What’s in your wallet?
Possibly nothing, if Apple, Google and Samsung come through on their promise to change the way people pay for goods and services. The three tech companies are intent on offering incentives for consumers to use their digital wallets, according to the Chicago Tribune. At press time, Apple was adding store-issued credit cards and store rewards programs to Apple Pay, the company’s mobile payments service. Google was following suit, preparing service for millions of smartphones designed to run on its Android software. Samsung was working on a service for its newest line of Galaxy smartphones. EMarketer expects the number of mobile payments will increase from $3.5 billion in 2014 to $27.5 billion in 2016.
Be still, my wrist
Mio Global recently entered into a relationship with Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., to introduce the Forerunner 225 – reportedly the first Garmin GPS running watch that measures heart rate at the wrist. The Forerunner 225 leverages Mio’s optical heart rate technology for more accurate, continuous heart rate monitoring for athletes. The watch features a built-in optical sensor, which shines light into the user’s skin and measures the amount of light returned. The sensor is designed to detect slight changes as blood pumps through the wrist, using an advanced filtering process to produce a reliable and accurate heart rate.
Brain freeze
A United Kingdom study by Kaspersky Lab, a privately owned cyber-security company, has found that the majority of smartphone-connected consumers in the UK can’t recall critical phone numbers from memory, including those of their children (71 percent), their children’s schools (87 percent), their place of work (57 percent) and their partner (49 percent). However, 47 percent of respondents said they could instantly recall their home phone numbers between the ages of 10 and 15 years. About 53 percent of survey respondents between 16 and 24 years reported that their smartphone holds almost everything they need to know or recall. And, 86 percent of those surveyed believe that in today’s increasingly hyper-connected world, people simply have too many numbers, addresses, handles, etc., for them to remember. That said, as important as smartphones have become, only 24 percent of respondents reported installing extra IT security to protect their device! Kaspersky Lab surveyed 6,000 consumers aged 16 and older in six European countries.
Looking smart
Vuzix® Corporation, a supplier of video eyewear and smart glasses products, has announced the availability of the Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses Manager app on iTunes and Google Play, enabling full M100 compatibility on both the Android and iOS platforms. The Vuzix Smart Glasses Manager (SMG) app provides users with access to more content and functionality for their Vuzix Smart Glasses via their smartphone and is available to Smart Glasses users for free. The SGM application streamlines the interaction between the user’s M100 and his or her smartphone, facilitating a seamless connection that allows users to control their M100 Smart Glasses directly from either an Android or iOS platform. Utilizing the M100 Smart Glasses in tandem with the SGM manager application, users can launch and control any M100 application, such the M100 camera, including sharing pictures, viewing hardware settings for the M100 and connecting to wireless networks. For example, the SGM application can enhance the functionality of the Vuzix Smart Glasses in tele-medicine training. While wearing Vuzix Smart Glasses, a teaching physician can use the SGM app to connect the M100 Smart Glasses through a smartphone to students anywhere in the world. The Smart Glasses Manager also opens a portal to the Vuzix app store to allow the selection, purchase and management of the user’s applications.
Fitness in style
A recent J.D. Power 2015 Fitness Band Device Satisfaction Report ranks Samsung highest among manufacturers of fitness band devices, noting the company performs well in styling and appearance, variety of features, battery life and durability. The report measures overall satisfaction with fitness band trackers among 2000+ customers who have purchased a new fitness band tracker, fitness band tracker with smart features or a smartwatch device within the past 12 months. According to the report, Samsung ranks highest in customer satisfaction, while Fitbit is a close second, with high ratings for reliability, ease of use, durability and availability of apps.
Loud and clear
Baby boomers: You may not want to hear this – and many of you can’t – but this generation is driving the hearing aid market to a new high. ReportsnReports.com’s Global Hearing Aids Market 2015-2019 research report that says the growing elderly population is expected to drive the hearing aids market growth, which is forecast at 4.6 percent for next 4-5 years. In part, the availability of more appealing, comfortable, efficient and less stigmatic neck-worn hearing aids is responsible for the growing market. (And, admit it, exposure to classic rock venues in the 60s and 70s likely have also played a role.) According to ReportsnReports.com’s hearing aids market report, the prevalence of hearing loss among adults over 65 is considered to be five times higher than those 64 and younger. Vendors today differentiate their new products in terms of designs, shapes and connectivity. Hearing aids not only enhance hearing, but also allow the user to stay connected to other devices, such as MP3 players, televisions and smartphones. For example, wireless hearing devices and attachments permit users access to communication, information and entertainment, such as Bluetooth and FM. ReSound LiNX2 by GN Store Nord allows users to stream phone and FaceTime calls, geo-tag favorite locations and customize audio settings directly through the ReSound Smart App on a smartphone.
Mobile shopping spree
FatWallet.com, which publishes current store discounts, coupon codes and free shipping, has launched a shopping app for iOS devices. The app enables mobile phone and iPad shoppers to combine savings from online coupons, free shipping and other discounts with cash back from over 1,600 retailers. A recent study by FatWallet.com reports that purchases using mobile devices are expected to increase by 22 percent in the near future.