Tag: mobile technology news

Intel steps into the field of wearable devices with acquisition of Basis Science

Wearable technology has become a hot issue. Technology firms around the world have begun investing in the research and development of smart watches and other sorts of wearable devices that may become popular with consumers in the future. Intel is one such firm, and the company has recently finalized the acquisition of Basis Science, makers of health tracker technologies. Health has become a popular field for wearable devices due to the increasing mobility of consumers. These devices could be helpful for people that want to keep track of information concerning their day-to-day health.

Basis attracts attention from technology firms for its wearable device

Basis suggests that it has been approached by various technology companies in February, all seeking acquisition. Interest from these firms is largely focused on the company’s Basis Health Tracker, which is a watch that keeps track of a user’s heart rate and other information. The watch is the only product that Basis has produced, but it has become quite popular because it exists as a convenient solution for those that are health-oriented.

Intel intends to establish a presence in the emerging wearable device market

Intel has a strong interest in wearable devices because of trends that have begun to emerge among consumers. Google Glass has managed to highlight the interest that consumers have in wearable devices. These augmented reality glasses have generated a great deal of hype and have also shed light on similar products being developed by other technology firms. The demand for smart watches is also on the rise and Intel is keen to ensure that it can establish a noticeable presence in an emerging market.

Wearable devices may not replace smartphones any time soon

Some firms have suggested that wearable devices will eventually replace smartphones and tablets. The issue, however, is that wearable devices are still in a state of infancy. They do not have the technical abilities needed to dethrone smartphones as t he favored mobile device among consumers. In the future, this may change, but wearable devices may currently be little more than a gimmick.

Researchers in Japan are now testing a very small computer that can fit into the human ear.

As wearable technology explodes, particularly in the form of smartwatches, researchers in Japan are taking things a step further and are developing a tiny personal computer that a user can wear in his or her ear.

Users would control this device with a click of the tongue or a blink of the eye.

This wearable technology weighs only 17 grams and is completely wireless. It uses Bluetooth to connect with other devices and is equipped with a battery, speaker, microphone, compass, GPS, barometer, and gyro-sensor. Computing in the form of wearables is believed to be the latest thing in tech, but this latest development is easily among the smallest and most hands-free that has made its way to the headlines.

Other forms of wearable technology are notably larger, such as Google Glass, and Samsung Galaxy Gear 2.

This particular wearable technology for the ear is being called the “Earclip-type Wearable PC”, for the moment. It has microchip and data storage, which gives users the ability to load software. This, according to Kazuhiro Taniguchi, an engineer at the Hiroshima City University. The designs for the device are based on the traditional Japanese flower arrangements known as “ikebana”.

Taniguchi explained that the team of mobile developers created the device so that people would be able to think of wearing it in the same way that they would think about wearing earrings. The prototype for the gadget was demonstrated in black and had an overall comparable look to the sports style earbuds that wrap around the ear, or a single ear telephone headset.

The researchers are working to have this wearable technology ready by the holiday shopping season in 2015. At that time, users will be able to connect the device to their mobile devices such as an iPod or other gadgets that allow the user to navigate through various apps. All the user will need to do is change his or her facial expression, such as through a nose wiggle, a tongue movement, a raised brow, or even clenched teeth. Within the device inside the ear, infrared sensors detect the facial movements and respond accordingly.