Intel CEO Brian Krzanich showed off wearable computing devices on Monday (7 January) including earbuds that monitor your heart rate and a smart headset as the world’s largest chipmaker tries to get back on track after missing out on smartphones.<\/p>\n
With PC sales falling and smartphone growth tapering off, Intel and other technology companies are betting that movement-sensing bracelets, biometric patches and other wearable electronic devices may catch on with consumers and become major markets.<\/p>\n
The evolving category is a major theme at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, with several companies expected to unveil their own versions of intelligent and connected clothing.<\/p>\n
Intel dominates the PC industry, but it has been slow to adapt its processors for smartphones and tablets, markets now dominated by rivals like Qualcomm and Samsung Electronics.<\/p>\n
The company has struggled in past attempts to expand beyond the PC arena. A years-long project to provide consumer TV services was shelved last year with its technology put up for sale and the company’s mobile processors have barely made a dent in the global smartphone market even after major improvements to them.<\/p>\n
After replacing former CEO Paul Otellini in May, Krzanich, a chip manufacturing and operations guru, created a new division focused on identifying future technology trends and making sure Intel is not caught off-guard again.<\/p>\n
In his keynote presentation at the technology show, Krzanich introduced some of that group’s early results, including sample gadgets that Intel is promoting to consumer device manufacturers.<\/p>\n
“We’re looking at a broad ecosystem of wearables, not just the device or the silicon,” he said.<\/p>\n
The company unveiled a tiny computer built with Intel’s low-power Quark technology and packaged in an SD-card form factor aimed at making it easy for clothing and gadget makers to integrate the platform into wearable products.<\/p>\n
Luxury department store Barneys New York is collaborating with Intel to develop smart bracelets that look like they were created by a fashion designer and not by an engineer.<\/p>\n
At the event, Krzanich also showed off Intel’s take on stereo earbuds for exercise enthusiasts that – as well as playing music – measure the wearer’s heartbeat through their ears.<\/p>\n
While other companies have launched similar pulse-taking audiophones, Intel’s are powered through a microphone jack that connects to the user’s smartphone, instead of a separate power source.<\/p>\n
In addition, integrated software can automatically change the music being played in order to encourage the wearer to speed up or slow down their workout depending on their heart rate.<\/p>\n
Intel also showed off a Bluetooth earpiece and microphone that the chipmaker says improves the responsiveness of personal assistant smartphone software like Apple’s Siri. The gadget features always-on technology that makes it easier to ask questions of the device and also monitors the user’s environment in order to avoid interrupting.<\/p>\n
“The real key here is seamless, no buttons, always listening, but it still has that low-power capability,” Krzanich said.<\/p>\n
Krzanich also showed a smartwatch meant for kids with “geo-fencing” capabilities that alert parents if their children stray from established walking routes to and from home or school or don’t arrive on time.<\/p>\n
For sale: $500 million for Intel TV service<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n