Wearable Technology

At first, when my pals at Best Buy Canada gave me the Fitbit Charge HR to try out, I was kind of shocked. I mean, I’ve previously discussed my obsession with my Fitbit—I use it everyday. Am I not exercising enough for you, Best Buy? But then I realized that, as usual, my tech savvy friends are opening my eyes to another life-enhancer! And, although I love my Fitbit, I think I’m IN LOVE with the Charge HR.

A smartwatch that lives up to expectations was elusive for decades, but in the past few years technology has begun to catch up to the dream. The commercial success of pioneers like the Pebble helped bring smartwatches to the mainstream in 2014, Samsung’s commitment to the devices resulted in multiple generations of Gear smartwatches in a single year and Android Wear ushered in the era of round-faced models like the Moto 360. 2015 looks to be even better as app stores take off, manufacturers tweak their designs and the Apple Watch arrives.

Fitness tracking is a fun, easy way to motivate you to get moving. I know since I’ve picked up my own fitness tracker that I’m much more likely to get up and out the door for a run if I notice my stats are dropping, and there’s nothing quite as fun as challenging a friend to a little friendly fitness competition. But if you’ve ever wished your own fitness tracker would go a bit further or do a bit more by tracking other types of exercise, you’re going to be really excited about the Jawbone UP3.

The Misfit Flash is now poised to be even more than your fitness companion – an announcement from Misfit HQ today has taken the Misfit Flash out of the realm of simple and effective fitness tracker and placed it squarely into the category of smarthome accessory, because now you’ll now be able to use the Smart button face on the Misfit Flash to interact with some of your favourite apps and smart hardware.

  Wearables are fun devices for keeping track of your fitness and activity levels. But did you know they can also come in handy at your next doctor’s visit? Here are some ways how. 

Science fiction is quickly becomign science fact, and as technology grows ever more sophisticated, we are seeing an explosion of tech and gagdets integrating the digital experience into the every day. CES 2015, this years mecha for all things Consumer and Electronics, was dominated by the wearable, a new avenue for our online interactionsthat has hit the mainstream.  A veritable flood of wearable tech has landed on the show floor, here’s some highlights.

Crystal encrusted fitness devices, new fitness watches, and a ring that you’ll swear is straight out of Harry Potter? You better believe it. Following all the coverage can be a little overwhelming, so I’m going to give you a condensed version of the 6 of the coolest wearable tech devices on display at CES 2015 at right now.

Hey, it’s Debra again. You don’t want to be THAT neighbour, whose dog has a full-on bark-appaloosa concert every time the wind blows.The wonderful scientists, and general smarty-pants, over at Motorola have now created the MOTOPET 200. It’s a new, gentler system to train dogs using “static correction” using vibrations rather than a shock collar. MOTOPET 200 is lightweight and waterproof and looks cute on almost every dog. Who knows, maybe you can even teach him to Moto-roll-over!

Hi Gang, Debra here! There comes a point when you just want to scream “WHAT IS A NORMAL WAY TO GET HEALTHY?” Now, the rational part of my brain knows that the best way to get healthy is to simply eat less and move more. (WHO KNEW?!)  But how much do I need to move and not eat? I’m not a doctor—I just like wearing lab coats. I’m a regular human trying to be healthier. SO! My peeps at Best Buy hooked me up with some more of their Wearable Tech. This week I got to try out the new FitBit Charge.  This has changed everything.

You know how your mom would always tell you to stop slouching? Or she’d casually mention that your spine would permanently curve if you didn’t sit up straight? You might have straightened up when she was looking but the second her back was turned, you went right back to slouching. Slouching and poor posture really does make back pain worse, yet I can’t say I’ve ever really focused that much on improving my posture until the Lumo Lift, a small fitness activity tracker that coaches you to have better posture, arrived at my door.