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Top Takeaways – Wearable Technology Expo LA 2013

2013-12-13

QTOOTH was lucky enough to be able to attend this past week’s Wearable Technology Expo in Los Angeles this past week. Primarily sponsored by Plantronics and held at the Hilton Universal near Universal Studios, the event gave great insights not only into wearable tech but also into the future of all wireless devices. There’s a lot of ground to cover and we will be posting more updates over the next few weeks so that we can relay all of the news for those of you who couldn’t be there.

Expertly hosted by Tony Rizzo and the friendly folks over at TMC.NET, we were on information overload by the time all was said and done. In no particular order, here are a few of the top takeaways that seemed most significant to us:

Analysts seem to agree that the hype that the wearable tech market is experiencing is probably close to peaking. This initial hype will probably go through a bit of a “cooling-off” phase before experiencing consistent growth. However, over time, the market should grow to a sustainable $50 billion a year industry.
As visible and as hyped as consumer wearable tech is right now in the news, mass adoption and proliferation will most likely come from the enterprise (business to business) sector of the market. Most consumers still feel, “That’s cool, but I don’t need it” whereas in business, if wearable tech demonstrates itself as an immediately useful tool to increase productivity and profits, companies will say, “We’ll take them, and as many as you can spare for our overseas operations.”
Most profitable part of the wearable tech market might be in the big data that is generated and not in the hardware and software that creates it.
Even if they make measurements as accurate as any medical device, bio-sensor companies need to be careful not to make health claims that are not approved by the FDA or they may suffer severe legal consequences.
People are aware of the fact that social media is collecting all of their data, however users feel that the benefits to using these social media platforms outweigh any tradeoff to the loss of privacy. In the same way, the adoption by the general public of wearable tech will depend on whether those devices are adding more perceived value to people’s lives than they might sacrifice in loss of privacy by using these products.
Bio-sensors and the gathering of data points is meaningless to the average consumer unless there are specific analytics that prove useful to their daily lives. To encourage consistent use, they must be able to make sense of this data and be provided with an actionable plan.
Ideally the monitoring of people’s health and behavior must be as non-invasive as possible. This should provide even more accurate and reliable data results than those taken in the typically unnatural setting of a clinical trial.
Are activity and health trackers effective when it comes to modifying people’s behaviors? Only if coupled with realistic expectations that overwhelm the user. Small steps and small victories are a more sure road to make sure users don’t abandon the platform.
Even though they weren’t the first of their kind, having tech giants Google introduce Glass and Samsung release their Galaxy Gear Smartwatch has really helped all manufacturers of those devices gain visibility and acceptance in the marketplace.
The wearable tech dilemma continues: Should wearable tech devices work in a standalone mode where all of their functionality and data processing is built-in to the device itself? Or should the device only monitor/sense/communicate/etc… and let bigger machines in the cloud take care of all of the functionality and data? Of course this varies depending on the device and its application, but almost all wearable tech developers face that choice or need to find the proper balance between the two.
Fashion designers need to be involved earlier in the design process for wearable tech products to achieve mass acceptance. It’s not just what a product does, but how it makes the user feel. It can’t appeal just intellectually but also emotionally.
Proven: Use of a viewfinder, like on traditional cameras and smartphones, make us forget the details of the actual event we are recording. Better? Use a POV (point of view), hands-free camera, like a smart glass, to record while still being able to engage fully in the event.
Contextual data, otherwise known as information that comes from the immediate surroundings of the wearer, will help popularize the use of wearable technology.

So, that’s what we’ve got for now. In the next week or so we’ll be taking a more detailed look at some of the more interesting products and sub-categories that were presented at the Wearable Tech Expo. From fitness to smartwatches, to the real uses of smart glasses and the creative role of wearable tech in fashion and movie-making. Stay tuned!

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WearableTech Conference Tomorrow: PLT Labs, CSR, and More!

2013-12-09

QTOOTH is headed to the Wearable Tech Conference tomorrow where we’ll be checking out all of the latest in gear and innovation from the developers and companies who make it all possible. There’s still time to get discount tickets if you are interested in going. As media sponsor of the event, QTOOTH has a line on discounted tickets to the event which you can find by clicking here.

We’ll be getting hands-on experience with innovations from CSR, Pivothead, Revolutionary Tracker, HzO, Ellisys, Freescale, Clothing+, Sensoplex, and more. We’ll be tweeting and posting live from the conference as much as possible.. We’ll also be doing a lot of follow up articles here on QTOOTH.COM, so stay tuned!

We’re really looking forward to getting chance to have a sit down with Mike Holmlund, software product marketing manager at Plantronics, and learn all about the Concept 1 Project that is coming out of PLT Labs, Plantronics research division. Check out the video below that lays out the basics of the how this device works. Dubbed “Google Glass for your ears”, we think that this type of device might find more rapid adoption than smart glasses or watches.

What do you think? Do you have any questions you’d like us to ask the folks at PLT Labs when we meet up with them at the Wearable Tech Conference?

Please Note: The following headsets are not the Concept 1. The Concept 1 is yet to be introduced to the market. But hey, if you’re looking for one of the best Bluetooth headsets on the market from a company who has been at it longer than just about anyone, check them out!

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Cool Gadgets Compete for Best in Show at Next Week’s WearableTech Expo LA

2013-12-06

Seventeen companies show off their latest gear in 8-minute demos. The audience then gets to vote on which one is their favorite. How would you like to be there? You can! See below for info on discount tickets.

Next week brings much excitement to Los Angeles and the wireless world in the form of the WearableTech Expo. Held next Tuesday and Wednesday, December 10-11, one of the not-to-miss highlights. Who are the heavy favorites? Hard to say, it’s a pretty deep field with great talent and some very original ideas.

To be held during Tuesday’s session, here’s the just-released schedule of contenders:

Demo lineup:
4:00 – 4:10 LUMOback
4:10 – 4:20 Sensoplex
4:20 – 4:30 PLT Labs
4:30 – 4:30 Revolutionary Tracker
4:40 – 4:50 HzO
4:50 – 5:00 Pivothead
5:00 – 5:10 Freescale
5:10 – 5:20 Clothing+
5:20 – 5:30 Ellisys
5:30 – 5:40 Neoconix
5:40 – 5:50 Hexoskin
5:50 – 6:00 Theatro
6:00 – 6:10 Vuzix
6:10 – 6:20 adidas
6:20 – 6:30 METAWATCH
6:30 – 6:40 Byte an Atom Research
6:40 – 6:50 Epson

Would you like to be there? Would you like to not only see these products in action but even get to try many of them first-hand? You’ll even have the chance to ask questions of the people who make these things possible. There is still time to register for the WearableTech Expo and QTOOTH has a line on discount tickets if you click here.

If you can’t make it, have no fear. QTOOTH is an official media sponsor of the event. We’ll be there to report on all of the happenings and will keep you posted as to who wins and what our own personal highlights are of the show. Stay tuned!

Intel Posts Great Guide to the Internet of Things Infographic

2013-12-02

Intel recently posted this great guide to the Internet of Things infographic. It’s basically a snapshot of where the technology is right now, not only explaining what the term means but also demonstrates the many areas of our lives that are being affected by its development.

The basic concept of an Internet of Things, or IoT, is that “smart” technology is being put into millions of devices, from microscopic ones that can be embedded in other devices, or event he human body, to large scale machines and systems. This allows them to communicate and work with each other and with us. As the technology finds greater adoption and becomes part of our daily lives, we will have everything from our clothing to our cars to our appliances and environmental systems communicating over the internet.

It is a concept that is exploding in popularity. There are virtually limitless areas that can be developed for both industries and our personal lifestyles. It’s a time of the wild frontier and there is so much to be explored. The potential benefits of an Internet of Things are enormous.

There are a few links embedded in the original that we can’t replicate here but we have listed those links below the infographic here for convenience.

Here, in order of their appearance, are the links that are referred to within the graphic:

Video: The Smart World in 2020

Video: Big Data, Big Future for Retail

Link to Intelligent Systems Twitter: Weigh In On Mind Control

Link to Intelligent Systems Twitter: Weigh in Robots

Link to Intelligent Systems Twitter: Can’t All Our Things Just Get Along

Video: End On a Good Note with a Futuristic Computer Orchestra

And of course the original graphic on Intel’s website.

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QTOOTH Official Media Sponsor of the 2014 Europe Wearable Tech Conference

2013-11-26

The next Wearable Technologies Conference will be held in Munich on January 27 and 28. QTOOTH is proud to be a part of the event as an official Media Sponsor. We learned a lot from the last one that was held in Taipei last October. It’s at these conferences that we get a real peek at what’s coming next in wireless wearable technologies. Many of the companies and their representatives may not be household names, but they are the root source of all the cool innovations that make the latest gadgets work their magic.

The Munich conference offers two full days of talks, symposiums, plenty of networking opportunities, as well as an extensive exhibition area where attendees can check out the gear for themselves. What’s great is, that if this is something that is of interest to you, you are welcome to attend the event. You can register here. Following is the tentative agenda for the event:

Agenda

Monday, 27th January 2014
09:00	Welcome and Introduction
	Keynote: To Ubiquity and Beyond – the Growth of Appcessories Nick Hunn, Wireless Evangelist, Wifore Consulting Ltd
10:00	Enabling Tech: New Materials
11:00	Enabling Tech: Communication
	GestIC – Touchless Gesture Interface Dr. Roland Aubauer, Technical Director, Microchip Technology
12:00	Lunch Break
13:30	Enabling Tech: Sensors
	Emerging MEMS sensor technologies and applications Dr. Wolfgang Schmitt, Senior Manager Strategic Marketing, Bosch Sensortec GmbH
	Flexible Sensor Materials for Improved Product Development Mark Melnykowycz, Scientist, Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
14:30	Enabling Tech: Energy
	The power in you: Energy-harvesting sensors for body area networks Matthias Kassner, Product Marketing Director, EnOcean GmbH
	Solid State Thin Film Battery: Future Energy Storage Source for Wearable Devices B. Leo Kwak, DMTS, Applied Materials, Inc.
15:30	Break
15:50	Enabling Tech: User Interface & Prototyping
16:50	WT Innovation World Cup Award Ceremony
	Introduction
	Elevator Pitches of the Finalists
	Announcement of the Winner
18:00	Get-Together

Tuesday, 28th January 2014
09:00	Welcome and Introduction
	Keynote: From Carryables to Wearables to Implantables and Beyond Dr. Isabel Pedersen, Research Chair and Associate Professor, University of Ontario Institute of Technology Canada
9:40	Panel Discussion: The Wearable Technologies – Growth Potential
	Josh Flood, Senior Analyst, ABI Research
	Jeremie Bouchaud, MEMS Director, IHS
10:30	Break
10:50	Smart Watches & Wristbands
	Touch to stay in touch Christoph Dressel, COO, Kwamecorp, Ltd.
11:50	Smart Glasses & AR moderated by Thomas Alt, CEO, metaio
12:50	Lunch Break
14:00	Safety & Security
	Certification and Interoperability
15:00	Health & Fitness
	Grassroots in digital health Eugene Jorov, Co-founder, Seraphim Sense
	Push your fitness further with stats right on your wrist.
16:00	Break
16:20	Beyond the Body
	Welcome To the Clickable World Muhammad Abdurrahman, Chief Executive Officer, Playtabase

17:40	Wrap-Up Session

Wearable Technologies Conferences have been held since 2006 and helps showcase cutting-edge innovation, and brings and opportunity to hear decision makers, experts and developers from commerce, production and research demonstrate where things are headed in this exciting and rapidly developing field. Subjects range from the fields of Health, Wellness, Active Life, Lifestyle Computing, Communication, Security/Safety, and Fashion. By encouraging a dialogue between the respective industries the conferences aim to bring forward new solutions and applications for a rapidly growing target group. Attendees experience the most comprehensive line-up of technological innovations, and have the opportunity to discuss the latest trends all while meeting original thinkers as well as new start-ups in this area. For more a look at what the previous events were like take a look at the conferences that were held in 2013.

We’ll be reporting on all of the happenings and will post highlights for our readers here on QTOOTH. Check back late January! For more information about the Munich event to be held January 27-28, 2014 click here.

Welcome to the Wireless World, Jawbone UP24!

2013-11-20

It finally happened, the Jawbone UP Fitness Band has joined the world of wireless devices. This is a great move and many might say about time. There were some wrinkles when the UP first came on the market, but we have to give credit where credit is due: The Jawbone UP was one of the very first health tracking devices on the mass market.

Officially called the Jawbone UP24, this new version is touting Bluetooth connectivity. Besides a change in texture, it is almost identical in appearance to the original versions.

As can be expected, adding Bluetooth to the device results in a little bit of a shorter battery life between charges. Originally the UP claimed 10 days per charge, which we found fairly accurate. The UP24 promises to last around 7 days. It will be good to test this out over time. With all things wireless, batteries can be drained more or less depending on how strong the signal needs to be. Environmental conditions and distance to the connecting device may cause this to vary.

Despite the Jawbone UP24 now communicating wirelessly, it has retained a headphone jack style plug for connecting to its charger. However, it is now a 2.5mm instead of a 3.5mm. That’s fine, but it is interesting to note that it still has an end cap that might get lost during charging. Since all data is only transmitted wirelessly and not through the headphone jack like on previous models, it would’ve been interesting if they opted for a wireless charger. Not only would it be easier to do, but they would be able to truly make the UP24 waterproof. Currently the device is only water resistant.

There is a social component to using the Jawbone UP24 where users can track and compare their progress with friends, teammates, and others. However, the info that is traded is relatively minimal, and there is no way to tell if the person you are competing against is in the same demographic as you, such as sex, weight, height, age, etc… But perhaps this is a blessing in disguise. Besides, in this world of over-sharing nd lack of privacy, maybe there is a line there that needs to be drawn.

In general, I feel myself wanting to call the Jawbone UP24 a wellness tracker more than a fitness tracker. Lack of a display for immediate feedback and the fact that it doesn’t connect to a scale for real-time weight, BMI and body fat percentage puts its information at a distance from those who are truly trying to get fit by staying… well, active.

However, there are a few things that the Jawbone UP24 really gets right. It has its own highly functional app that does an amazing job with logging your dietary intake and then making suggestions for better food and beverage choices. It even has a bar code scanning function that allows instant nutritional information on many pre-packaged food products.

And after all that exercise and food, who wouldn’t need a nap? The sleep log functions measure the length and quality of your sleep, providing plenty of detailed stats. The Jawbone UP24 will tell you how many times you woke during the night, how much light or deep slumber you had, and how quickly you were able to reach your REM (dream) state.

Unfortunately, the UP24 has launched as an iOS-only device. For those lucky enough to be on an Apple iOS device, the selection of 3rd party apps is truly deep. However they are promising that Android support should be soon to follow. Like many app creators, Jawbone blames the delay on the difficulty the variety of Android devices that are on the market, as well as the fact that the adoption rate of the latest Android OS is hit or miss and can vary greatly depending on both the manufacturer and the telecom platform. Let’s hope it’s not far behind, because this is a really fun device and it would be great to see more people benefit from its use.

Available for $149.99 directly from Jawbone, it should be available at other major retail outlets after November 19th. We’ll try to keep you posted and will list Amazon links below (the current links are for the original hardwired version).

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