Smart sunglasses brand Recon has been acquired by electronics giant Intel, which suggests something to compete with Google Glass on a broader, more mainstream scale may be on the way from the chip maker.
More pertinent to us, though, is the addition of ANT+ power meter compatibility for the Recon Jet. We had a chance to play with the Jet at Sea Otter, and a long-term review unit just arrived at the office. The ANT+ power meter support is merely an addition to existing ANT+ device compatibility, along with Bluetooth Smart, GPS and an HD camera all bringing in data to display (even directions) on its miniature screen. Check the links above and our initial coverage for more tech details.
Power data can be displayed as Instant, 3 second, 10 second, 30 second, Max, and Average, with additional modes coming soon. Power readings can be displayed alongside other metrics like heart rate, speed, cadence, pace, grade, elevation gain, calories burned, distance and duration, with each number positioned on the display however you like.
t’ll also tell you when you need to drink…
Recon’s new Refuel app alerts you when to consume food or water while cycling or running to maximize performance and help reduce muscle catabolization and dehydration. The app considers age, weight, height, gender, altitude, distance traveled, heart rate and either pace or speed to make individualized nutritional suggestions. The app was developed with ultra distance athlete and author Brendan Brazier and led to the development of the Recon SDK, being released later this month that’ll let other developers create apps for the Jet.
During activity, it reminds you when to drink. Before and after, it offers suggestions for what to consume to maintain performance for the type and duration of activity you’re going to do and how to recover from it.
The free Refuel app is available now in Recon’s app center, which is only available on Desktop at launch. Mobile and wearable versions of the app are coming.
