Consumer Electronics Daily News

Further Growth of Big Data, Wearable Devices and B2B Online Retailing Predicted as Global Trends for 2014

In 2014, big data will grow bigger, wearable devices will become more abundant, and online retailing will become more prevalent amongst business-to-business.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Top 14 Ideas and Innovations for 2014, finds that the trends mentioned above are the top three key global game changers for 2014.
Big data is growing at a rate of 40 percent annually generating a massive pool of data offering valuable insights and opportunity for predictive analytics. This year will see increased activity from businesses in using this big data to offer personalized, customized and intelligent services that are more real-time or proactive, thus making its augmentation the top prediction of 2014.
"Virtualization of data and analytics will become imperative to businesses," said Frost & Sullivan's Visionary Innovation Team Leader and Senior Research Analyst Archana Vidyasekar. "Online retail giants, such as Amazon, have already launched interesting services, such as Amazon Kinesis, that analyzes data in the real-time to offer customized services."
Much like the first trend, wearable devices have already started to create a buzz that is only expected to become louder in 2014. Last year saw the launch of wearable smart gadgets, such as smart watches and Google Glass that emulated functions of a smartphone perfectly. While there is skepticism and hype surrounding this market, its potential in regards to new services, such as undisputed monitoring of health, has propelled these gadgets to the forefront of products to watch in the wellness industry. In fact, most of big technology and web companies are actively pursuing this market.
Finally, while e-commerce has recently grown tremendously through B2C retail, many do not realize that there has been a massive upturn on B2B online retailing in the past few years, contributing more to the e-commerce market than B2C.
"Electronic B2B that was traditionally comprised of conventional electronic data interchange platforms with minimum choice of vendors and a costlier implementation system, is moving to the wider web of the internet toward online platforms that offer more choice, flexibility and price options," said Vidyasekar. "These online platforms provide instant quotes, thus offering quicker responses and much more agile procurement and supply services."

iPearl Awarded at CES

On January 8, 2014, high-end consumer electronics and creative digital accessories brand iPEARL was awarded consecutively "Global iBrands Top 20" at the world's largest consumer electronics industry event -- 2014 International CES. In addition, with a series of self-developed wearable intelligent devices standing out of global leading brands of smart mobile interconnection devices, iPEARL won the CES2014 "Global Intelligent Interconnection Device Brands Top10 Special Award."

Wearable equipment has flowed to the mainstream of this exhibition. With forward-looking vision and the idea of wearable digital devices, iPEARL first proposed "A New Fashion to Play Smart Phone." Pearlsmart series is launched under the concept to weave advanced technology into the fabric of our digital life. The latest invention includes Multi-functional Selftimer, USB Wireless Wizard, and Magic Bracelet & Home Appliance Remote. Over 10 kinds of the latest smart accessories were introduced. 

iPEARL focuses on the most specific details of digital life from home experience to business occasions and other aspects of life by endowing our applied products with advanced philosophy. It is the idea "A New Fashion to Play Smartphone" that leads wearable equipment to a new level of interest, portability, humanization and multi-function.

Vuzix Enters into Agreement to Develop See-Through Smart Glasses

 Vuzix® Corporation has entered into a development agreement with a major consumer electronics brand to develop and incorporate Vuzix advanced see-through waveguide optics technology into a pair of next generation Smart Glasses. The agreement represents a first for Vuzix, offering a clear path toward a potential OEM partner to support commercialization of its next generation optics technology for Smart Glasses. 

Under the contract, Vuzix and the Tier 1 brand will work together to develop advanced waveguide based Smart Glasses prototypes that include Vuzix see-through optics engines. It is anticipated that this first phase, expected to be completed in 2015, will be followed by a series of further programs that could result in the introduction of the resulting Smart Glasses into a commercial production solution. The final goal is to create a line of Smart Glasses that have the look and feel of designer sunglasses. At the request of the customer, both the name of the brand and details of the contract are being withheld.

ABI Research forecasts the wearable computing device market to grow to 485 million annual device shipments by 2018 with more than 75 million of these to be in the smart glasses category. Smart glasses and other wearable devices are expected to be worth over $1.5 billion by 2014 according to Juniper Research.

"As mentioned above, many analysts and industry executives are expecting this space to exhibit continued rapid growth.  This was evident at CES last week.   With the anticipated growth in this sector, those wearable products that address the real needs of the customer stand to garner the largest market share," commented Paul Travers, President of Vuzix. "Being able to develop Smart Glasses that look like designer eyewear is critical. The waveguide see-through optics we have developed here at Vuzix have the ability to achieve that design goal.  The resources and commercial reach that may be brought to us from a relationship with a major electronics brand have the ability to create a winning combination."

Mio Global Receives Envisioneering's Innovation and Design Award at CES

 Mio Global, makers of the Mio ALPHA and Mio LINK, today announced it has been chosen to receive an Envisioneering and Showstoppers Innovation and Design Award for its continuous, wrist-worn heart rate monitoring technology. Announced at 2014 International CES, the Mio LINK uses the same patented electro-optical cell technology as featured in the award-winning Mio ALPHA heart rate sport watch.

Envisioneering's Innovation and Design Awards recognize products that are better, faster, lighter, more stylish, cooler, or greener than everything else out there. Inventors, technologists, psychologists, marketers, industrial designers and researchers at The Envisioneering Group review each product to determine which are the most innovative.

"This year's CES has been one to remember," said CEO of Mio, Liz Dickinson. "Across the board, innovative new devices and products have been revealed, and it's truly an honor to be a significant part of driving that innovation. The new Mio LINK is one of a kind—we're bringing accurate continuous heart rate monitoring that replaces chest straps to consumers at an affordable price."

The new Mio LINK transmits data using Bluetooth® Smart (4.0) to connect to fitness apps including the new Mio GO app, and using ANT+ to connect to sport devices. By connecting Mio LINK or Mio ALPHA to the new Mio GO app, the user's heart rate data drives the interactive experience, and the effort and difficulty of the terrain are reflected in the speed of the training video.

According to its website, Envisioneering is world-renowned for its objective assessment of new technologies, product and services embodiments, and the talents who drive them to market. Mio ALPHA was also recognized last year as a Health and Fitness honoree of the CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering. Mio continues to expand its line of wrist-based heart rate monitors and sport watches with the launch of Mio LINK and the introduction of its ecosystem including the mobile app Mio GO.

For more information about Mio GO and Mio LINK, visit the Mio Global website at www.mioglobal.com. Starting in March 2014, the Mio LINK will be available for purchase and the Mio GO app will be available for download for iPads/iPhones from the iTunes app store. 

Packet Networks Reveals Sensest Wearable Wireless Motion Tracking Device

 Motion tracking has already become a critical component in many of today's electronics including smart phones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart TVs and even industrial tools. Packet Networks is taking motion tracking to the next level with the announcement of Sensest. The new wearable wireless device provides an intuitive way for people to interact with each other and commonly used electronic appliances and gadgets. Sensest can be used to improve gaming, health and fitness, UI/UX with real time graphics and security.

Sensest tracks user motion with the use of a gyroscope, accelerometer and compass. All of these functions are integrated into a small motion sensor supplied with a wi-fi module. "Sensest takes your daily activities to a whole new level," said a spokesperson for Packet Networks. "In the not too distant future we will all be connected to network services. In addition to people being connected to the Internet through their devices, devices will be connected to each other directly. You will have the ability to control anything from cars to your running shoes remotely."

The company envisions broad applications for the Sensest technology. For example, homes may be able to adjust their temperature according to the weather and alarms could wake people up earlier depending on traffic. Workouts can be more effective, with Sensest reporting the number of steps taken and calories burned, tracking a person's progress and reporting back to a personal trainer who could be half way around the world. Gaming will be more of an experience with Sensest. It would eliminate the need for a handheld controller. The gaming console could detect a user's motion making fights, hits and chases feel more real.

Sensest could eventually replace ID cards and login systems making it a safer security solution for families or businesses. A person approaching a locked door wouldn't need to do a thing. The system would recognize them and let them in vastly improving authentication. "Imagine you come to your car with arms full of groceries and instead of struggling to get your keys a sensor opens the trunk for you," the spokesperson continued. "Let our technology foresee your needs and help simplify your day."

Packet Networks now has working prototypes of Sensest and has completed the hardware and firmware. The company is currently conducting fund raising activities to put the device into mass production.

VUZIX Announces 2014 CES Innovations Award

 Vuzix® Corporation today announced that its breakthrough V720 video headphone is the winner of two 2014 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards in the "Headphones" and "Wireless Handset Accessories" Product Categories.

This is the tenth consecutive year Vuzix has won a CES Innovation award and increases the total to 16 awards received over that time, including "Best of Innovation" last year for the highly-acclaimed M100 Smart Glasses.

The V720 are high-performance headphones with HD video screens that provide a huge fold-up 720p display to immerse the viewer in an incredibly detailed, lifelike video experience that is like watching an IMAX® movie. Ideal for games or movies which can be enjoyed with great audio, the V720 can even be used as a desktop display replacement. The V720 video headphones easily connect to PCs, mobile phones, tablets and game consoles and provides full support for 3D HDMI content.

"Vuzix is incredibly excited to have won our 16^th CES Innovation Award," said Paul Travers, CEO of Vuzix. "These awards showcase Vuzix' leadership in both product design as well as core technologies including our new waveguide optics, co-developed with Nokia®. Our decades of innovation in both the augmented reality and personal display categories have led to several milestone product lines focused on the exploding wearable tech markets. 2014 promises to be a great year for Vuzix – and this CES award is only the beginning."

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Basis Announces Most Advanced Sleep Analytics Among Health Trackers and New 2014 Carbon Steel Edition

BASIS Science, Inc. today unveiled Advanced Sleep Analysis, the most in-depth sleep analytics among health tracking devices, as well as their new Basis 2014 Carbon Steel Edition band. Advanced Sleep Analysis will be available on January 21 with the release of version 2.0 of the Basis app for iOS, Android and Web.

Leveraging the Body IQ™ technology, Basis' multi-sensor approach enables Advanced Sleep Analysis to accurately identify users' sleep phases - REM Sleep, Deep Sleep and Light Sleep - as well as Toss-and-Turn, Interruptions and Duration. Basis also provides personalized sleep analysis with daily and average sleep scores so users can track their progress over time. All of this information is displayed in their web and mobile dashboards, along with activity tracking and physiological metrics like continuous heart rate to track stress, to provide users with the most comprehensive picture of their health.

"Proper sleep is just as important as exercise and good nutrition for a healthy lifestyle," said Jef Holove, CEO, Basis. "With Advanced Sleep Analysis, we are striving to provide users with the most comprehensive sleep metrics that can empower real habit change and improve overall health. No other tracker is able to provide this level of insight."

The Basis Science team partnered with researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC) and the Northern California Institute of Research and Education (NCIRE) in the testing and validation of Advanced Sleep Analysis.  Basis was benchmarked against the leading consumer devices as well as medical grade devices to provide the most comprehensive picture of your sleep among health trackers. Some of the features include:

• REM Sleep, Deep Sleep and Light Sleep Tracking – Among health trackers, only Basis captures these 3 critical sleep phases for mental and physical health. Basis charts each phase over the course of a sleep cycle and provides a breakdown of whether users achieve the proper ratio of each phase nightly.
• Personal Sleep Score – This proprietary metric provides insight into overall sleep quality. Users can compare daily scores to an ongoing average to track progress. Basis' healthy habits, such as Consistent Bedtime, provide small actions to improve sleep habits over time.
• Automatic Sleep Capturing - Leveraging its Body IQ™ technology, Basis automatically captures all of these sleep phases. No need to push buttons or change modes like the other trackers on the market.

"Basis is the most accurate for capturing sleep duration among all of the products we have tested," said Leslie Ruoff, Sleep Core Director with UCSF, the SFVAMC and NCIRE. "We plan on primarily using Basis for our studies on insomnia as well as the interaction of activity and sleep."

The new 2014 Carbon Steel Edition is the culmination of hundreds of improvements over the last year based on user feedback, real-life testing and incorporating the latest technology. It features a new look, fit and feel with polished chrome details and stretchable, silicone black straps that allow for improved flexibility and breathability for all-day wear. The Carbon Steel Edition is available currently for $199 on the Basis website, will soon be available on Amazon, and will be for sale at top Best Buy stores starting February 2.

The 2013 Basis B1 band is still available for purchase, priced at $179, at the Basis store and on Amazon. Basis B1 users will also have access to Advanced Sleep Analysis upon its release. The ability to upgrade the B1 band demonstrates Basis' unique ability to provide new features without requiring new hardware purchases.  For more information, visit: www.mybasis.com.

LG TONE ULTRA With JBL Signature Sound Now Available Across National Retail Channels

Today LG Electronics USA announced the availability of its newest premium wireless stereo headset – LG TONE ULTRA™ with JBL® Signature Sound – through national retail channels including Amazon, AT&T, BestBuy, and Verizon Wireless.

Designed for on-the-go convenience and compatible with Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices, LG TONE ULTRA with JBL Signature Sound delivers a premium sound experience that is perfect for everyday wear at home, outdoors or at the office. Its sleek, ergonomic design makes it well-suited for everyday use.

Capitalizing on the design heritage of the original LG TONE™ and LG TONE PLUS™ wireless headsets, the LG TONE ULTRA features the same award-winning, 3D NeckBehind™ design. The LG TONE's unique form factor secured LG a 2013 RedDot Design Award and 2012 International Design Excellence Awards finalist honors. 

Collaborating with the Embedded Audio team at audio industry leader Harman International, LG TONE ULTRA combines LG TONE design and technology with JBL Signature Sound, generating purer, more accurate extended bass. This makes LG TONE ULTRA a great complement to LG flagship smartphones such as the LG G2, which features expanded audio capabilities.

LG TONE ULTRA is equipped with Ambient Noise Cancellation (ANC) that reduces background sounds for a superb acoustic experience in varying environments and employs echo cancellation technologies that help eliminate echoes, smooth voice distortion, and improve overall voice quality. Coupled with HD Voice and aptX®, LG TONE ULTRA gives users outstanding music sound quality and crystal-clear voice calls in one, hands-free device.

Providing users with a stylish device that offers up to 10 hours of talk and 10 hours of music time, the wireless stereo headset is mobile phone compatible and Google™ Voice Actions enabled, making voice commands the new way to look up a friend, check the weather or get updates on the big game. Other LG TONE ULTRA key features for business professionals and mobile users on-the-go include:

• A2DP Voice Compatible
• Text to Speech
• Voice Activated Dialing
• VoLTE (Voice over LTE)
• Auto-Reconnect
• Advanced Multipoint
• Audible Pairing Assistance
• Vibrating Call Alert
• Audible Battery Status Alert
• Bass Boost
• Google Voice Actions Integrations

Key Specifications:

• Bluetooth Specification: version 3.0
• Supported Bluetooth Profiles: Headset (HSP), Hands-Free (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP)
• Talk Time: up to 10 hours
• Music Listening Time: up to 10 hours
• Standby Time: up to 20 days
• Charging Time: less than two hours
• Dimensions: 5.34" (W) X 6.30" (L) X 0.55" (H)
• Weight: 1.06 ounce

Pricing and Availability: 
LG TONE ULTRA (HBS-800) with JBL Signature Sound is available for an MSRP of $129.00 and can be found in AT&T stores and online at www.att.com; Verizon Wireless Online at www.verizonwireless.com; Amazon.com and BestBuy.com. For specific pricing and availability information, please visit www.lg.com.

Solar Power Installer Adopts Google Glass

Sullivan Solar Power, a leading renewable energy company, is the first solar firm in America to utilize Google’s latest invention, Glass, to improve company processes.  Sullivan Solar Power received the prototype device, the Explorer edition, in 2013 and has since written the first Glass app in the renewable energy industry.  The app, along with the functionality built-into the head-mounted device, is improving safety and efficiency for field technicians and better service for its customers.

“The app puts volumes of electrical system data in front of the field technician’s eyes, instantly accessible and nearly hands free,” said Michael Chagala, Director of Information Technology for Sullivan Solar Power, “Having two free hands is critical in a rooftop environment.”

Sullivan Solar Power is utilizing Glass’ powerful built-in communication functionality as well. Glass allows field technicians to tap into the collective intelligence of specialists at other locations with its live streaming video conferencing, essentially bringing a team of experts to the jobsite virtually to share eyes, ears and two free hands with the technician.

“We recognized this device immediately as a game-changer in our industry”, said Chagala, “We’ve only scratched the surface of how this will change the way we do business.”

Sullivan Solar Power’s plans for Glass extend beyond field technicians with plans to use the device for training, solar system design, and other purposes.

“Once released on the mainstream market, we plan to fully equip all field teams with Google Glass,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power, “This technology and the app we have developed is a game-changer for safety and streamlining processes and efficiencies within our company.”

For more information about Sullivan Solar Power or to schedule a free site evaluation, call 1-800-SULLIVAN (1-800-785-5482) or visit www.SullivanSolarPower.com.

STREAMZ Introduces World's First Smart Streaming Headphones

STREAMZ^™, a Mozaex^® spin-off company, announced today it has released the world's first smart streaming headphones called STREAMZ^™. STREAMZ are breakthrough headphones that allow you to play music and audio from multiple sources, including onboard stored music, streaming online radio, streamed phone music, plus audio from your TV, movie, and game player.

The company will be demonstrating STREAMZ and its BLUWAVS 7.1 HDMI Surround headphones during  2014 International CES, held in Las Vegas from January 7–10, booth #54009 (inside the iLounge of the LVH Hall).

STREAMZ Headphones Offer Simplicity and Value with Multi-Device Playback

With its built in Android processor, WIFI, Bluetooth, and storage, STREAMZ simplifies and enhances the entertainment experience when enjoying streaming or stored music, movies, games and TV shows.

"When it comes to entertainment there is only one thing more valuable than free, and that is simplicity," said STREAMZ CEO Douglas Kihm. "You no longer need to bother with a separate player since it's all built inside. Many people don't want the hassle of carrying, connecting, and draining the battery of their phone or music player. STREAMZ replaces multiple headphones so that you can enjoy all of your entertainment from any device with one simple-to-use pair of headphones."

First Headphones to Incorporate Both Auto Detect WIFI and Bluetooth  

STREAMZ makes listening to any source of music and audio fast and easy.  STREAMZ incorporates both Smart WIFI and Bluetooth interfaces that auto detect and connect to your WIFI internet hotspot, a Bluetooth device such as a smartphone, or with an optional module your Bluetooth enabled AVR receiver.

Built-In Music Player, HIFI DAC, and Two-Way Speakers Deliver Unmatched Sound Quality  

STREAMZ are based on patent-pending smart headphone technology that uniquely delivers higher fidelity music and audio than traditional headphones. STREAMZ are the first headphones to incorporate a music player, a 48 kHz/16 bit CD quality digital analog converter (DAC) plus individual 3 Watt vibration drivers and 160 mWatt dynamic amplifiers.

With its built-in DAC and AMP, STREAMZ delivers CD quality sound with optimum dynamic range, equalization, and amplification, which results in incomparable clarity and fidelity. The two vibration speakers uniquely deliver high power and low frequency range audio that you can literally feel.

Since most phones and mobile music players have sub-par quality DACs and amps, they are unable to play true FLAC, ALAC, and WAV CD quality music without adding cumbersome external components.  To address this problem, the company built the finest quality audio components inside the headphones.  

Unique High Powered Vibration Speakers Reduce Headphone Pressure and Discomfort

Traditional headphones require an uncomfortable amount of pressure on your head and ears to achieve optimum sound quality.  STREAMZ's vibration speakers achieve the same or better sound quality than traditional headphones with little or no head pressure being applied, which results in exceptional comfort. 

The four speakers are arranged as bi-amped, two-way speakers with two vibration speakers, and two 50mm dynamic speakers. STREAMZ has soft over the ear leather cushions with collapsible frames and are designed for active, mobile use.        

STREAMZ Patent Pending Technology Addresses a Unique Fast Growing Premium Niche Market

STREAMZ addresses an un-served market in the "premium" ($100+ USD) headphone niche, where people want simpler "in-line play controls" to listen to their music, wherever they are and from any device. 

The market for headphones continues to experience high growth, especially in the premium sector. Global headphone sales in 2013 were $7B (USD) with a growth of 20 percent per year. According to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, "U.S. sales of premium stereo headphones ($100+) grew 25 percent in units in Q1 2013 year-over-year, accounting for 95 percent of the revenue growth for the total headphone market."

According to NPD , "more than one-in-three premium buyers cited in-line play controls as 'extremely' or 'very' important in their decision to buy…".  As Ben Arnold, Director of Industry Analysis at NPD explains, "Consumers are looking for ways to get the best audio experience no matter where they are or what device they are using."   Continued Arnold, "In fact, features designed to enable easier mobile playback are impacting premium headphone purchase decisions more heavily."

STREAMZ meets these needs with the ultimate in simplicity, in-line controls, device compatibility and quality.

An SDK and a Kickstarter STREAMZ for App Developers Will Soon be Announced

"STREAMZ is 30 years in the making since founding my first company in 1983," explained Kihm.  "We are all visionaries of sorts here at STREAMZ, with a passion to invent and share something amazing with consumers and other developers who share in our desire to design products that will make people's life simpler and more entertaining. To that end we plan to release a STREAMZ App Software Developers Kit (SDK) on Kickstarter along with a specially priced development model of STREAMZ. We anticipate that the SDK will spur the development of dozens if not hundreds of new STREAMZ Smart Headphone Apps, including voice activated Apps and interactive social and informational Apps."

North American Pricing and Specifications (Contact STREAMZ for International pricing):

STREAMZ Headphones – $549 MSRP USD

Android 1.6 Ghz dual core processor, WIFI 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, 4GB upgradeable to 36GB with a micro SD RAM card, two vibration and two dynamic speakers, 48kHz/16 bit DAC, 2-channel 3 Watt amplifier and 2-channel 160 mWatt amplifier, microphone input jack, rechargeable battery, and adapter.  

Availability – STREAMZ Headphones are shipping March 2014.