I think wearable computing will take off...
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2014 (Score:5, Insightful)
If the compiled knowledge of our time is available as an accessory, I would wear it if it only came in purple boots.
Re: (Score:3)
They're talking about the infamous computer in a pack, eyepiece display, voice control, with optional wrist keyboard. No one would ever ... well ...
I'm fairly sure Google Glass won't take off, just like the previous wearable displays haven't. There have been may attempts [wikipedia.org].
Most people want to have the opportunity to hand off their device for whatever reason, even if it's "hey, look at these pictures of my cats." The "wearable" simply doesn't allow for that. sure, you can "wear" your cell phone in a holst
Re: (Score:2)
Most people want to have the opportunity to hand off their device for whatever reason, even if it's "hey, look at these pictures of my cats."
In ten years, this will sound as absurd as the predictions in 1950's that we would communicate in the future by having robots deliver us letters from each other. When the number of wearable computer users reach a critical mass and the technology is sufficiently advanced, there's absolutely no need to hand over a mobile device - content can be transferred to another device nearby so easily that the process will seem almost telepathic.
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But how the heck would they enforce copyright with that kind of capability! Anything that makes sharing easier will be offset in an equal and opposite way by additional hoops to make sure copyrighted material cannot be shared in the same way.
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See, there are problems with that. Sometimes you just want someone to see it, but not keep it.
An example was a coworker. He started dating this devastatingly beautiful woman. He wanted to share his amazing luck with everyone, but didn't want to hand out spank bank material. So he showed people his phone.
Some of us also don't want our devices polluted with every picture someone wants to share.
And there's always the security concerns of accepting random files from other devices. I know mine is secure.
Fitbit and Pebble already do this (Score:2)
The Fitbit [fitbit.com] is a wearable computer already. Lots of people wear it. Cheaper models don't have a display, but the more expensive ones do, telling you the time and your steps for the day. The Pebble Smartwatch [getpebble.com] is another wearable computer available today. Pebbles have similar interfaces to 6th gen iPod Nano [google.com] (which should also count...).
Of course, there's also the Intel Edison [slashdot.org], which is a full pentium-class computer crammed into the size of an SD card (and that's just as a proof of concept!), so the next
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I have been wearing Casio Data Bank (DB) [currently 150 model] calculator watches since my teen(ager) days! :D However, Casio doesn't make these DB types anymore. I don't own or use mobile phones. I want something tiny like a light and thin watch to wear and not have to hold (have disabilities).
However, all the smartwatches are expensive, thick, heavy, and requires mobile phones. :( The (six/6th) iPod Nano would have been perfect with a wrist band, but it doesn't have a scheduler, calculator, etc. I wished
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Neither Pebble, Fitbit, nor the iPod require a phone. You can also buy a 6th gen Nano [amazon.com] plus wrist strap [amazon.com] for $130 or so, which is $30 cheaper than your Casio DBC150 [amazon.com] (though this doesn't necessarily provide the apps you want).
I'd be surprised if smartwatches don't go down in price, thickness, and weight in each following generation. We're probably 3 or so years from a fully functional smartwatch the size of your Casio, though I'd imagine it would still run around $250 until it hits a higher tier of mass pr
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Um, Pebble's web site said iPhone and Android. Also, https://getpebble.com/retail [getpebble.com] says phone services which I do not want.
Fitbit seems to be for exercising stuff. I don't exercise so it is useless. I do have a (6/six)th generation iPod nano, but it doesn't have the stuff I want. I just want a calendar scheduler, calculator, phone book, etc. Simple stuff. :(
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Um, Pebble's web site said iPhone and Android. Also, https://getpebble.com/retail [getpebble.com] says phone services which I do not want.
Hm, I was under the impression the Pebble was stand-alone but could benefit from connections to your smartphone.
Oh, and it's just the new "Steel" Pebble (announced a few days ago) that's $250. The standard one is $150.
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Nope. :( I did leave a suggestion to them for having an offline stand alone model, but I doubt they will make one. :(
Wear it?!? (Score:5, Funny)
Peasant! I'll pay someone to wear the technology for me.
"Look where I'm looking through the Glass, you incompetent lackey!"
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"Look where I'm looking through the Glass, you incompetent lackey!"
Ah, for want of mod points... thanks for the chuckle, a very funny comment. I think you've pretty accurately portrayed the entitlement attitude of the glass folks.
er... (Score:5, Insightful)
I still wear one (Casio Data Bank (DB) 150) today! (Score:2)
I have been wearing these calculator watches since my teen(ager) days! :D However, Casio doesn't make these DB types anymore. I don't own or use mobile phones. I want something tiny like a light and thin watch to wear and not have to hold (have disabilities). However, all the smartwatches are expensive, thick, heavy, and requires mobile phones. :(
The (six/6th) iPod Nano would have been perfect with a wrist band, but it doesn't have a scheduler, calculator, etc. I wished there were third party firmwares for
Re:I still wear one (Casio Data Bank (DB) 150) tod (Score:4, Insightful)
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I noticed Amazon's prices are crazy high for these DB 150 and 300 models. Ugh! Where did you get yours from and how much? I got two because from local Costco stores because they were harder to find! :(
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I wish I had a good source; I've had my current one for several years now. I think I must have bought it shortly before they discontinued that line.
There's a no-name clone of the DBC-150 selling for about $10 on Amazon. I bought one out of curiosity, and it's not too terrible. The scheduler is pretty much the same, and you can store longer text strings than the Casio allows, but it's missing world time, and doesn't have a proper countdown timer. Also, the light is almost useless. The raised buttons actually
Re: (Score:2)
Hmm, is that DigiTech 50 Memory Data Bank Calculator Smart Watch? If so, then it seems like people hate it? I rarely use the world time, timers, stop watches, etc. Light is rare because my very old one's broke so I lived without it. Haha. Did you stop wearing this clone one?
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You should wear yours more then. ;)
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Calculator watches are so '80's.
Thats funny .. I distinctly remember them in the '70's
Now git off my simulated lawn
Dang thee ... (Score:2)
Now I've got 'Yellow Rose of Texas' repeating in my head!
(Obscure reference to digital watches of the late 70s all playing one tune because they all used the same chip.)
Bling! (Score:2)
People will buy it for the bling effect . . . even it they don't need it.
Just make it shiny, half-way affordable . . . and it will sell.
"Look at how much money I have . . . I can afford to buy this! . . . Even if I have no clue what it actually does . . ."
Re: Bling! (Score:2)
And here I thought you were bringing Microsoft into the discussion!
There'll be a killer app. (Score:5, Funny)
Not just face recognition to remember people's names for you, it'll be something networky so it can go viral. Or something that increases safety so parents get it for their kids.
Re:There'll be a killer app. (Score:5, Insightful)
I know this will get me hated but face recognition is THE killer app for me. Combine that with a database / CRM and I am utterly sold.
I must have the worst memory for names of anyone I have ever met. I can remember your phone number but your name escapes me. And it's not that I have forgotten you, I can remember everything else, just not your god damned name. So if you could give me a contact lens that floated your name above your head. Oh yes please.
Of course the next step would be to have it link back to a CRM which I could refer to in real time. Has it really been 3 years since I last saw you? No I saw you at that kids birthday party 6 months ago. Oh yeah, that's right!
Taking it out of personal and moving it into professional, I attend conferences with 1000s of people. Being able to pick someone out of a crowd would be so useful. In that instance it would be incredibly useful to link back to a company database.
Finally you are out somewhere with others. You split up and agree to meet again somewhere else. Massive sea of people, where the hell are they. Oh they are the one with the big red arrow bouncing up and down above their head!
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I know this will get me hated but face recognition is THE killer app for me.
The problem is that for every benign application of facial recognition, pretty much all of which are marginally useful at best, there are a dozen VERY useful, VERY harmful applications.
Re:There'll be a killer app. (Score:5, Funny)
Hi there *pause* Bob! How are the *pause* wife and 404 not found?
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So if you could give me a contact lens that floated your name above your head.
Along with guild and stats?
Errr, what did you mean by "killer app"?
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I think "incognito mode" would also be like extortion, you don't want to be on my database well pay me loads of money.
I don't think you could legally charge for it, like those revenge porn web sites (http://blogs.findlaw.com/technologist/2013/12/revenge-porn-website-creator-faces-31-criminal-charges.html) one of those charges is extortion.
Re:There'll be a killer app. (Score:5, Funny)
People like you are going to force me to wear masks in public.
I'm cool with that, so why wait?
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The other thing is that people faces are already picked up and run through recognition software when ever you go somewhere high density. How do you think casino banned list systems work? How do you think law enforcement can track an individual's movement via the gazillion cctv cameras. The data quantity is way too massive to do manually so it is done via computer. Humans only come in when the computers fail and then the man hours are huge (think Boston Bombing)
Walk down a high street in a city. Your fa
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Seeing and recording are two different things. If you don't understand the difference, you're a moron. Actually, given all the cameras and phones and shit, I think I'm going to have to start wearing a mask anyway...
Diary / Calendar entry:
Meeting at 1300 today with Anon Coward.
Look at that, its recorded. If its in my phones calendar its even a digital recording of it. Better really get your mask on... But wait, wouldn't I still know it was you if I talked to you?
Define "wearable" (Score:5, Insightful)
When I think of wearable, I think of devices imbedded in clothing. Smart watches and smart glasses are just devices held in a slightly different manner.
For truly wearable computing, the devices needs to be survive in all the same conditions that clothing does and be comfortable enough to wear without a thought. Those are pretty hard problems. Not many devices today would still be functional after going through the washer and the dryer and are much too bulky and/or heavy to wear all the time.
Re:Define "wearable" (Score:4, Insightful)
Jewellery is not clothing, and it's considered wearable.
As to the original question of it becoming popular, I think that it'll come down to inexpensive, practical devices that interface wirelessly with the cell phone in the pocket. The wristwatch or bracelet that notifies of calendar events, or provides navigation feedback, or provides more phone call control than the single button on most headsets, that sort of thing, so one doesn't have to pull the phone out of the pocket for some basic, simple stuff. Right now wearable wrist phone accessories are too complex and too expensive, once that changes then they may well take off.
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So you've defined what wearable isn't, but it's still not clear what it is. Why doesn't the cell phone in your pocket count as "wearing"? Why do you need some secondary device attached to you in some other fashion before it becomes wearable?
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I bet if you asked people to classify a smart watch, Google Glass and most other self-contained devices between accessory, portable/mobile computing and wearable computing, most would pick portable/mobile instead of bothering with the fact that the device being attached to the body technically makes it worn. You could technically wear a 10" tablet if you strapped it to your forearm too.
If we use the definition where wearable computing is any computer and extensions thereof that can be strapped on or inserte
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When I think of wearable, I think of devices imbedded in clothing.
Well, yeah, it would also need to 'survive' a changing of clothes. Geeks are already not renown for their wardrobe and that's certainly not going to be an incentive to change often if you only own one high-tech T-shirt...
It took off in 2000 (Score:2)
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But, none of them count. "Pocketable" is NOT "wearable."
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Old school Casio Data Bank (DB) watches? (Score:2)
Do they count as one even though they are very old and primitive? I have been wearing them since my teen(ager) days! :D However, Casio doesn't make these DB types anymore. I don't own or use mobile phones. I want something tiny like a light and thin watch to wear and not have to hold (have disabilities). However, all the smartwatches are expensive, thick, heavy, and requires mobile phones. :( The (six/6th) iPod Nano would have been perfect with a wrist band, but it doesn't have a scheduler, calculator, etc.
Bah! (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Lol. I think you have your splits round the wrong way. There will only be a subset of the population that doesn't blindly trust the toys that are handed to them. Yes there will be people who won't use something because they are paranoid about having their short and curlys roasted. But most either won't know enough to care or if they do know enough will take measures to protect themselves.
After all you posted on Slashdot, despite knowing it means that people can build a profile on you based of it.
Besides... (Score:5, Insightful)
More Likely Answer (Score:2)
Not wearable, but integrated. (Score:2)
It will be a fundamental change in the human experience.
1980s (Score:2)
I had a calculator watch back in 1983. Doesn't that count?
Here's my bold prediction: Nobody other than hardcore nerds will ever really want to wear any device other than a watch (if anyone will still wear those) or a bluetooth headset. As the years go by we will carry even more powerful and versatile devices in our pockets than we do today. Google Glass and its ilk will never be more than a novelty item.
Re: (Score:2)
Personally, I think I would much prefer wearing something like Google Glass than a smart watch once all the UI and ergonomic hiccups are smoothed out.
"never" (Score:2)
I chose "never" even though I am 100% sure that people will always want their tools and devices to be more usable in more situations...
I wanted this poll to make sense, I really genuinely tried to pick a year based on intelligent criteria...but alas.
I'm a (self described) cyberneticist. I'm ABD in Systems Science. I absolutely love all of this stuff, but 'wearable tech' is such a reductive concept for tech-minded people to use in conceptualizing what digital devices to deploy where and what functions they s
aw horseshit (Score:2)
bullshit...one look at the news, or a chat w/ your non-techie friend who uses facebook proves differently.
privacy invasion is a *major* topic right now
also bullshit...it's lazy and stupid to think this way...only because people like you, AC, are willing to bend over and take facebook/google up your ass and not demand better
Where's the "it took off ages ago" option? (Score:2)
They're called smartphones. Even my dad has a smartphone. I carry mine everywhere I go. It's got high speed communication, high resolution graphics, runs tons of applications, takes picture, takes video, sends said pictures and videos to social media sites, keeps my calendar with reminders and alarms, etc.
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I agree - as soon as you were able to put a phone in your pocket that could do more than taking calls and sending messages you had a wearable computer.
So we are already there. Now go figure out the next big thing instead.
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Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees, but: when are we all going to buy an unnecessary large amount of smart phones, sown into the fabric of our clothes?
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My son's have a hoodies with a pocket you can place a smart phone or mp3 player with a headset sown through it and I didn't buy them for them they picked those out on their own.
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Have it now (Score:2)
Garmin Forerunner 310XT GPS Sports Watch [amzn.com]
It has a processor, inputs and a display. It might not do Facebook or be general purpose but it's a computer and its wearable.
Why no option (Score:2)
They already did. (Score:2)
We didn't visit him much.
I think wearable computing will take off... (Score:2)
Another oddly narrow range of answers (Score:2)
Missing option: April 4, 2015, at 5:37pm.
1990s (Score:2)
Pockets (Score:2)
Never mind wearable tech, in the UK, mens trousers (pants to the US audience), are getting ever smaller pockets, and now same happening to coats too (or vanishing pockets). Guys put their stuff in their pockets, we don't want to look like idiots like ex-footballer David Beckham with bags trying to look as if men should have them to carry their stuff like women.
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Obviously you have never heard of Fjallraven G2000 cloth. Then the US Marine Core uses cloth in their uniforms that is designed by a company residing in Almelo, the Netherlands. So in terms of cloth that can withstand fire, wear and tear, wind and rain, we have some of the most techy gear on the planet in Europe.
Then when it comes to regular clothing, I find that the US and Canada have an absolute horrid industry. Clothes are baggy, ill fitting and generally just look like bags rather than shirts or trouser
Flicker Cladding! (Score:2)
Props to Rudy Rucker...
Even More Distraction = Dangerous (Score:2)
Implants? (Score:2)
I wonder if implants could be considered wearable. I think wearable tech will become popular right about the same time a market opens up for elective implants.
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I wonder if implants could be considered wearable. I think wearable tech will become popular right about the same time a market opens up for elective implants.
I think you're onto something! We should merge computers with breast implants! Think of the possibilities.
Implanted wetware (Score:2)
When the "wearable tech" becomes implanted "wetware". I'm thinking direct neural interface with computing / memory augmentation: Being able to interface a computer system at a _far_ higher level than "think hard about a purple sky and have a blinky light turn on".
- Being able to directly access synthetic memory or networked data.
- Enhancing logic / mathematical processing / thinking.
- Using synthetic elements to replace / enhance senses (vision / hearing loss / enhancement)
- Using synthetic element to enhan
I'm reminded of an old joke... (Score:4, Funny)
This poll reminds me of a hilarious scatological joke I heard years ago. I found a version of it here [jokelibrary.net]:
Bill Gates, Andy Grove, and Jerry Sanders (Heads of MicroSoft, Intel, and AMD, Advanced Micro Devices) were in a high-powered business meeting. During the serious, tense discussion, a beeping noise suddenly is emitted from where Bill is sitting.
Bill says, "Oh, that's my beeper. Gentlemen, excuse me, I need to take this call." Bill lifts his wristwatch to his ear and begins talking into the end of his tie. After completing this call, he notices the others are staring at him. Bill explains, "Oh, this is my new personal communication system. I have an earpiece built into my watch and a microphone sewn into the end of my tie. That way I can take a call anywhere."
The others nod, and the meeting continues.
Five minutes later, the discussion is again interrupted when Andy starts beeping. He states, "Excuse me gentlemen, this must be an important call." Andy taps his earlobe and begins talking into thin air. When he completes his call, he notices the others staring at him and explains, "I also have a personal communication system. My earpiece is actually implanted in my earlobe, and the microphone is actually embedded in this fake tooth."
The others nod, and the meeting continues.
Five minutes later, the discussion is again interrupted when Jerry emits a thunderous fart. He looks up at the others staring at him and says, "Somebody get me a piece of paper... I'm receiving a fax!"
Nudists (Score:3)
According to this poll 16% of nerds are nudists. This is why we don't go to nudists camps.
Already happened... (Score:2)
Next step is working out the controllers for glasses etc. See if it gets done before implants with direct brain connections are workable...
I think wearable computing will take off... (Score:2)
drunkenly at the foot of a single bed with someone who wasn't someone else's first choice.
Don't think wearable (Score:2)
Military and police. That's it. (Score:2)
I could see this becoming big for militaries and police, but that's it. They're already talking about making cops wear cameras in Canada. They'd also want it for facial recognition, which means a computer could tell them who is wanted, or if a person has ties that makes them shady.
I think consumer versions won't take off for all the above reasons. Once people realize the other uses for these devices and what that means, I think they'll avoid them (especially since the early adopters probably need to be geek
Re: (Score:2)
Plus it requires us to leave our houses and physically talk to people.
Depends (Score:2)
Where you draw the line on wearables? A smartphone in your pocket, belt or with a strap on your arm is wearable? fitbit? a smartwatch?
For me the line on wearable is more related to the interface to the user, like google glass, hear what you speak, see what you see, shows information right into your eyes, no action needed. But for seamless wearable computing in that sense still will take some time to get there. Liked the idea of SixthSense [pranavmistry.com] some years ago, but never come to light. Google glass, iOptik [rt.com], Innov [ieee.org]
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It will only be popular among nerds (and possible hipsters if Apple makes products). Never the general population.
I don't think so. Just look at how many people you see walking around with a Bluetooth headset int their ear when they aren't even using it.
For them, fashion and avoiding looking smart is more important than the practical advantages of wearable tech.
Well they do look pretty damn stupid walking around the grocery store on a Sunday morning wearing a headset they aren't using. Not sure about the fashionable thing though. I'm posting on /. after all.
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People still wear those? Haven't seen one in years.
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I also haven't seen one in ages. They seemed to have vanished around 2007/2008.
Are you a time traveler, perhaps?
Re:First! (Score:5, Funny)
I also haven't seen one in ages. They seemed to have vanished around 2007/2008.
Are you a time traveler, perhaps?
Yes, but I seem to be stuck going in one direction and at a pretty constant pace.
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But I think I have started to see them more often again. More states are mandating handsfree devices while driving and the bluetooth technology is imporving in both UI, quality, and battery life.
My guess is 2018 for the wearable computing. Google Glass is the WinXP tablet computer (flip-around laptop-ta
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Re:First! (Score:5, Insightful)
Bad news guys, the revolution already happened. I can't leave the house w/o my iphone and my Bluetooth. If that doesn't count then where do you draw the line?
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Actually, no. The primary use for hands-free tools is a) in public and b) at the workplace.
Some professions have been using wearable computing for close to 10 years. Aircraft engineers in some companies, for example, have been having HUDs with blueprints and simple control software to control the display for pretty much ever since it became technically possible.
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What are the practical advantages?
As far as I can tell, there are none.
Hell, I'm dropping quite a pile of cash on laser surgery so I can get rid of my glasses..
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Don't we already have this? It's called a smart phone, and I wear it all the time.
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Personally, I am still waiting for the year Linux will take off...
oh, wait...
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With a name like DickBreath, I am somehow not surprised that you are serious about repelling women, and attracting male geeks. :) :)
So happy someone has finally found a use for Google Glass.
Re:First! (Score:4, Funny)
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Just an observation.
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One of the best practical advantages of Google Glass is that it simultaneously repels females and attracts male geeks. Don't laugh, I'm serious.
So what about female geeks? Do the repelling and attraction forces of Google Glass cancel each other out causing them to remain neutral?
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I thought my old LCD watch was one of this already.
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Why would you think that wearing electronics would make someone look smart? Do you really think dumb kids in the future are not going to find a way to wear electronics and still look dumb?
I'm sure many people throughout history thought that "your are pants falling down" could never be a fashion.
Try to imagine the dumbest, most annoying way you could possibly wear your electronics. Try to imagine the electronic equivalent of a backwards or sideways ball cap or sagging pants, and that's exactly what they wi
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There Apple goes again, coming into our garden of Eden, tempting us with IT.
On a related note, they are going to need a bigger tablet if they expect me to replace my fig leaf.
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Seriously. If it had any sense of style it would be accepted by the non-techcentric crowd a lot more easily.
So, I am guessing you're really anticipating the iWatch?