Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Try tech on for size

fitbit flex

Fitbit Flex

In the not-so-distant past, technology that could fit in your pocket was exciting. These days, it’s all about technology you can wear on your body.

From 3-D glasses to fitness tracker bands to a watch that rivals your iPhone, more and more wearable tech is seeping into everyday life.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular wearable gadgets on the market today:

FitBit Flex

$99.95 / FitBit.com

Most fitness trackers work the same way, tracking steps, distance traveled, minutes active and calories burned. The FitBit Flex does all that, while also connecting to free software that tracks diet, sets personal goals and congratulates you for a job well done. This upgraded version of the original FitBit also has a better snap-on wristband, and its software automatically tracks sleep patterns.

GoPro Hero4 silver

Click to enlarge photo

GoPro Hero4 Silver

$399.99 / GoPro.com

This is the first GoPro product to feature a built-in touch display. Now you can control the camera, play footage and adjust settings by tapping the screen and swiping. The camera features a recording capability of 30 frames per second, for higher resolution.

Tagg GPS Pet Tracker

Click to enlarge photo

Tagg GPS pet tracker

$99.95 / Amazon.com

Attach this device to your dog or cat’s collar, define a safe zone around your home, and receive instant text and email alerts if your pet leaves the zone. A GPS in the collar shows where Fido or Fifi is in real time. Added bonus: You’ll receive notifications if the weather gets too hot or cold for your pet, and the tracker can monitor his or her fitness and activity levels while you are away.

Apple Watch

$349 / apple.com

Click to enlarge photo

Apple Watch

Coming to Apple.com this year, this sleek watch works like a mini iPhone attached to your wrist. You can download apps, listen to music, access GPS and track your daily fitness. You also can talk to friends and send text messages. Plus, it looks sharp.

Epson Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses

$699.99 / Epson.com

These aren’t designed for consumers, but they have the potential to change the way many people do their jobs — doctors, retailers, pilots, repair technicians, construction workers. The glasses are equipped with a front-facing camera, and unlike Google Glass, each lens of the BT-200 has its own display. They are ideal for, say, displaying a set of 3-D blueprints in front of a construction worker or diagramming the human body for a surgeon in training.

Jawbone Up24

Click to enlarge photo

Jawbone UP24

$129.99 / Jawbone.com

Having trouble sleeping? Don’t feel like exercising? The Jawbone Up24 can help. The wireless wrist band tracks sleep patterns and the number of steps you take and reminds you to move when you’ve been inactive too long. The Jawbone also features a smart alarm, which wakes you at the ideal part of your sleep cycle.

Flash drive cuff links

$100 per pair / Cufflinks.com

These may be the perfect accessory for people who share a lot of documents or photos. The 4GB USB flash drive disguised as cuff links makes it possible to keep files on hand at any moment. And they are stylish. Finishes include white, gunmetal, silver and gold.

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