We got an e-mail this morning about the commercial launch of e-Celcius Performance, a connected pill that tracks the core temperature of the, ummm, wearer. Aimed at elite endurance athletes, the e-mail said Austrian swimmer Josef Kolbert would use the device on a swim across the English Channel today, August 25. The pill, from the French company BodyCap, monitors … [Read more...]
Intel’s “Make It Wearable” Initiative Goes on TV
Intel's successful "Make It Wearable" challenge from last year is getting the reality TV treatment. Intel, Turner Broadcasting, and Mark Burnett (creator of Survivor, The Apprentice, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader and a ton of other shows you don't admit you watch) are producing the program America's Greatest Makers to air next year. You've got to be at least 18 (15 with … [Read more...]
Intel Promises Developers a Curie for Their Ills This Fall
Intel's Developer's Forum is the chip giant's annual shindig for developers. This week, CEO Brian Krzanich's keynote emphasized the chip giant's commitment to wearables and the Internet of Things, although the apparently talk was very long on how cool this stuff is and very short on specifics. Our colleague Michael Miller, the former editor of PC Magazine who has forgotten more … [Read more...]
Android Wear Updates Allows Interactive Faces, Native Translate Support
Techcrunch points out an update to Android Wear that lets programmers build interactive watch faces -- faces that respond to taps or touches. That capability will allow designers to create much more complex (and possibly useful) complications. Google also announced today Android Wear support for Google Translate, even if Translate isn't installed on your phone. Speak into … [Read more...]
Project Florida (a/k/a Sum) is DOA
One of the most-trafficked stories ever on this site is one about the mysterious New York startup once known as Project Florida. Its pedigree was strictly A-list: design exec from Nike's Fuelband group, head of marketing was one of founders of Foursquare, founder was co-founder of Rdio, venture backing from a founder of Skype. They were building a health intelligence platform … [Read more...]
Fun Wearables Quiz from the Verge
Think you know your smartwatches? The Verge has a fun link-bait quiz that challenges you to identify 15 well and not-so-well known smart band products -- some of them gloriously obscure. We do this for a living -- and we only got 11 out of 15. Check it out, and let us know in the comments how you did -- if you dare. … [Read more...]
Ralph Lauren Sensor Shirt to be Available to the Public
You may remember that last year, Ralph Lauren put a branded version of an OMsignal sensor shirt on some ball boys at the US Open (the tennis Open, not the golf one). This year, Lauren -- which puts great promotional weight around the tournament -- will make the shirts available for sale to the public. The shirts are tight across the shoulder and chest and loose at the bottom … [Read more...]
Free Stuff! Visijax LED Jacket Giveaway
Because you've come here day after day for just short of two years (wow!), we know that you value Wearable Tech Insider. We're looking for more readers and subscribers just like you, and we're willing to have some fun and give some stuff away to get them. Our friends at Visijax have generously offered one of their excellent LED Commuter Bike Jackets with Turn Signals … [Read more...]
Apple’s Fitness Exec Gives Rare Interview About the Watch
Outside.com has a pretty good longish interview with Jay Blahnik, the Nike exec that Apple lured away to help build the Apple Watch's fitness apps. The interviewer is a skeptic -- an exercise enthusiast who likes the Watch but is underwhelmed with its fitness components. This makes for a good and challenging interview, as Blahnik explains Apple's short-term and long-term goals … [Read more...]
Misfit and Speedo Get Into the Swim
Not a lot of lightweight fitness trackers are built for swimming, water and electronics being natural enemies, but Misfit and Speedo have teamed up to sell the Speedo Shine. Priced at $80 and available September 1, the Speedo edition of the well-known Shine will count pool laps and distance, and connect with Speedo's smartphone app. Like all Shines, the Speedo version will … [Read more...]