Wearable computing is becoming a reality. A new crop of start-ups and tech industry stalwarts are increasing both the scope and scale of their wearable computing divisions and it is becoming increasingly obvious that these are not fad products. I think that the possible benefits are immense in regards to the integrating computers into our clothing or miniaturizing common electronic devices so that they can be worn as jewelry or accessories. An article from Business Week certainly opened my eyes to the benefits of wearable computing.

The article opened by introducing the concept of a combination handbag/computer, which is probably enough to excite tech-gadget-gals all over the place. But it gets better, “Assembled together with Velcro that conducts electricity, these pieces form a bag that looks, feels, and weighs like your typical leather purse.” And in terms of features- “This bag can wirelessly keep tabs on your belongings and remind you, just as you’re about to leave the house, to take your wallet. It can review the weather report and suggest that you grab an umbrella — or your sunshades. This purse can even upload your favorite songs onto your scarf.”

While experiments in wearable computing stretch back to the 80s, the field was almost declared null and void because while some of the technology was interesting and cutting-edge (at the time), nobody actually wanted to wear any of the products because they were too big and clunky. Does anybody else remember that cell phones came in briefcases back then? The concept of the computing purse circumvents this by taking a regular product that people use and incorporating computing power into them, not vice-versa. “Cyborg computing was very clunky, very bulky machines that people didn’t want to carry around,” says Nanda, a researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. “Our bags feel and look like bags.”

Another great resource for wearable computing is the Bristol Wearable Computing Project. They’ve designed a wearable computing jacket (which actually looks really sharp).

Here are some examples of new consumer products, currently in development, that represent the cutting edge of wearable computing. You can find an updated list of these products at Redwoodhouse.com/wearable.  

• According to Wikipedia, a CyborgLog (often abbreviated to ‘glog) is a first-person recording of an activity, in which the person doing the recording is a participant in the activity. A glogger community site has been added to the EyeTap Personal Imaging Lab website. Glogger is a web service and program that allows people to instantaneously share content from their camera phones or manually from their digital camera.

• iPod-compatible footwear that tracks runners’ training routines is just the beginning of a collaboration between these iconic brands Apple and Nike.
  

• Wibree, which is being developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group and Nokia Corp., will use radio frequency technology for communicating with small devices, such as watches, wireless keyboards, gaming and sports sensors. Even pill boxes and heart rate monitors may benefit from the technology, according to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, which also is known as SIG.

• According to LinuxDevices.com, the Zypad WL 1000, a new wrist-worn PC has been demonstrated to the military forces. This device, which can run Linux or Windows CE, is a hands-free computer which handles wireless networking and GPS tracking. It also comes with a 240 x 320 pixels touchscreen and has a battery which can last about 8 hours. It only weighs 300 grams — but it will be attached at the end of your arm, so it might feel heavier than this. It should be available in July for about $2,500 and could be used by healthcare or law enforcement personnel.