Tag: wearable technology

The company has now filed for a patent for this type of wearable technology device.

It looks as though Microsoft is looking into becoming another player in the smartwatches game, as the U.S. Patent Office has now publically released an application that was made by the software giant for a design that could place the company in competition against Samsung, Google, and potentially Apple (whenever it makes its own entry into the market).

This application was just released last week, though it was initially filed back in October 2012.

The Microsoft application details various plans for a type of wristwatch that could be used as a music player, a fitness tracker, a messaging device, and to make phone calls. The face for these smartwatches would be able to detach from their bands in order to connect it to a charger. If the company is, indeed, pursuing wearable technology (and this patent application would suggest that it is), the Microsoft will be joining the companies that are making a rather late entry into the market, as Apple is doing.

Other smartwatches have not only been on the market for a while, but they have had multiple generations.

The Galaxy Gear wearable technology, and the Pebble, are good examples of devices that have now had the opportunity to start to build a customer base, to market themselves, and to release more than one version of the device as a better understanding of the use and the tech is created. Another large participant in this market will be Google, when the Moto 360 is released in the United States, this summer. Rumors of Apple’s wearables have been circulating for ages, but as is the tradition from that company, nothing official has been heard about a specific device.

There is also existing competition outside of the giants in the industry, as many startups have been creating their own devices that have started to become popular. Pebble may have only been a startup, but it is still grouped among the serious players as it managed to sell 400,000 of its devices in 2013.

The patent doesn’t make it clear exactly what Microsoft’s smartwatches will be or even if they will be released to the public. As of the time of the writing of this article, the company had yet to release a statement on the matter.

New OMsignal shirt could be the perfect workout apparel.

This OM Biometric Smartwear is a type of wearable tech that has the ability to act as a fitness monitor and can track breathing rate and volume, heart rate, movement intensity and the number of calories the wearer burns, among other tracking features.

The smartshirt wirelessly syncs with your mobile phone.

The shirt is equipped with sensors, which have been sewn directly into the fabric, which allows it to continuously monitor the wearer. The biometric data that is collected is stored on a little “black box” and is sent to an app on the wearer’s phone, enabling them to instantly view their performance stats.

The data gathered by the shirt is continuously streamed in real time to the app, which alerts the user through data reports and visual and audio notifications. Having the ability to track their progress gives the wearer the advantage of being able to improve their performance.

“Clothing has always been about protection and fashion, but it will now also help motivate us to better ourselves every day,” said OMsignal Co-founder and CEO Stephane Marceau.

The wearable tech can be used for more than exercising.

According to the company, the smartwear they have developed is not only for workouts, it can also be used by the wearer to track their health and stress levels in the workplace. Marceau commented that “with OM, you now get a dashboard to better steer your life, to increase your self-mastery, to push your fitness performance, and live a healthier lifestyle.”

The OMsignal shirt can inform the wearer what is going on with their body, giving them the chance to better manage their health and achieve fitness goals. One of the app features called OM RPM displays the user’s present focus level and physical stress, while another feature known as OM Fuel reveals how much energy the user has left.

Currently, the OMsignal shirt is sold for $199 and there are four different styles for men that are available. There is a long-sleeved shirt, a casual T-shirt, sleeveless shirt and an under-shirt. With these diverse and practical options, this wearable technology can be worn on its own or under clothing, giving the wearer the power to conveniently monitor their health whenever they want.