Daniel Spelmezan, a post-doctorate candidate at the University of Paris-Sud, has written a paper titled “An Investigation into the Use of Tactile Instructions in Snowboarding.”

Ten amateurs learned a riding technique with a wearable system that automatically provided tactile instructions during descents. These instructions were in sync with the movements of the snowboard and signaled how to move the body.

What are “tactile instructions” exactly? Spelzmezan equipped the snowboarders with cellphone controlled vibrating devices that would buzz them on different parts of their bodies to encourage them to make the right movements. Spelmezan said in his paper, “Overall, our findings indicate that tactile instructions could support snowboarders in improving their performance.”

Wonder what kind of results Spelmezan would have gotten by replacing the vibrators with electro shock systems?

[Link via MIT Technology Review]

With Soloshot none of us have to depend on an easily distracted friend, lazy filmer, or bored girl or boyfriend. All we have to do is put the camera on a Soloshot equipped tripod, slip a transmitter on our arm, and we’ve got a dedicated filmer rolling non-stop. The only downside? The thing costs $479.00. But then again, it doesn’t whine, complain, or miss the shot . . .ever!

[Link: Soloshot]

Portland, Oregon based wood iPhone covering makers Grove have teamed up with recycled skateboard jewelry makers MapleXO on a iPhone 5 back protector called the SkateBack.

The sustainable SkateBack for iPhone 5 or 4/4s is made of 100% post-industrial skate board material. Crafted here in our workshop, this recycled adhesive adornment protects the back of your phone and comes in three color schemes. No two are exactly alike!

It’s not a case that covers the whole phone, just the back. The SkateBack currently sells for $39.00.

[Link: Grove via Cult of Mac] Continue reading ‘Grove + Maple XO SkateBack For iPhone’

What do you get when you mix Globe, CCS.com, and CCS.com? You get the Halo 4 Globe Liberty Shoes.

The Globe Liberty shoe features Halo 4 details including Master Chief Petty Officer John’s green armor color, his “117” service number as well as the United Nation Space Command branding on the tongue and heel. The Liberty also has the phrase “Spartans never die” embroidered in the inner tongue of the distressed leather skate shoe. . . The Halo Globe cruiser skateboard pays tribute to the legendary science fiction game franchise with a bottom graphic of the Master Chief back on the Pillar of Autumn where it all began, along with a “10-Year Anniversary” metal badge.

Didn’t know you needed special shoes to sit around on the couch all day and play video games? We’re obviously not properly kitted.

[Link: CCS]

Looks like the Frends headphone line has swerved from its former mission of only targeting dirty shreds to also offering a high-end fashion headphone line specifically aimed at women. The website update features super models and glossy photos from photographer Kenneth Capello to help make the push. Girlfrends?

The new headphones feature “jewelry inspired designs, genuine leather and hand crafted metal, soft touch fabrics, memory foam ear cushions and premium 40 mm drivers.” The Taylor Rosegold headphone sells for $199. The Ella Gold earbuds sell for $99.

Well, the product looks solid and they are differentiating themselves from that other headphone company. Oh, wait. . .

[Link: Frends]

Last night (October 16, 2012, during the Presidential debates), in San Francisco, California, GoPro Founder and CEO Nicolas Woodman unveiled the GoPro Hero3.

Each new edition retains the iconic look of the previous award winning HD HERO cameras but comes in at about half the size of its predecessors and has built-in Wi-Fi technology. At the top end of the new product line up, the HD HERO3 Black Edition is one of the most powerful camera systems available, delivering astounding 4K and 2.7K video resolutions all in the size of a small box of matches, making it easier to share your world. The White, Silver and Black editions are available for pre-order at GoPro.com and are shipping to specialty retailers around the world for MSRP $199.99, $299.99 and $399.99 respectively.

Yes, just like the iPhone 5, everyone who uses and loves the GoPro is going to have to upgrade, dammit.

[Link: GoPro]

The phone has been out for a little over a week, but the case selection has been even weaker. That’s all changed now that Incipio is on the case. They’ve just announced six new iPhone 5 cases that will keep the your light, little, digital candy bar safe from your reckless life.

The new iPhone 5 cases include the best-selling feather®, CODE™ and NGP®, as well as the innovative DualPro™ SHINE , feather® SHINE and FAXION™. . . “We have been working diligently to provide consumers with an array of iPhone 5 case solutions and couldn’t be happier to announce these new additions,” said Andy Fathollahi, Chief Executive Officer of Incipio. “We will continue to unveil new cases as our design and production teams are always pushing the envelope on innovation.”

We’d been running their cases exclusively on our iPhone 4 and they were bulletproof. Follow the jump for the official word. Continue reading ‘Incipio Has Your iPhone 5 Cased’

No need to wonder where you are, how high, how cold, how fast you’re going, or how far you jumped. Nope. With the new Zeal Z3 (with Recon MOD GPS and Polarized Automatic lens) all that data will be displayed right up in your face on a 16×9 widescreen display that only you can see. It can be paired with a Smartphone to allow you to see who’s calling you maybe, read text messages, all without even touching the phone.

The stunning GPS capabilities of the MOD Live can pin-point your location to within a meter, tracing your every move on the slopes. The on-board altimeter shadows you to the summit, where the thermometer informs you of the alpine conditions. . . As you set off, carving through the backcountry, your path is followed from mountain peak to ski lodge. Long gone are the days of soggy paper trail maps. You can now find your way around resorts easily aided by intuitive navigational features.

We didn’t believe it until we tried a pair on at the SIA Show in Denver last winter. We didn’t think it would work with our contacts on, but the Recon heads up display was in perfect focus. There, but not at all distracting.

[Link: Zeal Optics]

Here’s a little of what the LA level of Tony Hawk Pro Skater HD looks like. This DLC (downloadable content) pack (including the Airport) is supposedly “expected soon,” according to a story on VG247.com.

Activision had promised gamers future DLC in the form of popular Tony Hawk 3 level Airport, but the content has still to surface. However, leaked footage of the level and several more has appeared online.

Almost makes us want to get a PS3 so we can download THPS HD when it becomes available tonight (August 28, 2012) at 5 PM.

[Link: VG247]

Dudes, Skullcandy would like you to take all that passion you feel for big boobs, flat stomachs and tight asses Kate Upton and transfer it to their headphones. Yes, they want you horny, horny, horny for headphones. And to help get everyone there, they’re going to inundate us with nearly naked hot girls as part of their new Skullcandy supermodel crew.

Joining Kate Upton in the horny for headphones fest are Chrissy Teigen, Jessica Stam, and Chanel Iman. And look, they’re posing with a surfboard, BMX bike, and skateboard. How action sporty cute is that? And the best part–someone in the Skullcandy marketing department probably thinks this whole tired effort is “killer.”

[Link: Skullcandy]