Author: Amanda Giasson

Omate X is the company’s first companion watch.

One of the biggest complaints consumers have against smartwatches is that they are not fashion-friendly, but the latest wearable device from Omate, which promises both compatibility with iOS and Android devices, has managed to design a watch that not only syncs with smartphones, but is affordably priced and has aesthetic appeal.

The Omate X offers a simpler user face than the Omate TrueSmart.

The new wearable has fewer functions than the TrueSmart. However, since it has been developed to be a companion device to a smartphone, in a similar way that Android Wear and Pebble are, it is not surprising that it lacks certain elements that a standalone device has.

The Omate X can be paired with an iOS device running iOS 6 or later or Android devices running 4.3 or later, over Bluetooth 4.0 low energy. It can display notifications of incoming messages, calls, social media updates, and other details from the wearer’s phone. Some of its other features include displaying weather information, customizable options (ex. clock, wallpaper, etc.), and it can function as a remote control for music playback on the user’s phone. Omate is also working on adding voice controls.

Omate’s attractive smartwatch comes with chic removable straps.

The straps that come with this wearable technology are genuine leather. Not only can the straps be removed, but wearers can swap the original strap with any strap that is 22 mm in size, providing them with more fashion control.

The watch’s 1.54 inch display is a 240 x 240 pixel TFT LCD curved touchscreen. The battery life of the 400mAh battery lasts up to a week with a single charge. On the side of the watch there are accelerometer buttons for power and to activate and control home functions. It also has a 3-axis motion sensor.

Beginning September 1 until September 30, the Omate X smartwatch will be available for pre-order for $129, which is less than half the cost of the Omate Truesmart ($299). The company intends to start shipping out the product in October and the first 1,000 pre-orders will receive a watch engraved with an Early Bird/Limited Edition serial number.

A wearable device makes it easier for people to interact with the digital world using smart glasses.

Waterloo-based Canadian startup, Thalmic Labs, has developed innovative wearable technology, an armband known as Myo, which gives the wearer the ability to control movements on a screen with a simple flick of their wrist, and the company has announced this technology has been integrated with Google Glass.

The wearable tech will make it easier for people in certain industries to use Glass as they go about their day.

The hand gesture armband could be particularly beneficial to individuals who work in industries such as construction and healthcare, where being able to use hands-free digital technology could be highly advantageous.

The Myo armband utilizes sensors to detect muscle movements in the wearer’s forearm when they make a hand signal. The wearable technology translates the gesture that was made on a screen. Thalmic Labs has said that it is working to change consumer gaming experiences, controlling a desktop computer, and online interactions with its device.

However, now the company is going one step further and will also be targeting workers in healthcare, field service, and construction. In these industries, giving workers on the move the advantage of using subtle finger and hand gestures, while interacting with smart glasses, makes a lot of sense.

Thalmic Labs co-founder Matthew Bailey said that “We’re literally changing the way that we, as people, interact with the digital world around us.” He added that the company is looking to find more ways to naturally merge people and technology. He commented that “We’re hitting the limits of today’s form factors whether they be personal computers, tablets, or smartphones. We believe wearable computing is the next progression in that evolution.”

The wearable technology can instantly interact with apps on smart glasses.

According to Stephen Lake, CEO and co-founder, the armband gives wearers the power to interact with smart glass applications without the person needing another controller or having to remove gloves. Thus, users will not require remote controls, buttons, touch pads, or voice control, all of which can slow down their ability to quickly access the information they need. This makes the technology ideal in noisy work environments and in those where maintaining sterility is vital.

Thalmic Lab’s public launch of its wearable technology will take place next month. Currently, more than 40,000 Myo armbands have been pre-ordered.