Preva Mobile for iOS aims to track your workouts, keep you going to the gym

Dragging yourself to the gym in the wee hours of the morning already takes a heaping helping of dedication, but fitness equipment manufacturer Precor is betting that it can provide additional motivation with its new iOS app: Preva Mobile. By wielding the software, users can monitor and set goals for calories burned, distance and duration, and even log their actions outside the gym for activities ranging from rollerblading to skiing. What's more is that the application acts as an extension of the firm's Preva fitness tracking console built into its 880 line of cardio equipment, and keeps data synced between devices and exercise machines through the cloud.

In addition to helping folks keep tabs on their activity, the digital logbook rewards users with points and badges, which they can brag about share on Twitter and Facebook. There's no sign of an Android version just yet, but we doubt your personal trainer will buy that as an excuse to stray from your workout regimen.

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New Precor® "Preva® Mobile" App Motivates Exercisers to Meet Fitness Goals Both In and Outside the Gym

Take your fitness journey beyond the Preva enabled 880 Line of cardio equipment to reach goals anywhere

Woodinville, WA - April 22, 2013 - Precor®, a leading home and commercial fitness equipment manufacturer, today announced the availability of Preva® Mobile, a free iOS application available in the iTunes store. Preva Mobile is the perfect companion for enthusiasts looking to set and reach goals in their fitness journey. Whether using the Preva enabled 880 Line of Precor cardio equipment or wanting to track a variety of other activities such as cycling, strength training, running and more, Preva Mobile allows users to create a comprehensive log of activities, stay on top of goals and keep motivated. It is the first and only app to reward users with achievement badges for reaching workout milestones.

"The Preva reward system is proven to keep exercisers tuned in to their fitness goals," said Brent Brooks, Precor Vice President of Networked Fitness. "It goes beyond simple numbers tracking to provide meaningful guidance and motivation when exercisers need it most. Preva Mobile extends this same encouragement system to members away from the gym, making it a powerful tool for operators to drive up retention."

Preva Mobile is the latest enhancement to Preva, the market's most widely deployed networked fitness solution for facility operators. It extends the reach of Preva Personal Accounts beyond Precor 880 cardio equipment, and syncs all data in the cloud for anytime, anywhere access. With the app, exercisers can log activities for points, set goals, achieve badge rewards, and monitor their overall progress on a daily, weekly or lifetime basis – all through the same elegant user interface Precor is known for on their 880 cardio equipment.

•Setting Goals – It is easy to get started with Preva Mobile and start working toward your fitness goals. Simply create an account, set a weekly objective for number of workout days and an associated goal for calories, distance or duration. Exercisers that set goals with Preva are proven to work out on average one day more per week than those that don't.

•Logging Activities – Regardless of the equipment or activity, Preva Mobile allows users to quickly and easily input any activity via the "activity panel" which includes four categories: Cardio Equipment, Sports & Fitness, Strength Equipment and Body Weight Exercises. Select from expansive drop down menus that feature activities such as elliptical, swimming, hiking and more. If you're already on a Preva enabled cardio machine, simply login, or if on Precor Discovery strength equipment, scan the QR code to instantly log the activity. Don't lose a single workout while on your fitness journey.

•Tracking Results – The intuitive interface and fitness compass allow Preva Mobile users to instantly visualize progress against predefined goals. Data is stored in the cloud, so individuals can access information in real-time from anywhere in the world.

•Achieving Rewards – Built on the principles of gamification, Preva Mobile keeps exercisers motivated with badge achievements. Fun and educational, these one-of-a-
kind badges keep users engaged with their fitness goals, and achievements can be shared on leading social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. Gain badges such as "Golden Gate," rewarded for burning 232 calories, the average equivalent of walking from one side of the Golden Gate Bridge to the other.

•Music and More – Preva Mobile is designed to enhance the entire fitness experience. It allows users to import music play lists and save favorite workouts.

For operators, Preva Mobile deepens member relationships by providing a mobile platform for managing all fitness activities, not just those on Preva enabled equipment or inside the gym.

"Operators are eager to capitalize on networked fitness and differentiate themselves by offering customers tools that motivate them to reach goals," added Brooks. "Preva Mobile is the glue that gyms need to tie together the facility experience with the rest of a person's fitness journey. Exercisers are guided toward success from anywhere."

Source: Preva (iTunes)

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By: Unknown On 6:38 PM

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Lockheed Martin powers up its first GPS III satellite, stays on track for 2014

It's been awhile since we heard much about Lockheed Martin's GPS III satellite family beyond mention of an early prototype. The next-gen positioning system just took a big step forward with word that the company has successfully powered up the first production craft of the bunch, Space Vehicle One. Flicking the switch clears it for testing and keeps the GPS III program's 2014 launch window within view. More importantly, the activation takes us one step closer to improved GPS accuracy for civilians and soldiers alike.

Via: Phys.org

Source: Lockheed Martin

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By: Unknown On 9:49 PM

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NBA offers its first free event app to track the All-Star Game through Android, iOS

The NBA isn't known for offering much in the way of free apps, or tailoring its efforts around a special event. For the All-Star Game and surrounding events, however, the league is trying both in one shot. Its All-Star 2013 app for Android, iPads and iPhones lets anyone follow along with related scores, news, video highlights and voting for certain MVP awards. Fans fortunate enough to be in Houston for the event also get ticket details and maps. You'll notice that there's no mention of live audio or video -- the NBA isn't that kind, unfortunately. Even so, the All-Star app could be helpful for keeping tabs on the Slam Dunk competition without paying for the privilege.

Source: App Store (iPad), (iPhone), Google Play

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By: Unknown On 10:29 AM

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Sony posts a net loss of $115 million for Q3, stays on track for full-year operating profit

Still-in-turnaround-mode Sony has reported its earnings for the October to December period, and has recorded a net loss of about 10.8 billion yen ($115 million). It did however improve its revenue to $21 billion as the yen weakened, despite slower sales of items like HDTVs and Blu-ray players. Key for Sony is that it managed an operating profit for the quarter of 46.4 billion yen ($496 million) and remains on track to make its business profitable in the next financial year.

Despite Sony's best efforts -- which include initiatives that you've heard about like its Triluminos HDTVs, PlayStation Mobile for tablets and phones, 4K and new software for the Vita -- it's cut sales targets in all of those divisions. Projected sales for TVs and cameras fell by 1 million units each, and portable game players by 3 million, as noted by Bloomberg. It's been a year since Kaz Hirai took the reins, and with his "One Sony" restructuring plan well underway and (what everyone suspects is) a PlayStation 4 event around the corner, 2013 is as important a year as the company has ever had. We'll check in for more info on the earnings call in just a bit, for now you can paw through all the numbers yourself in the slides and reports linked below.

Source: Sony Q3 earnings (PDF), Slides

More Coverage: Reuters, Nikkei, Bloomberg

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By: Unknown On 10:19 PM

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FTC issues mobile privacy guidelines, values clarity and Do Not Track

The FTC has made online privacy one of its bigger missions as of late, going so far as to develop a full privacy framework that it hopes others will follow. Its counsel is extending to the mobile world with a new report full of recommendations for privacy inside apps, ads and mobile operating systems. Some of the advice includes decidedly common sense measures, such as asking for privacy permissions at a relevant moment or requiring clear disclosures as to what info leaves the device. Other tips require more exertion: the FTC would like to see dedicated privacy dashboards inside of apps, privacy policies that are visible directly from app stores and a simple Do Not Track option baked into both mobile browsers as well as ads. The suggestions aren't binding, and they're only partly useful when we've already seen features like Do Not Track find their way into newer platforms like iOS 6 and Windows Phone 8. Still, the report is potentially a worthwhile read for developers -- especially those that want to stay on the FTC's good side.

Via: Reuters

Source: FTC

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By: Unknown On 8:48 PM

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Samsung on track to become top home appliances maker

The company logo is displayed at the Samsung news conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 7, 2013.

Credit: Reuters/Rick Wilking

LAS VEGAS | Tue Jan 8, 2013 12:26am EST

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co said it is on course to achieve its goal of becoming the world's top home appliances maker by 2015, with sales growing an estimated 50 percent by then.

Samsung Electronics, which makes more chips, flat-screens, handsets and TVs than any of its competitors - including the world's best-selling smartphone - is aiming to boost its home appliance segment and narrow the gap with companies including Whirlpool Corp and Electrolux AB.

"I'm confident of Samsung becoming the world's top appliances maker by 2015 with $18 billion sales, as we set up a very well structured framework for key products and moving step by step to the goal, first starting with fridges," Yoon Boo-keun, president of the division, told Reuters in an interview at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Monday.

Analysts estimate Samsung Electronics earned around 13 trillion won ($12 billion) last year from home appliances, part of the firm's consumer electronics arm.

Samsung Electronics would ditch unprofitable product lines and boost research into consumer tastes across different markets, Yoon said.

"It's a business that can ensure steady cash flow with little earnings fluctuation, once you have a proper system in place," Yoon said. "It's not dull at all and has great potential to become Samsung's next earnings driver."

MR TV AIMS FOR GROWTH

Yoon, who was head of Samsung's TV business until 2011, was put in charge of the thin-margin home appliance division a year ago with a mission to match the TV outfit's success.

Known as Mr. TV, he had a pivotal role in ending Japan's more than three decades of leadership in the global TV industry in 2006.

"We see lots of opportunities in the appliances segment but we didn't strongly grow the business - simply, it didn't get proper treatment," Yoon said after unveiling a new four-door Internet-connected fridge at the electronics show.

His remarks come only hours after Samsung Electronics said it likely earned a record quarterly operating profit of $8.3 billion, aided by roaring sales of smartphones.

Samsung's CE division is estimated to have earned around 13 trillion won ($12.22 billion) of revenue in the fourth quarter, or roughly a quarter of its total revenue.

TV sales generally account for around 70 percent of CE performance, and the rest comes from selling appliances such as fridges, ovens and laundry, according to analysts. Samsung does not provide breakdowns.

It's been a low-margin business compared with smartphones, which generate around 25 percent of margin, and the division's operating profit contribution is estimated at around 4 percent.

Yoon also said Samsung, the world's top maker of TVs, was aiming to sell 55 million flat-screen TVs this year, up from 51 million last year, even as the industry is set to remain stagnant due to the weak global economy.

Betting large TVs with over 65-inch screen sizes will lead the growth, Samsung Electronics unveiled three models of ultra high-definition (HD) TVs that boast four times better picture quality than full HD models.

ACQUISITIONS IN MEDICAL SECTOR

Yoon also heads Samsung's corporate design centre and oversees the medical equipment business, which was added to the consumer electronics division this year.

Samsung Electronics acquired a controlling stake in Korean ultrasound equipment firm Medison in 2010 and its affiliate later for around $300 million in total, its biggest ever acquisition in the healthcare industry.

Yoon expected sales from its medical devices would reach $500 million this year, up from $300 million last year, and will grow with the acquisition of companies that make MRI scanners and computed tomography machines.

Samsung Electronics has said it plans to spend 1.2 trillion won in the medical equipment business by 2020 to make it a $10 billion operation by then.

In the long run, Samsung Electronics aims to become a global healthcare leader, taking on GE, Philips, Hitachi, Toshiba and Siemens. ($1 = 1064.0000 Korean won)

(Reporting by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Stephen Coates and Ryan Woo)

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By: Dilusha On 10:28 PM

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Track Santa Claus online on Christmas Eve 2012: A guide

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Ian is an independent writer based in Tel Aviv, Israel. His current focus is on all things tech including mobile devices, desktop and laptop computers, software, social networks, Web apps, tech-related legislation and corporate tech news.
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Children across the world are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus Monday evening; luckily, in 2013 we have numerous ways to track the Jolly Old Elf during Christmas Eve.

As usual, the North American Aerospace Defense Command is tracking Santa via radar this season and displaying Saint Nick's location online.

But this year, NORAD has partnered with Microsoft and Bing to show Santa's every moment instead of Google, the Can-American organization's online partner since 2004.

Not to be outdone by its search rival, Google is also tracking Santa's midnight ride on its own.

If you've got little ones focused on tracking Santa Monday morning into the evening, here's a basic guide to all the ways you can track Santa tonight.

Norad may have a new online partner, but the military-grade Santa Tracker is still available at NoradSanta.org. Here you will be greeted with a Bing Map similar to Google's version in previous years. You can see where Santa has been, thanks to the gift icons that dot the map, and the Tracker offers a breakdown of where Saint Nick was last spotted and his next scheduled location.

A running counter shows how many gifts Santa has delivered this year. If you click on a present on the map, a pop-up window will show a YouTube video, if available, about Santa's journey in that region and some facts about the location from Wikipedia.

Clicking on the “Watch Santa!” button will take you to the latest videos showing Santa's journey, posted to Google's YouTube—proving that even the military can't completely escape Google's online power. Norad's site also features a map of Santa's North Pole village that contains games, music, and other activities.

Google's Santa Tracker (click to enlarge)

Google may have been discharged from Norad, but the search giant is still tracking Santa at Google.com/santatracker. When you first land on the site, in true Google style, you are treated to a data dashboard showing Santa's previous location, next scheduled stop, time until arrival, total number of presents delivered, distance traveled, and his latest status update.

You can also click on the Santa icon to see his journey on the map without the dashboard cluttering up the display.

Google also offers on the site three Christmas themed video games called Jetpack, Present Drop, and Racer. And, as Google has offered in previous years, you can create a personalized phone call from Santa to any North American phone number between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. local time. All of these features are available by clicking the “Santa Tracker” box in the bottom left corner of the site.

Google's Santa stats from Australia (click to enlarge)

Santa's major stops are signified with a gift-themed Google Maps marker. Clicking on a location shows you its name, Santa's time of arrival at that location, the current weather (courtesy of the Weather Channel), and the number of presents delivered there.

You can also access photos of the place pulled from Google Maps' partnership with Panoramio, and data from Wikipedia. Unfortunately, you can't enter your own location into the map to see when Santa is scheduled to arrive in your neck of the woods. But maybe Google will include that feature in next year's map.

Google's Santa Tracker on Android 4.2.1, Jelly Bean (click to enlarge)

If you want to track Santa while you're on the go, you can choose from Norad's app for Android and iOS by Visionbox or Google's Santa Tracker for Android.

Norad's app hasn't changed much and, similar to previous years, features a tracking map as well as a game. This year the game is called Thin Ice.

Google's Santa Tracker app for Android isn't really an app at all and only features links to opening Google Maps or Google Earth on your Android device to track Santa. Google offers no accessory games or other features.

For iOS users who prefer Google's Santa, you can still use Google.com/santatracker on your iPad or iPhone and it will work just fine. You can also place an icon for the site on your homescreen by tapping  the 'Action' key in Safari and selecting “Add to Home Screen.”

Santa on Chrome (click to enlarge)

Google has also created a Chrome extension you can add to your browser.

The Santa Tracker extension gives you a summary of how many miles Santa has traveled and clicking on the browser icon shows you the tracker dashboard with vital Santa stats.

Getting social with Santa this year is pretty similar to other years. You can get updates on Santa's location via Twitter with @NoradSanta. Norad's Santa is also on Facebook. Google+ users can get Santa-centric updates all day Monday from the Google Maps G+ page.

Santa tracking via Google Earth (click to enlarge)

You can track Santa using Google Earth on both PCs and mobile devices. This will show you an animated version of Santa flying across specific locations. You can find a link to the Santa Tracker in Google Earth's Tour Guide feature.

Android users can get a direct link to Santa's journey on Google Earth mobile using the Santa Tracker app for Android.

Technology offers many ways to follow Santa's journey around the globe Monday night, but here's a word of warning for parents with particularly observant children. The Microsoft/Norad Santa and Google's Santa are not flying on the same itinerary, so you may want to stick with one Santa in order to avoid any repeat Santa landings.

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By: Dilusha On 2:20 PM

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App Spotlight: Automatically track your mileage with TripLog

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For more than 20 years, Rick Broida has written about all manner of technology, from Amigas to business servers to PalmPilots. His credits include dozens of books, blogs, and magazines. He sleeps with an iPad under his pillow.
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TripLog for Android

When it comes to managing business expenses, half the battle is keeping tabs on your mileage. Obviously there are plenty of apps that let you manually enter your miles or odometer readings—but that's still a pretty low-tech approach.

But, hey, your smartphone has a built-in GPS, right? Seems like a smart app could leverage that to automatically keep tabs on where you drive for business.

That's TripLog GPS Mileage Tracker in a nutshell. Available for Android and iOS, this app monitors your mileage via GPS, tracks any parking, tolls, or other expenses, records fuel costs, and generates IRS-ready reports.

All you do is set up your vehicle, then take a few seconds to create a new trip before you head out on the road. TripLog will automatically pinpoint your starting location, though you can enter a different location if needed.

Then just tap Save and be on your way. When you reach your destination, tap End Trip Now. You also have the option of specifying the nature of the trip (business, charity, medical, etc.), entering notes, and adding any applicable parking or toll costs.

TripLog can also calculate fuel economy, manage multiple vehicles and business entities, and support commercial trucks. It leverages 2012 and 2013 IRS data to determine mileage rates.

Best of all, the app can email IRS-compliant, tax return-ready mileage reports in CSV or HTML format. Actually, at the moment only the Android version can do that it; it's coming soon for iOS. In fact, the vastly superior Android version also lets you snap photos of your expense receipts. It offers one-tap start/stop via a Home Screen widget, and can even be set to auto-start mileage tracking.

TripLog is not only free, but also ad-free. However, you'll want to check the developer's pricing page for information on some premium options, like a reasonable 99-cent charge for a single-year report or $4.99 for unlimited reports, receipt photos, and the like.

Android users should definitely check this out. The iOS crowd may want to wait at least until mileage reporting is enabled, as the app isn't much use without it.

Have you found a mileage-tracking app you like better? Tell me about it in the comments.

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By: Dilusha On 4:12 PM

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Mozilla looks back at 2012, finds many of us choosing Do Not Track

It's been a time of reflection for search engine teams, so why not for web browsers? Mozilla has taken its own trip back through 2012 and found that a surprising number of us have embraced Do Not Track. About 8 percent of desktop users, and 19 percent of Android users, have adopted the feature as of the end of year -- that's a clear sign of interest in keeping web habits private, Mozilla claims. While we don't have similar statistics for other browsers to add context, the company still sees a lot of sunshine with the rapid development of Firefox OS and recent additions like its Social API. If Mozilla's introspection proves intriguing, many more details await at the source.

Filed under: Internet, Software

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Source: Mozilla

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By: Dilusha On 7:59 PM

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