Andy's Wearable Computing Notebook » jewelry

Soon, we’ll be wearing movies

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:13:02 +0000

CNET – Imagine: You’re walking down the street at night. You turn a corner, and suddenly, coming your way, you see someone with “Avatar” playing on their jacket.

It’s a futuristic notion, but according to the folks at open-source hardware maker Adafruit Industries, it’s one that’s just months away.

That’s because Adafruit has just unveiled Flora, its brand-new Arduino and Arduino-compatible wearable electronics platform. Designed to give anyone the ability to craft a matrix of up to hundreds or someday, more than 1,000 small LED “pixels,” Flora is meant to make it possible to easily craft custom wearable multi-LED pixel designs perfect for art events like Burning Man, or even the streets of whatever town you live in.

Kisai Escape C – the Bluetooth ‘fashion accessory’

admin — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:42:41 +0000

gizmag – Hands-free calling using Bluetooth earpieces has become – shall we say – controversial over the years, as we’ve all seen that annoying guy at Starbucks trying to close the deal as he orders his cappuccino. But the latest receiver from Tokyo Flash, the Kisai Escape C, might just have enough features to offset the Bluetooth [geek] factor.

As with most receivers, yes, you can pair the Escape C with your mobile phone to make and receive calls hands free. But the earpiece looks much like a normal earbud, so if you decide to take your phone conversation public the only giveaway is your voice. The microphone is integrated into the Escape C which can be worn around the neck like a necklace.

By pairing the device with your mp3 player you can also get your favorite music in stereo sound. The Escape C also has control buttons on its body that you can use to skip ahead or adjust volume if necessary.

The 10 Most Amazing Electronic Clothes Of the Century?

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:47:32 +0000

Singularity Hub — Let’s face it, without the technology you use everyday you’d be pretty stuck. No automatic coffee pot, no iPhone, no GPS helping you crash your car. How would you even make it to the office? Not satisfied with the death grip they have on you now, scientists and designers the world over are finding new ways to integrate technology into every part of your life. Enter electronic clothes. These garments and accessories contain computers, lights, and all sorts of gadgets meant to bring you into the modern age. Why wear boring regular clothes when the newest styles will turn you into a walking multimedia phenomenon. Some of these clothes could even save your career.

The top ten according to Singularity Hub:

Any Shirt ThinkGeek Has Sold…Ever
I’m Sorry, Is Your Ring…Ringing?
The Part of Your Body that Doesn’t Need More Attention
Scarfs for Autism
Costumes that Listen
Clothes with Controls
The Shirt That Hugs You…Where are The Pants?
The Data Logging Shirt
Do It Yourself Electronic Hoodies
The GalaxyDress by Cute Circuit

One awesome CES gadget

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:49:25 +0000

What’s Your Tech — There’s one cool little product that has garnered quite a buzz following the CES show — rather than during it. It’s called the O.R.B. Wireless Earpiece Finger Ring, and it’s an example of clever convergence that fuses fashion with function — and works with a product you already own.

When you’re not using your smartphone, the O.R.B. slips onto your finger and resembles a modern-looking ring. But this piece of jewellery has a unique twist: an e-ink display with caller ID. Therefore, using Bluetooth wireless technology, will show you the name and/or number of the person calling you. Therefore, you can decide to answer or not.

The O.R.B. (”Orbital Ring Bluetooth”) will also show you text messages and calendar reminders on its diminutive screen that wraps around your finger — and will vibrate to let you know about an incoming call or message. But as informercial guru Ron Popeil says, “But wait, there’s more!” When a call comes in you want to answer, the ring twists into a funky-looking Bluetooth headset that fits on your ear for hands-free communication. As a wireless headset, the O.R.B. works up to 30 feet away from your phone. Despite its small size, the O.R.B. utilizes bone-conducting technology, licensed from NXT Sound, to deliver high-quality audio, even though the device isn’t inserted deeply into the ear.