GLAZEDcon 2014: Wearables are the New Black
GLAZEDcon is on at full force. This year's conference has attracted nearly three times as many people as last year, and features speakers from all realms of the wearables world - from healthcare wearables to responsive bike helmets to programable rings that can be used to control your bluetooth devices. The vast increase in magnitude of the conference reflects the growing interest and demand of wearables to track, manage, and quantify all aspects of life.
Muse is a brain sensing headband and brain fitness tool that helps users learn how to manage stress, stay calm, and stay focused throughout the day. By helping to manage stress, Muse is able to improve the overall health of its users. Muse has 7 EEG sensors that measures brain activity and translates the information into real-time feedback on the Muse app. You can purchase Muse now; ships in 3-6 weeks.
UpRight is a small device that attaches directly to your lower back. It trains you to straighten your back while sitting and standing by gently vibrating when slouching occurs. The Company says that by wearing UpRight for 15 minutes a day, you can gradually train your back to be straighter even without the device in 2-3 weeks. In addition to the health effects of good posture and preventing back pain, UpRight also boasts instilling higher confidence for wearers. Their Indiegogo campaign is going on now; aim to ship the product by March 2015.
Nod is a wearable device that acts as a remote for controlling other bluetooth enabled devices - like turning on a GoPro, or a Philips light, or changing the temperature on a Nest. The ring-like device reacts to different finger motions such as turns and swipes. There are certainly healthcare applications that can stem from such a device - like the ability to increase or decrease the intensity of a treadmill workout or keep count of how many pushups and sit ups you complete in a workout. The possibilities are truly endless. Nod is taking pre-orders now.