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Wearable Technology

Ion Belt Kickstarter Scrub Daddy Shark Tank
Wearable Technology

Ion Belt Promises To Discreetly Keep Your Phone Charged

November 30, 2015

Ion Belt Kickstarter Scrub Daddy Shark Tank

The inventor of the widely successful Scrub Daddy (from Shark Tank) is at it again. This time Scrub Daddy’s Aaron Krause has partnered with Piers Ridyard (of Nifty) to solve the nagging issue of portable devices running out of power. Together the two men have formed a new company, Ion Tech Wear, to bring to market a leather belt with an integrated battery. The Ion Belt promises to discreetly provide 3,000mAh of power via a hidden 2.1A, fast charging USB port. The belt, which is only available in black, is flexible and features slim battery packs dispersed along its length. On one end, the front buckle houses an integrated USB pin for recharging the belt. On the other end, the tail of the belt hides a slim USB port to plug in a device’s charging cable. Since it is USB based, the Ion Belt doesn’t care what you are charging; it can top off your phone, tablet, camera, or even a GoPro. Just behind the front belt loop is a (rather unsightly) power button and a set of battery indicator lights. These are the only visually techie aspects of the belt and, unfortunately, they stick out like a sore thumb. The Ion Belt is currently on Kickstarter for $89 with an expected June 2016 launch.

Interestingly, this is not Ridyard’s first attempt at a belt with an integrated battery. Last year he released the XOO Belt through a partnership with British designer Casely-Hayford. The belt was sold via Indiegogo and featured a fully flexible 2,100mAh integrated battery that ran the length of the belt. Instead of a traditional buckle design to hold the belt in place, the XOO Belt used a ratchet based system with an oversized front buckle housing all of the electronics. In all honestly, we are not sure what the motivation is for Ridyard to tackle this problem again, besides achieving a product more similar in design language to a traditional belt. The original design looks perfectly decent to us, and in some ways might be superior to the new Ion Belt. That said, it doesn’t seem to be for sale any longer – and that alone might be the motivation behind the new Ion Belt. So, if you are thinking that your belt just isn’t doing enough for you, you once again have a change to fix that thanks to the Ion Belt.

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by Doug Parker
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Misfit Flash BaubleBar Target Helena Necklace Bracelet
Wearable Technology

The Misfit Flash Gets Bedazzled By BaubleBar For The Holidays

November 25, 2015

The Misfit Flash Gets Bedazzled By BaubleBar For The Holidays Target Helena Necklace Bracelet

Misfit’s tiny, plastic Flash fitness tracker became a very compelling option this year thanks to a price drop and the ability to control connected devices. The only problem…no style. The Flash is really plain, lacking the elegance and polish of its more expensive sibling, the Misfit Shine (not to mention the Swarovski Shine). Headed into the holidays, Misfit has decided to give its budget friendly activity tracker a budget friendly makeover. Through a partnership with BaubleBar (a large retailer of costume fashion jewelry), Misfit is releasing the Helena Necklace and Bracelet. Both the necklace and bracelet feature an identical gold / diamond-ish locket to hold the Flash. While the locket isn’t understated, it isn’t bad looking (in the photos at least); it has a vintage / antique store vibe. Depending on whether you choose the necklace or bracelet, it comes with a 32 inch or 6 inch chain accordingly. The Helena Necklace and Bracelet will go on sale November 29th, exclusively at Target for $70. Oh, did we mention that price also includes the Misfit Flash tracker (in hot pink, of course) and a plastic, waterproof wristband and clip?! Not bad.

Target seems to be the go-to source for bedazzled fitness trackers. Our guess would be that it has something to do with a relatively high female customer base. Besides being the exclusive retailer of the BaubleBar version of the Misfit Flash, they also have exclusive rights to the jewelry-like metal versions of the VivoFit. While the execution isn’t always great, I think dressing up these devices makes them seem softer, less techie, and like they fit better into one’s life. We just wish they would take the approach of Bellabeat’s Leaf and design a device from the ground up for a non-tech-oriented audience.

 

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by Doug Parker
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Pebble Time Steel Round iOS Text Reply
Watches

iOS Pebble Users Can Now Send Text Replies

November 24, 2015

Pebble Time Steel Round iOS Text Reply

Up until now, if you were an iPhone user and wanted a wearable device that allowed you to respond to text messages, your only choice was the Apple Watch. Unlike Android, Apple keeps a large number of its API’s private, including the ones that enable interaction with the Messages app. These restrictions are done for security reasons, but it results in Apple devices and software achieving a level of integration that is not possible via 3rd party hardware and apps.

Pebble, though, has been hard at work figuring out a way around these limitations. Beginning with a beta feature in Pebble Time OS 3.7 catchily named iOS Text Reply, iOS users on AT&T can send pre-set text responses directly from their Pebble smartwatch. It might seem odd that AT&T mobile service is required for a software feature, but Pebble is achieving the SMS work-around by sending the messages directly through the carrier. This unfortunately means the solution is less than perfect; any messages you send will not show in your Messages app and texts will be sent as SMS messages that count against your monthly limit. Also worth noting, AT&T requires you to have a post-paid account to activate this feature and it is only available on Pebble Time, Time Steel, and Time Round devices.

It is really fantastic that a company has finally engineered a way around Apple’s messaging limitations, but the solution is so un-Apple-like I will be curious to see if many people use it. The way the work-around is implemented, Pebble has an incredibly complicated road ahead of them, needing to work with every possible carrier and adjust the software to the carriers’ protocols. Things are also messy from the user perspective, your half of the conversation does not show up in the Messages app – you have no record of what you communicated. Honestly though, kudos to Pebble for what they have achieved! But the real solution is for Apple to become more lenient with some of their private API’s. While allowing any developer access to Messages in a horrible idea (think of all of the spam Candy Crush could text your friends), select and vetted developers should have access. But ultimately, perhaps this all circles back to Apple not wanting other devices to be able to squarely compete with their own wearable.

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by Doug Parker
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LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition 2 LTE Android Wear
Watches

LG Pulls LTE Equipped Watch Urbane 2 From Retail

November 20, 2015

LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition 2 LTE Android Wear

With Android Wear just being updated to support smartwatches with integrated LTE and allow for the carriers’ new number sharing ability, it seemed that everything was primed and set for the launch of the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. In fact, AT&T began selling the wearable last Friday and Verizon was planning to launch sales today. Well that was the plan at least; LG has pulled the device from all retail stores and has instructed AT&T to offer purchasers a full refund. It is not clear what the issue is, but it must be serious to prompt such a large reshuffle at launch. All LG is disclosing is that there is “a hardware issue which affects the day-to-day functionality of the device.”

There is no word on when the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition might return to the market and it is entirely possible that LG might scrap the watch all together. This is a big blow to customers looking for a smartwatch that sheds the usually-required Bluetooth connection. Not only is the LG smartwatch the first Android Wear device with a built in cellular connection, there are no rumors of any manufacturer releasing a similar Android based wearable. From a quality standpoint, it is surprising that such a serious issue was found so late. Surely the device had been strenuously tested to identify any problems before LG began shipping tens of thousands of units to stores. If it is truly a “day-to-day” issue, how could it not have been caught? Certainly makes us think that LG hastily rushed the Watch Urbane 2 out the door just to make it to market for the holidays.

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by Doug Parker
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Sony FES Watch retail
Watches

Sony Planning To Bring FES E-Paper Watch To Retail

November 19, 2015

Sony FES Watch retail

Almost exactly a year ago we took a look at a Japanese crowdfunding campaign for a watch whose both face and straps were constructed of e-paper screens. Using these screens, the appearance of the FES Watch could be customized with the press of a button. The fundraising effort was incredibly successful, exceeding expectations, but then things took a surprising twist. The unknown company behind the FES Watch was actually Sony. The electronics giant made the shocking announcement, explaining that it was using crowdfunding to judge interest in projects that might otherwise not of brought to market without the ‘Sony’ name influencing opinions.

Sony has just announced that the FES watch will now be available to purchase at select retailers in Japan, including the Omotesando MoMA Design Store (Nov 21st) and the Shinjuku Isetan department store (Dec 1st). It is interesting that the e-ink watch is being sold at the MoMA store; it is the only non-US location of the museum’s store and, while no announcements have been made, might suggest a future US launch.

The FES Watch will sell for approximately $240, compared to $170 during its crowdsourcing. It has 24 different designs that can be chosen at a moment’s notice by simply pressing a button on the side. Thanks to its e-ink screen and absence of any ‘connected’ technology, the watch features 2 year battery life and uses a standard button battery. It is waterproof and only weighs 43 grams. Head past the break for an amazing video showing how its screen technology can be cut into pieces and still function!  

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by Doug Parker
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Google Glass Project Aura Screenless Sports
Eyewear

The Next Version Of Google Glass Might Be Screenless

November 19, 2015

Google Glass Project Aura Screenless Sports

Earlier this year, Google Glass was pulled from the market so that Google could have a chance to reimagine the device. We knew Tony Fadell, who was placed in charge of the project (now called Project Aura), would likely make some big changes but we did not expect this. According to a rumor from The Information, at least one version of the next Google Glass will not have a screen; instead, the wearable will rely completely on audio. Sounds a lot like headphones to us, but we are sure that (hopefully) Google has more up its sleeves. The screen less Google Glass is rumored to be 1 of 3 new models, each of which will target a unique audience – sports, enterprise, and an unknown third category (we would assume ‘general purpose’). Lacking a screen, the rumored device seems perfect for sports. The other two models are expected to have a screen. But with a 2016 launch date, I would take any of these rumors with a large heap of salt; even if the rumors are accurate, the plans for Google Glass could change significantly and models dropped.

Between Nest and his work on Apple’s iPod, Tony Fadell has a solid track record. After designing two iconic, industry changing products, it is easy to understand why Google appointed him in change of Project Aura. Google Glass was in desperate need of a new approach and a rethinking; the original was way too cold and techie looking. Removing the screen from Glass is certainly reimagining the product and it makes us very curious about what the team is working on!

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by Doug Parker
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Android Wear 1.4
Watches

Android Wear Update Adds Even More Wrist Gestures

November 18, 2015

Android Wear 1.4

While the Apple Watch was busy getting all of the press this year, Google has been doing a fantastic job constitantly pushing out amazing Android Wear updates. The platform has gained interactive watch faces, the ability to function only with a WiFi connection, always-on apps, emoji, a new interface, and hands-free wrist gestures. Google is releasing one last major update before the end of the year. The update occurs through the Android Wear companion app, pushing it to version 1.4. With the new update, Google has added few more wrist wagging gestures. Android Wear’s hands-free gestures have always been a favorite of ours; although occasionally finicky, sometimes you need to interact with your watch when your hands are full. The gestures introduced earlier this year allow you to do things such as dismiss and scroll through notification cards simply by flicking your wrist. With the new update, you can now do things such as wiggle your wrist to return to your smartwatch’s watch face and push your arm downward to interact with a notification card.

The new Android Wear update also prepares the platform for some of the new devices launching in the coming weeks. Version 1.4 of the app supports the built-in speakers included in the Huawei Watch and the LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition. More importantly, it also provides the necessary support for a new breed of Android Wear smartwatches with integrated LTE cellular connectivity and phone number sharing (i.e. AT&T’s NumberSync). The update should be trickling out currently to supported devices.

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by Doug Parker
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