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Wearable Technology

MC10 BioStamp My UV Patch Wearable Tattoo Healthcare LOreal EKG
Health

MC10 Readies BioStamp Vital Tracking Wearable “Tattoo”

January 22, 2016

MC10 BioStamp My UV Patch Wearable Tattoo Healthcare LOreal EKG

If you have ever spent any time in a hospital you know one of the most grating parts of the experience is constantly being connected to various machines. Not only do they limit your movement, all the cords, wires, and tubes make you feel like you aren’t yourself. Wearable “tattoos” have long been discussed as a way to lessen some of the cables while also allowing your vitals to be wirelessly transmitted to your doctors and nurses who might not be in the room. The nomenclature of “tattoo” is a bit misleading; the devices are basically a small BandAid-like sticker that is barely noticeable, like a second skin. Medical device company MC10 looks ready to launch one of the first such wearable later this year, call BioStamp.  

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by Doug Parker
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Under Armour HTC UA HealthBox Band Scale Heart Rate
Sports, Wearable Technology

Under Armour And HTC Launch Ecosystem Of Connected Devices

January 20, 2016

Under Armour HTC UA HealthBox Band Scale Heart Rate

While Under Armour has seen amazing growth in the sports apparel industry over the company’s 20 year existence, it has not found the same level of success with wearables. The company’s two previous efforts (the E39 and Armour39) amounted to nothing more than niche products. Perhaps they targeted the wrong audience, offered the wrong feature set, or were just too ugly – but Under Armour has hit the drawing board and is trying again, this time with the help of HTC. The new effort from Under Armour features a suite of connected devices designed to promote fitness, call UA HealthBox. While they each work well as individual product, Under Armour has designed them to be most beneficial as a set.

First up is an activity tracking band. Similar in looks to the Nike+ Fuelband and Garmin Vivosmart, the cleverly named UA Band tracks daily movement and sleep, has a heart rate monitor, allows you to log the type of workout you are doing, and connects to your phone for notifications and music control. The device is water proof up to 10 meters, has a touch sensitive monochrome PMOLED display, and a 5 day battery life. Unfortunately the $180 silicon / plastic fitness band is only available in black (with a few red accents) so if you are not a fan of the coloring, you are out of luck. The data recorded by the UA Band is fed via Bluetooth to the UA Record app  on your phone. This app is what Under Armour claims makes their suite of devices so special.  

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by Doug Parker
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OMsignal Hexoskin Smart Software Update Indiegogo OMrun OMbra Strava Nike Plus Runkeeper MapMyRuns
Clothing, Sports

Both OMsignal and Hexoskin Expand Smartshirt’s Software Offerings

January 13, 2016

OMsignal Hexoskin Smart Software Update Indiegogo OMrun OMbra Strava Nike Plus Runkeeper MapMyRuns

We are well past a year since the launch of both Hexoskin’s and OMsignal’s smartshirts. These compression shirts (and now sports bra) monitor everything from breathing, to heart rate, to movement. They present the information as raw data and as a summary of fitness levels. At CES this year, both companies took advantage of the venue to announce expanded software offerings. OMsignal introduced the new OMrun platform – a very logic next step for the company, especially with the launch of the OMbra. OMrun looks to offer a suite of data that is especially tailored to helping runners understand an improve their performance. Among the new metrics are cadence, distance, Running Economy (how much O2 you need to travel a distance), and Breathing Rhythm (the number of footsteps per breath in or out). Along with the new focus on running, OMsignal has added new services to connect with, including Runkeeper, Strava, and Nike+. OMrun will launch this spring.  

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by Doug Parker
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Apple Watch 50 percent smartwatch market sales majority dominant android wear pebble samsung martian
Business, Watches

Apple Watch Estimated To Have Over 50% Of Smartwatch Market

January 13, 2016

Apple Watch 50 percent smartwatch market sales majority dominant android wear pebble samsung martian

While Apple still isn’t releasing any numbers, a new report from Juniper Research estimates that the company’s Apple Watch now controls over half of the smartwatch market. This echoes similar numbers from IDC from before the holidays. If true, this is big news for the California based company, which was notably late to enter the segment. The Apple Watch has only been shipping for slightly more than 8 months, while Samsung and Pebble have been selling smartwatches since 2013 and Android Wear started shipping almost 2 years ago. Juniper believes that Apple has secured 52% of the smartwatch market. Android Wear, on the other hand, comprised less than 10% of the year’s smartwatch shipments and Samsung’s Gear S2 barely made an impact. No word on Pebble’s take, but we would suspect that they also are around 10% of the market. One of the most interesting aspects of the report from Juniper is that simple smartwatches, such as the non-display models, are proving extremely popular. These devices offer activity tracking and, at most, notifications, but no apps or deeper connectivity. Specifically mentioned in the report is Martian, which produces connected watches similarly priced to a Fitbit. It is easy to see how a device like that could serve as “trial” watch, allowing the customer to see what they think of smartwatches without spending a large amount of money. Oddly, the report also mentions the popularity of a connected Guess watch and Breitling timepiece, both of which sell for more than the Apple Watch… the Breitling is actually closer to Apple Watch Edition territory.  

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by Doug Parker
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Avegant Glyph Shipping Release 2016 Kickstarter Amazon Headphones Video
Wearable Technology

Avegant Glyph Hybrid Headphones & Video Headset Ready To Ship

January 12, 2016

Avegant Glyph Shipping Release 2016 Kickstarter Amazon Headphones Video

Last January we told you about a clever pair of headphones that had an integrated video screen in the headband. Two years after its original Kickstarter the Avegant Glyph is now ready to ship. In the expanse of time since the device’s successful crowdfunding, Avegant has redesigned the Glyph numerous times, most recently obsessing over comfort. As a refresher, Glyph looks like a typical pair of premium around-the-ear headphones except that you can pivot the cans so that the headband is over your eyes, revealing an integrated video screen. Well, maybe “video screen” isn’t exactly the correct terminology because the device actually projects the image into your eyes using a micro mirror array. Avegant claims that their display technology, sorry “Retinal Imaging Technology,” is far superior to traditional screens because it causes less eyestrain since the light is being reflected into your eyes similar to how we see the world around us. The image displayed is equivalent to a 65″ display and by design you have peripheral vision above and below the device. As far as video content, Glyph features a HDMI plug that can accept video from smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Thankfully this means you do not have to carry around a separate unit to store videos and provide power. Speaking of power, the Glyph’s built-in battery has an expected battery life of 4 to 5 hours when viewing video and for just audio the headphone uses passive drivers. You can order the Avegant Glyph through January 15th for $599, after which the price will jump to $699. The company is currently shipping Kickstarter pledges and website preorders and expects to sell the device via Amazon in March.  

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by Doug Parker
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Withings Go Activity Fitness Tracker e-ink e-paper button watch
Wearable Technology

Withings Introduces Budget Oriented e-Ink Wearable

January 8, 2016

Withings Go Activity Fitness Tracker e-ink e-paper button watch

Withings has announced a new fitness tracking wearable. The new button shaped device is the cheapest tracker yet from the company, which makes everything from connected blood pressure monitors, to sleep aid machines, to activity tracking watches. The new Withings Go is approximately the size of a coin and predominately features a round e-ink display. The device automatically tracks your movement and sleep, showing your progress via a dial on the screen. The only button on the Go is hidden beneath the display; simply tap on the display to switch from the “progress” view to a watch display. The new wearable reminds us a lot of Misfit’s devices, the Jawbone Up Move, and the Fitbit Zip. The main difference though is the e-ink display, which to us is a huge improvement over the competing devices; if you have ever tried to tell the time on a Misfit Flash or Shine, you will see the appeal! The Go uses a replaceable button-cell battery to achieve an 8 month battery life and it is waterproof up to 50 meters. In fact, the device can even recognize swim strokes and automatically record when you go swimming! When Go launches later in Q1, it will list for $69.95 and will be available in 5 colors, wearable as either a clip or a watch.  

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by Doug Parker
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Fossil Q54 Pilot Non Display Smartwatch Connected watch
Watches

Fossil Expanding Wearable Lineup Starting With Q54 Pilot

January 6, 2016

Fossil Q54 Pilot Non Display Smartwatch Connected watch

Clearly Fossil has been pleased with the reception of their Q line of wearable devices. Less than 3 months after the launch of 4 unique wearable lines, Fossil is already preparing to add more models to their lineup. First up is the upcoming Q54 Pilot. The “non-display” smartwatch is based off of the company’s classic looking Pilot 54 casing, which is extremely handsome in design. Besides looks, the new chronograph watch is pretty much identical to the existing Q Grant model. This means it tracks your daily activity and alerts you to notifications via vibration (Fossil calls it a “buzz”) and a discreet multicolor LED light. It will be available this Spring in either a leather version for $175 or a stainless version for $215. Later this year, Fossil will also introduce 2 new variations of the Q Dreamer, their women’s activity tracker. The company will add a faux tortoiseshell model and a shimmer horn acetate version. While there aren’t any images yet of the new Q Dreamer finishes, based off of other Fossil products that use the same materials, we expect them to be quite attractive. In case you need refreshing; the Q Dreamer is worn like a bracelet, alerts you to notifications (via LED and vibration), and tracks your daily activity. Both new variations will both launch this Summer and are expected to retail for $145.  

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by Doug Parker
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