Different Devices
When most people think of wearable technology their attention is drawn to the Apple Watch or perhaps the Fitbit. Both of these technologies took their respective markets by storm and had a large impact on the general population as people realised how much utility these seemingly insignificant devices had on their lives. Most people however have never delved much further. There exists a whole suite of wearable technology and in this short article I would like to discuss some of the lesser known wearable devices which fall under wearable clothing and jewellery.
Technological Clothing and Jewellery
Wearable Clothing and Jewellery is relatively new as an accepted technological practice, the majority of devices in this category focus on recording the user’s activity, heart rate and sleep as well as other physical factors. This can provide useful data which can be used in a variety of ways to improve quality of life. The social impact of this data is massive. With each individual having access to information about their health they can take steps to make healthier decisions and locate problems quicker. This reduces the number of visits to GPs which frees up resources for others who are in need. Wearable technology has another social impact in that it can work as a safety measure. The majority of wearable items will have some form of location tracking which could help find missing persons and give peace of mind to others who are able to see your location (with your permission) and know you’re safe. There are also panic rings and bracelets which when pressed will notify either family or a security/emergency operator that you are in distress. Wearable clothing/jewellery can also simply be fun. It can add a bit of flair and extravagance to a person’s outfit and make for an interesting conversation starter.
Examples
Levi's Commuter x Jacquard [1]
This jacket is a collaboration with the well-known denim brand Levi’s and the tech giant google. Google has a brand of clothing called Jacquard and has decided to partner with Levi’s to develop a product for those who want a more advanced experience than a simple denim jacket. The jacket boasts a range of functionality such as customisable touch and gesture control. This is done by creating an interactive surface on the sleeve and connecting to your smartphone through an app.
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Sensoria Fitness Socks [2]
For any runners out there, these socks are a must have tool to perfect running style and improve technique. The socks are able to provide data on where your feet are landing which is crucial for reducing running related injuries due to poor technique. The socks can also record how many steps you’re taking per minute and whether you should take more or less steps. The socks pair with your smartphone and can provide audio cues to aid you on your run as well as display all this data.
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Ringly Luxe Smart Bracelet [3]
The Ringly smart bracelet puts a spin on traditional wearable tech in that it has a higher aesthetic appeal. Built for women who wish to have all the same practical features of a smart bracelet such as Fitbit but with a more sleek and stylish appearance. This bracelet comes with all the usual features such as activity tracking and alerts when certain conditions are met. The bracelet can inform you when you are stressed for example. As with other wearable tech it syncs with your smartphone to provide data.
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Ringly Luxe Ring [4]
The Ringly Luxe Ring is a similar concept however as you can tell by the name it comes in ring form. As with the bracelet it can give and receive alerts from your phone which can come in handy in situations where you want to know if you’ve been messaged without having to check your phone. Pairing up the ring with the bracelet while overkill in terms of collecting data can add a modern feel to your outfit as they pair nicely together.
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Should you buy it?
As you can see from the innovative products shown above the practical uses for wearable technology are limitless. While the technology itself is great, its subpar to the potentially life changing data it collects. This data if used correctly has the ability to give individuals a higher level of control over themselves and their environment. Society as a whole is then affected in a positive way as individuals are able to take more responsibility for their health and well-being. I believe wearable technology is the way forward to a healthier, happier and more entertaining future.
[1] Levi's Commuter x Jacquard, Accessed On: Mar. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://atap.google.com/jacquard/collaborations/levi-trucker/
[2] Sensoria Fitness Socks, Accessed On: Mar. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.sensoriafitness.com/smartsocks/
[3] Ringly Luxe Smart Bracelet, Accessed On: Mar. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://ringly.com/products/smart-bracelet
[4] Ringly Luxe Smart Ring, Accessed On: Mar. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://ringly.com/products/smart-ring
[5] B. Stephenson, The 8 Best Smart Clothes of 2020, January. 04, 2020. Accessed On: Mar. 02, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.lifewire.com/best-smart-clothes-4176104
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