Nike SportsBand to debut in April

Looks like the rumors about Nike's upcoming SportsBand are true after all. According to German site Mac Life, that is. The wrist device, which looks pretty much like a digital watch, is designed to work similar to the Nike+iPod Sports Kit, sans the iPod player. In other words, runners who want to track their exercise routines can now do so even if they don't own an iPod. However, the SportsBand isn't intended to replace the Nike+iPod, as reported earlier, but as an alternative for users who prefer to run without listening to music.

In addition to time display, the SportsBand can also collect data on speed, distance elapsed time and calories for the runner. It comes with two buttons: One to start/stop the training regime, the other to toggle between different display modes. To use the SportsBand, users will have to purchase the Nike+ Sports Kit (29 euros; US$45.80) plus Nike+ running shoes (to fit the Nike+ Sports Kit), if they don't already own a pair.

The Nike SportsBand is expected in stores from April at a retail price of 59.95 euros (US$94.68). There is no mention on when it will come to Asia. But based on past product launches, users shouldn't have to wait too long to get hold of the SportsBand in the region.

Via Mac Life
Picture credit: Mac Life

More than just a USBee flash drive

Some people may find this all a little tacky, but the aptly named USBee flash drive is more than just a bee-themed thumbdrive solution. Beneath its eye-catching yellow-and-black exterior is a thoughtful design concept that addresses one of the most common problems with USB flash drives today--accidental breakage while still in the PC's USB port. After all, even the smallest USB drives stick out slightly from the port to facilitate easy removal.

The USBee drive, however, uses a clever combination of silicon and aluminum shell to create a bendable neck. This can not only prevent the flash drive from being ripped off, it also protects the PC's USB port from damage. What's also interesting is that the USBee drive incorporates a unique cooling system through the black stripes to prevent the flash drive from overheating. (So far, we've not encountered any flash drives overheating, but they do get hot after prolonged usage.)
Read more »

Home phones never looked so good

Most people tend to fall asleep when they hear about products with words in their specifications like DECT, VoIP and telephony. Even though that was what we were faced with when looking at the Thompson Symbio's datasheet, its design alone kept us interested.

While it is obviously shaped like a landline phone, the "hollowness" of its chassis makes it more akin to a clickable icon in a graphical user interface. In fact, we think the perfect complement to the Symbio is a giant plastic mouse pointer which you can use to prod it when it rings. Aside from allowing you to make calls, it is also a set of stereo speakers which allows you to stream music or listen to FM radio.

This product was announced for Europe during CeBIT. We have contacted Thompson about an Asian release and will update this blogpost when that information becomes available.

Via Notcot

The self-rekeying deadbolt that "learns"

If you're the hopelessly paranoid sort who identifies with Mel Gibson's character in Conspiracy Theory, a New York cabbie who barricades himself at home with multiple deadbolt locks--though who isn't paranoid living in New York?--you'll love the KwikSet Smartkey. Think of it as the one deadbolt key to rule them all. The, well, key to this formidable piece of tech is the "un-bumpable" technology, a "side locking bar" which bypasses the traditional pins and tumblers system that just seems too easy to pick, if you've watched enough CSI episodes. Wiki has more on this.

If that's not enough peace of mind for you, there's an option to self-program any key for the lock system by using a small learning tool that rekeys the deadbolt for the new key, thus rendering the old one useless if it goes missing. Locksmiths probably aren't going to like the loss in business, but they're not the ones you'll be calling "999" for when, touch wood, a B&E occurs.

Apartment Therapy has a video that explains it all, lock, stock and barrel.

E-book readers already turning to next page

It seems as if the hype over the Kindle has barely subsided, and already we're getting a glimpse into the next generation of e-book readers from overseas.

The EB-100 from Taiwan-based Netronix is an e-ink reader that features a touchscreen and Wi-Fi networking, according to Gizmodo. Other specs seem fairly standard, including a 6-inch display that's the same size as Amazon's version, though GizmoWatch and some other blogs have mentioned a model with a 9.7-inch screen.

We welcome any and all advances in these devices as long as stop short of reading minds.

Via Crave CNET

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