ANDROID COMMUNITY - Aug 24 - LG has releaed a teaser video for their new smartwatch, though details are scarce. The device features a round design, similar to the Moto 360. It is slated to launch at IFA in September.
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Wearable Band Shipments Up 684% In 1H 2014
ANDROID HEADLINES - Aug 24 - Shipments of wearable bands, including Fitbit and Jawbone UP, have increased 684% from the first half of 2013 to the first half of 2014, according to Canalys. For basic bands, Fitbit was top in shipments, followed by Jawbone UP and Garmin's Vivofit. For smartwatches, Samsung was top in shipments, followed by Pebble Steel and Sony's Smartwatch 2. The numbers for Samsung's Gear Live and LG's G Watch with be posted in Q3.
Google Nexus 360 Concept Combines Smartphone And Smartwatch
MODERN READERS - Aug 24 - An artist concept rendering of the Google Nexus 360 depicts the possibility of a smartphone and smartwatch combined into one. The device is a 5" wearable mobile that is bendable to wrap around the wrist. The appeal of such a device is mixed due to the size.
by Ed Jones
See full article at Modern Readers
Wearables Could Use Reflected WiFi To Communicate
ENGADGET - Aug 13 - Researchers from UCLA and the Jet Propulsion Lab have spent the last 2 years developing the technology for devices to communicate with a WiFi router by reflecting the signals back to it. This enables a very low-power method for wearables and other small devices to send data. The method is called ambient backscatter, and functions by tweaking and reflecting ambient carrier waves. Data speeds are currently up to 3 Mb/s at a distance of 8 feet. Researchers believe they can increase that range to 65 feet.
Microsoft Selects 10 Home Automation Startups
E WEEK - Aug 13 - Microsoft and American Family Insurance have selected 10 home automation startups to back as part of a two-month old accelerator program. The program provides Microsoft an opportunity to get a foothold in the IoT market. The selected startups are Chai Energy, Heatwork, Neura, Novi Security, Reemo, Plum, Red Balloon Security, Scanalytics, Sentri, and Wallflowr. Home automation companies are receiving ~21% of all funding for IoT.
by Pedro Hernandez
See full article at E Week
OnBeep Announces $6.25M Series A
TECH CRUNCH – Aug 20 – Startup OnBeep has announced a $6.25M Series A found of funding. Investors include Riche Levandov of Avalon Ventures, with previous seed funding from Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress. The OnBeep wearable is designed to facilitate group communications, challenging typical Push-to-Talk tech.
Kreyos Smartwatch Deemed A Failure Despite $1.5M in Backing
ANDROID POLICE – Aug 20 – The Kreyos smartwatch completed a successful Indiegogo campaign in 2013, raising $1.5M. The company missed their promised delivery time, but is now shipping devices to backers. The delivered product has been deemed an utter failure, with multiple short-comings such as only being able to install a single app at a time, failed waterproofing, and a vibration function that activates the pedometer. The promised 7 day battery life is averaging 24 hours. Investors are very unhappy and calling for refunds.
Jawbone Shows Wearables' Big Data Potential
WEARABLE WORLD NEWS – Aug 19 – Jawbone has posted some of the data that is has amassed from its fitness tracker. Users in Melbourne, Australia get the most sleep, while Tokyo gets the least. Stockholm, Sweden residents take the most steps, while those in Sao Paulo, Brazil take the least. The potential for this data lies in how it can be used to benefit the inhabitants of these places, and others, by providing city managers important insights.
by David Nield
See full article at Wearable World News
Patents Hint At Future Google Glass Design
CNET NEWS – Aug 20 – A patent granted to Google on August 12 may give insight into future design concepts for Google Glass. It is a sleeker design with the display tech hidden inside the frames. The pictures in the patent show a set of Buddy Holly-style glasses with the projector mounted inside near the hinge on the right side.
5 Wearables Design Tips
WEARABLE WORLD NEWS – Aug 5 – With increasing competition in the wearables space, there are 5 things that designers can do to create successful products.
- Don't discard good old fashioned market research, as it provides key info from potential users.
- Design for an improving net promoter score, which is how likely someone is to recommend the product to someone else
- Aim for almost-invisible to improve the experience and lower the information noise.
- Rethink the role of content and create a glanceable UI.
- Leverage continuous and free software upgrades to guide users as the product evolves.
Myo Armband Can Operate Google Glass Hands-free
MASHABLE – Aug 19 – The Myo gesture control armband will soon be able to control Google Glass, offering an alternative to the headset's touchpad and voice controls. Thalmic Labs, creator of the Myo, is partnering with APX Labs, Augmedix, Recon Instruments, and Bridgit to develop the software to integrate the two devices.
Apple Patents Curved Touchscreen
TECHRADAR – Aug 20 – Patently Apple has uncovered a new document suggesting Apple will introduce a curved touchscreen display on the rumored iWatch. The screen would be convex and consist of multiple curved layers.
by Kevin Lee
See full article at TechRadar
Toshiba Reveals WERAM1100 Fitness Tracker
BIOGAMER GIRL – Aug 19 – Toshiba has revealed a new fitness tracker, the WERAM1100. It allows users to estimate physical activities, distance traveled, and calories burned, as well as sleep monitoring. The device automatically determines activity levels and sleep.
Major League Soccer Using Adidas Wearables
CNBC – Aug 19 – Major League Soccer teams, such as the San Jose Earthquakes, are using wearables designed by Adidas to monitor players' health and performance. The sensors are placed into pockets in the undershirts, sending real-time data to the coaching staff's iPad.
Remedy Glass App Connects Patients With Specialists
MASHABLE – Aug 19 – Remedy is a new Google Glass app that connects patients, physicians, and specialists. The company's Beam software allows experts to remotely view procedures through the eyes of the physician and assist in real time. The software is currently the only HIPAA-compliant tool for clinical collaboration on Google Glass.
Wearables Shipments To Reach 135M Units In 2018
MOBILE NEWS CWP – Aug 18 – According to CCS Insight, wearables shipments will grow more than 6X to 135M in 2018, with cumulative sales totaling 370M over the next 4 years. Wrist-worn devices will account for 87% of shipments in 2018, comprised of 68M smartwatches and 50M smart bands. Smart glasses will only account for 2% of shipments. CCS also believes that smartwatches will displace fitness bands as functionality increases and price decreases.
by Paul Withers
See full article at Mobile News CWP
Pivothead Glasses Capture Full HD Video
EE TIMES – Aug 18 – Pivothead's HD video glasses capture full HD video with an 8MP bridge-mounted camera. The glasses can pair with a smartphone or computer via Bluetooth. They are based on an Ambarella chipset with an A-11 ARM processor. Users can upload content to the connected device from up to 35 feet away, but the company is adding two-way communications in future versions for longer distances.
Pebble Hires LG Designers
SILICON VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL – Aug 18 – Pebble has hired two designed from LG to head up product and design. Itai Vonshak will run of Pebble's product and UX team and Liron Damir will be head of design. The pair worked on webOS products at LG. Pebble has raised $10M through a Kickstarter campaign and $15M from VC firm CRV.
by Cromwell Schubarth
See full article at Silicon Valley Business Journal
Nudge Is Raising $1.3M In Series A Round
TECH CRUNCH – Aug 17 – Nudge is currently raising $1.3M in Series A funding to develop its fitness wearable dashboard. The iOS and Android app collects data from Fitbit, Strava, RunKeeper, Jawbone Up, Map My Fitness, and Sleep As Android and displays it in one place. The separate scores are combined into a single score called the Nudge Factor. The company claims to have a user retention rate of 70% and active users in 120 countries worldwide.
Sony To Launch Smartwatch 3 Next Month
THE REM – Aug 16 – Sony is expected to launch its Smartwatch 3 at IFA next month. The company has decided to use its own smartwatch OS instead of Android Wear. The watch will likely be able to operate without a smartphone with a built in WiFi module. It will also feature wireless charging. One of Sony's primary markets is China, where Google services are limited. This may have been a deciding factor in not using Android Wear.
by Mark David
See full article at The Rem
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