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Intel Unveils MICA "My Intelligent Communication Accessory" Smart Bracelet

Posted by samzenpus on from the speak-to-the-wrist dept.

MojoKid writes With a few companies introducing smartwatch products at IFA in Berlin, Intel's taking a slightly different approach. The chip-maker's wearable debut in Berlin is far different than those being issued by LG, Samsung, and Motorola, focusing on fashion instead of nuts-and-bolts. It's called MICA, which is short for "My Intelligent Communication Accessory," and Intel's calling it a "feminine accessory blending seamlessly into everyday life." While it handles text messages, push alerts, and other notifications like most other smartwatches, it's also snazzed up on the design front. Details are murky in terms of operating system, etc., but make no mistake: Intel's entry into the wearables arena is a piece like no other.

6 of 48 comments (clear)

  1. What is the security like? by iamwhoiamtoday · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Cell phones are relatively insecure, especially the ones that never get updated. What is the security of this device like?
    Already we are carrying around cell phones with all of our personal lives on them, and yet they want us to get yet another device that will hopefully be supported with patches and updates?

    Don't really think I'll be getting one of these until a security expect reviews them.

    1. Re:What is the security like? by gweihir · · Score: 2

      Security costs money, so do you even need to ask?

      And no, smart people do not carry their personal lives around on their smart-phones. You know, like nude pictures, that then predictably get stolen. Or things like that.

      As to a professional security review, forget about it. These things are routinely either hugely embarrassing to the manufacturer or worthless. The ones that are neither are pretty rare.

      --
      Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
  2. oblig. Futurama quote by iggymanz · · Score: 3, Funny

    "This thing I wear on my wrist says they're not poisonous" -- Leela

  3. Just the warm-up by PapayaSF · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's admit it: all these smart watches are like MP3 players, pre-iPod: early pioneers, but destined to be forgotten. Once Apple enters the field, the category will take off. You don't have to be an Apple fanboi to see that coming.

    Also predictable: Apple's entry will not be cheap, will be criticized for lacking features and openness, but buyers won't care. Samsung will rush a copycat revision of their entry, and the press will laud various "iWatch killers," but they won't be terribly successful.

    iPod, IPhone, iPad: we've seen this story before.

    --
    Q: What does the "B." in Benoit B. Mandelbrot stand for? A: Benoit B. Mandelbrot
    1. Re:Just the warm-up by PapayaSF · · Score: 3, Informative

      Some technologies just don't make sense. At least with our current battery and silicon constraints.

      A nice tablet at $500 didn't make sense... until the iPad came out. (Some early speculation had it priced at @$1,000). An expensive smartphone without a keyboard didn't make sense... until the iPhone. A laptop that is .68 inches thick (and gets thinner from there) didn't make sense... until the MacBook Air.

      Apple has a track record of pushing limits, and of not releasing products that aren't highly refined. If they come out with an "iWatch," I'd bet it will be something special. And the following iterations will only improve it.

      --
      Q: What does the "B." in Benoit B. Mandelbrot stand for? A: Benoit B. Mandelbrot
  4. Re: Why dismiss 49% of your market? by eyepeepackets · · Score: 2

    The male version would be a cock ring: "Honey, would you get that?"

    --
    Everything in the Universe sucks: It's the law!