ET Recommendations: Smart interactive insoles with navigation guidance
Get It For: Rs 6,999
Everyone seems to be wearing fitness bands and pedometers these days but here’s a different take from an Indian company called Ducere Technologies. Lechal (take me along; in Hindi) is a pair of smart insoles that can track fitness levels and also provide navigation guidance using vibration. The box has two battery operated pods (one for each shoe), a charger (the pods have to be placed in it to charge them) and the insoles that you insert into the shoes.
The insoles have a slot underneath where the pod fits in. Length/width can be trimmed (with a pair of scissors) to fit different kind of shoes. They’re washable and anti-bacterial. Typically, you should remove the insoles that came with your shoe for a more comfortable fit. Needless to say, Lechal works best with sports shoes that have some amount of cushioning inside. If you find the insoles too uncomfortable after a while (we did — because we could feel the pod digging into the arch of the foot), you can always wear the pods in a buckle attached to your shoelaces. The buckle is pretty secure though the downside is the vibration is not as strong as opposed to when you have it under your foot.
When you get the app and set it up, you can start tracking fitness data. As for navigation, the app has HERE Maps integrated. You enter a destination and it will start guiding you: a vibration in your left foot means you have to turn left and so on. The app also keeps track of daily fitness/activity levels and history. They will vibrate to let you know when you reach your goal.
Battery life is about 5 to 7 days which is good considering the small size. To recharge the pods, you will need to remove them from the shoes, slide them into the charging dock (orientation is not important) and plug in a micro USB cable. The whole system is certainly innovative but there is limited use beyond the step tracking and navigation (while walking). That being said, we certainly applaud the innovation and are interested in seeing what uses the makers can come up with next for the pods.
Super Planet Defender
Game for Android & iOS
Get It For: Free
Super Planet Defender is a survival shooter game. The game puts you on top of a planet in space and you have to shoot incoming comets in order to protect the planet from destruction. The gameplay is simple: your character automatically shoots and you just need to control his movement in a circular path around the planet. As you progress through the levels, the comets become faster and bigger. You'll need more bullets to destroy them, coupled with some quick thinking. You also get a number of weapon upgrades but they have to be unlocked as your play through the levels.
The graphics are easy on the eyes and the sound effects/music have a retro theme. Full-screen ads in the game that appear each game — these can be removed with an in-app purchase of Rs 80.
Quadro
App for iOS
Get It For: Free
This free app makes it easy for you to control your Windows or MAC computer using your iPhone or iPad. As a setup, you need to install the QuadroSync desktop application on your computer and make sure that the computer and iOS device are connected to the same wi-fi network (or via direct USB connection).
Once you are through with the setup, you will see tiles on your smartphone screen to control various parts of your system with a single tap. For instance, you can launch an app, close windows, navigate through the app’s functions and so on. The tiles change dynamically depending on the app open on the desktop.
This full version of Quadro lets you customize and create new interfaces as per your preference, automate functions, type from your phone on the computer and connect multiple devices to a single computer for input. — Karan Bajaj
Lechal: Smart interactive insoles
Get It For: Rs 6,999
Everyone seems to be wearing fitness bands and pedometers these days but here’s a different take from an Indian company called Ducere Technologies. Lechal (take me along; in Hindi) is a pair of smart insoles that can track fitness levels and also provide navigation guidance using vibration. The box has two battery operated pods (one for each shoe), a charger (the pods have to be placed in it to charge them) and the insoles that you insert into the shoes.
The insoles have a slot underneath where the pod fits in. Length/width can be trimmed (with a pair of scissors) to fit different kind of shoes. They’re washable and anti-bacterial. Typically, you should remove the insoles that came with your shoe for a more comfortable fit. Needless to say, Lechal works best with sports shoes that have some amount of cushioning inside. If you find the insoles too uncomfortable after a while (we did — because we could feel the pod digging into the arch of the foot), you can always wear the pods in a buckle attached to your shoelaces. The buckle is pretty secure though the downside is the vibration is not as strong as opposed to when you have it under your foot.
When you get the app and set it up, you can start tracking fitness data. As for navigation, the app has HERE Maps integrated. You enter a destination and it will start guiding you: a vibration in your left foot means you have to turn left and so on. The app also keeps track of daily fitness/activity levels and history. They will vibrate to let you know when you reach your goal.
Battery life is about 5 to 7 days which is good considering the small size. To recharge the pods, you will need to remove them from the shoes, slide them into the charging dock (orientation is not important) and plug in a micro USB cable. The whole system is certainly innovative but there is limited use beyond the step tracking and navigation (while walking). That being said, we certainly applaud the innovation and are interested in seeing what uses the makers can come up with next for the pods.
Super Planet Defender
Game for Android & iOS
Get It For: Free
Super Planet Defender is a survival shooter game. The game puts you on top of a planet in space and you have to shoot incoming comets in order to protect the planet from destruction. The gameplay is simple: your character automatically shoots and you just need to control his movement in a circular path around the planet. As you progress through the levels, the comets become faster and bigger. You'll need more bullets to destroy them, coupled with some quick thinking. You also get a number of weapon upgrades but they have to be unlocked as your play through the levels.
The graphics are easy on the eyes and the sound effects/music have a retro theme. Full-screen ads in the game that appear each game — these can be removed with an in-app purchase of Rs 80.
Quadro
App for iOS
Get It For: Free
This free app makes it easy for you to control your Windows or MAC computer using your iPhone or iPad. As a setup, you need to install the QuadroSync desktop application on your computer and make sure that the computer and iOS device are connected to the same wi-fi network (or via direct USB connection).
Once you are through with the setup, you will see tiles on your smartphone screen to control various parts of your system with a single tap. For instance, you can launch an app, close windows, navigate through the app’s functions and so on. The tiles change dynamically depending on the app open on the desktop.
This full version of Quadro lets you customize and create new interfaces as per your preference, automate functions, type from your phone on the computer and connect multiple devices to a single computer for input. — Karan Bajaj
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