Wearable tech discussion!

[Martin-O2]

Hey everyone, 

I've been thinking about wearable technology and how it's becoming more and more widespread over the last few years. I'm starting to see more people using wearables as a standard part of their tech library. It seems the most popular devices currently are fitness trackers in various forums including mobile apps that take advantage of the accelerometers in the handsets and smart watches, which are linked to mobiles. There have also been some rumors of the return of Google Glass which failed to gain popularity last time around. 

I'd be interested to hear about anyone's experience with wearable tech!

• Which devices have you used, or do you currently use?
• Do you find them useful or more of a gimmick? 
• Any recommendations on devices or health apps? 

There are also some very interesting developments on the horizon with things like smart contact lenses which provide augmented reality and can even be implanted, smart tattoos to monitor health, deploy drugs or control your phone and biometric sensors and payment systems integrated into jewellery and clothing. Whilst some of these sound like their straight out of an episode or Black Mirror they definitely have enormous potential to change the way we interact with our devices! 

• What do you think about some of the potential advancements in wearables? 
• Is there anything that you would absolutely refuse to use due to privacy or other concerns? 
• Anything you're really looking forward to giving a go? 

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject 

[MercedesS]

I know it is the future but... I just don't like the idea. But I have to say this wearable technology actually saved my brother's life when he got lost during a storm  

Thanks @Martin-O2, I have learnt a lot!!! ( smart tattoos?? )

[http://www.bbc.com/ Picture]

[Martin-O2]

Much appreciated @MI5  Nice and cheap too so a great way to see if smart watches are for me or not without breaking the bank. 

@MercedesS Yes smart tattoos! There a few years out from being commercially available yet but have all sorts of applications. You can even control other devices by pinching or stretching them! 

[Wa10]

I've had the Huawei Smartwatch in my basked on Amazon so many times, but never quite convinced myself to go ahead with it. Definitely want one, but with it being (at the time) one of the more expensive options it was always difficult to justify.

I'm always leaning more towards a watch that looks more conventional/traditional rather than futuristic/Apple style. Android Wear 2.0 with the possibility of Android Pay if the watch supports NFC appeals as well, although at the moment adds to the price tag.

I'm intrigued @MI5, could you let me know which budget model you linked Martin to? A PM is fine if you don't want to leave the link public. Cheers!

[MercedesS]

---

Martin-O2 wrote: 

@MercedesS Yes smart tattoos! There a few years out from being commercially available yet but have all sorts of applications. You can even control other devices by pinching or stretching them! 

---

Can I play games too? If I can control my PS5... you got me there!   

[Martin-O2]

@Wa10 I'm definitely considering getting one now. This topic has been a real eye opener as to the features available! 

I'll also drop you a PM with the link. Took it down as it's direct to a product page 

Edit to respond to @MercedesS 

I don't think they are there yet but technology moves so fast now I don't think you'll have to wait long. 

[Wa10]

Cheers @Martin-O2, I'm off for a browse! I think NFC and Android Pay support is what would swing it for me...although I'm not sure it would be great for my credit card bill each month 

[MI5]

I've got Apple pay on the watch which is really convenient too.
The watch I linked to is cheap and nasty, but it works and will give you an insight to see if you like it or not.
For £8 you've nothing to lose
PS. I have got one myself so I'm not sending you on to a complete duffer but it won't be the best available either

[gmarkj]

I tried the Microsoft band (TTT review here), but found it a little bulky and uncomfortable. Plus the battery life was not great needing to be charged pretty much every day.

I currently wear the Mi Band 2, which has a tiny display but shows the name and/or number if you get a call or a text. It is more of an activity tracker but has a screen so you can see time/date, steps, heart rate and battery on the "watch" itself.

It doesn't have the ability to make or receive calls or respond to texts, but it more than covers the things I wanted. Plus the battery lasts much longer - currently on 13 days since charge and have 23% left!

It is also (relatively) cheap at £25 from a number of on-line retailers (the jungle named one mostly).

I did have the Mi Band 1S which is pretty much the same thing but without the display - it had 3 LEDs that lit up if a call/text came in or to show your steps progress against a target. That one had a battery life of about a month!

I would like to get a full smart watch - again the Huawei one looks great - but cost and battery life for me are key. I don't have £200-300 floating about to buy one.

Apparently the company I work for have rolled out smart glasses at a warehouse to assist workers. They display information about the job being complete (where to go, what to pick, where it has to be placed) and as it is visual it lends itself to places where many languages are the norm.

In regards to apps, I use the one from Xiaomi that runs the Mi band. It is pretty good in terms of showing you information about your (in)activity levels, plus sleep tracking. I also use Strava for when I go cycling so I can see how far and fast I am going.

I don't think it will be too long before people can have an NFC chip embedded that can replace swipe/access cards and allow banking transactions. Security will then be the most obvious concern, as having all your details in one place presents a large risk.

[Martin-O2]

@gmarkj The Mi Band 2 sounds like a good bit of kit, especially for only £25! I'm really surprised that the battery life on these devices is so good. They will only get better as the tech improves. 

I certainly think that smart glasses will have more uses as a work tool, at least at first. I remember people were a little freaked out with the idea of someone videoing them through the glasses without any indication they were on. Once the tech is on smart contact lenses that will be a game changer! 

There's definitely a risk of having all of your ID and banking on a single chip. I'm sure that a secure system can be set up. Perhaps combined with biometrics. 

[gmarkj]

I was shocked as well @Martin-O2. I had thought that I would get a week tops but it is still going...
Some of the police programmes my wife watches have the body cams on and during raids they often use the glasses to record what is going on. In my opinion that is the perfect use for them!