Tag: smartwatches

Google Glass is now on its way to Canada

The company has confirmed that the wearable technology is headed north of the border, following new e-labeling laws.

Canada has now passed a law that has stated that high-tech devices that have screens that are non-removable – such as in the case of Google Glass – are no longer required to use a physical label for information such as their serial numbers, as they are now permitted to use an e-label, instead.

This change in Canadian law says that smartphones and wearable technology can now use electronic labeling.

That difference is quite important to the ability to bring new types of high tech devices, such as Google Glass, certain smartwatches, and other forms of wearable technology, to Canada, provided that they are capable of showing e-labels on displays that cannot be removed from the device. The labeling laws in the country, which previously required these mobile devices to don physical labels of serial numbers and other information, was making it prohibitively difficult

Industry Canada made this announcement in a recent press release, welcoming Google Glass and Apple Watch.

Google Glass coming to CanadaThe news release said that these labeling regulations are “opening Canada’s markets to the latest wireless wearable devices such as Google Glass and Apple Watch.” The old laws stated that all electronic, radio, and terminal equipment devices needed to show serial or model ID numbers, registration numbers, and certification numbers that were printed directly onto the device, itself, or had to be attached with a sticker.

This made it difficult – or impossible – for certain electronic and mobile devices that were manufactured in other parts of the world to be able to enter the Canadian markets. Now, the regulations have been changed and have become effective, immediately. They state that high tech gadgets that have non-removable display screens can provide that information by way of an e-label, instead of a physical printing or sticker.

The types of devices that will now be able to carry an e-label are smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, wearable glucose monitors and – once it arrives – Google Glass, Apple Watch and other forms of wearable technology with a non-removable screen. Industry Canada also pointed out that electronic labels will be able to provide additional information that physical labels cannot include due to space restrictions, such as warranty information. Moreover, remote updates to correct inaccuracies are also possible with these e-labels.

Smartwatch device designed to track spending is released

A new wearable device monitors the budget of the wearer.

Smartwatches are known for providing many convenient features to those who wear them, such as monitoring health, fitness tracking, texting, making phone calls etc., and now a new device called the Cash smartwatch has been designed to help user’s track their budget, so they can know when it’s all right to spend and when they should hold off from making a purchase.

The new wearable is not trying to compete with Apple Watch or Samsung’s Gear S.

Designed by Nicole Lapin, a financial correspondent and former correspondent for networks like Today and MSNBC, the Cash smartwatch is not like other smart watch tech on the market. Users will not be able to make a phone call or check their email with this device.

Its primary purpose is to encourage consumers to think about their impulse purchasing habits. Each time a wearer of the device buys something they tap the price into the interface and put it into a category that corresponds with their purchase (ex. food, clothing, and so on).

Users set up a monthly allowance. Lapin, who is known for using simplified and language-friendly budget tips, provides recommendations on how much free spending money a person is allowed during a monthly period.

When the user goes over their budget or they are getting close to their limit, they will know because it will be displayed on the watch’s home screen. Users can keep track of what they are spending in all categories. A green line indicates how much money is left for the month and a red line grows the more that they spend.

Lapin said that while learning about finances is intimidating, “you don’t have to know any of the jargon in order to budget and save.”

The smartwatch is also fashionable.

Even though the target market for the wearable device is young women between the ages of 18 – 34, there are three different strap options, so it can also appeal to men. The different straps, which include a patterned silver, black silicone and white crocodile style, give users the chance to dress the watch up or down.

The Cash smartwatch will sell for $139 and can be purchased online on its official website starting today, October 1, and will later be made available through HSN later on in the month.