Adventure Tech: GoPro Delays Release of Karma Drone

It hasn't been a good year or so for GoPro. The action cam maker has seen a drop in sales, which is now hitting its bottomline in significant ways. Worse yet, one of the company's most anticipated new products – the Karma drone – has now been delayed.

Yesterday, GoPro announced its quarterly results, and to say that they were dire would be an understatement. The tech company saw its revenue drop by nearly 50%, and earnings plummeted from a $22 million profit for this quarter last year, to a $121 million loss this year. A major part of that swing was the company writing off older camera models that it discontinued.

But the news that is most disappointing fans of GoPro is the announcement that the release of the Karma has now been pushed back until the coming winter. It was originally expected to become available to consumers in the first half of 2016, but we'll now have to wait just a bit longer. And since winter doesn't technically start until December 21, it seems likely that the drone won't see the light of day until 2017.

In an effort to diversity its business, GoPro has been looking for other sources of revenue. The Karma is seen as one part of that plan, while investing heavily in virtual reality films is another. The camera maker has also revealed a special system designed to shoot 360º video in stunning 4k resolutions. But the current generation of VR is still in its infancy, and far from a sure bet, so it could be some time before these ventures start to turn around GoPro's fortunes.

Meanwhile, other companies continue to crank out new drones that are only becoming better and better. You have to wonder if the Karma will arrive a bit too late.

Gear Closet: Travel Tech From iClever

As someone who travels frequently for his job, I'm always on the look out for new items that can help make my life on the road more convenient and enjoyable. That often takes the form of some new tech gadget that is designed specifically with travelers in mind. Recently, I received a number of products from a company called iClever that definitely meet that description, delivering some great features at prices that are very affordable. Here's some thoughts on what I tested.

USB Wall Chargers (Prices Vary)
When traveling these days we usually carry a variety of tech gear with us. Everything from smartphones to tablets to digital cameras, not to mention portable game systems, e-readers, GPS devices, and host of other items. While each of them are wonderful for helping us to stay informed and entertained while on long flights or spending time in a tent, those gadgets are only useful as long as they can hold a charge. Fortunately, practically everything these days is charged using USB cables, and iClever offers some excellent wall chargers to help keep your technology up and running.

I received the 4-port BoostCube and 2-Port BoostCube, both of which function pretty much identically, other than the number of gadgets they can charge at the same time. Both of the chargers have SmartID technology that automatically detects the fastest speed your device can be charged, and adjusts the wattage provided accordingly. They both also have the ability to provide 2.4 amps per port, which means your gadgets will be powered up as quickly as possible. Similar devices from competitors often split the power between ports, increasing charge times as a result.


Both models of the BoostCube offer great build quality and feel great in your hand. They're also durable and include foldout power plugs for inserting them into wall outlets. They are also priced perfectly, with the 4-port model selling for $17.99 while the 2-port version is just $10.99.

Additionally, iClever also has a single port version called the BoostCube Quick Charge, which has the ability to power up a device up to four times faster than regard chargers. It uses a special process that is safe for your gadgets, and can power them up to 80% of their full charge in as little as 35 minutes. When you need to get your phone up and running as quickly as possible, this is the charger you'll want. And at $16.99, it is affordable too.

All of the chargers come with a full year warranty and work great. In fact, I've gotten to the point where I leave my devices' OEM chargers at home and just carry iClever's versions with me instead. Because they are small, compact, and easy to use, they make great travel accessories for sure.

Tri-Folding Bluetooth Keyboard ($54.99)
As a travel writer who routinely finds himself in a remote destination, I'm always looking for ways to cut weight from my bags. For instance, I often like to leave my laptop at home and just take my iPad along with me instead. The problem is, the onscreen keyboard isn't always the best for getting serious work done. That's where the iClever Folding Bluetooth Keyboard comes in handy.

This product is lightweight, yet very durable. So much so, that I wouldn't hesitate to take it with me anywhere I'm going. The keyboard is cleverly designed to fold up into a surprisingly small footprint, but when it is opened it transforms into a full-sized keyboard. The device actually allows me to easily get work done, using productivity apps on my tablet to write stories and articles, take notes, even compose emails.

The keyboard comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that takes about 4 hours to fully power up, but can provide up to 80 hours of actual wireless use. It can also be connected to your laptop or desktop computer via USB to serve as a standard keyboard for those devices too. It even has a fantastic backlight mode (with three different colors) that makes it easier to use in the dark. But the backlighting eats into the battery life, so I tend to work with it off.

iClever sells the keyboard for $54.99 and ships it with a soft carrying case, making it even easier to take with you on the road.

Outdoor Wireless Speaker ($29.99)
These days, Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen, with plenty of good options for consumers to choose from. But iClever's Outdoor Wireless Speaker offers a few nice features that help set it apart from the competition and make it a good option for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. For instance, it is lightweight, compact in size, and offers IP65 water resistance. That's enough protection from moisture that you can even use it in the shower if you'd like.

The speaker comes equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can power it for up to 10 hours. It offers solid performance with clear playback of music across the full audio spectrum, even at higher lives of volume. And since it is built to survive in the outdoors, you can take it with you to the beach, a remote campsite, or for use around a hotel room without fear of damaging it.

What I like most about this speaker is that it isn't overly large or heavy, which means you can toss it into your pack without really realizing that its there. And while it offers solid battery life, I wouldn't mind getting more hours out of it so I don't have to worry about it running out of juice while in the backcountry. But the price is great and the performance is very good too, making it a great travel buddy for sure.

Find out more about all of these products and more at iClever.com.

Video: Intova Duo Waterproof Action Camera

There is no question that GoPro is the market leader in terms of the action camera market. Their devices are used by thousands of people, ranging from professional filmmakers all the way down to weekend warriors hoping to catch a great shot of their own travel adventures. But those cameras can come with a large price tag, which makes them an expensive luxury for many people. But what if there was a more affordable option that offered solid performance at a price that would make more of an impulse purchase? That's exactly what the Intova Duo brings to the table, delivering some surprising features for a pice that is tough to beat.

Before we go too far, I'll say right of the bat that if you're expecting GoPro level of performance and video quality, this won't be the action cam for you. On the other hand, if you understand that you're getting a solid substitute for a fraction of the price, your expectations will be more in line with Intova's device.

So how much does the Duo cost exactly? It sells for just $49.95, which is considerably cheaper than even the lowest price camera from GoPro. For that price, you'll get a camera that can shoot 720p video footage and shoot 5 mega-pixels till photos as well. It has a battery life of about two hours, a 4x zoom, and it comes with a 1.77" LCD screen for accessing images, video footage, and settings.


As if that wasn't enough, the Duo also comes with a waterproof housing that keeps it safe down to 100 feet (30 meters). That same housing allows the camera to float, which certainly comes in handy when operating around water, when one accidental drop can mean the loss of the device. The camera is very easy to use, both above and below the water, and because the 720p video is fairly lightweight, it is easy to edit on just about any device, including a tablet or smartphone.

The Duo is small, measuring just 2.6 inches (6.7 cm) across and it weighs just 1.6 ounces (46g). That means it easy to toss in a pack and carry with you just about anywhere. It also makes it a great companion device for your other photography equipment, allowing you to capture video and still photographs with ease. And while I personally felt that the video quality of this camera was better than the still photos, the fact that it can take 5MP snaps was nice in a pinch.

Make no mistake, this isn't a camera that will replace a GoPro Hero 4 Black with professional filmmakers, but it is a camera that delivers plenty of quality video for those of us who don't need everything that the high end, $500 GoPro camera offers, or even the $200 Hero Session. The Duo is a great option for those who don't want to break the bank for an action cam, but do want to take something with them on their travels that can capture solid images and is rugged enough to survive in the outdoors.

If you've been looking for an affordable solution to shoot your outdoor adventures, the Intova Duo is a worth taking a look at, especially since it costs less than $50. It is a surprisingly fun camera to use, and I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well it performs for the price.

Gear Closet: Nonda iHere Wireless Item Locator

Are you one of those types of people who is routinely forgets where they place their keys, wallet, smartphone, or other valuables? Is this issue exasperated even further when you travel? Than you're going to want to add the iHere smart key finder from Nonda to your life. This tiny, rechargeable device attaches to your important gear and helps you to locate it when it goes missing.

The iHere is small enough to serve as a keychain, but packs a surprising amount of functionality into its tiny casing. The device connects to your smartphone (iPhone or Android) via Bluetooth technology, setting up a two-way link that makes it a breeze to track important items.

Once your smartphone and the iHere are paired with one another, you can use a specially developed app for iOS and Android to not only track the location of the whatever the iHere is connected too. The device has a range of about 75 feet, with the current location being displayed on a map to indicate just where it is located at any given time. This can prove incredibly useful when you've lost your keys, luggage, or just about any other item you can connect the gadget to.


But that isn't all that the iHere can do. The device can also ping your phone to help you locate it in a pinch, and it can also be used as a remote control for your smartphone's camera when you want to take selfies. The iHere app can also bookmark the location of your car when you park it, and help you navigate back later on. As if that wasn't enough, you can also use the iHere as a remote for the voice recorder on your mobile device as well, allowing you to dictate messages on the go.

Much of this functionality isn't new, and there are similar gadgets available to help you locate your important items. What sets the iHere one apart however is that it is the only one currently available that comes with a rechargeable battery. Most of the others are either disposable or require you to replace the batteries yourself, but this device lets you recharge it as needed. And with a battery life that is measured in weeks, you won't have to do that all that often.

Personally, I'm not someone who loses track of his keys or smartphone all that often, but I do like to know where my backpack is when I'm traveling. On a recent trip, I put my iHere in one of the pockets of the pack, which allowed me to stay aware of its location, track where it was at in the airport, and know that I hadn't wandered too far away from the bag. This provided a nice sense of security, especially since the pack contained some important items that I didn't want to leave out of my sight.

The iHere carries a price tag of just $19.99, which is incredibly affordable for all of the functionality that it offers. Your smartphone can connect to multiple iHere devices, and you can even rename them within the app to keep track of which one is which. Then, you simply tap on that particular model to track the asset that it is connected to. It is as simple as that.

If you're someone who frequently loses things or leaves important items behind, than this is an affordable gadget that can help your daily life to be better. If you're a frequent traveler, you'll find it is a nice inclusion to your travel gear. And since it comes with a rechargeable battery, the iHere won't fail on you at the least opportune time.

Find out more at Nonda.co.

Video: Xavier De Le Rue Demonstrates the HEXO+ Autonomous Drone

We've been following the development of the HEXO+ autonomous drone for sometime now, and have been intrigued by its capabilities. In this video, we get to see the unique gadget put to the test, as extreme snowboarder Xavier De Le Rue shows us how the HEXO+ performs as it follows him down the slopes. This kind of tool will allow us to make interesting new adventure films completely on our own, and the technology offers up some interesting possibilities for the future. I'd love to get my hands on one of these drones to test myself. It looks like a lot of fun!