Acer Liquid Leap+ enters into fitness tracker race

The Liquid Leap+ by Acer is now available in the US. The Leap+ is itself a small dongle that sports a 1-inch OLED touchscreen, which can then be strapped to different rubberized bands, including black, pink and green options. The whole package is rated at IPX7 water-resistance. You can do things like control music, receive emails, and get text messages.

The price is $99, but as a launching promotion it is on sale for $79

Source:

 TalkAndroid
 Acer

ReVault: Wearable Private Cloud!

ReVault is the world's first wearable private cloud that allows you to securely access and sync all your files across all your devices without an internet connection. 

ReVault connects to your devices using WiFi and Bluetooth. You can setup your ReVault to auto-backup and auto-synchronize your files across your devices. ReVault is wearable so that you can easily carry your files wherever you go at all times.

With a ReVault you can always access your files from anywhere, fast without a glitch, even without an Internet connection.

As of today (20/05/2015) it managed to get funded 79% in indiegogo.com. It is priced US$169.00 + Shipping for 32 GB and US$269.00 + Shipping for 128 GB, estimated delivery 2016 January.

Reference:

 www.indiegogo.com

ALCATEL ONETOUCH Watch

The ONETOUCH Watch is a round face smartwatch with a 1.22-inch diameter display. ALCATEL wanted buyers to be able to use the device with both Android and iOS powered smartphones, so the smartwatch runs a proprietary operating system that will work with both Android 4.3 or higher and iOS 7 or higher. ALCATEL includes several sensors in the device, including an accelerometer, a gyro, an altimeter, a heart rate sensor, and an E-compass. The device supports NFC, has a vibration motor, and is IP67 certified for water resistance. According to ALCATEL, users should be able to get 2-5 days of life between charges depending on use. The biggest draw though will likely be low price point for entry into the smartwatch market.




Story continues on TalkAndroid

Pebble announces the Pebble Time Steel and smartstrap accessories

Pebble is launching the Pebble Time Steel on Kickstarter for $249, an additional $50 over the standard Pebble Time. The Pebble Time Steel will come in three colors — Gunmetal Black, Stainless Steel and Gold — and Kickstarter backers will receive a rewards package that includes both a stainless steel and leather strap, plus a $50 discount over the retail price of $299. Shipping dates are set for the end of July.

If you’ve already backed Pebble Time and want to upgrade, you can change your backing to the Pebble Time Steel while still maintaining your spot in the line. The Pebble Team does warn, however, that if you were an Early Bird backer and you decide to switch to Pebble Time Steel, you won’t be able to get your Early Bird position back if you decide to switch back to the standard Pebble Time. [...]



Story continues on Android and Me

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).[…]


Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

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.

 

 [...]



Story continues on Android and Me

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





Story continues on HTC Source

Pebble Time unveiled, color e-paper smartwatch with 7 days of battery life

As expected, a Pebble smartwatch with a color screen was unveiled a little while ago. Called the Pebble Time, this smartwatch has a similar e-paper display as the original, but it’s in color. It also has the same great battery life with 7 days. The Pebble is the most popular smartwatch that is compatible with both Android and iOS.

Color isn’t the only thing new with this watch as it has a thinner design (20% thinner) and sports a microphone for responding to notifications or taking voice notes.

[…]


Story continues on Android News, Rumours, and Updates

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

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

Withings Activite Pop Smartwatch

Withings, the company behind some of the best looking health wearables on the market, just announced a new device called Activite Pop. It’s a more affordable version of their original Activite smartwatch, which looks like a traditional timekeeper, but in reality is a fully-featured activity tracker.

If it wasn’t for an additional smaller dial on its face, the Activite Pop could be taken for a regular analog watch. The dial measures how close you are to fulfilling your activity goal for the day. Goals can be set using the official companion apps for smartphones and tablets. Just like the original Activite, the Activite Pop can also track your sleep patterns during the night and wake you up with an optimally timed vibration.

[...]

Story continues on UltraLinx » Technology

New type of wearable introduced at CES 2015

Optinvent, a company that specializes in smart wearables (specifically eyewear), announced a new type of wearable technology today at CES that they are calling the ORA-X. This new device is a pair of high-end headphones running android, with a transparent display attached to the side. Describing it as “the smart glass that doesn’t make you look like a creep,” the company has decided that the world isn’t ready  to adopt smart eyewear as a trend quite yet, and has instead opted to go for an accesory that has already proven its relevance in today’s society.

The device will apparently support most android apps and will have enough power and RAM to support more complex apps. Somewhere on the device there will be a trackpad to interact with the screen. Though no specifics were given, the actual speakers are said to be high quality and will support active noise cancellation. The ORA-X will also include common android device features, such as a camera, a microphone, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and an accelerometer.
[...]


Story continues on AndroidGuys

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

SafeBand - Smart Wristband with Companion MiniTags

SafeBand is a multifunctional waterproof wearable device which works as a personal security solution on your wrist.  - [currently(4th Dec 2014) $2,563 (2%) of $100,000 goal]

SafeBand is more than just a project to create a gadget that will help you in your daily life by monitoring your activities and giving your notifications, it's a way to protect your privacy, your things and even your loved ones.

SafeBand is a unique safety device, because it offers all the things you expect from a modern wrist wearable, and also a personal security solution. The way SafeBand achieves this is by engaging a whole network of MiniTags — independent smart modules used to control your valuables.




Story continues on SafeBand - Smart Wristband with Companion MiniTags

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