Between introductions of
long-anticipated hardware and
curious new software, the digital pipeline remains packed with exciting new gimmicks. In particular, new
Bluetooth applications are extending well beyond enabling standard hands-free phone conversations, and eager gadgeteers are chomping at the bit to be among the first to experiment with them. Until
the next CES arrives, here are a few worth checking out now.
hi-Call:Playing make-believe is typically an imagination exercise, but Italian company
hi-Fun has created taken it to a highly functional level. The
hi-Call is a Bluetooth-enabled glove with a built-in phone that’s activated by users holding their hands to their faces in
the universal “call me” gesture. A speaker and microphone are sewn into the thumb and pinkie, and the dry cleanable garment boasts a battery life of up to 10 days. While cold weather callers can also find relief from similar accessories (like
text-friendly gloves), the hi-Call takes it to the next level by allowing phones to stay in pockets while maintaining a simple, intuitive interface.
Audio Clutch: New York Fashion Week flew by last month in a blur of trends, among them the marriage of technology and style. In addition to
Google Glass’ catwalk debut, there was the
Audio Clutch, a polished accessory that moonlights as a speaker. An unlikely collaboration between designer
Rebecca Minkoff and the new fashion-meets-audio company
STELLE Audio Couture, the purse looks like a typical chic evening bag from the outside but, when opened, reveals a hi-fi audio system that can stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled device. This tech-cessory is set to hit retail shelves in February 2013—though the price point remains as mysterious as the device itself.
myTREK: There is no shortage of devices and platforms that merge
fitness with technology today. But one of the most unique to hit the market,
Scosche Industries’
myTREK, is a Bluetooth-enabled real-time pulse monitor that not only measures users' heart rates but also syncs with iPhones and iPod Touches. More comfortable than the chest straps used by many, the system effortlessly hugs the user's arm while working with a companion app. Extra perks include notification of changes in performance zones, pace monitoring, and wireless music control. With the holidays fast approaching (read: eggnog benders), myTREK may be the answer to staying svelte.
