Editing Wearable computer (section)

==Commercialization==
[[File:Zypad.jpg|thumb|Image of the [[ZYPAD]] wrist wearable computer from [[Eurotech (company)|Eurotech]]]]
[[File:Fitbit Charge HR.jpg|thumb|The [[List of Fitbit products#Fitbit Charge|Fitbit Charge]]]]
The commercialization of general-purpose wearable computers, as led by companies such as [[Xybernaut]], [[CDI Corporation|CDI]] and [[ViA, Inc.]] has thus far been met with limited success. Publicly traded Xybernaut tried forging alliances with companies such as [[IBM]] and [[Sony]] in order to make wearable computing widely available, and managed to get their equipment seen on such shows as [[First Person Shooter (The X-Files)|The X-Files]], but in 2005 their stock was delisted and the company filed for [[Chapter 11]] bankruptcy protection amid financial scandal and federal investigation. Xybernaut emerged from bankruptcy protection in January, 2007. ViA, Inc. filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and subsequently ceased operations.

In 1998, [[Seiko]] marketed the [[Ruputer]], a computer in a (fairly large) wristwatch, to mediocre returns. In 2001, IBM developed and publicly displayed two prototypes for a wristwatch computer running [[Linux]]. The last message about them dates to 2004,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-07-10 |title=Watch This Wednesday: the Linux Watch -- Engadget |url=http://gadgets.engadget.com/2004/10/20/watch-this-wednesday-the-linux-watch/ |access-date=2022-02-10 |website=Engadget |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710192625/http://gadgets.engadget.com/2004/10/20/watch-this-wednesday-the-linux-watch/ |archive-date=10 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> saying the device would cost about $250, but it is still under development. In 2002, [[Fossil, Inc.]] announced the [[Fossil Wrist PDA]], which ran the [[Palm OS]]. Its release date was set for summer of 2003, but was delayed several times and was finally made available on 5 January 2005. [[Timex Datalink]] is another example of a practical wearable computer. [[Hitachi]] launched a wearable computer called Poma in 2002. [[Eurotech (company)|Eurotech]] offers the [[ZYPAD]], a wrist-wearable touch screen computer with [[GPS]], [[Wi-Fi]] and [[Bluetooth]] connectivity and which can run a number of custom applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arcom.com/wearable_computer/Zypad/default.htm|title=Eurotech Group: embedded boards, rugged systems for integrated solutions – high performance computing|work=arcom.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307134352/http://www.arcom.com/wearable_computer/Zypad/default.htm|archive-date=7 March 2007}}</ref> In 2013, a wearable computing device on the wrist to control body temperature was developed at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|MIT]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2013/11/05/wristify-thermal-comfort-via-a-wrist-band/ |access-date=2013-11-08 |title=Wristify: Thermal Comfort via a Wrist Band |work=Slice of MIT |date=2013-11-05 |first=Nancy duvergne |last=Smith |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106042015/https://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2013/11/05/wristify-thermal-comfort-via-a-wrist-band/ |archive-date=2013-11-06 }}</ref>

Evidence of weak market acceptance was demonstrated when [[Panasonic]] Computer Solutions Company's product failed. Panasonic has specialized in mobile computing with their [[Toughbook]] line since 1996<ref>{{Cite web|last=Weiss|first=Todd R.|date=2016-09-30|title=Panasonic Toughbooks Hit Their 20-Year Anniversary|url=https://www.eweek.com/mobile/panasonic-toughbooks-mark-their-20-year-anniversary/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=eWEEK|language=en-US}}</ref> and has extensive market research into the field of portable, wearable computing products. In 2002, Panasonic introduced a wearable [[brick computer]] coupled with a handheld or a touchscreen worn on the arm. The "Brick" Computer is the CF-07 Toughbook, dual batteries, screen used same batteries as the base, 800 x 600 resolution, optional GPS and [[Wireless WAN|WWAN]]. Has one M-PCI slot and one PCMCIA slot for expansion. CPU used is a 600&nbsp;MHz Pentium 3 factory under clocked to 300&nbsp;MHz so it can stay cool passively as it has no fan. Micro DIM RAM is upgradeable. The screen can be used wirelessly on other computers. The brick would communicate wirelessly to the screen, and concurrently the brick would communicate wirelessly out to the internet or other networks. The wearable brick was quietly pulled from the market in 2005, while the screen evolved to a [[thin client]] touchscreen used with a handstrap.

Google has announced that it has been working on a [[head-mounted display]]-based wearable "[[augmented reality]]" device called [[Google Glass]]. An early version of the device was available to the US public from April 2013 until January 2015. Despite ending sales of the device through their Explorer Program, Google has stated that they plan to continue developing the technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plus.google.com/u/1/111626127367496192147/posts/aKymsANgWBD |title=Project Glass – Google+ – We think technology should work for you—to be there when… |access-date=2013-02-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://plus.google.com/+GoogleGlass/posts/QLD88fE7qmE |title=Last week we told you we'd be trying out new ways to find Explorers. Well, we… |access-date=2015-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30831128 |title=Google Glass sales halted but firm says kit is not dead |website=[[BBC]] |date=15 January 2015 |access-date=2015-03-29}}</ref>

[[LG]] and [[iriver]] produce earbud wearables measuring heart rate and other biometrics, as well as various activity metrics.<ref>{{cite web |first=Matt |last=Burns |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/06/05/the-lg-lifeband-touch-and-heartrate-earphones-are-the-wonder-twins-of-activity-trackers/ |title=The LG LifeBand Touch And HeartRate Earphones Are The Wonder Twins of Activity Trackers |website=[[TechCrunch]] |date=5 June 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Amanda |last=Kooser |url=http://www.cnet.com/news/fitness-sensor-earphones-gather-health-data-deliver-music/ |title=Fitness sensor earphones gather health data, deliver music |website=[[CNET]] |date=10 January 2013 }}</ref>

Greater response to commercialization has been found in creating devices with designated purposes rather than all-purpose. One example is the WSS1000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.symbol.com/product.php?productID=212|title=WSS1000/1060 Wearable Scanning & Computing System|website=www.symbol.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-23}}</ref> The WSS1000 is a wearable computer designed to make the work of inventory employees easier and more efficient. The device allows workers to scan the [[barcode]] of items and immediately enter the information into the company system. This removed the need for carrying a clipboard, removed error and confusion from hand written notes, and allowed workers the freedom of both hands while working; the system improves accuracy as well as efficiency.<ref name=":0" />