GlobalData: These advances will make the metaverse a success

Analysts from GlobalData have revealed the advances they believe will power the metaverse and drive adoption.

“Latency is a key hindrance to the metaverse adoption. Several companies are trying to address this issue from various angles as per their technical or business acumen,” said Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Disruptive Tech at GlobalData.

“Potential solutions could be in terms of network protocols, software applications, or hardware such as chips and AR and VR...

29 April 2022 | 5G

Berg Insight: The number of remotely-monitored patients hit 45.6M in 2020

Research from Berg Insight suggests the number of remotely-monitored patients hit 45.6 million in 2020.

The IoT market research giant analysed the growing number of patients enrolled in mHealth care programs where connected devices were used as part of the regimen.

Adoption is currently being driven by sleep therapy, diabetes monitoring, and implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices.

ResMed and Philips are the two brands dominating the sleep therapy...

20 December 2021 | Applications

Oculus Quest Pro leaks as Facebook’s metaverse plans begin taking shape

A leak showing the alleged Oculus Quest Pro has emerged as Facebook begins its transition into a metaverse company.

The metaverse is essentially a next-generation version of the web in which users share a persistent 3D world using technologies like VR and 5G. Naturally, it poses a long-term threat to social networks as they exist today.

In June, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told his employees that the social giant’s current divisions – focusing on communities,...

25 October 2021 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Royal Caribbean bringing IoT wearables to its cruises

Cruise Ship

Cruise company Royal Caribbean is launching a purpose-built connected wearable to provide a range of functions for its passengers.

Being developed by Vancouver-based IoT platform company TraceSafe, the bracelet will provide Covid-19 contact tracing, serve as a room key, a wireless payment method, a locations analytics tool, and a communications device.

The bracelet will be deployed across Royal Caribbean’s 24-ship fleet, which includes four of the world’s largest...

8 October 2021 | Applications

IDC predicts a return to chip supply normality by mid-2022

A research note from IDC suggests the ongoing chip shortage will normalise by the middle of next year.

Semiconductors are in short supply primarily due to pandemic-related supply chain issues, trade sanctions, and strong demand.

IoT devices continue to proliferate rapidly, connected vehicles are increasingly desirable, 5G-capable smartphones are in-demand, and stock of those newfangled games consoles are flying out before they even reach shelves. Combined with the global...

20 September 2021 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Google’s acquisition of Fitbit finally crosses the finish line

Google has completed its acquisition of Fitbit after assuring regulators the company will protect user data.

The $2.1 billion acquisition was first announced in November 2019 but caught the attention of regulators around the world amid increasing scrutiny of “big tech” companies like Google.

In a letter announcing the completion of the acquisition, Fitbit founder James Park wrote:

“The trust of our users will continue to be paramount, and we will maintain...

14 January 2021 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

The EU is set to approve Google’s acquisition of Fitbit this week

While most eyes are on the close-to-collapse Brexit negotiations, another notable European decision is finally expected this week.

Google’s proposed $2.1 billion takeover of Fitbit naturally caught the attention of the European Union—which continues to tighten its screws on “big tech” over privacy concerns.

According to Bloomberg’s sources, the EU will grant conditional approval for Google’s historic takeover this week.

We don’t know what...

7 December 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Bluetooth SIG wants to turn wearables into COVID-19 exposure detectors

The group behind the Bluetooth standard wants to add COVID-19 exposure detection to wearable devices.

In an announcement today, the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) said that it is working with over 130 member companies to add the potentially lifesaving feature to wearables.

Google and Apple have already developed a cross-platform, Bluetooth-based COVID-19 detection system for smartphones. The proposal by the Bluetooth SIG would extend that system to wearables (say...

18 August 2020 | Applications

Oppo could miss the opportunity to launch the first interesting WearOS smartwatch in years

WearOS may need to wait a bit longer for the spark it needs, with Oppo’s upcoming smartwatch appearing to miss a big opportunity..

Oppo has announced that it will debut a WearOS smartwatch on July 31st. The new watch could’ve been the first to market packing the Snapdragon Wear 4100.

Qualcomm’s Wear 4100 is the first true upgrade for a WearOS chip since the Wear 2100 launched in 2016 (a Wear 3100 was released in 2018, but it featured the same main processor and...

24 July 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables

Google promises the EU that it won’t use Fitbit data for ads

Google is attempting to avoid an EU antitrust probe by promising that it won’t use Fitbit data for advertising purposes.

The web giant announced its intention to purchase Fitbit for $2.1 billion back in November 2019, but it’s caught the attention of regulators.

EU regulators are concerned that Google will use Fitbit data to further boost its advertising business. A decision is due to be made on July 20th whether to launch a full probe into Google’s...

14 July 2020 | Consumer IoT & Wearables