wearables Archives - VR World

Business, Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile, Wearables

Fossil spends $260M on wearables startup Misfit

Fossil Group announced that they will enter a definitive agreement to acquire wearable startup Misfit. The acquisition thus enables the watchmaker to venture into different areas of wearable products, adding to their lineup. Misfit brings to Fossil Group a scalable cloud and app platform, a world-class software and hardware engineering team, a native wearable technology brand and a pipeline of innovative products. “We have a significant opportunity to add technology and connectivity across our platform of watches and accessories,” said Kosta Kartsotis, chief executive officer of Fossil Group. “With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be uniquely positioned to lead the convergence of style

AMD, Hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), News, Technology Security

GlobalFoundries Launches 22nm FD-SOI Process for IoT, Wearables

Since its inception, GlobalFoundries had a plan to become world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer. From starting as an AMD manufacturing spin-off, the company owners set a multi-decade plan which involved acquiring Chartered Semiconductor and recently, acquired IBM foundry business as well. The capacity grew from initial 60,000 300mm wafers in 2009 to almost quarter billion 300mm and 130+ million 200mm wafers in second quarter of 2015. While the absolute capacity numbers were even higher, the owners (Mubadala Development Company, Abu Dhabi) decided to re-address the capacity and increase volume in processes that make financial sense. In order to stay ahead the company kept on investing in SOI

Hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), iOS, Operating Systems, Software Programs, Wearables

No Face Transplants: Apple Rejects Apps That Change Apple Watch’s Face

You’ll need to stick with the face Apple gives you.

Apple, Companies, Hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), VR World, Wearables

The Apple Watch Gets the iFixit Treatment

Check out what an Apple Watch looks like inside.

Apple, Business, Companies, Internet of Things (IoT), VR World, Wearables

Apple Opens Doors to Online Apple Watch Pre-Orders

You can now pre-order an Apple Watch online.

Business, Internet of Things (IoT), VR World, Wearables

IDC: The Wearables Market is Expanding

Industry think tank says the market will hit 126 million shipments by 2019.

Analysis, Internet of Things (IoT), Wearables

Want a Successful Wearable? Build It A Solid App Store

Wearables live and die on the strength of their app stores

Analysis, Apple, Companies, Internet of Things (IoT), Wearables

The Strength of the Apple Watch App Store Will Determine Its Success

The strength of the smartwatch’s app library will determine if it’s just hype or a sustainable product.

Business, Internet of Things (IoT), VR World, Wearables

Pebble Time Proves a Demand for Wearables

The success of the Pebble smartwatch proves the market wants wearables. But are Pebble’s competitors up to the task?

Hardware, Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile Computing, VR World, Wearables

Pebble Time Crowdfunds $1M in 49 Minutes, $6.8M in a Day

Smartwatch maker Pebble Tech finds crowdfunding to be a viable means to raise capital, increase margins and improve its visibility as a grassroots effort.

Internet of Things (IoT), Interviews, Wearables

LifeBEAM: User Experience Should be Focus of Wearable Tech

In this interview with LifeBEAM, creator of embedded bio-sensing devices, we learn that wearables should not be intrusive. Instead, wearable device makers should design with a great user experience in mind.

Analysis, VR World

Ready to Wear?

Taiwan’s tech firms vie for a foothold in the nascent wearable devices market, Matthew Fulco reports

2015, Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Event, Gaming, Hardware, VR World

Wearables are on Parade at CES 2015

Wearables no longer refer only to fashion on the runways of Paris. Wearables will be on parade at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January, 2015. Devices that snuggle into fabrics, wrap around your wrist or stick to your tummy make people into walking displays of cutting edge technology. When you talk about wearables, you’ll hear about MEMS (micro-electro mechanical systems). One definition says: MEMS is the integration of mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a common silicon substrate through microfabrication technology. You can learn more at a CES Conference Track running from 9am – 4:30pm on January 6, 2015. Early this year,

Asia Pacific (APAC), Global Politics, Japan

Anime-inspired Axent Wear finally rolls out

After gaining a lot of positive feedback, Axent Wear ‘anime’ headphones are now ready to be launched as an Indiegogo project.

Asia Pacific (APAC), Global Politics, Japan, VR World

Superhuman Sports: The Future of Sports?

The Superhuman Sports Committee explores the concept of tech-enhanced sports events, which may be the norm in the next decades to come.

Mobile Computing, VR World

Pebble Drops Firmware 2.6 and Prices

Pebble has released firmware 2.6 that enables continuous activity tracking on the smartwatches, also drops prices by $50. Pebble just released firmware 2.6 update to the masses that enables continuous activity tracking and app quick launch. The smartwatch company that was a huge hit on Kickstarter in 2012 and has enjoyed successful growth. It is now celebrating that success by making its products more accessible by dropping the price by $50 on the Pebble ($99.99) and Pebble Steel ($199.99). Pebble took time to highlight some apps that will be making the most of the new functionality of continuous activity tracking. Misfit app and Jawbone’s UP app are both two of the first

Hardware, VR World

Soft Sensors in Exosuit Turn Soldiers into $6 Million Men

Instead of implants under the skin that turned Steve Austin into the $6 million man, the Soft Exosuit fits outside the user’s body. It boosts a soldier’s ability to walk longer distances carrying heavy gear with less fatigue and improved resistance to injury. Exosuits are a new class of applications for soft robotics. Soft, elastic sensors in an adjustable suit made of nylon, polyester, and spandex provide well-timed bursts of power intended to reduce the energy a soldier uses to walk. The suit mimics the action of the wearer’s leg muscles and tendons. Sensors embedded in the insoles of a boot send a signal to

Asia Pacific (APAC), Event, Global Politics, IFA 2014, Japan

Japanese launch date for SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk revealed

Sony (TYO: 6758) had enthralled us with its unveiling of the newest SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk wearables last IFA 2014. However, despite the announcement of its availability this fall, we were still left wondering as to when exactly we’ll get our hands on one. Well, the wait is finally over, at least for Japan. Sony finally announces that both wearables are going to be available around the end of November in the country. There are no exact prices revealed yet, but it is estimated that the SmartWatch 3 and the SmartBand Talk will be available in Japan with an equivalent price of about $230.00 and

Asia Pacific (APAC), Global Politics, Japan, Software Programs, VR World

New Smart Eyewear Boosts Japanese Shogi

When it comes to smart eyewear, we usually think of floating interfaces, navigation guides, and augmented reality. Board games certainly weren’t on top of the list, but this idea from Japan takes the traditional game of Shogi and pushes it into the next generation with a new smart eyewear unit. The Shogi smart eyewear unit is the product of the collaborative effort between software developers and prominent Shogi players in Japan. The unit has no official name, and it is probably best to tell you early on that this particular model won’t be commercially available soon. The primary function of the Shogi smart eyewear is

Android, Event, IFA 2014, Mobile Computing, Operating Systems, Software Programs, VR World

Sony Releases SDK for SmartEyeGlass

We always have known at some point that a true, direct rival would soon rise to compete with Google Glass, and it has indeed come in the form of Sony’s SmartEyeGlass. Now, the company has finally opened the smart eyewear for developers to tinker, with the release of its SDK. First appearing as a simple prototype earlier this year last CES 2014, Sony’s SmartEyeGlass was reintroduced again a few weeks back at the beginning of September, during IFA 2014. Despite having the same concept, one of the most obvious differences of the SmartEyeGlass to the Google Glass is its display. Both use special projectors to