There's a lot of excitement in the wearable tech industry currently but, at first glance, it seems there is little in the way of practicality. To be fair, it's possible that the slew of smartwatches being unveiled could end up being as integral to everyday life as the smartphone has become, while Google (News - Alert) Glass seems to have new functions introduced everyday — such as the ability to save lives.
But it's hard to argue that these solutions are all pricey and perhaps even intimidating to the average user. Fortunately, there are also useful, straightforward wearable tech solutions being developed, such as the NFC Ring.
The NFC Ring is currently seeking funding via Kickstarter — and has already more than doubled its funding goal with a month to go — and has received a lot of attention for its simple premise: a ring with an embedded NFC chip. With the NFC Ring, users would be able to unlock their smartphone quickly and easily, or even their front door if they have an NFC lock kit installed.
Image via Kickstarter
This premise touches on a number of key points of excitement. Aside from being cool — it seems like every Star Wars fan has dreamed of opening a door with the wave of a hand — and convenient — the NFC Ring Kickstarter page emphasises that the device needs no updates or charging — the NFC Ring is relevant in more ways than one.
Industry experts at the NFC Solutions Summit in May agreed that simple NFC applications that simplify activities would be the killer app needed for the technology to really take off. The NFC Ring checks this box, while earning extra points for being wearable tech.
The NFC Ring itself is about as simple as it gets as it's made of RFID protection, an inlay cover and two NFC inlays wrapped around a ring made of titanium and steel. Its accompanying smartphone app, however, allows it to perform actions beyond mere smartphone unlocking if the user so wishes.
For all things wearable tech, check out the Wearable Tech Expo, which concludes on July 25, 2013 at the Kimmel Center in New York City.
Edited by Ryan Sartor
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