HOME Misfit Wearables founder explains ‘turnaround test’
Sonny Vu, founder of Misfit Wearables, reckons authentication could be the area of functionality that transforms wearable technologies from optional accessories to essential devices that individuals never leave the house without. “I always like to apply the ‘turnaround test’ to wearable products,” explained Vu. “By that I mean would I turnaround and return home to get it if I was halfway to work and realised I had forgotten it?”
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Intel positions itself for wearables boom
Components vendor Intel wants to position itself at the heart of the wearables revolution. Speaking in London earlier this month, Steve Brown, chief futurist at Intel, declared: “Wearable technology is the next big megatrend – the physical world and digital world are coming together and changing the way we live.”
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Ingram Micro goes global with cloud offering
Distribution giant Ingram Micro has announced the expansion of its cloud services business worldwide. Building on its success in North America, the Ingram Micro’s cloud services aggregator will expand to cover 170 countries worldwide. Ingram Micro will attempt to combine local touch with global scale to accelerate the adoption of cloud services. Led by Nimesh Dave, executive VP of global cloud computing, Ingram Micro Cloud will represent the distributor’s cloud services business.
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Google targets wearables with Android Wear
Google has officially announced Android Wear, a project that extends the popular Android operating system to wearables. Google also confirmed that it was already working with hardware vendors including Asus, HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung; chip makers Broadcom, Imagination, Intel, Mediatek and Qualcomm; plus fashion brands like the Fossil Group to bring consumers smart watches powered by Android Wear later this year.
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Energy Sistem to launch smartphones
Spanish technology and consumer electronics brand Energy Sistem has confirmed that it plans to enter the smartphone market with a range of devices starting at €99 (US$135). The announcement comes immediately after Energy Sistem’s successful participation in DISTREE EMEA as a Silver Sponsor of the regional channel event. The new range will launch in the next few months.
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Toshiba is ready to splash out US$35m for the client and enterprise solid state drive (SSD) business of bankrupt NASDAQ-quoted vendor OCZ. Under the terms of the deal, OCZ will continue to serve customers during this process. Toshiba will stump up DIP (debtor-in-possession) financing to ensure that there is adequate capital and flash supply to support the business during the contemplated sale period. The consummation of the asset purchase agreement is subject to an auction and approval by the bankruptcy court in OCZ’s bankruptcy case.
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Gavio signs Mvalor as distributor
Accessories vendor Gavio has expanded its channel reach in the Philippines, signing Mvalor as an in-country distribution partner. Gavio produces an extensive range of accessories from earphones, headphones, speakers, cases and chargers through to protectors for phones and tablet PCs.
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Consumer demand for touch-enabled notebooks grows
Four out of five Asian consumers would prefer to buy a touch-enabled notebook when they make their next purchase, according to the latest market research from IDC. The survey covered consumers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. Despite the overwhelming preference for touch-enabled devices, IDC noted that only 6% of notebooks shipped in the first half of 2013 in these countries featured touch screens.
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Strontium explains Indian channel plans
Singapore-based flash storage and PC memory manufacturer Strontium Technology recently held an Indian channel partner conference. During the event, Strontium focused on changes in the memory sector and explained how the vendor plans to turn market challenges into new opportunities. Strontium is also Gold Sponsor at this week’s DISTREE Asia Pacific (APAC) in Singapore, a three-day channel event that gathers leading technology retailers, e-tailers and distributors from across the region.
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Singapore-based retailer Challenger has announced sales for the first nine months of 2013 up 18% year-on-year at S$291.3m (US$233.64m). Higher sales from Challenger’s Singapore business boosted revenues, offsetting lower revenues from the retailer’s operations in Malaysia. Singapore revenues for the first nine months were up S$48.1m (US$38.6m) year-on-year, a 21% rise. Malaysia sales dropped S$3m (US$2.4m), a 20% year-on-year decline.
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