UPDATED 05:01 EDT / DECEMBER 29 2016

EMERGING TECH

Few smartwatches to debut at CES, but look for wearable speakers and more

The Consumer Electronics Show has proved a popular event for the unveiling of new smartwatches. But it seems likely they won’t be the big star of the 2017 CES.

For one, the smartwatch market has been declining. Moreover, summer 2016 saw a big release of smartwatches. So next week’s show is unlikely to have any big smartwatch announcements.

Still, we’re likely to see plenty of other wearable technologies such as fitness trackers, speakers and even stress-fighting patches. Here’s a look at some of the companies who will possibly showcase a variety of new wearables and fitness trackers at CES, which will run Jan 5-8 in Las Vegas:

Smartwatches, fitness trackers and wearables

Fitbit

Fitbit Inc. refreshed nearly its entire lineup (above) this year, so chances that it will unveil something big at CES is unlikely. However, we may see an update for the Fitbit Surge, the company’s GPS sportwatch, which was released over two years ago.

Once again, Fitbit proved popular over the festive season, with its companion app sitting at No. 2 in the Apple App Store.

Garmin

Based on Garmin Ltd.’s history of releasing new watches at CES, it released its Fenix 3 multisport watch in 2015, followed by the Fenix 3 HR this year, we could see a new watch from the company next week.

Fossil Group

fossil

Fossil Group Inc. has announced that its brands, including Diesel, Fossil, Misfit, Michael Kors, Skagen and Emporio Armani, will unveil new wearables. The company also said that there would be an announcement from a brand new to the wearables market.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Inc. will be attending its first CES next week and while the company is rumored to unveil its Mi S smartphone at the event, it’s unlikely to have any big announcements in the wearable market considering the launch of its Mi Band 2 this past summer.  

All will be revealed at the company’s press conference, which is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. PST.

Alternative wearables: speakers, smart glasses and stress-fighting patches

LG’s wearable speakers

lg-tone-studio-021

Along with its list of other CES products, including new smart home appliances and smartphones, LG Electronics Inc. will also unveil new wireless, wearable audio products at CES 2017.

LG’s new audio-centric wearables, the Tone Studio and Tone Free devices, form part of the company’s Tone series.

The LG Tone Studio is a wearable speaker with four speakers, two full-range speakers on the top and two vibrating speakers on the bottom, that provides users with a surround sound experience when streaming music, watching a movie or playing a video game.

lg-wearable-speaker

The LG Tone Free is the company’s first neckband to come with wireless earbuds. The earbuds are charged when stored in the neckband while vibration alerts will notify the user of incoming calls and text messages. Users are also able to answer or ignore calls with voice commands.

LG’s press conference is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 8 a.m.

Smart glasses

Safilo Group S.p.A., makers of glasses and sunglasses for designer brands such as Dior, Fendi, Marc Jacobs and Hugo Boss, is set to unveil smart glasses at CES.

There aren’t a lot of detail about Safilo’s smart glasses, but they won’t include an augmented reality display or a Snap Spectacles-style camera. Rather the company is looking at ways to measure the wearer’s brainwaves via EEG sensors on the frames and nose bridge. Based on these readings, the companion app will be able to provide stress biofeedback and meditation exercises.

Stress-fighting wearable

lief-stree-fighting-wearable

Lief Therapeutics, a San Francisco startup, will unveil its stress-fighting smart wearable patch at CES. The discreet biosensing patch monitors heart rate and breathing to help control a users’ stress levels.

When the Lief wearable detects an increase in the person’s natural heart rate variability, it will vibrate and guide the user through breathing exercises in time with the vibrations.

Currently raising funds on Kickstarter PBC, the Lief wearable quickly surpassed its initial $50,000 goal and has currently raised $260,909 (at the time of writing) with 12 days still to go.   

Sources: Cnet; Pocket-lint

Main image via Fitbit; images via Fossil, LG, Lief Therapeutics

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