SmHeart Link turns iPhone into health tracker

Looks like that iPhone or iPod touch you bring to the gym can do more for your fitness than just make your workout more pleasurable.

iTMP Technology, an iPhone hardware and software developer, announced Friday its launch of SmHeart Link, a new device developed to bring health and fitness tracking capabilities to iPhone and iPod Touch users.

Basically, SmHeart Link is a wireless bridge that collects data from distributed health and fitness sensors such as those found in workout machines and sends it to the iPhone via Wi-Fi. Users then can make use of the data via an iPhone application called iRPM+.

The SmHeart Link works with a long list of heart monitor chest straps, including those found in equipments made by Polar, Garmin, Nike, Reebok, Timex Ironman, New Balance, and Numetrex. It's also compatible with biking sensors to track speed, cadence, and power (watts).
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Sony X-Series Walkman hands-on photos

Remember that X-Series Walkman that Sony kept behind protective glass at this year's CES like it was the Mona Lisa? The one I swore would never actually hit the states? The one that UK's Stuff Magazine had to fly to Sony headquarters in Japan just so they could fondle the prototype (see below)? Well, the lucky bastards at France's Le Journal du Geek actually got their hands on a legitimate version of the X-Series Walkman and then proceeded to photograph the living bejeezus out of it.

We're going to take the high road and not republish the images here (with the above exception), so head over to their site for a complete, poorly translated hands-on that includes some comparison shots with the equally-anticipated Samsung P3. I'm steaming with envy, but I have to hand it to these guys for getting the scoop.
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Give your old 5G iPod a 240GB bump

I'll catch some hell for saying it, but Apple's fifth-generation iPod (aka the iPod Video) is one of the best hard-drive MP3 players of all time.

Say what you will about sound quality or the easily scratched screen, compared with today's iPod models the 5G iPod has a lot of advantages: It's compatible with just about every iPod accessory ever made; video output is built right in; you can use it with older computers and old versions of iTunes; and there are countless ways to hack and modify it. Unfortunately, the old guy just doesn't offer enough storage.

Don't throw out that old 5G just yet. Rapid Repair now offers a 240GB replacement hard drive specifically made for the 5G iPod (iPod classic and Zune users will have to look elsewhere). Granted, the drive will set you back US$294, but it could be worthwhile if you just can't live without your entire music collection in your pocket or you insist on listening to large lossless audio files.
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Ditching the iPod, but sticking with iTunes--Ask the Editors

Q: Now that iTunes has FINALLY become DRM-free, I am looking to try out a different type of MP3 player. I have been stuck to iTunes because I have a couple thousand purchased songs, and I really like the setup and use of iTunes overall. I have always wanted to try a different MP3 player. Now that I can, can you tell me what you think is the number-one-sounding MP3 player that you have tested?--Mark, via email

A: There are a couple of things you will want to keep in mind in your situation. The first is that the files that you have already purchased through iTunes are still going to be protected AAC--and only compatible with the iPod--unless you choose the upgrade option in iTunes. This will replace the DRM-protected tracks with DRM-free versions at a cost of US$0.30 per track.
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Unlimited music downloads: Will consumers bite?

Nokia first unveiled plans for a buffet-style music download program back in December 2007. The service, dubbed Comes With Music, finally went live in the UK last October. Singapore and Australia are next on the launch pad this quarter.

At first glance, the service looks enticing. Users can download as many tracks as they want within a 12-month period, although a Nokia rep did clarify that the action must be "humanly possible", i.e. you can't employ the use of a bot. You also get to keep all the music and can re-download them if you accidentally delete the tracks even after the service period.

Sounds good? If only.
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