The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered what to do with all of the coolness that people write, and while I share a lot of it on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, this is a better forum for sending it on to y’all. Most times these different streams don’t overlap, so be on the lookout at all these places for good stuff!
So with that, let’s get into the action!
DCRainmaker.com posts this past week:
Here’s all the goodness that ended up on the main page of DCRainmaker.com this past week.
Stuff that I found interesting around the interwebs:
Here’s a not-so-small smattering of all the random things that I stumbled on while doing my civic duty to find the end of the Internet:
1) A look at the financials of a professional triathlete: Awesome piece done with Pro Triathlete on what he makes (actual numbers) each year. Ben’s a pretty good triathlete, though not one yet well known to most age groupers, so his earning potential is still a bit better than the upper-pros, but far better than most pros. (via Slowtwitch Forums)
2) Garmin introduces wireless tire pressure sensors:Albeit for cars. Still, you’ll remember the Kickstarter project back a bit ago to bring ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart sensors to bikes (looks oddly similar). I think long-term we’ll see this come to bikes, automatically notifying you of low-tire pressure in your wheels.
5) The always awesome Norseman Triathlon race video – 2013 edition: Aside from quickly becoming one of the hardest triathlons to get into, it’s also earning the reputation of producing the coolest post-race videos anyone has ever seen for a triathlon race. This year’s for the race a few weeks ago was just published. (via Slowtwitch)
6) A better way to mount your O-Synce Navi2Coach computer: I’ve said previously that my only complaint with the O-Synce Navi2Coach bike computer is the annoying mount (it’s not just my complaint btw). I keep hoping they’ll work with someone to develop a better mount. In the meantime, a DCR reader came up with a great little solution to be able to use the common quarter-turn mounts found on the market today.
7) Professional athletes among us: A pretty fun photo project taking professional athletes and putting them into everyday life situations..with a twist. Worth the quick browse.
9) A simple to follow bike Maintenance Schedule: Some people (cough…me) may not be terribly on the ball when it comes to keeping on top of various bike maintenance tasks. Slowtwitch does a great job at putting together an actual calendar of bike maintenance tasks – from pre-ride (quick) to weekly and so on.
11) A $50,000 carbon bike…travel case: Yes, seriously. I’d like to believe you could air ship things in a crate cheaper than that – and likely more securely.
12) Bicycle tree fort elevator: Pretty much just like the title says, you pedal your way up to the tree fort. Clearly, this will need to be installed some day in a future tree fort on my dream property. (via Wahoo Fitness Twitter)
Crowd Funded Projects of Athletic Note:
This is a bit of a new section. Most of this content used to be found within the main section, but I figured I’d just call it out up here and make it easy to find. I regularly sift through Kickstarter and Indiegogo (plus a few others on occasion) looking for sports projects. Note that as always with crowd funded projects, assume the project will be late and will under-deliver on features. Thus far, on the numerous products I’ve helped ‘fund’ (except a leather bike handle), that’s been the case.
The Veloflyte iPhone 4 or 5 Mount for Bicycles (Canceled): Reader Eli had spotted this last week, but it’s since been cancelled (with no clear explanation). Strange, I actually kinda liked it – though, certainly not at that price.
Sports Technology Software/Firmware Updates This Week:
Each week I quickly highlight some of the new firmware, app, software and website service updates that I see go out. If you’re a sports technology company and release an update – shoot me a quick note (just one liners is perfect, or Tweet it at me is even better) and I’ll make mention of it here. If I don’t know about it, I won’t be able to post about it. Sound good?
Site/Firmware Updates:
ANT+ comes to new Samsung Galaxy Note 3: Pretty interesting to see the Samsung Note get ANT+ this week. Given the chipsets are technically capable in most other Samsung phones (and in fact most phones on the market these days, iPhone actually included), I’m hoping that Samsung looks to open up other units in future updates to allow ANT+ connectivity.
(No sport related app updates that came across this week on my Windows Phone.)
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Thanks for reading!
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I note that the Ant+ USB service has been updated……..If only Quarq would fix the Android Qalvin app so that it works again with the Ant+ Radio service. Ever since the service was updated, Qalvin for Android is broken, and Quarq has not issued a timetable to fix it. In the meantime, you have to workaround with a downgraded version of the Ant+ service.
A few things:
1) This may be my favorite part of your blog. The individual posts are fantastic. But this recap is so informative and so brief. Thanks again.
2) watermelon smoothie hack = Awesome
3) the $50K travel case: at least they say at the end of the article that their goal was to inspire people, not to actually manufacture these things.
4) I LOVE the app update section of this. I realize that you don’t do app reviews (saw your reply and FAQ), which is totally understandable, but knowing which apps you’ve tried and still have on your phone is a good look into what apps I/we might want to try.
I appreciate it. It actually tends to be the post each week that takes the longest to put together, so it’s always good to hear folks find it valuable.
The EasyGimbal works pretty well you have to admit.
Whether most people need the additional intelligence of a powered gimbal compared to a 150 dollar traditional gimbal I don’t know but they seem to be getting near to their target.
In regards to the disappearing bike I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more frequently. Maybe it does. Just act like you own the bike and stroll off with it. Or, in some places you could probably sneak in from the woods and grab it from a transition area and be gone. If you have a high end bike it may be worth the weight and cost to get a Garmin tracker and stick it under the seat.
As for that Runway Run…. Galveston 70.3 did a stretch on the local runway. It was one of the hottest areas I can remember running on. The reflection of the sun off of all that concrete had me baking.
I think only phones based on TI’s chipset can support Ant but TI is abandoning the cell phone market (link to eetimes.com). The Galaxy S4 uses a Broadcom chipset (BCM4335) for radio and has no support for Ant+ (the main company behind Bluetooth supporting a competitor?).
Qualcom Atheros does support Ant but not sure if its used in cell phones smaller then the note: link to atheros.com
Ray – This quote stuck in my craw and I had to google it later to make this comment… “Pretty interesting to see the Samsung Note get ANT+ this week. Given the chipsets are technically capable in most other Samsung phones (and in fact most phones on the market these days, iPhone actually included), I’m hoping that Samsung looks to open up other units in future updates to allow ANT+ connectivity.”
From a pure hardware perspective, the chips in most other Samsung phones as well as the iPhone can actually support ANT+. In the case of Samsung, that discussion obviously evolved to them enabling it on the newest units, but I suspect we’ll see that broadened a bit to semi-new units. If that happens, it would be next week at the ANT+ Symposium (again, IF that happens, I don’t know – folks are being very tight-lipped there).
As for the iPhone, that too has a chipset that I’ve been told by multiple people familiar with the matter is compatible with broadcasting ANT+, however, getting Apple to enable that within the handset and make it available to developers has pretty much hit a wall. Discussions between the organizations are no longer ongoing there (though they do pop up from time to time), with Apple instead being heavily committed to Bluetooth and the BT SIG.
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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Garmin website says
zūmo 390LM is the first in the motorcycle series from Garmin to be compatible with the NEW integrated Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor
(Sold separately, can only be used with metal valve stems and is not intended for automotive use)
What kind of use is it for ?
Motorcycles. The Zumo is their automotive GPS lineup, designed for motorcycles.
…just a US English thing then – In the UK the word automotive would certainly cover motorbikes…….and tractors, trucks etc
Quite frankly I would have that automotive would have covered it for motorcycles too. Thus, I’m calling it a Kansas thing. ;)
I note that the Ant+ USB service has been updated……..If only Quarq would fix the Android Qalvin app so that it works again with the Ant+ Radio service. Ever since the service was updated, Qalvin for Android is broken, and Quarq has not issued a timetable to fix it. In the meantime, you have to workaround with a downgraded version of the Ant+ service.
A few things:
1) This may be my favorite part of your blog. The individual posts are fantastic. But this recap is so informative and so brief. Thanks again.
2) watermelon smoothie hack = Awesome
3) the $50K travel case: at least they say at the end of the article that their goal was to inspire people, not to actually manufacture these things.
4) I LOVE the app update section of this. I realize that you don’t do app reviews (saw your reply and FAQ), which is totally understandable, but knowing which apps you’ve tried and still have on your phone is a good look into what apps I/we might want to try.
Thanks TJ!
I appreciate it. It actually tends to be the post each week that takes the longest to put together, so it’s always good to hear folks find it valuable.
The EasyGimbal works pretty well you have to admit.
Whether most people need the additional intelligence of a powered gimbal compared to a 150 dollar traditional gimbal I don’t know but they seem to be getting near to their target.
In regards to the disappearing bike I’m surprised it doesn’t happen more frequently. Maybe it does. Just act like you own the bike and stroll off with it. Or, in some places you could probably sneak in from the woods and grab it from a transition area and be gone. If you have a high end bike it may be worth the weight and cost to get a Garmin tracker and stick it under the seat.
That’s a BS response from the race director about the stolen bike. How can he possibly monitor his bike if he’s on the run course?
Totally agree.
As for that Runway Run…. Galveston 70.3 did a stretch on the local runway. It was one of the hottest areas I can remember running on. The reflection of the sun off of all that concrete had me baking.
Hey, I did that interview with Ben! I made it onto DC Rainmaker (sorta)!
Hi Ray,
Do you have an idea of when we can buy the vector online?
It’s sounding like sometime in Oct/Nov right now.
I think only phones based on TI’s chipset can support Ant but TI is abandoning the cell phone market (link to eetimes.com). The Galaxy S4 uses a Broadcom chipset (BCM4335) for radio and has no support for Ant+ (the main company behind Bluetooth supporting a competitor?).
Qualcom Atheros does support Ant but not sure if its used in cell phones smaller then the note: link to atheros.com
It doesn’t look like any Pacu has ever bitten anyone’s testicles. link to edition.cnn.com
Would you risk it though? :D
bell for a bike (seems pricy, but does seem well made vs many I’ve seen in stores): link to kickstarter.com
Blackbox type camera for the bike:
link to kickstarter.com
different way of recording and playing back a mountain bike ride:
link to kickstarter.com
vest mounted gopro camera, although seems more for water sports?
link to kickstarter.com
Neat method of bike navigation:
link to dragoninnovation.com
Depends on a phone to do the heavy lifting
Shower that attaches to a bike roof rack:
link to kickstarter.com
carbon bike frame (doesn’t seem that special, shrug)
link to kickstarter.com
bike lights:
link to kickstarter.com
Thanks! Been chatting with the Hammerhead guys for a while, interesting stuff.
That shower is also kind interesting, depending on the right climate (or, car).
Forerunner 210/610 has rebate for $25/$50:
link to garmin.blogs.com
Ray – This quote stuck in my craw and I had to google it later to make this comment… “Pretty interesting to see the Samsung Note get ANT+ this week. Given the chipsets are technically capable in most other Samsung phones (and in fact most phones on the market these days, iPhone actually included), I’m hoping that Samsung looks to open up other units in future updates to allow ANT+ connectivity.”
Can you elaborate? Especially about the iPhone.
From a pure hardware perspective, the chips in most other Samsung phones as well as the iPhone can actually support ANT+. In the case of Samsung, that discussion obviously evolved to them enabling it on the newest units, but I suspect we’ll see that broadened a bit to semi-new units. If that happens, it would be next week at the ANT+ Symposium (again, IF that happens, I don’t know – folks are being very tight-lipped there).
As for the iPhone, that too has a chipset that I’ve been told by multiple people familiar with the matter is compatible with broadcasting ANT+, however, getting Apple to enable that within the handset and make it available to developers has pretty much hit a wall. Discussions between the organizations are no longer ongoing there (though they do pop up from time to time), with Apple instead being heavily committed to Bluetooth and the BT SIG.