Smart thermometer is ready to track your kid's fever all day long

The thermometer, which uses one of Blue Spark's thin, flexible batteries, will run for 24 hours and while it's intended for kids, can be used by people of any age. The gear will measure temperatures between 86 and 108.3 degrees Fahrenheit, and will offer up trend data to show if things are getting better or worse over time. In addition, you can hook up multiple units depending on how many kids you have, send the data to a doctor and even set alerts depending on when the temperature passes a certain limit.

 Months after its CES debut, Blue Spark's TempTraq thermometer is available for a fairly reasonable $25. The Bluetooth patch keeps tabs on a child's temperature in relative comfort for a full 24 hours, giving your progeny a chance to rest instead of enduring yet another probe in the ear. It can warn you if the temperature gets above a certain level, and you can use the Android and iOS apps to log when your tiny patient eats or takes medicine. This won't track the illness from start to finish, unfortunately, but it might be all you need for that one day when you're worried your little one's condition might get worse.

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Keys-To-Go Ultra-Portable Keyboard

Logitech had released the Keys-T0-Go keyboard for iOS several months ago, but now they have launched a new version for Android and Windows devices. The Keys-To-Go Ultra-Portable Keyboard will connect to your Android phone or tablet via Bluetooth.

At only 6.1 mm thick and 180 grams, it’s quite portable and can fit into your briefcase or purse. It comes with a separate stand for your phone or tablet if either one doesn’t already have a case with a kickstand. Probably the coolest feature is that it’s wrapped in a water-repellent FabricSkin that will protect it from spills and dirt. You will of course find Android shortcuts like Home, Recent Tasks, Back, and Menu. The rechargeable battery will last up to 3 months, which is a big plus. […]



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Acer’s Liquid Leap+ Smart Activeband is platform agnostic with changeable straps

Acer’s Liquid Leap+ monitors your sleep, counts your steps and calories as well as allowing you to receive notifications and control your music with Play, Pause, Previous and Next commands. The Liquid leap+ has a 1-inch OLED display, and the rubber straps are interchangeable. The Liquid Leap+ has an IPX7 water-resistant body that allows it to be exposed to 1m of water for up to 30 minutes and the smart band connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0 LE (Low-Energy).[…]


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Huawei Watch official, offers classic design with Android Wear on board

The Huawei Watch is official, following plenty of rumors, and the end result is a lot nicer than many probably expected. As the manufacturer suggests in its own promotion for the device, this smartwatch offers a design that’s actually quite similar to old timepieces, but manages to cram plenty of Android Wear smarts inside of it for good measure.

As far as the specifications and design go, the circular casing is stainless steel and the display measures in at 1.4-inches, with an AMOLED screen at 400×400 resolution. It’s boasting sapphire glass, too. Deciding to go a little different from all the Android Wear watches out there, the Huawei Watch also features a physical button at the 2 o’clock position along the casing.

Inside, there’s a Qualcomm processor clocked at 1.2GHz, with 4GB of built-in storage and 512MB of RAM. There are plenty of sensors, too, including a heart rate monitor, barometer and a motion sensor.

 

 [...]



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HTC Grip fitness tracker unveiled

HTC continues its technology connected devices portfolio expansion today with the introduction of the HTC Grip – an IP57 waterproof fitness tracker, powered by Under Armour Record. But the HTC Grip isn’t just another FitBit knockoff. The device features integrated GPS and is intended to athletes and fitness enthusiasts more than the average consumer who simply wants to track how many steps they take in a day.

Rather than making its own app, HTC has chosen to partner directly with Under Armour to use its Record app to track your fitness activity, sleep cycles and the social aspect of your workout. While fitness tracking is the main goal, the HTC Grip connects to your phone via Bluetooth 4.0 to display notifications, weather and music controls on its 32 x 160 PMOLED touchscreen display. The Grip is able to last  two and a half days on a single charge when connected to your phone with Bluetooth. But if you’re using the GSP to track a run, the number drops to 5 hours.... Read More





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Swatch to enter smartwatch game

Now that we are in the smartwatch era, traditional watch makers are starting to feel threatened just a tad. Companies like Fossil, Citizen, Bulova, Rolex, and others will have to decide if they want to change their strategy. One such company isn’t waiting around. Swatch has already announced their intention to offer a smartwatch to compete with the likes of Apple and Google.

Chief Executive Officer Nick Hayek said, “Swatch will launch a new generation of its smart Swatch in the next two to three months.” Since smartwatches could slow sales of Swatch’s entry-level brand by as much as 10% and midrange brands (Tissot and Mido) by as much as 5%, this can’t be a surprise.

 […]

 

Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Wirecard targets summer launch for its wrist-worn digital wallet

Wirecard’s Smart Band uses a Google-backed technology called Host Card Emulation (HCE) to securely store and transfer credit card credentials to and from a smartphone. A near field communications chip in the band then communicates with a point-of-sale terminal, working at the same places that accept Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

While Smart Band technically could be a way of putting Google Wallet in a wristband, Wirecard EVP of Mobile Services Joern Leogrand said that the company isn’t in any talks with Google and doesn’t have plans to do so. Rather it wants to use Smart Band to fuel transactions on its own digital billfold, he said, as well as the mobile wallets of its partners.

 […]

Story continues on Gigaom

Xiaomi Mi Box Mini is a fun-size Android streaming box

The Mi Box Mini is a miniscule set-top streaming box that runs on Android. Inside it features a 1.3GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor, 1GB of RAM, 4GB storage, dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, DTS 2.0 with Dolby Digital plus support and Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The Mi Box Mini features an HDMI 1.4 port and can plug directly into the wall courtesy of a built-in power supply. For navigation, it features a Bluetooth remote.

 [...]



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First impressions of the new Garmin Vivoactive

Fitness trackers and smartwatches are everywhere at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, but many brands are new to the space.

For $249 — $299 with a heart-rate strap — the health-focused watch looks nice. The 205 x 148 resolution color display is reportedly sunlight-readable and has touch capabilities. It’s not as crisp as you’d find on a new Android Wear watch — the display on my Sony Smartwatch 3 looks better — but it’s not too bad. Most impressive may be the battery life: Expect up to three weeks in standard usage mode or up to 10 hours of GPS usage.

 […]

Story continues on Gigaom

Fitbit starts shipping the Surge and Charge HR wearables to customers

Fitbit has just started shipping two of its premier wearables, the Charge HR and the Surge to customers in North America. Along with the shipping of these new wearables, Fitbit has also issued an update to its wearable software bringing the ability to pair up to 5 devices with one Fitbit account.

The Surge is the company’s first smartwatch like offering which can offer notifications, music playback controls and heart rate/sleep monitoring right from your wrist. This device has been priced at $250 which is quite steep for a companion accessory, especially when compared to full blown smartwatches like the LG G Watch R and the Moto 360. The smartwatch can last up to 7 days on a full charge.

[…]

Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Razer launches entry-level Nabu X smartband wearable

he water resistant sensor module uses three colored LED indicators and vibrations to alert users of any notifications received on a paired iOS or Android smartphone. It also includes an accelerometer, which will let the band track user activity. The sensor module is detachable to allow users to mix and match between three planned strap colors: black, white, and green.
[...]

Story continues on HardwareZone Singapore

Livescribe 3 Smartpen Will Soon Have Android Support, Having Handwritten Notes On Your Device Could Get A Lot Easier

Ever wanted to take handwritten notes, but didn't want to write on a digital screen? Maybe you just don't want a Samsung device, the primary Android manufacturer to offer active digitizers (better known as the "S Pen" in their marketing materials). Livescribe's smartpens have, up to now, been just a nearly perfect solution for many. You can write on real paper* and have your notes rather effortlessly synced to select digital destinations.

[...]




Story continues on Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

The Mad Catz L.Y.N.X. 9 Is An Insane $300 Controller/Clip/Stand/KB Combo That Looks Like The Lovechild Of MOGA And Megatron

Hey, look at this Mad Catz Android Bluetooth controller. It looks really compact, if a little odd. But then that's Mad Catz for you.

I wonder what happens if I pull this thing and - oh, a full-sized console controller. That's kinda neat, even if the extended handles do look a little too much like scissor blades. What happens if I put this little plastic bracket on...


[...]




Story continues on Android Police - Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets

Lenovo gets into wearables with E Ink VIBE Band

2015 is going to be the year everyone throws their hats into the wearable ring and Lenovo doesn’t want to be left out of the party.

The company today announced it’s new VIBE Band that sports an E Ink display and a seven day battery life. The band can show notifications from your phone for calls, SMS, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat and more, but with no more than 150 characters.

The VIBE band also tracks fitness, but only monitors the basics like steps and sleep. It’ll work with iOS and Android devices running 4.3 and above out of the box.


[...]


Story continues on The Next Web

Alcatel OneTouch to reveal new smartwatch line at CES

Alcatel OneTouch may be poised to catch some people off guard at CES 2015 starting next week when they reveal a new line of smartwatches. As you can see from the image above, Alcatel OneTouch has decided to go with a round watch face for their devices along with several different straps. According to Alcatel OneTouch, they were aiming for a traditional watch look and feel for the hardware, which it appears they may have achieved that goal with their new line of Watch devices.

Judging by the image, it looks like the devices will be powered by Android Wear. No details about the specific hardware that is located within the device has been revealed yet, though the images and Alcatel OneTouch’s statement that the devices will “allow users to monitor daily activity” suggest at least some items like pedometers and heartbeat monitors may be present.

 […]


Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Goondu Review: Xiaomi Mi Band

Xiaomi has propelled itself to become the world’s third-largest smartphone maker in four short years, and its march towards conquering the wearables market begins with the recently released S$19.99 Mi Band.

Its design is deceptively simple. The actual device is a pill-shaped module with a brushed metal front and rubberised rear that has Xiaomi’s logo engraved on it.

Attach the module onto the provided silicone strap and wear it on your wrist, and the Mi Band will start counting the number of steps you take and track your sleep patterns.

With an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating, the Mi Band can join you for a jog in the drizzle and easily survive the subsequent wash-up. Weighing just 13g with the strap, it will not interfere with even the toughest of workouts.

For first-time fitness and users, the Mi Band will surely appeal.

[...]

Story continues on Techgoondu

Another smart device incoming: The Vessyl

You would have probably have heard about smartphones, smartwatches or even smartbracelets but have you ever heard of a smartcup? Now you have. It's called the Vessyl and it's coming soon.

Despite it just looking like a fancy cup, the Vessyl is filled with sensors that can identify of any liquid you put inside it. In fact, there are even plans for the Vessyl to be able to detect contaminants in any liquid. Even with all the fancy tech behind it, the Vessyl can be treated like any cup. You can wash and clean it with no issues, and it even holds liquids at temperatures any normal cup can hold.

The Vessyl not only identifies what type of liquid is inside, it can even breakdown the ingredients being used and then display that information on the cup. If you want detailed stats though, the Vessyl has you covered too.

[...]

Story continues on HardwareZone Singapore

New E-Paper watch from Sony turns page on a new chapter

Sources have discovered that Sony is working on a new smartwatch that focuses on fashion over function. The watch is going to be constructed out of a new e-paper display from Sony that spans not only the watch face, but the band as well. This means users will be able to change the appearance with a tap or two. The smartwatch is not only unique in eschewing functionality – it only provides the time and date – but development of the device has revealed a new business unit within Sony that is part of an effort to get the company back on track financially and in terms of innovation.



The new watch is actually out in the public already, but no one realized it until recently. Sony created a new division called Fashion Entertainments and their first product is the FES Watch, which turns out to be the Sony e-paper device. This new division within Sony reports directly to CEO Kazuo Hirai so that new, innovative products can be fast-tracked to market.

[...]

Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

Hands-on with Parrot’s fun new $499 Bebop Drone

Earlier this week, Parrot announced its latest drone, the Bebop, and the Android-based Skycontroller remote. Here are our impressions from our brief flight time with the gadget, which goes on sale in early December. Parrot is probably best known for its AR.Drone quadcopter. While the the device has been one of the best-selling drones on the market, it has remained on the low-end of the market while companies like DJI take over the mid- to high-end. Bebop costs $499 as a standalone device and $899 with the Skycontroller. That’s a sizable jump up from the $399 price of Parrot’s AR.Drone...

The Bebop creates a WiFi network that you’ll need to connect to when piloting. From an iOS and Android device, you’ll have up to 300 meters of distance for the drone. The Skycontroller lets you fly up to 1.25 miles away. Still, I can’t really imagine flying the drone that far, as it’d be impossible to see and steer with your own eyes by then.

Story continues on The Next Web

Huawei TalkBand B1 comes to the U.S.

You probably have heard about Huawei TalkBand B1 that was announced in MWC 2014. Yeah, it’s a great piece of hardware and innovation. Who could have thought you can wear the same thing on your ear as you do on your wrist. Indeed, an out-of-the-box yet successful thought. Chinese brands as opposed to their previous...


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