Key features of the update

The most noteworthy feature of this update is the integration of offline ski resort maps. This transforms the Falcon and T-Rex Ultra into more helpful tools for skiers and snowboarders. Users essentially get detailed trail views and essential information for navigating the slopes. The update provides access to over 15,000 ski resort maps directly from your wrist. This should help you find your way around the most complex of ski resorts .

Another important aspect of this update is enhanced GPS tracking. Amazfit says, the upgrade in GPS firmware not only improves tracking accuracy but also enhances the overall performance of these watches, particularly in challenging environments. This is beneficial in remote or complex terrains where precision is paramount.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The update also brings an improvement in the accuracy of workout metrics. For instance, time-related data like workout duration is now displayed with precision down to 0.01 seconds. This level of detail is essential for those serious about their athletic pursuits, who rely on precise data to track their performance and set goals.

Lastly, there has been a focus on optimising user interaction. The update should make it easier and more intuitive to interact with your watch during sports activities. Whether you’re mid-run, on the ski lift, or taking a break, this will allow you to focus more on your activity and less on the technicalities of operating the timepiece.

How to install

This is a progressive rollout so it may not have reached you yet. Patience is your friend.

When it does reach you – open the Zepp app, navigate to the ‘Device’ section and select your connected watch. Here, you should see a notification for the new firmware update, version 9.24.3.2. The update package is relatively lightweight, with a size of just 6.55MB. Tap on the update notification and follow the on-screen instructions to start the update.

It’s important to keep the app running in the foreground during the update and ensure your watch is adequately charged to prevent any interruption. Once the update is completed, your watch will restart, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the new features and enhancements it brings.

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Beanies and boots at the ready, the skiing season is just around the corner. As you make your preparations to head off to the slopes, check out our list of the best skiing gadgets. Any one of these has the potential to improve your overall powder experience.

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Garmin Fenix 6 | Carv | Oakley Airwave Snow Goggles | Bug Ski Helmet | ICEdot Crash Sensor | Forcite Ski Helmet | POC Spine Vest

The best skiing gadgets

Garmin Fenix 6

The Fenix 6 is a beast of a watch and features everything you would ever want for fitness training and outdoor navigation. The watch is perfect for fitness training and those into outdoor sports. It is also our pick for one of the best skiing gadgets.

You can use it for cycling, open water swimming, cross country skiing, climbing, indoor run/bike/swim, hiking and much more. The Ski/Board mode puts speed, distance, vertical drop and an automatic run counter (with auto-pause for the lift line), and more at your fingertips. Outdoor navigation includes things like the 3-axis compass, altimeter and barometer and TracBack feature.

There are a number of different design options to choose from including the first Fenix watch which can tap into the sun’s energy to fuel the battery. Alternatively you could always opt for the Forerunner 945, same specs but in a more budget friendly wrapper.

Amazon*

Carv

A Kickstarter backed project, Card is a high tech device dedicated to skiing that provides audible real-time feedback through earphones and detailed analysis between runs.

The extremely thin smart insert, slides into any standard ski boot. It then analyzes every move you make to bring a new perspective on your technique.

In addition to tracking your runs, Carv looks at metrics related to your weight distribution, timing, the orientation and symmetry of your skis and more. This gives you access to statistics such as your maximum edge angle, enabling you to really drill into your technique.

Using these metrics and your headphones, Carv then communicates in real-time useful analysis and tips to help you improve. Pick a lesson appropriate to your level of skiing and Carv will give you pointers and highlight mistakes you are making.

Carv*

Oakley Airwave Snow Goggles

These smart goggles feature a built-in heads up display that delivers crisp, widescreen graphics using innovative prism technology. Your perception will be of 14-inch screen at a distance of 5 feet away from you.

GPS integration and other on-board sensors give you real-time access to speed, vertical drop, distance, and altitude data. After your downhill run, review your performance with stats such as max speed, total vert and max air, in detail, run by run or for the whole day.

There are also some smart navigation features. You can pinpoint your location on a resort map, find the run or point-of-interest you’re looking for. Or see exactly where your friends are with the ‘buddy tracking’ function.

The Low Energy Bluetooth connectivity allows the goggles to interface with your smartphone, heart rate monitor and more. This also allows you to view incoming calls and text messages and control music as you ski or board.

Oakley*

POC Receptor Bug Ski Helmet

This smart helmet is exclusively offered with Beats by Dr. Dre headphones built into the neck roll. The device is remote control compatible with most smart phones, so you can take calls, switch tunes and adjust volume right from the cord.

Of course, seeing that its a helmet, it has some great safety features as well. There is an advanced ABS outer shell and a robust in-mold polycarbonate/EPS liner. The patented VDSAP system with two overlapping shells protects from sharp objects, while providing ventilation that can be closed if it gets too chilly on the slopes.

Amazon*

ICEdot Crash Sensor

This is a simple but potentially life saving device.

The ICEdot Crash Sensor straps on to any standard helmet to detect life-threatening impacts and send an emergency message through your smartphone to someone who can get you medical help.

An alarm will sound on the phone, giving you a chance to stop the distress signal from going out if you’re ok. If you don’t stop the app, it sends an SMS text message to your pre-specified emergency contacts with your GPS coordinates.

Amazon*

Forcite Ski Helmet

Forcite is one of the leading companies in the development and integration of smart helmets. The Austrian outfit’s first wearable dedicated to skiing detects impacts and sends a GPS signal in case of emergency.

But there are many other features as well. An integrated 1080p camera records video, while a wind-resistant microphone records sound. If it gets foggy, you can switch on the built-in OLED lights to help keep you safe and enhance video footage.

The helmet will monitor your track speed, distance and altitude and will even allow you to take and receive phone calls with your phone safely tucked away. And if you get lonely on those runs, the built-in speakers can stream music directly from your mobile via Bluetooth.

Forcite*

POC Spine VPD 2.0 Vest

If your idea of fun is considered terrifying by normal folk, you might find use for this airbag.

The smart vest molds to your body and protects you by stiffening when force is applied to it. The wearable uses sensors and an algorithm to detect a crash, and than inflates in 100 milliseconds to protect the neck, chest, spine, abdomen and hips.

The vest differs from other body armor with its visco-elastic polymer-dough (VPD) plate that conforms to the wearer’s back. The plate uses high-density VPD down the center of the spine, as to protect the point most susceptible to injury. POC claims the bag offers up to more than four times better absorption than a standard back protector.

The system is approved by the International Ski Federation (FIS) for skiing, but you are free to use it even if you are not a professional.

Amazon*

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A new crowdfunding project has just launched for an innovative ski wearable. IceBRKR are the first ever ski goggles with bone conduction sound and Bluetooth 5.0 MESH.

Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

The gadget comes from an Italian-based outfit called bONE Tech. The goggles are designed to make skiing or snowboarding a more entertaining and more connected experience, whilst at the same time keeping it safe.

You can, for example, listen to music or podcasts while on the slopes or sitting on the ski lift. The beauty of the behind-the-ears bone conduction transducer is that you’ll still be able to hear everything that’s going on around you. This is because it transmits sound to the inner ear through the bones of the skull by converting it into vibrations. The audio comes straight to you in stereo, just as if you were hearing it through the ears. Plus if you have a helmet on, it will deliver an awesome 360 degree sound experience.

Bone-conduction technology has been around for many years as a tool to help those with hearing loss. We’ve seen this integrated in smart helmets and headphones, but never in a ski-related product.

Whats more, ICEBRKR will let you stay in touch with loved ones via Bluetooth 5.0 MESH Intercom technology. This allows up to 18 people to pair together and communicate at the same time. The thing might even come in handy if you find yourself in an emergency!

The gadget has been designed so that all control keys are invisible but easily accessible on the lower part of the goggles’ frame. Plus you have the option of voice activated controls. Because you don’t need to look at the controls or remove your gloves, this keeps you focused on the trail.

There’s as polarised lens on-board along with Iridium lens coating. The combined effect of these is a reduction in glare and increase in contrast. This comes particularly handy if its very sunny outside and there’s a reflection off the snow.

“IceBRKR is the answer to staying as connected as you want to be on the slopes,” said CEO Marco Collini, founder of bONE Tech.

“You can take calls, listen to music or podcasts, all without removing your gloves or mask or blocking out the sound around you.”

Summer might be an odd-time to launch a ski-related product on Kickstarter, but the outfit is looking to deliver in November. If everything goes to plan this will be just in time for the ski season in the US and Europe. With 39 days to go in the campaign bONE Tech has already raised more than enough funds to start production.

Price: $100 and up

Funding open:

$47,883 raised out of $33,619 goal
39 days to go

Estimated delivery: November 2019

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Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

The league is teaming up with with German company Jogmo World Corporation to fit microchips on player jerseys and inside game pucks. Starting next season antennas strategically positioned around the playing area will gather real-time data. The technology is expected to be utilised in all 31 NHL arenas to cover the 1,271 regular-season games and playoffs.

“Being on the forefront of innovation is good for our game and most especially for our fans,” said Commissioner Gary Bettman.

“With the speed and complexity of hockey, it makes for an unparalleled on-ice product, but at the same time it also presents an incredible challenge. So as a league we have made significant investment to create new technology that quite literally did not exist.”

The players have agreed to the tracking and the NHL is expected to introduce the technology from next season. The league is currently testing the system and may introduce further changes following feedback from players, team and broadcasters.

“This will continue to evolve and be monitored and tested and perfected over the course of the rest of this season and parts of next season,” NHL chief revenue officer Keith Wachtel said.

“But this is our opportunity to say that we are far enough along where the commissioner is comfortable with the data and our broadcasters are comfortable and the NHLPA is comfortable that we can go ahead and unleash this, which we’re obviously excited about.”

A sneak preview came at the All-Star Weekend. Fans and broadcasters benefitted from detailed tracking data with NBC featuring the stats during a digital-only broadcast of the 3-on-3 tournament last Saturday.

Sources: FOX Sports, Wearable Technologies

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Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

In early 2018, the Cupertino outfit updated its watch software to enable the device to track skiing and snowboarding. Several third party apps took advantage of the functionality allowing users to log vertical descent and horizontal distance; number of runs; average and maximum speeds; total time spent and calories burned directly on the Apple Watch Activity app.

But a news report from CBS Denver says skiers sporting Series 4 watches are accidentally triggering false emergency calls. Apparently, the fall detection feature on the device is setting off the alarm when they take a tumble. Blissfully unaware, skiers are continuing down the slope not realizing their watch has just dialed emergency services.

Needless to say, this is causing much frustration. Emergency dispatch centers are scrambling crews to GPS locations provided by the watch, taking up valuable resources.

“If that call comes in and we are in the middle of an accident with 50 or 60 phone calls on the accident, those calls are coming in people that actually have emergencies are being put on hold to answer these 911 calls that aren’t.” said Bonnie Collard to Vail dispatch supervisor.

Fall detection on the Series 4 watch is off by default unless you are 65 or over. But anyone can enable the functionality via the Apple Watch app.

Here’s how it works. There is more than one way to trip, slip or fall and Series 4 can identify a number of them based on your wrist trajectory and impact acceleration. The watch then asks if you are ok and give you option to contact emergency. If you don’t respond within 1 minute, it will initiate an emergency call for you.

The problem is on the ski slopes it’s easy to miss that fall detection has been triggered. Many users simply fail to realize the call has been made.

Therefore, if you’re planning on heading to the slopes, it might be a good idea to switch off the feature. It’s simple enough to do. Just tap on My Watch/Emergency SOS and toggle Fall Detection to “Off”.

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Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

Developed together with experts from Salzburg University and Salzburg Research, Hawx Connected provides on-slope feedback through embedded force sensors inside the liner that interface via Bluetooth with the accompanying smartphone app.

The boot allows you to know precisely how to adjust your skiing technique for better performance. When you’re safely at the bottom of the hill, open up the app for insight into balance on the slope, pressure control, how well you used the edges of the skis when turning, turn count, average speed, top speed and more. The app also keeps tabs on the terrain itself letting you know details such as slope angle, distance and elevation.

In case you’re wondering how well you stack up against the best, the app will rank you against others. There are also various social sharing options for bragging rights.

This is only one of a number of devices making an appearance in Los Vegas that is using Suunto’s new Movesense platform. Others include: Konnect Speed – a speed reaction system; Morph Wear – a swimming analytics solution; W2ND – for real-time lactate threshold measurement; ALMA.care – which detects signs of health and mobility issues in the elderly; and Overskudd – for athletes performance analysis.

We’ll update this article when Atomic announces availability and price. In the meantime, head over to their website for more info.

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Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

Called Elevate, the device consists of two braces that are strapped to the user’s thighs and connected to their ski or snowboard boots. Its aim is to boost strength in quadricep muscles, giving skiers more control, stronger turns and longer runs while reducing muscle fatigue and joint pressure.

Think of it as instant strength and stability in your legs, without the need to spend months working out in the gym. The device was created to push the potential of what is possible for every-day skiers, those looking to extend the experience from their younger years, and those with knee or muscle fatigue issues.

Elevate comes from Roam Robotics, a San Francisco-based company that builds exoskeletons. The outfit raised some $12 million Series A funding recently to make the product a reality.

“Historically, exoskeletons have been large, bulky, and expensive,” said Tim Swift, CEO and Founder of Roam Robotics.

“By creating a product essentially out of fabric and air, we can disrupt the relationship between weight and power, creating a lightweight device that can provide significant support to a wide spectrum of skiers.”

Elevate has two main parts, the braces and a small backpack that carries the power source and controls. Coming in at just 2.5 pounds each, the braces use heavy-duty fabric actuators shaped to support movements in real-time as you are going down the mountain. They essentially function like intelligent shock absorbers, taking the load off your legs.

“Roam exists to change the boundaries of human mobility,” added Tim Swift.

“That boundary is different for every person, but they exist for everyone. Whether you are an Olympian, an everyday athlete, or looking to regain lost mobility, we want to power you beyond what your body currently makes possible.”

Elevate is aimed at the 16 million Americans who participate in snow sports. A limited number of devices is available for the 2018­/2019 ski season, with a wider launch planned for the following year. The gizmo is available for demonstration rentals at Lake Tahoe now, followed by Park City, Utah, later in January. Rental charge is around $100 to $110 per day.

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Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

Skiing and snowboarding are popular sporting activities but sliding down a mountain on flat objects strapped to our feet comes with certain risks. Even the best can take a tumble.

Estimates are that about one injury occurs per 500 skier visits, a drop of 50% since the mid-1970s. Better equipment has contributed to the decrease as foot bindings have evolved and helmets have become the norm.

But what if the beanie or wool hat on your head could double-up as a ski helmet? Wouldn’t that make life so much easier?

A new product created by three Australians aims to bring you the best of both worlds. They’ve developed a shape-shifting beanie that uses a proprietary blend of non-Newtonian materials, which feel rubbery soft but change state and harden instantaneously on impact. Once the impact has finished, the beanie goes back to soft and comfortable. Best of all, there are no electronics or mechanisms that make the material harden. It’s purely molecular level technology so works in an instant and without fail.

If you’re a bit skeptical, the trio will be testing and certifying the helmet to the global alpine helmet standards of EN1077 and ASTM F2040. They say they’ve patented a unique layering system that actually goes beyond alpine helmet standards, while still being extremely comfortable.

“We’d never build a helmet that isn’t safe,” Joseph told Digital Trends.

“We’re engineers and actions sports enthusiasts, and believe in being safe over everything. This helmet will pass the certifications required that the specific industry requires.”

The beanie comes with a soft, breathable liner to allow air to flow through so you don’t overheat. The outer layer is also fully washable. And because the whole thing is foldable, it’s much easier to pack in your bag than a regular hard helmet.

The beanie is designed to be used for activities such as skiing, snowboarding, cycling and skating. The team is also working on versions for people likely to suffer falls due to medical reasons.

There will be a bit of a wait if you’re looking to get your hands on the beanie. ANTI Ordinary plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign in January, which will be followed by mass production soon after. Pre-registration is already open.

Source: Digital Trends

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Better late than never. Spring may be upon us but Apple Watch Series 3 users will be happy to know they can now use their trusty device to track skiing and snowboarding.

Essential reading: Hit the slopes with this connected tech

In its announcement today, Apple names several third party apps taking advantage of the new features. This includes snoww, Slopes,  Snocru, Ski Tracks and Squaw Alpine. Using these apps Watch users can now log vertical descent and horizontal distance; number of runs; average and maximum speeds; total time spent and calories burned directly to the Apple Watch Activity app. And don’t worry, your effort on the slopes will contribute to closing your daily rings.

Its worth pointing out, each of these apps offers different functionality. What is common to them is that they all leverage Apple Watch’s GPS and altimeter, along with the custom workout APIs released in watchOS 4.2. Using Siri, users can start Slopes and snoww to track their runs.

“Having the ability to track the details of runs with Apple Watch is an incredible asset for everyone from training athletes to skiers and riders just looking to have fun and stay active,” said Jonny Moseley, Olympic Moguls Gold Medalist and Squaw Alpine Mountain Ambassador.

“The Squaw Alpine app for Apple Watch helps me when I’m out with my family to not only track exactly where my kids are on the mountain, but also compare our performance, so I can make sure I’m keeping up with my sons and add some fun competition to our day.”

Here in Europe, we’re quickly approaching spring. But there’s still some time to squeeze in that one last ski trip ahead of the warm weather. Skiing in March or April can offer some of the most enjoyable snow conditions of the ski season. And now, it just got slightly easier to track your performance on the slopes.

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Essential reading: Winter sports, a growing area for wearable technology

While we typically associate wearable technology with gadgets that count your steps and calories, there is a growing  market for winter sports technology. This includes everything from smart ski goggles to GPS enabled helmets. Set to be the most high-tech Winter Games ever, everyone from ski jumpers to bobsledders will be fitted with a wide range of devices designed to improve their performance.

Ralph Lauren Team self-heating jacket

To start off, athletes will need to keep warm. Pyeongchang are predicted to be the coldest Winter Games in 20 years. Temperatures were frigid during the opening ceremony and the rest of the Games are expected to be no different.

To this end Ralph Lauren has come out with a self-warming jacket. It comes hot on the heels of the company’s innovative PoloTech shirt and other connected garments.

Introduced at the opening ceremony, the jacket was snapped up in minutes and is now out of stock. The battery-powered, water resistant garment kept Team USA warm during the parade. There are heating settings that can be tweaked via the accompanying app, and the battery pack lasts for around 11 hours between charges.

“This time, the team took it to a new level, using flexible fabrics to heat a jacket in a way that we had never seen before,” says Ralph Lauren Chief Innovation Officer David Lauren.

“Beyond adding extra warmth, the technology added a modernity to the iconic style of the Olympic and Paralympic outfits. And the American flag pattern was a clever touch.”

While this is a limited edition garment, Ralph Lauren will use the feedback from American athletes to decide how to integrate the technology into future products. Certainly something to keep an eye out for.

Samsung SmartSuit for Olympic skaters

Samsung has equipped a pair of Dutch short track racers with sensor packet SmartSuits. Designed to improve their ideal skating position, they feed real-time body position metrics to the smartphone of national coach Jeroen Otter. There is an accompanying smartphone app which digests the data and spits out signals which generate a vibrating buzz at the wrist, allowing skaters to immediately adjust their posture.

“By quantifying the posture we can train even more effectively. I have noticed that Sjinkie and Suzanne already benefit from this unique innovation,” National coach Jeroen Otter said in a statement.

“At the championship level, it’s all about the details. Training with the Samsung SmartSuit and the immediate feedback via the smartphone can make the difference between silver and gold.”

Sjinkie Knegt and Suzanne Schulting are currently the only skaters in the world donning the suit. However, they are only be allowed to wear it while training and not during actual competition.

NFC-enabled wearable payments

Similar to what its done for the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, Visa has come up with a bunch of Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled wearable payment products for the Winter Games. This includes a commemorative sticker, a pair of gloves and an Olympic pin.

All three work like a prepaid card – you decide on the amount at the outset. By tapping the wearable on one of 1,000 NFC-enabled terminals or readers throughout the Olympic venues, athletes and fans are able to pay for food, souvenirs, and other goods and services.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the reaction and adoption from fans and athletes in South Korea. While we can’t disclose the number of devices that have been produced and sold thus far, each wearable is a limited edition item so they will be highly coveted on-the-ground at the Games,” a Visa spokesperson said in a statement.

Visa teamed up with the financial arm of South Korean retailer Lotte to manufacture the payment gadgets. Those interested are able to pick them up at Olympic Winter Games Superstores and onsite Visa vending machines during the event. The wearable stickers and commemorative Olympics pins are also available at Lotte Card customer centers and on www.lottecard.co.kr.

Halo Sport

The US ski team is looking to boost their chances with the help of a wearable called Halo Sport. The device, which looks like a pair of overly sized headphones, uses pulses of energy to prime the brain, powering athletes’ most effective workouts”. They call this Neuropriming.

Neuropriming improves the brain’s response during training, essentially putting it into a temporary state of ‘hyperlearning’. When paired with workouts, Halo Sport accelerates gains in strength, explosiveness, and dexterity.

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