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Consumer Electronics Daily News Friday, January 6, 2017 8 WEARABLES – THE RIGHT FIT FOR A GROWING MARKET By David Inns, Chief Executive Officer, GreatCall Discussion of the wearables market – fit- ness trackers, smart watches and other connected devices – usually centers around 20 to 40-year-olds looking to count steps and boost fitness levels. As the market grows, so does the risk of missing a critical opportunity to reach an even faster growing, higher risk demo- graphic: adults over 65. The 76 million Baby Boomers have begun to hit 65 and continue to main- tain their independence, likely using technology to do so. While more vul- nerable to chronic diseases like dia- betes, arthritis or obesity, many will want to avoid healthcare costs by mon- itoring their own health. How? Wearables are one solution. Comfort with technology among this demographic has grown, but designing products specifically to meet the needs of those 65 and older is critical to adoption. This is something GreatCall has focused on in developing its Lively Wearable. Understanding the Value Wearables collect incredibly valuable data about heart rate, sleep patterns, calo- ries burned, unusual drops in activity and more, and often report data visually, allowing users to track their activity progress in a clear and simple way. This progress reflection is huge for people moving toward a healthier lifestyle. As important is the ability to transmit this data to healthcare providers, enabling earlier interventions when a health condi- tion escalates. Meeting the Needs of Older Adults What differentiates the view of wearables from seniors and 20-somethings is both their understanding of this potential for improving overall health, and concern about usability. Considering what is important to this group – staying inde- pendent, healthy and safe – a wearable must incorporate several elements to be useful. It needs to provide clear infor- mation on gathering and reporting data; simple, with step-by-step instructions; easy to access, even for those with low vision or dexterity issues; unobtrusive, and comfortable; and imme- diate, providing up-to-the-minute report- ing. Motivation is another factor to con- sider. It's likely that after a few weeks of use, engagement lacks and a wearable device becomes easy to ignore. Wearables designed for seniors should provide motivational challenges for daily activity, and connectivity with family members. The Impact of Data and Analytics Fitness tracking and emergency services only touch the surface of what can make a difference for this market. Real impact on healthcare outcomes will be achieved through the addi- tion of predictive analytics and bio-sensing wearables, such as digital blood pressure monitors and glucose and cho- lesterol sensors, providing real time data to users and health- care providers – identifying health issues earlier (before an incident occurs) and cutting hospital readmis- sions. Data may reflect early predictors of disease severity in chronic conditions with symptoms such as activity limita- tion and functional impairments. Wearables can also be a helpful tool in managing chronic diseases by providing insight into progression and impact over time. Moving forward, it is critical that we understand the benefits and create technologies that enable this growing market to stay healthier and independ- ent longer. For more information, go to www.great call.com or stop by booth #43418. LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY OFFERS PROFESSIONAL WEATHER STATION La Crosse Technology's newest Professional Weather Station allows you to monitor your home and backyard weather conditions using one vibrant, easy-to-read LCD display. New to this model is the enhanced WiFi connectable option that enables your station to trans- mit its data wirelessly to the world's largest personal weather station network, Weather Underground. Experience the convenience of having your personal weather information with you on the go, without any wires or confusing software. With its easy setup, this station is the first of its kind that can literally be set up and ready to use within minutes. The station's wireless multi-sensor transmits wind and rain data over 330 feet, and includes a convenient self-emp- tying rain gauge along with a solar panel to extend its battery life. Pairing all this with its integrated mounting options make this sensor a necessary tool for any weather enthusiast. The separate thermo-hygro sensor allows for appropriate placement and more accurate temperature and humidity readings. This sensor includes an easy access battery compartment and LCD display that toggles between outdoor temperature and humidity. The weather station's col- orful LCD display now includes four different forest scenes that change based on the season (spring, summer, fall and winter). When connected to your home WiFi network, the station will automatically be synced to dis- play the internet time and date information. Some additional features include: animat- ed forecast icons; daily high and low out- door temperature and humidity; current indoor and outdoor tempera- ture and humidity; independent alerts for both indoor and out- door temperature and humidi- ty; current wind speed, top wind speed for the past hour; independent alerts for top wind speed; wind direction; feels like temperature; rainfall total, which can be displayed for the past hour, 24 hours, seven days, one month or one year; independent alert for 24-hour rainfall; and an adjustable backlight with high, low and off settings. To learn more about this product, visit La Crosse Technology at booth #35939 in South Hall 4. POWERMAX PROVIDES UNPARALLELED QUALITY, SERVICE Powermax provides efficient and con- venient products offering superior per- formance and safety to keep your work- force optimized and connected when other products don't do the job. Powermax products meet the most demanding needs of today's consumers and are ISO 9002 and ISO 14000 certi- fied, ensuring the highest quality and consistency. The Powerpacks are designed to quickly and safely supply power to your smart phone, tablet or other mobile device, all in a compact and light-weight design. The Powermax Lithium Jump Starter is another product designed for convenience and productivity, starting up to an eight-cylinder, five-liter engine vehicle up to 20 times on a single charge. Its portable design takes up min- imal space, while offering strong amp output and a vari- ety of safety features, includ- ing overcharge and overheat protection. The LCD smart screen keeps you updated and the USB, 12V and 19V out- lets keep all your devices at full power. All Powermax products utilize lead- ing-edge technologies in both design and function, manufac- tured at a state-of-the-art facto- ry. Powermax produces new and innovative products to support the growing power needs of today's mobile consumer, pro- viding unparalleled quality and service to the marketplace. For more information, go to www.powermaxusa.com, call 888.832.3557, email support@power maxusa.com or stop by booth #9125. SENNHEISER PRESENTS 'THE FUTURE OF AUDIO' WITH AMBEO Sennheiser's vision is to Shape the Future of Audio, and AMBEO is the audio specialist's new immersive audio technology which promises to deliver the ultimate experience in audio capture, mixing, processing and reproduction. The innovative 3D immersive audio technology program, which is on display at this year's CES, offers a unique spatial sound experience. Released late last year, the company's virtual-reality microphone was the first official AMBEO product and is set to have a considerable impact on the future of virtual-reality content. A New Frontier in Audio "3D audio is the new frontier of excel- lence, set to transform the listening expe- rience for users across a broad range of applications, from virtual reality gaming to audio recording and broadcasting," said Co-Chief Executive Officers Daniel Sennheiser and Dr. Andreas Sennheiser. "We have been active in this area for some time with 9.1 mix- ing and recording and the audio design for high- profile exhibitions. We are now increasing our efforts considerably to introduce this amazing sound quality into new products and applications, enabling users to experience and shape the future of audio." "3D audio gives a completely new experience to the listener," added com- poser, producer and musician Simon Franglen. "Listeners have an opportunity to really hear the detail and the arrange- ment that the musicians, arrangers and producers put into the recordings. Even as a professional, I have lis- tened to tracks that I have thought I knew intimately to discover so much more than the stereo or mono mix was able to give me. Once you hear this, music changes forever." Visitors to Sennheiser's CES booth have the opportunity to experience immersive audio, further closing the gap between audio playback and reality, as Sennheiser takes yet another step into the future of audio. For more information, visit www.sennheiser.com. Learn more at booth #20606.