CES 2014: Wearable Tech and the New You

aNewDomain.net — If you started the year with New Year’s resolutions to improve upon yourself, the upcoming technology is right there for you. There are many themes at the 2014 Consumer Electronic Show — auto-innovation such as Ford’s solar hybrid car and Android dash entertainment systems, or 4K televisions and their endless pixels or even the Internet of Things. One of the main themes, though, is technology that helps you improve yourself in all aspects of your life.

Several of these devices take shape at CES 2014 as wearable technology. This includes the new June by Netatmo shown below. June is a bracelet with a gem-like sensor that measures sun exposure. It tracks the amount and intensity of UV exposure that you get each day and advises you on the best method of sun protection. That info is then transmitted to your smartphone, of course. If you are worried about sun damage, melanoma and/or premature skin aging, June is a great sun-exposure coach.

Photo credit: Sandy Berger

In the wearable tech field there are two new entries that really aim to improve your life — the Lumo Back and Lumo Lift  by Palo Alto-based LumoBodyTech. Both will buzz to alert you when your posture needs correction. Lumo Back is basically for the lower back, while the newer Lumo Lift is a small square device that comes in a variety of colors. The Lift is designed to be worn on a collar or shoulder and goes far beyond mere posture correction. It can track steps and calories and has the ability to detect and analyze core body positioning. It’s the high-tech equivalent of having your mother tell you to “straighten up.” Something many of us need, I should think.

Photo credit: Sandy Berger

Wearable health monitors abound at CES this year. Where last year’s monitors looked at basic things like steps taken and calories burned, these new monitors have plenty of additional sensors. These sensors can monitor sleep, heart rate, motion and even perspiration. Check out wearables from iHealth, Basis and others. All will help you keep track of your health. They may even help you reduce stress and sleep better.

Another huge draw at CES last year was the HAPIfork — a nifty utensil that alerted you when you were eating too fast, geared towards better digestion and weight loss. This year, there is a product that is useful after the meal. Kolibree, a French startup, has developed a toothbrush that will monitor your brushing and send a report to your smartphone. It tells you how long you brushed in each area and where you might have done a better job. If you like, you can even share your brushing data with your dentist. The Kolibree toothbrushes will be priced from $100 to $200, depending on certain specs. That’s not a bad price compared to what you have to pay to have a cavity filled, but for me, this one is a little too much like having my parents watch over my tooth-brushing sessions when I was a kid.

Years ago the only way to improve yourself was through self-help books. Today, there is plenty of technology to help you through the improvement process. CES 2014 is just the beginning of a great, healthy year.

For aNewDomain.net, I’m Sandy Berger. Stay tuned for more from CES 2014.

Based in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Sandy Berger is a veteran tech journalist and senior editor at aNewDomain.net covering tech tips and tricks, apps, gadgets and consumer electronics. Email her at Sandy@aNewDomain.net. Follow her on Twitter @sandyberger, +SandyBerger on Google+, and on Facebook.