Hasta La Gadget!

Google’s Project Glass may have made the augmented reality headlines in 2012, but Vuzix’s Smart Glasses M100 is set to be the first wearable on sale in 2013. Packing a full Android-based computer in a headpiece, with an eye-mounted 800 x 480 display and both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, the M100 is at CES 2013 in prototype form, ahead of a launch at “under $500″ later in the year. Read on for our hands-on first impressions.

Vuzix is fitting a lot into its headset, borrowing specs more commonly associated with a smartphone: a 3-axis head tracker is paired with a gyroscope, GPS, and a digital compass, a 720p HD camera, 4GB of onboard storage, and an 8GB memory card. There’s also a companion Android app which can be used as a remote control, with a trackpad for navigating through the M100′s menus, and an app launcher menu.

Unfortunately Vuzix isn’t showing any of those apps right now, only a video clip that runs on a loop. It’s a little disconcerting initially, watching it through one eye – Vuzix will offer both ear hooks and a head-strap arrangement, which can hold the Smart Glasses on either ear depending on which is your dominant eye – but you quickly grow used to the concept, glancing across to see the bright, clear content.

Audio, meanwhile, is loud and surprisingly solid considering it’s coming through one ear only. Physical controls are limited to a trio of buttons across the top edge – for volume up/down and select – as well as a power button. Using the remote app makes more sense, however, as it doesn’t shift or move the eyepiece on your ear; there’s a little flexibility in how the eyepiece is positioned, with an extending arm that can be bent slightly.

Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 hands-on:

Battery life may be the M100′s downfall. Vuzix is quoting up to eight hours of use, though that’s not solid runtime. Instead, the company expects users to turn their Smart Glasses on periodically, using the display sparingly: leave it on full-time, and the M100′s battery will last for more like two hours (or even half that, if you use the handsfree, display, and camera simultaneously).

Still, with Google’s Explorer Edition Glass priced at $1,500, and Vuzix already pushing the AR SDK out the door, the “under $500″ M100 might well find some eager buyers. We’re looking forward to trying out the final results to see how the Smart Glasses hold up to day-to-day use.

Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 hands-on is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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If you’ve ever found yourself cranking up your phone’s volume to the max, only to get a tinny crackle, you know a phone’s speakers just don’t cut it. This compact but powerful little bluetooth speaker can hook right onto your phone, or pop off and do its own thing. Bring on the noise. More »

Styli? Boring. Sure you can draw and write with the things, but what happens when you want to rock? Reach for Dexim’s Music Talking Stylus, naturally. The pen input device communicates via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet, letting you use it to wirelessly listen to music or talk to your pals. The stylus has a built-in volume button and vibration functionality. There’s a headphone jack on one end and when you remove the rubber nub, you gain access to its microUSB port for charging when its five-hours of battery life run down.

If you’re so inclined to purchase such a thing, it’ll run you around $80 when it drops in Q2.

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iHome didn’t waste any time getting word out about its suite of CES-ready wares last week and here at CES Unveiled 2013, we’re getting our first look at the stars of its lineup. Hailed as a first for the company’s product line, the iDL100G and the iDL45 are two docks that support Apple’s new Lightning port, making them attractive options for owners of the iPhone 5 or refreshed iPad and iPod. The triple-charging dock — iHome’s highest-end model — retails for $150 and is fairly attractive, though it doesn’t match the luxury of the Jony Ive-crafted hardware it’s made to service. Up top, there are two Lightning ports to accommodate compatible devices (one dedicated as iPad charging station) and an array of buttons for alarm settings, snooze as well as bedtime, which works with a free iHome+Sleep iOS app. The 3Wx2 speakers aren’t the most robust — we noticed distortion when volume was approaching max — but it seems serviceable as a Bluetooth-enabled FM tuner or iTunes playlist outpost. It’s not currently available, but you can look for it and the lower-end iDL45 dual charging dock to hit retail shelves later this March.

Sarah Silbert contributed to this report.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

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Not to be confused with a similar product, the UK-based Fitbug has unveiled a collection of new connected health gadgets here at CES. The Fitbug orb is button-sized tracker that measures calories, distance and even pace. The pedometer tech inside also monitors your sleeping pattern. Connectivity wise, it can hook up to iOS devices including the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (5th generation), iPad (3rd and 4th generation) and the iPad Mini, while Android support will be limited to Samsung’s Galaxy S III. There’s three sync modes: Push, for instant updates, beaconing means you can send data at intervals throughout the day, or stream data to monitor your pace. It’s Fitbug’s first device to offer sleep tracking and will monitor your nighttime movements like we saw on Jawbone’s Up. It launches in white, black and pink and can be housed in a watch strap or its own neck pendant. It launches on Fitbug’s own retail site priced at £45 ($73). The Fitbug Wow Bluetooth-enable scales will connect to a similar list of iOS devices, although there’s no word on Android compatibility yet. You can monitor weight-loss (or gain) through the company’s refreshed website too, and the device will launch in March priced at £70 (£114) or £100 ($163), including the company’s Air activity tracker.

Filed under: Wearables

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