What is wearable technology?
“Wearable technology, also known as “wearables,” is a category of electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, embedded in clothing, implanted in the user’s body, or even tattooed on the skin. The devices are hands-free gadgets with practical uses, powered by microprocessors and enhanced with the ability to send and receive data via the Internet.” investopedia
Wearables can yield useful information such as sleep patterns, workouts, heart rate, body temperature and record videos. These wearables can help you improve your health.
There are also wearables to help people with disabilities. For example pictured are necklaces (fashion wearables) for the deaf.
The first wearable technology devices were clunky with limited battery life. However, some newer devices are unobtrusive (more fashionable) and have longer battery lives such as the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro smartwatch that lasts 10 – 14 days on a charge and the Oura Ring (lasts 7 days) and tracks sleep, workouts, heart rate, and body temperature. The WHOOP/4.0 activity tracker has a 5 day battery life -great for strenuous activities recharges wirelessly on the wrist. A fashionable tracking bracelet that comes with interchangeable straps to match what you are wearing. You can also wear it on t-shirts, bras, and underwear.
Prada & American express partnered to introduce a sleek silver-buckled leather bracelet with a contactless payment chip exclusive to Centurion cardholders.
Be aware that many wearables gather your personal information tracked on the devices.
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What is smart jewelry?
Smart jewelry is wearable high-tech jewelry. There are smart necklaces, bracelets, rings, key chains and hair clips that may alert you to important calls, texts or events on your calendar and do fitness tracking (steps, distance, calories burned and sleep patterns). Some smart jewelry is meant to serve as protection when in danger, you can press in case of emergency. The ring pictured is from Ringly. It connects to your phone via Bluetooth and lets you receive customized notifications through vibration and a subtle light on the side of the ring.
An Oura ring is a wearable, smart ring, that tracks your sleep, heart rate and skin temperature. This fitness tracker analyzes your daily movement, how much rest you’re getting, and more. All the information is displayed through a corresponding phone app.
The Oura is both fashionable and can improve your personal wellbeing. It evaluates your:
Sleep: deep sleep, REM sleep, nightly heart rate and more.
Activity: “how are you balancing your activity, inactivity, and rest?” Analyzes your daily movement.
Readiness: “how much can you and your body take on?” It takes into account your sleep, activity, and body stress signals like body temperature and heart rate variability (HRV).
You need to wear it all the time to collect data but it is versatile and looks great with casual or dressy outfits. Some confess to wearing it as a status symbol!