A number of companies unveiled cool and innovative devices at this year’s CES. Even though we tried to cover the big show as best as possible, we missed some things. So we’re trying to fix that with a new article that will look at smaller products or at least products made by lesser known companies that were unveiled at CES.
Here are the devices that we haven’t got the time to talk about in our “regular” coverage of CES 2016. They are sorted by alphabetical order as we don’t strive to give any particular company the edge. Check them out.
Altra IQ smart running shoes
Altra Running introduced the pending Altra IQ powered by iFit, a smart show that can collect data about your stride as you run.
A razor-thin, multi-sensor system is embedded in the shoe’s midsole to track a range of running intelligence, such as exactly where you’re striking on the foot. Then, via Bluetooth, the data collected is sent to an iFit app where analysis and real-time coaching is provided to the users. The best part — according to Altra — is that technology won’t alter the shape or the feel of the foot bed — it is designed to be invisible and totally imperceptible by the runner.
Altra’s proprietary algorithm measures the comparative position of multiple sensors, and calculates the position and movement of each foot through space. Said sensors can measure running cadence, ground contact time, foot strike zone, left foot vs. right foot favoring, foot-specific pressure, pace, time and distance.
“The Altra IQ gathers intelligence on a full range of running biomechanics,” Altra’s VP of Sales, co-founder and ultra runner Brian Beckstead, said in a statement. “For example, you’ll learn right away if you are landing harder on one foot, and which could easily turn out to be the reason your knee hurts. Then with individual data collected from your running form, we’ll provide personal critiques, just like a coach, to improve your run, every time you run.”
The Altra IQ shoe powered by iFit will be available for $199.99 this Spring at specialty running shoe retailers and AltraRunning.com.
Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch
Casio is joining the modern smartwatch revolution with a device made for the folks with an active lifestyle. Called WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch, the rough & tough device is built to be on-par with military standards for shock and vibration resistance (MIL-STD-810), along with water resistance up to 50 meters. It has a 1.32-inch circular dual layer screen that can switch from color to monochrome to conserve energy, and a battery that can last for “more than one day” in normal use.
Included in the mix are a number of sensors — including a pressure sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, and compass — along with dedicated apps to track outdoor activities and sports. These would include the ViewRanger GPS app for trekking, MyRadar weather app, and Runkeeper for tracking different physical activities. Also by pressing the so called “TOOL” button on the upper right of the watch will bring up various information such as compass direction, tide graphs, and more. And if that’s not enough, the WSD-F10 runs Android Wear, allowing users to easily expand its capability with third party apps.
The Casio Smart Outdoor Watch is set to launch in the U.S. in April for around $500.
Honor Band Z1
Huawei announced that its fitness tracker Band Z1 is coming to the U.S. The device, which was already selling in Europe and Asia, is a small, lightweight wearable with fitness and sleep tracking capabilities, as well as notification alerts. It rocks a low-powered Cortex M4 processor, a 1.06-inch 128×128-resolution PMOLED display, and a 70mAh battery that can squeeze up to 4 days of use on a single charge. All this comes wrapped up in a circular stainless steel body with a choice of three straps — black, white or cream.
The Honor Band Z1 is IP68-rated against water and can sing along the iPhone and Android-powered device. It will be available later this month for $79.99.
LifeSource UltraConnect Wireless Blood Pressure Monitors
A&D Medical unveiled LifeSource UltraConnect Wireless upper arm and wrist blood pressure monitors, both of which sport a sleek, tubeless design that slips easily on the wrist or arm. Also, both sync with the companion A&D Connect app to automatically detect and connect to the monitor for a “seamless user experience.”
An offline, stand-alone operation is also possible, allowing for the subsequent transfer of up to 100 readings to the A&D Connect app at a later time. In addition, each of the two devices has an OLED screen to provide measurement results, and support multiple users.
Once collected on the phone, the data is transmitted to A&D’s secure cloud, from where it can be shared with physicians and loved ones via email. And if users fancy so, they can also beam some information to social media sites.
The new LifeSource UltraConnect blood pressure monitors will be available in the summer of 2016.
Polar Balance smart scale
Polar is expanding its digital fitness portfolio beyond activity trackers and heart rate monitors at CES. Their newly announced smart scale, called Polar Balance, goes beyond “basic weight measurements” to beam the information gathered, via Bluetooth, to a companion app (Polar Flow) which can correlate weight information with other data points, such as sleep and activity. To that end, and based on user’s own goals, the scale will offer motivational updates and encourage healthy eating.
Polar Balance works with other Polar wearables, including the Loop, Loop 2, Loop Crystal, A360, M400 and V800. It can also be used as a stand-alone scale by up to 10 people who are recorded in the memory.
The Polar Balance Scale is available now for $100 or €100.
Razer Nabu Watch
Razer is already selling two activity trackers turned game controllers — Nabu and Nabu X — and now they’re expanding the portfolio with a “watch that’s smart” (rather than smartwatch).
Called Razer Nabu Watch, it includes a Nabu secondary screen that previews notifications streamed from a smartphone, as well as the ability to track fitness and sleep activity with built-in accelerometer. Users get a backlit display, countdown timer, stopwatch, World time clocks and alarms, and a coin cell replaceable battery that will work for the whole year (to show time). The second battery powers-up the second screen and it needs recharging on a weekly basis.
One unique feature is support for watch-to-watch communication allowing two Nabu Watch users to shake hands and exchange Facebook and Twitter info easily. This feature works interchangeably between any Nabu Watch, Nabu and/or Nabu X.
The Razer Nabu Watch is available in two versions: the standard edition with tough polycarbonate materials and Razer green highlights — it will be available from late January for $149.99. On the other hand, the Razer Nabu Watch Forged Edition has machined stainless steel buttons and a premium black finish — this unit is already selling exclusively at RazerStore retail locations and at RazerStore.com for $199.99.
Wilson connected football and basketball
Wilson used CES to show the world its connected balls, one for basketball and other one for football.
Both models feature an integrated Bluetooth chip, along with movement sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) that connects to a smartphone app, from where users can track metrics about their performance. These would include a shooting percentage, speed of the ball, number of shots that hit the rim and at what angle.
The basketball, priced at $199, debuted in September 2015, and its sales have met Wilson’s expectations, according to the company’s director Alan Davenport. He added that the data the ball provides is 96% accurate.
The ball is designed as a coaching tool for players who want to improve their shot, with the app providing several modes that have different games, such as a timed, Buzzer Beater event, that puts the pressure on a player to make as many shots as possible before a buzzer sounds. It works on a single charge for 100,000 shots, or 300 shots every day of the year, before the Bluetooth chip wears out.
The football “model” is now in final testing and should launch in September 2016.
WiseWear Socialite
The wearables in WiseWear’s Socialite collection monitor women’s health while allowing them to maintain their personal style. Designed by a 94-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel, the trio of devices — — the edgy “Calder,” the classically simple “Kingston” and the elegant “Duchess” — track every step a wearer’s make, while delivering mobile notifications and a distress messaging function.
“If a technology is going to strive to save my life, then at least take the next step to make me look good while doing it,” Apfel said.
The WiseWear luxury smart jewelry collection isn’t meant for everyone, with each of the three pieces going for $300. Right now, these devices are available from the company’s website, though we presume select stores will get to sell them at some point in the future, as well.
Speaking of future, WiseWear is hoping to expand to other smart product categories, including belt buckles for men, necklaces, brooches and statement necklaces.