Whether it's Samsung's Gear gadgets, Sony's SmartBand, or the sci-fi-like Nymi, exciting wearables were in full force at Mobile World Congress February 27, 2014 10:49 AM PST Wearables were big at MWC 2014 (Credit: Jason Jenkins/CNET) BARCELONA, Spain--Smartphones are the traditional draw at MWC but this year wearable tech products created lots of buzz as well. In fact many industry heavyweights and electronics giants chose the conference to make significant wearable technology product announcements. We saw Sony's first foray into activity tracking, the SmartBand, which boasts impressive and insanely detailed life logging abilities. Samsung delivered two smart timepieces too, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, and its own fitness band called the Gear Fit. Chinese phone maker Huawei also threw its hat into the wearable ring as well, announcing the TalkBand B1.Not satisfied with being your average pedometer, the TalkBand contains a wireless Bluetooth earpiece to conduct hands-free calls. Additionally Motorola said it has definite plans to sell a smartwatch along with HTC making the same pledge. Yes, from wristbands, eyewear, to high-tech time telling gizmos, wearable gear was top of mind at MWC 2014. Here are some of the highlights. Wearable tech at Mobile World Congress (pictures) 1-2 of 12 Scroll Left Scroll Right Smartwatches move closer to mainstream You know the era of the smartwatch has arrived when a massive device maker such as Samsung creates a wearable device. Two at once, however, is nothing other than a complete double down, an all in bet on the bright and lucrative future of wearable tech. With Samsung putting its marketing weight behind the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, you can be sure more ordinary consumers will be talking about smartwatches than ever before. This bold move by Samsung must have spooked its rivals. At MWC Motorola also said it would get back in the smartwatch game, not too surprising since it was one of the pioneers of the category with the Motoactv a few years ago. Add HTC's announced plans to enter the smartwatch frey with its own intention to hawk a wrist-borne product by Christmass 2014 and it's easy to see that momentum is growing. Lifetracking and body sensing Another noticeable trend was biometric and health tracking. Sony rules the roost with its new and scarily aware SmartBand that goes way beyond standard pedometer skills. When linked to a compatible Android phone, the SmartBand and LifeLog application records location data, camera activity, and social media happenings in real time. The Bionym Nymi made an appearance too which posses abilities straight out of a sci-fi flick. Measuring your individual heart rhythm, the wristband-shaped Nymi might very well be the ultimate biometric security device. Once it recognizes you, the Nymi acts as a digital vault and password holder. It will also communicate wirelessly with things like electronic door locks and cars to grant access without fumbling for physical keys. Samsung brought its own health tracker to the MWC table too. Called the Gear Fit, the futuristic product slips around your wrist, features a colorful and curved OLED touchscreen, and even sports a heart rate monitor on its underside. And yes it tracks steps too. What's next for wearable For example the Weon Glasses by startup Ion Eyewear hides an LED light for phone notifications in one of its arms. Likewise, the upcoming Martian Notifier (which I also saw briefly at the show could be a classically-styled time piece. Its OLED strip of a display which shows phone alerts when linked to phones over Bluetooth gives away the Notifier's secret. That's why one day soon it likely won't be a question of whether a wearable article is smart, but rather which few you're wearing aren't.

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Whether it's Samsung's Gear gadgets, Sony's SmartBand, or the sci-fi-like Nymi, exciting wearables were in full force at Mobile World Congress February 27, 2014 10:49 AM PST Wearables were big at MWC 2014 (Credit: Jason Jenkins/CNET) BARCELONA, Spain--Smartphones are the traditional draw at MWC but this year wearable tech products created lots of buzz as well. In fact many industry heavyweights and electronics giants chose the conference to make significant wearable technology product announcements. We saw Sony's first foray into activity tracking, the SmartBand, which boasts impressive and insanely detailed life logging abilities. Samsung delivered two smart timepieces too, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, and its own fitness band called the Gear Fit. Chinese phone maker Huawei also threw its hat into the wearable ring as well, announcing the TalkBand B1.Not satisfied with being your average pedometer, the TalkBand contains a wireless Bluetooth earpiece to conduct hands-free calls. Additionally Motorola said it has definite plans to sell a smartwatch along with HTC making the same pledge. Yes, from wristbands, eyewear, to high-tech time telling gizmos, wearable gear was top of mind at MWC 2014. Here are some of the highlights. Wearable tech at Mobile World Congress (pictures) 1-2 of 12 Scroll Left Scroll Right Smartwatches move closer to mainstream You know the era of the smartwatch has arrived when a massive device maker such as Samsung creates a wearable device. Two at once, however, is nothing other than a complete double down, an all in bet on the bright and lucrative future of wearable tech. With Samsung putting its marketing weight behind the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, you can be sure more ordinary consumers will be talking about smartwatches than ever before. This bold move by Samsung must have spooked its rivals. At MWC Motorola also said it would get back in the smartwatch game, not too surprising since it was one of the pioneers of the category with the Motoactv a few years ago. Add HTC's announced plans to enter the smartwatch frey with its own intention to hawk a wrist-borne product by Christmass 2014 and it's easy to see that momentum is growing. Lifetracking and body sensing Another noticeable trend was biometric and health tracking. Sony rules the roost with its new and scarily aware SmartBand that goes way beyond standard pedometer skills. When linked to a compatible Android phone, the SmartBand and LifeLog application records location data, camera activity, and social media happenings in real time. The Bionym Nymi made an appearance too which posses abilities straight out of a sci-fi flick. Measuring your individual heart rhythm, the wristband-shaped Nymi might very well be the ultimate biometric security device. Once it recognizes you, the Nymi acts as a digital vault and password holder. It will also communicate wirelessly with things like electronic door locks and cars to grant access without fumbling for physical keys. Samsung brought its own health tracker to the MWC table too. Called the Gear Fit, the futuristic product slips around your wrist, features a colorful and curved OLED touchscreen, and even sports a heart rate monitor on its underside. And yes it tracks steps too. What's next for wearable For example the Weon Glasses by startup Ion Eyewear hides an LED light for phone notifications in one of its arms. Likewise, the upcoming Martian Notifier (which I also saw briefly at the show could be a classically-styled time piece. Its OLED strip of a display which shows phone alerts when linked to phones over Bluetooth gives away the Notifier's secret. That's why one day soon it likely won't be a question of whether a wearable article is smart, but rather which few you're wearing aren't.

Whether it's Samsung's Gear gadgets, Sony's SmartBand, or the sci-fi-like Nymi, exciting wearables were in full force at Mobile World Congress February 27, 2014 10:49 AM PST Wearables were big at MWC 2014 (Credit: Jason Jenkins/CNET) BARCELONA, Spain--Smartphones are the traditional draw at MWC but this year wearable tech products created lots of buzz as well. In fact many industry heavyweights and electronics giants chose the conference to make significant wearable technology product announcements. We saw Sony's first foray into activity tracking, the SmartBand, which boasts impressive and insanely detailed life logging abilities. Samsung delivered two smart timepieces too, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, and its own fitness band called the Gear Fit. Chinese phone maker Huawei also threw its hat into the wearable ring as well, announcing the TalkBand B1.Not satisfied with being your average pedometer, the TalkBand contains a wireless Bluetooth earpiece to conduct hands-free calls. Additionally Motorola said it has definite plans to sell a smartwatch along with HTC making the same pledge. Yes, from wristbands, eyewear, to high-tech time telling gizmos, wearable gear was top of mind at MWC 2014. Here are some of the highlights. Wearable tech at Mobile World Congress (pictures) 1-2 of 12 Scroll Left Scroll Right Smartwatches move closer to mainstream You know the era of the smartwatch has arrived when a massive device maker such as Samsung creates a wearable device. Two at once, however, is nothing other than a complete double down, an all in bet on the bright and lucrative future of wearable tech. With Samsung putting its marketing weight behind the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, you can be sure more ordinary consumers will be talking about smartwatches than ever before. This bold move by Samsung must have spooked its rivals. At MWC Motorola also said it would get back in the smartwatch game, not too surprising since it was one of the pioneers of the category with the Motoactv a few years ago. Add HTC's announced plans to enter the smartwatch frey with its own intention to hawk a wrist-borne product by Christmass 2014 and it's easy to see that momentum is growing. Lifetracking and body sensing Another noticeable trend was biometric and health tracking. Sony rules the roost with its new and scarily aware SmartBand that goes way beyond standard pedometer skills. When linked to a compatible Android phone, the SmartBand and LifeLog application records location data, camera activity, and social media happenings in real time. The Bionym Nymi made an appearance too which posses abilities straight out of a sci-fi flick. Measuring your individual heart rhythm, the wristband-shaped Nymi might very well be the ultimate biometric security device. Once it recognizes you, the Nymi acts as a digital vault and password holder. It will also communicate wirelessly with things like electronic door locks and cars to grant access without fumbling for physical keys. Samsung brought its own health tracker to the MWC table too. Called the Gear Fit, the futuristic product slips around your wrist, features a colorful and curved OLED touchscreen, and even sports a heart rate monitor on its underside. And yes it tracks steps too. What's next for wearable For example the Weon Glasses by startup Ion Eyewear hides an LED light for phone notifications in one of its arms. Likewise, the upcoming Martian Notifier (which I also saw briefly at the show could be a classically-styled time piece. Its OLED strip of a display which shows phone alerts when linked to phones over Bluetooth gives away the Notifier's secret. That's why one day soon it likely won't be a question of whether a wearable article is smart, but rather which few you're wearing aren't.

Posted by : Unknown Thursday, February 27, 2014

Whether it's Samsung's Gear gadgets, Sony's SmartBand, or the sci-fi-like Nymi, exciting wearables were in full force at Mobile World Congress

February 27, 2014 10:49 AM PST

Wearables were big at MWC 2014

(Credit: Jason Jenkins/CNET)

BARCELONA, Spain--Smartphones are the traditional draw at MWC but this year wearable tech products created lots of buzz as well. In fact many industry heavyweights and electronics giants chose the conference to make significant wearable technology product announcements.

We saw Sony's first foray into activity tracking, the SmartBand, which boasts impressive and insanely detailed life logging abilities. Samsung delivered two smart timepieces too, the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, and its own fitness band called the Gear Fit.

Chinese phone maker Huawei also threw its hat into the wearable ring as well, announcing the TalkBand B1.Not satisfied with being your average pedometer, the TalkBand contains a wireless Bluetooth earpiece to conduct hands-free calls. Additionally Motorola said it has definite plans to sell a smartwatch along with HTC making the same pledge.

Yes, from wristbands, eyewear, to high-tech time telling gizmos, wearable gear was top of mind at MWC 2014. Here are some of the highlights.

Wearable tech at Mobile World Congress (pictures)

1-2 of 12

Scroll Left Scroll Right

Smartwatches move closer to mainstream

You know the era of the smartwatch has arrived when a massive device maker such as Samsung creates a wearable device. Two at once, however, is nothing other than a complete double down, an all in bet on the bright and lucrative future of wearable tech.

With Samsung putting its marketing weight behind the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo, you can be sure more ordinary consumers will be talking about smartwatches than ever before. This bold move by Samsung must have spooked its rivals. At MWC Motorola also said it would get back in the smartwatch game, not too surprising since it was one of the pioneers of the category with the Motoactv a few years ago. Add HTC's announced plans to enter the smartwatch frey with its own intention to hawk a wrist-borne product by Christmass 2014 and it's easy to see that momentum is growing.

Lifetracking and body sensing

Another noticeable trend was biometric and health tracking. Sony rules the roost with its new and scarily aware SmartBand that goes way beyond standard pedometer skills. When linked to a compatible Android phone, the SmartBand and LifeLog application records location data, camera activity, and social media happenings in real time.

The Bionym Nymi made an appearance too which posses abilities straight out of a sci-fi flick. Measuring your individual heart rhythm, the wristband-shaped Nymi might very well be the ultimate biometric security device. Once it recognizes you, the Nymi acts as a digital vault and password holder. It will also communicate wirelessly with things like electronic door locks and cars to grant access without fumbling for physical keys.

Samsung brought its own health tracker to the MWC table too. Called the Gear Fit, the futuristic product slips around your wrist, features a colorful and curved OLED touchscreen, and even sports a heart rate monitor on its underside. And yes it tracks steps too.

What's next for wearable

For example the Weon Glasses by startup Ion Eyewear hides an LED light for phone notifications in one of its arms. Likewise, the upcoming Martian Notifier (which I also saw briefly at the show could be a classically-styled time piece. Its OLED strip of a display which shows phone alerts when linked to phones over Bluetooth gives away the Notifier's secret.

That's why one day soon it likely won't be a question of whether a wearable article is smart, but rather which few you're wearing aren't.