Wearable Electronics

Myvu video eyewear gets a style boost

By Emily Clark

15:43 January 8, 2008 PST

January 9, 2008 Myvu has unveiled its redesigned line of video eyewear at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with two new models designed to inject a dose of fashion into the wearable, hands-free personal cinema experience: myvu crystal and myvu shades. The new generation Myvu shades feature a glance-down design that allows viewers to maintain true situational awareness and the broad and unobstructed field of view enables new applications and uses that were not possible before. Myvu crystal features an increased resolution from Quarter VGA to VGA quality without sacrificing its sleek, ergonomic design, along with a 35% increase in the field of view over existing myvu models, providing true DVD quality. Read More

Arriva's iPod Shuffle headphones

By Noel McKeegan

19:06 January 1, 2008 PST

January 2, 2008 While Bluetooth headphones are the hot item for those seeking the convenience of a wireless solution for personal audio players, Arriva have developed a cost-effective, low-tech system for iPod Shuffle users that effectively produce the same result. Using a soft spring design, the Arriva's "wireless" iPod Shuffle stereo headphones support the Shuffle and hold it in place at the back of the head forming a self contained unit and eliminating the need to run wires into a backpack or elsewhere on the body. Read More

Belkin SportCommand for iPod

By Darren Quick

20:01 December 19, 2007 PST

December 20, 2007 Belkin's SportCommand for iPod is a fabric, water-resistant, wireless iPod controller that users can strap on to control an iPod while it's stored safely away in a backpack or jacket. Read More

Phosphor watch features customizable E Ink display

By Darren Quick

22:37 December 13, 2007 PST

December 14, 2007 Clocks and watches are one of the many product groups that stand to benefit from the utilization of Electronic Paper Displays (EPD). The latest example from the world of timepieces comes from Art Technology Ltd, which has embraced the benefits of EPD technology in its new range of Phosphor branded luxury watches. These watches utilize E Ink’s high contrast, wide viewing angle EPD technology to display time in analog or digital formats with the look of electronic paper which possesses much better contrast in high brightness situations than any emissive display. It can be read accurately and instantly from any angle, vastly improving on traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and the use of an EPD allows users to customize the dial by selecting from a range of styles - from the precise detail of full numerals and indices to the simplicity of no markings at all. Read More

Jawbone Bluetooth headset uses military grade technology for clearer calls

By Darren Quick

17:04 November 15, 2007 PST

November 16, 2007 Aliph’s Jawbone Bluetooth headset uses military grade technology called Noise Shield, which eliminates background noise and seamlessly adjusts speaker volume throughout the call to facilitate clear, uninterrupted conversations, even in extreme environments. Read More

CERULEAN F1+TX Bluetooth headphone and transmitter for iPod

By Darren Quick

00:12 November 3, 2007 PDT

November 3, 2007 iSkin has bundled its TX transmitter and F1 headphones as the CERULEAN F1+TX, a Bluetooth audio package for iPod that enables wireless control and simultaneous connection to a mobile phone. Read More

I-Garment fire suit to aid frontline emergency communications

By Emily Clark

20:16 October 28, 2007 PDT

October 29, 2007 Perhaps the most critical tool in the face of disasters such as major fires is the ability to maintain communications – but the very nature of these events means that terrestrial systems are often an early casualty (through either overloading of the system or destruction of infrastructure), in turn exposing emergency personnel to an even greater level of danger. The I-GARMENT project is addressing this issue through the development of a full-bodied “smart suit” that combines protective materials with an array of sensors that monitor position and vital signals and wirelessly transmit the data back to base. Read More

Seiko's Kinetic Direct Drive wristwatch

By Darren Quick

16:40 October 28, 2007 PDT

October 29, 2007 Seiko has launched a new range of "Kinetic" watches which automatically generate electrical energy through the wearer’s wrist movement. Now entering their third decade, the latest Kinetic incarnation offers a second winding function called “Direct Drive” which gives the wearer the option of winding the crown to power the device. Read More

Suunto Core extreme sports wristop computer

By Emily Clark

21:02 October 23, 2007 PDT

October 24, 2007 Outdoor sports instrument specialist Suunto has added the Suunto Core to its range of wristop computers. Billed as the “the ultimate instrument for any adrenaline-packed outdoor activity” the new ABC (altimeter, barometer, and compass) wristop includes a digital thermometer, altimeter, barometer, digital compass and a weather trend indicator incorporating a storm alarm that kicks-in when a rapid drop in air pressure is detected. Features new to the ABC line include a depth meter, sunrise and sunset timer, four language menu and the ability to automatically switch between altimeter and barometer depending on your level of activity. Read More

Washable RFID tags to benefit clothing logistics

By Emily Clark

21:55 October 15, 2007 PDT

October 16, 2007 Fujitsu has developed a new way to tag and track rentals and returns of uniforms using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Tagfront uses UHF-band washable, soft linen RFID tags built into the uniforms to facilitate batch readings and enable more efficient real-time tracking of clothing inventories. Read More

Latest myvu video eyewear supports wider range of media players

By Darren Quick

18:19 October 12, 2007 PDT

October 13, 2007 Mobile video eyewear supplier Myvu have unveiled their new universal edition, which supports mobile phones, portable DVD players and media players like Archos, Zen, and Microsoft’s Zune. Naturally the myvu universal also supports Apple’s ubiquitous iPod with out of the box support for any fifth generation video iPod and support for the newly introduced iPod touch, iPod nano and iPod classic coming later this fall thanks to an accessory cable that will be sold separately. Read More

Citizen displays Earthquake Early Warning watch

By Darren Quick

21:57 October 11, 2007 PDT

October 12, 2007 Citizen has displayed an innovative earthquake warning concept watch at CEATEC Japan 2007. Jointly developed with Rhythm Watch, the device combines an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) receiver and an analog watch. The Seismic watch functions as an ordinary watch until it receives the EEW, which causes the hour hand to speed up based on the seismic intensity estimation, while the minute and second hands give the countdown time to the earthquake arrival. Read More

Reactor launches new action sports watch models

By Darren Quick

00:52 October 11, 2007 PDT

October 11, 2007 Sports watch maker Reactor has announced a new range of watches aimed at the action sports enthusiast. Starting with the "Graviton", a water-sports watch featuring a pre-programmed database of tide information for 275 worldwide locations, the new watches adhere to six key attributes that Reactor calls the “DNA” of the brand: all cases and bracelets are solid 316L stainless steel; all watches have screw-in crowns with crown guards; the bracelet/case interface has a stainless steel screw bar attached with allen-head screws; Swiss Superluminova on markers and hands; a forged caseback; and secure folding clasps on all metal bracelets. Read More

BLINGPlayer portable MP3 player

By Emily Clark

23:20 September 13, 2007 PDT

September 14, 2007 For those not content with the dreary white, black, chrome and pastel color choices of most MP3 players, this new potable music unit come hip-hop jewelery from MediaREADY could be the answer. Created in response to the popular (but apparently dull) iPod, the 2 GB BLINGPlayer is further evidence of the very blurry line that now separates personal electronic devices and fashion accessories. Read More

Plantronics convertible mono to stereo Bluetooth headset

By Gizmag Team

17:42 September 11, 2007 PDT

September 12, 2007 Plantronics have introduced a Bluetooth convertible mono to stereo headset for MP3 Bluetooth enabled mobile phones. The Voyager 855 headset offers a convertible design for listening to calls in mono as well as listening to music in stereo as headphones via a detachable stereo cable. Drop the second earbud or detach the cable and the headset serves as a high-quality mono Bluetooth device. Read More

Waking up when it suits you: SleepTracker alarm watch

By Gizmag Team

00:44 September 11, 2007 PDT

September 11, 2007 Have you ever noticed that on some mornings you wake up more easily than others? These are the mornings when you wake up in the light, "almost awake-time" of your sleep cycle. The bad groggy mornings are when you have awakened from the deep sleep part of the sleep cycle. We've previously encountered technology that takes advantage of this phenomena in the form of the aXbo "sleep phase alarm clock" and now there's the wrist worn SleepTracker personal alarm watch. The SleepTracker tracks sleep cycles and allows you to set your "wake-up" time to coincide with moments of light sleep, meaning you wake up feeling more alert. Read More

New sensor technology to boost smart clothing market

By Emily Clark

19:08 August 27, 2007 PDT

August 28, 2007 Smart fabric technology makers Eleksen Group have announced sensor technology allowing consumers to choose which gadget they want to control via their interactive clothing. The new technology system will also benefit garment makers wanting to create interactive apparel (iApparel) but lack the technological capabilities. Read More

ezVision video glasses: portable 50-inch virtual widescreen viewing

By Loz Blain

17:56 August 24, 2007 PDT

August 25, 2007 Portable video is set to boom, with video iPods and other devices now storing huge amounts of content and packing the battery life to make them worthwhile. The one thing these pocket-sized devices can’t get around though, is the fact that nobody likes watching movies on a 2.5-inch screen, which is where these ezVision video glasses come in. Slip them on and pop the earbuds in and you’re treated to a private screening with a virtual screen size of 50” and a relaxed viewing distance that’s not too hard on the eyes. Nifty! Read More

Zegna Sport Bluetooth iJacket incorporates smart fabric

By Emily Clark

23:04 August 22, 2007 PDT

August 23, 2007 An innovative new jacket design from Zegna Sport will allow wearers to simultaneously listen to their iPod and talk on their cell phone utilizing a controller embedded in the jacket sleeve. The Bluetooth iJacket has been made using smart fabric from the Eleksen Group , makers of touch-sensitive smart fabrics for clothing, electronics and accessories. Read More

GPS platform shoes feature hidden safety compartments

By Emily Clark

19:06 August 22, 2007 PDT

August 23, 2007 These shoes are certainly not going to compete with the likes of Jimmy Choo or Manolo Blahnik in the fashion stakes, but could they be a safety boost for women? With an inbuilt GPS, an audible alarm system and storage for your valuables the Platform 001 sandals could definitely be beneficial in protecting against muggings or to locate ladies in the case of emergency. Read More

W100 wrist-watch mobile phone

By Gizmag Team

07:33 August 15, 2007 PDT

August 15, 2007 Not unlike the personal jet-pack, the wrist-watch phone is one of those inspired ideas that captured the public imagination long before it had a chance to become a technological or commercial reality. Now China's Qiao Xing Mobile has announced the launch of its wrist-watch mobile phone, the W100, which features a 65k TFT-LCD touch screen, 1GB built-in memory and a 1.3 megapixel camera. Read More

New Ironman sports watch offers wireless iPod control

By Gizmag Team

03:40 August 6, 2007 PDT

August 6, 2007 The new iControl watch from Timex is really handy for changing tunes while running, paddling, riding a bike or flying a plane... and it even tells the time. The advanced sports watch doubles as a wireless remote control for iPod and also works with Apple’s iPhone when the phone is in airplane mode. Part of the Timex Ironman collection, the sleek, light-weight iControl is designed to work in motion and is water-resistant to 100m, making it a convenient way to control your music during almost any activity. Read More

Wristwatch emergency beacon a lifesaver in remote emergencies

By Loz Blain

17:09 July 30, 2007 PDT

July 31, 2007 In remote emergency situations, simply being located quickly by response teams can mean the difference between life and death. For example if you’re trapped under debris and found within 30 minutes, you’ve got a 50% chance of survival. Make that three hours and nine out of ten victims will die. Small, lightweight emergency beacons are a simple solution to this equation, but they haven’t proven economically attractive yet. Now in a socially conscious move aimed at invigorating the industry, a global Russian electronics firm has made its emergency beacon designs and expertise available free of charge. Read More

New head mounted display for use in military training

By Kyle Sherer

Juy 18, 2007 A Helmet mounted display is a versatile technology that allows computer images to be projected in front of the wearer’s eyes, and can be used to show a plethora of wicked awesome things, including distant focus, tactical information and thermal imaging. The usefulness of the product has ensured that it is constantly seeing new developments, innovations and applications. L-3 Communications’ Advanced Helmet Mounted Display has recently been incorporated into the U.S. Army Flight School XXI, a promising sign for the emerging twin fields of “augmented reality” and “making people more like the Terminator”. Read More

Headphones: Motorola goes for Bluetooth, JBL adds noise cancellation

By Loz Blain

June 23, 2007 Two sets of headphones we thought rated a mention: Motorola has released a set of Bluetooth wireless "DJ" headphones which pair with either music devices, games consoles or mobile phones, using a built-in microphone, and JBL have come out with an affordable headset that incorporates an ambient noise cancellation system. Read More