The World’s First Wearable-for-Good™: Interview with Rajesh Anandan, SVP of UNICEF Ventures

UNICEF Ventures has began to look at the industry of wearable tech as a tool to help save world hunger – and if you ask me, it’s freaking awesome. They have taken the concept of Toms and made it into a proactive business model. However, unlike Tom’s, UNICEF is taking the power children at play to feed other children around the globe. The more you move, the more points you create which allows for more people to be fed that otherwise don’t have immediate access to nutritional food. Curious to learn more? Check out this interview I conducted with SVP of UNICEF, Rajesh Anandan. Then, register to attend WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2016 USA, in San Francisco this July to hear him speak about this work in detail.

• For those that do not know, can you share what Unicef Kid Power is?

UNICEF Kid Power gives kids the power to save lives. By getting active with the UNICEF Kid Power Band, the World’s First Wearable-for-Good™, kids go on missions to learn about new cultures and earn points. Points unlock funding from partners, parents and fans, and funds are used by UNICEF to deliver lifesaving packets of therapeutic food to severely malnourished children around the world.

People everywhere are joining the UNICEF Kid Power Team, working together to help end global malnutrition. Families can join the team by purchasing a UNICEF Kid Power Band — available at Target—and downloading the free companion UNICEF Kid Power App.

There’s also a UNICEF Kid Power school program – a teacher-led classroom experience that leverages easy-to-use technology and standards-based curriculum to promote fitness and global citizenship. The technology includes UNICEF Kid Power Bands for elementary school students and classroom tablets for syncing and tracking progress. The curriculum includes lessons, engagement opportunities and quizzes on malnutrition and global citizenship to keep kids inspired and engaged.

UNICEF Kid Power is a program of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsors Star Wars: Force for Change and Target, as well as local supporters, parents and fans

• How is the U.S. Fund for UNICEF impacting the WT | Market while also pursuing a better world? 

UNICEF Kid Power empowers kids to get active and save lives, and teaches them important lessons about global citizenship. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF wants kids to be part of the solution to end global malnutrition, and helping to save lives has motivated kids participating in UNICEF Kid Power to be significantly more active than their peers.

When we started working on UNICEF Kid Power, we found that even products that claim to encourage positive behavior rely on prizes and other extrinsic rewards that do nothing to sustain kids’ interest or attention. UNICEF Kid Power is the only technology platform to-date that permanently connects getting active to saving lives as part of its DNA. The platform is defining a new way for kids to interact with technology while promoting activity and minimizing screen-time.

UNICEF Kid Power has already yielded inspiring results. An independent evaluation conducted in Sacramento schools found that students who engaged in the program were 55 percent more active than their peers. A second independent evaluation, which covered schools in Boston, Dallas, and New York, produced similar results. That study found a 30 percent increase in the number of days when students met official daily requirements for moderate to vigorous physical activity. These findings show that empathy for others can be a  powerful and enduring motivator for kids.

• Why did you wish to create this product? How long did it take?

We know that 1 in 4 kids in the U.S. is inactive, while 1 in 4 kids globally is malnourished – UNICEF Kid Power uniquely helps address both of these challenges with a single solution. Malnutrition is attributable to nearly half of all deaths of children under the age of five globally. 16 million children suffer from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition, severe acute malnutrition, which can require specialized feeding care with therapeutic food packets. 

The therapeutic food packets unlocked by UNICEF Kid Power contain a specially-designed protein and vitamin-rich peanut paste, which allows children who are severely malnourished to be treated successfully in their communities and can transform the lives of millions of malnourished children around the world. Primarily due to a lack of funding, UNICEF, along with its partners, was only able to reach 19 percent of the children suffering from severe acute malnutrition with lifesaving therapeutic food packets in 2014. UNICEF Kid Power’s immediate focus is to eliminate the funding gap preventing the delivery of therapeutic food packets to every child who needs it.

By operating like a startup within a nonprofit, in just 24 months, UNICEF Kid Power has grown from a handful of schools to over 3,200 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms across 15 U.S. and  European cities. We’ve built the world’s largest real-time dataset on children and physical activity and begun to define a new way for kids to interact with technology while minimizing screen time.

• What are some of the activities and games that kids can play with Kid Power?

The UNICEF Kid Power App takes kids on goal-based journeys where they learn about the countries they’re impacting – that is, the destinations for the therapeutic food packets they’re unlocking. The App comes pre-loaded with a global mission, and additional country-specific missions to Uganda, Haiti and Burkina Faso are available for purchase from the App Store and on Google Play.

The App is designed to resemble a global passport, with a log for mission-related content, including digital postcards, souvenirs and passport stamps. Kids can also use the App to learn about new cultures, connect with other participating kids, track their progress and receive rewards and surprise content.

UNICEF Kid Power Champions – including sports and entertainment stars – present Kid Power Missions, challenge kids to get active and celebrate the impact achieved by the UNICEF Kid Power Team. Current UNICEF Kid Power Champions include UNICEF Ambassador and professional basketball player Tyson Chandler, Olympic Gold Medalist and professional soccer player Alex Morgan, professional baseball player and Home Run champion David Ortiz, Olympic Gold Medalist and professional basketball player Maya Moore, and more!

• How can being active unlock points to provide food packets?

As kids play, run and jump with their classmates and friends while wearing a Band, they earn Kid Power Points. When kids are on a mission, 10 Kid Power Points unlock one packet of therapeutic food. When not on a mission, 25 Kid Power Points unlock one packet of therapeutic food. The Kid Power companion App converts their activity to impact, and unlocking therapeutic food packets for children around the world.
Kids are encouraged to earn 5 Kid Power Points a day, which requires a level of activity equivalent to taking 12,000 steps, the daily activity goal for kids recommended by the National Institutes of Health. The more kids move, the more points they earn and the more lives they save.

• What countries/regions of the world do you send your food packets to?

When families and schools participating in UNICEF Kid Power get active and earn points, they are increasing the global supply of therapeutic food by unlocking funds that UNICEF can use to procure and deliver therapeutic food packets to children in need.

Countries and communities receiving therapeutic food packets are determined by UNICEF, based on the magnitude and urgency of need for therapeutic food, and local capacity to implement and scale-up programs combating severe acute malnutrition. Therapeutic food packets that are unlocked during a country-specific mission will be delivered to that country.

• What are you looking for most when you step to our international stage at WTus16?

I am excited to share the world’s first Wearable-for-Good® with the audience. UNICEF Kid Power was a big, bold idea, with tight deadlines, a multitude of partners, and any number of marketing, production, legal and distribution challenges. With the support of our partners, united by the common cause of putting children first, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF was able to deliver an innovative solution that meets both market demand and community need.

I’m looking forward to sharing the insights that led to Kid Power, and the work that has enabled its rapid evolution and scale-up. I’m also excited to see what others are sharing, and learning more about the industry.

• What is your favorite wearable? 

My UNICEF Kid Power Band! And, ROAR for Good safety products for preventing violence against women.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1TIEJUQ

Qualcomm’s latest wearables chip is meant for kids and the elderly

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon Wear 1100, the second chip in its Snapdragon Wear lineup. This one is more power efficient, and it's meant for more targeted devices, such as wearables for children and the elderly.

The post Qualcomm’s latest wearables chip is meant for kids and the elderly appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1TVxsEP

If you’re quick, you can try out an Honor smartphone free for 60 days

The Honor series is an online-only spin-off brand from Huawei, and it has started selling the Honor 5X and the Z1 fitness band in the U.S.. Here's everything you need to know about the devices.

The post If you’re quick, you can try out an Honor smartphone free for 60 days appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1mFiZ2e

Qualcomm announces new Snapdragon Wear 1100 processor for wearables - CNET

Unlike the earlier Wear 2100 chip meant for multi-purpose devices, the new chip is designed for low-power performance and use in wearables with a more focused feature set.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1U90SeA

Tiny circuits may be the next big thing in wearables

In technology's quest to make things smaller, lighter, and more inconspicuous, we're now being introduced to flexible, wearable integrated circuits that are applied directly to the skin, eliminating the need for any additional hardware.

The post Tiny circuits may be the next big thing in wearables appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1XJ9e1J

HTC smartwatch rumors and news

HTC has held back while Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Motorola, and LG have launched smartwatch after smartwatch. Although an HTC smartwatch has yet to arrive despite years of rumors, many now believe the company's first smartwatch will arrive soon.

The post HTC smartwatch rumors and news appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1MZnRb8

The 3rd Annual WT | Picnic: Compiling the World

Sign up before it’s too late for the 3^rd annual WT | Wearable Technologies Picnic on June 1st. This is a worldwide event that features WT lovers in your local hub. Each event is organized by a local member for the WT | Network, for 2016 we have a total of 10 picnic locations. Each local picnic is tailor-made to how your specific region of the world is thinking and doing in the wearable industry. Check out all the locations below:

USA
San Francisco : The opening of the WT Office in The States. We will have talks from the contestants of America’s Greatest Makers reality TV show, as well as new releases of immersive technology. Come to Pier 26 around 5PM with something to share (food, drinks, ideas, products and more)
Los Angeles : Introducing the first ever toy edition of the WT | Picnic in the one and only: Los Angeles.

EUROPE
Munich : Bring your pretzels and your bratwurst to the home of the WT| Wearable Technologies. Our headquarters will feature talks and demos from Cosinuss and Tacterion. Arrive around 4:30 at WAYRA to enter in our raffle to win a ticket to the world famous WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2016 USA in San Francisco.

Copenhagen (June 2) : Hosted by the wonderful IdemoLab, DELTA, KEA and in collaboration with Bits & Beers. There will be student demos on a ~catwalk~ featuring the newest innovations in jewelry. How will the future look with smart and interactive technology lighting up or bodies and experiences?
Milan : parterning with Xmetrics and Fabriq to speak about metrics and soft electronics. Is clothing the future of embedded electronics? Find out how Italy will change the game. Arrive on time at 9:30 in the morning to the Fabriq office on Val Trompia.
Barcelona (June 2) : Together WT and Mobile World Center of Barcelona to embark on the journey of connected devices. Stop by after work for a quick snack and networking opportunity.

ASIA
Taipei : A long-time exhibitor at WT | Conferences is AiQ Smart Clothing. They will be spending the entire week at COMPUEX 2016 in booth #A1213. On June 1 from 3-6 be sure to stop to for a peak at their version of the WT | Picnic. You can check out their radical smart clothing and hear how they have been impacting the WT | Global Market for several years.
Chennai : Hosted by the Association of Scientist, Developers and Faculties (ASDF) International. Beginning at 9AM, they will feature talk and live demos of new Wearable Technology relevant to the ecosystem of India. All attendees will be given a special discount code from Amazon India to purchase a FITBIT.
Salem : Join the movement of Mahendra Engineering College to learn what Wearable Technology is and how graduating student have to potential to disrupt the industry. There will be lectures and other interactive activities based on the question: How can you scale and grow your idea into a global force?

OCEANIA
Auckland : StretchSense, a finalist in the WT | Innovation World Cup series, represents the WT | Picnic from “down under.” Join them in at their office at 10AM to play with showcased products. How will sensors impact the metrics and gained knowledge from wearables? Step up to their open mic to share what you think about New Zealand’s evolution into the connected devices realm.

Looks like the WT | Global Market is expanding at an ever increasing rate – and we think that is awesome. One special person from each picnic will be entered into our raffle to win a FREE ticket to WTUS16. There are many more surprised in store for you never know who you will meet and how you can collaborate to change the future. Don’t see your city represented? No worries, you can sign up to be an organizer for 2017. Enjoy a welcoming to summer at the annual WT | Picnic next week.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1sl3H5W

Latest News For Surfers !

It is the end of May and summer is approaching! As the original surfers of the “wearable wave,” WT | Wearable Technologies is focusing on how wearable technology can enhance the experiences for outdoor activities, especially surfing – the hottest water sport ever. Last year, we shared the newest waterproof athletic wear for 2015, as a surf article so today we bring you the latest news about this sport in this article.

Nixon is well-known with the Ultratide- one of the world smartest surf watches. It provides you with real time data: tide, wave height, swell direction, wind direction and speed, water and air temperature via Bluetooth.

However, Ultratide is not the only hero in surf world. Recently, Nixon introduced the Mission as the next generation of smartwatches. The new hero is built smart and tough. The design, language and functionality of the Mission are inspired by Nixon’s iconic action sports DNA which makes the Mission stand out from all other smart watches. Additionally, a 10ATM water rating and real-time surf conditions are featured into the Mission.

The couple of Airdog and Airleash participates in the surf world and extremely enhance the surf experience. Airdog is a relatively smart drone which fly’s easily with no hands by their technology called, Airleash. With Airdog, you are able to set a timer and distance to instruct Airdog when to follow you. Now that’s pretty cool. A flying robot that can record your every move no matter on land or water.  Yet, maybe you don’t want to have it following you out to the waves, no worries. There is a timer you can set for Airdog to wait on the shore, once the timer is up it will fly out to you. Therefore, Airdog can capture your action from unlimited perspective.Another cool feature that makes Airdog is easy to use is when the battery begins to drain too low, it is tells you it’s disappointed by following you.  The drone is actively monitoring its battery level on top of the distance it needs to cover to come back to the shore.

SURFGEM is comming soon in 2016 as a stand-out wearable for surfers. SURFGEM focuses on developing your surfing skills. SURFGEM allows the surfers to keep track on their data and statistics. It measures your surfing technique and allows you to track your progress to compare your results overtime. You are able to share your sessions on your social channels – now you can know which one of your surfer buddies is the best at learning new tricks. Moreover, you can get the opportunity to be coached by the pros because your data can be analysed by professionals. SURFGEM is stated to be publish with their final product in May, 2016.

Surfing is undoubtedly the summer sport that earns the most cool-points. Nixon or Airdog want you to experience more than look good on the board. We hope you will enjoy your summer in a techy style!

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1VmgzEg

Footlocker app lets you skip the reservation line with new Launch Locator feature

Following the lead of Nike and Adidas, sportswear retailer Foot Locker has updated its app with a new feature, Launch Locator, which allows people to reserve sneakers before they are released, eliminating the need to wait in line,

The post Footlocker app lets you skip the reservation line with new Launch Locator feature appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1UiDYUx

Apple’s route to virtual reality

A series of subtle indicators hint that Apple is indeed taking VR seriously, and is laying the groundwork for a future product in the space

A version of this essay was originally published at Tech.pinions, a website dedicated to informed opinions, insight and perspective on the tech industry.

<hr />

Given how focused four of the other major consumer technology players are at the moment on virtual reality and augmented reality, many people are reaching the conclusion that Apple must act fast or be left behind.

It’s certainly true that virtual reality is having its moment, and appears to have reached a tipping point of sorts between its long history of over-promising and under-delivering and something that’s actually compelling. However, that doesn’t mean Apple has to introduce VR hardware in the very near future in order to keep up. In fact, following Apple’s long-established patterns of product introductions suggest a different approach.

The Apple Watch as a pattern

In a previous column, I talked about Apple’s slow, subtle build to new products, and the way in which eventual product introductions often build on earlier moves which act as enablers, even though the meaning of those earlier moves isn’t always transparent. I used the Apple Watch as an example, and cited nine earlier innovations Apple had made as key enablers of the watch, when its time arrived. There’s definitely a pattern here that Apple could follow with an eventual VR hardware product. It means introducing software and, to a lesser extent, hardware features today that would enable such an accessory in the future.

In the case of the Apple Watch, one of the key enabling technologies was Bluetooth LE and the Bluetooth notification extensions Apple introduced in 2012. This enabled third-party hardware manufacturers to create wearable devices that could pair with an iPhone and receive notifications from in a way that was far more efficient than was possible previously. This in turn helped enable a market for smartwatches such as the Pebble, which tapped into this functionality several years before Apple introduced its own hardware into the market. In the process, Apple allowed third-party hardware vendors to do a lot of the experimentation, to drive awareness and interest in the category, and to iron out kinks in the model.

When it was ready with its own hardware, Apple was able to quickly dominate the smartwatch category and build on things that had and hadn’t worked well with earlier third-party hardware. And importantly, the Apple Watch didn’t require everyone who wanted one to go out and buy a new iPhone, because the companion functionality had been built into several generations of iPhones by that point.

Apple’s first step in VR might not be hardware

If we apply this pattern to Apple’s possible VR strategy, we might well see something other than a VR headset as the first step. In fact, it’s more likely we would see a series of subtle advances in other areas over the next couple of years before Apple finally launches a VR accessory or device. What might some of those steps be? Here are some possibilities:

• New sensors: iPhones already have a pretty robust set of sensors, including accelerometers, gyroscopes and so on, which can be used by third-party manufacturers for VR experiences. But these aren’t optimized for VR specifically. Tweaking and augmenting these sensors is an obvious thing for Apple to do as an enabler of both its own and third-party VR devices. It might or might not explicitly say this when they’re introduced — such sensors could potentially improve iPhone gaming experiences, too, so they could be introduced under that cover rather than as explicit VR enablers.
• Smart Connector: Apple introduced the Smart Connector into the iPad Pro line last year, but there’s no reason why similar technology shouldn’t come to future iPhones, too (early rumors have been inconsistent on this point as regards this fall’s new iPhones). The Smart Connector passes both information and power between the iPad (or iPhone) and an accessory, and would make a great enabler for VR headsets, which could either draw power from the iPhone in this way or provide it with power. Again, it’s likely that Apple would have a different announced purpose for the Smart Connector, but it could certainly be repurposed for both Apple and third-party VR headsets (just as the iPad Pro Smart Connector is already open to third parties for additional functions).
• Displays and processors: Apple continues to enhance its displays and its proprietary A-series chips in new versions of the iPhone. The new iPad Pro introduces new color technology which will likely make its way into future iPhones as well, for example. But VR has specific requirements in terms of processing power and displays which will need to be enabled in iPhones that are to be used for optimized VR experiences in future. Again, these enhancements might well be made in the normal course of the iPhone upgrade cycle, but would be critical enablers for better VR experiences in future, too.
• APIs: Although some third-party VR accessories for the iPhone already exist, truly optimized experiences are likely to require more specialized APIs designed specifically for VR devices. This would be harder for Apple to enable without giving the game away, and perhaps the APIs come later than some of these other advancements as a result. But I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw VR-specific APIs announced at next year’s WWDC.

Apple will be nowhere in VR — until suddenly it is

The point of all this is to say it looks like Apple is nowhere in VR, and that’s technically true from the outside. It has no announced hardware, no software that’s specifically designed to support VR, and the best indicator we have that Apple is even aware of the technology is some vague comments from Tim Cook that the category is interesting.

And yet, what we could see in a few weeks at this year’s WWDC, and in a few months with the new iPhone launch, is a series of subtle indicators that Apple is indeed taking VR seriously and laying the groundwork for a future product in this space. Some of those indicators may be fairly transparent, while others will be harder to discern ahead of time. But if you’re looking, I bet you’ll start to see them over the next year. This activity will slowly ramp until suddenly Apple reveals a product — and then the strategy will become obvious in hindsight.

<hr />

Jan Dawson is founder and chief analyst at Jackdaw, a technology research and consulting firm focused on the confluence of consumer devices, software, services and connectivity. During his 13 years as a technology analyst, Dawson has covered everything from DSL to LTE, and from policy and regulation to smartphones and tablets. Prior to founding Jackdaw, Dawson worked at Ovum for a number of years, most recently as chief telecoms analyst, responsible for Ovum’s telecoms research agenda globally. Reach him @jandawson.

from Recode - All http://ift.tt/20K1Pyz

With its ear-covering Sound, company aims to create audio device that does it all

Human has announced the core features of its audio wearable, Sound. The ear covers will control ambient sound and aid communications and entertainment. Language translation and other functions will be revealed later in the year.

The post With its ear-covering Sound, company aims to create audio device that does it all appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/20IaP7k

Samsung makes fitness a little more social in latest S Health update

Samsung has released yet another update to the S Health update, bringing a social aspect to the app with leaderboards. The new app is also better at counting steps and tracking blood glucose levels.

The post Samsung makes fitness a little more social in latest S Health update appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/25l6WIB

Amazing! Sign Language Can Now Be Spoken by The Latest Wearables

Every day we are bombarded with many new innovations in wearable technology ecosystem. It is awesome to know that most wearables are designed to be tools to everyday life. They can assist us in saving lives, and time by becoming more invisible and smarter. Assistive wearables are increasing work performance, safety and so on. It is awesome to know that wearables are helping disabled bodies to live easier in society. Recently, thanks to the continuous development of technology, deaf-mute people can now better communicate with the rest of the world.

The idea of a “language extension glove” is not a new idea. Since 2014, EBDA’A Team developed a project named: Deaf-Mute interactive tool. It is a wearable digital glove which has alphabets on it to enable any deaf-mute to communicate with normal people without the prior knowledge of sign language.

With the same idea of a language extension glove, Hand-Tech develops a smart glove. The fabric is woven with special sensors and mini projectors that read hand movements and translate them into practical functions. The glove can also translate the sign language used by deaf people (manual communication) into sound pattern (spoken language). Hand-Tech expands the communicative power of sign language of deaf-mute converting an iconic gesture into a concrete action.

Interpreter Glove is an assistive tool that can speak for the deaf-mute. The special about the interpreter glove is that it needs to be configured and adapted to the users’ hands to generate the correct gesture descriptor. Even so, a gesture alphabet is provided. This alphabet includes 26 one-handed signs, each presenting a letter in the English alphabet. Thus, the glove is able to recognize and read aloud any finger-spelled word.

Recently, an invention of a smart glove for deaf-mute by 2 undergraduate students at the University of Washington was announced. The goal of the SignAloud glove is to provide an easier way of communication for deaf-mute people. SignAloud gloves are integrated sensors that record movement and gestures and transmit communication wirelessly to a central computer. After receiving the data, the computer analyses if it matches a gesture, then the associated word or phrase is spoken through a speaker.

HandsON – the top 5 of America’s Greatest Makers is also a brilliant idea for deaf-mute. After working on a project for a deaf community in Nicaragua, HandsON team found that communication is quite difficult for both sides. Therefore, they work very hard on HandsON-a sensor-enhanced glove that translate American Sign Language into text and voice.

Thanks to the evolution of technology. It is not a dream world where people who are deaf-mute are able to communicate or make a phone call directly via real-time text or voice. It is becoming real when there is no barrier in communication for disable people and people without hearing impairments.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1sRctcr

Want a smartwatch or fitness tracker? Wait till the fall - CNET

The tea leaves are being read, and the message is clear: maybe you want to hang out for a few months. Wearables are taking the summer off.

from CNET http://ift.tt/20Dh38s

Chinese startup Moxi Group could release the first flexible smartphone this year

Flexible displays are being developed by a number of big companies, but so far we have yet to see a truly flexible device in stores. That could change later this year, however, with the release of such a device by Moxi Group.

The post Chinese startup Moxi Group could release the first flexible smartphone this year appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1Z0GiRC

A New Rhythm in Payment; Interview with FitPay CEO, Michael Orlando

Samsung says that it hasn’t given up on Android Wear just yet

Looks like we shouldn't expect any more Samsung Android Wear devices. The company is completely done with Android Wear, according to a Samsung executive in a recent report. Looks like Samsung honestly thinks Tizen is the future.

The post Samsung says that it hasn’t given up on Android Wear just yet appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1U80NYg

Apple supplier Foxconn just replaced 60,000 employees with robot workers

Apple supplier Foxconn has terminated 60,000 employees at it's factory in Kunshan, China, in favor of robot workers, according to a recent report. The report also says that other factories in the area are likely to follow suit.

The post Apple supplier Foxconn just replaced 60,000 employees with robot workers appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1NNnN2w

Samsung rolls into SID Display Week with a fully flexible smartphone screen

Samsung is hard at work on making displays even more flexible than the modestly curved screens on Edge series of smartphones. Its latest innovation? A 5.7-inch display that completely rolls up into a small cylinder.

The post Samsung rolls into SID Display Week with a fully flexible smartphone screen appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1UdNxnU

Ringly’s gorgeous Aries smart bracelet now comes in silver

Ringly's collection of smart jewelry just keeps growing. We got a sneak peek at the new Aries collection of smart bracelets. The gold-plated bangles rock semi-precious gemstones, buzz with notifications, and track your steps.

The post Ringly’s gorgeous Aries smart bracelet now comes in silver appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/22KR986

New tech could bring a splash of color to your monochrome e-reader

Researchers at E Ink Holdings have developed a new technique that could lead to e-ink displays with better color reproduction. Better yet, it's got none of the downsides associated with color e-ink displays currently on the market.

The post New tech could bring a splash of color to your monochrome e-reader appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1qIVSFK

6 underrated Google projects you may have missed

Google had a busy keynote, with the announcement of Google Home, Google Assistant, Android N, two chat apps, a VR platform, and more. But here's a look at some cooler projects that were left out.

The post 6 underrated Google projects you may have missed appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/20A6HX0

Samsung is over Android Wear, confirms that no future Wear devices are planned

Looks like we shouldn't expect any more Samsung Android Wear devices. The company is completely done with Android Wear, according to a Samsung executive in a recent report. Looks like Samsung honestly thinks Tizen is the future.

The post Samsung is over Android Wear, confirms that no future Wear devices are planned appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1U80NYg

Which VR headset should you spring for? We tried them all, and the winner is clear

Virtual reality is finally going mainstream, but which headset is right for your needs and budget? Check out a few of our favorites, whether you want the best of the best or a budget-based alternative that's specifically designed for your mobile device.

The post Which VR headset should you spring for? We tried them all, and the winner is clear appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1SmCwzu

Is your dog feeling ill? Does he need to go potty? Tracy Trackers use AI to tell you

Tracy Trackers aren't your average pet wearable -- the device uses artificial intelligence to monitor your dog's sleeping, eating, and drinking patterns to give you an overview of your dog's health. The best part? It gets better as you use it.

The post Is your dog feeling ill? Does he need to go potty? Tracy Trackers use AI to tell you appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/25eJ89o

CEO Tim Cook: No, Apple won’t launch a mobile network of its own

Rumors have popped up over the years of Apple considering becoming a mobile carrier and pushing out the other carriers on the market. Tim Cook, however, says that this won't happen.

The post CEO Tim Cook: No, Apple won’t launch a mobile network of its own appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/20wwnna

You can buy accessories for your G5 on LG’s website

Looking for some new friends? While "LG Friends" may not give you real friends, it will offer you some "friends" for your phone. You can finally buy these modules on LG's website in the U.S.

The post You can buy accessories for your G5 on LG’s website appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1NxLLJi

Let's make PCs first-class citizens of the connected world

Pebble 2, Pebble Time 2, Pebble Core: Pebble's fitness hat trick adds heart rate, GPS, Spotify, and 3G - CNET

Smartwatches with heart rate support, plus a stand-alone puck called Core that acts as a 3G-connected smart button: Pebble is trying for a two-device approach in fitness wearables.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1TKdD3b

Pebble kickstarts two new smartwatches, plus the screenless Core

Pebble may have recently laid off 25 percent of its workforce, but the company is trying to revive growth with three new devices on Kickstarter. Meet the Pebble Time 2, the Pebble 2, and the company's first non-smartwatch, the Pebble Core.

The post Pebble kickstarts two new smartwatches, plus the screenless Core appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1WfuzRa

Fitbit’s heart rate monitors might not be as accurate as it claims

According to a recent study conducted by two researchers, the Fitbit Charge HR and Surge exhibit inaccurate heart rate measurements. However, as with any other study, do not take the study's results as irrefutable evidence.

The post Fitbit’s heart rate monitors might not be as accurate as it claims appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1VgARz2

Wearables Beat Summer Heat !

Man, when it is hot – IT IS HOT! There are many places around the world that feeling like a never ending sauna when summer time hits. It is interesting to take a look at some of the innovations that attempt to beat summer heat. The idea is all about wearing an air-conditioner on your body.

Wristify is a heating and cooling bracelet developed by Embr Labs. It is aimed to make yourself comfortable by sending hot or cold pulses to a patch of skin on your wrist. Science shows that rapidly changing part of the skin’s temperature can immediately make you more comfortable, just like when you splash water on your face. Therefore, Wristify doesn’t need to modify your core temperature to make you more comfortable. Wristify recreates the relief you get when you warm your hands by the fireplace in the winter, or when you refresh with an ice cube on your skin in the summer.

Frio by Icetron Technologies is a cooling wearable device which is mainly used in the sports and fitness area. Frio monitors the users’ activity and adjusts to optimal body temperature. Frio is developed to cool your body in the right temperature, which maximizes your training and overall potential. Additionally, it motivates you by enhancing your performance to keep you cool anywhere, anytime.

Brrr! : the cool yarn technology spun with numerous secret ingredients is a new technology apart of a secret patent pending recipe. The fabric is cool to the touch as well as embedded with UV Protection. Brrr! is an all-nature core, permanent, and super soft. Moreover, Brrr! fabric is also “powered by air” because of the air flow traveling through the garment to regenerate a cool feeling.

Octocool provides an air-conditioned T-shirt for labourers who work in hot environments. There are also many more applications of this technology including free time activities such as hiking, camping, fishing and others. By using two high powered 97mm wide fans, air is circulated throughout the shirt. Thus, laborers can concentrate on the job instead of being distracted by trying to minimize the physical effects of hot environment. Along with the 4,400 watt battery, the Octocool body cooling clothes can go on full blast for 8.5 hours.

Did you notice that air conditioning accounts for 60%-70% of the average home’s energy bill? However, there are yet other alternatives to beat the summer heat for you from air-conditioned clothes to air-conditioned wrists. You are now can stay cool during the day and you save money by night with these wearable cooling devices.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1YUGfH2

Flexible patch performs like a wearable Tricorder - CNET

It attaches to the wearer's chest and monitors vital signs, and could be used for athletes and patients with heart problems.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1XPpSgt

Pulses rise as Fitbit defends accuracy of fitness trackers - CNET

A study funded by a law firm suing the wearables maker raises questions about the accuracy of Fitbit technology.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1YT5pFR

Pebble counting down to a big reveal for Tuesday — could it be a new smartwatch?

Pebble seems to have a big announcement up its sleeve -- the company has begun counting down to a product reveal on its website. But what will that product be? A new smartwatch, perhaps? Maybe a software update?

The post Pebble counting down to a big reveal for Tuesday — could it be a new smartwatch? appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1NHAlZc

Echo and Home are endpoints, not the endgame

A wearable that knows if you’re working out hard enough is being tested

A team of scientists and engineers have made a prototype wearable which knows how hard you're training, thanks to measuring lactate, an essential indicator of our body's reaction to exercise.

The post A wearable that knows if you’re working out hard enough is being tested appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1WcizzX

Weekly Rewind: A weight loss vest, manmade meteors, and a physical Amazon store

In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. So much news goes on, in fact, that it's almost impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories.

The post Weekly Rewind: A weight loss vest, manmade meteors, and a physical Amazon store appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1swP537

Prove you didn’t drink too much last weekend with the BACtrack Skyn

BACtrack's Skyn wristband wearable monitors alcohol consumption by measuring sweat and converting to blood alcohol content. The design won a $200,000 first prize in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Wearable Biosensor Challenge

The post Prove you didn’t drink too much last weekend with the BACtrack Skyn appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1sLBIwK

Google’s Soli could give your next smartwatch gesture controls

Google has made some serious developments on Soli since it first showed off the tech at Google I/O last year. In fact, it made a smartwatch and speaker with Soli, able to be controlled with simple hand gestures.

The post Google’s Soli could give your next smartwatch gesture controls appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/256IUB3

Are Smart Rings Evolving Beyond the Look of Costume Jewelry?

There have been eleven smart rings that have hit the market in the past 5 years. A few of them are no longer on the market due to a lack of market acceptance. People do not seem to care to adopt connected technology a few years ago. However, as the push for paper-less work becomes incorporated in the work space one will find that smart rings can enhance your work flow. There have been especially good reviews for Ringly, a smart ring that notifies you when your phone is being contacted. The features are very specific to women to hide their phone in their purse (and are unable to feel it vibrating), but are also held to certain connected-ness obligations.

This July, at our 21^st WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2016 USA, we are featuring two smart ring speakers. Tonu Samuel, from 16 Labs, will speak on “An Approach to Smart Rings.” To learn how they are changing the WT Market, join our 1000+ international attendees by registering today.

The MOTA DOI smart ring is bring connectivity back to your fingertips. They are not the first to control other devices through a ring, however they were rated The Most Innovative Product as CES Asia this year. You can pre-order a ring today. It comes in white and black, with a removable + rechargeable battery. Unlike Ringly, it is unisex and features a screen instead of an LED. You can choose, of course, which social media sites, emails, SMS, or phone calls you with for it to notify you. It does not come with activity tracking – but perhaps this could be incorporated in their next generation. Their look is separated from costume jewelry by looking like a smart watch; even so, the look is not custom to individuals that are keen to fashion.

Have you ever had trouble connecting to Siri or OK Google in a loud place? Or needed to find you phone but had to way to call it? Why Not has created Aring Pro to solve these problems. It’s waterproof, so you can wash your hands without taking it off. Once it is connected to your phone, you can control your phone by simply speaking into Aring Pro. Seems pretty cool and sleeker than other rings– yet, there is no price point documented on their website.

Logbar Inc. was founded in 2013, and has been working to produce connected, innovative devices since then. They launched a successful Kickstarter a year later, in 2014, and have now released a second generation ring in combination with an SDK. This is great to involve developers to their hardware.  Now we can see what changes may occur in the world of smart rings with more creators behind the scenes. Their ring, Ring ZERO, is a motion tracking typing sensor. They have a list of actions to better describe how to move your finger in order to accomplish specific tasks; such as, moving through a PowerPoint, texting, or listening to music: “One Gesture is All You Need.” But back to the style, it’s more of a smart watch downsized to your finger. I am not sure I am in love with the idea of more screens around my body. Even so, it is cool to see that they have opened up to further innovation in the future.

All in all, smart rings are a cool idea. The idea has been around since the beginning of Sci-Fi. It seems to be a consumer adoption problem at this point, as to why some companies are not able to remain influential players. Another con to smart rings, is the ability to be small and discrete on your fingers. There is still a long standing tradition of your wedding ring or natural gem stones as your statement ring. Wearing costume jewelry is not ideal for most situations – I am happy to see new generations appear with a fresher take on style than ever before.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/27J7sCv

Control your phone with Google and Levi’s Commuter jacket thanks to Project Jacquard

Google has collaborated with Levi's to build a Commuter jacket that has gesture-sensing technology. It's useful for when you want to play the next song while biking, or check when your next appointment is -- all you have to do is swipe your sleeve.

The post Control your phone with Google and Levi’s Commuter jacket thanks to Project Jacquard appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1U4otzJ

Internet of pants?

Ohio State researchers are developing embroidered antennas and circuits with 0.1 mm precision. Photo: Jo McCulty / The Ohio State University

You may love your fitbit, but one day your clothes could monitor your fitness levels or even boost your smart phone reception. Developed by researchers at Ohio State University, a new technique using ultrathin electronic thread to embroider circuits into fabric could make this possible.

Computer World reports that the researchers have found a way to embroider circuits into fabric with enough precision to integrate electronic components, such as sensors and memory devices into clothing. Measuring just 0.1 mm in diameter, the thread is made of copper and silver filaments.

Ultimately, these e-textiles could be used to create shirts that act as antennas, bandages that tell your doctor how well a wound is healing, or to make caps that sense activity in the brain.

“Now, for the first time, we’ve achieved the accuracy of printed metal circuit boards, so our new goal is to take advantage of the precision to incorporate receivers and other electronic components,” said John Volakis, director of Ohio State’s ElectroScience Laboratory.

The researchers used a standard tabletop sewing machine to embroider the e-textiles. The shape of the embroidery determines the operating frequency of the antenna or circuit.

One broadband antenna, for example, consists of more than half a dozen interlocking geometric shapes, each a little bigger than a fingernail, that form an intricate circle a few inches across. Each piece of the circle transmits energy at a different frequency, so together they cover a broad spectrum. That embroidery takes about 15 minutes to create and uses about 10 feet of the specialized thread, for a material cost of roughly 30 cents per antenna.

In tests, an embroidered spiral antenna measuring about six inches across transmitted signals at frequencies of 1 to 5 GHz with near-perfect efficiency, the researchers said, making it suitable for broadband Internet and cellular communication.

A paper describing the researchers’ findings was published recently in the journal IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters. Ohio State plans to license the technology for further development.

from Advanced Textiles Source http://ift.tt/1qzdOm2

Smart fabrics: Getting down to business

Ralph Lauren Co. offered a demonstration of its new PoloTech shirt, which can measure biometrics and adapt the wearer’s fitness routine based on data collected in real time. Photo: Kaveh Sardari/IFAI.

“You absolutely have to have industry partners,” said Claire King, president of Propel LLC, which develops textile-related technologies for protective applications. “Fashion should find good partners for R&D,” said wearable technology expert Despina Papadopoulos, founder of Principled Design/ Studio 50/50. The theme of partnerships and collaborations was repeated often in the Smart Fabrics Summit’s panel discussions. The event was held in Washington D.C. in April and co-sponsored by IFAI and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce.

Specifically, there was a call for more collaboration among the textile, electronics and fashion industries to make smart garments more comfortable and functional—and in more markets. In addition to the top four markets incorporating smart fabric technologies, two more have made significant investments and contributions—and they couldn’t be more different: fashion and medical/health care. Both markets face the challenge of making smart clothing truly wearable.

According to Papadopoulos, communication across disciplines is partly responsible. “To connect these two industries [electronics and textiles] is quite difficult.” However, she said, “Now we have serious interest from people who can make a difference. The environment is changing rapidly.”

Qaizar Hassonjee, senior director of business development and partnerships, adidas, pointed out that there is no “in between” in smart fabrics applications. “It either works or it doesn’t,” he said. Hassonjee feels that there is “a lot of opportunity now to make things right here [in the U.S.].” But he said we also need to “get better at analyzing the data for insights into the consumer” beyond just collecting data and analyzing it.

Another on the same panel, Amanda Parkes, Ph.D., chief of technology and research, Manufacture New York, believes that the industry is “desperately in need of training for workers across industries to be fluent in all the tools.” But she also finds a cultural shift underway in the fashion industry, which has begun to think about developing the fabrics they want and to consider long-range R&D.

Protecting your investment
There was considerable discussion about legal issues that affect technological innovations, including, regulations and standards, patent law, and the challenge of knowing which government agency to contact about specific aspects of an innovative new technology or product. Several panelists contributed to illuminating portions of this large and complicated issue. Lynn Rzonca, a patent attorney with Ballard Spahr LLP, said that when there are layers of technology, “each layer has to be protected.” She also stressed that U.S. patents apply only to the U.S., which offers a one-year grace period after a product announcement not offered by other countries.

She and other panelists stressed the importance of taking reasonable measures early. “Protect early and often,” said Vikrum Aiyer, chief of staff, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Lesley Fair, senior attorney with the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection said that it’s also important to build in technology and network security, and to do so early in the process.

E-textiles have special concerns in regards to regulations. Ira Keltz, deputy chief of the Office of the Chief Engineer, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said, “All devices that radiate energy have to be certified to assure that they’re safe.” Transmitters that are “off the shelf” are already certified.

Alpesh Shah, senior director of Global Business Strategy & Intelligence with the IEEE Standards Association, said that the Internet of Things has been discussed from the electronics side, but it should also be discussed from the actuation side. “This story we’ve been telling is one around convergence,” Shah said.

Medical applications, especially the home monitoring market, are important in a budding segment, showing 7 percent of the 2015 smart fabrics market worldwide. This segment generally faces especially stringent regulations, but standards for smart fabric applications have not progressed much past the discussion stage. It is possible, however, to check standards for the components used, says Sandeep Khatua, director of technical services for softlines, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services. Bureau Veritas helps its clients “come up with a testing approach,” he says.

Government agencies stand ready to help in the process of bringing innovations to market. Aiyer told attendees that steps have been taken “to make sure that all tools are used to help entrepreneurs succeed and are protected in the marketplace.” President Obama’s action in this regard makes it a matter of national policy.

Janet Preus is senior editor of Advanced Textiles Source.

from Advanced Textiles Source http://ift.tt/1qzeh7K

Hands on: Android Wear 2.0

Android Wear 2.0 is much slicker, cleaner, and smarter than before. The new design includes a darker color palette, complications on watch faces, stand-alone apps, and more. Here's our hands on.

The post Hands on: Android Wear 2.0 appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1NChhvw

Larry Page and Oracle spar over Java in ongoing copyright case

The Oracle vs. Google court case continues to drag on. Most recently, Alphabet CEO Larry Page testified, arguing that Java was open source when it was created. Google could face a $9 billion fine if it loses.

The post Larry Page and Oracle spar over Java in ongoing copyright case appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/27GOhZW

A closer look at Thin Ice: the magical weight loss vest that siphons heat off your body to burn calories

Startup Thin Ice estimates its wearable vest can burn up to 500-1,000 calories per day simply by wearing it, using a patent-pending cooling technology. We got the skinny on how this so-called fat-trimming gizmo actually works.

The post A closer look at Thin Ice: the magical weight loss vest that siphons heat off your body to burn calories appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/27FET91

Wearable Massage Devices

The power of a simple body massage can change your day from stressful to ok. I’m not sure about you, but any chance I get to have my shoulders rubbed or my feet cleaned, is an opportunity to be taken.  Massages can be thought of as a tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. Have you ever dreamed of receiving a massage after a long day of work? Sometimes you want it to be in the comfort of you own own so there is no need to travel to a luxury spa or health club. Well, WT has some good news for you, it is not a dream anymore. With the availability of wearables, you can now experience the best comfort in your comfort zone. See if it’s right for you:

Recovery Force introduces S.M.A.R.T gear to care for your body every day. It is designed to be worn on a person’s body to provide increased blood flow to create a soothing sensation within the muscle. Additionally, there are various sizes available to accommodate most parts of the body including waist, thighs, and calves. S.M.A.R.T gear release muscle aches and pains and improve you systems performance. A plus for S.M.A.R.T is it can be applied in most of uncomfortable situation because of how flexible it is. You can wear it under or over your clothing as it delivers its unique Wearable Massage. Another place for it to live is on your seat to prevent the adverse effects of sitting for long periods of time. Besides, S.M.A.R.T uses active or passive heat to raise the body’s core temperature against extreme cold.

Pulsing massage patch is “stickable” option for you. It is a product from Home Wahl. The massage patch has 4 powerful massage area and offers customization with programmed pulsing sequences alongside various intensity levels. The pulsing massage patch is ideal for concentrating pain relief. It is also great for lower and upper back pain. The patch uses battery power instead of wires or controllers.

You can also enjoy your personalized massage using the AiraWear Hoodie; which can conveniently  transform into the Aira vest to be worn under your favorite outerwear. Whether you are lounging on your couch at home or working at the office, you can now enjoy a soothing relaxing massage anytime, anywhere. The Aira simply pairs with your smartphone that allows you to select the massage program of your choice based on intensity preference, duration and paint point. The newest version is equipped with sensors to record data on your posture. The more awareness you have about your current body, will help you work towards a more healthier and fit lifestyle. If you are interested in supporting AiraWear, check out their Kickstarter.

Aurai is a product to protect your eyes from modern technology. They are working to solve the digital eye strain that has consequences of dry, irritated eye along with neck and back pain. Aurai is the best solution for regulating the blood circulation around your eyes and relieve the strains in your eyes. Moreover, it is also ideal to reduce puffy eyes or dark circle with their cool compress function. Besides, it is difficult to fall asleep when your eyes are strained. At this time, try the warm compress function to relieve and rest better.

We hope you can enjoy your day with the smartest massage method!

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1WFL8pw

Wearables For Professionals

In order to reduce the business risk every organization needs to have a business risk management plan in which safe employees is the biggest concerns. It is always a challenge for managers to improve employees working performance without creating much pressure and prevent workplace accident. However, wearables are a becoming a mainstream tool that companies are using to create easier to control risks.

ProGlove is a wearable tool targeted at professional production procession. The goal of the smart glove is to enable faster and therefore more efficient handling. Additionally, it helps integrate working steps into the natural movement of your hands. Trough their technology one will find that the quality of workflow and sequence compliance is improved.

ODG (Osterhout Group) is a high-tech hardware company from San Francisco. They are bringing the power of smart glasses to all forms of enhanced work performance. ODG smart glasses have the equivalent to a 65+ inch screen. With the support of ODG glasses and their various software partnerships, it is easier to perform new tasks with increase productivity. Moreover, it provides hands free functions to allow workers to access information on the web or in the cloud conveniently. Furthermore, ODG will be on stage with WT | Wearable Technologies in San Francisco in July in case you want to discuss with the ODG team in person.

Daqri is designed as the most powerful augmented reality device on the market to increase productivity and efficiency for labor performance. It is equipped with over a dozen sensors delivering synchronized data about the environment and the users which can fill the gap between potential and experience of the employees. Daqri is also an ANSI face shield with anti-reflective and scratch resistant functions. Additionally, a thermal camera is integrated to support employees in monitoring industrial equipment on top of providing an explanation of what should be done to keep all machinery working properly. The data from the camera allow workers to quickly scan for out of tolerance or unsafe thermal anomalies to make sure the best safety for them.

Noone introduces a wearable chair with the idea of wanting to sit anywhere and everywhere. The “chairless” chair is targeted for workers who have to stand for a long time. It attaches to a person’s hip and thighs. You simply press the button and it immediately transforms itself into a chair. The chair can support up to 100kg of weight from each person’s leg. The weight of the chair is merely 2 kg and doesn’t affect mobility. By creating a comfortable feeling, right posture for workers, the work performance is improved.

At any given minute, millions of hard working men and women bend their knees, take a deep breath and the lift the entire businesses with their efforts. It inevitably leads to a hurt back bone. However, the back bone is now well-protected with Kinetic. There are sensors and sophisticated algorithms integrated in the belt to remind employees when they are ready to lift. Kinetic also provides immediate feedback when you are not lifting properly. By keeping workers aware of how they move, they are safe.

Healthy and happy employees are productive employees. Therefore, there is no reason to not integrate working environment with wearables to engage your employees in safety and productive working evironment.

For more Wearables for Professionals attend our conference in July and listen to speeches from Meta and Taser alongside ODG!

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/27BQm9J

Recapping day one at Google I/O 2016

Google I/O is almost upon us, and you can be sure to see more details on the upcoming version of Android N, Android VR, an Amazon Echo competitor, and more. The keynote begins at 10 a.m. P.T. on May 18 and will feature CEO Sundar Pichai.

The post Recapping day one at Google I/O 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1qrxtEm

Stand up to your foot pain with ExoSOLS, custom 3D-printed orthotics

Do your feet hurt? Manufactured based on photos of your feet, ExoSOLS custom 3D-printed orthotics could be the answer at a fraction of the price of prescription orthotics. Designed just for you, ExoSOLS match your foot's arch for best support.

The post Stand up to your foot pain with ExoSOLS, custom 3D-printed orthotics appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/250zgA4

Android Wear 2.0 brings handwriting recognition and smarter watch faces

Your Android Wear device is about to get a major update! Google has taken the wraps off of Android Wear 2.0, an update to Android Wear that brings features like handwriting recognition and smarter watch faces.

The post Android Wear 2.0 brings handwriting recognition and smarter watch faces appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2079iHG

Microsoft's Nokia deal just keeps getting uglier (The 3:59, Ep. 47) - CNET

Microsoft sells off part of Nokia, Fitbit buys into wearable payments and The Donald retweets.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1ToBGV9

Fitbit invests in mobile payments tech so you can buy stuff sans wallet - CNET

Fitbit just bought wearable payments technology from Coin, but you won't likely see it in the 2016 product line.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1OI0hUF

Strava’s Live Segments give you real-time feedback to help you nail that PR

Strava has introduced a new feature to its fitness tracking app for iOS and Android. Live Segments offers real-time info on how you train during a particular segment, as well as info about personal records.

The post Strava’s Live Segments give you real-time feedback to help you nail that PR appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/27yBjNZ

Home-brew hackers build smart insulin pumps ahead of commercial releases

Not willing to wait for the FDA and other organisations to give the thumbs up for smart insulin trackers and pump systems, homebrew hackers are building their own and they're providing very effective.

The post Home-brew hackers build smart insulin pumps ahead of commercial releases appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1V95Oow

All gain, no pain: GPS smartstrap for the Pebble Time adds battery life instead of draining it

The Pebble Time is popular, but lacks GPS. Why? Probably because it's a serious battery hog. The Powerstrap Pal, however, is a smartstrap that adds GPS to the watch, then adds an extra seven days of battery to minimize the pain.

The post All gain, no pain: GPS smartstrap for the Pebble Time adds battery life instead of draining it appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1TY6OH3

Google’s update finally brings virtual reality videos to YouTube for iOS

Android users have had access to VR mode on YouTube for a while now, but iOS users have been left out -- until now, that is. Google has finally updated the YouTube iOS app to offer VR mode, for use with Google Cardboard.

The post Google’s update finally brings virtual reality videos to YouTube for iOS appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1TiAxer

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the planet? This futuristic wearable aims at real-time translation

Even those who speak multiple languages likely can't understand everyone, but that could change thanks to a new wearable from the NYC-based Waverly Labs that seems like a science fiction gadget made real.

The post Hitchhiker’s Guide to the planet? This futuristic wearable aims at real-time translation appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1Oyi9w1

What to expect at Google I/O 2016, and where to watch the best sessions

Google I/O is almost upon us, and you can be sure to see more details on the upcoming version of Android N, Android VR, an Amazon Echo competitor, and more. The keynote begins at 10 a.m. P.T. on May 18 and will feature CEO Sundar Pichai.

The post What to expect at Google I/O 2016, and where to watch the best sessions appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1qrxtEm

RIP to the Wearables at the Bottom of the Sea

I participated in a Startup Accelerator taught by UC Berkeley personnel and sponsored by Intel. The first thing they drill into your head is, “Most start-ups fail than succeeded.” There are three reasons for this: 1. Poor product idea aka there is no market 2. Bad team relations 3. Not enough resources. Wearables is a hard industry to pop yourself into. It is new which means a lot of the resources are not ready for mass manufacturing. Even so, another piece of wisdom that was drilled into my way of thinking is: YOU ARE THE ENTREPRENEUR – YOU MUST FIND A SOLUTION. Truthfully, one of the best solutions is swimming back to land before you run out of energy and begin to sink. There are a seven companies that were a part of the WT | Network; yet they began to sink and were forced to abandon ship.

• Cuff spoke at our WT | Wearable Technologies Conference 2014 USA. They thrilled the audience with their emergency call plus notification information on jewelry. The idea is you have a plastic part of the jewelry that can be interchangeable between necklaces and bracelets. They goal was to ensure that women, and people who like wearing jewelry, have a safety net to send their GPS locations to when they are feeling threatened. On top of that, your jewelry will vibrate in various patterns if you get a phone call, email or text. Cuff was a wearable celebrity for a while; featured in Good Morning America, New York Times, Tech Crunch. They are even selling their product at Target. However, they have terrible customer service. They have not contacted their funding raising supporters, they have not sent any products to them, nor do they reply to WT emails. I am not sure what has occurred, but to the WT | Team it seems like we are at the edge of Bermuda Triangle.
• Sometimes the best way to recognize that there is no market for your product is to launch a crowdfunding campaign. Elbee was thought of as wireless headphones that could change the music through haptic feedback of moving your head a particular way. This intrigued investors and a handful of folks who wished to work on the project. However, their Kickstarter was a fail; leading the CEO and co-founders to find another path for their expertise to be put to use.
• A similar story goes for company called Gest. They created an interactive remote that connects to each of your fingers. The idea was to allow you to type wirelessly to any devices from any surface. Cool, right? People thought so too, for they hosted a successful Kickstarter in November of 2015. However, by April 2016 they announced they needed more money for production and delivery to all their backers. Unable to obtain it, they sent re-funds to everyone. This brings up a good point. Just because a company has a successful crowd funding campaign, doesn’t mean that they are successful in the long-run. Usually, they only get enough money to produce and deliver enough product for their backers. Thus, becoming more of a beta test than a growing start-up. Be wise in the amount of money you are requesting. For you want to remain a player in the field well beyond your campaign.

Not all devices are crap; not all companies fail. Those that are wise will take the chance to pivot in the direction of sunshine. They can foresee the future and weigh the pros and cons of continuing to work on something that no one really wants. This is not an easy step for a lot of people. Egos, stubborn minds, limited resources, and dishonesty are a few reasons why companies do not change. Beware, for pivoting can be the best decision a team has ever made. Beyond industry, is it ethical to create a product that is essentially landfill (one of my personal questions that I ask every time I walk around a big department store)?  Find a few companies that have changed their product in order to fulfill their vision.

• AmpStrip is a smart patch that was originally designed for fitness. They gain much support on their crowd funding campaign and won the CES2015 Innovation Award.  However, on their website they state that they received feedback from their customers that they should be a medical patch; which means back to the drawing board. They are re-funding all of their backers and have begun the process of medical approval. This is a much longer process than monitoring devices, in terms of enter a consumer market. The regulations are more limited to what materials are safe for the body and the extend of accuracy. I am personally excited to see how their product evolves.
• Moov is a company that has been on the WT radar for a few years now. Moov Now is a coaching and tracking device that assist with running, walking, swimming, cycling and boxing. They have gotten their waterproof, 6 month of battery life device to a shocking price of $59. Before this device, they had a first generation Moov that did not attract customers. It was ugly with a short battery life, and could only monitor 2 activities: walking and running. Some athletes were attracted to the device for its 3D tracking technology. With their ex-apple employee turned CEO, you knew Moov would be able to adapt their design to their market – before hitting the depths of Davy Johns Locker.
• In 2014, a company called RingBlingz came out with an idea for a wearable for teenagers.Seems ideal, you are creating a tech device for people who have lived their whole lives with tech. The idea was for their ring to alter them when they have a notification on their phone. The inside scoop is it also has a GPS tracking function that allows parents to see where their child is. To me, it seems like the market wasn’t quite ready for them, because when you visit their website (now in 2016) you are looking at an empty page that says “Future Home of Something Quite Cool.” Wonder what that could be….
• In April of 2015 is when Trellie said their smart costume jewelry would be ready for market. The problem they faced is competition with bigger and more established companies. They have patents and IP on their technology. The team and their stock holders decided to pivoted their product to the backend of the product. Instead of selling to the consumer, they will sell to other businesses. Sounds like a solid plan if you ask me.

Make sure you are making informed and highly researched choices about your company and product. As my mentors said, “Get out of the office and conduct customer interviews!” There are already way too many choices of cereal to choose from in the grocery store, and the truth is they are all sugar and corn – nothing good for you. I highly suggest to not be a box of cereal sitting on the shelf for ages, and mostly, do not create a piece of technology that will end up as trash. Take your time – yet move with the winds. You are the captain of the ship and the tides are changing.

Questions about how to remain afloat? Contact us for tailor-made consulting services.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/1Yza2Vp

Where are they now? Google's I/O big announcements, one year later.

Following up on the winners and losers.

Every year, big tech companies use their developer conferences to launch splashy stuff. Some of these products go on to reach millions, maybe billions. Some die on the vine.

Google kicks off its annual I/O developer conference on Wednesday, where it will unfurl new products around Android, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

But what about the ones from last year?

We chased them down for you:

The immediate winners

Google Photos: This was the star of last year's show — for obvious reasons. The photo storage and organization app, finally untangled from the residue of Google Plus, showcased Google's machine learning capabilities and fit a consumer need. It felt Google-y. Photos had some embarrassing hiccups on the automated tagging feature, but saw solid uptake. In October, Google said Photos reached 100 million users, and it continues to add features. We might hear new updates this week.

Expeditions: Google's aim to distribute virtual reality far and wide found a natural ally — schools. In January, the company claimed that some half a million school kids have tried out the program, which delivers Google's cheap Cardboard headset with guided VR tours. We don't have any other numbers, but people familiar with Google's VR team say the program is going very well. And it gives Google a foot in two desirable doors — VR content and education services — at the same time.

Jump: This was the other big VR unveiling from last year — a new platform that could easily stitch together 360 footage for VR videos. It hit a hurdle when its inaugural partner, GoPro, delayed its "Jump-ready" camera. (It came out earlier this month.) Yet that might not have deterred Google's push for VR-ready YouTube videos. In January, Google said more than 350,000 hours of such footage has been viewed, and will likely share new numbers this week at its keynote, which will be streamed in VR.

VR you ready? Watch the #io16 keynote live on @YouTube 360 this Wed 10AM PT. https://t.co/eZ3yrQCfK0 http://pic.twitter.com/h5ppO9sVWe

— Google Cardboard (@googlecardboard) May 16, 2016

Still cooking

Now on Tap: After Photos, this was the biggest product release. The feature summoned Google's personal assistant and search tech with one button inside any app, a seeming fix to Google's looming threat of being cut from apps. Bloomberg called it a "bombshell"; I called it a "Trojan horse." Neither the bomb or horse has come. The product has struggled to get traction with users and partners, according to sources. That's largely because it's relegated to the latest Android software, which only a small fraction of phones use.

Deep linking: These products — developer features that links apps to one another — are critical to Google. At the Code/Mobile conference in October, the company said it has indexed more than 100 billion apps for potential deep links. But it didn't specify how many are on iOS devices, a functionality Google introduced at last I/O. Nor has it given any updates on App Invites, a product rolled out last year that lets people share apps with those on their contact list.

Nothing to see here

Android Pay: Last year, Google rolled out two payments products: Pay, a retail and in-app purchase service; and a revamped peer-to-peer service. It's been slow going, a pace that has characterized all Google commerce efforts. In October, Google said that 60 percent of Pay's "millions of users" were new to Google payments. Some updates may come this week, but don't expect something huge.

Brillo: This operating system for connected devices was Google's formidable entrance into the market. It has been pretty quiet since, however. Google announced a few partner devices earlier in the year, but that's about it. That could be, in part, because the whole industry is crawling along.

Android Wear: Smartwatches have had a rough year. A former Googler recently told me that the Android team is thankful that most people associate the devices with Apple, sometimes forgetting that Google supports them. Last year, Google released a slew of features for Android Wear, and said that there were more than 4,000 apps on the platform.

Wearable pants: The splashiest of the splashy launches from last year were around two far-out developments around internet-connected tech, called Project Soli and Project Jacquard, under Google's ATAP research unit. Little has come out since (although the ATAP head departed for Facebook). Jacquard is a specialized sensor tech that renders literally anything as connected or "wearable" tech. Google unveiled it as a partnership with Levi's. A spokesperson for the jeans company said an update is coming this week.

from Recode - All http://ift.tt/1TXrEsL

Someday you’ll have no screens in your life

The 12 best Apple Watch straps you can buy right now

If you have an Apple Watch, you'll know how easy it is to take off the strap it came with, so why not buy yourself another one? There are so many to choose from, so we've gathered together the best ones we've seen so far.

The post The 12 best Apple Watch straps you can buy right now appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1OAVILX

Soltrackr wants to take your outdoor experience to the next level

To fulfill your need for in-depth vital and environmental information in the coming months, Soltrackr has unveiled its flagship product, a wireless health companion that also brings you all the crucial information about your surroundings.

The post Soltrackr wants to take your outdoor experience to the next level appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/27v4O39

In a world full of multi-purpose wearables, can one-trick-ponies like Fitbit survive?

Despite selling a ton of watches in the last year, Fitbit is facing pressure to do more than just track fitness. Is it necessary? Depending on who you ask, the company's either in trouble or doing just fine.

The post In a world full of multi-purpose wearables, can one-trick-ponies like Fitbit survive? appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/258aqSn

Sensoria’s socks, walking app track activity of those with limited mobility

Meet Sensoria, the company that’s helping those with limited mobility track their daily activity by way of their smart socks and a new walking app in a bid to aid in the process of recovery or improvement.

The post Sensoria’s socks, walking app track activity of those with limited mobility appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1Xvs64x

Your skull has a unique ‘fingerprint’, and SkullConduct lets you use it as a password

Researchers have developed an innovative biometric authentication technique by tapping into Google Glass features and recognizing the unique sound pattern of each person's skull.

The post Your skull has a unique ‘fingerprint’, and SkullConduct lets you use it as a password appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1sjeWvl

Sansung eyes smartwatch that projects images onto your hand

If Samsung's latest patent is anything to go by, your next smartwatch could have a built-in projector that turns your hand into a second display. No more having to control a device on a tiny display!

The post Sansung eyes smartwatch that projects images onto your hand appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1sjbyk1

Fitness bands, smartwatches pick up pace with consumers - CNET

The wearables market is maturing, says IDC, leading to a 67 percent jump in worldwide shipments last quarter.

from CNET http://ift.tt/1qogwea

Garmin’s Vivosmart HR+ amps up your workout with GPS and heart rate tracking

Garmin's new Vivosmart HR+ activity tracker is a big step above the Vivosmart HR. It includes a GPS, additional running data, and it can automatically detect your activities. It will cost you, though, coming in at $220.

The post Garmin’s Vivosmart HR+ amps up your workout with GPS and heart rate tracking appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1OwVwgF

Weekly rewind: Wearable keyboards, electric jets, Ephemeral tats, and more

In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. So much news goes on, in fact, that it's almost impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories.

The post Weekly rewind: Wearable keyboards, electric jets, Ephemeral tats, and more appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1V4xURV

Walk this way: Sneakairs are smart sneakers meant to replace your map

Low cost British airline easyJet unveiled Sneakairs, smart sneakers which relay directions to whomever is wearing them. Connected to a mobile phone via bluetooth, the Sneakairs vibrate in the shoe corresponding to the correct direction to head towards.

The post Walk this way: Sneakairs are smart sneakers meant to replace your map appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/251DA5A

Hyundai is building a real-life Iron Man suit, minus boot jets and hand repulsors - CNET

The Korean car company is creating the wearable robot primarily for factory workers, soldiers, and people with disabilities.

from CNET http://ift.tt/24XjrgW

Samsung’s new $45 Charm bracelet will soon hit store shelves outside the US

Samsung's new fitness band, the $45 Charm, will soon hit shelves in Italy, Korea, Russia, France, and other select markets in the coming weeks and months. There's no mention of U.S. availability, unfortunately.

The post Samsung’s new $45 Charm bracelet will soon hit store shelves outside the US appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1Tbibf5

Our favorite fitness trackers will help coax you off the couch

Looking for your first fitness tracker, or an upgrade to the one you're already wearing? There are plenty of the wrist-worn gadgets available, so here's our pick of the best ones available right now.

The post Our favorite fitness trackers will help coax you off the couch appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1M5QwHO

Show-stoppers: Six great gadgets we fell in love with at CES Asia 2016

With hundreds of companies exhibiting thousands of products to hundreds of thousands of attendees, there’s a lot to see at Shanghai’s CES Asia. Here's the real gems of the show -- technology we’re dying to get our hands on, or in some cases, praying it makes it into a purchasable form.

The post Show-stoppers: Six great gadgets we fell in love with at CES Asia 2016 appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1Ta952e

Windows on your watch: This developer got Windows 7 running on Android Wear

A crafty developer managed to get Microsoft's Windows 7 desktop operating system running on an Android Wear smartwatch. The result is technologically impressive, but not exactly pretty.

The post Windows on your watch: This developer got Windows 7 running on Android Wear appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1OlVNTE

This Apple patent could lead to a much smarter smart home

Apple's current smart home products are largely based on HomeKit, but if this patent is anything to go by the company is looking into ways to seriously expand what its smart home can do.

The post This Apple patent could lead to a much smarter smart home appeared first on Digital Trends.

from Digital Trends http://ift.tt/1TIhtFs

Join the WT | Picnic 2016 in a City Near You

The 3^rd annual WT | Picnic is less than a month away on JUNE 1. For those that do not know, the WT | Picnic is a worldwide event that happens once a year. We invite organizers from around the globe to host this WT | Session in their local area. Everything happens all on the same day, yet the organizer can chose the time and place.For 2016, we have a total of 10 organizers hosting the WT | Picnic in their local city.

1. San Francisco, CA, USA: This marks the grand opening of the WT office in San Francisco. We have a 2Fork providing home-made ready to eat dinner for less than $20. We will have a handful of wearable companies bring their product to demo and receive customer interviews. Stop by Pier 26 any time after 4 to check it out.
2. Munich, Germany: The home town of WT | Wearable Technologies will gather at Wayra Deutschland. There will be several speakers local to Munich that are impacting the future of the WT | Market. Bring something to share: food, drinks, products and/or ideas.
3. We have two locations in India for this year’s picnic. Chennai with Mr. Kunasekaran who organized a fantastic picnic last year at Karpagam University. This is he takes the lead form Association of Scientist, Developers and Faculties to share more R&D within local universities. Register to book your spot. The event begins at 9AM.
4. Salem is the newest location to bring adopt the WT | Picnic. Dr. Professor Andrews is the organizer. This picnic will highlight some of India’s best practices in regards to bring wearables into the global market.
5. Copenhagen, Denmark is hosted in tandem with Bits and Beers; a monthly event hosted by DELTA. Gather with other locals to hear special talks all while drinking beer.
6. Milan, Italy is also a new location to our worldwide WT | Picnic. Xmetrics and FabriQ plus more start-ups. They will host a round table discussion about what new technologies are impacting wearable devices. Topics like sensors, algorithms, and embedded hardware will spark lively imaginations.
7. Taipei, Taiwan is hosted by a long-term partner of WT, AiQ Smart Clothing. The local network is invited to their office to learn how AiQ is influencing the great market.
8. Our friends are StretchSense are cultivating the wearable companies from down under: Auckland, New Zealand.
9. Stockholm, Sweden has been a WT | Picnic original organizer. Each year Lars-Goran Frojd invites textile companies, soft sensor developers and technology manufactures to speak about the evolution of e-textiles.
10. Pam in Los Angeles, California is looking to gather toy makers, electronic engineers and wearable enthusiast to discuss how to they can work together to make some cool products.

If you are able to attend one of these worldly WT | Picnic locations on JUNE 1, sign up today. Even so, there are more than 10 cities in the world. If this event interest you and your local community, you can sign up to register for the WT | Picnic 2017.

from Wearable Technologies http://ift.tt/221yiBD