Tag: wearables

Smartwatch device designed to track spending is released

A new wearable device monitors the budget of the wearer.

Smartwatches are known for providing many convenient features to those who wear them, such as monitoring health, fitness tracking, texting, making phone calls etc., and now a new device called the Cash smartwatch has been designed to help user’s track their budget, so they can know when it’s all right to spend and when they should hold off from making a purchase.

The new wearable is not trying to compete with Apple Watch or Samsung’s Gear S.

Designed by Nicole Lapin, a financial correspondent and former correspondent for networks like Today and MSNBC, the Cash smartwatch is not like other smart watch tech on the market. Users will not be able to make a phone call or check their email with this device.

Its primary purpose is to encourage consumers to think about their impulse purchasing habits. Each time a wearer of the device buys something they tap the price into the interface and put it into a category that corresponds with their purchase (ex. food, clothing, and so on).

Users set up a monthly allowance. Lapin, who is known for using simplified and language-friendly budget tips, provides recommendations on how much free spending money a person is allowed during a monthly period.

When the user goes over their budget or they are getting close to their limit, they will know because it will be displayed on the watch’s home screen. Users can keep track of what they are spending in all categories. A green line indicates how much money is left for the month and a red line grows the more that they spend.

Lapin said that while learning about finances is intimidating, “you don’t have to know any of the jargon in order to budget and save.”

The smartwatch is also fashionable.

Even though the target market for the wearable device is young women between the ages of 18 – 34, there are three different strap options, so it can also appeal to men. The different straps, which include a patterned silver, black silicone and white crocodile style, give users the chance to dress the watch up or down.

The Cash smartwatch will sell for $139 and can be purchased online on its official website starting today, October 1, and will later be made available through HSN later on in the month.

SmartWatch 3 from Sony to launch in India

The brand has announced that the SmartBand Talk from its Smartwear lineup will also be released in that market.

Sony has now announced that two more of its products from within its SmartWear line, its SmartWatch 3 and its SmartBand Talk, are now going to be launched in the massive market in India.

These wearable technology gadgets can both synch with the Lifelog mobile app for health and fitness tracking.

That said, while the products are being announced for launch into the Indian marketplace, at the time that this article was written, the company had not yet revealed the prices for either its smartwatch or its fitness band. Sony has stated that the products will be reaching the store shelves in that country in December of this year.

There have been a number of improvements made to the SmartWatch 3 for the latest Sony wearables release.

Smartwatch - IndiaFor example, this device has adopted the Android Wear platform. This will allow the device to be able to anticipate the needs of the wearer, and it will organize the information stored within the device as it makes suggestions for what the wearer might need, showing it to him or her before it is even asked.

This wearable technology device will provide the wearer with appointment notifications, text messages to read, and weather updates at a rapid glance. Moreover, it can also be programmed to provide flight information or offer tips based on interests. Input into the device is rarely necessary. It functions more as an information and alert system that caters to the specific needs of the wearer.

The smartwatch can receive instructions via voice, which is the easiest way to interact with Android Wear, when taking the tiny screen size into account – the display is a mere 1.6 inches. That function is made possible through its built-in microphone. This Sony device is equipped with its own standalone mobile apps, as well and features a GPS sensor, a gyrometer, an accelerometer, and a compass. The onboard storage is a respectable 4G. It is waterproof and uses a microUSB port in order to charge its battery.