Category: Wearables

Smartwatch, Apple Watch, Moto 360 , Samsung Gear, Gear Fit, Galaxy Gear, watches smart wearables and all the latest news on iGyaan

Google Teases Google Glass in an FCC Filing

It’s been a long time since we heard anything about Google Glass. Yes, we are talking about that spectacle containing a tiny computer, whose production was stopped by Google earlier this year. It could have been the end of it, but Google never stopped developing the project. Today, a report has came out that says Google Glass could resurface again.

According to Droid Life, an FCC (Federal Communication Commission) filing by Google indicates that the company is working on a new version of Google Glass. Filed under the FCC ID A4R-GG1, the term ‘GG’ indicates Google Glass. Unlike most devices, which are labelled in FCC as mobile or a wearable, this one has been labelled as “BLUETOOTH & DTS/UNII a/b/g/n/ac” with model name “GG1”.

According to the website, the device has Bluetooth LE and rechargeable, non-removable batteries that can’t be accessed…. the product comes with an AC charger and USB cable that when connected to a PC, can provide a “path for charging and data transfer.”

For all we know, the device could be a smartphone or a tablet, but the fact that it hasn’t been labelled as a phone or wearable and Google used the initials GG, this could be the next version of Google Glass. Of course, it’s all speculation until and unless Google announces it.

With Oculus Rift expected to make a huge entry by 2016 and Microsoft HoloLens getting attention for its innovative holographic interface, Google has the perfect opportunity to make strides in the augmented reality wearable segment.

July 3, 2015
Google’s Semi-Secret Facility Unveils a Health-Tracking Wristband

Rumour has it that Google X is currently working on an interesting wearable project. Google’s semi-secret workshop is one of the most innovation oriented institutions in the world. The research facility takes on some of the most fundamental questions on transportation, communication and others. Then, it takes an alternative bottom-up effort to understand them. The facility worked on concepts like Teleportation, Space elevators, and it is also the birthplace of projects like Google Glass, Driverless car and the upcoming Project Loon.

It is now developing a medical-grade wristband which will track health vitals such as heart-rate, pulse and skin-temperature on a “minute-by-minute” basis. The wristband will also measure external conditions such as room temperature and noise levels. The surprising thing is that Google won’t sell the device to general consumers, unlike Fitbit, which focuses on consumer wearables.

“Our intended use is for this to become a medical device that’s prescribed to patients or used for clinical trials,” said Andy Conrad, head of the life sciences team at Google, in an interview to Bloomberg. The device will allow doctors and medical researchers to keep track of a patient’s vitals outside the laboratory. Google wants the device to record accurate data, a function which can’t be expected from consumer-grade fitness wearables. The wristwatch can also make the research process more efficient, since the data collected from the patients can be easily organised and analysed.

Google X, the secret research wing of Google, is developing the wristwatch. The company will invite researchers and drug companies to test the device’s accuracy. The trial will start over summer, the company’s spokeswoman said.

June 24, 2015
Fitbit is Bringing its Family of Fitness Wearables to India

Fitbit, the world’s largest tech wearable brand, is entering the Indian market through a partnership with Amazon India. The company is popularly known for selling wearable technology, which helps monitor fitness.

It will offer its range of wearables on Amazon, which include Zip, Flex, Charge HR and Surge. The prices will range from Rs. 4,000 – Rs. 19,990. It will also sell Aria, a weight scale for Rs. 9,990.

Here is a list of products the company is bringing to India:

FitBit Zip

Zip is the entry-level addition to FitBit’s range of health wearables. A clip-based activity tracker, it tracks only steps taken, distance travelled, and calories burned. Zip runs on a disposable battery and can track 7 days of detailed motion data, minute by minute. It will be priced for Rs. 3.990 for India.

FitBit One

FitBit One, like Zip, is a clip-based activity tracker, but with a longer battery life than Zip. It will be priced at Rs. 6,990 for India.

FitBit Flex

Flex is a wrist band, with a LED display consisting of white indicator lights. It tracks movement, including sleep patterns and also acts as an alarm. Flex can be customized into a fashion accessory by simply removing the tracker and swapping it with a Flex collection piece. It will be priced for Rs. 6, 990 for India.

FitBit Charge HR

FitBit Charge is a wristband that keeps track of your fitness. The watch, when synced with the FitBit app, will display time, heart-rate, calls and more. The Record Mode records workouts and displays statistics in real time. The Exercise Mode records workouts and displays statistics in real time. It will be priced for Rs. 9, 990. for India.

Charge HR, like Charge, is a smartwatch that keeps track of your fitness. The watch uses FitBit’s proprietary PurePulse optical heart rate technology to deliver continuous, automatic wrist-based heart rate tracking all-day, even when you sleep. It will be priced for Rs. 12, 990. for India.

FitBit Surge

Surge is another smart watch that keeps track of your fitness. It records every aspect of exercise like running, cycling and cardio. Moreover, Surge allows you to keep track of your calls, texts and music activity. Built-in GPS delivers stats like real-time pace and distance along with elevation and shows history, speed, elevation and workout summaries on device. It is expected to cost Rs. 19.990.

FitBit Aria

Aria is a smart scale that tracks weight, lean mass, body fat % and BMI. Aria can also recognize up to eight individual users wearing FitBit wearables. It will upload the data directly into the user’s FitBit account through Wi-Fi. Price: Rs. 9,990.

June 23, 2015
This Device Uses the Sense of Taste to Help the Blind See

FDA has approved a new device that allows blind people to “see” through their tongues. Developed by Wicab, the Brainport V100 translates the information captured by a digital video camera into electric patterns, which is then stimulated on the tongue. According to Wicab, users will feel “moving bubble-like patterns on their tongue which they learn to interpret as the shape, size, location and motion of objects in their environment”.

The Brainport V100 uses a digital camera mounted on a pair of sunglasses and is connected with a tongue array. The array translates the pixels from the camera, which is then interpreted by the user. The device is controlled by a small hand-held unit. The unit also acts as a rechargeable battery, with duration up to 3 hours on a single charge.

Watch the device in action below:

FDA’s approval means that Wicab can now sell the Brainport in the United States of America. The company has been selling the product in Europe since 2013. Hopefully, the device finds its way in India too, which can help an estimated 15 million people suffering from blindness.

June 22, 2015
Apple is Already Prepping Apple Watch 2; Here’s What We Know

It’s been just two months since the arrival of Apple’s luxury wearable and the tech firm is already developing its successor. Yes, following the massive success of Apple Watch, the Cupertino-based organization is reportedly building its next-gen model, the Apple Watch 2. Sources close to Apple disclosed its plans of launching an improved iWatch version, which is said to reduce the dependence of the wearable on iPhone.

If we go by the revelations made by 9to5mac, the next Apple Watch will sport a camera on top of the watch bezel, to provide users with the facility of video calling. Watch owners can make or receive FaceTime calls while on the go, and there is no need to slip an extra gadget in your pocket. The inclusion seems rational as the company laid the ground for audio assimilation with watchOS 2.0, launched at their annual developer’s conference. A camera on the smartwatch is not a first, as Samsung has already incorporated on the Galaxy Gear.

As we said earlier, the second-gen Apple Watch will have minimal dependency on the iPhone, and will be able to perform maximum functions solely. Replacing the currently embedded Wi-Fi, a chip with the potential to locate a user’s location will be installed. Things like ordinary conversation can take place with the integration of a dynamic wireless chipset, but substantial actions such as software updates, media files synchronization, and few more will indeed require an iPhone.

The battery is what’s likely to remain unchanged in the next Apple Watch. The battery of first-gen watch has received positive reviews, and since customers are happy with its fuelling power, Apple aims to devote attention to other features.

It is also learnt from the same source that Apple might add new more options within the price range of $1,000 and $10,000. More options means more colour variants. Apple is speculated to consider the following colour options for the Watch – titanium, platinum tungsten, and palladium.

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June 19, 2015
Apple Watch OS 2 Improves Performance, Adds Native Apps

Apple’s new Watch OS 2 has added new features to Apple Watch, including many of those that were suggested by current owners and app developers.

Apple has now allowed moving the logic and processing directly to the Apple Watch improving the long and nagging load times everyone has been complaining about.

All the new features from Siri are going to be available on Apple Watch. Apple claims that only 6 weeks from launch thousands of apps are already available on Apple Watch. The new Apple Watch OS 2 allows for third party apps to display their information on the watch face.

The new Watch OS 2 also allows for custom watch faces, use your own photos and art to make your own watch dials.

The new Apple Pay features will be coming to Watch OS 2, including the new Wallet app, previously called Passbook. This app holds all financial and loyalty cards along with tickets and passes and is available directly on your Apple Watch.

Other features include addition of more favourites in the quick dial, multi coloured sketches and enhancements in the performance of the UI.

June 9, 2015
These Newly Developed Contact Lens Can Give You High-Definition Vision

Today is the era of high-definition. From Television sets, camera lenses to phone screens, almost everything now mandatorily has superior viewing quality. Medical technology is also striving to catch up with the rapidly evolving world and is showing signs of achievement. Thus, a bionic contact lens has been invented by a British Columbia optometrist, Dr. Garth Webb that can give its wearer a vision three times better than 20/20.

Titled as Ocumetic Bionic Lens, the custom-made contact lens technology is said to become the holy grail of excellent vision at all ranges. Any adult till the age of 100 or more can implant the bionic lens, and can get impeccable vision without wearing spectacles or lenses. According to Webb, a user wearing specialized lenses will never get cataracts as their natural lens would replace with Ocumetic Bionic Lens. Dr. Garth Webb said in a statement –

This is vision enhancement that the world has never seen before. If you can just barely see the clock at 10 feet, when you get the Bionic Lens you can see the clock at 30 feet away.

The procedure of implanting the bionic lens is similar to cataract surgery. The lens is surgically inserted into the eyes through a syringe. The lens is folded in a saline-filled syringe and placed inside the eyes. The whole process takes 8 minutes in total and the person gets a perfect vision immediately after the operation.

This breakthrough innovation would be extremely beneficial to mankind. At a time when people face different vision-related problems, the Ocumetic Bionic Lens will prove to be a saviour and one-stop solution for all eye complications. The technology is under trial on animals and the visually impaired for now, and is expected to come out in the next two years.

May 19, 2015
Apple Watch May Hit the Indian Market Sooner than Expected

The first smartwatch to mark the debut of Apple in the wearable segment was struck by manufacturing hiccups at the time of its release. The elusive Apple Watch which was to go up for sale from April 24 onwards, was missing from the Apple retail stores. Only customers of a few countries have access to order the same via the Apple online store. But it looks like Apple has sorted the initial issues. A supplier responsible for producing the Apple Watch hinted that there are no more production issues and that supplies will improve in the coming time.

The online tech publication Digitimes quoted the Vice Chairman CC Leung of Quanta Computer saying, “its client’s wearable device is no longer a challenge to Quanta in both technology and quality.” He also clarified that labour problem during Lunar New Year holidays forced them to borrow manpower from other manufacturers, which led to the shortage of the product. The provider now has sufficient supplies and is said to make a “giant contribution from its wearable device business in the second quarter.”

However, Leung didn’t name the Apple Watch but pointed towards it saying the “wearable device is unlike the smartwatches it produced before and has a lot of functions in it and its client is satisfied with the product.”

This means that the innovative gadget will land in India ahead of the speculated date. People might walk into the Apple Store to own a Watch later this month or in the beginning of June. The device is otherwise speculated to hit the Indian wearables market in July.

May 16, 2015
India Will Be Receiving Only The WiFi Variant Of LG Watch Urbane

Since Apple has released its Apple Watch successfully, many companies like Samsung, Timex, etc. are coming out with their versions of smart watches. LG does not seem far behind in the trend of creating smartwatches. The South Korean manufacturer raised its bar with the revelation of the G Watch R. Later, the company unveiled yet another smartwatch called the LG Watch Urbane. A fusion of style and technology, this watch is for both men and women.

According to NDTV Gadgets, India will be only receiving the WiFi variant of the watch, not the LTE version. As of now, there are no official statements given by the company, although it is expected this week.

Other than this, the LG Watch Urbane boasts of a 1.3-inch circular P-OLED (320x320p resolution) display, just like the G Watch R. Its bezels are narrow, which gives it a more elegant and classy look. The device is driven by 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset paired with 512 MB RAM. The Watch Urbane can hold data in the 4GB inbuilt memory and runs on Android Wear. The 410mAh battery of the smartwatch can be a bit disappointing and one has to charge it time and again to keep it going. The Watch Urbane packs Gyro, Accelerometer, Compass, Barometer and a heart rate sensor.

LG has priced the fashionable smartwatch at $349 (Rs. 22,000 approx). It is available in two variants, silver and gold but there is a nip to it; currently the watch is only available in the US and the sales begin from May 8. We don’t have an official confirmation about the watch’s arrival in India, but it is expected to launch sometime in end May.

May 15, 2015
Samsung to Confront Apple Watch’s Digital Crown with a Rotating Bezel on its Next Smartwatch

Apple’s first wearable Apple Watch was a unique wearable in certain aspects. The device houses the Force Touch feature and an innovative navigation-based Digital Crown that takes users through the watch interface. Samsung has a tough task ahead to bring out a competitive smartwatch in the wearable market, and seems like it is ready to knock out Apple Watch with its entirely distinct tool. Some details have surfaced in the latest release of an SDK for developers, which speaks that the stand-out feature of Samsung’s next Gear will be its display bezel.

According to a report by SamMobile, the next-gen smartwatch will have a circular display of 1.18-inch that will be paired with a rotating bezel. The bezel will be the key to interface navigation on the smartwatch, served by a Digital Crown on Apple Watch. The rotating mechanism will perform a variety of functions such as zooming, scrolling, adjusting volume and numerous other functions. Here are some of the images that show how will it work:

The image above shows how users can toggle between multiple apps like emails, messages, music player and more just by twisting the movable bezel on the Gear smartwatch.

Another picture shows the inclusion of the swipe feature that seems to perform a slew of additional functions.

Few other images reveal further uses of the rotating bezel like zoom in and zoom out photos, controlling volume and scrolling through the contacts list.

To embed rotating bezels on the next-gen Gear smartwatch is certainly an innovative approach by Samsung. It makes the wearable stand out of the pack and pits it directly against the Apple Watch.

Late last month, Korean electronics maker teased the round display of its future smartwatch while sending an open invitation to global developer community members. The pictures said about its partnership with CNN, Baidu, Yelp, Apposter, and FidMe. The next Gear device will run on Tizen OS with Exynos 7420 powering it. The smartwatch may launch in two variants. The company hasn’t come up with an official announcement till now, and we expect to hear it soon.

May 14, 2015
Yu’s First Fitness Band Can Calculate The Calories In Your Food

At the launch event taking place in Delhi, Micromax Yu has launched the highly anticipated successor of the Yureka, the Yu Yuphoria. But the Cyanogen 12-based phone is not the only product getting launched today.

YuFit Band

Yes, Yu has ventured into an entirely new product category with the launch of its fitness band, named as the YuFit Band, along with an accompanying app. This device works as a standard step tracker, a sleep tracker and for locating your phone. The fitness band comes along with an accompanying app called HealthifyMe. This app calculates the calories of any food material you click along with suggesting a healthier alternative. On the fitness front, it gives access to group coaching, social fitness, motivation and more.

HealthYU cassette

The Fitness band costs a mere Rs. 999. The company also offered a free personal trainer for the first 1000 YuFit users. Along with the fitness band, YU also revealed another device known as the HealthYU cassette. This device measures body vitals such as ECG, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate and respiration rate and is is priced at Rs. 4,999. This small device can fit into your pocket and has two suction cups that help in attaching the device to a smartphone’s back cover. The device then pairs with an app working on the phone with Bluetooth, and once the pairing is complete, you can keep four fingers on the four sensors on the HealthYu to start tracking the body vitals.

May 12, 2015
Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge Now Boast Their Own VR Headset

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge back in September 2014. As an icing on the cake, the Korean company in collaboration with Oculus revealed the Gear VR, a virtual reality headgear developed to work along with the Note 4. A year after, Samsung released its latest flagship devices, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge in April 2015. The company also announced that a similar VR set will accompany the handsets soon, but no such headset were up for purchase.

Today, Samsung made this device available for purchase. The device, named as Gear VR Innovator Edition for Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, is a smaller and lighter version of the Note 4 Gear VR. It comes with a redesigned strap and a built-in fan to help in air-flow. According to Samsung, the Octa-Core Exynos 7420 chipset, which is the powerhouse of S6 and S6 Edge handsets, and the high PPI display will provide its users with better and smoother virtual reality experience. The other side of the coin would be the smaller screen of the S6 and S6 Edge devices, which may result in a narrow field of view.

This device is available at Samsung’s official website and BestBuy. This device can be purchased for $199.99 (Rs 12,741) and is available only for its US customers right now. No other details about its price and availability in India has been disclosed.

May 9, 2015
Xiaomi Mi Band to go on Sale Again on May 12, Registrations Begin Today

The first flash sale of the Xiaomi Mi Band in India was a huge success. The sale commenced on May 5 at 2pm and got over within seconds. The Chinese electronics start-up is conducting the second flash sale of the Mi Band in India, but unlike the special preview sale, the fitness wearable will not be available for Re. 1 this time.

The next Mi Band sale will be held on May 12, i.e. the coming Tuesday. Interested buyers can register on the official Mi website today 2pm onwards. The registration window will be open till May 11, 2pm. The Mi Band will cost buyers Rs. 999.

Our next sale for Mi Band happens next Tuesday, 12th May at 2PM! Registration starts tomorrow 2PM at mi.com/in, so do…

Posted by Mi India on Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Mi fitness tracker was introduced in India along the Xiaomi Mi 4i. It is the cheapest tracker available in the country. The aluminium surface band comes with a micro laser perforation and no display screen. It is water resistant and has a battery life of 30 days. Used as a fitness and sleep tracking band, this device connects to a user’s smartphone and can unlock the handset without the need of passwords or patterns. It is available in a variety of colours like blue, pink, brown, grey and purple.

May 6, 2015
1,000 Xiaomi Mi Band Sell Out in 7 Seconds in its First Flash Sale

Today, Xiaomi’s Mi fitness band saw its first sale for the registered users. Under the ‘Special Preview’ sale, it was available for Re. 1 for the first 1,000 registrants. The flash sale commenced at 2pm and got over within 7 seconds.

The official Mi India page confirms the same –

Thank you! #MiBand‘s 1st special preview sale on http://t.co/osSEXTVk0K went out of stock in 7 secs. pic.twitter.com/BlmjEQXg0y

— Mi India (@MiIndiaOfficial) May 5, 2015

The sale took place on the company’s official web site, Mi.com. The registered buyers reported some glitch and said that the official Mi India page showed ‘Sold out’ message even before the sale commenced.

#MiBandSale – Some Mi fans r seeing “sold out” msg for http://t.co/pMj1r7lwp8 for Mi Band sale. The sale will happen at 2pm, as planned.

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) May 5, 2015

The fitness band was first unveiled in July last year and arrived in India on April 23^rd along with the Mi 4i. The aluminium surface band comes with a micro laser perforation and no display screen. It is water resistant and has a battery life of 30 days. Used as a fitness and sleep tracking band, this device connects to user’s smartphone and can unlock the handset without the need of passwords or patterns.

It is available in a variety of colours like blue, pink, brown, grey and purple.

May 5, 2015
Timex Ditches the Gold Watch, Launches Smartwatch and Fitness Band in India

American watch brand Timex is adopting all major steps to catch up with India’s wearable market. Recently, Timex Group launched a smartwatch and a fitness band in the country. The tech-driven Ironman Run x20 GPS watch is priced at Rs. 11,995, while the Ironman Move x20 activity tracker comes at a price of Rs. 8,995. Both the wearables will be available exclusively on Amazon.in.

Anupam Mathur of Sales and Marketing Head, Timex Group India commented at the launch –

With the introduction of Timex Ironman Move x20, and Timex Ironman Run x20 we aim to offer our consumers a confluence of future technology and style, Timex’s foray into wearable technology. We are pleased to introduce these new products to our Ironman portfolio designed to cater to the current age of fitness enthusiasts and tech savvy audience.

The Ironman Run x20 GPS by Timex is a watch designed to entice sport enthusiasts. As the name suggests, it features a GPS technology that lets users keep a track of the distance covered, pace, speed and calories burned while working out or running. Users can receive call and text alerts on the digital display of the smartwatch itself. The Run x20 GPS features a 10-workout memory with dated summary, stopwatch with 99-lap counter and offers automatic pace alerts.

Powering the wearable is a rechargeable Li-Ion battery that can go for 6 hours in full GPS mode. The smartwatch sports a Timex’s INDIGLO night-light and is water-resistant up to 50 meters.

On the other hand, the Ironman Move x20 is essentially a tracking device that records activities like steps, distance, calories and sleep, and notifies about missed calls and texts. It has different modes that helps wearer achieving their goals. The waterproof tracker is fitted with a rechargeable battery with 7 days support. It is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

May 5, 2015