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Wearable Technology

HyperAdapt 1 nike self lacing tying sneaker
Shoes, Wearable Technology

Nike Announces First Mass Produced Self Lacing Sneaker

March 17, 2016

HyperAdapt 1.0 nike self lacing tying sneaker Nike+

There was a lot of excitement last October when Nike unveiled that it was actually going to release the self-tying Nike Mag from Back To The Future 2. Unfortunately the sneakers, which launch next month, will be very limited in quantity and only available via auction (which translates to prices possibly north of $10,000). That means the dream of “futuristic” self-lacing shoes is still only a dream for most of us…that is until last night when Nike announced the HyperAdapt 1.0. The HyperAdapt 1.0 will be the first mass produced self-tying sneaker. When you slide the shoe on and press your heel down, the laces engage and automatically tighten around your foot. Small buttons on the side of the shoe allow you to make micro adjustments to the tightness, either loosening or tightening the laces as needed. If your feet swell when you run, no need to stop, re-adjust, and re-tie your shoes, just tap the loosen button. Eventually Nike envisions shoes that will automatically sense when they need to adjust their fit and make the necessary tweaks. If you liked the bling from the Nike Mags, you can rest soundly because the new HyperAdapt also has LED lights. The HyperAdapt 1.0 is expected to launch in time for the holidays and we are guessing it will be on a lot of wish lists (we cannot wait to get our hands on a pair)! Pricing has not be announced, but no matter what it will cost less than a pair of Mags would set you back. When the shoes launch, they will be available exclusively through the Nike+ app. Speaking of which, the app is about to receive a shopping oriented makeover in the coming months [the Nike+ running app needs lots of updates but shopping was not one of them, just restore our map data you lost last summer and fall Nike!].  

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by Doug Parker
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Business, Editorial, Wearable Technology

Wearables Were Mostly Absent from MWC 2016, Why?

March 4, 2016

Wearables Missing MWC 2016 Why Fail category dead mobile world conference fitness trackers smartwatches

Mobile World Conference in Barcelona is typically a showplace of the newest and best cell phones that companies have to offer. At the 2015 MWC though, you could have easily have thought it was a wearables trade show. Practically every company had a fitness tracker, a smartwatch, or another form of wearable technology on display. But at MWC 2016, there were barely any wearables to be found. What happened? And is this the writing on the wall, showing consumer and company interest in wearables is just not that high?  Or are there other factors at hand?

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by Doug Parker
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EPFL stretchable elestic flexible circuit gold gallium
Manufacturing, Wearable Technology

Stretchable, Bendable Circuit Promises Improved Wearables

February 29, 2016

Stretchable Bendable Circuit Promises Wearables EPFL elastic gold gallium flexible Switzerland flexible

Researchers at Switzerland’s EPFL have discovered a way to create circuits that are both flexible and able to be stretched. Typically circuits need to be hard printed onto a ridged board. This ensures that the delicate pathways and connections required for the circuit to function don’t get damaged. While this design works perfectly for computers, TVs, phones, and toasters, it is not so great for things that need to move – such as wearables. Rigid circuits have been a fairly significant design limitation for wearable technology up until this point. If you are looking to integrate circuitry into an article of clothing, typically thin, durable wires are integrated into the garment which are connected to a plastic box containing the circuity. While designers will still have to contend with an inflexible battery, removing the constraints of the hard printed circuit board is a huge leap forward for wearable design.  

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by Doug Parker
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Lumo Run Your Own Shorts Clip
Sports, Wearable Technology

Lumo Run Now Allows You To BYOS (Bring Your Own Shorts)

February 26, 2016

Your Own Shorts Clip Lumo Run Updated Work With Any Shorts Clips On

With the days getting longer most of the US is preparing to thaw out from the winter, which means it is time to get back outside and exercise. As we look forward to hitting the pavement during non freezing temperatures, the search starts for tools to help us perform better. We love ones that not only track our running, but also help us become better runners. Things such as stride length, cadence, vertical bounce, hip rotation, and ground contact time are so important to not only be an efficient runner but also to prevent injury. Working with a running coach is a great way to address these issues but time with a coach isn’t cheap and chances are they won’t be with you when your form completely falls apart as you struggle through mile 12.  

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G 4G smartwatch at&t verizon US preorder
Watches

Samsung Launching 3G / 4G Version Of Gear S2 Classic In US

February 25, 2016

smartwatch preorder Samsung Launching 3G 4G Version Gear S2 Classic US Verizon AT&T

This week both AT&T and Verizon have begun take preorders for a 3G/4G version of the Samsung Gear S2 Classic (lacking LTE, it is compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” network). Up until now, if you wanted the Gear S2 with wireless capability the only option was the very smartwatch-looking original variant of the wearable. The Classic version, by contrast, takes its aesthetic cues from traditional wrist wear. The wireless version of the device will launch on March 11th. For the pleasure of purchasing the AT&T version, you will need to make 20 monthly payments of $17.50. This equates to $350, which is exactly the list price for the non-3G version of the smartwatch. AT&T users also be able to make use of the carrier’s NumberSync technology that allows you to receive calls to your main phone number on other devices. Unfortunately you still need a wireless plan on the watch for NumberSync to work. On the Verizon side, you can either purchase the 3G Gear S2 for $400 or sign a 2 year contract and pay $350. While the cost of the smartwatch isn’t significantly higher (if at all) than the non-3G version, the additional monthly wireless costs will add up quickly!  

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by Doug Parker
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University Rochester shape shifting polymer elastic energy self fitting clothing
Wearable Technology

New Shape Shifting Polymer Could Lead To Self Fitting Clothing

February 22, 2016

University Rochester elastic energy Shape Shifting Polymer Self Fitting Clothing

Heat causes things to expand – we have been taught that since an early age. You can see the concept in practice via the metal expansion joints on a bridge. But what if we could create a material that contracts when heated. Researchers at the University of Rochester though have developed a substance that does just that. What actually is happening is that the polymer is returning to its original shape; if you stretched and twisted it and then exposed it to heat, the material would shrink and straighten to its original form. Think of it as a rubber band that holds its shape until receiving an instruction set to release the stored elastic energy, returning the polymer to its original form. By storing its new shape as elastic energy, the material is capable of lifting 1,000 times its weight when in contracts! The process of how this is achieved is pretty clever. When shape-memory polymers are cooled or stretched, small segments of the polymer align in the same direction; these are called crystallites. These crystallites make it increasingly difficult for a material to return to its original form. Researchers found that by using molecular linkers to connect polymer strands they could inhibit (but not stop) crystallization. By heating these linkers to their melting-point, the crystallites break apart and the material returns to its original shape. The polymer can be customized to respond to different temperatures, including body heat, by adjusting the number of links and substances used. 

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by Doug Parker
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Fitbit Alta Public School New York City PSNY NYFW
Fashion, Wearable Technology

Fitbit Partnering With Public School On Line Of Accessories

February 18, 2016

Fitbit Alta Public School New York City PSNY NYFW

When Fitbit unveiled their new Alta fitness tracker a few weeks ago, it was clear that the company was beginning to take design and fashionability more seriously. Trading out the brand’s iconic rubber band featuring a barely noticeable screen, the Alta predominately features a monochrome touch screen which connects at either end to interchangeable bands. Even though the wearable ships with a rubber wrist band, you can purchase leather or metal bands. At NYFW, buzz worthy NYC fashion brand Public School New York included several “designed for the runway” Fitbit accessories among the looks walking the runway. All of the accessories were created by the designers specifically for the Alta. The idea was to show that tech doesn’t have to be this odd thing which is tacked on top of your outfit; wearables can be integrated into a seamless look for any occasion. Don’t camp out on the Fitbit or PSNY websites though waiting for these accessories to go on sale. Fitbit has stated that they were created specifically for NYFW to provide a feel of what the final products would be like when released later this year.  

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by Doug Parker
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