iPup

Is your pup feeling left out of the smartphone and tablet revolution? Looked over due to their lack of ability to use a touchscreen (or pockets to keep their iPhone in)? No worries- San Francisco based Whistle is here to bring your dog into the post PC era (courtesy TUAW).

According to an interview with Ben Jacobs, CEO of Whistle, the organization sought to fill the lack of information that canine owners could provide their vet. While I dote on Emma (my Old English Bulldog- shown here at age three weeks) when it comes time to visit the vet I do admit there’s naught I could relay but any abnormal behavior I’d observed, and with my work schedule there’s plenty of the time during the day that I can’t monitor her. Whistle allows you to monitor your pet’s activities via a small device attached to their collar- varying degrees of active or resting. The data is collected over time to provide insight into a dog’s activities; changes or trends could signify an issue before it is readily obvious.

My initial impression is that this is an accessory for the helicopter parent masquerading as a pet owner (and I admit, I dote on my pup slavishly) but Whistle does have merit. The source report from TUAW states that it will collect information from all devices to create a baseline for different breeds and ages, as well as connecting via bluetooth and wifi to ensure connectivity whether at home or out and about. It’s not an impulse-driven development, either; Whistle is being created with input from some well-known veterinary clinics, academic organizations, and an advisory board comprised of a range of veterinary specialists.

The accessory is slated for release later this summer; keep your eye on TUAW (I highly recommend their  RSS feed) for the first hands-on review.

Related articles

• Whistle launches as a waterproof and iPhone-compatible Fitbit for dogs (mobilesyrup.com)
• A Fitbit for Fido: Whistle Will Help Track Your Dog’s Activity (allthingsd.com)
• New doggie fitness band may change veterinary industry (venturebeat.com)
• Thursday Trends: Treating Pups Like Royalty (bionicdogblog.wordpress.com)

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Cycling in style with the FreeWheelin

I stumbled across an innovative answer to using your iPhone when biking via an earlier post courtesy of TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog). The FreeWheelin Bluetooth accessory seemed to be a promising way to enjoy the audio capabilities of your iPhone or bluetooth-capable iPod without sacrificing your ability to hear ambient sounds around you, unlike most sound-isolating earbuds. While the idea sounded promising (and far safer than listening to audio with earbuds), I’m skeptical of new products without being able to review them firsthand, and thankfully the makers of the SoundRyder FreeWheelin have made that a reality.

The concept behind the FreeWheelin is a simple one: rather than block all sound via earbuds or earphones, the makers opt to place the audio gear on your helmet, mounted via a velcro-like (but considerably more secure) strips that adhere to the non-styrofoam surfaces. The accessory is divided into three sections; two for each speaker, and a third between them as the Bluetooth module and battery. The three sections are connected by a coiled, sturdy-feeling insulated cable. While the body of the three sections are housed in plastic, it does have a solid (but thankfully light) feel to it. The overall build quality of the FreeWheelin was better than I had expected, considering the recent introduction of the product.

After ensuring the battery was charged via the included USB cable, I installed the FreeWheelin on my biking helmet. The process took minutes; the device clung firmly in place when pressed to the anchoring strips. It took me almost as long to decide where to mount the unit as the process itself; the instructions state that the mounting strips should not be placed directly on styrofoam, but my favorite (and admittedly inexpensive) helmet’s sides and back are mostly unvarnished styrofoam. As you can see in the photos, the center module had to be placed on the top of the back of my helmet. The pairing process was equally as straightforward, and I was on my way.

Operation of the FreeWheelin was as easy as its installation. Holding the single power/pairing button turns on the device; once paired your phone should connect automatically thereafter when the device is powered up. I didn’t notice a change in the weight or distribution of my helmet; it sat as comfortably as ever.

Now for the golden question- audio quality. The sound volume was likely impacted by my placement of the speakers; they were situated higher than the demonstration photos I’ve seen thanks to the construction of my helmet. The overall quality of the sound was adequate, but not overwhelming; in particular I would have liked more bass response on some tracks (low end sound is notoriously difficult to reproduce in small speakers). Once I had the sound levels set properly (thanks to controls on both the device and my iPhone) I was satisfied with the volume, although in particularly noisy settings I feel they would have been at least partly overwhelmed. On a better quality helmet I suspect both the volume and quality would have been markedly better, but bear in mind the device isn’t intended for high fidelity. [NOTE: SoundRyder pointed out to me after writing this review that the sound quality can be noticeably enhanced by using the iPhone's equalizer settings, a feature that I don't regularly use. I can now attest that it can make a marked difference. If you still have issues, they suggest checking the volume of your tracks in iTunes. Right click on any song (or a selection of songs) and go to options. You should see a volume slide; this can be the source of underwhelming volume when your sound levels are hit and miss.] The device was engineered to allow outside sound to be heard, unlike high quality headsets made to enhance the experience of your music; this alone would prevent your music from being concert hall pure.

The unexpected bonus of the FreeWheelin is that it’s not just wireless headphones, it’s a fully functional two way Bluetooth headset. I was able to make calls and text messages via Siri with good sound quality on the receiving end; the other party noted only minimal wind noise. The addition of Siri makes the Freewheelin far more useful; not having to interact with the touchscreen is even more valuable when cycling than driving.

The makers of the FreeWheelin thoughtfully included a mounting rack for using the device in other settings than cycling. The clip mount neatly affixes to a car visor or similarly thin target, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of the FreeWheelin in just about any environment. 

Overall the FreeWheelin gets a thumbs up for overall usefulness. The only negatives I could find were the overall volume and quality of sound, but my test helmet was a worst case selection. It definitely earns my endorsement for its uniqueness; I have yet to see any other competing product on the market that offers anything even similar. While not a perfect product (and those are very rare), it provides distinct advantage to those that would like to enjoy and interact with their iOS device while on the go. The FreeWheelin is available now via the SoundRyder website for $149.95.

ADDENDUM: The FreeWheelin is more widely available than first reported- it’s being carried by The Helmet Man and the makers have a distribution deal with J&B Importers who share their impressive product with independent bike stores and chains. The organization has embarked on an aggressive campaign to get the FreeWheelin into a store near you.

As for future products, SoundRyder has disclosed that they have a version of the FreeWheelin in development for motorcycle helmets/full faced helmets; further improving the usability of my favorite iOS device. This is yet another unaddressed niche- while Bluetooth connections have become almost standard in many car makes, the lack of two wheeled options are as sparse for motorcycles as they are for bikes.

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Bluetooth Audio for cycling enthusiasts

An oft-discussed benefit of smartphones is their electronic Swiss Army Knife nature- one device is capable of doing so many different tasks for you. From my original first-gen iPhone to the highly-anticipated iPhone 5, the little rounded rectangle has served more functions that I would have ever thought possible.

While my iPhone’s audio entertainment isn’t used as often as other functions, it’s still a very valuable asset. Because I use my iPhone for work communication as well as personal, there are times that a simple MP3 player or radio not only wouldn’t offer as much it would be potentially problematic should I miss notification of an emergent situation. From mowing the lawn to exercising, there are times I’d like to listen to music, streaming audio, or a podcast without worrying if my iPhone will fall out of a pocket. There are numerous accessories to facilitate using the iPhone when active- from Arkon’s Forearm Holder to one of countless arm holsters, as well as all manner of wired and Bluetooth headsets designed for the iOS user on the go. While there are numerous combinations of these accessories to suit the needs of just about any iPhone owner, there’s one particular activity that I had never really found a suitable solution for- cycling.

Growing up in Florida necessitates owning a bike. I can recall riding my bike to school as far back as elementary school, and like many facets of life I never outgrew my enjoyment of cycling. The ride may have changed- from a one-speed discount store dirt bike with a banana seat to a name-brand hybrid road bike- but the enjoyment hasn’t. Unfortunately, listening to one of my iPhone’s audio functions while cycling isn’t as straightforward as it is in other tasks. First, there’s the matter of how to hear your music. The choices are numerous, but you have to winnow out any that aren’t compatible with wearing a helmet (speaking as someone that’s been hit by a car twice, I strongly urge those that aren’t required to wear a helmet by law to do so out of common sense). Full-sized, over the ear headphones are out, and some earbuds designed for active use may not be easy to wear with the helmet’s straps that typically pass by or under your ears.

The second issue is the construction of the earbuds. Most earbuds are designed to provide passive noise isolation; they improve the listening experience by screening out competing sounds from your environment, usually via foam pads that fill your ear canal. While for typical usage this design works well, for cycling it creates a significant danger: the inability to hear your surroundings while riding could easily prevent you from reacting to threats like approaching cars.

An article from TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) reviews a new product that just might offer the best possible solution for the cyclist that wants to use their iPhone while riding. The FreeWheelin Audio System provides a way to add stereo bluetooth speakers to your existing cycling helmet, freeing you from both cables and sound isolating earbuds. 

The article goes into depth on the advantages (being able to hear your surroundings while still offering stereo sound) and disadvantages (ambient noise can drown out your audio, others nearby can hear what you are playing) but gave an overall positive review. The concept sounded less than elegant, but the photo posted of the combined FreeWheelin setup and helmet wasn’t as unsightly as I had thought it would be. One question left unanswered was if the audio system provided a microphone for answering calls or giving Siri commands.

The product page for the FreeWheelin Audio System was apparently down as I was writing this; multiple attempts to bring it up were unsuccessful. TUAW did mention the retail price of the FreeWheelin as $150; not exactly pocket change but not beyond the price of other high-end Bluetooth stereo headsets I’ve seen. The idea is intriguing; I hope this idea spawns more innovation in audio solutions for active iPhone users.

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Sync an Android device with a Mac

While iOS was designed to work hand in hand with OSX, those of you that prefer Android devices haven’t had as seamless an experience. What’s a tech aficionado to do without iTunes or iCloud to sync the data on your Mac to your handheld device?

TUAW (the Unofficial Apple Weblog) has a recent post with tips on how to do just this. While not as effortless as the iOS sync framework, there are workable solutions for just about any Android device. Check out the short video content of the post for the quick and dirty how-to.

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More Game Sale Madness

This in courtesy of TUAW (The unofficial Apple Weblog): more game sales! The aforementioned Steam sale is listed along with numerous others from Crescent Moon Games, EA, SNK, Ubisoft, and others. Many of the sales listed are for iOS devices, from free to 99 cents (including arcade favorite The King of Fighters).

Many of these sales will be ending soon, so if you’re in the mood for a new game or two act soon!

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Apple adding a new Food and Drink category to the App Store

I’ve waxed poetic before on my impressions of how useful the iPad is in the kitchen. It’s a fantastic multi-purpose tool that makes spending time in the kitchen both illuminating and entertaining.

TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) brings news today that Apple is giving that functionality greater recognition by adding a new category to the App Store for food and drink. The category will shift any applicable apps from their current place in the Lifestyle section, but will not include dieting, coupon clipping, game-related, or shopping applications.

I’m looking forward to having a dedicated section of the app store containing my coveted epicurean information. It took me quite a while to discover just how much fun creating meals can be; if you haven’t tried yet I urge you to grab your favorite iOS device and give it a try!

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Apple Sets the Gold Standard for Access

Apple has finally revealed what they have in store with the upcoming release of iOS 6. If you haven’t seen the video of today’s WWDC Keynote it’s available streaming from Apple- it’s a good presentation absolutely full of demonstrations of new products, iOS 6, and OSX Mountain Lion. One of the talking points was Apple’s new accessibility features: Guided Access, a way of limiting what inputs can be accessed (including deactivating the home button) and improvements to VoiceOver, Apple’s outstanding screen reader for users with impaired vision. Apple is also working in conjunction with manufacturers of hearing aids to create a line of Made for iPhone devices that can deliver better audio to users with hearing issues.

While these additions to iOS are welcome, Apple isn’t new to accommodating  users with disabilities. Initially a touchscreen-based device like the iOS lineup wouldn’t seem like a very useful device for a user with limited sight, but even before the improvements and new features of iOS 6 there are some key features that make current devices fantastic resources.

All iOS devices have VoiceOver, a screen reader that reads on screen text to users. For those that can’t see the screen VoiceOver is their portal to the device; the user can use gesture controls to interact with items on the screen. For instance, touch the screen and VoiceOver will describe what you are touching. The feature is already a powerful tool, and will be even more so when integrated into Maps and other features of iOS 6. While VoiceOver provides support for the on-screen keyboard, the new Dictation feature and upcoming improvements to Siri makes interaction that much more intuitive for those with limited sight. VoiceOver is even compatible with the iPhone’s Camera app, as illustrated by an article in TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog).

While for most users incoming calls are easy to identify because of the on-screen caller ID and contact information that iOS displays, for the visually impaired these features don’t offer an advantage. Apple again has gone above and beyond by providing the ability to assign distinctive ring tones as an audible caller ID or a silent mode with different vibrational patterns for callers. Users can even create their own patterns to identify callers.

Beyond the features built into the operating system there are a host of iOS apps for those with limited vision. AppAdvice has a comprehensive list, from GPS to an app that identifies the denomination of paper money. Not all of the apps are specifically for those with limited vision but each provides something to make your daily life easier. Audible, billed as the “premier provider of digital audiobooks” is VoiceOver compliant giving users a choice of reading material beyond Apple’s built-in offerings. The Atlantic provides even more insight in a recently posted a story on two blind women who use the iPhone and a variety of apps in their daily lives.

I’m still relatively new to Apple’s access support in both OSX and iOS. For those with vision issues there are some great resources out there that can provide more in-depth information than my limited experience can. MacForTheBlind is a perfect starting point; the author does a fantastic job covering just about everything Apple and the site has a wealth of information. The Apple Support Community can often provide answers and insight as well.

I was very happy to read about the inclusion of accessibility tools Apple has developed into iOS (and the reviews of those using the accessibility features have been very positive). Accessibility features have been a part of OSX longer than I’ve been a Mac aficionado. While I haven’t had to face challenges like this personally, I have a longtime friend who has had to overcome the barriers of visually-centered computer use. He’s been using JAWS, a third party screen reader for his Windows-based PC, but the software is prohibitively expensive and prevents him from upgrading beyond Windows XP.  I’ve spoken to him about reviewing the accessibility features of iOS and am looking forward to sharing his opinions on the iPhone, iPad, and apps with all of you.

See you soon, Spencer!

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Carmageddon for iOS

It seems that it wasn’t that long ago that Grand Theft Auto was gracing the news networks, accompanied by stories of outraged parents and pundits claiming that the extreme violence and adult themes of the game were a corrupting influence on our youth. The focus didn’t stay on GTA for long, and the game became a franchise- currently at 5 editions and counting. While many may not realize it, GTA wasn’t the first game to face such scrutiny.

Come with me in the Way Back Machine to the neophyte days of PC gaming. Carmageddon, a new DOS-based 3D game based on one of my favorite cheesy movies of the 70′s Death Race 2000  was introduced. The game was a modest success and boasted some ground breaking development. What made Carmageddon so remarkable was its concept. Just like the source material the object was for drivers to score points by using their cars to run down pedestrians. This subject matter coupled with what at the time was some pretty gory graphics made the game a lightning rod for censors. Unlike GTA years later, Carmageddon fell prey to the censors; the pedestrians were changed to green zombies or robots with corresponding fluids instead of blood. The game was banned entirely in some markets even after the editing. After a couple expansion packs and a port to Windows, the game had run its course and was abandoned.

Fast forward to today- after a successful Kickstarter campaign this happy relic of my childhood will be refreshed and ported to iOS devices.  The campaign was originally designed to just resurrect the game to Windows, with Linux and OSX ports to follow, but thanks to the overwhelming support the game received it will be available for Apple’s mobile OS as well. Best of all, it appears Carmegeddon will be released in all its original blood spattered glory.

Courtesy of TUAW (The Unofficial Apple Weblog) there’s now news that on its release day Carmageddon will be FREE on the day of its release. Check out the embedded video for some gameplay footage. Now if we could just get someone to take on Redneck Rampage…

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Roam and listen in safety with AIRbudz

There’s a new Kickstarter campaign ongoing brought to us courtesy of The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) for a very worthy idea: AIRbudz. AIRbudz isn’t a stand alone accessory, it’s a modification of something that iOS and other portable media device users rely on regularly- their earbuds. The creator of AIRbudz is an avid runner, but had two issues: she relies on listening to music while running to keep her energized and on pace, yet most earbuds block surrounding sound by design making running or biking more dangerous. AIRbudz works with your existing earbuds by replacing the removable cushions that fit in your ear canal. The new cushions have air channels regularly spaced allowing surrounding sounds to mix with the audio  you’re listening to via your device, providing perfect balance of enjoyment of your audio while being more aware of your surroundings. 

I’ve run afoul of exactly these sorts of problems while biking- my hometown’s streets aren’t the most cycle-friendly, but all of the high quality earbuds I own are designed to passively isolate you from outside sound. While this is perfect for home use, it’s a potential danger on the road. Speaking as someone who’s had more than one unwanted encounter with car fenders AIRbudz is a fantastic idea, and I hope you’ll join me in supporting it.

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Apple, make this happen!

The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) recently posted an editorial article on desired additions to the upcoming refresh to the iOS operating system iOS 6. While most don’t directly impact my daily iOS experience, the last point stood out in a very big way.

The bullet focused on a concept video made to illustrate how Apple could better handle text entry and editing on the iPad. While the change doesn’t add functionality, it would make editing text phenomenally easier than the current method of touch/hold/drag/tap in iOS 5. I wholeheartedly endorse YouTube user danielchasehooper, the maker of the video, in his suggestion that all iOS users forward their desire to see this feature added to iOS. Check out the video, I think you’ll agree:

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