Wearables
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June 30, 2017
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This week: update on the Samsung Gear S4 and a social backpack concept.
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Forbes
A patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office says the Samsung Gear S4 could be charged by a smartphone case, simply by resting it on top. The case would use a USB-C port to take power from a phone that, in turn, would provide power to the smartwatch using a hidden coil, just by touching it to a conductive plate on the case.
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Mashable
Research firm IDC's latest wearables report estimated that global wearable vendors will ship a whopping 125.5 million devices this year, a 20.4 percent increase from the 104.3 million units thought to have shipped in 2016. But this year is just the start of the wearable renaissance — IDC forecasts major growth in the space going forward, predicting that the international market will nearly double to 240.1 million shipments by 2021. The year-over-year growth comes as the gadgets evolve from novelties to more fully realized, useful devices. The release of Android Wear 2.0 and the continued success of the Apple Watch, as it pivots to focus on health, are the two biggest examples.
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The Next Web
JanSport is dabbling in smart-tech fabric, and they want your backpack to be just as social as you. According to Steve Munn, President of JanSport, "a [backpack is a] place to put something to eat, something to drink and something to wear — [that’s] what’s most important. Now, it becomes potentially an avenue for social interaction.” The backpack is essentially a gigantic QR code. Take a picture of the backpack with your smartphone and access any online information the backpack owner creates.
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PSFK
TouchPoints is a wrist wearable that uses low levels of vibration on both wrists to improve focus and reduce stress. According to the company, the bands use Bi-Lateral Alternating Stimulation Tactile (BLAST) technology, which alternates vibrations to change the body’s reaction to stress, allowing them to approach challenges with a clear and calm mind.
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