Category: Wearables

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

LG Showcases Low-Cost, Plastic Version of Google’s Cardboard VR Headset

Virtual Reality headsets are the new tech every firm is betting on. But as it tuns out, none of them are available at a budget price – except one. At a mere $20, Google VR is super economical but it’s made out of cardboard. Quality would be no issue with the new VR headset by LG. The South Korean company has made a plastic version of the Google Cardboard that would be low in price. Called VR for G3, the headset will give virtual reality experience using the phone’s internal hardware.

Based on Google Cardboard VR, the VR for G3 is a mere shell with lenses. The LG VR headset has three pieces which come assembled. A ring magnet like in the Cardboard VR headset sits on the left to select menu. A cutout on the back of the device reaches the volume rockers. Also, there are small cutouts for flash, laser autofocus, and speaker. The two slots are seen at the either ends, which can be used for a head strap.

Just strap your phone in the headset and it will send you right in the virtual world. As its plastic, it will cost low, but it is speculated that it may be available for free. Meanwhile, there is no word about its availability and price, and users have to wait till the next announcement.

Samsung released a Gear VR headset last year, but it costs $199. Not only this, one need to buy a Galaxy Note 4 as it is compatible with the Note 4 only.

The VR for G3 is definitely a good step to encourage the virtual reality concept to come into the mainstream.

February 10, 2015
Apple Watch to be Used by Major US Hospitals for Health Report

Smartwatches are built with an aim to use technology to make lives easier for its users. Many manufacturers have now launched smartwatches to keep up with the wearable technology race, but it seems like Apple is working hard to remain at the top of this game. A new report states that Apple’s healthcare gadget is the top choice of major US hospital doctors to monitor patients.

According to a survey conducted by Reuters, top hospitals prefer Apple’s smartwatch rather than the wrist-worn gadgets by Samsung and Google. The hospitals are in talks to start a program of Apple’s HealthKit service that will assist doctors read the recorded health information like blood pressure, weight or heart rate, so that the chronic conditions can be detected.

The Apple Heathkit gathers data such as glucose measurement tools, tracking apps to measure food intake and exercise and Wi-Fi connected scales. The forthcoming watch, set to release in April, is expected to come with some features that would allow doctors to view the heath records of a person just by sending it through the watch.

The Chief Clinical Transformation Officer Dr. Richard Milani clarified the use of Apple Watch saying, “If we had more data, like daily weights, we could give the patient a call before they need to be hospitalized.” An industry advisor John Halamka spoke about the use of Apple Watch commenting, “Can I interface to every possible device that every patient uses? No. But Apple can.”

The health technology is growing at a rapid speed and there are chances that Apple will invest more by 2018 in technology including apps, wearables, virtual care and remote monitoring.

February 6, 2015
Swatch To Take its Plunge into the Smartwatch Market

Back in September last year, the world’s biggest watchmaker Swatch announced its plans of venturing into the booming smartwatch segment, and now new reports suggest the Swiss giant is all set to unveil its wearable device in the next 2-3 months. CEO Nick Hayek says the new smartwatch won’t have to be charged, will feature communication and mobile payment functions, applications and will be compatible with Windows and Android.

The largest Swiss watch manufacturer also mentioned it wouldn’t rule out the possibility of joining hands with consumer-electronics companies to produce smartwatches. This smart wearable will be called the ‘Swatch Touch’, which uses a low-power microchip to ensure low power consumption, allowing for always-on display.

The company seems pretty confident about the new venture, claiming that all big tech firms want to work with them. Meanwhile, Hayek says that the Swiss manufacturer can achieve a lot on its own. Apart from all standard features like activity tracking, steps, sleep and calories count, Hayek also told the reporters that the new line would feature a few “Swatchy” things, alongside Bluetooth technology.

We’ll certainly be keeping a close eye on this one!

February 5, 2015
Samsung Expected to Extend Gear VR Support to Galaxy S Edge and Galaxy S6

Samsung’s recent innovation Gear VR, apart from latest smartphones and TVs, is far from reaching of masses. The reason was the fact that its compatibility with only one device, Samsung Galaxy Note 4. The company is putting effort to make the virtual reality headset a regular feature with smartphones, and is pushing support to more devices. According to SamMobile, the South Korean producer is adding two more devices to the compatibility list of Gear VR – Galaxy S Edge and Galaxy S6.

This doesn’t sound something really bizarre as the latest devices are likely to support the new invention. But it isn’t as simple as it seems.

The Gear VR, powered by Oculus, is a wearable put on the head that encloses Samsung Note 4. The gadget has been designed to fit a display of Note size, more that 5.3-inch, so that a viewer can get 96-degree viewing angle. According to the rumours, the Galaxy S Edge and Galaxy S6 will sport a 5.1-inch Quad HD display that cannot fit in to the big screen of the virtual reality headset. If the sources of SamMobile are to be believed, then the upcoming flagships may feature a display larger than 5.3 inches.

However, the company hasn’t confirmed its adaptability with both the devices and users have to wait for an official announcement.

January 29, 2015
Tim Cook Confirms Apple Watch to Debut in April

The smartwatch by Apple is the next big awaited announcement from the Cupertino-based giant. The Apple Watch will make a debut in April this year, confirmed the CEO of Apple, Tim Cook.

Tim stated that the Apple Watch is under development, and that he has high expectations from its upcoming debut-

My expectations are very high on it. I use it every day. I love it and can’t live without it.

This statement condemns the earlier rumours which assured that the Apple Watch would launch in the first quarter of 2015.

The revelation has come at the time when Apple is riding high on success. Recently, Apple witnessed a record-breaking sale of over 74 million iPhones.

Users will see three variants of the Apple Watch: first is the regular Apple Watch that would have a case of stainless steel, second variant is the Apple Watch Sport that will hold a fluoroelastomer band and anodised aluminium case, and the last one is the Apple Watch Edition with an 18-karat gold case. The device will be compatible with the latest iPhone models – iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus.

Apple Watch has a personalised interface and a Digital Crown that sits at the right side of the watch to help navigate better. The Apple Watch will be available in six designs with interchangeable straps. The built-in speaker phone and microphone can be used to receive calls.

January 28, 2015
Next-Gen ASUS ZenWatch’s Battery Might Last One Whole Week on a Single Charge

Smartwatch battery is a big issue that has taken centre stage and it seems like ASUS is taking this matter gravely. The Taiwanese multinational company is working on its ASUS ZenWatch successor, which is said to be have a battery life which would last an entire week. Smartwatches are judged on the basis of their battery life; no one wants another device that needs constant recharge.

The ASUS Chairman has hinted of the extended lifespan of the next smartwatch saying that the forthcoming ZenWatch will have a more simplified central processing unit (CPU) and operating system (OS). The lighter version will lead to a battery support that can go for up to seven days on a full charge. If the company stands true to its words then the ZenWatch 2 can hold the limelight this year as usually all smartwatches have a battery support of maximum two days. Recently Apple faced the heat when rumours emerged about Apple Watch’s terrible battery life.

The electronics giant also stated that the upcoming smartwatch will be independent and one will be able to make voice calls without being tethered to a smartphone. The original ASUS ZenWatch touts a 1.63-inch AMOLED touch display, 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 4 GB of internal storage capacity.

ASUS is geared to launch two low-price wristbands this year. These wristbands will combine health tracking features like keeping a record of footsteps, heartbeat, pulse and blood sugar.

The ZenWatch 2 (temporarily titled) will only be available by the third quarter of 2015. It is expected to launch at a price tag of $199.

January 27, 2015
Apple Faces Flak for Apple Watch’s Terrible Battery Life

Apple may have announced the Apple Watch but there are still very limited details about the smartwatch available. We’re still uncertain about when it might be available. And obviously, one of the biggest concerns is its battery life. Smartwatches are judged on the bases of their battery life; no one needs another device that needs constant recharge. It seems Apple Watch is no different.

9to5Mac reported, the iPhone maker is having trouble achieving the target battery life for the Apple Watch. Apple has aimed for its upcoming smartwatch to last a full day on a single battery charge, but the reality may fall short of the goal.

According to the report, Watch’s beefy processor and high quality screen hogs in the battery juice really fast, severely impacting the battery life of the smart watch. It might only last 2.5 to 5 hours of battery life on active use.

The company hoping to achieve its goal of three days on standby mode and four days in sleep mode. But the wearable device may last only two to three days in either standby or low-power mode, according to 9to5Mac. The Apple Watch was expected to change the scenario of poor battery life of smartwatches. However, the Apple Watch’s battery life doesn’t sound much better than already-available smartwatches.

The battery life has remained a source of concern for Apple over the past year, and was a contributing factor for Apple pushing back the retail launch from an originally planned late 2014 to early 2015.

The company has now set a March shipping date for the smartwatch. The Apple Watch will be priced at $349 and will be available by early 2015. It will come in three variations – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition. The wearable will be compatible with iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus.

January 24, 2015
Microsoft Holo Lens will bring Holographs to Life on PC

Microsoft is banking big on its new piece of technology which will bring holographic imagery to the end consumer.

Holo Lens is a mere headset which when connected with any PC running Windows 10 will merge and blur the lines between the digital and the physical. The kit will come complete with a set of APIs that enable developers to create holographic experiences in the real world.

With Windows 10, holograms are Windows universal apps and Windows universal apps can work as holograms, making it possible to place three-dimensional holograms in the world around you to communicate, create and explore in a manner that is far more personal and human.

The Holo Lens is wireless and will project the holograms in high definition and allow for a surround sound audio experience. Built directly into the hardware is a dedicated Holographic Processing Unit “HPU” ensuring a smooth transition between the software to the virtual world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aThCr0PsyuA

January 22, 2015
Facebook in Hiring Mode to Boost its Virtual Reality Business

When Facebook acquired Oculus Rift for a price of $2 Billion, we had a feeling it has something big planned for it. Virtual Reality(VR) is a budding market that is growing at a slow and steady pace. Facebook sees huge potential for these devices and is now on a hiring spree to get Oculus Rift up and running in the consumer space.

Oculus can be credit for bringing Virtual Reality back from the dead. Using the increased processing might of this generation chipset has helped these device give an authentic VR experience. The graphics quality has gotten better and there are now multiple headset options in the market that promise an immersive experience. While devices like Gear VR from Samsung are already in the market, Oculus Rift’s consumer version is still in the development stage.

Facebook acquired Oculus last year for a sum of $2 Billion

Facebook has listed 54 jobs on its website that seem to directly focus on it VR division. The jobs listed include managers to oversee logistics, procurement and global supply chain planning. Analysts believe this hints that the company is ready to bring the consumer version in the market.

If you want to test out the Oculus Rift, the company offers a Developers Kit that supports over 188 game titles. Other players in the VR market include Sony with its Project Morpheus, Google with the low-cost headset called the Cardboard project and Avegant Glyph. There are also some start-up projects working on their VR headsets too, like ANTVR.

We hope the wait for the consumer version of the Oculus Rift is coming to an end. It may be only a while before VR would be the way to game because of its immersive advantage.

January 19, 2015
SmartBand Talk and Sony SmartWatch 3 Get a Price Tag for the Indian Market

After showcasing SmartWatch 3 and SmartBand Talk at the IFA Berlin in September 2014, the Japanese manufacturing company has finally brought both the two devices for Indian consumers. The devices are listed on the official website of Sony India. The SmartWatch 3 is tagged at Rs. 19,990, while the SmartBand comes at a price of Rs. 12,990.

The price listed for the SmartWatch 3 is for the black variant. There is no word on the availability and price for the stylish steel edition. At the given price tag, this Sony smartwatch is one of the most expensive wearables in the country running on Android.

Sony SmartBand Talk

Taking a look at its specifications, the Sony SmartWatch 3 sports a 1.6-inch 320×320 square display. The device runs on a 1.2GHz quad-core processor paired with 512 MB of RAM and has 4 GB of internal storage capacity. The 420mAh battery of the device is enough to last a couple of days. The connectivity options include NFC and Bluetooth 4.0. Along with that, the watch is secure from water and dust.

The company said that the straps of the smartwatch are interchangeable, and users can attach straps of different colours with the main watch unit.

On the other hand, the SmartBand Talk boasts a 1.4-inch 296x128p e-ink curved display. The band allows handsfree calling. Like the smartwatch, it comes with exchangeable wrist straps that give it a trendy look. The device is waterproof and can last for 3 hours on a single charge. The connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0 LE and NFC.

January 17, 2015
Moto 360 Gets Premium Leather Bands Courtesy DODOcase

The Moto 360, one of the best looking smartwatches available right now, is getting sexier with new premium leather bands by DODOcase. The San Francisco-based startup which is famous for its iPhone and iPad cases, collaborated with Motorola to make these bands.

A few months back, Motorola added brown leather to the black and stone coloured Horween leather options, but it seems that didn’t work out. DODO’s leather bands are made from premium Pergamena leather. They are available to order directly from Motorola’s online store in four different colors – red, blue, tan, and green.

The DODOcase leather come in eco-friendly colors died using materials safe for the environment. You’d have to shell out $59.99 for the leather bands. That’s a significant premium over the $29.99 price of Motorola’s own Horween leather straps, and quite close to the $79.99 that Moto charges for the available metal bands for the Moto 360.

If you are curious about how this premium Pergamena leather are made, then watch the video below:

January 17, 2015
This Website Lets You Can Virtually Use The Apple Watch

Word is that you have to wait till March to get your hands on Apple Watch. The Cupertino-based tech giant’s first bid on the wearable market will be priced at $349 and will come in three variations – Apple Watch, Apple Watch Sport and the Apple Watch Edition. The wearable will be compatible with iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus.

Anyhow, some folk at Pipes news app have created a demo of the forthcoming Apple Watch, which you can try right on its website. The interactive demo lets you navigate through various features of Apple Watch by clicking and holding parts of the home screen and moving around. The demo lets you try out certain applications, like the Clock, Weather, Phone, and Music apps.

The Digital crown of the demo watch is also interactive. While it doesn’t let you scroll or zoom like you’ll be able to once the real Apple Watch comes out, you can use it to return to the home screen. The demo can also show you a preview of some of the watch’s features, like Glances, which are cards that give you tidbits of information, and push notifications.

January 16, 2015
Google Glass to Get An Independent Division Headed by Nest’s Tony Fadell

Between the frenzy of latest flagships and CES launches, Google Glass has been missing the action for quite sometime now. But not anymore, because Google is shaking its wearable up with some major changes.

The Google Glass team announced in a post to its Google+ page, that Glass is “graduating from Google[X] labs,” presumably still marching toward a “real” consumer launch. The Explorer program will come to an end on January 19th which is just three days away.

According to the post, the research project will move to own division. This new standalone Google Glass group will be led by Ivy Ross, who will report to Tony Fadell, the head of Nest Labs, Inc. The development process for the head worn wearables has been a bit slower than some might have expected when it comes to available glassware(apps for glass)but it was strong nonetheless and it seemed to give off a promising future.

Google Explorer Program has spanned years and seen plenty of awesome, annoying, and controversial moments as Glass has looked for a place in the hearts and minds of tech consumers. Many tech enthusiasts believe it has a place in the broader wearable ecosystem including fashion, medicines, navigation, research etc.

Google is also discontinuing consumer sales of the current Explorer Edition of Google Glass, beginning January 19. Google Glass will still be sold to approved developers and companies for both use and further development of the Glass ecosystem. This points again to the new version of Google Glass that will be arriving in 2015, though it is still unknown when it will arrive and whether it will be powered by an Intel Chip or not.

January 16, 2015
New Screenshots Reveal How an iPhone App will Control the Apple Watch

Everyone is waiting to get their hands on Apple’s new smart watch. Although it is one of the late entrants in the smartwatch segment, it is one of the most awaited devices around. Months ago, at the mega-event held in Cupertino, the company claimed that the Apple Watch will be highly customizable. However, the details about how that would be achieved were few, until now.

Yesterday, it was reported that the latest iOS 8.2 beta will come with an Apple Watch application for the iPhone through which the smartwatch can be customized. The app, which is referred to as the ‘Companion app’ , manages settings for Apple Watch applications, as well as settings for iPhone-Apple Watch interactivity.

The publication also revealed some screenshots of the ‘Companion app’ which gives us little insight of the new functions expected. According to screenshots, users will be able to manage and organize applications on the Apple Watch Home Screen via a virtual view on the iPhone Companion application.

Most of the functionality of the Apple Watch will be decided via the companion app, including alert and notification preferences, as well as some of the visuals you see on the wearable. The layout for the cluster of application icons on the Apple Watch’s home screen can be managed from the companion app, using a virtual preview.

According to the images, Apple Watch will rely heavily on voice commands for texting, browsing and other functions.

There’s also the option to have the Apple Watch unlock any time a user unlocks his or her iPhone, so long as the watch is attached to their body.

Apple Watch was announced back in September 2014 along with Apple iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Pay. The company has said that it will ship in “early 2015,” however, it is widely expected that the Watch might ship in by March.

Want to know more about the Apple Watch? Click here.

January 14, 2015
Apple Patents Action Camera Designs, Plans to Take on GoPro

Apple has pioneered a lot of technological advancements that we giddily enjoy today. Think multiple font faces, personal computers and of course, their sweet smartphone. Having made its entry into the wearables segment last year with the Apple Watch, the Cupertino based giant has now patented a design for an action camera.

Apple will take a direct hit at GoPro with this one. In its patent document, the company calls out GoPro’s HD Hero2 cameras for creating “excessive wind resistance’” while mounted, and being “susceptible to damage” from vibrations.

The design of the camera and accompanying wearable.

The new camera design is based on the patents that Apple acquired from Kodak in 2013. This camera can be controlled by a smartwatch. The designs indicate a system of multiple camera sensors that assist the device in covering multiple angles and also multiple directions. The device also describes multiple mounting options like the GoPro; it can be used as a handheld camera and can also be mounted on cars, jibs, bikes, etc. So it checks all the requirements to be an action camera and also comes with a wearable remote.

GoPro’s stock saw significant damage after the news of Apple’s patents. According to CNN Money, the stocks of GoPro fell by 10% on Tuesday. But it shouldn’t be a major cause of concern for GoPro, which is still the king of action cameras. Apple, just like any other major corporation, has a history of acquiring patents which rarely make it to the consumer’s hands. But it did manage to generate hype. GoPros phenomenal success has brought in a barrage of new action cameras like HTC Re, Poloroid Cube Mini, Sony HDR-AS20 HD POV Action Cam and others.

We don’t completely discount the chances of an Apple action camera. As the smartphone market and the wearables segment gets more saturated, companies might look at other areas of interest. Apple can also make use of its Apple watch as a controller, thus increasing its functionality.

January 14, 2015