Wearables

Misfit unveils Pebble activity tracking app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 19, 2019

Kickstarter-funded smartwatch maker Pebble has teamed up with another young startup, Misfit, on an activity tracking application for the Pebble smartwatch that doesn't require a dedicated tracking accessory or a smartphone to function.

Of course, the new Misfit Pebble app also talks to the official Misfit for iPhone software, which will be updated soon with support for setting your activity goals via the Pebble, tracking progress and more.

Pebble says it's “the first milestone in an ongoing partnership,” but stopped short of specifying what other goals the arrangement with Misfit might entail...

iWatch said to feature blood glucose and sweat sensors

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

Rumors regarding the iWatch have reached a fever pitch this week. We've heard 3 reports in just the past 2 days, and we've got another one to add to the list this morning. It seems that everyone is interested in Apple's highly anticipated wearable.

Today's report comes from Chinese website Laoyaoba, which claims that Apple has finalized the design and specifications of the watch, and is now awaiting FDA approval. The site also says that the device will include blood glucose and sweat sensors...

iWatch to come in multiple designs with more than 10 sensors

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Hot on the heels of a report from Reuters yesterday regarding the iWatch, The Wall Street Journal has published a scoop of its own on Apple's oft-rumored smartwatch. The outlet agrees with some previous speculation, and offers up some new details on the device.

Citing sources familiar with the project, the site says Apple is planning multiple versions of its smartwatch. It's working on different designs, and sizes, in an effort to appeal to various tastes in fashion. It also adds that the watch will feature more than 10 built-in sensors...

Google said to be building its own health platform called Google Fit

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Hot on the heels of Apple's big HealthKit unveiling comes word that Google is building a health platform of its own. The news comes from Forbes, who says the service—dubbed Google Fit—will be announced at Google's upcoming I/O conference.

According to the report, Google Fit will closely resemble HealthKit in that it will collect and aggregate data from popular fitness trackers and health-related apps. And Google is believed to have already forged partnerships with wearable device makers...

Meet Ringly, the smart ring that alerts you to iPhone notifications

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

At first glance, the Ringly appears to be an ordinary piece of jewelry. Slip it on your finger, and it looks and feels like a typical fashion ring. That all changes, however, when your iPhone receives a notification, as the ring begins to vibrate and light up.

Using the low energy Bluetooth standard, Ringly connects to your phone and sends you customized notifications through vibration and light. It's discreet enough for a meeting, but conspicuous enough that you'll never miss an important call or message...

Samsung introduces ‘Sami,’ an open health-tracking platform

Cody Lee ∙ Updated June 16, 2016

In less than a week, Apple will be taking the stage at its WWDC keynote event to talk about OS X, iOS 8 and its new health-tracking 'Healthbook' app. Unsurprisingly, Samsung tried to beat them to the punch today by announcing its own healthcare initiative.

They're calling it 'SAMI,' short for Samsung Architecture Multimodal Interactions, and it's a cloud-based platform capable of reading and storing data from various sensors. It's compatible with Samsung's S-Health products, and completely open to developers...

Meet Kairos: the world’s first mechanical-smartwatch hybrid

Cody Lee ∙ May 23, 2014

The image above might look like yet another gaudy iWatch concept, but it's not. It's called the Kairos, and it's very real—well, it's not in stores yet, but the company has begun taking pre-orders and hopes to begin shipping by December.

Billed as the world's first mechanical-smartwatch hybrid, the Kairos is unlike anything we've ever seen in wearables. Featuring true, self-winding watch movements and a transparent OLED display, the watch blends both tech and fashion...

LG releasing Lifeband Touch Activity Tracker and Heart Rate Earphones this Sunday

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 9, 2017

This coming Sunday, May 18, LG will release a pair of new wearable products. Designed to work with iOS and Android, the Lifeband Touch Activity Tracker, as the name implies, is a wrist-worn fitness band which measures your physical activity performance - stuff like speed, steps taken, calories burned and covered.

And LG's new Heart Rate Earphones with built-in sensors will measure your heart rate as you listen to your music, make calls or just chill.

Used together, these two products promise to help you reach and maintain your fitness goals while fusing advanced activity tracking, biometric data, Bluetooth app connectivity with easy access to your music and iOS device and what not. Both accessories can be pre-ordered now through Best Buy prior to launch...

LG teases upcoming Android Wear-based ‘G Watch’

Cody Lee ∙ May 12, 2014

LG has posted a teaser clip this weekend for its upcoming G Watch, which is an Android Wear-based smartwatch. The video doesn't offer up much in the way of specs or feature details, but it gives you a good look at its design and function.

The G Watch will apparently be the first watch powered by Android's new wearables platform it introduced back in March. It has a metal body, which is both dust and water resistant, and is compatible with a stout number of Android devices...

Amazon launches new Wearable Technology store

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

In case you needed any more proof that wearables aren't just a passing fad, Amazon launched a new storefront this week dedicated specifically to the space. Dubbed the 'Wearable Technology' store, the page highlights health trackers, smartwatches and more.

Since it's likely that many of Amazon's customers aren't familiar with the new devices just yet, the company has supplemented its retail offerings with other content like 'Learning Center' videos, product comparisons, recommendations and editorial reviews...

Rumor: Apple, Nike developing sensor-laden fitness band that controls other devices via gestures

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 19, 2018

File this one under the 'Obvious' (or is it?) tab. According to a new report Tuesday by Geektime, citing sources familiar with their plans, Apple and Nike have banded together to secretly engineer a new smartband said to have been scheduled for a major announcement this Fall.

Needless to say, Geekwire doesn't have an established track record in terms of rumors so you need to take the story with a grain of salt. Of course, such a notion just makes lots of sense on many levels.

As a reminder, CNET learned last week that Nike is in the process of shuttering its wearable-hardware division that produces FuelBand-branded accessories. These things are worn on one's wrist, track one's health and fitness data and work in conjunction with a companion iPhone app.

The sportswear company reportedly let go the majority of the team responsible for the development of FuelBand hardware as it reportedly concentrates its efforts on a secretive collaboration with Apple...

You’ll be able to buy a Google Glass headset tomorrow; will you?

Jake Smith ∙ Updated April 16, 2018

Google will hold a one day sale on Tuesday, April 15, for anyone who wants to pick up the Explorer edition of Google Glass, the wearable headset that can take photos, beam apps into your eye, and more.

Until now, Google has limited the sale of Google Glass to customers who received an invitation from another Explorer or directly from Google, but starting Tuesday at 6am for 18 year old US customers, it's your chance to finally check out what's going on with this wearable hype. To buy a pair, you must go to the Google Glass website, but don't think they'll come for free...