Future Watches from CES
Mobile watches zero in on the fitness market
As nostalgic as we are for horology, the developments in wearable digital media platforms are introducing some thrilling competition. Down at CES, tech heads were treated to a selection of accessories with intelligent interfaces, understandably weighted toward the fitness market, where pocket-less fashion necessitates uber-mobile technology. Below you’ll find GPS-tracking, heart rate-monitoring, statistics-organizing and time-telling watches that are making a go at usurping your old Timex.
The super-sleek Basis watch is aimed at health-minded individuals looking to track their fitness process. Detailing essential data like heart rate and calories, the platform allows users to share their progress with friends in a simple web “dashboard” that assigns point values to health achievements. Basis is launching Spring 2012 and will retail for $199.
The Magellan Switch series works best for hardcore athletes who often find themselves off the grid. Fitness feedback includes distance, speed and elevation provided by Magellan’s GPS system, and can connect with heart rate monitors, bike speed sensors and other ANT+ technologies for additional information. The nine activity profiles are ideal for multi-sport athletes, with progress uploadable to popular personal training sites like Strava and Training Peaks.
Motorola’s MotoACTV is another sports-centric watch with a heavy lean towards music playback. The workout tracker is powered by an Android app that is accessible online, with all fitness stats recorded without external sensors. The accompanying waterproof, wireless headphones are designed to tune out the pain as athletes work towards their fitness goals. MotoACTV is available from the Motorola store for $250.
For the everyday wearer, the WiMM One offers a simple platform that is easy to style individually. Working off of built-in apps, the platform is highly customizable, both in terms of mounting and digital readout options. The allure of WiMM is the platform, which is open to third party developers to create new uses for the watch.
The all-in-one i’m watch works with apps to connect the user to social media, news, weather and other essentials. One standout feature is the ability to send and receive calls through your Bluetooth connected phone from the watch face. The watch is available through i’m watch’s online shop for $329.
