Wearables

Haloband brings smartphone functions to the wrist

Haloband brings smartphone functions to the wrist
The Haloband uses NFC technology and a companion app to allow users can control their smartphones by tapping them with different points on the band
The Haloband uses NFC technology and a companion app to allow users can control their smartphones by tapping them with different points on the band
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According to the company the Haloband is waterproof and does not require a separate battery
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According to the company the Haloband is waterproof and does not require a separate battery
The company used surgical-grade silicone to house three chips atop an antenna coil, PET substrate with adhesive and backing paper at separate points around the band
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The company used surgical-grade silicone to house three chips atop an antenna coil, PET substrate with adhesive and backing paper at separate points around the band
The Haloband aims to put the convenience of technology within arms reach by extending the functionality of the typical smartphone to your wrist
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The Haloband aims to put the convenience of technology within arms reach by extending the functionality of the typical smartphone to your wrist
The device is compatible with Android NFC phones and tablets (no iOS support)
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The device is compatible with Android NFC phones and tablets (no iOS support)
The Haloband uses NFC technology and a companion app to allow users can control their smartphones by tapping them with different points on the band
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The Haloband uses NFC technology and a companion app to allow users can control their smartphones by tapping them with different points on the band
The band has three sections sections: A, B and the CloudZone
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The band has three sections sections: A, B and the CloudZone
The Haloband is available in five sizes measuring between 16 cm (6.3 in) and 22 cm (8.7 in)
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The Haloband is available in five sizes measuring between 16 cm (6.3 in) and 22 cm (8.7 in)
The Haloband is available in black, purple, red, yellow, green, blue and white
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The Haloband is available in black, purple, red, yellow, green, blue and white
With sections A and B to be used to control the smartphone, the Cloud Zone is intended, as the name suggests, to work as a cloud service dedicated to identity authentication and information exchange
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With sections A and B to be used to control the smartphone, the Cloud Zone is intended, as the name suggests, to work as a cloud service dedicated to identity authentication and information exchange
Using the app, the device is customized by assigning different move sets to various smartphone functions
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Using the app, the device is customized by assigning different move sets to various smartphone functions
View gallery - 10 images

From lifestyle monitors to UV detectors, recently we have seen an array of connected wristbands emerge to serve a variety of purposes. In a similar vein, the Haloband is designed to put the convenience of technology within arms reach, but does so by extending the functionality of a smartphone to your wrist.

The device uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and a companion app through which users can control their smartphones by tapping them with different parts of the band. The company used surgical-grade silicone to house three units each comprising a chip, an antenna coil, PET substrate, adhesive and backing paper at separate points around the band, dividing it into three sections (A, B and the CloudZone).

Using the app, the device is able to be customized by assigning different move sets to various smartphone functions. For example, "Tap A + B" can be set to pause music playback, or "Tap A x 2" can be set to turn on the flashlight. The company says the functions of the Haloband are only limited to that of your phone, provided of course it is NFC-capable.

With sections A and B to be used to control the smartphone, the CloudZone is intended, as the name suggests, to work as a cloud service dedicated to identity authentication and information exchange. The company says this is currently being refined and it plans on opening up the Application Programming Interface (API) to developers in anticipation of products and services, such as smart keys and cloud payments.

According to the company, the Haloband is waterproof and does not require a separate battery, nor will it drain the battery of your smartphone. It will come in black, purple, red, yellow, green, blue and white, and in five sizes measuring between 16 cm (6.3 in) and 22 cm (8.7 in). The weight will vary in accordance with its size, anywhere between 10 g (0.35 oz) and 15 g (0.5 oz).

The device is compatible with Android NFC phones and tablets (no iOS support, yet) and is the subject of a Kickstarter campaign due to draw to a close on January 16. At the time of writing, $US25 pledges are available with shipping estimated for February 2014.

You can watch Haloband's Kickstarter video below.

Source: Haloband

View gallery - 10 images
3 comments
3 comments
Rambo
I can't differentiate this between the actual NFC bands...:( may be i guess, it houses 3 nfc tags in one band...but other than that it's just another NFC features...If i missed some thing, kindly enlighten me...
I can get better functions with traditional NFC Tags/NFC Bands/NFC Key-chains costing very cheap(about $1 to $6)...and add an app called Trigger to my android...:) :)
Paul Anthony
Rambo, I just checked out the app Trigger and it looks like something I want to try out. Thanks!
Snatr
I think this is a great idea. As much as you might think that you could setup your own triggers and all, the fact is that the bracelet has the chips in it already. And the developers app would simplify the whole process. Not to mention give you uses you may never have even thought of. I like it. The only problem I have after looking at there website is the price. I would only hope that would come down after they get their production going.