LAS VEGAS–Brace yourself — a new era of computing is upon us.
?wmode=transparent"We are in the midst of a transformation from world of screens and devices to a world of immersive experiences," Intel Chief Executive Brian Krzanich said Monday evening during his first appearance on stage at the International Consumer Electronics Show.
During his pre-show keynote, Krzanich showed off a number of smart wearable devices with Intel semiconductors, including headphones, a headset that lets you to interact with your phone, and a bowl-shaped wireless device charger. All of the devices will be available this year, he said.
Tech companies are releasing new wearable computing devices left and right, but these gadgets have yet to really take off with consumers. The main problems, according to Krzanich, are that today's wearables don't include all the features people want, they still require users to carry multiple devices, and they aren't really solving any actual problems.
"To fix that, we came up with a simple answer: Make everything smart," Krzanich said.
For instance, he showed off a pair of earbuds specifically designed for runners that have sensors which can monitor your heart rate, eliminating the need for a standalone chest strap sensor. Even better, the smart earbuds receive power from your phone's microphone jack, meaning you won't need a separate charger.
Meanwhile, the smart headset, nicknamed Jarvis, wraps around the back of your ear and pairs with an Android smartphone app, letting you do thing like look up restaurants and get directions without having to pick up your phone.
Finally, no discussion on wearable computing devices would be complete without mention of something that can be worn on the wrist. Krzanich unveiled a smartwatch that doesn't need to be connected to a smartphone, and includes a feature called "geo-fencing," which allows parents and caregivers to monitor the wearer's location. If a child is wearing the device on the way to school and does not arrive on time, for instance, the watch can send a notification to mom and dad with their child's precise location.
Krzanich also said that Intel is partnering with fashion-industry leaders Barneys, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (the CFDA), and global fashion retailer Opening Ceremony to develop new wrist-worn wearable devices.
"As we go through the year, you will see more partnerships as we develop these technologies," Krzanich said.
To encourage even more innovation, Intel announced a "make it wearable" contest seeking the most innovative wearable device designs. The chip maker will be handing out $1.3 million in prizes, including $500,000 for first place. The top 10 contenders will be connected with industry experts to help bring their products to market.
For more, check out PCMag's tour of the Intel booth at CES 2014 in the video below.