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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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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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Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker
Watches

Withings Adds Activité Steel Watch To Fitness Tracker Lineup

November 17, 2015

Withings Activité Activite Steel smartwatch fitness tracker

Last year, connected device maker Withings was one of the first companies to introduce a traditional looking watch with integrated activity tracking. The Swiss-made Activité (now called Activité Saphir) tracked movement, sleep patterns, and could even sense if you were swimming. A small inset dial would display your progress towards your movement goals and you could access deeper data through your smartphone. Unfortunately the price of the original Activité was as stunning as its looks – $450. Realizing that not everyone was looking to spend that type of money on a fitness tracking watch, Withings explored using different material to create a more accessible wearable device.

Earlier this year the company introduced the more budget friendly Activité Pop. The brightly colored, PVD coated device was at feature parity with its more expensive sibling but was constructed of cheaper materials and wasn’t billed as being “Swiss made.” Since brightly colors watches aren’t for everyone though, Withings has now added the stainless Activité Steel to their watch lineup.

The new device is identical to the (somewhat) budget friendly Activité Pop, except Withings has traded out the bright colors for polished metal an an understated black watch face. The $170 Activité Steel features a 8 month battery life, a face constructed from mineral glass, and a TPSiV Thermoplastic Elastomer (silicon) band. It is compatible with iOS and Android and starts shipping this week.

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by Doug Parker
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Trivoly Traditional Watch Smartwatch Convert
Watches

Trivoly Promises To Turn Any Watch Into A Smartwatch

November 13, 2015

Trivoly Traditional Watch Smartwatch Convert

We realize that smartwatches aren’t for everyone. People love the look and feel of their traditional time piece and aren’t willing to switch to a destined-to-be-obsolete wearable device. This doesn’t mean that they don’t want some of the abilities of a smartwatch though. A new startup is hoping to solve this dilemma; Trivoly has created a slim disk that serves as a mini connected device. Simply pair the namesake device with its app and attach it to the bottom of your traditional watch via reusable micro suction cup tape. Whenever you receive a notification, the Trivoly will silently vibrate and two bright, multicolor LEDs will light up. You can use the app to filter which notifications are passed on to the device and customize how the wearable alerts you. Trivoly is available in two versions, the Trivoly 1 and Trivoly 2. Both devices feature fitness tracking ability but the slightly more expensive Trivoly 2 adds an optical heart rate sensor. If you are still looking for a bit more “smart functionality,” both Trivoly models hide a 4-way directional button that allows you to control music playback on your phone (and they claim your Sonos speakers) and remotely activate the shutter on your phone’s camera. Trivoly is currently doing a Kickstarter and expects to ship in February. The two models are currently priced at $99 and $129 and feature a 4 day battery life..

Trivoly is a very interesting concept and a great compromise. Despite being a bit rough around the edges, we have little doubt that it will find an audience. The concept is fantastic and the execution solid. But there is some room for improvement. Even though it is only 3mm thick, we wish it could be even thinner – on your wrist millimeters quickly add up. Also we are disappointed with the LEDs being used in the prototype; they appear to be a bit clunky and bright, like those on a squeeze-flashlight. it would be amazing to see lights utilized that are more like to those on the Misfit Shine 2 or Ringly, which are small, sharp, and bright, but don’t project their light everywhere. The first version of Trivoly looks very interesting, but we can’t wait to see what the company is able to achieve with version 2.

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by Doug Parker
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TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Smart Watch Smartwatch
Watches

TAG Heuer Officially Launches $1500 Carrera Connected

November 9, 2015

TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Smart Watch Smartwatch

TAG Heuer has not been short on opinions about smartwatches over the past 18 months. After the company’s outspoken CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, finally conceded late last year that something interesting could be done in the space, Tag Heuer has launched their first wearable device. Clearly positioned as a luxury item, the $1500 connected watch is based on the company’s iconic Carrera line of watches. The appropriately named Carrera Connected is the result of a partnership with both Intel and Google (the same companies that aided Fossil in the creation of their Q series of wearables).

TAG Heuer calls it the first “connected watch” that looks like a traditional timepiece and it is no surprise that the device has a luxury feel and a handsome, traditional design (if you ignore the rubber watch band). Crafted from titanium with sapphire glass, the Connected looks like a thick version of a traditional watch with a screen instead of a watch face; but I am not sure I would go as far to say that it is visually more like a traditional watch than other devices on the market. There is a key difference though, the TAG Heuer wearable is truly nearly identical to a Carrera; in fact, the electronics can be replaced with a traditional watch mechanics.  

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by Doug Parker
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TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live
Watches

Watch TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live At 11am ET

November 9, 2015

TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Launch Live

After over a year of publicly ping-ponging on their view of smartwatches, TAG Heuer will officially launch their Carrera Connected today at 11am ET. You can follow along and watch the unveiling live via the embedded YouTube feed after the break. Besides a partnership with Intel and Google (who also worked on Fossil’s Q series), little is known about the device. One of the only rumors thus far about the smartwatch is that it will likely include upgradable internals. This would push the Carrera Connected closer to being a true keepsake device versus a fashionable consumer electronic.

Besides a statement from almost a year ago that TAG Heuer would not enter the smartwatch market unless they were able to offer something completely unique, a quote from the company’s CEO, Jean-Claude Biver, in this Sunday’s edition of Swiss newspaper Le Matin is one of the only official comments on features. Biver states that, “Our watch will have almost the same features as an Apple Watch, but I don’t want to say too much.” We find it odd that Biver would declare the TAG Heuer device is almost like an Apple Watch after the company dismissed it as a “toy” last fall.

We can’t wait to see what TAG Heuer has up its sleeve! Head past the break to watch the unveiling live at 11am ET.

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung SDI Flexible Batteries Wearables Stripe Band Wearable Devices
Wearable Technology

Samsung Shows Off New Flexible Batteries For Wearables

October 26, 2015

Samsung SDI Flexible Batteries Wearables Stripe Band Wearable Devices

It is no secret that batteries are one of the greatest limiters of wearable technology. They are bulky, rigid, unstable, and need a better power to size ratio. Batteries are singularly responsible for the design and limitations of current wearables. Samsung SDI, though, is looking to change that. According to Business Wire, the South Korean company debuted two prototype batteries at InterBattery 2015, called Band and Stripe. Band is designed to fit within the band / strap (hence the name) of a smartwatch or fitness tracker. The flexible battery can add 50% to a watch’s standard battery and can withstand more than 50,000 bends. Stripe, though, is actually the more interesting of the two technologies. Using cutting-edge materials the team at Samsung SDI has been able to create a flexible battery which is 0.3mm thick. This allows Stripe to power almost any conceivable wearable device, from a necklace or hairband, to a t-shirt or belt. The company has also figured out a way to increase the energy density of Stripe, allowing it to provide more power than a battery of its size typically could.

Both the Band and Stripe batteries are prototypes and it could be years (if ever) before we see the technology incorporated into something we can actually purchase. That said, Samsung SDI’s new batteries are a step in the right direction; something needs to be resolved with energy storage in wearable devices. Whether that ultimately comes from technology such as this, or advancements in organic batteries, or even fuel cells, who knows. Or perhaps we need to rethink how wearables consume power. Either way something will change; battery technology needs to evolve in order for a number of emerging technologies to find mass appeal.

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by Doug Parker
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