Articles by Zek

Will the Apple Watch 2 Kill Other Fitness Watches?

Editorials

Will the Apple Watch 2 Kill Other Fitness Watches?

Apple had a lot of announcements yesterday, but the one that caught my attention was the new Apple Watch 2. It now includes GPS, waterproofing, and even a model cobranded with Nike, showing that Apple has the fitness market square in the crosshairs. These are all welcome improvements, but will it have an impact in the crowded fitness tracker/fitness watch market? Let’s start by eliminating one group that won’t be buying an Apple watch: the budget conscious folks have a plethora of options available to them that offer many of the same fitness benefits without the cost of the Apple…

Why Are Accessory Makers Consolidating Rapidly?

Editorials

Why Are Accessory Makers Consolidating Rapidly?

News broke this week that Incipio is acquiring Griffin, hot on the heels of Incipio also acquiring Skullcandy, Otterbox acquiring Lifeproof, Mophie being acquired by Zagg, and going back a few years, Sena being acquired by Targus and Speck by Samsonite.

Styr Labs Tries for a True Fitness Ecosystem with Activity Tracking, Smart Scales, and Custom Vitamins!

News & Features

Styr Labs Tries for a True Fitness Ecosystem with Activity Tracking, Smart Scales, and Custom Vitamins!

Every company that’s remotely related to computing wants a piece of the fitness wearables business. There is a lot of data to be gleaned from activity levels, weight, and what we eat, and everyone thinks their solution is the one that will guide consumers to better health. Styr Labs has a creative plan that brings together activity tracking, weight management, and supplements, truly hitting the trifecta of hot trends in the fitness world! Their system comes in a few different combinations; you can buy the fitness tracker/vitamins starter kit for $68, or the scale/protein starter kit for $78. It looks like there’s…

Board Up Your Windows, Sharknado 4 Is Coming!

News & Features

Board Up Your Windows, Sharknado 4 Is Coming!

Ah, summer. Long days, warm nights, and storms full of razor sharp teeth…yes, Sharknado is back again! You may recall that the last segment opened with President Mark Cuban, Vice President Anne Coulter, and Ian Ziering fighting sharks at the White House, and ended with David Hasselhoff on the moon and a shark about to land on Tara Reid. If possible, the next segment looks even crazier!

Nintendo Makes Everyone's Dreams Come True with the Mini NES Console!

News & Features

Nintendo Makes Everyone’s Dreams Come True with the Mini NES Console!

I was never allowed to have video games as a kid. My parents felt there were better uses of our time, so my brother and I were always super excited to visit friends who had video game consoles, ESPECIALLY Nintendo. Super Mario was the greatest, and his appeal was only increased by how verboten he was. Nintendo has finally answered my childhood dreams, though, and they’re releasing a modernized version of the original Nintendo Entertainment System console, complete with 30 classic games! THIS IS NOT A DRILL! For real, Nintendo is releasing a modern NES, and they’re throwing in everything…

Misfit Wearables Offers Up a Huge Sale!

Deals

Misfit Wearables Offers Up a Huge Sale!

If you’ve toyed with the idea of getting a fitness tracker but didn’t want to pay a lot, or wanted to prioritize fashion, then head to Misfit’s website ASAP. They’re offering a huge summer sale, up to 50% off some of their models! The Misfit Flash is down to $14.99, and the Shine is only $39.99!

Is Your Wallet Ready for Prime Day?

Deals, News & Features

Is Your Wallet Ready for Prime Day?

Good(ish) news-Amazon is bringing back Prime Day tomorrow, July 12th! Prime Day was a bit underwhelming last year, but Amazon is hyping it up big time this year, so hopefully they’ve learned from past mistakes. In the meantime, they’re previewing sales across multiple departments, so it’s really more like Prime week!

Simple Workout Log Makes My FrankenWorkout Easy to Follow!

Reviews

Simple Workout Log Makes My FrankenWorkout Easy to Follow!

I’ve bounced between a number of different workout programs; I started with Stronglifts 5×5, then You Are Your Own Gym. Both programs had dedicated apps, so I didn’t have to think about how to track my progress. Since then, I’ve concocted a frankenworkout, but I needed an easy way to track the routine, and Simple Workout Log is my favorite!

Listen to the New Ghostbusters Theme Song Only If You Hate Yourself

News & Features

Listen to the New Ghostbusters Theme Song Only If You Hate Yourself

Look, I know there’s a lot of drama around the reboot of “Ghostbusters”. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time; the first time I was floor manager at Borders, I ran around telling people “I AM THE KEYMASTER!” But I am beyond excited for the reboot too, because funny people+cool premise+good director=fun movie. But not the theme song. Never the theme song. It’s not that I am deeply attached to the Ray Parker Jr version. I am all for it being modernized. But what illegal substance was the production crew on when they commissioned Fall Out Boy to…

Vega Protein Powder and Preworkout supplement

Reviews

Vega Protein Powder and Preworkout supplement

Protein powder and other supplements can be controversial. Some see them as a useful tool to aid in meeting nutritional goals, or in recovering or prepping for workouts, while others doubt their efficacy. Adding to the complication is that most protein powders are whey (dairy) based; there is an alternative for vegans and anyone who avoids dairy with Vega supplements!

Gawker vs Hogan, AKA The Wrath of Thiel, Bankrupts Gawker Media

News & Features

Gawker vs Hogan, AKA The Wrath of Thiel, Bankrupts Gawker Media

Sad news for anyone who has spent hours on Gawker watching Bernie Bros and Trump Trolls fight in the comments section; apparently the tag-team of Peter Thiel and Hulk Hogan was too much, as Gawker Media has filed for bankruptcy. This is on the heels of Gawker losing a lawsuit filed by Hulk Hogan over coverage of Hogan’s sex tape. It was revealed later that Hogan’s legal team was funded by Peter Thiel, who has held a grudge against Gawker media for years, ever since Valleywag revealed Thiel is gay. It’s unclear what will happen to the various sites under the…

Has Jawbone Run Out of Steps?

Editorials

Has Jawbone Run Out of Steps?

Jawbone is one of those companies that seems to sit just below the surface of mainstream success. They were well known for Bluetooth speakers and headsets, then they were an early pioneer in fitness wearables. All that seems to have crashed down quickly around them, and it looks like Jawbone is in an ominous position.

Why Are Uber and Lyft Opposed to Fingerprinting?

News & Features

Why Are Uber and Lyft Opposed to Fingerprinting?

If you live in Austin, TX, apparently you won’t be able to hail an Uber or Lyft ride any longer. The city held a vote and passed into law a regulation requiring fingerprinting for all ridesharing drivers. This, clearly, is a bridge too far for Uber and Lyft, who have thrown an epic tantrum and pulled their operations in response.

Qliplet is the Extra Hand, er, Hook You Need!

Reviews

Qliplet is the Extra Hand, er, Hook You Need!

I am usually pretty streamlined walking into work. My work bag has my door keycard, and all I need to do is bump the door with my bag to activate it. If I have an extra item (like a cup of coffee), I end up balancing and juggling everything, badly. Qliplet offers a potential solution, but is it any good?