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House of Marley Finds a Way to Be Unique in Bluetooth Audio – Review

2014-01-20

It was painfully obvious at the 2014 CES show that there are more than enough “me too” products out there. Everybody and their cousin makes a version of a smartphone case (look, we’re unique, ours has Swarovski crystals!), and almost every booth at the world’s largest consumer electronics show featured a Bluetooth portable audio device. It went from mind-numbing to nauseating-overload pretty quickly!

In our non-scientific opinion, we would estimate 70% of these Bluetooth devices run the gamut from bad to nothing special. That leaves the other 30% to be quite good, sold by reputable companies, and worthy of consideration. However, that is still a heck of a lot of Bluetooth portable audio devices to sift through! What could possibly make us choose one over another?

Well, that’s how we felt as we stumbled into the House of Marley booth. House of Marley? Like, as in Bob Marley? Yes, confirms the massive banners sporting his iconic image. Yes, the discrete use of green, gold and red on their product tags subtly testifies (Haile Sellassie I!). Yes, declares the music bumping a chill, trans-world groove. Ok, say we, the marketing for this line of audio and lifestyle products is a no-brainer. Hard to go wrong with Robert Nesta Marley as your lead salesman. The product was good looking, well-designed. We took a few pictures, muttered a non-committal “yeah, that’s cool” and went to make our way to the next of 2,300 vendors hawking their wares at this massive Las Vegas trade show.

And that’s when Nick, one of the Beautiful People working the House of Marley booth, came sprinting after me and asked me in rapid-fire succession: “Do you have any questions about any of our products? Would you like to try anything out or get a demo? Would you at least take one of our free (cool, wood-finished) thumb drives that has all of our info and media on it? Is there anything in particular that you’re looking for at the show?” It was a classic, courteous, and earnest save when an experienced salesperson realizes that a potential customer has been neglected and is about to slip away. Having been in sales and marketing for a long time, the gesture was greatly appreciated. And his last question let me get right to the point, “Anything wireless?” “Absolutely, please let me have you try a few of our latest Bluetooth products…”

Why do I relate this long introduction to a review? Because I soon learned this level of professionalism and attention to detail permeates not only the company but also their products. House of Marley has found a few supremely cool niches to help them standout in a VERY crowded field. So what exactly are they doing? Here’s the three main things:

First, they made sure anyone who wanted to had a chance to actually try out their products at CES. Too many booths at the show had all of their products behind glass or securely locked down to a display case. If a company isn’t willing to let the attendees at the biggest trade show in their industry try out the gear than these potential influencers will have no reason to get excited. They might even think it’s because these companies don’t believe in their own product. In this case, Nick had me back in the House of Marley booth and auditioning the sound of their new Liberate XL Bluetooth wireless headphones in under a minute.

Second, they definitely adhere to their credo, “Beauty—Durability—Earth-Conscious”. These are the three drivers behind House of Marley’s entire product line. There is no doubt that they have it down when it comes to the “beauty” department. Everything in their line is the perfect mix of rootsy urban cool. A strong component of their design sense is their choice of materials. They use their exclusive REWIND fabric, a unique blend of recycled water bottles, organic cotton and hemp, along with other materials including cotton and canvas textiles, recycled plastics, recyclable metals, bamboo and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified woods. All of these things combine to create beauty and a durability with an earth-conscious peace-of-mind. The result is both fashionable and classic.

Third, they choose the right components. Let’s face it, if you know anything about technology you’ll know that most companies have to go to the same vendors to get the parts that go in these devices. Still, it helps when they assemble the right mix of components to make the whole package the best it can be. QTOOTH would go to some manufacturer’s booths at the trade show and ask what made their products special. The response would often be based on color, celebrity endorsement, or some unique feature that only worked with that company’s accessories. Ask them what they were doing to overcome the inherent limitations of the Bluetooth audio quality and either get some mumbo jumbo of it not being necessary, meaningless specs, or a blank stare. Not so with the House of Marley. Nick knew exactly what placed their product among the best.

All House of Marley Bluetooth products include the A2DP profile, which means that they fully support wireless streaming of stereo audio. That’s cool, but then they go one step further. by making sure that their devices can handle AAC audio. AAC audio, common on iTunes and an ever-increasing number of devices, is an improved successor of the well-known MP3 format. This means better fidelity at a lower bit rates (better sound with smaller files). And on certain models (listed below) House of Marley Bluetooth also supports the aptX platform, which vastly improves the quality of all wireless audio. The results are noticeably great, especially combined with their design which included materials and ported cabinets that truly helped to improve audio quality. Can any manufacturer put these components in their devices? Yes, but only a few of them take the effort to do so. House of Marley could’ve easily rested on their cool aesthetic and the Bob Marley name and moved plenty of units. Instead, it was great to see that they cared enough to bring their customers the best experience possible.

Impressions: In general, there is always a lot of noise at these trade shows. Add to that all of the other music demos going on at the same time and it makes for a tough environment to gauge the audio quality of these devices. But in a way it’s ideal. If the sound coming out of the headphones or speakers can cut through all of that distraction and still sound great, that says a lot in their favor. Across the board we found the sound quality of the House of Marley line of Bluetooth wireless devices to be warm, tight and punchy with a good, precise articulation on the high end that provided what we would best describe as “musical clarity”. Overall, we did favor the devices that included aptX as part of the Bluetooth spec. But any way about it, the whole line gives a lot of value and easily goes head to head with the best of their competition. And did we mention all of this AND they are as Earth-friendly as possible? Irie, mon!

[easyazon_link asin=”B00CIHAIU0″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]The Get Up Stand Up Bluetooth Wireless Home Audio System[/easyazon_link]

Drivers: Two 4.5″ Woofers and Two 1″ Tweeters

Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex

Amplifier Power: 40 Watts (20W x 2)

Features:

Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
FSC Cerified Bent Walnut and Birch Wood Frame
Touch Sensitive Controls
Convenient Carry Bag with Strap
Optional Rechargeable Battery Pack Available
Supports Advanced Bluetooth AAC and APTX Codecs
IR Remote

Controls: Power, Volume, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect

Inputs/Outputs: Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input, RCA Sterio Audio Input, USB Power Output (For Recharging/Powering Personal Devices)

[easyazon_link asin=”B00C9WFJ5S” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Bag of Riddim Bluetooth Wireless Portable Audio System[/easyazon_link]

Drivers: Two 4.5″ Woofers and Two 1″ Tweeters

Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex

Amplifier Power: 40 Watts (20W x 2)

Features:

Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
Exclusive Rewind Fabric Covering
FSC Cerified Bent Birch Wood Baffle
Touch Sensitive Controls
Convenient Carry Bag with Strap
Optional [easyazon_link asin=”B00GZ1R0W4″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Rechargeable Battery Pack[/easyazon_link] Available
Supports Advanced Bluetooth AAC and APTX Codecs

Controls: Power, Volume, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect

Inputs/Outputs: Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input, USB Power Output (For Recharging/Powering Personal Devices)

[easyazon_link asin=”B00BPV4W8E” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Roots Rock Bluetooth Wireless Portable Audio System[/easyazon_link]

Drivers: Two 2″ Woofers and Two 2.25″ Passive Radiators

Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex

Amplifier Power: 16 Watts (8W x 2)

Features:

Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
Exclusive Rewind Fabric Covering
Integrated cover protects drivers during transit
Easily rests anywhere with integrated footrest

Controls: Power, Volume, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect

Inputs/Outputs: Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input

[easyazon_link asin=”B00ESJ9PQE” locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Get Together Bluetooth Wireless Portable Audio System[/easyazon_link]

Drivers: Two 3.5″ Woofers and Two 1″ Tweeters

Enclosure Type: Bass-Reflex

Amplifier Power: 20 Watts (10W x 2)

Features:

Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
Exclusive Rewind Fabric Covering
Bamboo Front Baffle and Rear Trim

Controls: Power, Volume, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect

Inputs/Outputs: Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input

Liberate Bluetooth Wireless Portable Audio System (Available May 2014)

Drivers: Four 1.125″ Full-Range Drivers

Enclosure Type: Sealed (Acoustic Suspension)

Amplifier Power: 10 Watts (5W x 2)

Features:

Speakerphone with Microphone
Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
Exclusive Rewind Fabric Covering
Angled Design for Proper Sound Propagation

Controls: Power, Volume, Call Answer/End, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect, Play/Pause

Inputs/Outputs: Micro USB Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input

[easyazon_link asin=”B00C76P7Q2″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” tag=”uneomediacom-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” nofollow=”default” popups=”default”]Chant Bluetooth Wireless Portable Audio System[/easyazon_link]

Drivers: One 2″ Full-Range Driver

Enclosure Type: Sealed (Acoustic Suspension)

Amplifier Power: 2 Watts x 1

Features:

Speakerphone with Microphone
Quick pairing to any Bluetooth Device
Auto re-connect to last used Bluetooth Device
Exclusive Rewind Fabric Covering
Carabiner Clip for Easy Portability

Controls: Power, Volume, Call Answer/End, Bluetooth Pairing/Disconnect

Inputs/Outputs: Micro USB Power Input, 3.5mm Stereo Audio Input

The Liberate XL Bluetooth Wireless Over-the-Ear Headphones (Available May 2014)

Headphone Type: Over-Ear
Communication: Universal In-Line Microphone
Control: Universal Three-Button Controller
Driver: 50MM Moving Coil
Connector: Nickel-Plated 3.5MM
Stereo Frequency Response: 15Hz – 22KHz
Sensitivity: 103dB @ 1kHz
Impedance: 32Ω @ 1kHz
Supports: Bluetooth aptX and AAC Codecs

Reminder: The 2014 Europe Wearable Technologies Conference is January 27-28th – Go!

2014-01-13

Hailing itself as the world’s biggest gathering for wearables, the 11th Europe Wearable Technologies Conference comes to Munich on January 27 and 28th. This is an opportunity for anyone interested in this emerging field to meet the most important players in the wearable tech ecosystem.

Since the first conference in 2006, Wearable Technologies has expanded into the US and Asia. The 2014 Wearable Technologies Conference is the leading event of its kind in Europe and it features a very comprehensive line-up of technology innovations and active discussions about the latest trends with thought leaders, innovators, and groundbreaking start-ups in this exciting area. Register today – meet the leading players, entrepreneurs, developers and visionaries at Europe’s premier conference for wearable technologies.

The latest in Smart Watch and Smart Glass projects will be on display and industry giants like Samsung, Sony and STMicroelectronics will be on hand to demonstrate their latest technology. The Europe Wearable Technologies Conference Europe gives you the chance to get in-depth insights into the future of lifestyle, sports, and health devices and other application fields for wearable technologies. Another highlight of the conference is the award ceremony of the Wearable Technologies Innovation World Cup on Jan. 27, 2014. The finalists will present their solutions and the “WT Innovator of the Year” will be announced.

Because the event takes place at the same time as ISPO MUNICH, the leading sports business trade show, the focus will lean towards health and fitness devices. However, all facets of this rapidly evolving, billion dollar market will be covered.

Here is the complete lineup of speakers with links to their respective industries:

Jonas Olsson Sony Mobile Companion Products

Frank Koch Samsung Semiconductor Europe GmbH

Tim Moore Rochester Optical

Dr. Isabel Pedersen University of Ontario Institute of Technology Canada

Christoph Dressel Kwamecorp, Ltd.

Nick Hunn Wifore Consulting Ltd

Eugene Jorov Seraphim Sense

Dr. Wolfgang Schmitt Bosch Sensortec GmbH

Mark Melnykowycz Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology

Muhammad Abdurrahman Playtabase

Dhananja Jayalath (DJ) Athos

Matthias Kassner EnOcean GmbH

Dr. Thomas Alt Metaio GmbH

Dr. Roland Aubauer Microchip Technology

Bo Ilsoe Nokia Growth Partners

Richard C.T. Howe Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge

Joshua Flood ABI Research

Jérémie Bouchaud IHS Technology

B. Leo Kwak Applied Materials

Gernot Bahle DFKI

Harry Strasser Wearable Technologies

Maximilian Müller Moticon

Zeev Zalevsky Bar-Ilan University

Bhairav Shankar Avantari

Karin Edgett Sensor Sensor

Ants Patrik Maran Ulocs

Michael Szücs 9solutions

Antti Pihlakoski Myontec

Alexandros Giannakis SenseCore

For short biographies on the speakers, click here.

For more information and a complete schedule for the events agenda, click here.

Don´t miss the chance to be part of this exciting conference register now.

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CSR to Reveal Bluetooth Smart Jewelry at CES 2014

2014-01-07

CSR, one of the leading manufacturers of Bluetooth chips, is set to reveal a line of Bluetooth Smart jewelry. Designed in conjunction with Cellini, a boutique, high-end jeweler, it combines top-quality design with connectivity powered by CSR’s innovative Bluetooth Smart solution – the CSR1012. Consisting of pendant-style necklaces that contain integrated electronics that enable the user to customize the color and brightness to suit their mood or to match their personal sense of fashion. The electronics integrated into the jewelry have been designed to support a range of functions, making it possible to alert users to new notifications on their smartphones, an application that would normally be associated with a connected bracelet.

CSR recently surveyed consumers on their views on wearable technology and found that 72% agree that it’s important that wearable technology devices look good and 67% admit that it’s important that they fit with their personal style.

“Many of the wearable technology devices hitting the shelves today offer great features but don’t take into consideration that consumers want beautiful, cutting-edge devices that complement their personal style,” says Paul Williamson, Director of Low Power Wireless at CSR. “If wearable technology is to reach its potential it needs to appeal to more than just technology lovers. Devices like these connected pendants will help wearable tech go mass market.”

The platform used in this series of jewelry is part of the proven CSR µEnergy® range. It is specifically engineered for the wearable technology market. It allows the jewelry to connect to smartphones using a fraction of the power of standard Bluetooth by connecting directly to a small lithium battery. It’s also incredibly small, making it ideal for wearable accessories.

Currently the CSR microprocessor being used in this jewelry supports the Apple Notification Center Service (ANCS). This new iOS 7 feature allows peripheral devices to access all notifications generated on an iOS device over a Bluetooth connection. Wearers can be alerted to any new notifications from their iPhone. CSR will also be demonstrating Android applications that enable the user to set the color and patterns of the jewelry.

“Although these prototypes have been designed to alert users to notifications on their smartphones they could be used for many other things,” concludes Williamson. “Developers could use the same printed circuit board (PCB) to design more aesthetically pleasing activity monitors. They could even integrate scent capsules to allow users to release a spray of their favorite fragrance at certain times of day. We wanted to give our customers a glimpse of what they could do with this technology. The possibilities for truly wearable technology devices are endless and we’re looking forward to seeing what they develop with it in the future.”

So, although this generation of Bluetooth Smart jewelry might not be for everybody, it’s cool to see CSR putting this out there and perhaps inspiring developers with the possibilities. It’s a sort of a “build it and the developers will come” type of approach. We’ll see in the next year or so where the whole wireless and wearable tech world goes with the amazing groundwork that is currently being laid.

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UK’s First Wearable Technology Show Coming in March – Get Involved!

2014-01-02

The UK is finally getting its own conference specifically targeting wearable tech when the Wearable Technology Show comes to London on March 18th and 19th. This event will bring together key industry professionals, developers and decision makers on the leading edge of this rapidly expanding industry. The wearables market is estimated to be worth $30-50 billion in the next 3 years and major innovations are expected in 2014.

As quoted on the event’s website: “The wearable technology area is ripe for exploration. I think there will be tons of companies playing in this space.” Tim Cook, CEO, Apple

QTOOTH is excited to be an official media partner for The Wearable Technology Show and are looking forward to the dedicated conference programs. Among these are ones covering augmented reality devices such as Google Glass, wearable health devices like FitBit and Jawbone, smartwatches such as the Samsung Gear and Pebble, as well as the medical, sports, security and enterprise sectors. There will also be a start up forum that will give entrepeneurs and new businesses the opportunity to hear from some of the wearable technology industry’s leading lights, as well as seek advice and funding.

They have and incredible roster of speakers, among them: Grant Allen (Technology Program Manager at Google), Dan Cui – VP (Business Development at Vusix), Dave Evans (Chief Futurist at Cisco), Erik Jorgensen (Director, Intel Capital), and many more. The complete list can be checked out here.

There is also a FREE Hackfest where participants are provided with APIs, SDKs and data and are challenged to code, design, engineer and build their own prototype solutions or ideas using technology of the event sponsors. Prizes will be awarded from the sponsors and with media interest in the event already building, participants can also expect great exposure through post event PR activities. Getting involved with a hackfest is a great way to showcase your talent, work with cutting edge innovators, and build new relationships at the forefront of wearable technology. Click here for more info.

In addition, The Wearable Awards 2014 will honor the best products and solutions on display at the show in the Wearable Technology Market. This will be the first award of its type given in the UK.

If you’re in the area and would like to attend or participate, more details about registration can be found here.

Next Week’s CES 2014 to Focus on the Global Startup Community

2013-12-30

QTOOTH is excited to be going to the 2014 International CES next week. This annual post-holiday feast of all of the latest in consumer electronics has it all. In fact it’s going to take a lot of discipline for us to stay focused on all things wireless, but you can be assured we will. From wearable tech to smart home devices to the Internet of Things, there is going to be plenty for us to report on. QTOOTH will do its best to bring all of the tastiest tidbits to you.

Adding to the fun will be the theme of the 2014 International CES®, where they will showcase the Global Startup Community. You’ve probably heard this before, but it it true that most of the radical and fastest innovation is not coming out of the tech giants, but rather from the world of independent startups and entrepreneurs. This year’s CES will spotlight the promise, power and future of technology in this rapidly developing area. In line with this theme, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announced today tht new areas and events at CES will be dedicated to the startup community, including the Indiegogo Zone and UP Global LIVE Stage (see below for details and links). Owned and produced by CEA, they are proud that this annual event has become the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. The 2014 CES will run January 7-10, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“CES is a platform for innovators, big or small, who come to CES to take their business to the next level,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy, CEA. “Startups are attending and launching their products at CES in ever-growing numbers, underscoring CES’ importance as the proving ground for innovators in consumer technology. We’re thrilled to bring new areas and events to the show floor that showcase these entrepreneurial companies and their groundbreaking innovations and provide them access to potential customers, partners, and investors as well as the global media.”

The all-new Indiegogo Zone, which will be housed within the Eureka Park TechZone, features hardware campaigners from around the world. These innovators will showcase products and share experiences about raising funds on Indiegogo. The Indiegogo Zone provides an opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about crowdfunding for hardware.

The UP Global LIVE Stage, sponsored by GE, will also showcase the startup community, facilitate networking opportunities and provide programming in Eureka Park. The stage will feature panels with iconic entrepreneurs, leading investors, corporate executives and media. In addition to programming, UP Global will host mentor sessions and pitch competitions and provide resources and networking opportunities for exhibitors and attendees.

Here’s a short highlight reel of last year’s CES:

The second annual ShowStoppers Launch.it power session is a curated pitch event built exclusively for the young, transformative and entrepreneurial startups that exhibit in Eureka Park. Sixteen exhibitors will pitch to a panel of high profile angel/VC investors along with media, analysts and industry experts in the audience.

An anchor for the startup community at CES, the 2014 Eureka Park TechZone will feature more than 200 exhibitors, 30 percent more than the 2013 CES. In partnership with UP Global, the National Science Foundation (NSF), General Electric (GE) and AT&T, Eureka Park provides a stage for new companies with technologies to market their innovation to venture capitalists, media and buyers. Eureka Park will have a French pavilion for the first time with UbiFrance bringing 11 French startups to the area.

Building off the success of Eureka Park, the new Eureka Park: NEXT hosts the progressing stage of Eureka Park startups. This TechZone is designed for mid-stage startups that have launched a product in the past year. In Eureka Park: NEXT, retailers, venture capitalists, manufacturers and more will discover established startups looking to expand their growth.

Floored within Eureka Park, Academia Tech focuses on the technologies coming from colleges and universities. CES also offers special networking events curated for startups and entrepreneurs like the invitation-only Entrepreneurs Reception and Tech Cocktail’s Startup Night.

The 2014 CES will feature more than 3,200 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 product categories. For more information on the 2014 International CES, visit CESweb.org.

OTHER UPCOMING CES-RELATED EVENTS

CES Unveiled LAS VEGAS January 5, 2014, Las Vegas, NV
2014 International CES January 7-10, 2014, Las Vegas, NV
CEA Winter Break March 18-21, 2014, Vail, CO
Digital Patriots Dinner April 29, 2014, Washington, DC
CES on the Hill April 30, 2014, Washington, DC
2014 Technology & Standards Spring Forum May 19-23, 2014, Seattle, WA
CE Week June 23-27, 2014, New York, NY
CE Week Line Shows June 25-26, 2014, New York, NY

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PLT Labs and the Power of Purpose Driven Design

2013-12-26

There is a lot of talk these days about “purpose driven design”. QTOOTH wanted to take a look at where this term comes from, what it means, and provide a few real world examples of it in action in the world of wireless devices.

Technological advances make more possible. These possibilities excite inventors and manufacturers, inspiring them to develop products that might include features that previously could only be imagined. In doing so, they hope to impress others by being able to say, “Our product not only does X and Y, but also Z. Oh, and A… and B, and C and D…” This may not only lead to what is referred to as feature bloat, but also the risk that they are adding features that no one will use. Just because you make it doesn’t mean people will want it. This is where the philosophy of purpose driven design comes to the rescue.

Purpose driven design could be considered a component of the Customer Development methodology popularized by Steve Blank. The basic concept of customer development is to learn as much as possible about potential customers, what problems they have, how they understand those problems, and what is of real value to them. The success of any design is how accurately it solves those problems in a way that will be most appreciated. So how does this differ from the classic “form follows function”? Form follows function doesn’t necessarily mean that anybody wants that particular function. However, if the function solves a very specific problem, the design that provides a solution can be said to exist for a reason. It serves a purpose.

Having recently attended the Wearable Tech Expo in Los Angeles, it was hard not to notice that “purpose driven design” was mentioned often in many of the presentations. The wearable tech industry is currently fighting for mass adoption. Because of this, they want to make sure that their innovations are not perceived as being frivolous in nature. Manufactures want to make sure that there is a ready market for their device and that they’re not creating something just because they can.

Stan Kinsey, president of Martian Watches, and Andy Tarczon, VP of Partner Development at Meta Watch, were the very first presenters and they couldn’t stress enough the value of purpose driven design. They were very clear that in order for their smart watch companies to succeed they had to fill very specific needs. They freely admitted that not everyone wants to wear a watch nor are they trying to convince everyone that they should. Instead, they started by asking current watch wearers what functions from their other smart devices would they most likely use if it were available on their wrist. How did this help? They ended up with shortlist of features that accurately targeted the needs and desires of their existing market.

One of the major players at the conference was PLT Labs, the research and innovation division of Plantronics. Their main product on display was a device called the Concept 1, based on the Legend series of Plantronics’ highly successful Bluetooth wireless headsets. They have basically thrown in everything and the kitchen sink when it comes to sensors, including such things as a nine-axis motion sensor, a free-fall sensor, a pedometer and an MFi chip for more direct communication with iOS devices. PLT Labs has been bringing the Concept 1 to hackathons, events where developers have a chance to find and create new applications for cutting edge technology. They provide developers with software development kits (SDKs) and application programming interfaces (API) that allow them to create new uses for the device. Check out these videos that barely scratch the surface of the awesome capabilities of the Concept 1:

Pretty exciting stuff! So when I had the chance at the Wearable Tech Expo to sit down and chat with Mike Holmlund, Software Product Marketing Manager for Plantronics and PLT Labs Software Evangelist, I asked the usual rabid technology fan question: “I want one! This looks ready for mass production, why don’t you release it… NOW?!” Mike smiled, calmed me down, and gave me some quick insight into their approach to purpose driven design.

First, here is a list of some of the most common sensors and functions that can be built-in to this type of device:

Capacitive sensor to detect whether a device is being worn or not
Gyroscope
Accelerometer
Compass
Head orientation tracking
MFi chip for easy integration with iOS devices (MFi means “made for iOS”) this allows for native access to iOS functionality over Bluetooth. This is very handy for applications requiring very low latency, particularly useful when tracking head orientation and related applications.
Built-in pedometer
Tap detection
Free-fall detection
Thermometer/ temperature
Heart rate
Pressure/barometric
Humidity
A suite of APIs for easy integration not only with iOS but also Android, Windows and Mac.

According to Mike, the Concept 1 has had just about every sensor available in it at some point during its development. For instance, one of the earlier versions had a heart rate sensor. However, at the hackathons, no one was writing applications that used this feature. The heart rate sensor didn’t serve a purpose. They have since removed the heart rate sensor.

As a bit of a tech geek, I am of course mortified. Doesn’t everybody want it all? Maybe no one is writing apps for it yet, but maybe once released into the wild they would? But, as Mike reminded me, this would only add unnecessary cost to a device and potentially overwhelm users with too many options. From a business standpoint that is too much of a risk. Why include features and all of the hardware and software needed to support them if very few people will actually use them? This would run counter to the core principle of purpose driven design; usefulness.

So, as we watch this journey of the Concept 1’s development, it will be very interesting to see what the final design will include. One thing is certain, everything in it will serve a useful purpose.

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