Image via BioBeats
When I work out, I usually go Silent Mode — no music player, just the sound of foot meeting pavement and the drumming of my heartbeat. But the new BioBeats app may turn those very sounds into a moving soundtrack for my life. The app cleverly uses the iPhone’s camera to measure measure your heart rate, turning your pulse into the background of a dance track. If you’re moved (or you’re moving), the song morphs in response to your body, a working example of biometric feedback.
Bio Beats isn’t just a cute app — it could be the first in a wave of technology that changes and molds to human measures. It won’t be long before your work playlist is constructed based on your resting heartrate, blood sugar count, and CO2 levels. Or your clothes collect data about you and send it to your chef to help him prepare a meal. Very cool.
Image via WIRED Insider
Yesterday was the first day of not horrible weather in NYC in months. And it got me thinking: how can I take this business call away from my business desk? I think I figured it out. Here’s what you’ll need.
The Desk. OK, you still need something to prop up your device, even if you yourself are totally reclined. The JZD:Mercantile iPad stand is perfect.
The Help. Most likely you’ll still have to do at least thirty minutes of actual work while out of office. Might as well capture that one takeaway with a smart notebook like this one by Moleskine and Evernote.
The Speaker. The Jabra Speak 510 turns your device into a proper boardroom. Trustees not included.
The Getaway. When the day’s over (around 2:30 PM, say) and it’s time to scram, pack it all in with a sleek bag. The Incase EO pack comes to mind.
Image via Tinder
“I’m a man. You’re a woman. Let’s do this.”
Easier said than done, but that sentiment is the essence of all those breathless dating sites, with their bells and whistles and winks and endless questionnaires. We have to ask: in the end, is there a way to get right down to it?
A new app called “Tinder” is, ahem, burning up the dating scene where Blendr failed. The app works because it relies on that key moment crucial in any date: the snap judgement. Tinder uses geolocation and your social graph to serve up potential matches. Users then flip quickly through the matches, sorting them into “hot” or “not”. If two people find each other “hot,” the app allows them to begin chatting. It’s love at first swipe.
Tinder is dating for 2013 — it offers rapid, constant stimulus and instantaneous feedback. I’ve tried it for a few days and it’s been…stimulating to say the least. Let’s do this.
What do you think of Tinder? Matchmaker of the future or another sign of the digital apocalypse?
Image via Google Nose
Soon they’re going to have to change the name to “Digital Fools’ Day”. Or maybe “Google Fools Day”, since the tech behemoth released a slew of pranks yesterday. First was Google Nose which allowed users to apply classic Google tools to smells. Meanwhile, Gmail launched Google Blue, complete with Very Serious Experts Talking On Camera. It was beautiful. Speaking of video, YouTube’s prank was to announce a YouTube “winner” (I always knew YouTube was a competition).
And it didn’t stop with Google. Other brand’s showed their digital funny bone, too. Men’s e-retail favorite Bonobos introduced some Girlfriend Jeans. On the other end of the spectrum, fancy pants Lululemon introduced about the least friendly yoga pants ever.
Not to be outdone was Twitter or Twttr the vowel-free micro-micro-blogging platform.
Sadly, Vimeo didn’t do a prank, instead declaring that the site would continue to be the home of cat videos.
Image via StupidDope
Headphones nowadays have been split into two camps — the ubiquitous white stuff that came with your device, simple and stylish, but with the output of a hamster; or the large, acoustically-pleasing but gaudy megaphones as promoted by gangster rappers. Where’s the Eames Chair for ears?
Why not rest your ears in the DS2012? The headphones, handmade from precious mahogany, is a project between Dolce & Gabbana and audiophiles Grado Labs. Stylish they are, but not without substance. The headphones are designed to leave a tiny space between speaker and ear and thereby maximize the audio experience. Finally a deep, full sound range is finally within reach, without having to look like a harried DJ.
Read more here.
Image via Tiarrescott
I’m not one for far flung philosophies, but even I look for ways to shut down my brain and seek some inner peace every once in awhile. The task becomes more complicated with our many devices. But here’s how you can achieve a little digital zen.
First, silence your devices. Obviously. But do it smart via your devices “Do Not Disturb” feature. They’re available for iPhone and Android and filter phone calls when you’re trying to take it easy.
Second, remove your devices. From sight that is. Tuck you tablets and laptops away, usually in another room. Hey, they’re flat for a reason, right?
Third, go on retreat, that is, find a place in your space that’s just for relaxing — and away from technology. Kind of tough when you’re apartment is only 500 square feet, but ideally it’s a place away from TV, streaming cat videos, and other interlopers.
Now you’re in a much better place to find inner peace. Where are those yoga pants?
Image via Harry’s
The guys who revolutionized the way you buy eyewear (and, subsequently, have been tasked with making the most atrocious spectacles this side of 2050 more palatable) have now set their sites a bit lower — to your beard.
Andy Katz-Mayfield and Warby Parker co-founder Jeff Raider have created ”Harry’s”, a men’s grooming start-up set squarely on the “more discerning guy.”
Dollar razors these are not. But neither are they super pricey. Harry’s aim is to land squarely above dirt cheap razors and below the $200 straight razors the hipster in your building uses. Design is paramount — Harry’s razors and kits would make Dieter Rams drool. Sprinkle in some customization and some slick e-commerce options, and Harry’s could be nicking the competition very soon.
Read more on WIRED.
A razor is an essential part of a gentleman’s arsenal, however, not all blades are created—or designed—equal. And, being a Digital Gentleman is all about honing in on the details. With this in mind, you need to choose your tools wisely, and in my case, I always take leads from the pros—especially when it comes to a blade I’ll be using on my face. After all, here’s something no one has said ever, “Razor burn is hot” (or cool, for that matter).
For one, there’s nothing unmanly about a gentle shave: It’s like being chivalrous to your sensitive skin. It’s also about looking sharp, without looking like you’re trying too hard, which is why I like the award-winning Gillette® Fusion® ProGlide™ Power Razor. Its advanced low-resistance coating reduces tug-and-pull drastically, and its micro-thin blades are thinner than a surgeon’s scalpel—which is probably why it’s the #1 razor recommended by dermatologists.
But, of course, I also have to admit I like the super-sexy design. This sleek silver-colored handle with an ergonomic grip stands out from the primary-school-colored razors on the shelf at my local drugstore. Sure it looks like the race-cars of razors, but it also performs like a step up, providing great control, and a deft balance of weight that makes it easy to handle. Gillette® Fusion® ProGlide™ Power Razor is one smooth operator for my sensitive skin.
Image via Uncrate
Our phones have no problem getting us to bars. Tap an app, ask Siri, Google Map it, and let the libations flow. Hell, even after you get there, there’s plenty of apps to help keep the good time going.
But what about after the lights come on, the music stops, and you’ve got to get back (and your trusty DD ditched your sorry butt)? Should you really be driving after that second mimosa, big boy?
Breathometer is more than an app. A little keychain-sized box plugs into your phone and interacts with a discerning app to determine whether you’re good to drive or whether it’s time to call a cab. Just blow into it and Breathometer becomes like a state trooper in your pocket. Be smart. Or at least smartphone.
Now about that lady friend you just picked up — you’re on your own.
Image via Kottke
New York City has a Kickstarter. OK, not really—but hear me out. Filmmaker Samuel Orr’s got an amazing film that captures the majesty that is a Big Apple day in three minutes. Using time-lapse, tilt-shift, and a taute audiotrack, Orr’s short film pays tribute to major New York spots: Manhattan Bridge, Times Square, and Grand Central, amongst others. All in just a bit over 180 seconds.
The film spans just one day, but Orr has plans to shoot a New York year. Jump on it and help kick start the big city.
