The big players in fitness trackers have long since figured out that the big money will be in business-to-business sales; one big corporate contract can make an entire quarter. Fitbit has announced that Fitbit Wellness, its corporate offering, is now HIPAA-compliant, meaning the information it gathers and shares meets the U.S.-mandated privacy standard. It's an important … [Read more...]
Has Google Glass Gained a New “Aura”?
There were media reports last night that Google Glass is now living under the name "Project Aura," and that the company has snapped up a bunch of people from Amazon's Lab126 hardware development group. Also, Business Insider notes that one recent Google hire is Adrian Wong, the lead electrical engineer for Glass, who had left to join Facebook's Oculus group but returned to … [Read more...]
Apple Holds Up on WatchOS 2.0
Apple was supposed to release today along with iOS9, but TechCrunch is reporting that the company has found a bug that's big enough that they're holding back the release. Developers have been looking forward to the new OS because it gives them direct access to the watch's sensors, and also lets them design apps that are less reliant on the tethered iPhone. Apple doesn't … [Read more...]
Early Buzz About Everysight Raptor Cycling Glasses
We're starting to hear buzz from our cycling friends about an Israeli company called Everysight and a tech visor they're building called the Everysight Raptor. Think of a heads-up display, like the Recon, but dedicated to road and mountain biking. Details are very few, but the company's Facebook page indicates that it's been running demos for bike journalists for the last … [Read more...]
UNICEF Announces 10 “Wearables for Good” Finalists
UNICEF has announced finalists for its "Wearables for Good" challenge, where entrepreneurs with wearable health startups are competing for one of two $15,000 prizes. The finalists come from seven countries, and present ideas ranging from encouraging hand-washing to tracking temperatures, APGAR scores, or immunizations. You can see the list of finalists and get more … [Read more...]
Proteus, Otsuka, Submit First Wearable Drug to FDA
Frequent readers will know that Proteus Digital Health has been testing a wearable skin patch that monitors compliance with drug protocols. At last, three years after announcing the alliance, Proteus and its partner Otsuka have submitted for FDA approval an instrumented version of the anti-depressant Abilify. Although Proteus's Digital Health Feedback system had already been … [Read more...]
New Bands, Watch Finishes, OS for Apple Watch
The Apple Watch went first at today's big Apple blowout, which was fitting because its news was pretty small potatoes. We already knew about WatchOS 2.0, although the September 16 date hadn't been publicly announced. There's a new rose gold finish for the aluminum Sport watch, and some new wristbands, both plastic and leather. The part of all that with the largest … [Read more...]
Jawbone Updates UP ROMs to Track Sleep and Passive Heart Rate
Jawbone today released new ROM updates to its UP 2, 3, and 4 fitness trackers to enable them to track sleep and resting heart rate. Previously, customers had to tap their devices to put them into sleep mode; the update will figure out when you're sleeping tap-free. Also, the Up3 and Up4 bands will now measure not just resting heart rate, but passive heart rate -- your typical … [Read more...]
Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch Will Reportedly Work with iPhones
A company the size and scale of Samsung does not likely enjoy being a runner-up, even in a market as small as smartwatches. That makes Digital Spy's scoop all the more interesting: the upcoming Gear S2 smartwatch -- the round one with the rotating control bezel -- will work with iOS phones. For the last year or so, Samsung has turned its back on Android Wear, favoring the … [Read more...]
TomTom Launches Spark GPS Fitness Watch (Updated)
TomTom is pretty well known among mapping geeks as one of the companies that powers car GPS systems and Apple Maps. The company has also had an unheralded line of sports watches dedicated to running, golf, and general training, and has now introduced a line devoted to what it calls the "any-day" athlete. The Spark GPS Fitness Watch line comprises five models: a basic unit, a … [Read more...]