January 30, 2006 | Back

Secret Batting Weapon Hits the Market

Just in time for spring baseball and softball season, MSS Performance, a company specializing in vision-based sports training products, has introduced the I-ON Eye Trainer, a sunglass-like teaching aid scientifically proven to enhance performance at the plate. While newly available to the public, well known professional baseball players have trained with the I-ON for some time.

By blocking a batter's peripheral vision, the I-ON Eye Trainer forces the eye to follow the trajectory of the ball from point of release all the way into the hitting zone. The patented adjusting system is one-size-fits-all and was developed for training in a soft-toss, slow-paced setting to maximize muscle memory and improve eye-hand coordination. If used properly, a recommended 15 minutes per day, ball players of all ages and skill levels can achieve immediate, noticeable results, according to MSS.

> Source: MSS Performance
> Estimated price: $49
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

January 28, 2006 | Back

New Vaughn Outdoor CZiP Gloves and Mittens Unzip Across Knuckles

Skiers, snowboarders and winter athletes are all too familiar with the inconvenience of taking gloves off at inopportune times. Whether it's on a lift, in the middle of a ski slope or backcountry, having to take off gloves is not always easy or safe to do. Vaughn Outdoor, a new Utah-based company, provides an end to this dilemma with the new CZiP gloves and mittens. The innovative CZiP design features a zipper at the top of the hand portion (just below the knuckles) of a glove or mitten and allows the wearer to remove the material covering the hand and fingers without completely removing the glove or mitten. With hands free, the wearer can perform any function, while still having the convenience of the open portion secured around the wrist.

CZiP gloves are available in sizes small through extra-large. Colors offered are steel gray, quarry (light gray), thunder (dark blue) and black. The CZiP sports a YKK, fleece-lined zipper for warmth and is insulated with warm, non-bulky Primaloft. Over and under designs are available in both gloves and mittens. The design also features an easy-zipper pull tab and full leather palm and finger tips. Toasty.

> Source: Vaughn Outdoor
> Estimated price: $59 to $159
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 02:14 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

January 18, 2006 | Back

Motorola's TEAMMOTO Showcase Audex, the Ultimate Winter Jacket

Put it on and plug it in! Actually, unplug it! Kicking off the winter sports season, Motorola Inc. and Burton Snowboards have announced commercial availability of the Bluetooth-enabled Audex Jacket Series. Motorola and Burton are also expanding their global relationship with the newly formed TEAMMOTO -- a Motorola-sponsored snowboarding team comprised of Burton riders from across the globe.

The new Audex jacket allows winter sports enthusiasts to experience seamless connectivity -- at the touch of a button -- from one environment to the next. At the center of the Audex jacket is a control panel located on the left-hand sleeve, allowing for simple and easy access to your incoming and outgoing calls, and music selections. Connect a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to the panel wirelessly, while hooking up your iPod player via hidden, unobtrusive wires within the jacket. Speakers and a microphone are located in the hood for taking and making calls as well as listening to music. Words of wisdom - be very very careful. If regulators think that driving and talking on a cell phone can be dangerous, make sure there is an ER in close proximity if you plan to talk on the phone while snowboarding!

> Source: Burton
> Estimated price: $600
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

September 18, 2005 | Back

Version 4.0 Technology Enabled Clothing from SCOTTEVEST Released

Not enough room in your jacket for your iPod, cell phone, headset, camera, and PDA? SCOTTEVEST, INC., a clothing company known for its Technology Enabled Clothing-TEC jackets and vests, has launched a fashionable solution for concealing mobile electronic devices in everyday clothing with Version 4.0. Version 4.0 capitalizes on the growing popularity of iPods, cell phones, and other electronic devices, with fashionable clothing that combines the need to carry mobile electronics with looking good. Version 4.0 has a sharp look that protects the user from getting tangled in cords or dropping expensive equipment.

Version 4.0 features lounge pants, microfleece pullovers, hoodies, pants, shorts, and baseball caps, in addition to the company's signature jackets and vests. Load'em up for a great look - and if you wear enough of your electronics - even a great workout!

> Source: Scottevest
> Estimated price: $19 to $309
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 09:29 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

August 01, 2005 | Back

Jibbitz Launches Accessory Line to Personalize Crocs

Thousands of people who own lightweight, waterproof clogs such as Crocs, can now personalize their shoes with Jibbitz. Jibbitz are handmade accessories that come in different shapes and sizes with designs such as silk flowers, colored stones, yin yang and peace symbols, sports gear, American flags, happy faces, and words such as "Love," "Be Happy," and more. Jibbitz snap into the holes of waterproof clogs and are easily interchangeable.

Sheri Schmelzer, owner and creator of Jibbitz, started the business in her basement with a few Jibbitz designs for her kids and their friends, and Jibbitz have become so popular that it is now a growing business with more than 200 designs available on the Web site. Jibbitz are currently sold only through www.jibbitz.com, but Schmelzer has plans to expand into retail stores late this year. Can't wait!

> Source: Jibbitz
> Estimated price: $10 to $20
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 05:11 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 30, 2005 | Back

First International Digital Introduces MusiCase

It's a carrying case! No, it's speakers! Wait, could it be both? A new hybrid from First International Digital, Inc. (FID), MusiCase is a unique iPod accessory, which combines two amplified stereo speakers with a carrying case. Made of a lightweight, durable nylon material, the MusiCase allows users to store, protect, and transport their MP3 players and related accessories. Inside, two mesh pockets are specially optimized to hold iPods and the iPod Shuffle, although the device is compatible with any MP3 player.

When connected to MusiCase's two internal speakers (1.8" and 1.1"), the iPod or MP3 player becomes a fully portable stereo system, powered by a built-in three-watt amplifier and producing clear, crisp sound without the need for headphones or cumbersome external speakers. MusiCase measures 5.8" x 4.8" x 2.0" and is powered by two AA batteries, which provide approximately 15 hours of music (depending on volume levels). A built-in loop allows for belt attachment and a detachable carrying strap is also included.

> Source: MusiCase
> Estimated price: $19
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

June 28, 2005 | Back

Bausch and Lomb PureVision Contact Lens Helps Correct Spherical Aberration

The Bausch and Lomb PureVision soft contact lens, now available in the United States, is designed to correct spherical aberration, a condition that researchers estimate effects nearly 70-percent of the population, in addition to correcting for nearsightedness and farsightedness. Spherical aberration, a so-called higher order aberration of the eye, may cause halos to appear around light sources in low-light conditions including dawn and dusk.

Bausch and Lomb PureVision lenses use AerGel technology to balance oxygen and water, an important factor in helping to maintain all-day comfort. In addition to comfort, the PureVision lens's silicone hydrogel material is a healthy option regarding corneal edema for contact lens wearers because it allows more oxygen to get to the surface of the eye than traditional hydrogel lens materials.

> Source: Bausch and Lomb PureVision
> Estimated price: $100 per box of 12 lenses
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 31, 2005 | Back

Ophthonix Sells First Eyeglasses Based upon New Vision Technology

New lens technology gives new meaning to the term "clear as day!" How about clearer than day? Ophthonix Inc., a vision care company marketing customized, "high definition" vision technology, has sold its first lenses based upon the new technology. The new iZon Wavefront-Guided Lens is now available through a regional market launch in Southern California. The first pairs of the new customized lenses were sold by Dr. Gregory Evans of Palm Desert, Calif. Dr. Evans first used the Ophthonix Z-View Aberrometer to map the patient's refractive errors. This measurement was then translated by the device into a prescription that exactly matched the patient's unique optical "eye print." The customized lenses were then manufactured at the Ophthonix facility in San Diego using a proprietary manufacturing technology that incorporates the measurements into the lens.

Unlike traditional lenses, which are made from ground or molded glass or plastic, Ophthonix lenses are made from two pieces of thin plastic that are fused with a proprietary liquid plastic between them. The iZon lenses are being introduced on a region-by-region basis during 2005 and early 2006.

> Source: Ophthonix
> Estimated price: Slightly more than traditional lenses
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 30, 2005 | Back

Haptics Systems Challenge Stroke Patients to Grasp, Pinch, Squeeze, Throw and, Yeah, Get Pushy

Stroke victims may soon benefit from haptics technologies, proves USC Viterbi, grasping, squeezing, pushing, and rotating their way to mobility.

Stroke patients who face months of tedious rehabilitation to recover function in affected limbs, are benefiting from the rise of haptics - interfaces that add the sense of touch to virtual computer environments. Like computer games, virtual therapeutic environments can be vastly more entertaining than traditional rehabilitation and custom-designed to target specific motor skills in each patient. Next, the patients seamlessly transition into gaming championships.

> Source: IMSC
> Estimated price: N/A
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 10:52 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments

May 27, 2005 | Back

DelaPod - Handbags for Your iPod

Fashion handbag manufacturer Delarew Designs decided not to be left out of the iPod revolution and created the DelaPod line of handbags. Their bags features a transparent window that allows you to control and protect your beloved iPod.

A word of advice, don't wear the DelaPod handbag on the New York City subway.

> Source: DelaPod
> Estimated price: From $49 to $99
> Date released/expected: N/A

Posted at 04:47 PM | Permalink | Email to a friend | Comments