SureFire

Archive for the ‘Gadgets’ Category

Apps for the Army Contest

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

A4AThe Army is sponsoring an internal applications development challenge, called Apps for the Army or A4A. Open to all Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians, A4A offers Army personnel the opportunity to demonstrate their software development skills and creativity. In return, the Army hopes to improve its current capabilities or to add new ones.

“We’re building a culture of collaboration among our Army community to encourage smarter, better and faster technical solutions to meet operational needs,” said Army Chief Information Officer/G-6 Lt. Gen. Jeff Sorenson.

“Soldiers and Army civilians will be creating new mobile and web applications of value for their peers—tools that enhance warfighting effectiveness and business productivity today,” Sorenson said. “And, we’re rewarding their innovation with recognition and cash.”

Participation in A4A is limited to the first 100 Army personnel (active duty, Army Reserve and Army National Guard on active duty, and civilians) who enroll. Teamwork is encouraged but not required. The Army will recognize the top submissions at the LandWarNet Conference in August 2010 and winners will receive monetary awards; the total cash pool is $30,000. There is still room to enter the contest.

A4A applications may tackle any aspect of Army IT – distributed training, battle command, career management, continuing education, or news and information distribution, for example. A4A will further deviate from traditional development practices by utilizing the latest in collaborative development media.

“Apps for the Army features an innovative cloud computing service for participants to use during software creation,” Sorenson noted. “This is key because it eliminates the constraints of hardware provisioning prior to prototype evaluation.”

The service, provided by the Defense Information Systems Agency and known as the Rapid Access Computing Environment (RACE), offers access to on-demand virtual Windows and Linux development environments. Participants will be able to pursue Web application development using all available programming languages supported by Windows Server and the Linux, Apache, MYSQL and PHP (LAMP) frameworks. They also will be able to build emulated Blackberry, iPhone and Android applications.

Forge.mil will serve as the collaborative software repository for competing teams. The tools inherent in milBook and AKO will facilitate the cross-pollination of ideas, problems and solutions relevant to the Apps for the Army initiative.

The registration form, rules and instructions are located at the Apps for the Army Web site on the AKO portal: http://www.army.mil/ciog6/armyapps. Rolling registration begins March 1, 2010. Apps must be submitted by May 15, 2010. Questions can be addressed to CIO/G6ArmyApps@conus.army.mil.

SOTech Tactical Mission Planning Set

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

SOTech showed their new mission planning system based on their tactical symbology. The Tactical Mission Planning Set or TMPST (Pronounced TEMPEST) is designed for sand table exercises utilizing magnetized tiles developed as part of their popular Tactical Symbology Set. They can just as easily be used on a white board as the flexible write on-wipe off mate included with each set. Traditionally, Mil Std 2525C symbology is intended for forces above the small unit level but modern combat requires precise action down to the individual. SOTech’s new symbology is also just as effective for Law Enforcement as military and includes Police Officer, K9, media as well as other new symbols. TMPST allows the small unit leader to conduct sand table exercises, pre-combat rehearsals as well briefbacks.

SOTech TMPST

Spec Ops Pen from TOPS Knives

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

TOPS Knives recently introduced the their take on the tactical writing instrument, the Spec Ops Pen (SOP). Not only is it a unique design it is also uses the commonly available fisher Space pen refill, which writes anywhere; literally. There are two versions, the standard model (shown) and the elite model. Both are available in Black or Coyote Tan.

Spec Ops Pen from TOPS Knives

In addition to a great introductory price of $19.95, 10% of sales proceeds will go to the WOUNDED WARRIOR
PROJECT.ORG. Check it out at www.TOPSknives.com.

Tokyoflash Kisai Escape C

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Tokyoflash Kisai Escape CThe Escape C is a multi-media wireless device that allows you to stream audio from your bluetooth-capable phone, MP3 player, and computer. It supports AVRCP and A2DP profiles, and connect up to 33 feet away from any connected media device. The Escape C has keys for volume and track control, time display and setting as well as a USB port and an earphone jack. Tokyoflash Japan is known for their timepieces and the Escape C is no disappointment. It tells time using a series of blue LEDs inset around the perimeter of the medallion. Speaking of which, the device is intended to be worn around the neck but would make an interesting 21st century take on the pocket watch.

Ski Goggle with HUD

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Zeal Optics and Recon Instruments have teamed up to release the new Head Up Display equipped Transcend ski goggle in the fall. The design has already received the 2010-2011 ISPO Boardsports Award for the top product.

HUD Equipped Ski Goggles

The goggles have integrated hardware to measure speed, altitude, vertical odometer, stopwatch/chronos mode, temperature, time, GPS derived coordinates. Data transfer as well as recharges can be accomplished through USB. It will be available in two lens options; SPX polarized and SPPX Polarized + Photochromatic.

While this is a ski goggle, the concept is pretty exciting if you consider the possibilities of integrating Recon’s GPS data to a goggle-based HUD.

Available Fall 2010 from www.reconinstruments.com and www.zealoptics.com.

The New Algiz 7 from Handheld US

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

The Algiz7 from Handheld USA If it seems like everyone and their mother is introducing a tablet PC, sometime this year and that’s because they are. Apple, Lenovo, and several others will be launching PC tablets in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, but nothing that comes close to the Agiz7 ruggedized tablet from Handheld US of Corvallis, Oregon. Handheld’s little gem comes packed with a host of features in a package that meets or exceeds MIL-STD-810G for ruggedness.

The Algiz7 comes with an Intel Atom 1.6 GHz processor, 2 Gb of DDR2 RAM and a 64GB solid state HD all of which will be running under Microsoft Windows 7 Professional. This little hot rod has more computing power than the laptop this story was written on, but I am not done yet.

The Algiz also comes with Bluetooth, WLAN and GPS, a built in 2 mega-pixel camera with LED light, optional 3G cellular capability for high speed data transmission over GSM, UMTS and EVDO. This appliance is usable, anywhere in the world, because it is Gobi™ 2000 ready, so it will operate on GSM and CDMA networks. Pick your frequency! The antennas are built in so there’s nothing to snag on or break.

The all-important display uses Handheld’s unique MaxView™ screen technology, which is the latest in outdoor view ability, ensuring the user the best outdoor screen visibility available on the market.
The Algiz 7 comes with a hot-swappable 2600 mAh dual battery pack that lets you change batteries without shutting down thus giving you the run time needed from your tablet. Finally for the icing on the cake, this little power house weighs a mere 2.4 pounds making it one of the lightest tablets available.

Because the platform is integrated under Windows 7, you can rest assured of having access to a million applications. It’s certainly not hard to imagine and Algiz 7 running a ballistic application that communicates with remote sensors using Bluetooth, like the new Kestrel 4000 series weather meter, to deliver precise long range shot placement; concurrently streaming data to command and control.

Battlefields are now truly net-centric and appliances like Handheld’s Algiz 7 are sharpening the tip of the spear!

Copyright 2010 Sal Palma

Kunai Pen

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Kunai Tactical Pen

New from Prospec Design Inc., the Kunai pen has been getting quite a bit of exposure here in the US thanks to tactical photographer, Ichiro Nagata. It is so elegant that I would refrain from calling it tactical yet it is strong enough to stand up the job of glass breaking with ease. The Kunai pen uses Parker refills.

Ichiro Negata demonstrates use of the Kunai pen

Thus far we haven’t found a US importer so you will have to look for it on eBay.

Note that Ichiro is wearing protective clothing. Using the Kunai pen to break glass is dangerous and should only be accomplished by trained persons wearing the proper protective equipment.

Ryobi Tek4 4V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

I know it seems odd that we would profile products from a tool manufacturer but several new products from Ryobi utilizing their Tek4 4V Lithium-Ion battery technology caught our eye. In addition to being handy around the house, several items might find a well deserved spot in either individual or small unit deployment kits.

Tek4 DuraShot 8MP Digital Camera from Ryobi

In particular, Ryobi is offering the Tek4 DuraShot 8MP Digital Camera. Designed to withstand the rigors of a construction site the 8 megapixel camera features 3x Optical Zoom, voice memo recording linking the memo to the photo, as well as impact resistance and water and dust proof body.

Ryobi 4V Lithium-Ion battery

Other products include the Tek4 Motion Sensing Alarm which has a remote control for arming and disarming and Infrared Motion Detection for larger protection coverage. There is also a flashlight, multimeter, and laser distance measure. All of these product rely on the new Ryobi 4V Lithium-Ion battery. It is equivalent to 3 AA batteries and has over 2,000 recharge cycles which eliminates 6,000 AA batteries.

Tek4 Portable Power Source by Ryobi

Still not convinced? That same battery also works as a universal power source when combined with the Portable Power Source adapter.

Visit www.ryobi.com for more information.