Wearable Computing & Fashion News - Page 27

The latest and most important Wearable Computing & Fashion news - Page 27.

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Google Glass sales stop, as company revamps wearables offering

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 15, 2015 12:49 PM CST

Google has halted sales of its Glass wearable system, but said there is still interest in launching the smart glasses to consumers again in the future. The company has struggled to woo app developers and plans to transition a new department to take over for the Google X division that initially conducted research for Glass.

Despite halting Glass sales, Google pledged to help continue support companies and consumers using the product - including police agencies and other major testers.

The first version of Glass was released in April 2013 to a small number of testers, available through the Explorer program for $1,500. About one year later, Google released Glass to the public, but analysts said sales were small, as price, privacy concerns, and a lack of apps limited interest.

Continue reading: Google Glass sales stop, as company revamps wearables offering (full post)

Smartwatch makers should focus on better apps to drive ownership

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 13, 2015 1:00 PM CST

Fitness trackers grabbed headlines throughout 2014, but with 42 percent of owners leaving behind their wearable devices in the first six months, smartwatches have a great opportunity to pick up the slack.

"The best way to engage athletes interested in using wearable technology is to provide them with applications and devices that target their specific, and often sophisticated needs that can be measured and used to improve performance," said Matt Powell, VP of industry analysis of sports and leisure trends at The NPD Group, in a blog post. "For example, a tennis player might want to measure lateral quickness and backhand speed, while a golfer might want to measure posture, stance and hand speed."

As wearable technology continues to evolve, and more consumers become aware of features and functionality, there are unique sales opportunities available. However, it's up to OEMs and app developers to entice owners to continue using their wearable products, otherwise it could end up being a fruitless effort.

Continue reading: Smartwatch makers should focus on better apps to drive ownership (full post)

Apple Watch Edition gold 42mm 32GB with no band will cost around $2499

Anthony Garreffa | Jan 12, 2015 8:35 PM CST

In what should come as a total lack of surprise, the larger Watch from Apple will be more expensive than the smaller Watch. Apple has said that the Watch pricing will start at around $349, but what about the larger versions of its wearable? BGR is reporting that the two variants, the 38mm and 42mm, will come with differing pricing, but they are guestimating the following prices:

I think we will see a small change between the prices and sizes too, but that gold edition is hitting scary territory. 99% of consumers will not spend that much money, but for those who are sitting in the 1% category, $2499 isn't too much to dump down on the first-generation Watch from Apple, right?

Continue reading: Apple Watch Edition gold 42mm 32GB with no band will cost around $2499 (full post)

NPD: Smartwatches attracting different customers than fitness wearable

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 8, 2015 2:41 AM CST

The wearables market is growing, and has consumer attention as witnessed during CES 2015, but age, income and gender demographics are quite different between smartwatch and fitness tracker owners. Trying to create appealing products and price points requires insight into who is purchasing these devices - and how to cater to their specific needs - but that can be a daunting task for manufacturers.

Thirty-six percent of fitness tracker consumers in the United States are 35 to 54 years old, 41 percent make an average income of more than $100,000, and 54 percent were women. The NPD Group report also found that one in 10 US adults own some form of a fitness tracker.

Meanwhile, 69 percent of smartwatch owners are 18 to 34 years old, 71 percent are male, and 48 percent have an income below $45,000.

Continue reading: NPD: Smartwatches attracting different customers than fitness wearable (full post)

Intel and Oakley team up for next-generation smart wearables

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 7, 2015 5:34 PM CST

CES 2015 - Intel is pushing further into the wearables market after announcing a strategic partnership with eyewear maker Oakley. Intel will provide hardware and Oakley is going to roll out luxury and sports eyewear products mixed with smart technology - a great test platform for Intel's Curie ship.

"The product has to be authentic for us to be credible," said Colin Baden, CEO of Oakley, during a session at the Oakley booth. "If we are going to produce something that has this augmented experience, we can't have the front row laughing at us. We have to have the respect of the people who have represented us for the last 40 years, and if we fail at that, then we are making something that is novelty. And we are not about novelties. We are about real science and real technology."

CES 2015 has seen a large number of wearable-related news, as companies produce cheaper, functional smart devices.

Continue reading: Intel and Oakley team up for next-generation smart wearables (full post)

Introducing the Hexoskin Junior, first biometric shirt for kids, teens

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 7, 2015 1:44 AM CST

Biometric smart clothing company Hexoskin has announced the Hexoskin Junior, the world's first biometric shirt for kids and teenagers.

The shirt makes it possible to track the following: heart rate, step count, sleep duration, calories burned, heart rate recovery, heart rate variability, breathing rate, breathing volume, activity level, acceleration, cadence, and more.

The custom biometric shirt can measure 42,000 data points per minute, with data sent via Bluetooth in real-time, designed to help coaches and athletes better understand their performance. Manufactured to be extremely lightweight, warm, and comfortable, it can measure biometrics during physical activity and sleep - with the Bluetooth device connected to fabric sensors inside of a built-in pocket.

Continue reading: Introducing the Hexoskin Junior, first biometric shirt for kids, teens (full post)

Intel throws weight behind wearbles, unveils button-sized Curie module

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 6, 2015 11:00 PM CST

CES 2015 - Intel has publicly unveiled its Curie module, a button-sized hardware product that utilizes Quark SE to help power wearable products. It is so small that it can actually be used in a coat button, as demonstrated during the keynote.

The Quark SE system-on-chip (SOC) module uses a low-power, 32-bit microcontroller with 384 kb of flash, Bluetooth Low Energy support, and an accelerometer and gyroscope combination sensor. The chip will publicly launch during Q3 or Q4 this year, with partners including Fossil Group, MICA and Opening Ceremony, SMS Audio, and Basis Peak.

"The rise of new personal computing experiences, intelligent and connected devices, and the wearable revolution are redefining the relationship between consumers and technology," said Brian Krzanich, Intel CEO. "Our goal with Intel technology is to help solve real problems and enable experiences that are truly desired by people and businesses."

Continue reading: Intel throws weight behind wearbles, unveils button-sized Curie module (full post)

GUESS Watches debuts its Connect smartwatch wearable at CES

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 6, 2015 3:54 PM CST

CES 2015 - GUESS Watches announced the launch of the GUESS Connect, a smartwatch that supports hands-free and eyes-free notifications directly from a mobile device to the device.

Based on Martian technology, the smartwatch has a microphone and audio speaker, and supports a voice command app so wearers can issue voice commands, talk, listen, and respond to text messages from the watch. Google Android and Apple iOS mobile users will be able to modify which alerts are sent to the smartwatch, with vibration patterns alerting them to received messages, emails, text messages, and other data.

"The GUESS Connect Smartwatch, powered by Martian, represents one of the first true marriages of a fashion watch powerhouse and a wireless technology innovator," said Cindy Livingston, president and CEO of Sequel/GUESS Watches, in a press statement. "We are thrilled to move in this direction with a proven technology innovator to create smart, GUESS designs."

Continue reading: GUESS Watches debuts its Connect smartwatch wearable at CES (full post)

Garmin introduces vivofit 2 activity tracker wearable

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 6, 2015 2:50 AM CST

CES 2015 - GPS product company Gartner has unveiled the vivofit 2 activity tracker, a smart device that has one year of battery life and can be worn 24/7. The wearable also includes interchangeable stylish bands that gives owners extra fashion flexibility.

The device tracks progress all day and includes audible alerts that remind users when they need to get up and moving.

The Garmin vivofit 2 has a $129.99 MSRP and $169.99 with a heart hate monitor strap.

Continue reading: Garmin introduces vivofit 2 activity tracker wearable (full post)

Trackimo personal-tracking platform launches in North America

Michael Hatamoto | Jan 5, 2015 5:57 PM CST

CES 2015 - Tracking device company Trackimo officially launched in North America during the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), with the company promoting its small, affordable and feature-rich tracking devices in Las Vegas.

The company is showing off the Trackimo Universal, a compact, lightweight device that measures just 45mm x 18mm x 40mm. The device can be quickly attached to backpacks, bikes, luggage, and similar products - and can be hardwired directly into a vehicle.

"We're very excited to be part of the Trackimo Worldwide team and to be launching Trackimo into the North American market," said Jim Prandine, VP of sales of Trackimo North America. "Trackimo Universal covers dozens of applications in various channels, and our new upcoming products will broaden consumer demand even further."

Continue reading: Trackimo personal-tracking platform launches in North America (full post)