Wednesday, 7 May 2014

Patent Shows Microsoft Has Been Planning a Smartwatch for 2 Years

Apart from a few words at its latest developer conference, Microsoft has been more or less silent on wearables so far, probably dreading comparisons to its failed Spot platform. But a patent suggests its wearable tech might be a larger part of its strategy moving forward.

The patent, which Microsoft filed in 2012 but was granted this week, is clearly for a kind of smartwatch. The accompanying diagrams and description reveal it will be a sensor-laden device capable of measuring a "biometric parameter" (i.e., heart rate). The illustration shows the watch displaying a simple interface for a generic fitness app that measures distance traveled.

As shown, the band is separate from the "computing device," which can be easily removed, similar in concept to the Sony Core life-logging gadget from CES, which was essentially a small sensor device that could be part of a wristband, brooch or something else.

However, Sony's device was more of a tracker, whereas Microsoft's is clearly more interactive, equipped with a "touch display" and communications interface (presumably to connect with a smartphone) to transfer the data it logs.


Microsoft plans to charge the device via a dock, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Gear. The illustrations show the display rotating 90 degrees while in the dock, which also functions as a stand.

Even though it hasn't said much about wearables themselves, Microsoft recently launched an initiative called Windows on Devices, which adapts the company's software for the "Internet of Things" — getting products that normally don't run Windows (or any OS) to run Windows. The first software development kit (SDK) is due this spring.


It's definitely possible Microsoft is planning its own hardware offering to kick-start the platform, similar to what the company attempted with the Surface and Windows 8. There's no telling when a Microsoft smartwatch might debut, but given that an upcoming event will be focused on the Surface Mini, it would probably be fall at the earliest.



IMAGE: USPTO

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Monday, 5 May 2014

Qualcomm's Toq Smartwatch Lets You Text Without Typing




Qualcomm's Toq smartwatch got the Dick Tracy treatment on Monday with a new feature dubbed "Toq Talk."

Powered by Nuance's voice-to-text technology, Toq Talk lets owners create and respond to text messages using their voices.

Nuance is one of the industry leaders in in speech recognition and natural language processing. It powers Siri on iOS and is embedded in many other systems spanning various industries. Nuance also powers the voice-input on the original Galaxy Gear smartwatch.

For now, the feature is restricted to the text messaging app. You're also limited to nine seconds of speech input — but that should be enough to compose a quick message or send a quick reply.

It's important to remember, however, that Qualcomm isn't selling the Toq through traditional consumer channels. It's designed more as a reference point so other manufacturers can see what's possible in the wearable space, rather than a fully-realized product.

It's not hard to imagine that this sort of technology — especially aligned with some of the cloud-based systems Nuance is investing in — powering a wide array of voice-controlled interfaces for the wearable market.

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Friday, 2 May 2014

LeapBand Is the First Activity Tracker for Kids


Kids love to get their hands on the tech their parents have — tablets, smartphones, cameras, cars — so it's only natural they'd want what every adult seems to be tinkering with these days: fitness trackers. And with the wearables market heating up, it makes sense that the toy industry is ready to ride the wristband wave too.

The LeapBand (manufactured by toy company LeapFrog) is a watered down version of what you might see in an adult fitness tracker — the Fitbit, Jawbone and Nike+ Fuelband (RIP) devices of the world. It monitors and rewards kids for the activities they do and has a Tamagotchi-like virtual pet baked in. The more a child moves, the more points they earn to unlock new games or win treats for their on-screen cat, dog, dragon, penguin, panda or unicorn.

The LeapBand ($39), which hits stores in August, is specifically designed for kids ages 4 to 7. It comes with a built-in accelerometer, a rechargeable battery and a high-resolution (128 x 128) screen, with backlighting. It will be available in three flavors (pink, blue and green) and is made of plastic.

LeapFrog is best known for its tablets for children (the LeapPad line), so it's fitting that it's among the first toy companies to enter the wearables space. Earlier this year, VTech announced the world's first smartwatch for kids, the KidiZoom Smart Watch. Although it doesn't connect to the Internet like its adult-counterpart smartwatches (so it's not technically a "smartwatch"), the 1.4-inch touchscreen device allows young users to snap photos, take video and play games directly through the watch. The device will hit the market this fall.

The growth of toys like this comes at a time when wearables as a tech category is still in its infancy, but it's believed that the rumored Apple iWatch will launch wearables into the mainstream.

The iWatch is projected to have a huge fitness component; not only will it have a heart-rate monitor and other ways to track your body in real time, it will likely come with Nike's Fuelband software built into the device

IMAGE: LEAPFROG

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Tuesday, 22 April 2014

LG G Watch Will Be Water and Dust Resistant


LG has launched a microsite for its upcoming Android Wear-based smartwatch, the LG G Watch, showing off some of the device's main features.

The smartwatch, which was announced during Google's unveiling of Android Wear, will be water and dust resistant.

It will come in two colors — Stealth Black and Champagne Gold — and it will have a screen that's "always on," though LG doesn't go into details about what that means.

LG also points out that you can start voice commands by uttering "OK Google" to the device, which is expected since it's one of the standard features of Android Wear.

The pricing or the exact release date for the LG G Watch haven't been revealed. LG previously said the device would become available in the second quarter of 2014.

Image: LG

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Thursday, 17 April 2014

Report: iWatch to Get LG-Made Flexible Display


The much-anticipated Apple iWatch may come with a flexible display manufactured by LG, a new report suggests.

According to Korean website Naver (and a translation via G for Games, LG will be the exclusive supplier for the iWatch's flexible display. This coincides with other reports that surfaced in January, indicating LG would be a major player in developing displays for the connected smartwatch.

Also in line with rumors, the sources said the iWatch will come in two sizes: 1.3 inches and 1.5 inches. We could also see the smartwatch debut with various material options, which could put some models into the thousands of dollars bracket.

LG is a longtime Apple supplier and provides many of the displays for the Cupertino giant's iPad tablets, iMac and Thunderbolt displays.

Although the launch date is still in question, September is still the month that's being tossed around.

The report also said Apple aims to sell about 9 million iWatch devices by the end of the year.

Image:  TODD HAMILTON

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Sunday, 6 April 2014

Will.I.Am Reveals Newest Project: A Smartwatch



During a recent appearance on UK talk show Alan Carr: Chatty Man, musician Will.i.am revealed his latest project to a surprised studio audience: a smartwatch.

At least, based on the brief on-camera demonstration, that's what the sleek, black device appears to be.

Revealing the device in a decidedly understated fashion while being interviewed by host Carr, Will.i.am said, "I don't carry my phone anymore; I just use this, [this] is my phone." He then began tapping the device's touchscreen to trigger the number key tones.

"There's a lot of smartwatches that need phones [to operate]. Mine doesn't need a phone; this is the phone," he added.

Will.i.am then tapped the phone a bit more, and the device began playing one of his songs.

Based on the limited visual demonstration, the device's swiping dynamic is reminiscent of the interface interactions used on the recently unveiled Android Wear, Google's operating system for wearables. However, Will.i.am did not reveal any of the device's specs.

And lest anyone think the smartwatch reveal is merely a belated April Fools' prank, the musician, widely known as a tech enthusiast, later confirmed on Twitter that he is planning a formal launch for the device soon.


Based on his tweets, the launch date for the as-yet-unnamed device is July.


"I started the company myself; I funded it, used my own money to develop it," Will.i.am said. "It's a phone; it has all my music in it."

Will.i.am also claimed the device can connect to Bluetooth headphones, and has Twitter, Instagram and Facebook functionality.

VIDEO: YOUTUBE, ALAN CARR CHATTY MAN

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Sunday, 23 March 2014

Google to Offer Ray-Ban and Oakley Versions of Glass


After months of speculation about which company Google might tap to produce more fashionable versions of Glass, the tech giant finally announced a partnership with Luxottica on Monday.

As the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley, Luxottica will work with Google to introduce Glass devices that incorporate the styles of the two well-known eyewear brands.

Pairing Ray-Ban, an American classic, with Glass could help the device attract less tech-oriented consumers in the U.S. market. For their part, tech enthusiasts will likely be excited by potential Glass devices from Oakley, a brand known for its futuristic designs.

"We have come to a point where we now have both a technology push and a consumer pull for wearable-technology products and applications," Andrea Guerra, CEO of Luxottica Group, said in a statement. "We believe it is high time to combine the unique expertise, deep knowledge and quality of our Group with the cutting-edge technology expertise of Google and give birth to a new generation of revolutionary devices."

In January, Google announced a prescription-lens version of the device, dashing earlier rumors that the company would team up with Warby Parker to offer fashionable frames.

Earlier this month, a report said Google had plans to open Glass retail stores. However, a statement on the official Glass blog suggests Google may rely on Luxottica for its mainstream retail debut. It said, "Luxottica’s retail and wholesale distribution channels will serve us well when we make Glass available to more people down the road."

Despite these developments, however, Glass still has its share of skeptics. The skepticism is driven, in part, by Glass' high price ($1,500), negative media reports and perhaps most of all, the fact that it's been nearly two years since the company's high-profile unveiling of the project, but there still is no update on when Glass will be offered to mainstream consumers.

The Luxottica partnership is a signal to users that Google is indeed serious about getting Glass into the hands of the masses.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with them as we look to push Glass and the broader industry forward into the emerging smart eyewear market," Astro Teller, Google vice-president and head of Google X, said in a statement.

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Saturday, 22 March 2014

Samsung Names Its Price for Gear Fit, Gear 2 Smartwatch


For those awaiting more details about Samsung's new Gear 2 smartwatch and Gear Fit wristband tracker, the company announced pricing and availability on Thursday.

According to Sammobile.com, which reported Samsung's official pricing for Taiwan, the Gear 2 will cost $299 in the U.S., while the Gear Fit will go for $199.

Samsung later told that the Gear 2 Neo, which is similar to the Gear 2 smartwatch but has a plastic exterior and comes without a camera, will also cost $199.

The devices will go on sale in April, but the pre-sale starts on Friday via BestBuy.com.

Last month, Samsung introduced the Gear 2 as its second-generation smartwatch, touting a heart-rate sensor, music player and infrared emitter that could be used to control a TV. It's also powered by Tizen; the previous Galaxy Gear smartwatch ran on Android.

Meanwhile, the Gear Fit comes with a curved Super AMOLED touchscreen with a built-in heart rate monitor. The waterproof fitness tracker comes with an adjustable band and connects via Bluetooth, so you can get notifications directly to the device from your smartphone. Like the Gear 2 Neo, it doesn't feature with a camera.

IMAGE: MANU FERNANDEZ/ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Wednesday, 19 March 2014

The First Android Wear Devices Are the Moto 360 and LG G Watch


Earlier this afternoon, Google officially unveiled Android Wear, its new platform for wearables. Now both Motorola and LG have announced Android Wear smartwatches.

Motorola, Google's former-subsidiary apparently has big plans for Android Wear. It's calling its watch the Moto 360. The device is notable because it has a round face — something we haven't seen before in a smartwatch.

Like the Moto X, the Moto 360 is also designed to take advantage of gestures. Twisting a wrist will show an alert or your next meeting. On its blog, Motorola is hyping what it calls "premium materials" and says the Moto 360 will be available in a variety of styles.



LG is calling its device the LG G Watch and the company says it will be compatible with a variety of Android smartphones. LG says it expects to release the G Watch in the second quarter of 2014 — so we should see it in just a few months.

The company released a mockup image, which looks similar to some other smartwatches we've seen — including Sony's Android-powered SmartWatch 2.

LG says it will release more details on the LG G Watch in the coming months.




The Moto 360 will be available in Summer 2014, first in the United States and then in the rest of the world.

Image: Motorola, LG

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Tuesday, 4 March 2014

This Bluetooth Ring Is Like a Magic Wand on Your Finger



We've seen interactive rings that receive alerts from your smartphone and even rings that will give you the current time in a unique way, but a new ring leapfrogs the rest by acting as a full-on control mechanism.

On its exterior, Logbar's Ring device looks like nothing more than a silver ring, but packed inside the device are electronics that allow it to recognize your finger gestures and control any number of devices.

Logbar CEO Takuro Yoshida gave a detailed demonstration of the silver interactive device last year in San Francisco, and now Ring is available for purchase through a Kickstarter campaign.

By recognizing finger gestures, Ring allows the wearer to write text messages by simply drawing in the air. The same dynamic allows the wearer to access apps by drawing designated shapes in the air. For example, drawing a music note could access your music player, while drawing an envelope shape would allow you to access your email.

More advanced functions depicted in the company's Kickstarter video (see above) include using the Bluetooth device for mobile payments via GPS or iBeacon, and as a controller for televisions and lights in smart homes. The company also says that it has tested Ring with devices spanning a wide spectrum of currently available, bleeding-edge hardware, including the Pebble watch, quadcopter drones and even Google Glass.

Ring's associated app also allows you to program original shape gesture commands. This option could be particularly useful for disabled or visually impaired users with somewhat unconventional finger gesture patterns.

To activate the device, you simply press the side button on the Ring, and to receive alerts you can either receive a vibration or view the discreet little LED pinpoints near the button port. According to the device's developers, Ring can perform up to 1,000 gestures before its battery needs to be recharged.

The only obvious shortcoming of the device at this point is that fact that it's not waterproof. That could turn into a problem for those attempting to use Ring in mobile environments during bad weather, or even inside the home, say, if you forget you have Ring on when you go to wash your hands.

Also, Ring's rechargeable battery is not replaceable. Once it stops charging, the fun is over, and you'll have to pony up for a brand new Ring. That might not be as bad as it sounds. The cheapest early bird version of the device sold for $145, and during Yoshida's presentation last year he mentioned hopes of getting the device down to the $100 range.

At launch, the Ring app will only be available for iOS and Android devices, but the company has plans to release a Windows Phone version.

The device blew past its original Kickstarter goal of $250,000 in just its first five days of availability and, as of this writing, Ring had reached about $400,000 in funding, with nearly a full month left for new signups.

Image: LOGBAR

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Sunday, 2 February 2014

Wearable Transmitter Turns Your Palm Into a Touch Interface


The world could be at your fingertips, thanks to a new wearable, gesture-based gadget.

Fin enables users to control up to three devices such as smartphones, car radios and smart TVs using only swipes and taps. The ring-shaped technology is worn on the thumb, and communicates with different devices using Bluetooth.

Fin has five pre-programmed gestures; in its final iteration, users will be able to create custom ones on an app that will come with the device.


"People in today's world are becoming more busy, but still they are wasting a lot of time interacting with their smart devices, " Rohildev Nattukallingal, founder of RHL Vision Technologies, the startup behind Fin. "Fin removes this interaction gap by allowing users to quickly interact with those devices."

The portable gadget can control the volume on a television, and even lets users text or dial a number without touching their phone. Fin's creators say they hope this natural interaction can help people who are visually impaired.

Fin can last for up to a month on one charge if it's in power-saving mode, and is only used for eight hours a day, according to Nattukallingal. Fin will retail for $120, and is expected to be released in September 2014. Its creators also plan to release a software development kit, so developers can create their own apps for Fin. The device will be sold in five different colors.

Nattukallingal and his team aim to raise $100,000 in flexible funding on crowdfunding site Indiegogo (this means they will still receive the funds even if they don't reach their goal). As of press time, the campaign has raised more than $15,000 with 21 days remaining.

IMAGE: FIN

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Saturday, 1 February 2014

Boombotix Raises $4M For Its Wearable Action Speakers And Audio Sync Software


Kickstarter funding will often lead to the more traditional kind, and in the case of Boombotix, that’s exactly what happened. The California startup raised $17,000 for its music syncing app, which allows people to synchronize playback of music across multiple devices using mobile networks, and nearly $130,000 for its Boombot Rex mobile Bluetooth action-ready portable speaker. Now, it has also raised $4 million in venture funding from Social+ Capital, Baseline, Red Hills and many others.

May of its partners in this round are strategic in nature, and Boombotix co-founder Lief Storer says they were chosen for their ability to help build the brand.

“The investors’ interest is vested in amplifying our brand through product development and strategic marketing,” he explained in an interview. “There isn’t a single expense [in terms of using these funds] that stands out, but having key human capital in place to continue building the talent in the organization will be essential to the long-term strategy.”

Boombotix isn’t saying how many speakers it managed to see since its launch back in 2010, but it has seen its sales grow by triple figures since the debut of its Kickstarter campaigns, which also led to deals secured with retailers including Amazon, T-Mobile, Microsoft and Apple.com. The selling point of the Boombot REX is that it can stand up to mud, dust and some water exposure, as well as take spills, while providing quality sound, portability and also speaker phone functions, including the ability to use Siri on the iPhone from the gadget.

Its audio sync tech was designed to be an answer to user requests to broadcast to multiple speakers at once, which isn’t supported with standard Bluetooth. It isn’t perfect, but the app gets around this by allowing multiple devices (i.e. smartphones or tablets) to sync playback of music perfectly over a mobile network, which means that each can output music to their own attached Bluetooth speaker for what is effectively multi-speaker sound. Of course, you need more than one device to make it happen, but it’s a step in the right direction.


Boombot has begun to position its speakers as a wearable play, in part to capitalize on the growing interest in that device category. It’s true that they’re small and clip-mounted, and can be easily attached to clothing, but the key to growth will be holding appeal beyond the current action sports group of core buyers. With fresh funding, perhaps that kind of expansion is exactly what’s in store.

Image: Kickstarter

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Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Google Glass Gets Prescription Frames: Everything You Need to Know


For early adopters of Google Glass, it's been a demand from the start: a version that is friendly to prescription lenses. Those people's prayers were answered early Tuesday when Google announced it would begin selling several "designer" pairs of glasses that are compatible with Glass, called the Titanium Collection.

Before yesterday, near- and farsighted Glass Explorers needed to either wear contact lenses while using Glass (as I do) or pinch the nose piece tightly so the Glass prism extends far enough away from your normal glasses. A few intrepid explorers have managed to jerry-rig the core Glass hardware onto a custom frame, but it's a risky endeavor.

Starting Tuesday, anyone with Glass can buy the new custom frames directly from Google. The company is also offering some new styles of removable twist-on shades for those that thought the original might have been a little too Terminator-esque.

Still, there's a little fine print. From insurance to benefits to design, here's what you need to know about the latest accessory for Google Glass.

Why is Google now offering prescription frames?

It was always part of the plan. Google has been rolling out Glass slowly since the first explorers got units in April 2013. Some thought Google might wait for the commercial release of Glass before offering prescription frames, but Google's Glass guides say they've been getting requests for them ever since the first units were released into the wild, and it appears the company fast-tracked their development.

When can I buy them?

If you're a Glass Explorer, you can head over to the Glass store now, pick your frame and proceed to checkout. You'll need Glass first, however, and it's not for sale to the public until later this year — and even then you might need to climb aboard a barge to get it. Google is still letting people sign up for the Explorer program, and you can do that through the site, but the device itself still costs $1,500.

How much are they?

The frames cost $225 each, plus tax. There are four to choose from: Thin, Curved, Bold and Split, and you can view them all on Google's promotional page. The Glass guides say the Thin frames are more suited for men, while women may favor the Bold or Curved look. Split frames "look good on everybody," one rep said.

Who designed them?

Google. Although there were rumors that the company was partnering with Warby Parker to make some hip frames for Glass, it decided to design them in-house. It's also offering the frames in the same colors as Glass: Charcoal (gray), Cotton (white), Shale (dark gray), Tangerine (red) and Sky (blue).

How do I get them? Do I need to send my existing Glass back?

No, hang on to your Glass — this isn't the same as the "upgrade" to the more current edition. All you need to do is order the frames through the Glass Store, and Google will ship them out to you right away. The frames come with placeholder lenses, and once you've put in your own, you can remove the Glass prism unit and battery, and attach them to the new frames.

Oh, so I need to buy lenses separately?

Yes. The idea is you buy the frames, then take them to an optician, who will craft the lenses.

How long does that take?

According to VSP, the eye-care provider Google is partnering with for its launch, the frames need to be shipped to VSP's lab in order to get the best fit, then they're shipped back. So probably a few days, at best.

Will my vision insurance cover this?

That depends on your plan. Most vision plans specify how much money you can put toward lenses and frames in a calendar year, and these would count against those quotas, if they even pay for it at all. If your provider is VSP, they'll be covered, and its network of trained providers will even reattach the Glass hardware for you.

So as long as it's VSP?

Right. If not, it's up to you to reattach the hardware yourself. It's not that hard — there's a single screw that attaches the Glass prism to the frame — so we're not talking extensive repairs.

What if I hate all the styles Google provides? Is there any way I can use my own frames with Glass?

There is, but they're all a compromise. A few explorers, such as the unlucky gentleman who was recently questioned by Homeland Security for wearing Glass in a movie theater, have modified their own prescription frames to work with Glass, but there's no set way to do it — and it usually means permanently altering your existing frames.

Some explorers simply adjust the nose piece of Glass so it rests over and above their existing frames, although that has two consequences: First, Glass juts even further out from your face, and second, you end up wearing two pairs of "glasses."

Finally, there are a few third parties who have built or have committed to building frames for Google Glass.

Can I switch to the left side?

No. Glass is currently designed to be worn on the right side, and the new frames don't change that.

And it still looks like I've got a weird plastic rod sticking out of my head?

Pretty much. Glass is still ostentatious, and the frames don't change that. They do add a new level of style and convenience, though, and Google certainly isn't done creating accessories for its head-mounted computer. Stay tuned.

Image: GOOGLE

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Monday, 27 January 2014

Report: Samsung to Launch 'Galaxy Glass' in September


Samsung might launch a competitor to Google Glass during the IFA trade show in Berlin in September this year.

The device, named Galaxy Glass, could connect to your smartphone, display call alerts and allow the user to listen to music, reports Korea Times, citing unnamed Samsung executives.

The report doesn't reveal many details about the actual hardware, but it does state that Samsung Electronics would collaborate with another Samsung subsidiary, Samsung Display, to create the Galaxy Glass.

“The new smart glass to be introduced by Samsung is a new concept of wearable device that can lead to an exciting culture of communication," the unnamed official said, according to the report. "The smart glass will present our aim to lead the new market with proven capability. Wearable devices can’t generate profits immediately. Steady releases of devices are showing our firm commitment as a leader in new markets."

Samsung unveiled a wearable device, the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, at last year's IFA, and the company patented a smartglass-type device in October 2013, giving the report some plausibility. However, September is still far off, and even if the report is accurate, it's quite possible that Samsung will change its plans before then.

Korea Times also cites an unnamed executive of a Google parts supplier in Asia, which claims Google Glass — so far available only as a limited beta product — will be commercially available to the general population in the "latter half" of this year.Samsung might launch a competitor to Google Glass during the IFA trade show in Berlin in September this year.

The device, named Galaxy Glass, could connect to your smartphone, display call alerts and allow the user to listen to music, reports Korea Times, citing unnamed Samsung executives.

The report doesn't reveal many details about the actual hardware, but it does state that Samsung Electronics would collaborate with another Samsung subsidiary, Samsung Display, to create the Galaxy Glass.

“The new smart glass to be introduced by Samsung is a new concept of wearable device that can lead to an exciting culture of communication," the unnamed official said, according to the report. "The smart glass will present our aim to lead the new market with proven capability. Wearable devices can’t generate profits immediately. Steady releases of devices are showing our firm commitment as a leader in new markets."

Samsung unveiled a wearable device, the Galaxy Gear smartwatch, at last year's IFA, and the company patented a smartglass-type device in October 2013, giving the report some plausibility. However, September is still far off, and even if the report is accurate, it's quite possible that Samsung will change its plans before then.

Korea Times also cites an unnamed executive of a Google parts supplier in Asia, which claims Google Glass — so far available only as a limited beta product — will be commercially available to the general population in the "latter half" of this year.

Image: JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES

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Monday, 20 January 2014

Climbax Smart Wristbands Assess Your Climbing Skills


As the market for wearables becomes increasingly crowded, tech for fitness junkies is going niche.

UK company Climbax has designed smart wristbands for rock climbers, a fairly small segment of the wearable-tech market. Motion sensors embedded in the bands, one for each wrist, track the climber's movements; they can distinguish between resting and climbing motions, and even detect tired, shaky muscles.

Like most fitness-oriented wearables, the wristbands function as a training aid, allowing you to monitor your performance. Information recorded by the sensors is uploaded to Climbax's website, and visualized as a timeline of your progress.

"Improvement in climbing is achieved through directed training and practice," founders Cassim Ladha, Nils Hammerla and Tom Nappey said on Climbax's Kickstarter page. "For the more advanced athlete, training regimes involve strict cycles of power, endurance and rest, all of which can be hard to keep track of."

The product is aimed at beginners and experts alike: Climbax's creators said beginners will be motivated by hard evidence of their progress, while the wristbands' analytics will provide advanced climbers with a fuller picture of their training regime.

Climbax's technology is still in the prototype stage, so its Kickstarter campaign is aiming to raise 150,000 pounds (around $246,000) to finance production of the wristbands, and to develop tracking software. A set of bands costs 120 pounds ($200).

Image: Climbax

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