Wearables

It was seven years ago that we first heard about the OrCam, a wearable device for the blind that reads text aloud, recognizes faces, and identifies objects. Its makers are now back with some new assistive gadgets, at CES.

This year's "Innovation Award" winner in the wearable technology category at CES 2020 is a set of intelligent shoe soles that can pop out little pads on the bottom for extra grip in the loose stuff or more cushioning when you need it.

In the age of wearable computers, scientists in the laboratories of DARPA, Google, and universities around the world see contact lenses not as tools to improve our vision, but as opportunities to augment the human experience. But how? And why?

A number of groups have already developed so-called "electronic skin," which adds electronic functionality to a user's natural skin. A new magnetic take on the technology, however, does away with the need for integrated electronics and power sources.

With multiple editor's choice awards under its belt, V-Moda clearly makes decent headphones. But the models released so far also come with a signature sound. The M-200 headphones, though, have been specifically tuned for producers and musicians.

Google has made some plays in the wearable space. Now it is moving beyond the software side of things in a big way, announcing a new deal with Fitbit that will see it acquire the fitness tracking company for US$2.1 billion.

The original AirPods and the 2019 follow-ups have found their way into a lot of ears: now the next generation AirPods have arrived: the AirPods Pro.

Master & Dynamic has announced a follow up to last year's MW07. The MW07 Plus improve on the original true wireless in-ears, but the company has also revealed a less expensive stablemate in the shape of the MW07 Go earphones.

Although we've seen devices such as wrist bands that warn of UV exposure, users still have to, you know … look at the things. Glatus sunglasses instead verbally notify you, plus they'll reportedly let you know if you're too drowsy to drive.

Tap introduced a wearable back in 2016 that turned taps on a table top into text input on a tablet. The Tap Strap 2 now includes mouse functionality.

An aviation icon, Howard Hughes' legendary Spruce Goose, flies again – though only as part of a commemorative wristwatch by Bremont.

While there are assistive systems that are mounted on the computer itself, HiiDii utilizes something that the user might be wearing anyway – glasses.