Watch concepts have a tendency to reach out and grab us. This one is no different. Artist Oliver Demangel has concocted his Konect Usb watch concept that has begun turning heads in the wearable tech world. It packs in a ton of cool ideas and tells time in a unique fashion, unfortunately that fashion makes telling time rather difficult. Oh well, such is life.
For one, there’s a Bluetooth radio that acts as a receiver. So, as long as you have a BT headset strapped in, you can use your watch to communicate. Like Star Trek! There’s also some music playback functionality. This all comes via the use of a removable USB stick. Again, though, all of this futuristic swagger comes with a price. The watch is difficult to read. It ..read more
Posted in: Bluetooth, Concept Design, Watches
Last year, HP’s Phil McKinney showed off a teaser photo of the company’s upcoming metal watch design. Well, the watch is still technically “vaporware” but the fancy timepiece now has a video to go along with the teaser image.
This metal watch is an innovative design that, apart from being made out of metal(thus the name), is also an always-on connected device. This means it is mere nanoseconds away from interacting with your mobile phone, your laptop or just about anything else in your life.
The company insists it is just a research project, however the release of this concept video indicates it may be getting more serious about a consumer release. More on this as it develops.
Posted in: Bluetooth, HP, Watches, Wearable Tech
Allerta’s inPulse smartwatch has been all the buzz for a while now. Things have gotten even, well, buzzier for the phone however. The company has recently allowed for applications to be released that make the most out of the bluetooth-enabled device. One such application has just dropped which adds feature-rich Facebook functionality right to your watch. Not bad.
This app was created by inPulse’s very own Lead Designer Eric Migicovsky, and as such it is extremely user-friendly. It allows you to grab a list of nearby locations off the phone, and then check in with just a click of a button. Kind of neat. To get it, all you have to do is grab the code off of the company’s website.
Posted in: Allerta, Bluetooth, Watches
Watches that feature Bluetooth functionality have been a problematic concept. The problem? Bluetooth eats up a ton of energy which leaves people with dead watches. Casio is trying to rectify this with their Bluetooth Low Energy wristwatch concept.
The Bluetooth functionality will keep your watch constantly tethered to your phone to keep track of incoming texts, phone messages and emails. Finally, you won’t to burn those precious calories reaching into your pocket constantly. I’m joking. This actually does seem rather convenient.
This Bluetooth 4.0 enabled watch is only a concept for now, however. Casio promises it will be made available someday. Until it’s finished, there’s always similar models you can check out.
Posted in: Bluetooth, Casio, Watches, Wearable Tech
Sure, there are lots of cool bags with a tech twist, but the world of wallets seems decidedly retro. This is about to change thanks to the remarkable iWallet. This biometric wallet will only open with your fingerprint. Pretty futuristic, right? Like something about of “Minority Report.”
Of course, this could make airport security mad when they want to check to see if you are carrying and contraband, but that is neither here nor there. The wallet also alerts you immediately when it loses Bluetooth contact with your cell phone, which means that you’d know almost the instant you lose it, as soon as you walk a mere thirty feet away or so. This is a really good idea for those who would lose your head if it was not attached ..read more
Posted in: Accessories, Bluetooth
It’s the same old story. You find yourself lost behind enemy lines with nothing but your wits to keep you alive. Wouldn’t you like an all-in-one mobile device to help you find your way back to the land of McDonalds and Inception jokes? That’s where the General Dynamics Itronix GD300 comes in.
This mobile device uses Android as an OS and comes packed in with a gad of military-grade functions. It is wrist or chest mounted and has a beefy GPS functionality, as well as the ability to connect to tactical radios. What’s under the hood? A 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 256MB of memory, 8GB flash storage and a 3.5-inch, 800 x 480 “glove-friendly” and “sunlight readable” touchscreen display.
Sure that doesn’t sound so different from the usual smartphone ..read more
Posted in: Bluetooth, General Dynamics, Mobile Phone Integration, Two Way Radio
Earwear has made some significant advances in recent years, and nowhere is this more evident then in the world of hearing aids. The ReSound Alera adds Bluetooth the picture for the ultimate in hearing aid technology. Toss out that old Loud N’ Clear, there’s a new player in town.
It operates on 2.4GHz, and along with the Unite wireless accessory, brings true wireless functionality to your hearing needs. This means you can pipe in data from the radio, television, computer or just about any other major media application. There will be no more need to tell people to “turn it up” as you are trying to watch the LOST finale.
The units are available now. So what are you waiting for?!
Posted in: Bluetooth, Earwear, ReSound
The Beagleboard is a fan-less single board computer. As such, it can be put to work in a variety of functions. The coolest and newest one? A designed named Martin Magnusson has turned the humble Beagleboard into a wearable computer. Yeah, for a site called Crunchwear, that pretty much makes our heads explode.
The rig runs Angstrom Linux, uses a modified pair of Myvu Crystal video glasses for a display, and relies on a Bluetooth keyboard for input and a tethered iPhone for internet connectivity. Pretty cool, right?
You wear it via a shoulder strap although the innards can also fit inside of a standard CD case. At lease there’s finally a use for that Collective Soul CD you’ve inexplicably held on to.
Posted in: Bluetooth, Concept Design, Wearable Computing, Wearable Tech, iPhone Integration
Plantronics are no stranger to bluetooth-enabled devices. The company is back with the Plantronics Explorer 395 Bluetooth-enabled headset. The unit seems solidly designed and is getting favorable reviews. The best part? It only costs $49 bucks.
This headphone unit clocks in at a paltry 0.39 ounces, which makes it perfect for wearing for long periods of time. Can’t stay weighed down, you know?
Posted in: Bluetooth, Earwear, Plantronics
You have a smartphone that tells you when you have new emails, but do you have a shirt that does the same thing? Didn’t think so. You know who does, though? Two industrious modders known as Chris and Madeline. This husband and wife duo has created a t-shirt that lets you know when you have new emails.
It gets this done using an Arduino Lilypad microcontroller, a few LEDs, conductive thread, and a Bluetooth dongle. The result? A flashing light when your friends and family are letting you know what is up, or when an African prince lets you know you are about to be the proud recipient of a billion dollars.
If you are interested in cobbling together your own, check out a video on the procedure here.
Posted in: Bluetooth, Concept Design, DIY - Corner, LED, Shirt
