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Falyon Self Drying Jacket SDJ-01 Kickstarter
Clothing

Back To The Future Inspired Self-Drying Jacket Hits Kickstarter

December 23, 2015

Falyon Self Drying Jacket SDJ-01 Kickstarter

It seems like 2016 could be a very exciting year for Back To The Future 2 fans. Not only will we see self-lacing Nike Mags going on sale, but it appears that you will also be able to own a self-drying jacket. The SDJ-01 is the work of Falyon, a startup that has turned to Kickstarter to launch the jacket. The campaign has already surpassed its $12,000 goal, so if everything is legit, the SDJ-01 is going to become a reality. The idea is pretty simple; there are 2 “air amplifiers” that blow air into the jacket at a very high rate (similar to a hair dryer). The circulation of the air then causes the jacket to dry from the inside out. Each of the “air amplifiers” weighs about as much as an iPhone. They are powered by a small rechargeable battery that is good for 30 minutes of drying time. The forced air is vented from the jacket from 3 vents along the neckline and everything is controlled from a small power button near the front zipper. Falyon claims that it takes between 1 and 2 minutes to dry the jacket from rain or a small spill. A full on dousing in the pond in front of the town courthouse is likely to take substantially longer though. If you are looking for some utility out of the jacket, it also features internal smartphone and tablet pockets. The jacket is available in a variety of colors, including a familiar looking red/black style. The Back To The Future special edition version requires a pledge of $159 while any other color will set you back $149. Falyon expects the SDJ-01 to ship in April.

Besides being a fun thing to show off to your friends or add to your Halloween costume, we are not sure how practical the SDJ-01 is. After all, how many times have you thought, “I really need my jacket to be dry in the next 60 seconds!” But it is an intriguing concept. If everything works as promised and they continue to flesh out efficiency and miniaturization, Falyon might be best served to seek a licensing deal. Partnering with a large outdoor appear brand could make the tech more compelling to consumers. That said, we love that people are working relentlessly to bring fictional items to real life! We just hope that the SDJ-02 is also self-fitting!

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by Doug Parker
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Google Year In Search 2015 Apple Watch Consumer Technology wearables
Watches

Apple Watch One Of The Most Searched Consumer Electronic

December 17, 2015

Google Year In Search 2015 Apple Watch Consumer Technology wearables

This week Google released it’s annual “Year In Search” report. The search giant compiles categorized lists of some of the most searched terms of 2015. Once you get over the fact that Rickrolling is still one of the world’s top meme’s and that the number 2 travel question is “Where is Disneyland?”, there are some pretty interesting trends displayed in the lists. The one that particularly caught our eye was the summary of the most searched consumer electronics. Only one wearable device broke the top 10 and it was the Apple Watch (which landed in 3rd place). While there are likely better selling wearables on the market, none of them proved to be able to generate close to the amount of interest and mindshare as the Apple Watch.

While a wearable breaking onto the top 10 of the consumer electronic list is a huge deal, it is not surprising that it was an Apple device. The company has an incredible PR and press machine, generating consumer interest and press with merely supply chain rumors; in fact, 3 out of the top 5 products on the list are made by Apple. Whatever your feelings are about Apple, if you are a fan of wearable technology this is great news. What was a niche product category barely 12 months ago, is now one of the top searches in the world. If consumers are so keenly aware and curious about the Apple Watch, chances are that interest will spread to other products in the category! Hopefully this is a sign of amazing things to come for wearables in 2016.

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by Doug Parker
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Android Wear Designer Watch faces Android iOS
Fashion, Watches

9 Fashion Brands Release Android Wear Watch Faces

December 16, 2015

Android Wear Designer Watch faces Android iOS

Fresh on the heals of partnerships with iconic watch brands Fossil and TAG Heuer, Google has teamed up with 9 fashion brands to release exclusive designer watch faces. The brands range from designers such as Vivienne Tam to sportswear giant ASICS. Google’s main marketing message with Android Wear has been that the key difference between it and other smartwatches is the number of ways the device can be customized to suit one’s style, from multiple hardware designs to the software itself. These new watch faces continue to emphasize that message by allowing users to wear a professionally designed watch face that reflects each particular brand’s style. If you are of a fan of one of those fashion companies, you can now express that through the design of the watch. The new watch faces are free and available today for Android users. If you use an Android Wear wearable with your iOS device, Google has announced that the watch faces will soon appear in the Android Wear companion app. Head past the break for a full list of the partnered fashion brands and to see the various designs.  

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by Doug Parker
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Fossil Q Founder Smartwatch Available For Sale Android Wear
Watches

Fossil Q Founder Smartwatch Goes On Sale

December 8, 2015

Fossil Q Founder Smartwatch Available For Sale Android Wear

Earlier this fall Fossil announced a full line of wearables, ranging from fitness trackers to a full smartwatch. Most of the devices were available immediately but little was known about the release of the company’s marque wearable, the Fossil Q Founder. The watchmaker has just announced that the Q Founder smartwatch is available for sale starting today. Both the leather and stainless versions of the watch are available through various outlets including the company’s website and stores for $275 and $295 respectively. If you are interested it the Android Wear based smartwatch for yourself or as a gift, I wouldn’t waste too much time, a quick survey of stores seems to indicate very constrained supply of the leather version.  

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by Doug Parker
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Omate Rise smartwatch Android 5 3G indiegogo
Watches

$200 Omate Rise Smartwatch Has 3G And Runs Full Android

December 3, 2015

Omate Rise smartwatch Android 5 3G indiegogo

Smartwatches are becoming a convenient (and almost stylish) way to keep tabs on your digital life. You can easily read notifications, make a phone call, or send simple texts. But there is a subset of people who find the devices way too limited. Between the simplified operating systems and lack of cellular connectivity, these consumers would rather just take out their cell phone. If you fall into this segment of people, get your credit card ready; starting at 10am ET on December 7th, the Omate Rise will launch on Indiegogo and will be available for only 48 hours.  

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by Doug Parker
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Swatch Bellamy China US NFC mobile payment watch
Watches

Swatch Bellamy Capable Of NFC Payments Headed To US

December 2, 2015

Swatch Bellamy China US NFC mobile payment watch

Swatch had previously announced plans to release a watch with built in NFC based payment abilities. At the time though, the Swatch Bellamy was only destined for China. Thanks to a new partnership with Visa, the Swiss watchmaker revealed the new NFC capable watch would also launch in the US, Brazil, and Switzerland in early 2016. The device looks every bit like a traditional Swatch watch and is available in 4 styles. There is nothing high-tech looking about the Bellamy; the NFC chip and antenna are hidden under the watch face. The battery life is comparable to a normal Swatch since the company is using passive NFC technology. US prices still are not know, but I would expect them to be similar to the approximate $90 price tag in China.  

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by Doug Parker
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UNICEF Kid Power Wearable Fitness Tracker Star Wars
Wearable Technology

Kid Power Fitness Tracker Helps Feed Malnourished Children

December 1, 2015

UNICEF Kid Power Wearable Fitness Tracker Star Wars

UNICEF has released a kids fitness tracker that converts a child’s activity into meals for malnourished children – making those origami-esque Halloween collection boxes seem positively old school. The idea is simple but fantastic as it addresses an epidemic of poor physical health in this country and helps save the lives of starving children around the world. UNICEF’s Kid Power wearable works by encouraging your little one to earn points by completing missions and staying active. One point is equivalent to 2,400 steps which means that, based on the National Institutes Of Health’s recommended amount of activity, a kid should earn 5 points a day. Points gained through daily activity equal one Therapeutic Food packet (RUTF) for every 25 points and points gained through a mission equal one RUTF packet for every 10 points.  

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by Doug Parker
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