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Ultra-Cool Wireless Wearables

Posted by chrisd on from the eye-candy dept.

moonboy writes "I just saw this story linked to from Ars Technica. Motorola and Frog Design have recently released information about some awesome new prototypes for wearable computing with wireless capability using Bluetooth technology. The wearables group will include a WDA (Wearable Digital Assistant) which will serve as the communications hub, the Wristable, Goggles, Digi-Cam, Comport, Radio-button, and the Intelli-pen. Very cool stuff!" Prototype seems a strong word....

4 of 180 comments (clear)

  1. Only concepts so far by erixtark · · Score: 5, Informative

    "plans to bring a product based on the design to market within two years."

    Ericsson showed similar devices years ago, and most other producers have had concept products similar to these ones. Lets just hope they start showing up in the stores for real this time. 2 years is a long time.

    1. Re:Only concepts so far by KingRoo · · Score: 2, Informative
      Also note current Register story regarding a similar device from Samsung.

      Difference being, the Samsung device might be available this year

  2. Concept designs, not prototypes! by jpatokal · · Score: 4, Informative
    People, these are concept designs, not prototypes!
    The design is only a concept at this point, although Motorola is preparing for user testing, and plans to bring a product based on the design to market within two years.
    In other words, these are only pretty pictures and hot air, and a "product based on the design" (which means absolutely nothing and/or anything using Bluetooth) may or may not appear in two years. Sure, it's a spiffy design, but with current technology eg. the sunglasses are completely impossible. (The current state of the art is MicroOptical, whose displays require bulky transformer boxes attached by a cord, and Bluetooth bandwidth is nowhere near that needed to push even a VGA signal wirelessly.)

    Cheers,
    -j.

  3. Re:Only one by plumby · · Score: 2, Informative

    You can already get these in Japan (can't remember what they are called), and the Cybiko has a similar thing where it will let you know when someone with the same interests entered into their Cybiko comes within signal range.