Wireless Wednesday for 5/21/14: With Mitch Evans - Rick's Favorite Sports Gadgets of 2014

 Have a listen to Rick and Mitch

* TOPICS - Rick's top sports gadgets and sports tech items of 2014 so far...

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 5/21/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 5/21/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

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1.  BlueAnt: PUMP HD Sportbuds

Train, play, live, unleashed – with the ultimate multi-sport headphone. PUMP delivers Energize HD Audio unmatched by wireless rivals in an ultra-rugged design. Let the beat set the pace.

·         Energize HD Audio: thundering bass, smooth mids, crisp treble, & sharp, yet subtle highs, together comprise Energize HD Audio – an audiophile-grade music experience unmatched by wireless rivals
·         Rugged Design: encased in Kevlar shielding used in bullet-proof vests; coated with Teflon that repels liquids on commercial cooking equipment; & the only sportsbuds to earn an IP67 rating; PUMP protects the premium audio components from rain, dust, debris, sweat, & even a quick rinse under the tap at the end of your workout (*not designed for swimming)
·         Best-In-Class Wireless Range: delivers crystal clear audio from up to 100 feet away from any Bluetooth-compatible device, also featuring a built-in mic for handsfree calls
·         Secure Comfort: easy to wear during long periods of intense activity with wrap-around form factor ensuring a secure fit that never slips off & ComfortSeal tips with a soft rubberized texture
·         Battery Life: don’t let the beat die even on the longest of runs; the rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 8 hours of continuous play time
·         PUMP HD Sportsbuds Video

Available at: Apple Store® (www.Apple.com), Verizon Wireless stores & on www.BlueAntWireless.com
Price: $129.95
Website: www.BlueAntWireless.com

 

2.  Tom Tom Cardio Watch

Comes in both Runner and Multi-Sport variants, offers a lot of flexibility if you dig deep enough, but also manages to put most of its most generally useful features near enough the top of the experience that novices don’t have to futz about to get started. There’s interval training, sure, but it’s also very easy just to start running and have the watch provide both visual and vibration feedback about when you hit your ideal target heart rate.
    8 hrs battery with GPS and heart rate tracking
    63 grams
    Silicon strap
    Waterproof to 5ATM
    Bluetooth Smart
    Optical heart rate monitor from Mio
    MSRP: $269.99
    Product info page

Pros
Watch virtually disappears when you need it to
Accurate heart rate tracking

 

3.  Zepp:  Zepp 3D Multi-Sport Motion Sensor

With new 3D serve analysis for tennis

The new app measures important serve metrics such as racket speed, ball speed potential, spin, backswing time and impact time, which gives players and coaches a new more scientific way to evaluate performance on the court. Additionally, the new sweet spot feature shows you where you make contact with the ball on the racket strings—a key element in gauging your contact quality and consistency.
World’s First sensor that allows users to review and replay their swing in 360º, plus providing detailed analysis and trend reports sent straight to any iOS® or Android device

    3D motion sensor easily attaches to any bat, club, or racket using innovative sport-specific mounts
·         Sensor wirelessly transmits data to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth after every swing

    Users can review and replay their swing in 360 degrees
    Baseball: track bat speed, path, timing, angles at impact, trends and more
    Golf: track speed, tempo, club plane, hand path, backswing position, hip rotation and more
    Tennis: track shot type mix (serve, forehand, backhand, smash), power and spin (topspin, slice, flat) and more
    Able to compare swings to pros and friends and share your swing data with others
    Zepp application records critical data and provides analysis, personalized tips, drills and coaching
    Sensor has an 8 hour battery life, weighs 6.3 grams and measures 1.1” x 1.1” x .39”
Available at: Apple and Verizon and Best Buy
Price: $ 149.99
Website:  http://www.zepp.com

 

4.  Misfit Wearable Shine  $99.99

Other fitness trackers like the FitBit and the Jawbone Up get a lot of press, but the Misfit Shine is a stylishly designed gadget that can be worn in a variety of ways. It’s great for daily use, as it is small and unintrusive -- so much so that some reviewers have said it is almost too easy to forget about! It relies on iOS systems to sync stats with a user’s phone, which compensates for the gadget’s minimalistic interface. Oh, and it has a four month battery life, compared to the Fitbit Force’s 7 to 10 day life.
 It uses a three-axis accelerometer to track movement and act as a pedometer. It has Bluetooth for syncing data with iOS devices. As a wrist-worn device, you could compare this to the Fitbit Flex, Jawbone Up, Basis Watch, or Nike FuelBand. In clip-on mode, which the Shine can also be out of the box, it's more like a Fitbit or a Withings Pulse.

It has some advantages over other trackers: it's waterproof to 5 atm for swimming, showering, or other activities; the Withings Pulse and certain Fitbit models aren't. And, yes, it has an "activity tracking" mode that can be set for swimming, cycling, or sleep at the current moment, besides the Shine's baseline walking/running tracking. It can be worn on your wrist or as a clip-on device with included accessories, or even worn as a pendant.

 

5.  TaylorMade SLDR  Mini Driver  $279.99

SLDR Mini Driver: Finally, a 3-wood Designed for the Tee

TaylorMade noticed that TOUR pros and better amateurs hit their 3-wood off the tee a lot more frequently than from the fairway, so we embraced that insight and created a new golf club that incorporates our cutting edge metalwood technology, including the distance-enhancing Speed Pocket, and sized it between a 3-wood and 460cc driver. We call it the SLDR Mini Driver, it’s incredibly accurate and longer off the tee than a 3-wood.
At 260cc, the SLDR Mini Driver’s footprint is larger, and face deeper, than a 160cc 3-wood. That gives you more stability and forgiveness on mis-hits and allows you to tee the ball higher, which makes the it easier to launch off the tee than a 3-wood. The SLDR Mini Driver has a low-forward CG like the rest of TaylorMade’s SLDR metalwoods, and a Speed Pocket too, which promotes more ball speed and less spin to give you more distance when you loft up.


App of the week:
Reverse Dictionary  99 cents

Ever have a word on the tip of your tongue that you just couldn’t remember no matter hard you try? Well of course you have, but now Reverse Dictionary is here to help you out. All you have to do is type a description of the word that you want to use and the app will bring up a bunch of different suggestions for what word you could be looking for. So for instance, if you type in “small business owner,” Reverse Dictionary will give you suggestions such as “entrepreneur” and “proprietor.”

 

Wireless Wednesday for 5/14/14: With Mitch Evans - 'Fix It' Websites

Rick and Mitch talk websites where you can go to learn how to fix things.  And the app of the week!

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 5/14/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

* TOPICS - The NCAA Tennis Championships are going on in Athens at the Dan MaGill Tennis Center for the next 11 Days, Rick is attending that and he attended the Google Roadshow earlier this week

And when you break something, these websites will tell you how to fix it  

Fixing things is a great way to be more self-sufficient and save some money. You never know what’s going to break next, but if you have the resources to fix some of the most common issues with your computer, electronics, home, car, and bike, you’ll be prepared to deal with most of the problems that come up. If you have a toolbox with the basic tools and these four websites bookmarked, you’ll be a handyman in no time!

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1.  iFixit  - for electronics

With almost 2,000 Mac repair guides, 2,000 phone repair guides, and 1,000 PC repair guides, iFixit has you covered for just about any electronic repair you could want to undertake. There are camera, automotive, appliance, household, and computer guides, as well.

The guide on how to replace the headphone and speaker jack assembly on a Samsung Galaxy SIII has no less than eleven steps to take off the back cover and remove the battery, SIM card, and microSD card. Nothing is left to chance in these guides, which is great for inexperienced tinkerers.
The pictures included in each guide are of high quality, making it very easy to see what needs to be done to make the repair, and some guides also include videos. Each guide includes a list of tools and parts that are needed, many of which you can purchase directly from the iFixit store, which offers useful things like the iOpener, a heated pack that will help you open your iPad, and this cool magnetic project mat. Between the supplies for sale and the thousands of repair guides, you’ll always have what you need to fix your laptop, phone, tablet, or game console.

 


2. The Family Handyman - for stuff around the house

Though The Family Handyman is a subscription magazine, their website offers a wealth of repair tips for various parts of your home. There are sections for heating and cooling, electrical, floors, automotive, painting, pest control, plumbing, and a wide range of other things. It’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for in the category pages, but running a search will help you get to the guide you need.
Although the images aren’t quite as detailed as the ones you’ll find on iFixit, you should be able to use The Family Handyman to get through almost any repair without too much trouble, especially if you have some mechanical or construction experience. For example, in an article about installing a tile floor in your bathroom, you’re instructed to remove the toilet, but left to figure out how to do that on your own.

3.  DIY Auto School - for fixing your car

Fixing your own car can be a bit scary, but DIY Auto School make the process a lot easier. From restoring a rusted-out car to fixing a dent, the guys from the school will give you tips to get you through the process, even if you’re a total newbie to car repair (though you might want to leave some of the more complicated repairs to a professional).

DIY Autoschool is a YouTube Channel

Because DIY Auto School is a YouTube channel, there’s not much organization to speak of, so your best bet is to go to their page and then search for what you’re looking for and see if they have a video on it. There are many videos on how to restore old cars and fix dents and collision damage. You’ll also find a number of videos on how to prep and paint your car and some more common tasks like replacing brake pads.


4.  Park Tool  - fix your bike   www.parktool.com

If you’ve done any work on your bike in the past, you might’ve used tools made by Park — they’re one of the leading manufacturers of bike repair tools (you might recognize their signature blue color on the website). On the homepage of their repair section, there’s an image of a bike, and all you have to do is click on the part of the bike that you need to fix. If you’re having brake problems, click on the brake section; if you need help with your bottom bracket, just click on the bottom bracket shell. The miscellaneous topics section also contains some very useful articles.
 


5.  Swingfix  -  Fix your golf swing - www.swingfix.golfchannel.com

Golf Channel teachers like Michael Breed give tips and use videos to help you improve your golf game.

 


App of the week:

Weber's On the Grill app-  for the summer grilling season
For iOS and Android $4.99

Specifically for Apple® and Android users, Weber’s On the Grill™ for iPhone, iPad, and Android features 280 classic Weber recipes plus 40 recipes for rubs, marinades, and sauces that are sure to get you fired up. You can tag your favorite recipes, create and share a master grocery list, and even email your favorite recipes to friends and family.
 

Wireless Wednesday for 4/23/14: With Mitch Evans - Google Glass in the NBA and Garage Gadgets

Rick is back from Indianapolis and Game 2 of the Hawks/Pacers Playoff game

New tech for the NBA was in action at the game featuring Google Glass. CrowdOptic powers the software that allows realtime video from those wearing the Google Glass to be seen on the big screens in the arena

Pacers Cheerleaders, Dunk Team members, fans, and even the PA annoucer wear one of the 11 pairs of Google Glass the Pacers own at various points in the game.
 
We turn our attention to the garage this week.

The most used part of our house, but many times the most forgotten.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 4/23/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 4/16/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

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1.  MyQ - Makes your garage a "Smart Garage"  by Chamberlain

An attachment that goes with your garage door opener and then is paired with the Wi-Fi in yur house.

Through the MyQ app, you now can control your garage door from anywhere.

Compatible with most mobile phones using an Android or iOS operating system
So you can monitor and control your garage door from your existing device. Works with most garage door openers manufactured after 1993 for wide-ranging use.

Receive alerts

Any time your garage door opens, so you'll know when kids are home safely from school or other family members have arrived. Alerts will also let you know if you forgot to close the door when you left home.

Easy installation

MyQ Garage installs in approximately 30 minutes.

2.   Garage Tek - Storage solutions for your garage http://www.garagetek.com/diy.aspx

GarageTek is the #1 rated garage organization system. We offer a complete garage storage solution that will revolutionize your home. When you choose GarageTek we guarantee a seamless home improvement experience.

Shelves, hooks, platforms/

3. New Better Life Technology Ribbed Garage Floor Covering - $250

Description: Why spend hours scrubbing concrete, applying paint or epoxy, and waiting for it to dry? This attractive polyvinyl covering offers instant results that are better than even the best paint job. Just unroll and your floor is protected--from oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, battery acid, salt and mud. In durable, ribbed polyvinyl that channels spills away with a spray of the hose. In three sizes (note: 7-1/2 x 17 feet is about the size of one parking space). Made in USA. Features: 100% high quality 55 mil polyvinyl throughout the entire mat for maximum protectionReduces amount of dirt tracked into home. Easy installation. No adhesives required Helps prevent concrete deterioration.

 
4. Automatic Labs Automatic  $100 for device and app

A pick for in-car gadgets, Automatic Labs' Automatic "smart driving assistant" plugs into a car's diagnostics port and monitors your fuel efficiency and driving habits. That's not exactly new technology, but Automatic separates itself from the crowd by interfacing seamlessly with a slick iOS app that automatically generates driving reports, makes suggestions to improve your economy, and provides automatic emergency crash response in the event of an accident.

 
App of the Week  

Repair Pal — Free

Available for: iOS and Android
Auto mechanics don't have the best reputation for trustworthiness. Calling different mechanics around town for repair quotes can be a real pain. With Repair Pal, that legwork is done for you.

Just select your car and the type of repair needed, and it'll spit out what you might expect to pay in your area. It's based on the repairpal.com Web site and functions the same. We found Repair Pal's estimates were slightly higher than the final price we paid for various repairs, but well within an acceptable margin.

Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14: With Mitch Evans - Sleep Awareness Week

Rick and Mitch look at some sleep apps and gadgets as it is National Sleep Awareness Week

In 2011, the National Sleep Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to wake "America to the importance of sleep," conducted a study that found a strong correlation between poor sleeping habits and the use of technology before bed. Out of the nearly 1,600 people polled, 63% said they had trouble sleeping. Coincidentally, 95% of the participants said they surfed the net, watched TV, or texted on their phone before going sleep. Watching TV and checking Twitter before bed may indeed inhibit your rest—but we've managed to find some pieces of technology made to help you get a great night's sleep.

Have a listen

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

 

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 3/12/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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1.  Rise Alarm App  $2  iOS app

The Rise Alarm app is a gorgeous alarm clock that will help you get up during those groggy mornings when you absolutely have to use an alarm. It is designed to be easy: a simple swipe will turn off your alarm, one click and you can give yourself another five minutes of sleep.
Also, a variety of different alarms you can wake to.

 

2.   Philips Wake Up Light  $100

What's the most peaceful way to wake up? When the sunlight slowly peaks in through your curtains while it rises-not having an alarm startling you the first thing in the morning. The Philips Wake-Up Light is based on the concept of the sun rising: in the morning, the lamp's light increases its brightness to help you get out of bed, gently. It also has a clock radio to give you that extra push to get up.
 


3.  Chillow  $13   www.chillow.com

Get that cool side of the pillow with Chillow
The CHILLOW Cooling Pad continuously circulates water to absorb and release body heat. Once activated, the CHILLOW Cooling Pad allows you to customize your level of comfort from cool to coolest depending on your room temperature. Put in refrigerator to get to the temp you want

 
 

4.  Four Seasons Hotels will allow you to pick your own beds for your stay

Guests at the Four Seasons can now customise their bed and pillows to accommodate their sleep preferences.

Instead of complaining their bed's too soft or too hard, guests can order their mattress the way they like at Four Seasons locations across the US, in much the same way they can order a steak cooked to their personal preference.

Launched to coincide with World Sleep Day on March 14, the new service at the luxury hotel chain will allow guests to choose from three different levels of mattress firmness: Signature; Signature firm; for sleepers who prefer more support; and Signature plush who prefer sinking into their beds.

Guests can also choose between feather and non-allergenic pillows.

The Four Seasons Bed programme was developed in partnership with bed manufacturer Simmons, which also added a temperature-control feature that goes by the fancy name of “Gel Touch Foam Center” technology, which is supposed to absorb excess heat and ensure maximum comfort throughout the night.

The service will roll out systemwide over the next few years. Beds are also available for purchase.

5.  Jawbone Up! - improves sleep features

The Jawbone Up! has been one of my favorite fitness bands for years. Now it has improved the Jawbone Up app with additional sleep features.
UP 3.1 for iOS

Jawbone is also introducing the UP 3.1 app for iOS which now provides tailored insights around how sleep and activity affect one another, like every 30 minutes earlier you go to bed, you step 800 more steps per day.  

App of the Week  -   Oscar Mayer iPhone app and dongle accessory

An app you have to win.... and it produces a bacon smell
Oscar Mayer and an app?

That is what I was thinking as well, but this idea isn't a bunch of bologna.
A limited number of people will win a new Oscar Mayer iPhone dongle that for one, serves as an alarm clock, but also produces the smell of bacon to wake up to in the morning.
I'm already getting hungry.
The contest is part of the newly released Wake Up & Smell the Bacon iPhone app. It's all pretty cool as the alarm clock app makes sizzling sounds that will remind you of bacon cooking.
It may sound a little weird, but this is a great idea. Who wouldn't want to wake up to the smell and sound of bacon? It's the perfect promotion for a new app.
Oscar Mayer says it will pick 4,700 winners from all the enter that will receive the bacon-smell iPhone dongle. This could also end up being a valuable collector's item.
You can apply for the contest, and I recommend you do by going to WakeUpAndSmelltheBacon.com. Entries are accepted until April 4, 2014.
Hey there, it's time to wake up and smell the bacon and enter this contest!

Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14: With Mitch Evans - Travel Apps and the IRS

Rick is on the road this week over at Reynold's Plantation in Greensboro, GA.  With the spring travel season coming up, we'll take a look at Rick's favorite travel apps and why you need to have then on your smartphone or tablet.

Have a listen:

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 1’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 2’ on Audioboo

listen to ‘Wireless Wednesday for 2/19/14 on 92.9 The Game Part 3’ on Audioboo

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Show notes

1.   Tripit  -  Travel Organization app

When it comes to travel planning, Tripit it won't suggest destinations for you, or help you plan the best possible way to spend your time in town wherever you go, but what TripIt does offer is a complete, hassle free way to combine all of your travel confirmations, itineraries, tickets, hotel bookings, rental car reservations, and the rest in one simple view. That view then becomes the central hub for all of your travel needs—no more fishing for a confirmation email to get your reservation number, or wondering what flight number you're on before you check in; it's all right there, and it's all incredibly handy. It'll even let you know if there's a better seat on your flight so you can switch to it
Don't leave home without Tripit

 

2.  Flyer's Rights app   costs .99

Did you know that airlines are no longer legally allowed to keep you trapped on the tarmac for more than three hours during a domestic flight delay? If you had the Flyers Rights app, you would. Plus, you'd be able to log your delays in real time, using the app's GPS system and map for future evidence. The app also gives helpful tips about what to do in the event of a delay, and specific information about your legal rights as a passenger.

3.   Expedia   -  helps you find hidden deals

Available on: Android, iOS, Windows 8 and RT, Web
Expedia has been long known as a travel search, information, and booking website, but its mobile apps have some unique deals. Using the Expedia iPhone app or Expedia Android app, for example, you're likely to uncover a few mobile-exclusive discounts on last-minute hotel bookings, in addition to having at your fingertips all the usual flight and hotel search functionality. I also like that you can sort reviews by "recent," "favorable," and "critical" to see if people tend to have consistent feedback or whether the cranky pants guests had too-high expectations.

 
Available on: Android, iOS, Windows 8 and RT, Web

4.    Kayak  - an aggregator

Travel search website Kayak.com quickly became a favorite site for finding the best deals on flights in particular when it finally started to incorporate booking services. In its early days, Kayak only handled search (although it was one of the best at that end of the game), but now you can pre-pay for flights, hotel reservations, and even car rentals. Occasionally, Kayak sends you to a partner site to finish the booking process, but less and less so every day. Additionally, Kayak includes in its searches other aggregation services, like Orbitz and Priceline, to truly make sure you find the best deal.
Available on: Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows Phone, and Web

 
 
5. Next Flight ($2.99)  A little pricey, but could be well worth the $2.99

Next Flight can be worth its weight in gold during a snowstorm, or icestorm likw the South has last week. Whether your flight is canceled, delayed, or you just missed a connection, this app will show you a list of all available flights (from all carriers) for the same day and the next two days. While everyone else is waiting in line trying to get the gate agent to put them on standby, you can help yourself! No flights going out at all? The app also has a search for hotels, cabs, and car rentals.

 


App of the Week  -    IRS2Go    -  

The IRS now has their own official app  as tax season i rearing its ugly head.

IRS2Go is an IRS-developed app designed to help taxpayers in several ways. The app lets taxpayers check on the status of their refund, sign up for helpful tax tips or get the most recent IRS Twitter feeds. Download IRS2Go, then connect with the IRS whenever you want, wherever you are.