For people who are blind or visually impaired, reading is too often a matter of dependence on other people, either as readers or as translators into Braille. More than 3 million books are published annually in the U.S; only a small percentage of those are also published in Braille. Researchers at MIT are tackling the problem with the prototype FingerReader, which would allow … [Read more...]
GSMA Introduces eSIM for Wearables, Other Devices
The GSMA is the international organization that's in charge of the global wireless standard GSM and its offshoots like LTE; if your phone (or tablet) uses a SIM card, it's running GSM. It's also the group that runs next week's Mobile World Congress. There are two problems with SIM cards: they're huge for electronic components, and they're tied to specific carriers. In … [Read more...]
WSJ Not Impressed By Fitbit Blaze
The Wall Street Journal is out with the first review we've seen of the Fitbit Blaze, and it's pretty meh. Reviewer Joanna Stern said the Blaze, a full-face fitness watch announced last month at CES, is kind of big, kind of ugly, and kind of expensive for what it delivers. Its fitness functions are still better than anyone else's, she said, but not enough better to move her … [Read more...]
Wearable Coffee to Go
You know those jokes about taking your coffee by IV? Maybe they're not quite so far-fetched anymore. Joule is a bracelet with a time-release patch on its underside that releases a cup of coffee’s worth of caffeine over four hours. It's important to note: this is an Indiegogo project, so not only isn't it available yet, it doesn't really exist in the way that most of us … [Read more...]
Apple Watch App Keeps Drivers Awake at the Wheel
Falling asleep at the wheel and driving drowsy are major issues for the transportation industry, and a couple of companies are looking to wearables to alleviate the problem. One, which we've written about, is the SmartCap monitoring system, developed in Australia. Another is an app for the Apple Watch being developed by PeopleNet, a company specializing in fleet management … [Read more...]
Bluboo Xwatch: High Tech, Low Price, Non-Existence?
The Bluboo Xwatch from China is mighty full of possibility. It might run Android Wear. It might cost less than $100. It might look like the picture on Bluboo’s blog. It might be available this month. Then again, maybe not; reliable details are a little hard to get. The possible specs include a 1.2GHz processor with 4GB of storage and a 1.3-inch, 360x360 pixel display. It … [Read more...]
Myo Armband: Armed and Ready for Prosthetics
Thalmic Labs’s Myo Armband, which lets you control various devices by gesture, has been recognized from the beginning as a device with great potential. There are now apps to control electronic devices and services such as drones, Netflix, iTunes, keyboards, computer screens, and menus by hand and arm gestures. It’s not quite full Internet access by gesture and VR that Keanu … [Read more...]
Fitbit Introduces a More-Stylish Alta Fitness Tracker
It seems like just last month that Fitbit introduced a new tracker (wait -- it was just last month), but the company is back with another one -- less functional but easier on the eyes. The Alta is a significant and very intentional departure from the previous Fitbit look, reminding us more of a Garmin Vivosmart or a Microsoft Band than anything that Fitbit has sold before. … [Read more...]
Survey Says Runners Want Great GPS and Heart Monitors
A survey of runners at the online community Athlete IQ found that peer and expert recommendations were the most important factors in deciding which wearable tech to get -- and that functionality far outtrumped price. The site asked 732 marathoners, triathletes, and steeplechasers about what tech they used and why. About 84 percent said functionality was the most important … [Read more...]
Volvo and Microsoft Band Together
The Microsoft Band 2 received generally positive reviews when it first appeared as an efficient way to keep track of your health, email, workouts, and golf game. Now, thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and Volvo, it’s coming to your car. If you have a Volvo. And a Band 2 Those of you who currently fall into the small intersection of Volvo and Band owners will be … [Read more...]