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New wristband could predict aggressive outbursts in people with autism
Researchers are hoping a new wearable wristband will help predict aggressive outbursts in people with autism. The device monitors heart rate, sweat production, skin surface temperature and arm movements. It can predict outbursts 60 seconds ahead of time with 84 percent accuracy. While that might not seem like much time, it could give caretakers an opportunity to relax the individual wearing the wristband and make sure everyone is safe.
Facebook's prototype VR bangle squeezes and vibrates your wrists
If VR is ever going to go mainstream, it's going to need to ditch the bulky accessories while still letting people interact with the virtual world. It's an idea that researchers at Facebook's Reality Labs are developing with a prototype called Tasbi. The device is a chunky, wrist-worn haptic bangle that uses a combination of squeezes and vibrations to let you "feel" what you're doing in-game.
Amazon is reportedly working on an emotion-detecting wearable
Amazon is reportedly working on a wrist-worn gadget that's able to detect your emotional state. The device would pair with a smartphone and use microphones to perceive your emotions from your voice, Bloomberg reported. The device would eventually be able to offer suggestions on how to better interact with other people, according to internal documents.
CTRL-Labs' EMG wristbands may spell the end for keyboards and mice
From the earliest days of punch cards, interacting with computers has always been a pain. Whether it's a keyboard and mouse, joystick or controller, getting the thoughts out of our heads and into the machine requires numerous, unintuitive processes. But until we start implanting USB ports into our brains and downloading our thoughts directly, we'll have to make do with the neural signal-detecting wristbands being developed by CTRL-Labs.
A haptic wristband could help the blind 'see' the world
Technology to help the blind navigate usually focuses on replacing the sight they're missing or by adding auditory cues to an already cluttered soundscape. But for many sight-impaired individuals, the sense they rely on most is one that tends to be ignored by a lot of tech-based solutions: touch. It's a subtle way to convey a lot of information, and the design company WearWorks is looking to take advantage of this with its new haptic wristband, guiding people around via simple vibrational cues.
Alcohol measuring wristband wins government competition
BACtrack is a San Francisco company known for making breathalyzers for both law enforcement and ordinary people. But it won the $200,000 grand prize at a National Institutes of Health-sponsored competition for a different kind of blood alcohol monitor altogether: a wristband much like Fitbit and other fitness trackers that can measure BAC from your sweat. The device, called "Skyn," detects alcohol using a fuel cell technology similar to that used by law enforcement. However, it's less bulky and more discreet than existing equipment.
Pyro Mini turns your boring old wrists into flamethrowers
In 2014, magic retailer Ellusionist released a device called Pyro that shoots fireballs from your wrist. Now, a year later, the brand is releasing a smaller, more capable version of its predecessor; meet the Pyro Mini. The new device is half the size of the original so it's far less noticeable when strapped to your wrist. It doesn't require disposable batteries either, trading in triple A's for a microUSB charger. Like the original, the mini uses a remote with a 30ft range to trigger individual fireballs or two at once with the new Burst fire feature. Let's face it, two is always way cooler than one. Pyro Mini managed to upgrade almost every feature it offers all the while slashing the price of the unit to $147. If you want to impress friends, family or just to pretend you're a badass supervillain, you can grab a Pyro Mini via the Ellusionist's website.
Virgin's gyms of the future will use wearables for pretty much everything
Don't believe that wearable technology is the only thing that pub bores will be talking about in 2015? Virgin Active might change your mind, since the company's ready to launch two new gyms that rely upon wrist-worn devices for pretty much everything. The branches, located in Cannon Street and Paddington, will ditch access cards and locker keys in favor of an "interactive wrist band," which, apparently, will also track and measure how many times you melt down on the treadmill each day.
Shoot fireballs from your wrist with Pyro
Who hasn't dreamed of having the ability to shoot fireballs from our hands? Thanks to a new device from magician Adam Wilber, you can do just that. The appropriately named Pyro is controlled with a remote switch from up to 30 feet away and tucks under your sleeve to remain hidden. Worn on the wrist like watch, the gadget can shoot four fireballs, one from each of its four barrels, a distance of 10 feet before needing to be reloaded with flash paper. Pyro is currently sold out, but shelling out $174 will secure one when the new stock arrives December 17th. If you're not into practicing illusions, at least now you won't have to hold a Roman Candle during those real-life flamewars.
Razer's smart wristband is finally arriving December 2nd
Razer's Nabu wristband has been long in the making, but it's finally here... well, almost. The gear maker has announced that its hybrid activity tracker and smartwatch will be available in North America on December 2nd. According to the company, that nearly year-long wait makes sure that it lives up to its promises, including social networking features that pop up when you meet fellow Nabu owners. It'll normally be available for $100, although the the first 5,000 Razer Insider members who pre-order can score a unit for $80. The Nabu is a bit late to the party given that rivals like Fitbit have stepped up their game in recent months, but it may be a nice complement to your gaming laptop.
Now Moto 360 owners can buy new bands at will
Did you rush to get a Moto 360 as soon as possible, only to realize that you were (temporarily) stuck with the band that came attached to your smartwatch? You can now do something about it. Motorola has started selling both leather and metal bands by themselves at respective prices of $30 and $70. They're all normal width -- sorry, no slim gold band for you -- but you're otherwise free to buy whatever suits your mood. Just be ready to take your 360 into a jeweler, since you can't perform the transplant yourself.
Razer's Nabu smart band nears launch with a trip to the FCC
You'd be forgiven if you don't remember Razer's Nabu smart band. The company unveiled the activity tracker at CES in January, only to delay the release to late spring... and then to remain mostly silent as that launch window came and went. At last, however, there's light at the end of the tunnel -- the Nabu has just received FCC approval, suggesting that it's close to release in at least the US. The filing doesn't reveal any mysteries (shocker: it's a Bluetooth wearable), but it's nice to know that you'll soon have intelligent wristwear that matches your gaming laptop.
Lenovo's fitness-minded Smartband shows up unannounced at the FCC
Lenovo doesn't want to miss out on the wearable device trend, it seems. A couple of months after filings hinted that a Smartband was in the works, the unannounced activity tracker has surfaced at the FCC. Between photos and a user manual, the approval leaves little to the imagination. The Bluetooth-based device will keep tabs on your running, heart rate and sleep habits while syncing up with Android, iOS and Windows 8 devices. It's not certain that the Smartband will launch in the US any time soon, if at all -- it was a no-show at last month's IFA event despite rumors to the contrary. If this fitness-savvy wristwear does arrive stateside, though, its black-and-orange design could be the perfect complement to your Yoga 2 laptop.
Wearable device stats prove it: you're not getting enough sleep
If you've ever groused that you don't get enough sleep, you now know that you're not alone -- far from it, in fact. The Wall Street Journal has provided a rare glimpse at the tracking data from hundreds of thousands of Jawbone Up wearers worldwide, revealing both their collective sleeping habits as well as their activity when they're awake. And... it's not looking good. Even in well-rested cities like Melbourne, the average person slept just over the minimum recommended 7 hours. In Tokyo, many people get less than 6 hours. You don't want to look to your friends for help, then, since they're probably just as groggy as you.
LG's new wearable is a child tracker that lets parents listen in
Apparently, LG's been working on a wearable other than the G Watch specifically for helicopter good, protective parents. It's called the KiZON wristband, and it comes in a couple of cute designs aiming to entice kids to keep them on the whole day. After all, if it doesn't stay on, moms and dads won't be able to use the device (with GPS and WiFi) to monitor their locations through a phone or a tablet all the time. KiZON has functions other than serving as a tracker, though -- kids can press its One Step Direct Call button to contact a pre-configured number.
X-Doria's KidFit is a low-cost fitness wearable for five-year-olds
X-Doria is a company we normally associate with smartphone accessories, but now it's decided to branch out into wearables. While the jury is still out on whether children should be introduced to the concept of the quantified self, X-Doria wants to help get kids moving with its new KidFit activity tracker. Targeted at children between 5 and 13, the multi-colored slappable wristband scores activities to reach a daily goal of 100 points. Parents are encouraged to set goals using the iOS or Android app, which connects to a smartphone or tablet using low-power Bluetooth and provides feedback on a child's progress via its vivid "Results Cards." The wearable is also splash-proof, holds a charge for up to seven days and like the FitBit or Jawbone Up, can be set to track sleep patterns with the push of a button. While it won't track your kids in the literal sense (there are plenty of GPS-enabled wearables targeted at kids that can do that), it does offer a 24/7 overview of their activities. It'll be available on August 15th for $50 in black, aqua, hot pink, yellow, and red variants. If you get in now (and are one of the first 1,000 buyers), you can pre-order the tracker for $40.
Smash's new wristband helps perfect your tennis swing
We've come a long, long way since the days when smart wristwear did little more than track your footsteps. Need proof? Smash has unveiled a wearable dedicated to tennis. The wristband uses motion sensors to track many aspects of your swing, ranging from spin to your favorite shot types. Once you're done attacking the ball, you can check your performance through a connected Android or iOS device -- it'll be clear if your volleys need more power, or your backhand is inconsistent.
Samsung's wearable blitz may not be over: here comes the 'S-Circle'
Compared to the glitz surrounding its latest Gear smartwatches, Samsung's more basic fitness bands have so far failed to garner much attention. The electronics giant doesn't seem to be giving up on this cheaper sort of wearable, however, because an unannounced model called the "S-Circle" has just cropped up at the FCC, having already appeared at the Bluetooth SIG a while back. The FCC paperwork confirms the device's model number (EI-AN900A) and description as an "activity tracker," as well as its inclusion of Bluetooth Low-Energy, and all of this points to it being a member of the same family as the S Band (shown above) and Heart Rate Monitor Band that launched with the Galaxy S4 last year. There's at least some chance that the S-Circle will combine these functions into a single low-cost device, transmitting both movement and heart rate data to Samsung's S-Health app, but that's just optimistic speculation on our part. Either way, it looks like Galaxy S5 owners who care more about muscle tone than Moschino may have the option of another accessory pretty soon.
LG mum on smartwatch rumors, but confirms that a wearable device is coming
Amidst rumors of 2K displays and octa-core CPUs for the LG G3, the Korea Herald has just added another: The upcoming smartphone will come with a G-Arch smartwatch and G-Health fitness band. The journal's insider sources pegged the devices as companions for the alleged LG G2 successor and said they'd arrive alongside it at Barcelona in February for MWC 2014. A possible smartwatch was actually leaked by an LG exec earlier this year and the company flaunted a FuelBand-like Smart Activity Tracker at CES 2013, which still hasn't been released. We reached out to LG, and though it wouldn't comment on the rumors, it confirmed to us that it does have a "wearable product" in the pipeline. Meanwhile, take any rumors with the necessary salt -- and if such smartwatches do exist, hopefully they'll actually be ready for the market.
AIRO wristband tracks not just sleep, exercise and stress, but also what you eat
There are fitness wearables that track steps, gauge your quality of sleep and monitor your stress, but few combine all three. As for keeping track of what you eat, most people still resort to old-fashioned food diaries and calorie counters. The AIRO wristband, however, aims to measure all of the above completely automatically. Launching today, the AIRO uses a special embedded spectrometer to track not just your heart rate, but also your sleep patterns, workout intensity and calories consumed. It's even able to break down the nutritional intake of your food. Abhilash Jayakumar, co-founder and CEO of Airo Heath, tells us it's able to do this because specific nutrients have different light properties. "As your body breaks the food down, the sensor can detect the amount of light that passes through the blood based on green, red and infrared patterns." So, for example, if you just ate a candybar, you'll see a spike in sugar intake reflected on an accompanying AIRO app. The wristband is able to parse the nutritional value of food into protein, fat and carbohydrates. Jayakumar tells us that the app is right now not quite sophisticated enough to tell the difference between simple starches and complex ones, but the team still has more experiments to do, so don't rule that out just yet. "We might be able to see a difference in waveform, that would show you whether something is better or worse for the body." Further, Jayakumar notes that the AIRO's caloric intake measurement might differ from that on food packaging, because different people process foods differently.
