Wearable tech is fast becoming the next big thing in technology. Why pull your smartphone out of your pocket to tell the time or track your workout, when you have a device on your wrist that can do the exact same thing? However, wearable tech is quickly evolving and new, exciting gadgets are coming out. This summer, check out some of the coolest and most innovative ideas doing the rounds, and try some out for yourself.
Nike+ Fuel Band: First up is a health monitoring wristband, perfect if you want to get fit during the summer months. The band can track your daily exercise and calories burned, and will light up when you hit the goals that you’ve programmed into it. You can also share your progress on social media with the iPhone app, if you’re that way inclined.
Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses: Entering the world of augmented reality are these smart glasses. They run on Android 4.0, and will pair up with your Android phone via Bluetooth. Great for GPS, or checking your messages on the move, you way you use apps will never be the same. If you’re looking for an alternative to Google Glasses, this may be it.
Rusty’s Wired Series: The pain of tangled earphones is real, but Rusty’s may have solved the problem forever. Their series of clothing includes hoodies, where the earphones double as the elastic string in the hood. As they live in the hoodie itself, they’ll never tangle again, and there’s a handy side pocket to tuck your iPod or similar device into. As the icing on the cake, the earphones are waterproof and washable, along with the rest of the hoodie.
Panasonic HX-A1ME Wearable Camera: If you’re looking to brave the wild outdoors, check this out. This adventure sports camera from Panasonic sits on a headband, filming everything from your viewpoint. It’s lightweight and super tough, so no matter what you throw at it (or yourself, for that matter), it can keep on going.
Apple Watch: No list of wearable devices would be complete without this. The leader of the smartwatch invasion, it connects to your iPhone and brings all of your notifications and apps to your wrist. You can use it to track your exercise, plays games, or even, as the name suggests, tell the time.
Fitbit Charge HR: Another entry in the fitness tracker roster, but this one is different due to its heart rate tracking capabilities. It fits snugly around your wrist and promises to deliver a more accurate picture of your health than most other trackers can. It also connects to your phone and delivers notifications, which is handy when you’re out on a run and someone needs to get hold of you.
Whistle: Who said only humans could use wearable technology? Dog lovers can buy their four legged friends a Whistle, which tracks their location or wellbeing, depending which model you buy. The GPS device is great if your dog is canine Harry Houdini, while the activity monitor can give you detailed reports on his wellbeing based on his active and resting periods.
USB Cufflinks: These look like something James Bond would wear to an upscale soiree, so they will probably appeal to 99 percent of men instantly. Each cufflink holds up to 2GB of data, meaning that whether you’re downloading confidential blueprints or the latest episode of Game of Thrones, you’ll look stylish doing so.
Ringly: Ringly is wearable tech for people want something a little bit more fashionable. The ring works in the same way as a smartwatch, connecting to your phone and notifying you of phone calls and texts. It also connects to social media to let you know when someone liked your latest picture on Facebook. The best bit is the ring itself, which contains a semi-precious stone.
Oculus Rift: If you’re into gaming, the ultimate in wearable tech is the Oculus Rift. Initially funded on Kickstarter, the head mounted goggles allow you to experience games as though you really are there. More and more games are becoming available on the device now, including horror titles such as Alien: Isolation. If you’ve ever wanted to be the star of your own horror movie, we dare you to try this out.
Zepp: Designed especially for golfers, the Zepp is a device on your glove that connects to your smartphone and tracks your game. It’ll tell you how to make your game better, and compare your swing to those of the pros.
bPay: The latest development in contactless payment, the bPay is a bracelet that allows you to pay for items without ever getting your bank card out. It comes hot on the heels of payment apps such as Apply Pay and PayPal, which still require to get your phone out to pay.
