Tag Archives: QS

This week in lifelogging: Epson wearable projection system, Codoon clones Jawbone UP and Memoto at QS Amsterdam

Now showing: right in front of your eyes

Epson, most popularly known for its printers and scanners, has now conjured a bigger dream – to build a wearable projection system for entertainment purposes. While this new gadget has faced several criticisms such as its display looking more like someone holding a mobile phone in front of your face, or for being extremely bulky and heavy, we believe that this is only the beginning of something great. A wonderful dream soon to become a reality!

What happens to your quantified self?

While many of us like going through the process of collecting data about ourselves, research has shown that only 46% of those who track some health aspect in their life change their way of life after gathering the data. While no hard and fast rules exist, here are just some suggestions for you to make more sense of the data you have collected.

Brain implants to restore memory

Brain implants might have been a total scare for most people 10 years back, but it seems our confidence in technology has indirectly propagated its development. It is difficult to imagine how current developments include the use of brain implants to restore memory. A thing of the past that we only saw in the movies is now turning into reality. And this would also have significant impact on those with Alzheimer’s disease sometime in future when this new technology has stabilized. We’re excited to see what is to come!

Codoon – the clone of Jawbone Up

Donned with features that are very similar to Jawbone UP, which include tracking how you eat, sleep, move, as well as an accompanying mobile app, Codoon is all ready to penetrate the Chinese market with this clone. Retailing at RMB 299 ($48USD), Codoon has a significant cost advantage over the Jawbone UP, which is retailing at 129.99 Euros ($167USD). Is Codoon going to take the world by storm, starting with the Chinese consumers?

Easy printing of electronic components onto paper

One of the oldest and most widely used processes, printing, originated from China. That is debatable, you might argue, but this time around, we see yet another printing innovation arising out of this country – metal-based ink allowing the printing of electronics on paper. This could possibly complement the current hot favorite, 3D-printing, magically manufacturing new products from the comfort of one’s home. Numerous wearable tech innovations would probably spring up more quickly too. Thumbs up for a great idea?

Memoto at QS Europe Conference

The largest Quantified Self conference in Europe is taking place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 11^th to 12^th May 2013 this year. Check out the program line-up for this year and see you there!

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us on twitter and facebook! PS – Have you pre-ordered your Memoto Lifelogging Camera yet?

This week in lifelogging: Future of wearable tech, Nokia haptic tattoo and lifeloggers movie premiere

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Future of wearable technology

While wearable technology has helped to propagate the interests of lifeloggers, it is evident that this effect is not limited to the avid lifelogging community. Wearable tech has penetrated many aspects of our lives and is seen in every corner of the places we live, work or play. The video above explores the future of wearable technology as “the second skin” in various applications – from fashion all the way to health. Let us know in the comments below what you think is the value of wearable technology!

Nokia haptic tattoo

Haptic technology is a form of tactile feedback, which takes advantage of the sense of touch by applying motions to the user. One of the earliest and most frequently occurring applications of this technology today is the vibration generated by our mobile phones when we receive a call or text message. On a less commercial level, haptic technology is also applied in pilot training exercises and medical simulators. Right now, it seems that Nokia would like to take this technology to its next phase and is proposing the development of a tattoo that vibrates according to commands from one’s mobile phone.

Enhance your sensory input in real-time

Isolating the drumbeats at a rock concert? Hearing someone else’s voice in your head? Forming patterns from the thousands of people who walk past you each day? These seemingly superhuman behavior is now a possibility with Eidos, a multimedia helmet that enhances the senses of sight and hearing. Would you want this experimental gadget to become a reality?

Walk down memory lane: fact or fiction?

Studies have revealed a few interesting things about our memory. For one, the Mediterranean diet is believed to improve the memory of non-diabetics, and people who are born blind have better memory than those with sight. Amongst many others, exercising, eating the right food and socializing seem to top the list when it comes to improving one’s memory. Whether you believe it or not, they seem like pretty decent health tips to us!

Journal your life with Step

If you have not found a mobile app that suits your personal journaling purposes, why not try Step? Step is a new personal smart journal that allows you to track your life moments through easy icon clicks, which subsequently turns the data into infographics that you can use. It is now available in the App Store and will be coming soon on Google Play.

Lifeloggers movie premiere in Stockholm

We are ready to show the documentary, Lifeloggers, to the world! If you’re in Stockholm, join us on May 14th at 18.00 for the premiere. We’d love to see you there! Sign up here: http://memoto.eventbrite.com/

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us on twitter and facebook! PS – Have you pre-ordered your Memoto Lifelogging Camera yet?

This week in lifelogging: Wearable tech revolution, Oakley’s new ski goggles and lifelogging insights

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Revolutionizing our world with wearable tech

The wave of wearable tech gadgets seems to be bringing with it a new unlocking of possibilities – the propagation and development of brainwave technology, which is the ability to control our digital gadgets with our thoughts. One of the advantages of using brainwave technology is the opportunity to open more channels by which stroke patients can communicate. While some might argue that brainwave technology is not developed to the extent of replacing our traditional passwords with thought-based authentication, there exist an expanding base of players in this brainwave technology market. These include Muse by Interaxon, ZenTunes and MindWave. Perhaps technology will require near-zero effort from us in the future.

Oakley’s new ski goggles

Besides tech companies, many fitness equipment giants have also hopped onto this wave of wearable technology. Adding to that list is Mr. Oakley, who has recently offered some kind of Google Glass, carefully tailored for winter sportsmen, to provide jump analytics, altitude, vertical descent data, speed, various other information, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for pairing with your smartphone. Would you like an Oakley Airwave Snow, retailing at $599.95?

Lifelogging and memory

While there are many reasons for lifelogging, the most prominent one would probably manifest in some relation to our memory. In a study done by students from the Dublin City University investigating the reasons for lifelogging, it is said that some of us do it to reminisce, while others want to learn about an unknown early stage or simply to tell and pass down stories. This could stem from the fact that we, as humans, are simply wired to forget certain experiences that we wished we had remembered more vividly about. This week, we delved a little deeper into the reasons for memory lapses and found out that they occur as a necessity for consolidating information and memories in the brain. So, the next time you forget someone’s name, don’t be embarrassed. It’s all part of remembering it in future.

What is it about lifelogging and anonymity?

In an increasingly social world in terms of the number of social media platforms and the amount of time that users spend on them, it is no wonder that the sum of user-generated content is increasing at an exponential rate. Believe it or not, the inherent desire to lifelog has been a driving force behind the exploding amounts of user-generated content. Every one wants evidence of that particular experience that they had. Inevitably, some people begin to wonder if they could ever remain anonymous, especially when photos can now be automatically tagged using face recognition technologies. Watch the video by BBC Future below and let us know what you think!

Watch video here: Lifelogging: What it means for anonymity

Happy Earth Day!

Just this week on April 22nd, Earth Day was observed in hopes of gathering support for environmental issues. Here at Memoto, we would also like to take this chance to share the above time-lapse video of beautiful snippets around the Earth to remember this day. Feel free to share your Earth Day moments in the comments below!

More videos here: Celebrate Earth Day With These 10 Spectacular Time-Lapse Videos

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us on twitter and facebook! PS – Have you pre-ordered your Memoto Lifelogging Camera yet?

This week in lifelogging: Sleeker Google Glass, Lomography Smartphone Film Scanner and Memoto listed as one of the 33 hottest tech companies in Sweden

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Google Glass has a new, sleeker competitor from Japan

Several Japanese firms have collaborated to create this Google Glass twin – the Telepathy One. However, there are several key differences between them. For one, the Telepathy One uses a micro-projection unit instead of a tiny glass display. Telepathy One also places more focus on the ears rather than the eyes, as seen from the entire device being held in place by its in-ear ear buds. Would you purchase the Telepathy One as an alternative to Google Glass?

Smartphone scanner turns old negatives into digital Lomography copies

Got some film negatives buried under some well-archived treasure chest in your basement? Not sure what to do with them? This new Lomography Smartphone Film Scanner will take care of it. Simply turn the device on, insert your film, take a photo of it using your Smartphone and use your phone’s camera or the mobile app to edit and share. Bring the memories back!

Lifelogging – for you and your pet

Designing pet collars for the Memoto camera has been a top request. While not every one is a dog lover out there, we understand the interest. Although there are many reasons, it appears that quantifying one’s pet would provide a voice that its owners would actually understand. Thumbs up for a canine Memoto camera?

Maureen Lipman: If Memory Serves Me Right

In a bid to understand how memory works and if you can do anything to improve it, British actress and writer, Maureen Lipman, created a documentary “If Memory Serves Me Right.” Inspired by her own father who suffered from short-term memory losses, and fears of this happening to herself, Maureen Lipman interviewed memory experts and people who suffered from memory loss. Read more about what inspired her journey of personal and scientific discovery here; and if you live in the UK, you can watch the documentary here.

Memoto listed as 33 hottest tech companies in Sweden

This week Memoto won two awards, one for Nyteknik and Affärsvärldens “Sweden’s 33 hottest technology companies in 2013″ and the other for Veckans Affärers “Sweden’s 24 hottest entrepreneurs”. We wouldn’t have gotten there without your awesome support! A big thank you from the Memoto team.

This Week in Lifelogging: Full Google Glass Explainer Video, LED Shoes that Guide You and The World’s Most Quantified Man

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Full Google Glass Explainer Video

Google developer advocate, Timothy Jordan, speaks about how Google Glass is all about our relationship to technology. He says that Project Glass solves the problem of technology getting into the way of our everyday lives, yet faithfully remains there for us when we want it to.

LED Shoes Guide You To Your Destination

Just a few weeks back, we mentioned that Google released its Google Talking Shoes at SXSW. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for us, these were not for sale. This week, we discovered new shoes. Believe it or not, these shoes guide you to where you want to go. Just connect the shoe via a USB cable to your laptop, plot where you want to go on the map, press “upload to shoe,” click your heels three times and the GPS is activated. The LED lights then lead you to your destination. If only Dorothy had these on the yellow brink road. Would you wear them?

Watch demo here: Dominic Wilcox: There’s No Place Like Home (VIDEO)

LinkMe

Ever wished you could ignore the millions of messages you get each day and view only those that truly matter to you at one glance? Well, now you can. LinkMe connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and when someone sends you a message – via the dedicated LinkMe app – the words pop up on the bracelet. Do you want a LinkMe bracelet?

World’s Most Quantified Man

Meet the world’s most quantified man – Christopher Dancy. Nike+ Fuelband, FitBit, BodyMedia Fit Armband, you name it, he wears it. He measures everything and believes that we are moving from data collection to data empowerment. Dancy is not the only one out there in the Quantified Self movement, here are some interesting thoughts on how Lifelogging can change the way we view and express ourselves.

Fold Your Tablet Into Half

As technology advances, we see new possibilities emerging. Probably even folding your tablet in half? Yes, you heard us right. Corning, “the glass company”, has showcased their latest product, the Willow Glass, that bends like plastic. Maybe the shape of our phones or tablets could be customizable in future; nothing has to be rectangular anymore!

2877 Stills Into A Single Time-Lapse

Watch this amazing time-lapse video made by Jonathan DeNicholas, as he combines 2877 still shots into a single stop motion time-lapse video. Do you have a time-lapse video that you would like to share with us? Sent it our way!

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us on twitter and facebook! PS – Have you pre-ordered your Memoto Lifelogging Camera yet?

This Week in Lifelogging: 35 Future Innovations, Wearable Tech & Its Rumors and Memoto on CNN

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35 Things From the Future

A sneak peek into the future revealed that increasingly, there is a shift towards wearable tech and other innovative applications of current technology. From a 3D-printed arm for a girl with an illness that limited the use of her limbs, to flexible and wearable screens (picture above), we see an innate desire to move towards better quality of the human life. Whether these seemingly impossible tech products eventually take off, it is a classic “only time will tell” scenario.

Wearable Cat Ears That Track Brain Waves

Necomimi, the brainwave cat ears, measures one’s heart rate and electronic impulses from the brain to determine if he/she is relaxed, excited, paying attention, or not. Thereafter, Necomimi will mirror responses from a cat, either wagging its ears back and forth, perk up or lay droopy. Now you can tell if that friend next to you is truly listening to you. Would you purchase a Necomimi?

Tips For Producing Your Own Time-Lapse Videos

Time-lapse videos capture some of the most beautiful moments in life. It is an art in itself and we discovered two ways of creating your own time-lapse videos. First up – The Genie – a Kickstarter project that is now ready for public consumption.

And if The Genie (above) is a little too expensive, here’s another suggestion for creating your own panoramic time-lapse videos using your phone.

Introducing Headflat – The Smartphone “Hands-Free-Solution”

Some call it the cheaper hands-free alternative to Google Glass. True or false, Headflat is probably a good solution for gamers, readers or movie watchers who would like to keep their hands off their smartphones.

Wearable Tech & Its Rumors

In the video above, analysts and professionals were asked why they think now is the right time for wearables. Some argue that people are increasingly bored of their smartphones and need new toys, others mention that it is unlocking data generated by our physical bodies, while still others say that it is a fashion statement. Regardless, we see an increasing number of big companies moving into this sector as well. Just this week, two rumors started floating around the Internet about the “Apple iRing” and “Microsoft Monocles.” Would you like these new gadgets?

Memoto on CNN

Memoto appeared on CNN! Together with Google Glass, Jawbone, Muse and other gadgets, CNN talks about the quantified self movement, wearable tech and lifelogging, altogether appearing in a wide array of applications.

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us on twitter and facebook! PS – Have you pre-ordered your Memoto Lifelogging Camera yet?

This week in Lifelogging: Passion-driven lifelogging, SXSW and Google Glass competitors

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Lifelogging the things you are passionate about!

Every one loves to keep track of something or someone and that is why Lifelogging is gaining so much traction. From traditionally used journals and logbooks to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, every one has their own preferred way of lifelogging. Since these methods differ, Everylog has decided that there should exist a lifelogging tool that enables you to create public or private logs about specific things you’re passionate about. And if this is not enough, Everylog has even turned up the heat to allow you to compare and compete on these logs should you wish to. Well, now you’ll know who is the best runner or the greatest coffee drinker amongst your friends!

Google glass competitors are springing up

Applications closed a few weeks ago for those interested in testing out the intriguing Google Glass and this week we’ve seen some competition show up. What do you think? Do either the GlassUP or the Vuzix M100 appeal to you?

Quantified Self Europe Conference 2013

The fourth Quantified Self Conference has arrived! This time held in Amsterdam from 11-12 May 2013, QS Europe Conference gathers all relevant tech inventors, advanced users and basically anyone who is interested in self-knowledge through self-tracking for a weekend of inspiration and learning. This year, the four major themes of the conference include lifelogging, self-measurement for health, open data, as well as emotion, relationships, and the brain. Register here!

QS quick tip

Mean, Median, and Mode (Quantified Self Quick Tip) from Sacha Chua

SXSW – Memoto Meetup

Memoto is off to Austin, TX for SXSW. If you’re in town this Saturday and would like to meet us, please RSVP for the SXSW Hardware Startup Meetup here: http://www.atxhw.com/events/104155822/

Memoto in the news this week:

Google Glass is “Lifelogging v1″

Memoto Lifelogging Camera Gets Love at SXSW Accelerator

Hardware Startups Invade Austin Tech Conference Known for Apps

This week in Lifelogging: Biohacking, wearable tech and an app that dreams big

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Interested in Biohacking?

dave asprey

Dave Asprey, who appears in the upcoming Lifeloggers documentary, was interviewed by Business Insider about his involvement in the quantified self movement. “Through biohacking, Asprey says he’s learned how to “turn on happy” and turn off stress with just one breath. He’s even increased his IQ by more than by 20 points, but won’t say exactly how much.”

QS and Technology

The article mentions several different variables that are being tracked with ease by the currently available technology: Mood, eating habits, fitness goals, sleep, brainwave activity, life’s moments. “In today’s world, each individual is a mini-corporation gathering data, measuring inputs and outputs, and looking for insights to better lead their life.” What are you tracking about yourself? What do you use to track them?

Future Tech

From wearable sensors to driverless cars, the coming technology looks interesting and is rapidly progressing. “You can bet there will be plenty of inventions in the realm of wearable computing, we’re just hitting the tip of the iceberg now.” What kind of tech have you been waiting to see?

Wearable technology and driving

An interesting thing about this disruptive technology, especially wearables since they are so personal, is the uncertainty and interest in how it will transform current norms. People are already wondering how they will effect everything from activities like driving to socially constructed concepts like privacy. It will be interesting to see what other issues and concerns emerge as more devices are released. One thing we’re sure of is that wearing a Memoto camera while driving will certainly be legal, and maybe even preferable in the eyes of your insurance company:)

An App to help you achieve your dreams

Everest is an app that will help you identify, plan and motivate your way to realizing your dreams. The creators of the app claim it “helps you tackle goals by combining inspiration, organization and social support.” Read more about the app and let us know your opinion. Do you think an app like this would help you reach your big goals? Are you already using something like it? Do you see the Memoto camera complementing an app like this?

Homer Simpson is a lifelogger

A photograph every day – Homer Simpson

Happy Friday!

This week in lifelogging: Tips for analyzing your data, why lifelogging can’t help you remember the milk and using big data for small changes

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Remembering what we need to Remember

Photo: Daniel Horowitz

Technology is helping us with our retrospective memory- meaning the recollection of facts and happenings. “The high tech dream of lifelogging”—capturing everything important to you—is increasingly becoming real.” However, it’s not as helpful for remembering what we need to remember, or what is called prospective memory. The article explores what future technology might help us out.

Self-tracking data crunch

You’ve got all this data, so now what? Sacha Chua shows you how to analyze it!

How to Summarize Data by Month (Quantified Self Toronto Quick Tip #1) from Sacha Chua

Positive Psychology and QS

Positive psychology, a branch of psychology that studies what makes people satisfied with their lives, has gained some ground in recent years. This article suggests that the addition of data individuals have started tracking with the boom in quantified self tools and apps with the current research topics in the discipline could be mutually beneficial. “This marriage between positive psychology and self-experimentation would be quite the symbiotic relationship. Positive psychology could tap into the endless amounts of data these communities provide to learn more about what is important and meaningful to people who are actually active and concerned about self-knowledge and improvement.”

WolframAlpha announces more Facebook Analytics

The super interesting Facebook analysis program from WolframAlpha has released new features! For instance, you can now see how your friends fit together (or don’t) through the new “network role” visualization. Friends are broken down into five different categories: social insiders and outsiders, social neighbors and gateways, and social connectors. Have you tried it out?

We wrote about the WolframAlpha Personal Analytics for Facebook program back in August 2012 it was first released, check it out here!

The Quantified Workplace

PSFK Future of Work Report 2013 from PSFK

What does all this quantification mean for the workplace? A report from PSFK speculates about the use and development of current ideas that are changing the way we work, among them a culture of feedback and quantified workers. “The next steps, says PSFK, are “a system that is constantly collecting and visualizing employee performance,” letting workers constantly rank each other on contributions and skills, generating metrics for worker engagement.” How would you feel about constantly being ranked by your peers? Let us know below!

100plus App – Big Data helping you make individual life improvements

The 100plus App helps you make better choices for a healthier life by using what’s around you. ”The app presents users with a series of health opportunities or “Hopps”, which are tailored specifically to their neighborhood.” The idea is have users create their own that others can then take advantage of. The creator gives the example of healthy meal choices; it’s not just eating something good for you, it’s eating something good for you at a specific restaurant. Would those kind of suggestions inspire better choices in your life? Tell us in the comments!

This week in lifelogging: Big Data, Privacy and New QS tools

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Quantified Self Tools

Amiigo Fitness Bracelet

A new fitness tracking device on the crowd funding site Indiegogo that goes beyond just tracking walking and running. “What makes Amiigo different is an almost unbelievable amount of accuracy. The company claims that Amiigo won’t only distinguish walking, running, biking, or an elliptical; it can discern five different methods of bicep curls.”

MilestonePod

Not sure when you should replace your running shoes? Now there’s a tracking device that will tell when to do it. Currently on Indiegogo as well, the MilestonePod attaches to your laces and it counts the miles your shoes have traveled for you. ”No more cumbersome training logs, no more guessing and no more math. Simple, easy to read digital display shows how many miles your shoes have gone.”

Find out more on MilestondPod’s Indiegogo page

More Quantified Self News

Interview on NPR

Holly Finn, a columnist for the Wall Street Journal, discusses her experience with self-tracking. “And as we’ve all learned, in the last few years, we need to be slightly more careful than perhaps we have been. We get so excited about all – the potential of stuff like this that we need to understand – for instance, insurance companies. I’m sure they’d be particularly interested in how many steps we take, the asthma…or, you know heart rate information, blood glucose levels.” What are your thoughts on QS and the data it creates? Exciting or scary?

Listen here: Self-Tracking: Becoming Your Own Big Brother & Read more: Know Thyself—Via Gadgets and Apps

Big Data and Your Privacy

What is Big Data?

Rick Smolan, the author of “The Human Face of Big Data” talks with Brian Sirgutz of the Huffington Post about Big Data. “When we began this project, I was skeptical of the many claims I heard — like the idea that big data might one day turn out to be more transformative than the Internet.”

Obscurity vs Privacy in the Big Data Debate

(tajai/Flickr)

Should we be thinking about our personal data floating around out there in a different way? It’s there, sometimes even when we don’t know about it or want it to be, so how can we mitigate the risks? ”While many debates over technology and privacy concern obscurity, the term rarely gets used. This is unfortunate, as “privacy” is an over-extended concept. It grabs our attention easily, but is hard to pin down.”

Check out some of our previous posts on privacy here: Privacy and the City & Recording your life and Privacy

Big Data Broken Down

Have a great weekend!