We write a lot about finished products -- and others that are not-so-finished -- because news about actual underlying technologies are both rarer and harder to explain. But a division of DuPont is starting to talk publicly about inks that are both stretchable and conductive, and usable in clothing. The PE872 stretchable conductor (and what a catchy name that is) can … [Read more...]
Victoria’s Secret Launches Heart Rate Monitor Bra
We apparently missed this when it was annouced -- and from a search of the web, so did everyone else -- but Victoria's Secret is selling a bra with a heart-rate sensors built in. The intimate apparel store has an entire line of sports bras, but the "Incredible by Victoria's Secret Heart-Rate Monitor Compatible Sport Bra" includes sensors and technology from the Finnish … [Read more...]
Basis Peak Now Talks to iOS Apps, Gets Distribution and Notifications
The Basis Peak heart-rate monitor from Intel is one of the nicer bits of athletic wristware, but was a little hobbled by its inability to communicate with popular ecosystems. The company announced today that they've filled that gap, streaming data to iOS apps for Strava, MapMyRun, and Endomondo. (There's no Android capability, due to a protocol incompatibility, the company … [Read more...]
Developer Details Emerge For Apple Watch
Apple developers yesterday got copies of iOS8.2, and it included lots of crunchy good details about the Apple Watch. Some of the salient details: At launch, the watch will work essentially as an iOS notification device. You're going to need an iPhone. Later in 2015, the watch will be able to run its own native apps. Does that mean there's going to be a hardware rev in the … [Read more...]
Intel MICA Cuff to Cost $495, Including Two Years of AT&T Data
Somehow, we thought this has been reported before, but we're apparently mistaken. The Intel/Opening Ceremony fashion cuff MICA will go on sale in early December and cost $495, including two years of data from AT&T. The cuff, designed and built as a fashion-oriented item, is a standalone notification device that doesn't require tethering to a smartphone. The pricing is … [Read more...]
CEA Wearables Innovation Awards Roundup
We wrote the other evening about Qardio's winning a CEA Innovations award for wearable technology. It was not the only one: 18 products were so honored. The way this works is that companies submit products to a panel of high-powered judges in one (or more) of 27 categories. Finalists are named in each category, and the best 15 are showcased as Best of Innovations. No wearable … [Read more...]
The Verge Reviews Microsoft Band: Great Concept, Middling Execution
The Verge is carrying a long and thoughtful review of the Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health ecosystem. Author David Pierce digs into the use case of health trackers in general and the Band in particular. His conclusion: the Band as a device has some drawbacks -- comfort, battery life, interface -- but the volume of data it generates is impressive and potentially useful. It … [Read more...]
CubeSensors Help Make Sense of Sleep Data
There's a difference between "data" and "knowledge." Knowing you walked 8,254 steps on Tuesday is data. Without context, however, it's just a number. How can you make that number relevant? How does that relate to any other Tuesday? Did you have meetings outside the office or were you chained to your desk? What was the weather? Did you go out Monday night? and so … [Read more...]
Everykey Password Wristband Provides Very Very Very Light Security
Imagine a Bionym Nymi that doesn't provide much in the way of robust security. If that appeals to you, check out the Everykey Kickstarter. The Nymi, as you probably know, stores and transmits passwords and is locked by your heart rhythms. Take off the wristband, and no one else can use it because no one else's EKG is the same as yours. The Everykey claims to do a lot of … [Read more...]
Smartwatch Pricing Tier Emerges As Withings Sets $450 Price for Activé Watch
It looks like smartwatches that put a premium on appearance are settling around a pricing neighborhood: $400 to $500. Withings has started taking pre-orders for its Activé watch -- an attractive timepiece that subtly measures your progress to a daily movement goal -- and pegged the price at $450. That's the same neighborhood as the Michael Bastian / HP watch, and in the low … [Read more...]