This year has seen an explosion in wearable technology. The trend for smart glasses, watches and various sensors and biofeedback devices is only set to grow. With the rise of wearables, there is a growing concern about personal data and privacy. In this news roundup I’ve included pieces that touch on these issues.

Google Glass Is Dead; Long Live Smart Glasses

There are strong opinions for and against Google Glass. According to this piece, the future doesn’t look too bright for Google Glass. However, the technology isn’t going away. Nor is the concept, which is to develop a solution that allows the user to ‘ingest digital information at a glance.’ The article includes several examples of new and emerging technology that could shape the next generation of Smart Glasses. For example, ‘tiny thermoelectric generators that use body heat to produce electricity.’ Click here to read the full piece on the MIT Technology Review website. The full article links to several startups working in the Smart Glass space.

This Guy Tracks Everything About Himself And Puts It Up Online For Everyone To See

Would you be interested in a personal website that is powered entirely by data generated by you? This article featured an interview with software developer and designer Anand Sharma who has been tracking everything about himself since March 2014. A lot of this information is shared online for the world to see. Sharma says this allows him to feel motivated and accountable. Later this year, he plans to launch a service called Gyroscope for the public to follow in his footsteps. Click here to read the fill interview on TechCrunch. The article includes lists of data sets shared by Sharma and interesting screenshots.

This $99 wearable wristband uses speed-reading technology to help digest notifications faster

Uno Noteband is the latest entrant to the wrist-tracking segment of the wearables market. But it comes with a twist, it uses Sprtiz to display notifications as a series of single words in rapid succession. The goal is to optimise information processing and eliminate the need of ‘physically moving your eyes’ to read. The device is supposed to have a significantly longer batter life. It functions as a fitness tracker and is also geared up for gamers who can see notifications from Xbox Live, Playstation Network and Steam. Click here to read the full article on GeekWire. The article includes a couple of videos explaining how Sprtiz and Uno work.

Are Consumers Really Interested In Wearing Tech On Their Sleeves?

According to Nielsen, seventy percent of consumers are already aware of ‘wearables’, and about one in six of them currently use wearable tech. In the Connected Life Report, Nielsen asked consumers about the kind of gadgets they would wear. The report offers a range of insights. For example, men and women are equally likely to don wearable tech. And among wearable tech owners, fitness bands are the most popular devices, followed by smart watches and mobile health devices. Click here for more stats.

As always, if you would like to add to the list, please leave a comment, drop me an email at contact [at] digitalidentities [dot] info or tweet me @gopaldass.