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Whereables?

Posted by Cliff on from the still-a-small-niche dept.

d4 asks: "Thad Starner has been using a wearable computer daily since 1993, and Steve Mann has had an impressive amount of press coverage over the years. But if you want wearable computing in 2005, it seems you must build your own system. Why, after all this time and attention, are wearables still not commercially available?"

5 of 101 comments (clear)

  1. maybe... by same_old_story · · Score: 5, Insightful

    because they are still bulky and pretty useless...

  2. 3 Simple Reasons by smug_lisp_weenie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    1. Battery life- Batteries haven't been keeping up with other computer components in terms of improvements. A hefty CPU just drains them too quickly- And without a hefty CPU a Palm PC form factor is more practical.
    2. Headaches- Nobody has figured out how to make an eyeglass display that doesn't cause lots of complaints about migranes. The atari VR system and the Nintendo VR both got killed by this.
    3. Dork factor- Until Apple releases an iWearable and tempts all the hipster-wannabes with commercials, you just can't walk around with this gear in public without feeling weird- Just like with MP3 players pre-ipod.

  3. Why I don't use wearable computers Reason #1: by rocjoe71 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can't use wearable computers since my tie keeps getting caught in the CPU fan.

    --
    Height: 38U, Weight: 0 Newtons, Eyes: #0000FF, OS: Gray Matter 1.0 (Alpha)
  4. I was going to be funny but... by Bin_jammin · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I guess if you really have to ask why there are no wearable computers, the humor would just be lost anyway.

  5. One more. by jfisherwa · · Score: 5, Funny

    4. Basements- Having a wearable computer would mean that geeks would actually have to enter the unforgiving world that awaits beneath the scorching sun.