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Wearable Technology

Wearable Technology

Google Announces Android Wear Platform

March 18, 2014

Motorola Moto 360 Android Wear WatchToday smart watches and wearable devices made their first mainstream step forward.  Google announced the Android Wear platform and the release of the accompanying software development kit earlier today.  Based on Android Mobile OS, the new platform is designed to make it easier and less costly for hardware developers to launch wearable technology.  The software is designed to work with Android phones and allow app developers to push content to the device. It offers features such as always active voice recognition (“OK, Google.”) and Google Now’s preemptive search.

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by Doug Parker
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Wearable Technology

WIRED Explores The Secret To Making A Wearable That People Will Actually Want

March 4, 2014

Tory Burch Fitbit

It is no secret that while the designers at Nike, Fitbit, Pebble, Samsung, and Google are able to cram an impressive amount of technology into devices that are wearable, those devices are hardly aesthetically pleasing.  Up to this point, any mass market wearable technology more complex than a digital watch has been more utilitarian than fashionable.  In a WIRED article by Liz Stinson, she explores several possible downfalls.  One issue arises from the lack of fashion conscious, ground up design.

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by Doug Parker
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Wearable Technology

Google Wants You To “Ok Glass” and Drive

February 27, 2014

perscription_glass

 

According to Reuters, Google has started lobbying in at least three states to prevent legislation banning people from using the headset while driving.  After a headline making incident in California where a woman wearing Google Glass while driving was ticketed, the legal battle over how you are allowed to use wearable tech is just beginning.  Google claims that it is too early in the experimental product’s lifecycle to introduce restrictions in use; Illinois state Senator Ira Silverstein responded that it was clear Google Glass is headed towards mass market and “Who are they fooling?”  With nationwide campaigns against distracted driving, it will be interesting to see how successful Google’s lobbying is.  There are currently eight states considering regulation of Google Glass.

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by Doug Parker
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Wearable Technology

Finnish Company Creoir Shows The Prettier Side Of Smart Watches

February 26, 2014

Creoir Ibis Smart Watch Concept

 

This week at the World Mobile Conference in Barcelona, Finnish technology design studio Creoir revealed its concept of what they believe a smart watch should look like.  A far cry from a Galaxy Gear watch, Creoir’s Ibis design more closely resembles jewelry that someone integrated technology into.  Crafted from stainless steel, Creoir’s design features a traditional watch face and a small OLED touch screen running an optimized version of Android.  Addition specs of the design include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi, an accelerometer, an e-compass, an ambient light sensor, and the ability to remotely interact with either iOS or Android mobile devices.  Since Creoir is a design firm it is unlikely that this watch will be hitting a store near you any time soon, but with a history of working with top technology companies, it is likely you might start seeing devices utilizing a similar design language.  Head below the break to see Creoir’s video of the watch in action.  

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by Doug Parker
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