Kaspersky and WISeKey collaborate on cybersecurity for wearables

(c)iStock.com/BlackJack3D

Security providers Kaspersky Lab and WISeKey have announced a partnership developing technology to protect wearable devices.

The market for connected wearables is estimated to be growing by 35% on an annual basis, while smartwatches, fitness trackers and payment wristbands are expected to account for one in five mobile payment transactions by 2020, with a predicted worth of $500 billion (£x) per year, according to Tractica.

Kaspersky and WISeKey argue that wearables are...

By Wearable Tech, 19 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Data & Analytics, Security.

Fossil Group to roll out over 100 wearables in 2016

(c)iStock.com/zorazhuang

Fossil Group has announced it is set to roll out over 100 wearables in 2016.

The range will include activity trackers and smart watches for many brands. Misfit, which was acquired by Fossil Group in November 2015, will also launch new types of connected devices. The Misfit and Fossil brands will offer new wearables throughout the year. All 100 styles at Fossil will be available by the end of the year.

Greg McKelvey, chief strategy and digital officer, Fossil Group, said, “We...

By Wearable Tech, 15 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Devices.

MasterCard and Coin pair up for payments on smartwatches and fitness bands

(c)iStock.com/jir

MasterCard and Coin have announced a partnership to add MasterCard payments to a number of smartwatches, fitness bands and wearable devices.

The collaboration adds on to an announcement by MasterCard in October 2015 that introduced the Commerce for Every Device programme. This programme aims at enabling payments via any consumer gadget, wearable or accessory.

Under the partnership, Coin will provide the software and hardware to be integrated with the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service...

By Wearable Tech, 15 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Fitness, Health & Wellness, Mobile Wallet, Payments.

Apple Watch contributes to more than half of smartwatch sales in 2015

(c)iStock.com/pixedeli

Even though the Apple Watch only launched at the end of April, it has still accounted for more than half of smartwatch sales in 2015.

That’s the finding from Juniper Research’s latest study, entitled “Smartwatches: Trends, Vendor Strategies & Forecasts 2016-2020”. Overall, the absence of a robust use case for smartwatches has seen the segment gain traction from lower priced devices with more basic functionality – the Apple Watch, naturally, being an...

By Wearable Tech, 12 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Devices, Research, Smartwatches.

How smartwatches are set to top fitness tech purchases in 2016

(c)iStock.com/sanjeri

Smartwatches are the most likely product to be purchased in the health and fitness technology sector, according to a report from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

More than one third (35%) of US respondents who said they were likely to purchase health and fitness technology in the coming 12 months said they would buy a smartwatch, ahead of fitness related apps (30%), dedicated wearable fitness activity trackers (27%), smart apparel (27%) and devices which track sleep patterns...

By Wearable Tech, 12 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Fitness, Health Monitoring, Health & Wellness.

GreatCall wearable combines activity tracking with mobile emergency response service

Picture credit: GreatCall

Connected health technology provider GreatCall has launched a wearable product which combines the health functions of an activity tracker with the safety benefits of a mobile emergency response service.

The offering, launched at the CES show, aims to develop a wearable health hub for the active ageing market, eases concerns of caregivers and empowers older adults. The Lively Wearable, which pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth, can be worn either as a wristband or around the neck...

By Wearable Tech, 07 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Health Monitoring, Health & Wellness.

Wearable tattoos are here (kind of)

(Image Credit: MC10)

Although sensors which reside inside of the body are the next big thing, a new generation of wearable technology is arriving due to MC10 which hopes to secure a spot on your skin - like a "tattoo" of sorts. 

This new era for wearables is starting with researchers looking into people who have problems with movement, motor skills, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Although not quite a tattoo like you would have inked onto your skin, the adhesive patch...

By Ryan Daws, 06 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Contextual Data, Health Monitoring, Implants, Trackers.

Voice control your Volvo using the Microsoft Band 2

(Image Credit: Volvo)

Microsoft and Volvo have been keeping busy in the connected car space, and have announced their work together on a system which allows for the control of your Volvo car using the Microsoft Band 2 wearable. In fact, going by CES this year, the whole technology industry has been looking for however they can get their name in this rapidly-growing space. 

Klas Bendrik, Senior Vice President and Group Chief Information Officer at Volvo Car Group, says: “When...

By Ryan Daws, 05 January 2016, 0 comments. Categories: Applications, Apps, Devices, Home Automation, IoT, Smartwatches.