Geek out! The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held this week in Las Vegas, is the world’s largest gathering of consumer-tech companies and technophiles of all types. But hidden in the halls of technology are outdoors and fitness brands and dozens of gadgets that cater to the adventurous fringe. GearJunkie editor John Peacock is in Vegas this week trekking the trade show floor. Here’s a look at a few “products of the future” via the lens of our man on the ground at CES.
Water-Based Fuel Cell — Drip in some old-fashioned H20 to create electricity? That is the claim a Swedish company offers with its water-based fuel cell charger. It works via a chemical reaction between the hydrogen in water and “special electrodes and electrolytes” in fuel cells to generate electricity, according to the company, called myFC. It’s cited that as little as a tablespoon of water can begin to recharge a smartphone or GPS unit in the field. The unit, called the PowerTrekk, will cost $299 when it goes on sale in the United States this spring.
One-Battery Backup Cell Phone — It runs on a single AA battery. But the SpareOne cell phone can maintain its charge for years, the company cites, allowing you to keep the slim phone packed away just in case. Made for emergencies, international travel, and outdoors applications, the simple SpareOne phone can be left in a backpack emergency kit or a car trunk for long-term storage and emergency use.
After long storage, once powered on for use, the phone then can run for up to 10 hours of talk time on an Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA battery, which is included. $49.99, www.spareonephone.com
GPS Fitness Watch — The Switch Series of fitness watches borrow from Magellan’s knowledge in mapping technology to offer runners and cyclists built-in GPS. Track speed, distance, altitude and other fitness and geospatial stats via the watches’ “high sensitivity” GPS receivers, which the company touts are accurate to a range as small as 10 feet. $249.99 and up; www.magellangps.com/switch
