BUSINESSWIRE – July 22 – Linkitz has won the 2014 N100 Startup Competition, earning a prize of $100K in investment funding from Northumberland CFDC. The company makes smart and modular wearable toys that can help kids learn programming. The funding will be used to finalize, test, and market the products, which has already entered the prototyping and engineering phase.
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Atmel Licenses ARM Tech For Wearables
ZDNET – July 22 – Atmel has licensed ARM's processor and security tech for silicon designed for wearables and factory automation. The license includes ARM Cortex-A7 processor, ARM Mali-V500 video accelerator, Mali-DP500 display processor, and ARM TrustZone. The ARM Mali-V500 and Mali-DP500 processors enable full HD resolution capabilities on a single core. Atmel's SoC products will deliver UI functionality such as multi-layer composition, with a 60% reduction in system bandwidth for video playback.
Hello, Inc. Launches Kickstarter Campaign For Sense Sleep Monitor
FORBES – July 23 – Hello, Inc., founded by former Theil Fellow James Proud, is seeking funding on Kickstarter to produce the Sense sleep monitor. The system consists of a device dubbed the Sleep Pill, which clips onto a pillow, and the Sense bedside device. The pill tracks movement and sends it to the Sense, which tracks light, sound, temperature, and allergens with built-in sensors. Sense features WiFi and Bluetooth to communicate with mobile devices and the Web, generating reports and a zero to 100 sleep score.
Wearables Could Benefit From Haptic Feedback
MIT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW – July 22 – Buru-Navi and Traxion are two haptic feedback devices that could have applications in wearables. The vibrations generated by the two devices is perceived as a pushing or pulling sensation significant enough to guide a blindfolded person. Buru-Navi is the size of a wine cork and uses a 40-hertz electromagnetic actuator. Traxion uses an asymmetrically vibrating actuator. As the technology continues to advance, it could eventually be used in a smartwatch or other wearable to provide navigation guidance.
by John Pavlus
See full article at Mashable
Apple Granted Comprehensive iTime Smartwatch Patent
APPLE INSIDER – July 21 – Apple was granted a patent by the USPTO for a wrist-worn electronic device dubbed iTime in one illustration. The wearable features augmented strap capabilities, arm and wrist gesture support, and proximity sensing circuitry. The smartwatch will be able to connect to other mobile devices, computers, and even the watch's straps, which integrate sensors and other circuitry. The design is described as a convertible style smartwatch with a removable central electronic device and an advanced strap system. Straps could include accelerometers, GPS modules, wireless communication packages and haptic feedback mechanisms. Also described is personal wireless environment in which the wristwatch can connect to a cellular or Internet-connected device to share data and controls. This patent was first filed for in 2011. It may be the much anticipated iWatch, which is expected by the end of 2014 or early 2015.
Mobile Health Funding Soars In Q2 2014
EWEEK – July 21 – In Q2 2014, $1.8B in VC funding for health IT was raised in 161 deals, more than doubling the $861M raised in Q1 2014. $401M in 45 deals went to mobile health, of which $129M went to 23 app developers and $226M went to 17 wearables companies. A majority of the funding raised was by U.S. companies based out of California, New York, Massachusetts, Texas and Tennessee.
Wearables Are More Popular With Women, Analysis Reveals
SHINY SHINY TV – July 22 – Online conversation analysis conducted by Brandwatch in partnership with Brillian Noise has revealed that women are more positive about wearables than men. 8M online conversations about wearables were analyzed. 65% of the conversations were by men, but female authors were 42% more positive about their opinions of owning wearables. Conversations about wearables has increased 190% from 973K in Q1 2013 to over 2.8M in Q1 2014. ~75% of the conversations were on Twitter. In the UK, Google Glass had 2.8M+ mentions, Fitbit had ~1.49M, and Nike Fuelband had ~632K.
by Sadie Hale
See full article at Shiny Shiny TV
Imprint Energy Developing Flexible Batteries
SLASHGEAR – July 21 – Imprint Energy is a startup that is developing flexible rechargeable batteries fabricated by printing. The batteries are aimed at wearables, medical tech, and other sensors. The design is based on 3D printed zinc and polymer electrolyte for a safe and stable battery.
Xiaomi Mi Band Will Retail For $13
CNET NEWS – July 22 – The Xiaomi Mi Band fitness tracker will retail for $13. The Mi Band's battery will last 30 days. It also serves as a discrete alarm clock. The most interesting feature is its ability to unlock a user's Xiaomi smartphone without a password if the phone is held in the same hand as the band is worn. Holding the phone in the other hand will not unlock it. Global availability is still unknown.
Smart Toilet Paper Holder Alerts When Low
CNET NEWS – July 21 – The RollScout smart toilet paper holder is trying to raise $37.5K in funding on Kickstarter to enter production. The device uses an infrared emitter and sensor to detect when the roll is low, pulsing with an amber light. RollScout runs for up to a year on a single A23 battery. Backers can get one for $59.
Wearable Adds 2 Robotic Fingers
MASHABLE – July 21 – Researchers at MIT are developing a wrist-worn wearable that provides the wearer with 2 large, actuator-powered fingers on each side of the hand. A sensor-laden glove tracks finger movements to control the robotic fingers in synergy. The researchers hope their robotic augmentation device will eventually help those with limited dexterity perform everyday tasks that most of us take for granted.
FreeWavz Seeks $300K On Kickstarter For Fitness Tracking Earphones
TECH CRUNCH – July 21 – FreeWavz has launched a Kickstarter campaign with a $300K goal to develop its Bluetooth earphones which track steps, heart rate and oxygen saturation. Data is transferred to the accompanying app to provide alerts and health metrics. A second set of earphones above the earbud allow for an adjustable mix of music and surrounding sounds for safety. Kickstarter backers receive a pair for $179 or $199, with final retail price set for ~$300.
HTC Smartwatch To Launch At The End Of 2014
THE NEXT DIGIT – July 20 – HTC has confirmed that its smartwatch will hit the global market in time for Christmas. Design will be in line with the HTC One smartphone, with a focus on long battery life. The smartwatch will connect to other devices via Bluetooth.
Microsoft Patent Reveals AR Plans
UBERGIZMO – July 20 – Microsoft has filed a patent for a “wearable behavior-based vision system” which will be able to recognize objects and predict their behavior. The company has already seen some success with prediction with Cortana. Microsoft’s AR glasses let users observe real world objects, unlike Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus, which are virtual reality systems. This patent could be related to previously revealed plans for a wearable to aid the visually impaired.
Imagination PowerVR Promises Longer Battery Life
MOBILE SYRUP – July 19 – Imagination's PowerVR GX5300 is a 250 MHz OpenGL ES 2.0 GPU which is able to run Android and drives 480p and 720p resolutions. The chip measures 0.55 sq mm and features unified shaders, low-power consumption and a reduced memory footprint. The GPU is designed for OEM solutions already in use in wearables and IoT devices.
Hicon Bracelet Brings Social Media To The Wrist
DIGITAL TRENDS – July 19 – Hicon is a silicone bracelet with six interchangeable buttons which correspond to a social media account, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WhatsApp. When a smartphone alert is received, the corresponding button lights up and vibrates. The notification can be dismissed with a shake of the wrist. When the mobile app indicates that another Hicon wearer with similar interests is nearby, the bracelet lights up. Users can exchange contacts and profiles through a high-five, handshake or fist bump. Hicon's Indiegogo campaign has raised ~$2K since June 20, with mass production and shipping scheduled for October or November.
Google Will Release API For Android Wear Custom Watch Faces
MASHABLE – July 17 – Google will soon be releasing an official API for Android Wear that will allow developers to create watch face designs. The goal is to make it easy to create good-looking faces which work across multiple form facts, conserve battery, and display the card stream well. No exact release date was given, though it may coincide with the migration to Android L later this year.
New Wearables Showcased At Wearable Tech LA
CONTRA COSTA TIMES – July 17 – The Wearable Tech LA conference saw the introduction of a number of new wearables, including the ArmStar BodyGuard. The device consists of an armband and form-fitting glove which includes a computer with a touch-screen interface, an LED flashlight, a camera, a speaker, mic and a Taser. Optinvent's $950 ORA eyewear offers normal vision while also displaying a virtual image simultaneously. ORA can run applications as a stand-alone, wearable computer and can also be connected via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to any smart device. According to IDC, wearables will become a $12B industry by 2018.
by Kevin Smith
See full article at Contra Costa Times
LifeTip Monitors Heart For Arrhythmia
THE STAR – July 18 – LifeTip is a wearable tracker which monitors the heart for arrhythmia and contacts emergency medical services even when the wearer is unconscious. LifeTip is not FDA approved for use as a medical device, though competing products HealthPatch and AliveCor are. The device also measures body temperature and is a fitness and lifestyle tracker as well. It even claims to include emotion reading. LifeTip's Indiegogo campaign has a $65K goal, of which it has raised $8K. Pre-orders are $109, with shipping expected in January 2015.
FeliCa Modifying Payment System For Wearables
TECH HIVE – FeliCa Networks is modifying its contactless card technology, which is widely used in Japan for public transit and e-money payments, to work with wearables. The company is designing a low-power chip that could be integrated into wearables to enable payment by waving the device near a reader. 236M of the FeliCa chips have shipped as of December 2013, including 45M used in Android smartphones. There are plans to introduce LCD smartcards in April 2016. 230K stores accept Suica, which is a FeliCa-based smartcard, for payments.
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