stuff you never expect to find?

Runtastic Uses Oculus Rift To Give Your Real-World Workout A Virtual Kick In The Pants
Posted Dec 15, 2014 by Darrell Etherington (@etherington)


Fitness tracking app Runtastic has developed a proof-of-concept piece of software for Oculus Rift VR headsets that allow the user to do a real 7-minute workout, while experiencing a virtual environment at the same time. The new software lets you do squats, lunges, yoga and the official 7-Minute Workout, all while immersed in virtual environs designed to inspire you more than the basement, hotel room or boring office you may actually be using.

Locations programmed into this early version include a scenic hillside, a villa by the beach, and a virtual “black hole” (which sounds terrifying rather than relaxing, but maybe it’s an Interstellar cash in?) and it also acts as a movie theater for Runtastic training videos featuring exercise demonstrations. Virtual in-app trainers also perform exercises for the benefit of the user, using motion capture generated by Runtastic’s professional trainers.


Future plans include offering customizable surroundings that users can tweak according to their individual preference, and of course all activity is tracked just like it is with Runtastic’s mobile suite of apps.

In the fictional realm of VR novel Ready Player One, a key feature of VR was the ability to use virtual training regimens to get in shape and stay fit even without leaving your apartment, complete with varying resistance generated by the various interaction devices used by a player when interacting with their virtual environment. Runtastic’s app is like an extremely basic version of that complex vision, but it’s still a step on the path. They’ll be showing it off in person at the Consumer Electronics Show this year, so expect updated impressions once we get some time with it then.



pretty far out there?

 

1. jfieb, Saturday at 4:21 PMEditDeleteReport

   #30Reply
2. 

   jfiebMember

   
   

   this snip…
   
   
   One thing I will say as we alluded to this European customer and we hope to be able to announce this customer later this quarter.
   
   I think by getting into the more name brand companies that will give us an on trade to actually hitting from leaders in this industry. And once we get into leaders in this industry I would hope that the revenue potential for each one of these opportunities will pick up.
   

   jfieb, Saturday at 7:39 PMEditDeleteReport

   #31Reply
3. 

   jfiebMember

   
   

   Home > Wearables > Runtastic’s Moment smartwatch wraps modern…
   RUNTASTIC’S MOMENT SMARTWATCH WRAPS MODERN TECH IN A CLASSIC DESIGN
   By Robert Nazarian — September 4, 2015
   3
   Wearables are popping up left and right, but they aren’t setting the world on fire. One problem might be too many options, and too few useful ones. The other might be the fact that most of them are pretty ugly. Couple that with the fact that most people don’t want their wrists buzzing all day with messages and emails, and there isn’t a whole lot to get excited about.
   
   Runtastic hopes to solve all of those issues with the Moment, a beautifully crafted watch that has just the right amount of smarts.
   
   Recently acquired by the Adidas Group, Runtastic is better known for its fitness apps, but the company has already delved into the world of wearables with its earlier Orbit and learned a thing or two. Runtastic found that most people who bought the Orbit and other “me too” fitness bands usually stopped using it after a few months. It always came down to the look and feel or how often it needed to be charged.
   
   Related: The Huawei Watch launches September 17
   
   So Runtastic set out to change the game for fitness wearables. Runtastic VP of marketing and strategic communications Stephanie Peterson said the goal was simple: “How do we take tracking capabilities and build it into our lives in a way that people actually enjoy using, and don’t have to think about using?”
   
   The company already figured out the fitness tracking part of it with the Orbit, so Runtastic CEO and co-founder, Florian Gschwandtner, said the plan became transplanting that technology into the timless look of an analog watch. The result of this effort is the Runtastic Moment, which was announced today at IFA2015.
   
   A fashionable watch
   Designing a traditional watch is no easy task for a fitness-oriented company, and Runtastic wanted to do it right. So the company worked with Georg Krippl, a watchmaker with 25 years of experience, to create a design that could incorporate fitness tracking aspects along with an extended battery life into a fashionable timepiece.
   
   A lofty goal indeed, but there was one more piece of the puzzle. Along the way, Runtastic realized there was no one-size-fits-all approach, so the company created the Runtastic Moment in ten unique designs and organized them into four collections.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Each collection sports a stainless steel case, scratch-resistant glass, the ability to withstand 300 feet in water, and six months of battery life. Each watch can be fitted with any 22mm watch band, but Runtastic offers a unique spring mechanism underneath the band makes them easier to remove, whereas traditional bands need a special tool.
   
   Related: Huawei might have the first smartwatch that fits us all
   
   Perhaps the best part is that you’ll never have to charge your wearable every night before bed. The standard watch battery lasts six months and a notification will let you know when it’s running low. You can easily change it by opening the back cover with the included screwdriver.
   
   Four collections, 10 designs
   Here’s a breakdown of the different collections and designs:
   
   Moment Fun – Designed for playful active types, it’s the smallest of the group with its 37mm diameter face. That’s about the same size as the smaller Apple Watch, which is 38mm. The Moment Fun comes with a silicone strap and is available in four colors: raspberry, plum, sand, and indigo. It’s affordably priced at $130.
   
   Moment Basic – This one is similar to the Moment Fun, except it has a larger 42mm diameter, and it’s only offered in black and sand colors. It’s the same size as the larger AppleWatch. The Moment Basic will also sell for $130.
   
   Moment Classic – This one has a minimal and “classic” look with its 46mm diameter. It boasts a genuine leather strap, and it’s available in silver, gold, and rose gold. The Moment Classic sells for $180.
   
   Moment Elite – For those who like a little sophistication, the Moment Elite comes with a genuine leather strap and is only offered in black. It has a 46mm diameter, and it sells for $180.
   
   The functionality of a modern fitness tracker
   The Runtastic Moment is as functional as it is good looking. It can track your steps, distance, calories burned, active minutes, sleep cycles, and goals in conjunction with the Runtastic Me app. The Moment is meant to be worn at all times, whether you’re exercising, working, or sleeping. Its waterproof covering means the shower or swimming pool shouldn’t hurt the watch either.
   
   The Moment isn’t the type of watch to constantly annoy you with notifications.
   
   The distance tracking is tied to steps, and the calories burned are calculated based on your step count and active minutes. While most people will track their steps, the active minutes feature can be used to track cycling and swimming, too. Gschwandtner did say that counting strokes while swimming is currently being tested, and could be enabled in a future update to the Moment.
   
   Sleeping is one area that most people don’t think about when it comes to fitness, however, a good night’s sleep is just as important as a daily exercise routine. Just touch the button on the watch when you’re going to sleep and press it again when you awake. The watch will be able to track how many hours you were in light and deep sleep.
   
   Related: The Asus ZenWatch 2 is the most customizable Android Wear watch yet
   
   The Runtastic Me app is available on both Android and iOS and will connect to the Moment via Bluetooth. Syncing will take place regularly, but the watch can hold seven days of stats. Peterson notes that this is perfect for people who like to get away and leave their phones behind. The Moment will track all your activities until it can sync again with your phone.
   
   
   
   commentary. it shows how they have learned from their first effort, and i think the battery life is a big step forward.
   the algos fit pretty well
   
   runtasic says
   
   
   Gschwandtner did say that counting strokes while swimming is currently being tested, and could be enabled in a future update to the Moment.
   
   quick just added
   
   

   • 
     
     
     • New swimming context enables improved fitness applications through stroke tracking

   so it is interesting from that point of view.
   
   anything else of interest?
   
   
   
   Not so many wearables can go for a swim, so its nice to see one that can?

PHILLIPS WANTS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY WITH ITS SMARTWATCH AND OTHER GADGETS

By David Curry — September 3, 2015

It’s never been easier to keep tabs on your own health, thanks to the many medicalwearables and health-related apps available. At IFA 2015, Philips announced a range of new personal health programs and products, which aim to take healthcare outside the hospital and make it more personal.

The first product on the list for IFA 2015 is a “health watch,” a smartwatch focused on analyzing data from the wrist. The health watch features an optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer, and other sensors capable of tracking heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns.

Philips did not say what operating system the health watch would run, but we suspect it is the company’s own brand. Most of work is done on the smartphone, so a connection to Bluetooth is necessary to check all of the data the health watch is pulling from your wrist. Phillips’ HealthSuite app will then analyze the data for you, so you know where you stand.

In addition to the watch, Phillips introduced two blood pressure monitors, which measure systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate. Both are rechargeable through USB and do not have any tubes to tie around the patient’s arm. As such, the blood pressure monitors should be more user-friendly and easy to operate.

Fitbit Aria and Withings Smart Body analyzer, which are from previous years.

Phillips also delved into more high-tech products that you might find in a hospital like the Philips Lumify, amobile ultrasound that works through the Philips HealthSuite app. It is the first app capable of using a smartphone to check inside a human body, but it will only be granted to hospitals and surgeons for quick scans of patients.

Finally, a new ear thermometer allows parents to check children’s temperature to see if they have the flu or any other illness.

All of the products launched at IFA 2015 will run on Philips HealthSuite Digital Platform, a cloud-based program that analyzes health data from multiple products, and offers suggestions for the user.

“Consumers are increasingly engaged in their personal health and they want solutions that empower them to stay healthy and prevent illness,” said executive vice president of personal health, Pieter Nota. “They understand that there is a need for active health management to stem the rising tide of chronic diseases and unhealthy lifestyles.”

Philips is announcing a range of lighting and other smart home technology at IFA 2015. Check back on Digital Trends for more news on Philips announcements.

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/philips-health-ifa/#ixzz3k

QUIK said..

This customer is a well recognized European company that provides a suite of applications products and services that track and manage health and fitness data.

it fits better for me here………………………?


a suite of applications, products, and services well recognized European company that provides a suite of
applications
products and
services that track and manage health and fitness data.

health watch
Phillips’ HealthSuite app will then analyze the data for you,


so this device is the very best mental model to try it out as see how you like it

philips. hmmmm?

commentary….

this is a nice mental model and it will change the perception of QUIK.
This is how I have fun as a part owner of this business….

How? the only devices we are in are oddities, novelties, toys. Soon we will breakthrough into some health fitness ecosystem that
has some respect and the fact that they use QUIK will give us a nod of respect?
One almost exactly like this one, or this one.

2. 
   
   

   nice work PHILIPS…KNEW YOU COULD DO IT….
   
   

   Philips announces Health Watch and more
   IFA 2015: Philips wants you to get connected and get healthy
   
   Friday
   September 4, 2015
   By Lory Gil
   @appaholik
   Philips unveiled its 'personal health program' at IFA 2015, which includes a number of wellness based connected devices.
   
   The standout offering is the Health Watch, which tracks such biometrics as heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns. When connected to the Philips HealthSuite app, users can measure their wellbeing and learn how to makebetter lifestyle choices thanks to a customised program.
   
   
   
   The watch includes an optical heart rate sensor
   
   nice, it has what they are really good at…..
   
   
   and accelerometer that continuously and automatically measures your biometric data. Philips claims that this watch is a medical device designed to "help prevent lifestyle induced chronic conditions."
   
   
   
   The data is synced with the Philips HealthSuite app, which is a cloud-based platform that collects and analyses data from the devices. The customised program is designed to help individuals understand how their lifestyle choices affect their health.
   
   Users will be connected with doctors and psychologists that provide personalised recommendations on setting and monitoring goals.
   
   Philips also announced a wide variety of other connected health devices for home use, including two types of blood pressure monitors (upper arm and wrist), an ear thermometer that is usable for all ages, including newborns, and an air purifier for people who suffer from allergies.
   
   
   
   One additional gadget of note that might be worth checking out is the body analysis scale, which measures weight, estimates body fat, and calculates BMI. Philips says the scale supports up to eight different profiles. This data is collected and analyzed through the HealthSuite app, too.
   
   Now read:Wearable tech heart rate tracking is 'incredibly accurate'
   
   The new health suite will go on sale in Germany starting in October 2015 and will roll out across other countries in 2016. Philips notes that these products are "not currently available for sale in the USA," which might mean the company is having difficulty getting approval from US health and privacy officials.
   
   These all fit firmly in the 'medical' rather than 'consumer' category and there's a lot more hoops to jump through once you stray into that world.
   

   jfieb, 2 minutes agoEditDeleteReport

   #7Reply
3. 

   jfiebMember

   New
   

   
   
   

   QUIK said..
   
   This customer is a well recognized European company that provides a suite of applications products and services that track and manage health and fitness data.
   
   it fits better for me here………………………?