With winter coming on, we at MacTribe are valiantly looking for ways to keep the weight that normally accompanies us through to spring off permanently. But whatever the season, we try to promote a healthy lifestyle and what better way to add fun to your workout than incorporating your gadgets? Whether you get the boost from actual programs or just having somthing new to perk you up, these treats are guaranteed to make your gym time (a little) more fun!

iPod nano
Affectionately dubbed the video nano by the editors at MacTribe, this tiny device has quite a few features to keep your workout going. The new built in pedometer is probably the most obvious fitness tool on your new MP3 player, but the video screen gives you option, too. Since you shelled out the hundred and eighty bucks for the top of the line iPod your personal trainer budget has been slashed, yes? Well, you can't use that excuse ay more with the variety of personal trainer workouts available on your iPod...sorry, folks. Women's Health Magazine offers a variety of free downloads varying in style and length in video format, and Men's Health Magazine does the same, albeit with fewer free options. Let your iPods features whip you into shape!

If you're taking your iPod to the gym you'll need an armband for it, and there are a variety on the market to choose from. Our podcast covers the Arm Pocket, one of our favorites, but here are a few other options to round out your choices.

incase
These guys make a variety of neoprene armbands for iPod touch, classic and nano. The band that goes around the bicep is a touch thinner than the other armbands we're looking at, but the removable velcro tab to wind your cords around keeps them out of the way nicely. Total access to your screen is a given, and reflective accents and washability add to the appeal.

www.goincase.com/products | Price: $29.95 for nano, $34.95 for classic and touch

Griffin Technology
If you prefer a wider band for stability, the folks at Griffin Technology have engineered an armband for you. It's a convertible case, too: you can clip the case to your armband or a belt loop, or dispense with the clipping entirely and put the case straight in your purse or pocket. Cord management and reflective details for safety come standard. The AeroSport is available for iPod touch, nano and classics from 80-160GB. www.griffintechnology.com/products/aerosport# | Price: On sale for $14.99 each

But what if your exercising tastes can't be contained in a gym? What if your extreme sports take you out, and frequently, into the great outdoors? What if you want to take your iPod, iPhone, or other mobile devices with you? There's a solution for that, too.

IOGEAR
With IOGEAR's GearPower line, you can take your phone on the go and not worry about a few re-charging sessions. There are a few models to choose from, but we like the Mobile Pocket Power version that comes with ac adapters (the others have USB cords) to recharge the main battery. There are seven connectors included in the package, so whatever device you carry you should be covered. So go on...plan that ice climbing trip. Then call your mom in the middle of it. Your Mobile Pocket charger can handle it!

www.iogear.com/product/GMP1001W6A/ | Price: $29.95

More Apple

Apple iPad

Apple Product Guide

Mac Recording Spotlight

iPhone 3GS

Laptop Bags

More News

iPad Costs
iSuppli Corp., which generally waits until it can actually get the new Apple product to estimate its production cost, has decided to forgo hands on examination in the case of the iPad. They have--from just looking at it, it's amazing--decided the base model only costs $219.35 for Apple to produce. According to AppleInsider the base model won't make Apple anywhere near as much profit as the 32 GB model with 3G wireless priced at $729...that one reportedly costs only $287.15 to produce.

That's some profit! No wonder Apple execs have said they'd stay nimble on pricing! With demand for the iPad under scrutiny and this week's news that the "Take Picture" hint was removed from the Address Book app in the iPad simulator even we are starting to wonder if it's not worth waiting for the 2nd generation.

Trust us, it's painful to say.

Google Challenges the Internet
"Think Big" indeed. This time, Google is setting its sights on the very way we transmit information and asking people from around the country to nominate their city or state to be included in an ultra-high speed open internet network of Google's building. Set to include anywhere from 50,000 to 500,000 people, this network will boast 1GB per second fiber optic connections that Google reps are hoping will bolster developer creativity, test new ways to build the infrastructure and challenge internet service providers to band together to create a better internet instead of shunning change to maintain their bottom lines.

This is huge news, and we hope our city is on the receiving end of the new interwebs...here's the official Google Blog if you want to read it all in detail or submit your community.

Dogs on Twitter
From the country that's given us karate and karaoke comes the newest iPhone app: that's right, Japan's Index Corp. has announced the release of "Bowlingual," the dog emotion translator. Latest in a long line of technological advances, this app (to be released this summer) analyzes Fido's bark and puts it into one of six categories, like "needy." Or "happy." Then it adds a caption based on the emotion and allows you to snap a photo of your pooch in its current mood; as if that weren't enough it can modify that photo to enlarge your pet's eyes...oh...so cute.

Seriously, the app is set to sell for $5 and will post your pet's barks to Twitter. Silly? Yes. Fun? Probably!!

Will you let your dog speak his mind? Tell us here.