Hasta La Gadget!

So we’ve heard of smart clothing, smart wigs, but smart underwear? Why not! According to the BBC, they have reported that Microsoft’s visualization and interaction research group has managed to design a smart bra that is capable of detecting emotions. The wearer’s mood will be detected through an electrocardiogram along with electro-dermal sensors which will be used to monitor stress. The bra will also be equipped with a gyroscope and accelerometer to top things off. A smartphone app will also be accompanying the bra and will be used to communicate the data gleaned from the sensors on the bra.

Unfortunately it seems that this bra will not be hitting the shelves anytime soon, partly because it seems that it would require constant charging, something which sounds highly inconvenient. According to Microsoft researcher, Asta Roseway, “It was very tedious for participants to wear our prototyped sensing system, as the boards had to be recharged every three to four hours.” We didn’t think we would have to charge our watches, but now our clothes too? In any case it is a pretty good idea, albeit novel, but what do you guys think? Any ladies out there who would be interested in trying on one of these?

Microsoft Researchers Create Smart Bra To Detect Moods original content from Ubergizmo.

The jury is still not out on whether the smartwatch craze is here to stay for the long run or if its just a bubble that might burst in the near future. Samsung launched its smartwatch earlier this year and already there have been reports of poor sales. One of the poster childs of the smartwatch bandwagon is the Pebble, which was once a Kickstarter campaign that went on to receive over $10 million in donations from over 85,000 contributors, ultimately becoming the largest Kickstarter campaign. Pebble has been out for quite some time, but now it is finally available for purchase through Amazon.

Earlier this year it was announced that Pebble will be available from Best Buy as well. Adding more retailers would no doubt serves Pebble’s interests, as it looks to generate as many sales as it can. Currently only the red and black variants of Pebble are in stock on Amazon, which is offering the smartwatch for $148.99. Customers who want a broader range of color choices can purchase the smartwatch from Pebble’s website, where it is being sold for $150 in red, orange, black and white. A silver variant is listed as well but it appears to be out of stock as of now.

Pebble Smartwatch Now Available From Amazon original content from Ubergizmo.

Earlier this year there was a lot of buzz about a wearable device that Samsung was going to launch. The Korean giant then unveiled the Galaxy Gear smartwatch back in September. It only works with few of the company’s own devices, Samsung has not said as yet if it plans on opening up its smartwatch to other Android devices as well. China’s ZTE has already confirmed that it is working on a smartwatch and the company’s head of handset marketing strategy, Lu Qianhao, tells the Wall Street Journal that ZTE’s smartwatch will offer same technological features as the Galaxy Gear.

However, ZTE aims to get a leg up on Samsung by keep prices in check. Galaxy Gear, which carries a $299 price tag, has reportedly not sold well in the market presumably due to its high price. Qianhao says that ZTE will unveil its smartwatch in the first quarter of 2014 and it will release it in the following quarter, albeit only in China. Like the Galaxy Gear, the Chinese manufacturer’s smartwatch will be exclusive to its devices as well, however that won’t stop the company from expanding into U.S. and European markets where its smartphones aren’t that popular. The upcoming wearable gadget doesn’t have a name as yet. The company might release additional smartwatches in the future which will work with most Android devices, couple that with a low price and the company just might see some consumer interest. ZTE is seriously looking into wearable technology, Qianhao says that they’re considering Google Glass like smart glasses and even shoes connected with smartphones for healthcare purposes.

ZTE Smartwatch Exclusive To Its Smartphones Coming Next Year original content from Ubergizmo.

The smartwatches bandwagon seems to one that almost every other manufacturer out there wants to jump on. Sony, Samsung and Qualcomm are just three of the big names that have already unveiled their smartwatches this year. Apple is expected to launch its iWatch next year. Chinese manufacturer ZTE wants in as well. Executive Vice President at ZTE, He Shiyou, tells Financial Times that the company plans on releasing multiple smartwatches next year, with the possibility of a launch “as early as the first quarter.” He also added that the company might also release smart eyeglasses in the future, essentially its very own Google Glass rival

ZTE is often ranked in the top five largest smartphone manufacturers in the world, it hovers between fourth and fifth place in different rankings. The Chinese manufacturer wants to break into the top three, Shiyou says that the next three years are “critical” for ZTE’s devices business and that there’s a “window of opportunity” to push it into the top three in terms of market share. ZTE is also going to manufacture Windows Phone devices once Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia is completed, possibly by the end of Q1, 2014. Shiyou also said that the company is open to an acquisition or merger to increase its market share, though he doesn’t name any companies.

ZTE Smartwatches Might Be Released Early Next Year original content from Ubergizmo.

Google has still not revealed when it plans on releasing Google Glass to the public. So far only a select few have been able to purchase units, they’re called “Explorers.” Though the company has ramped up production as it is now allowing every Explorer to invite three people to the Glass program, which enables them to purchase a unit as well. Google has also said that prescription lens support will be added to Google Glass, but it hasn’t said what its going to do that. While Google continues to make us guess, Rochester Optical has stepped up to the plate.

Rochester Optical has been around for nearly 8 decades and it recently hired Tim Moore, a wearable technology “pioneer,” as the director of technology. Moore doesn’t say exactly how Rochester’s prescription frames will work with Glass, but he says that the company is more than capable of doing it. He also says that the frames will be more stylish and “not cyborgish,” meaning that they will be wearable even when they’re not attached to Glass. The first round of prescription frames will be geared towards nearsighted people, and they’re expected to be released in January 2014. These prescription frames aren’t expected to cost more than a comparable pair of conventional glasses. Moore says that Rochester is working on contrasting designs that are “fashionable and trendy,” while the company will also offer colors that are similar to that of Glass.

Prescription Google Glass Frames Being Developed By Rochester Optical original content from Ubergizmo.