Smart Living: Samsung’s vibrating necklace + connected devices
This week’s Smart Living roundup features a vibrating notification headset, funding for a smart home startup, and a tracking device that has no monthly fee.
Samsung Gear Circle
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. recently unveiled two new wearable devices, the Samsung Gear S which is a new addition to its smartwatch line, and the Gear Circle, a vibrating notifications headset.
When paired with a smartphone, the Gear Circle can receive calls, listen to music, and even make voice commands in style via a Bluetooth connection. It features a magnetic lock that allows the device to clasp around the wearer’s neck when not in use and still deliver notifications for incoming calls via vibrations.
Zuli raises $1.65M in seed funding
Zuli Inc., creator of a smart plug that turns any home appliance into a smart one, has raised $1.65 million in seed funding from Menlo Ventures, Winklevoss Capital, Logitech, DeNA, XG Ventures, FreedomPop CEO Stephen Stokols, and Hossein Eslambolchi, former CTO of AT&T Corp.
The seed funding will be used by Zuli to bring the Zuli Smartplug, the company’s first produc, to market. Aside from the seed funding, the company also announced that it has established a development partnership with Astro Studios, Inc., designers of the Nike FuelBand and Xbox 360.
“Zuli’s sole focus is to create a simpler, more enjoyable home experience, by enabling your home to adjust to where you are and what you like,” said Zuli CEO and co-founder Taylor Umphreys. “With Zuli Smartplugs, come home to have the lamps brighten to an ambient level, while your heater starts and music fades simply by walking in to the room. Save energy and set your Zuli Smartplugs to shut off appliances when you leave the room – all without ever taking your phone out of your pocket.”
Findster
Despite sounding like a social networking site from the early 2000s, Findster is actually a GPS tracking system that helps people keep tabs on their pets, kids, or even personal things, but without the hassles of monthly fees.
How is that possible, you ask? The Findster ecosystem has five components: the child/pet module, guardian module, portable charger, base station and the app. The child/pet module features a high-precision GPS system and a 3-axis accelerometer that enables the detection of whether the child fell or, in the pet’s case, what his activity index is throughout the day. But what makes Findster unique is its innovative RF communication system that allows the child/pet module to communicate with the guardian module. It has a range of 0.62 miles (1 km) between both modules which eliminates the need to send the coordinates through a cellular connection, thus eliminating the monthly service fee.
You can help fund Findster on Indiegogo. Currently, it’s already raised $14, 852 of its $500 original funding goal.
Samsung Gear Circle image via Samsung
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