mobile devices; to make accessories that are more than just functional and fashionable, but are truly smart accessories," the company says. "Users that buy a Mophie product can really do more with their phone or tablet. The battery is at the heart of that. Any user that owns a mobile device can't do any thing with it without power."

Read more...