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The death of the gadget
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Before and after shot of HangTimer
I haven't worn a watch since 2001. That was the year I bought my first cell phone; going into 2009, I still use my phone as my primary time telling device. Now almost every cell phone houses a camera, many incorporate GPS technology and access to the internet. These amenities are nothing new, however working in PR I'm seeing a consumer tech trend- Smartphones like the iPhone equal the death of the gadget.
In January 2007 I started working with a client that set out to spark a "revolution in trash talk" with their unique carabineer sports watch for the action sports industry. The HangTimer was a tough little gadget that housed an internal accelerometer and could automatically measure a user's air time. I had a lot of fun with that account and was disappointed when they took a break in May to work on the second HangTimer prototype.
It is November and HangTimer is back and cooler than ever. HangTimer still uses an accelerometer- the iPhone's. No longer a physical gadget, HangTimer is available as an application. Instead of focusing mainly on hang time, HangTimer additionally can locate any resort you are at in the world and automatically feeds you the snow reports, lift updates, trail maps and more.
This is just the beginning. As a spectator in the realm of action sports and consumer technology I find myself both looking forward to what's next and also feeling a bit nostalgic for the tangible device.
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