As usual,
where Google leads others follow.
Critics initially
scoffed when the tech giant announced Google Glass but if this year’s Consumer
Electronics Show (CES) is anything to go by, 2014 is set to the be the year
everyone jumps on the wearable tech bandwagon.
Yet a recent survey
from wireless tech experts CSR found 72 per cent of people would only buy
wearables if the devices look good, while 67 per cent admitted the gadgets need
to they fit with their personal style.
And judging from the
range of devices unveiled during CES, some companies have managed this, while
others have a long way to go
SMART GLASSES
Google Glass was seen
as a revolution when it launched in 2012 and strongly divided opinion.
People, dubbed Glass
Explorers, who have managed to get their hands on the $1000 (£600) gadget have
even been called 'Glassholes', because of how they look when wearing the
gadget.
SMARTWATCHES
Moving on to
smartwatches, Samsung may have seemingly rushed through the release of its
Galaxy Gear watch at the end of last year to beat rival Apple to the punch, but
the device was heavily criticised because of its large design.
A number of
smartwatches were displayed at CES this year, and some learnt from Samsung's
mistakes, while others didn't.
For example,
watchmaker Burg unveiled its range of smartwatches including the Burg 12, also
known as London, Burg 14 called Seoul, and Burg 18, known as Moscow.
This rise in wearable
cameras was fuelled by the popularity of the GoPro range, which start at £185.
Onto the more obscure
wearable items, CSR unveiled a Bluetooth necklace at the event that connects to
Android and iOS devices. It alerts the wearer to notifications using a
colour-changing LED fitted inside the pendant.
The device is just a
prototype at the moment and CSR has not announced when the product will go on
sale.
Elsewhere,
Heapsylon's Sensoria smart socks are made with conductive threads that act as
sensors, producing a current when pressure is exerted on them.
They pick up pressure
points in three areas of the foot - around the big toe, the little toe and the
heel.
The data is then
picked up by the ankle bracelet, collated with outside conditions such as
temperature, altitude and terrain, and then beamed via Bluetooth to a smart
phone
AND IT'S NOT JUST HUMANS WEARING TECH...
And its not just
humans that can take advantage of this growing trend. A smart collar for dogs
that measures a canine's heart and respiratory rates as well as counting
calories was also shown off at CES.
FITNESS GADGETS
However, the most
prevalent wearable devices at the show were fitness trackers. Sony, LG and
Casio were among the big names unveiling new gadgets, yet devices from smaller
companies including Notch, Razer, Tinke and Wao were also on display.
Sony's foray into the
world of fitness trackers includes its waterproof SmartBand
that can be linked to Android phones and tablets via the Lifelog app.
The band tracks
physical activity, including calories burned, distance and what type of
activity the wearer was doing, such as walking, cycling or driving.
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