A discreet solution for slouchers.
(Credit: iPosture)After putting the iPosture on my Crave holiday wish list, I was lucky enough to obtain one for review. Four days later, this gadget gets kudos.
Most doctors prescribe an exercise regimen for improving posture, but the iPosture was created by doctors to fight slouching on the go. The iPosture is about the size of a large button, and clips onto a bra strap or necklace or can be stuck directly onto the chest. When the user is slouching, it alerts them by vibrating once.
I do have a history of bad posture (can you say: get off the computer?), so I thought this could be a solution to my problem. During my review, it was clipped onto my bra strap for two days, and stuck on with adhesive for two days.
After putting it on, I immediately tried bending down, slouching, and so on, and got no response from the device. Maybe we tech geeks can't figure everything out without a manual, because I soon found that the user must be slouching for at least 60 seconds before the iPosture vibrates. This is done to avoid false positives when bending down to pick something up or twisting.
Every time I got into a new position like sitting, standing, or walking, I'd have to press the iPosture once so it could memorize my correct posture.
At first, I hesitated using it, as I was afraid people might see or hear the device, but it was actually very discreet. There was one embarrassing moment, however, when I walked up to a checkout counter and subconsciously pressed my iPosture to reset the position, which was followed by a vibration. After an awkward stare from the cashier, I could see her obvious conclusion: "Fembot!"
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The iPosture can be worn as a pendant, attached to the skin with adhesive patches, or clipped to a shirt or bra.
(Credit: iposture.com)Thanks to nanosensor technology, your mother doesn't need to tell you to stand up straight anymore. A new gadget called iPosture will do that job for her.
The battery-operated device contains a microchip that monitors the angle of the wearer's upper chest several times per second, vibrating briefly when it senses a deviation greater than three degrees from the programmed ideal stance. Specialized software filters spurious movements, which allows the iPosture to adapt to various body types and activities--presumably stopping it from zapping you in the middle of sit-ups, for example. It's an inch in diameter and can be clipped to a shirt or bra, worn as a pendant, or attached to the skin with special adhesive patches.
(Credit:
Business Wire)
The idea for iPosture was born while Memphis, Tenn.-based neurologist and pain management specialist Moacir Schnapp and his wife, Dr. Elma Schnapp, were writing the book Young, Sexy and Healthy: The Ten Best Exercises for Your Posture.
The Schnapps cite manifold reasons to stop slouching. They say women with good posture are less prone to osteoporosis fractures; men with good posture are twice as likely to keep their balance and function as they age; and everyone who stands up straight is generally happier and more confident.
Oh, and they also note that "women with improved posture become more attractive" and "men with good posture are seen as more successful."
But lest poor-posture havers fear they'll have to lean on this device for life, the docs say it's designed to be worn for approximately four hours per day for the first two to four weeks to ingrain good behavior that will continue once a user takes the zapper off. The wearer should continue to use the device two to three times per week thereafter to maintain posture improvement.
The iPosture will be available online soon for around $99.95. And don't worry, moms. You can still tell your kids to clean behind their ears.
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DealExtreme)
The posture police are at it again, and this time they're not content to rely on stationary desktop contraptions to keep us literally in line. Now there's a weird-looking bird-shaped gadget that's designed to be worn around the neck, programmed to sound an alarm if slouching ensues. It's kind of like one of those anti-sleep devices for erstwhile hunchbacks.
We share Technabob's bewilderment over the avian design and gratuitous manga schoolgirl on its packaging. But we've learned not to wade too deeply into the cultural vagaries of anything made in Japan.
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Brando)
Given our circuitous posture, we sometimes wonder if we're even descended from the homo erectus species. If it were up to us, we'd spend every waking moment in the supine state that we find most natural.
But society doesn't look kindly upon those of us who assume this position in public places, so we're forced to address the dreaded posture issue. Brando may make this slightly easier, according to Uber-Review, with its "USB posture reminder," an LED sensor that sits atop the monitor and flashes irritatingly if you get too close to the screen.
The Pavlovian nature of this process may be reminiscent of a B.F. Skinner behavioral experiment, but that's the price we pay for years of slouching. Combined with the "Alert Master," which keeps you from nodding off behind the wheel, we might be able to save some chiropractic and other medical bills.
You're a road warrior, and your laptop is getting dangerously close to becoming your best friend. But this relationship is giving you neck and shoulder pains, and you're not going to take it lying down anymore.
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Dialogue)
That's why your head will undoubtedly be turned (albeit creakily) by the "FlyBook VM" from Tokyo-based Dialogue. This lightweight laptop (3.6 pounds) is beautifully designed with a 12.1-inch that can be raised or lowered to your line of vision by a telescoping arm. We too were seduced by the sleek form and practical functionality of this digital siren until we saw how much it costs: nearly $3,000, according to OhGizmo.
The specs are decent but not worth that price, in our frugal opinion. So if you're looking for something that will improve your posture that's a lot more affordable, you might try this stand from Logitech. It may save money on chiropractor bills too.
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