Wearables haven’t exactly taken off like many projected them to do, but with the Apple Watch finally upon us, it looks like we could be on the brink of a wearable tech surge.
Google Glass was a major flop considering the time, effort, and marketing that went into the glasses, but perhaps it was the look, not the idea that has led to its downfall.
For example, I wouldn’t want to be walking around or sitting in class with big, futuristic looking Google Glass on my face but I would wear a more subtle item with the same technology.
Researchers at Germany’s Ulm University have developed a “Belt” device, which not only holds your pants up, but may represent the future of wearables.
Instead of looking like a weirdo and having to touch the side of your face, Belt comes equipped with a grid of metal touch-sensitive studs that the wearer can slide their fingers across to scroll lists, tap to make selections, or perform other specific gestures to navigate their wearable device.
Even if Belt isn’t the future, it represents a step in the right direction for those who want to utilize wearable tech, yet don’t want to be in your face about it with crazy-looking glasses.
