Tag Archives: connected devices

In Your Face: That’s Where This Jump Rope Displays Its Skip Count

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Working out pretty much always involves counting something, whether it’s the number of reps you’re doing, or how long it takes you to do something else. When you’re lifting weights, keeping track of your count is pretty easy, but when skipping rope…

Eh, who cares about all this intro? Look, the Smart Rope uses sensors and 23 LEDs to display your count in mid-air, right in front of you, as you skip. Ok? That’s the gimmick here. It uses a process called Persistence of Vision, and in addition of displaying your skip count, it can show you other data like calories burned or time elapsed. It’s a “smart” rope because it connects to your smartphone to give you additional options, like sharing and storing the data you generate while you bounce around. It’s $89.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Geekologie ]

It’s Beginning to Look Up for Wearables

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The world of wearable tech continues to develop in interesting ways. One of which is that it is actually becoming more fashionable. Note that we said fashionable, not trendy – just because something is trending does not automatically make it fashionable. Where most wearable devices up until now were produced by tech companies attempting to create devices for market consumption that went beyond mobiles, it seems that the fashion industry itself is beginning to jump on the tech band wagon, producing wearable tech that is actually wearable!

Fossil

Fossil is a well-known brand for watches first and foremost, although they have also created quite a name for themselves within the bags and accessories sector as well. Ultimately, when considering anything from Fossil, one considers something of style and quality. So with Fossil dipping their feet into the tech sector, the result has been a production of wearable devices that are actually attractive and fashion-forward. And it doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon, since Fossil Group has recently acquired tech company Misfit for the hefty investment of $260 million. With this partnership, Fossil is poised to innovatively expand their wearable tech product line and establish themselves even further as one of the bigger competitors on the market.

Tag Heuer

Another company that has perfected the fashion-meets-tech dilemma that has left other companies baffled is luxury watch brand Tag Heuer. Tag Heuer has collaborated with even bigger tech industry geniuses Google and Intel to produce the exceptional Connected Watch. The Connected is based on their previously successful Carrera collection design, and is perhaps the nicest looking smartwatch on the market, although there is some concern over the price tag, which currently sits at $1,500. The Connected moves wearable tech out of the realm of a sportswear accessory – like Moov is marketed as – and into the realm of a smartwatch that can actually complement a business suit, or whatever other looks you might be going for when wearing a luxury watch.

Only time will tell where smartwatches and wearable tech is going to from here, but as far as we can see on this increasingly visually appealing horizon, the future is indeed looking up.

Self-Driving Isn’t Just For Cars: The Smartbe Stroller Brings High Tech Innovations To An Age-Old Product

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We have sensors. We have batteries and brushless electric motors. We have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. We have the tiniest of microprocessors… Wouldn’t it make sense to cram a bunch of these into a baby stroller, and give it the kinds of features we’ve come to expect in all our products in 2016? The Smartbe Stroller is as high-tech of a stroller as we’ve ever seen. It comes with three driving modes, from full manual, to power-assist (where you’re still pushing, but with minimal effort), to completely self-driving. In this last mode, the stroller always stays ahead of the parent, within arm’s reach, whether you’re walking or even jogging. Additional features are almost too numerous to name: built-in rocker, wireless Bluetooth speakers to play your music to your baby, electric bottle warmer, “climate/temperature-controlled bassinet keeps your baby comfortable no matter the weather, and air filters can protect against pollution and allergens.”

If this project ever manages to see light of day (and that’s a big “if”, considering the ambitiousness of the project, and the fact that it’s far from fully-funded on IndieGogo, and that all they have at the moment is a bunch of CG renders…), the Smartbe Intelligent Stroller promises to be Tesla of strollers. Completely connected, fully-automated, and as high-tech as any early enthusiast would want their infant carrier to be. Prices start at $900 for the basic non self-propelled model, and go all the way up to $3,199, with shipping in April 2017 (further re-inforcing the impression that we’re looking at vapourware).

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[ Project Page ] VIA [ MikeShouts ]

Fever Scout Tracks Your Baby’s Fever Continuously

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Like many physical illnesses, fevers are best treated if caught early. Especially for a toddler or a baby, being able to provide him with the right medical attention at the right time can make the difference between a speedy recovery and a few days of crying and worrying. Fever Scout is a soft flexible patch that your kid wears on his chest at all times. It continuously monitors his temperature and sends it to your smartphone; if ever it goes beyond some preset range, it’ll notify you immediately. It’ll also generate a graph of his temperature over time, letting you see what’s effective and what’s not. It’s not meant to be worn for months at a time, only a few days when necessary, and the kit comes with 10 medical grade adhesive patches. It’s $60 and available early 2016.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Werd ]

Chronos Makes Your Dumb Watch A Little Smarter

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You may have spent a bunch of cash on your nice new watch, but you’re starting to look at all these people walking around with smart watches and it leaves a sour taste in your mouth? Well, you can have your cake and eat at least part of it too. The Chronos… disc(?) attaches to the underside of most watches and gives them a fair bit of smartwatch functionality.

Working with an app on your phone, it counts steps and monitors heart rate like a FitBit, but also allows you to program a variety of vibration and light combinations for alerts. As with the Apple Watch, you can prioritize certain contacts and alerts over others, allowing them to come through while ignoring others for the time being. The disc also senses taps on the watch face to trigger user-specified functions like skipping a call or taking a photo.

Sure, 33mm across and 3mm deep disc won’t give you a fancy touch interface, and it’s lacking some of the features of the Apple Watches and the Moto 360, but it’s a compromise, and not a super expensive one either. A $99 pre-order gets you one, with shipping in spring 2016.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Geek.com ]

The Ember Mug Will Keep Your Drink Warm For You All Day

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Drinking coffee at the exact temperature you enjoy is like trying to hit a moving target; first it’s scalding, then it ends up lukewarm or cold within minutes. Ember is a pretty brilliant smart connected mug that first cools down your beverage quickly to your preferred temperature, then keeps it there all day. You set the temp by twisting the base, or by connecting the mug to your smartphone. If you do that, you’ll have the added benefit of being notified when your drink has cooled down to its optimal temp. The internal battery will then warm your liquids for up to two hours, or all day if you set Ember down on the wireless charging coaster that it comes bundled with. It’ll pair with an Apple Watch as well, or any iOS or Android device with Bluetooth 4.0 or later. It’s a $129 pledge, down from its expected $149 retail cost.

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[ Project Page ]

Connected Dice Roll Themselves, Light Up, And Make Sounds

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Dice have been around for a long time, but it seems it’s only lately that we’ve started seeing any sort of innovation brought to this centuries old product. First there was the Ako Dice a week ago, and now we bring you news of the Boogie Dice. While the Ako’s update was purely aesthetic, the Boogie Dice are high-tech. The biggest feature is that they’ll roll themselves: simply snap your fingers, clap your hands, or make a sudden loud noise to activate the rolling action. An internal vibrator will keep them dancing on the table between 2 and 4 seconds, long enough to make you feel like they’ve been properly tossed. “The Boogie app allows you to customize the dice by changing the length of the roll, color of the LED lights, the sound sensitivity and more.” A charging station also does double duty as a rolling arena, making sure the dice don’t fall off your table. On a full charge, you can expect 600 rolls.

It’s doing the Kickstarter dance at the moment, and you can get a pair for a $38 pledge, with shipping in March 2016.

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[ Project Page ]

The June Oven Is A Smart Oven

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We live in an age of intelligent appliances. The latest to receive the smart treatment is the countertop oven. The June Oven is a connected appliance that helps you cook a meal with sensors, thermometers, HD cameras, and a companion application. Not only does June features six Carbon Fiber Heating Elements that heat up faster and more efficiently than similar machines, two fans for circulating the hot air and keeping an even temperature throughout, an integrated Core Temperature Probe, an HD camera that recognizes popular foods, and a built-in digital scale, it also has an NVIDIA Tegra K1 Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A15 2.3 GHz processor to do all the calculations needed to offer the best possible cooking advice and temperature control. Its WiFi module connects to your network, and allows you to control the device from anywhere. This means better, tastier food, prepared more easily. And for such a high-tech package, you will of course have to spend a pretty penny: $1,495, with a $60 deposit now and shipping in Spring 2016.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Werd ]

New DeWalt Batteries Are Connected, Feature Enhanced Security

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If you’re a foreman, or project manager, part of your job just got a little easier. DeWalt will be releasing “a new line of Bluetooth rechargeable batteries that can be connected to a smartphone app for checking their charge status—or remotely disabling them.” They come in 2.0Amp and 4.0Amp versions, and all pair with an iOS or Android device for easy management. Managers can keep track of specific inventory at a job site, charge levels on each battery, and can disable individual ones or all of them in one go. You can set things so that you receive a notification if a battery is taken out of range, and it can also be auto-disabled if that happens. It’s even possible to lend tools for a specified amount of time, after which the battery will be disabled to force the tool’s return.

When you’re on a job site, you have tons of things to take care of and keep track. Every little bit helps, and these batteries from Dewalt should be well received. It’s $99 and $139 for each, which seems like a lot until you end up preventing a theft or two, then they pay for themselves.

[ Press Release ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

The Space Case 1 Is A Suitcase Loaded With Tech Features

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The Space Case 1 isn’t the first smart suitcase we’ve talked about, but as time goes on manufacturers learn how to add even more features, and this case is packed. Here’s a quick rundown of what it does:

– Digital BioLock
Forget about small padlocks or easy-to-forget number combinations. Press your finger against the reader and Space Case 1 opens up for you. We do imagine there’s a TSA override, though.

– Global Tracker
Know the location of your suitcase at all times.

– Digital Self Scale
Sensors built into the wheels make it possible to weigh your suitcase at any time.

– Power Bank
A 12,000mAh battery, hooked up to 3 USB ports (2 external, and 1 in an internal front pocket), means you can charge your devices during long haul flights, or extended layovers.

– Bluetooth Speakerphone
Take or make handsfree calls from your hotel room, or stream some tunes while you work. The Bluetooth speakerphone is integrated.

– Proximity Sensor / Anti-Theft
Get a notification when your luggage arrives at the carrousel. If someone were to leave with it before you get to it, the case locks down and sounds an alarm.

– And more

Prices start at $249 for a carry-on. It’s a fully-funded Kickstarter, with an expected November delivery.

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[ Product Page ] VIA [ MikeShouts ]