Almost all large companies presented or announced in 2014 their fitness bracelets or smart watches. Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi also tried to release a device is in this spirit, but did it in his trademark style. Thus were born the device Xiaomi Mi Band – the most affordable branded fitness bracelets on the Ukrainian market. Let’s see what he has to offer for the price.

By the appearance of the box and set as a whole, the company Xiaomi always approached with special attention. Box with a bracelet made in the corporate style, but here, unlike other little boxes have not thought opening mechanism. After the cube itself has almost equal sizes of faces. Therefore, to open the lid or podkovyrnut worth it, or take on the diagonal of the upper corners.

Inside the box is a bracelet, USB cable for charging and paper documentation.

It is worth noting that currently comes only with a rubber bracelet strap.

Appearance and ease of use

As one would expect, at the beginning of deliveries was great excitement, resulting in buy tasty bracelet for 79 yuan ($ 13) could not all residents wishing to China. Residents of other countries had no choice but to wait more or less than the real price, or buy at a price that is. Even if we consider that the bracelet costs about $ 20, it is still much cheaper major competitors.

Bracelet itself consists of two parts: a rubber strap and a core which is actually “brains” of the device. During the announcement was shown a lot of interchangeable straps, but has not officially sold only rubber.

More precisely, the strap is made of a thermoplastic silicone vulcanizate (TPSiV). He is a nice touch, but does not look tacky and even boring. In the middle of the strap is a hole, which houses the core bracelet.

It is worth noting that no matter what side you insert it into the hole of the strap, in any case, it is symmetrical. Fixing bracelet on her arm made previously threading it into a loop, and then fixed on a familiar clasp. This type of mount is very reliable, because even if for one reason or another will open clasp, the bracelet using the tabs on the left hand, and will not fall.

The core of the bracelet is in the form of a cylindrical part made of polycarbonate and magnesium alloy. The entire lower part is painted black. The upper part of the silver, it is seen through the 3 LED warning.

During use of the bracelet used to having it on hand is very easy thanks to its light weight of 13.5 grams. It is important to remember that you can wear a bracelet on the right and on the left arm. The length of the strap is adjustable between 157-205 mm.

By the very construction of the bracelet no comments, but the appearance of the worth mentioning. Strap bracelet pretty easily erased that spoils the appearance. Significant advantage is that the bracelet is being protected class IP67 – which means that it is fully protected against dust and can withstand short-term immersion to a depth of 1 meter.

Software

To view this bracelet, you must have a smartphone that runs on Android since version 4.3 and above, or iOS. In addition, the smartphone must have Bluetooth version 4.0. These two conditions are required. Also worth mentioning is that without a connection to the smartphone bracelet is absolutely useless.

If you have a smartphone based on iOS, is to install the application you just have to find the App Store to find and install the application . At the time of writing the application was only available in Chinese.

If you have a smartphone based on Android, it is necessary to either use all known forum site and find there 4pda community Xiaomi Mi Band, a formal community Xiaomi in Europe – miui.su, or, being a user of a smartphone Xiaomi, go to the company application store and install it from there. In the app store Google Play application is available only in Chinese and English . As a result, in the first two cases, you can put down a Russified version of the application. We must note that applications submitted to Google Play and App Store, there is no ability to customize display notifications. In a review of the main features of the bracelet will be considered on the basis of an application with active notifications, taken from the community Xiaomi Mi Band Forum.

Functionality

After installing the application to put the bracelet on the arm and follow the instructions on the first run.

After that, we get to the main screen, which consists of several parts. Since the basic features of the bracelet is a pedometer and smart alarm clock, it is not surprising that the screen is divided into two parts. The transition between them organized with the help of a gesture from right to left. At the bottom is more detailed information on the number of steps you’ve walked and calories burned.

Application menu consists of settings, alarm clock, my profile, a fitness center, and share information. Let’s start with the settings.

This item displays the charge level of the bracelet and the number of days from the date of the last charge. There is also a point to “find my bracelet,” which allows you to find the device, activating it on vibrate and light indication. Color indicators can be selected from four – blue, orange, green and red. You can also choose what to wear wrist bracelet – right or left. An interesting feature is the unlock screen with the bracelet. To start the graphical user must specify the key and only then the function becomes fully active. It works quite correctly, but if the bracelet is far away, then activate the smartphone, you can use the graphical keys. Another great option is to inform you of an incoming call. To do this, there is a special setting in which you can select the interval after which the bracelet will vibrate and flash a color indicator.

Notification settings – this item is not available in all versions of the application. But in our case it is, therefore, consider it in more detail. This setting allows you to activate and configure notifications for any installed application. Immediately it should be noted that the settings are very extensive. Here you can choose exactly how the notification will inform you: using vibration or indicators. Number of vibrations and flashes can be set on your own. This also applies to the duration. You can also select the time interval in which to display the notification. Do not forget that the color LED indicators can also be set up. The result is that for each application may have its own unique settings.

Do not forget that for the notification needs Android 4.4 and above. Also, do not forget about the activation notifications in the settings. For owners of the smartphone Android 4.4 should follow the path – Settings -> Security -> Access to the notice, and for the owners of smartphones running on Android 5.0 – Settings -> Sounds & Notifications -> Access to notice.

Another interesting item – a Service. In total there are three available. Add no longer work. Alarm settings are quite simple and consist of a switch “Smart Service”, repeat and response time. Here it is necessary to clarify that the smart alarm clock wakes only by vibration of the bracelet. In this case, the smartphone does not produce any sound. Going a bit further into the essence of smart alarm clock and its principle of operation, in a nutshell it is to wake you up when you are in light sleep phase. It was then that person is easiest to wake up and will not feel discomfort. Therefore it is necessary to understand the fact that even if you have got an alarm clock on 7-30, it can wake you up to 30 minutes ahead of it because you’re in a light sleep phase. Informing about the alarm clock bracelet vibrates three times, the first time if you do not wake up, then after 5 minutes of vibration is repeated, and so as long as you do not get out of bed and start walking.

In the “fitness center” there are a variety of sports, in which you can apply bracelet. For example, now available jumping rope, press, treadmill assistant, as well as voting for new sports.

The accuracy of the pedometer largely depends on what hand he hangs. For example, if you wear it on the right hand, sometimes even cutting bread in the kitchen is considered steps. On the other hand, all these errors and not very significant in practice, will be virtually unnoticeable.

Results

The result is an inexpensive but quite functional bracelet that will track traveled distance, will help to analyze your sleep and gently wake you at the right time. Will come in handy function notifies you of incoming calls and messages of social networks. In general, a bracelet worth the money. With regard to autonomy, the claimed battery life Xiaomi Mi Band up to 30 days, but if you set up a vibration to all social networks, the index will decrease. In our case, the autonomy of the device up to 40 days. Good things and work with your smartphone, the bracelet will not be much to discharge him. At least, it is not noticeable in actual use. As a result, Xiaomi Mi Band can be called the best budget fitness bracelet on the market.

We liked:

+ Price

+ Functionality

+ Alerts

+ Availability of applications for Android and iOS

+ Endurance

We do not like:

– Absence of localization

The post Review fitness bracelet Xiaomi Mi Band appeared first on Raqwe.

At the time, while most manufacturers are trying to force only in the market of smart bracelets, company Jawbone releases the third generation of this device, called UP24. Accumulations of its experience should be enough to create a good gadget that will leave current and future competitors far behind. Will it have the Jawbone make the perfect bracelet for a healthy lifestyle, and how it differs from the previous version , read the review below.

Design and construction

Externally Jawbone UP24 difficult to distinguish from the previous model, the novelty gives only changed textured pattern on the body. 

But only at first glance, in fact the device was a little thinner previous version, and mainly due to the fact that it uses a 2.5mm plug, not the 3.5 mm as before.

Also, changed the look of the only mechanical control buttons, it has also become less.

In general, the design Jawbone UP24 little changed, and it is somewhat disappointing. Companies should pay more attention to it, because the third year in a row use the same design does not allow even more famous manufacturers.

Follows from the old design and the main problem Jawbone, which the company or can not see or do not want to see. The fact that her bracelets often fail before they even until the end of the warranty period. I know users who had to change three devices in the last year, the benefit of free support change them without any questions. With a certain degree of probability, at Jawbone UP24 may be the same problem. After construction of the bracelet has not changed.

It’s still a thin sheet of bent spring steel, which is attached electronics, coated with a hypoallergenic rubber. The degree of bending of this design is limited, and most statements Jawbone bracelets fail because their users correctly don and remove. For an explanation of how to do it right the company even released a video tutorial.

Perhaps if we use this instruction and problems will not arise, but the design itself, which is the probability of such failure, can not be considered reliable. On hand UP24, certainly played by the fact that the bracelet to sync with your smartphone using Bluetooth, and shoot it with your hands need not as often as before.

Wearing qualities

Almost the entire body is covered with Jawbone UP24 hypoallergenic rubber black or orange. It is kind to the skin, which also does not cause skin irritation. Its only drawback is that its surface is easily overwritten, it occurs in contact with clothing or bracelet of its two parts. But the appearance of the device is not much affected.

Like the previous model, Jawbone UP24 is protected against water, bracelet can be immersed to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Swim with the bracelet is not recommended, but take it off before the shower is not required.

Ease of use

Follow the instructions Jawbone, donning and doffing UP24 quite easily. But at the very hand bracelet fixed worse than the same Fitbit Force, since design features. Very often UP24 clinging clothes and trying to bend the wrong way. 

As in the previous version, there are three UP24 size depending on the size of the wrist. Choose for themselves the right option is easy, the site has detailed instructions on how to do it. If size is chosen correctly, UP24 wear comfortable, he does not press on hand.

Jawbone UP24 management can be performed either from your smartphone, or using a different sequence of clicks a button on the device. Realized it is also convenient, as in previous versions of the bracelet.

Jawbone UP24 until it can work only with the iPhone and connects to them through the protocol Bluetooth 4.0.

Despite the fact that the communication protocol used successfully huge number of accessories, it works in UP24 with varying success. Application is not always the first time sees the bracelet, as a result it is often necessary to turn off. Perhaps this is a software problem, and fix it soon. 

By computer Jawbone UP24 can connect port for charging from USB. It is implemented through a special adapter with a 2.5 mm input. Synchronize your device with a computer is not available.

Sleep

With the built-in accelerometer Jawbone UP24 can monitor the quality of sleep a person determining how quickly he falls asleep, how deeply asleep, and on the basis of these data, calculates the phases of sleep.

Based on these data, work smart alarm clock, which must operate in a while, when a person is in the least deep sleep phase. It works as follows, the application gets the user Jawbone alarm for a particular time and specifies the time interval from 10 to 30 minutes, when we need to wake up. In practice, we can not say that the device helps easier to wake up, but it’s easier to follow for the duration of their sleep and force myself to go ahead.

Bracelet for a healthy lifestyle

Jawbone UP24 can count steps, calories burned, as well as the approximate distance. The main purpose of the device – this tracking activity for the user to be able to look at himself and changed habits.

Bracelet by default offers the wearer to perform not less than 10 thousand steps a day and sleep at least 8 hours. Even cope with this task is not quite easy to sacrifice in favor of transport walking and force myself to go to bed earlier. In general, it really helps, especially if there is a motivation to look and feel better. Without it UP24 not help, but will gather dust on the shelf.

Athletics

During physical activity UP24 can activate its tracking. This will capture data on the duration of employment, distance, intensity, average pace and calories burned.

For fixing the base of his training with the subsequent analysis, it will be enough, but not for all types of physical activity. Modern sports watches offer a lot more functions not only to track the activity, but also for planning training. In this regard, UP24 helps to connect to popular applications for sports, including popular MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava.

Bracelet exchanges data with them that allows you to expand the picture. But you still need to remember that UP24, primarily intended for everyday activity tracking, and not a specialized unit for training, although not ruled out any functionality.

Autonomy

In Jawbone UP24 battery installed 38 mAh, which is enough for 5-7 days of battery life, depending on the intensity of use of wireless synchronization.

In addition to physical activity, another party content myself in good shape, is a healthy diet.

To do this, UP24 have a database of products that for the last year significantly enriched. The user can enter a name products and ready meals manually or scan them as barcodes. In Ukraine, it does not work with all products.

Expert Commentary

Control over the consumption of products in Annex Jawbone UP – a complete picture of the consumption of calories and their consumption. The program lays out all the entered food proteins to carbohydrates, fats, omega-3-fat-salt-cholesterol, etc. Large database includes all known products and dishes – even while living in Thailand, it is not difficult to find the right spring roll or spicy soup. At home in the database easily find several kinds of cheese, including the home, several variations of borscht, rye bread – in general, local specialties in each country presented completely. Yet it is worth remembering, if you decide to enter the fair, about oils and sauces (for the sake of fair picture calorie) – this is also in the database to the maximum – from all kinds of plant to different yogurts. Average system works by reading bar codes – from milk to chocolate.

Eventually

Compared with previous models Jawbone UP24 changed slightly so that the owners of the second-generation UP almost no reason to update, especially given the increased price. At a time when the market goes more competitors, Jawbone continues to stagnate. Minor improvements, will definitely go smart bracelets company benefit, and can not say that they are not important. However, they are insufficient to ensure that the company, which in fact was first to market smart bracelets, it remained the leader. Today Jawbone needs a qualitative step forward. Purchase UP24 background on upcoming competitors makes sense for the need to integrate third-party applications bracelet such as MyFitnessPal, RunKeeper and Strava. In addition, in the arsenal of Jawbone is still a great app, as well as a large base of products, in this regard, the company has no equal. In other cases, worth the wait or the new version of the bracelet or watch from competing solutions.

Liked:

+ Autonomy
+ Pedometer
+ Smart Service
+ Application
+ Waterproof
+ Simple operation
+ Database products

Disliked:

– Bored design
– No information display
– Disruption of synchronization
– Support for iPhone only
– Not very reliable fixation on hand

The post Review Jawbone UP24: just add Bluetooth appeared first on Raqwe.

United States Patent Office (USPTO) recently issued a new patent issued by the company Samsung, which describes a device that resembles a modified “smart” watches Galaxy Gear with a flexible screen.

It is possible that this is the most “intelligent” bracelet Galaxy Band , rumors of which appeared at the beginning of this week. Recall, according to preliminary data, the configuration of the product will include motion sensors, pressure, humidity, temperature and heart rate, as well as module Bluetooth.

In the recently published USPTO patent describes just such a device. At one of the repositories in the description of images displayed on the screen bracelet reminders jog, and on the other – shows the interaction of the bracelet with a smartphone, located in a backpack cyclist.

Other details can be considered in the drawings attached to the application. The apparatus basically consists of a flexible display and a flexible strap. The number of on-screen information is entirely dependent on the orientation of the device.

Given the experience of Galaxy Gear can be assumed that the bracelet can work on one charge much longer and will be released in several color options.

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Handheld electronic devices are becoming increasingly popular. Manufacturers are gradually developing and bringing to market new products. According to the forecast Juniper Research, in the future the number of such devices will only increase.

It is expected that by 2018, the number of smart handheld devices supplied by manufacturers, reaches 130 million is approximately 10 exceeds the level of supply this year. The volume of the market value increase from $ 1.4 billion to $ 19 billion

Such a significant increase in the supply of portable devices will be provided by increasing user awareness of such solutions. Also on the increase in their popularity will affect the appearance of new products that can meet the needs of a larger list of customers and, accordingly, interested wider group of people.

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Google has made some changes in the distribution patterns of wearable computing device, Google Glass. Now there is no need to personally visit the company’s office in Los Angeles or New York.

It is reported that members of the first wave of users Google Glass can recommend three friends as potential buyers of the device. Gadget price is $ 1,500. However, it is not necessary to purchase personally visit the office of Google in Los Angeles or New York, as it was previously. Points will be delivered to customers.

However, the interested people will communicate in video chat Hangout with a representative. The consultant will conduct a short briefing on the process of the original device settings, and talk about its features and capabilities. He also tells about the history of Google Glass. The duration of this conversation declared at 45 minutes.

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According to the forecasts of many market analysts wearable computers in the near future will only grow. However, despite regular and even more frequent appearance of new players in the market, less intrusive products is still too little. According to co-founder of a start-Ion Glasses Santiago Ambita, society is not yet ready for such points as Google Glass.

Points Ion Glasses, which look very similar to Ray Ban, limited to a small built-in frame LED-indicator, which signals the user of incoming calls to your phone, communications and notifications.

We need at least another two years to get users started normally perceive such products as Google Glass. If you are in a meeting with friends, and at this time they are overwritten with other people – it’s frustrating. Smartphone before the eyes can dramatically change the relationship,- said Santiago Ambit. 

Due to the special application, users can choose any color for the LED-indicator will signal the messages received on a smartphone or notices. The signal will be visible only to the owner points Ion Glasses, which are equipped with the module Bluetooth 4.0 LE, battery capacity of 110 mAh battery that provides 3 to 10 days of battery life, Micro-USB connector and two physical buttons to control the music player or app “Camera.”

The campaign to raise funds to issue points runs website IndieGoGo , where the regular version of Ion Glasses valued at $ 79, and the sun – $ 99, respectively. Regardless of whether developers will be able to raise the necessary $ 60,000, users, place your order, get points in February 2014.

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Every day the market wearable computers have more new players. In a short time segment of “smart” watches can be extended product, dubbed the AI ​​Watch. Unlike other models, this device can also work as a smartphone.

The novelty is based on a dual-core processor, clocked at 1.2GHz running Android 4.0.4. Diagonal touch screen resolution of 240×240 pixels is 1.54 inches. In the configuration of the device also includes 512 MB of RAM, 4 GB of internal memory, 5 megapixel camera and a battery capacity of 500 mAh. Smart watches AI Watch are designed to work in networks GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) and supports standard 3G.

In the first six days of the start of the campaign on the website Indiegogo project has managed to collect only a little more than $ 6,000 of the $ 100,000 needed for the start of mass production of AI Watch. Probably one of the reasons for this failure is that, by the assurance of Engadget , the new product is an exact copy of “smart” watches Vapirius AX2, available in Europe at a price of $ 400. In addition, a similar device offers a Chinese manufacturer Shenzhen Hop Industrial (marking EC309) for $ 158 (after discounts).

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In a wearable computer Google has a very real competitor in the face of the company and its product Recon Recon Jet. Accessory is positioned as a head-up display, and there are several variants of it. For example, there is a model for skiers around the world that has spread in the amount of 50 thousand pieces, and it is an order of magnitude of the Google Glass.

Perhaps because of the specialization in Recon Jet and there were no problems with the law, because the characteristics of it is not much different from the solutions on Google, as in some ways even superior. Moreover, the project has received investment support from the unit Intel Capital, which is expensive. In fact, Intel has entered into a struggle for market wearable computers.

It should be noted that the Recon has been slow to its target and Recon Jet is the result of five years of painstaking work. The project was so interesting that even got some support for Apple, according to VentureBeat , citing the words of CEO Dan Eizenhardta (Dan Eisenhardt), for mentioning the successful campaign with the glasses in retail stores carried the creator of iPhone.

Recon Jet is a compact device in the form of points weighs just 28 grams and has a built-in 2-core processor with a frequency of 1 GHz, as well as modules Wi-Fi, ANT +, Bluetooth, GPS, HD-camera and HD-display. Rich in gadget set of sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter (height sensor), magnetometer (electronic compass) and a thermometer. Price accessory – $ 600 (about 4900 USD). By the way, at the beginning of next year Recon intends to release its second-generation wearable computer.

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GB-6900AA During the interview with the resource New York Times CEO Kazuo Kashio Casio Computer (Kazuo Kashio), said his company is not afraid of smart watches out Apple and Samsung. According to him, Casio has long known the value of smart watches wearable computers on the market and the company for quite a long time preparing for the emergence of new players.

“Suddenly, everyone discovered the wristwatch. We always knew their value. We are ready to compete. “

Comments Mr. Kashio again reflect the growing interest in the entire IT industry to market wearable computers. Since February, the Web punctually leaks began to appear on the upcoming smart watch companies such as Apple, Samsung, LG and Microsoft. Most recently, Samsung has confirmed its plans to release smart watches Galaxy Gear .

Interest in the emerging market of smart watches and feeds of Google, which acquired WIMM Labs with experience in this industry in the summer of 2012.

Recall that in the range of Casio currently available models of watches with integrated Bluetooth, which are compatible with smartphones and iPhone mobile devices running Android for $ 230.

In the foreseeable future, Casio is preparing to introduce more innovative timepieces that will not allow other companies to undermine their strong position. Resource Electronista notes that the new items will differ from Casio special features that focused on sports fans.

“I do not think that at this point in the market, there are companies that fuel the passion for numbers or time than Casio», – said Kazuo Kashio.

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Google has officially confirmed the purchase of smart developer hours WIMM Labs. It should be noted that the transaction took place in the summer of 2012, but then the name of the buyer was not disclosed.

Startup WIMM Labs has not a lot of experience in the market of smart hours. In 2011, the market entered a development kit «WIMM One Developer Kit», which included working with Android Mini PC 36h32 mm dimensions, special strap, as well as several pre-installed applications (calendar, weather, clock and timer).

In the configuration of the mini-PC includes wireless modules Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which provide interaction with devices running Android, BlackBerry and iOS. Accelerometer and magnetometer also were part of the WIMM One, which enabled smart clock to track the user’s movements.

According to GigaOM , the majority of employees WIMM Labs joined the team on the development of Android. Unfortunately, official statements on the future of Google’s WIMM Labs has yet been received. It is believed that technology WIMM Labs used the search giant glasses Google Glass, the development of which began around the same time.

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