We saw just about all things wearables at CES 2018, from fitness trackers to smartwatches, there was just about everything to keep your health in check. What we didn’t expect is to see a couple of companies take cycling into account.

Solos and Coros are two companies currently seeking additional backing for their products. Solos produces the appropriately named Solos smart glasses while Coros designs the LINX and upcoming OMNI smart helmets.

How can these products improve your cycling experience? Regardless if you’re a competitor or amateur, we see these being useful regardless of what kind of bike you’re on.

Solos

Smart Glasses

The Solos Smart Glasses seem like they’re straight out of a science fiction novel. That’s right, these glasses feature a state of the art HUD (heads-up display) that shows the wearer their speed, power, cadence, heart rate, and even personalized coaching. The glasses are battery powered through a USB connection and at full charge, can offer about five hours of use.

For the competitive cyclist, these metrics are huge. The cyclist won’t have to guess what their stats are and can adjust their performance accordingly without having to look away or even guess. You would think that the tradeoff with such high-tech glasses would be a weak frame, but that’s just the opposite. The lenses and frames are lightweight, durable, and designed to weather the toughest of conditions.

The Solos are still in the developmental stage, but already have a partnership with the U.S. national cycling team, so we can see them hitting store shelves in the not too distant future.

You can find out more about them, and support the campaign here.

Coros

OMNI Helmet 

At CES 2018, Coros showcased the new and improved version of the LINX Helmet, the OMNI. The OMNI may look like any ordinary aerodynamic helmet, but implements a few technologies to make riding more enjoyable and safer without being swamped by electronics.

The OMNI uses whats called bone conduction technology to transfer music and sound from the helmet straight to your cochlea (where all sound ends up) without enclosing your ears in earbuds or earphones. This way, you can hear and be aware of your surroundings without your ears being covered in any way.

The OMNI comes with a handlebar remote that you can press to control the helmet’s wind-resistant microphone as well as control volume and skip music tracks. Basically, the OMNI allows you to control sound without having to take your eyes off the road.

Additionally, downloading the Coros app will allow you to track your rides and individual stats including speed, calories burned, elevation, and more. It may look like just a helmet, but it’s a fitness tracker as well.

Perhaps the most important feature about the OMNI is its emergency alert system. If the helmet sustains a tough impact in a crash, it will send a text notification to a person of your choice, alerting them to the crash. Regardless of whether you are hurt or not, this can be a potentially life-saving piece of technology.

Since the OMNI is the result of a kickstarter campaign, it is fulfilling its initial orders from backers first. Once that is complete, we’ll probably be seeing the OMNI online sometime soon.

 

LINX Helmet

The LINX helmet was Coros’ first rendition of its smart helmet. While it isn’t currently the crown jewel of Coros’ product base, it is still a very popular helmet and carries many of the same technologies as the OMNI.

The LINX carries the same bone conduction feature of the OMNI, allowing music and sound to reach you without disruption to your ears. You’ll still be able to listen to your favorite tunes and take calls while still being aware of your surroundings.

You’ll also get the handlebar remote which enables you to control your tunes and sounds with the push of a button. Even better, you’ll be able to keep your eyes on the road where they should be.

With a connection to the Coros app, you’ll get the emergency contact and fitness tracking capabilities just like the OMNI.

Click here to purchase the LINX Helmet.

Companies are always trying to find the perfect crossroads between sound quality, durability, and comfort when it comes to headphones. In regards to sports and workouts, these categories mean everything. At CES 2018, we found that not only are companies still working towards these goals, but some have also taken these goals to entirely new level.

Let’s explore some of the more interesting sets of headphones that we found at CES 2018.

Kuaifit Sport Headphones

The Kuaifit Sport Headphones may look like your average pair of wrap-around headphones but they’re anything but. These sport headphones are great for the gym, biking, and running due to their particular design. Kuaifit initially began as a startup product and has since exploded in popularity.

They come with a built-in heart rate monitor, activity tracker, calorie counter, lap counter, and more. If the gym equipment you are using ANT+ or BLE technology, these headphones can connect with them too. To access your metrics, simply download the app onto your smartphone, or you can access Kuaifit.Fit on the web.

What makes the Kuaifit headphones popular is that they eliminate the need for multiple wearable devices but still provide accurate metrics. Having a smartwatch or fitness tracker in addition to headphones can become bothersome to some people.

With smart coaching from some of the world’s best athletes available from Kuafit, and nearly 7 hours of playtime, its only natural that so far they’ve received rave reviews from their initial backers

Click here to shop the Kuaifit Sport Headphones.

Monster Air Links

You might recognize the name Monster because it has a close relationship with Beats by Dre headphones. They also produce their own line of wired and wireless headphones. At CES 2018, they announced their first two pairs of wireless earbuds, and they are certainly a sight to behold.

The Monster Airlinks Elements are jewelry themed and the Airlinks iSport are sweat and water-resistant. The benefit of these earbuds is that they are both truly wireless. Both sets come with charging cases and reduce the stress that might come with wireless headphones connected by a cord.

They can also be used to pick up and take calls, as the right earbud contains the primary driver technology. Both pairs of Airlinks are due to be released within the calendar year of 2018.

 

Halo Sports

Perhaps the strangest set of headphones we found at CES were the Halo Sports, developed by Halo Neuroscience. As their respective names might suggest, the Halo Sports have all to do with the workings of your brain and muscles.

The inner band of the headphones is rigged with intricate sensors that look off-putting but stimulate the motor cortex in your brain. The motor is that part of your brain that, in short, controls your movements. The sensors stimulate activity in this part of your brain while you’re listening to your favorite music. All that is needed is as little as twenty minutes of stimulation.

Since no one’s body works in the same way, improvements are bound to be sporadic and different for everyone.

If you need further proof of reliability, check this out-Halo Neuroscience is currently partnered with the San Francisco Giants and works with some of their athletes to improve their abilities and reaction times.

Click here to purchase the Halo Sports.

Sol Republic Soundtrack Pro Wireless

Sol Republic has always been a reliable headphone maker, producing everything from earbuds to wired headphones. This time, they’ve come out with two versions of the Pro Wireless headphones. The first version, Soundtrack Wireless, is a pretty simple set of on-ear headphones that can fold at the mid-section for portability. As with most on-ear headphones, they come with a built-in microphone if you want to take your calls.

The next version is the Pro Wireless, which sports larger cushions to make them more over-ear than on-ear. Since they are effectively larger than the Soundtrack Wireless version, larger 50mm drivers can be used, giving the Pro Wireless almost a full day (24 hours) of play time.

Both sets of headphones will be on sale in the latter half of 2018. They are looking to combine exceptional sound quality with a comfortable price. The Soundtrack Wireless will be priced around $170 while the Pro Wireless will be approximately $250.

Cleer Flow and Trek Headphones

We came across Cleer sort of by accident, but we’re glad we did. Noise-cancelling headphones usually run the highest prices in the headphone market, and wireless at that. The Flow suppresses up to 30dB of ambient noise and provides about 20 hours of audio playback, which is about the industry average.

What had us excited is the price. They’re only a little bit more than Sol Republic’s Pro Wireless but are still true noise-canceling over-ear headphones.

The Trek’s are a pair of noise-canceling earphones that look like any normal set of earphones. However, they have the same 30dB noise suppression technology as the Flow and for nearly a fraction of the price. They have the characteristic wingtips of most earphones, which are interchangeable, and are equipped with a built-in microphone.

All-together, you can get nearly 13 hours of playback, a sizable boost over most wireless earphones of today.

 

 

Sony WF-SP700N Sports Earbuds

Sony has always been a popular seller for all things sound related. At CES, they showcased their WF-SP700N wireless earbuds. These earbuds are bit bulkier than the average earbud but come in three different sizes and four colors for your convenience. The button to commence playback and pick up calls is pretty noticeable too. Sometimes the problem with wireless earphones/earbuds is that their button is too small or requires excessive force to activate.

The WF-SP700N’s come with a charging case and are fully charged in about 1.5 hours, good for about 9 hours of playback. One of the noticeable features about these earbuds is the presence of an ambient noise mode. It mixes your music with the sounds of your environment so you can be aware of what’s around you at no cost to sound quality.

They are classified as sports earbuds and have an IPX4 sweat and splash resistant rating. The WF-SP700N’s are looking to be released later this year.

 

Smartwatches come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and applications these days. One thing we did not expect to see at CES 2018 is the integration of crime fighting and fitness. It seems pretty self-explanatory why heroes and heroines would be some of the fittest people on the planet. Soon, you will be able share in some of that crime-fighting excitement with the all-new superhero themed smartwatches from One61 Studio.

One61 Studio is the creative arm of BioWorld Merchandising, a company known for its pop culture-themed apparel. With BioWorld, you’ll find themes from Marvel and DC comics, Disney, anime, Harry Potter, Rock & Roll, and much more.

While these smartwatches are still in the developmental stage, we can see them becoming a hit among the youth population. The great thing is you don’t have to be a kid again to be excited about superheroes.

Features

At first, you might think that it’s just another marketing gimic used to excite a certain type of customer. However, we got the chance to see these smartwatches up close and the truth is very different. The whole idea behind One61’s smartwatches is to motivate the user in a different way than Fitbit or Garmin might.

The watches act as if you, the wearer, are the superhero. One61 showcased the Batman, Wonder Woman, and Flash-themed watches at CES 2018. Each one is tailor-made specifically to that superhero or superheroine.

Each watch has a crime-fighting and patrol feature. The crime-fighting feature is the equivalent of a step-counter. The catch is that each milestone is actually a duel with a notable villain. For example, if you’re wearing the Batman watch and hit 10,000 steps, the interface will fill with green question marks as you do battle with the Riddler. If you’re wearing the Wonder Woman watch, it would fill with toxic clouds as Dr. Poison appears.

• Furthermore, you’ll initially see that each milestone (villain) is hidden, so you won’t know who you’ll be fighting until you actually reach the milestone. This adds sort of that mystery element that we find so often in the comics, shows, and movies.

The patrol feature of each smartwatch is similar to reminders to keep moving during the day. In this case, you’d be patrolling each hero’s home city or in the case of Wonder Woman, the entire world.

Design

The Batman and Flash-themed watches look similar to Apple watches (1.54in), but only have one button on the side. This could actually save you time on looking for specific screen protectors or cases if you decide to add protection.

The Wonder Woman watch has a more rounded interface but it still retains a simplistic look. With all these watches, you have the choice of five different character interfaces as the home and clock screen.

Overall

For diehard fans of comics and critically acclaimed shows and movies, these smartwatches put you closer to the shoes of your favorite superheroes and heroines than ever before. Sure, you won’t get all the fancy fitness apps and connectivity that you get with Garmin and Fitbit, but if you’re not trying to use them all, what’s the point?

These superhero watches are designed to be simple but still provide daily challenges and motivation in an intuitive way not yet seen in the smartwatch industry. You’ll be getting your activity in for the day and putting villains behind bars in the process. It doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult, you can’t deny the fun that comes with fighting crime like superheroes.

One61’s smartwatches aren’t due to be released until later this year, but we can speculate that some exciting new features might be in store.

To find out more about One61’s watches, click here.

We talk a lot about smartwatches, fitness trackers, and just about everything you can fit on your arms. At CES 2018, we found that some companies are breaking new ground with wearable technology to better aid your recovery process, and better connect you with medical professionals.

Sensoria

Sensoria is a fitness company that we saw showcase three products at CES 2018. A smart running show and a smart sock. You might be wondering, how could these help me out?

Aside from tracking statistics related to your foot placement, your doctor or another medical professional can also see these statistics and from there, help you develop a better rehabilitation or improvement plan.

Shoe

The shoe looks like any normal looking running shoe and overall pretty comfortable. The key difference is that it sports a sensor on the back of the heel. The sensor records data on your stride and step. Not many people take into account their stride and foot placement when considering the health of their knees, ankles, and feet.

If you have chronic pain in your joints, there is a good chance the problem could be in the amount of pressure you put into your steps and the manner of which you place your foot on the ground. The Sensoria shoe will measure your cadence and heart rate in addition to foot contact and landing.

The shoe is not due out until later this year, but you can find out more here.

Socks

The sock features an area around the area to attach the anklet sensor (sold separately). If you’re not looking to get another pair of shoes, these socks will also track the same foot statistics as the shoes.

Think of the shoes as a method to capture your performance while running, while the socks can track your movement when walking. You might be surprised to see a difference in between the two speeds.

Click here to shop the Sensoria smart socks.

 

Qardio

Qardio develops a couple of neat products that, like Sensoria, can also put you in better contact with a medical professional. At the root of it all, Qardio’s products give you the ab

ility to manage your own health without having to constantly visit a doctor.

 

 

QardioBase 2 

The QardioBase 2 is the newest rendition of Qardio’s wireless smart scale. This device is more than just a scale. It tracks your body mass index based on water, muscle, fat, and bone. Usually, you’d have to go see a professional or get certain equipment to perform a successful test.

Once the scale records your weight and body metrics, it will give provide you feedback along with encouraging smiley faces instead of simple numbers. It may not seem like much, but some people get a boost out of small changes like these.

The Base 2 also has a mode for expectant mothers so they can better track the progress of their pregnancy and changes in their body.

Click here to shop the QardioBase 2.

QardioArm 

Blood pressure is defined as the rate at which the blood pushes against your artery walls. Too high means it pushing too hard, too low means it’s not flowing fast enough. High and low blood pressure are major health issues, and sometimes the only way to measure this is at a doctors office or pharmacy.

Qardio solves this problem with its easy to use QardioArm, a simple blood pressure monitor that when connected to the Qardio app, gives you all the metrics you need about your blood pressure. For those with mobility issues, this device can keep them in contact with their doctor without having to actually visit an office.

Click here to shop the QardioArm.

QardioCore

QardioCore is an intricate device that acts similarly to name brand heart monitors. This device wraps around your chest and can be used to monitor heart conditions including heart rate, ECG (electrocardiography), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. It is thin enough to wear undershirts, so you can take it with you when you workout or at work if you need to constantly monitor your condition.

When connected to the Qardio app, you can share the data with your doctor, once again improving communication and efficiency without the need for a lengthy office visit. The QardioCore will soon be available for widespread consumer purchase.