Swallowable pills that contain sensors could be just around the corner. A company called Proteus Biomedical is working with Qualcomm to build both pills and patches that can monitor your vital signs and send them to a mobile device.

The idea is that those with chronic health problems can be kept an eye on - these "smart" pills can tell if you're taking your medication or not, and notify either you or your doctor/nurse. However, the pills and patches can also be used as more of a preventative option - one of the first signs of cardiac arrest is a buildup of body liquid and the sensors embedded inside can detect this.

The sensors contained in the pills and patches can monitor temperature, motion, respiration and your heart rate. The pills have a "wet battery" that's activated when it hits your stomach, and the patch contains an external battery. Both connect wirelessly to an external unit, like a mobile phone, which then uploads your data to a private database on the Web.

The company says that it's seeing interest from healthcare organisations across the world, but that the UK's NHS was yet to bite. Developing countries like China are expected to be the first to try out these new technologies, as they don't have the established infrastructure of more developed nations.

Would you take a "smart pill" that monitors your vitals? Or is that a little too creepy? Tell us in the comments box below.

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Tags: Sports Fitness Health Medical Proteus Qualcomm Wireless

Swallowable e-pill sensors coming soon originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:57:02 +0000

Sometimes rather than ask why, it's best just to ask why not. Case in point is the iDuck.

The iDuck is a wireless two part transmitter/speaker that beams the tunes from your MP3 player to the waterproof duck-styled speaker for some bath-time crooning.

Simply hook up your MP3 player to the "egg shaped" transmitter via the included cable, says retailer CuteBitz.com, select your favourite song and hit the play button. The music will then be wirelessly streamed out of the built-in speaker in the duck.

With a range of around 10 metres, the aquatic gadget requires a total of seven AAA batteries and costs ?27.95.

Related links:

• Shop - CuteBitz

Tags: Audio Speakers iPod speakers Wireless Bathroom gadgets Gadgets CuteBitz

iDuck wireless, waterproof speaker launches originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:54:52 +0000

So, you read about Powermat back in January, you've pored over the specs and pricing details, and you've pinned up a few of our photos of the device on your wall. The only thing left for you to do is buy the damn thing. And shortly you can, should you so desire.

Powermat has announced that its charging device will be available in the UK from 30 October, both in "Home & Office" and "Portable" editions. For those of you who haven't clicked on any of our previous coverage of the technology, the device uses magnetic induction to generate power wirelessly, but only over very short ranges.

Powermat receivers are currently available for the iPhone, iPods, BlackBerry and Nintendo DS Lite and DSi devices. There's also a "Powercube" that comes with additional tips for Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and LG handsets, as well as the Sony PSP and a microUSB socket.

You'll need to buy a mat and then a charging unit - the mat costs ?70 for the Home & Office version, and ?80 for a portable variant that folds up. The Powercube with eight tips costs an additional ?30, as does a backplate for the BlackBerry Bold, Curve and Pearl handsets, and the Nintendo DS and DSi. Apple variants cost ?35 thanks to the additional cost of licensing from Apple.

Is this an awesome bit of tech, or a waste of ?105 when you could just plug a cable in instead? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Tags: Gadgets Chargers Wireless Powermat

Powermat products due 30 October originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:30:11 +0100

GEAR4 has announced it is to launch what it says is the world's first dedicated wireless iPhone charger – the PowerPad.

Rather than conductive charging, the PowerPad uses inductive charging, where power is transmitted through the case to the iPhone battery. This means the iPhone can be placed anywhere on the charge pad to be juiced up.

The charging pad plugs into the mains, while the rubber receiver case - that can also act as a protective cover when out and about - powers the device up wirelessly. GEAR4 claims the same charge time as standard wired chargers.

The PowerPad will be available across Europe from November, the charge pad and case kit will cost ?79.99 or 99.99 euros.

Tags: Phones iPhone accessories GEAR4 Wireless Chargers Gear4 PowerPad Gadgets iPhone

GEAR4 PowerPad wireless iPhone charger announced originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:07:33 +0100

Eye-Fi's wireless memory cards will soon be available in the UK, it's been officially announced.

Due to hit shop shelves on 19 October, Eye-Fi cards allow users to wirelessly upload photos and videos to their computer and the Web when in range of a Wi-Fi network.

Three 4GB Eye-Fi cards will be available in the UK - the Eye-Fi Home Video, the Eye-Fi Share Video and the Eye-Fi Pro.

The Eye-Fi cards can be used in most cameras and devices that take the SD card format. In the States, where the cards debuted in 2007, the range is larger and includes a geo-tagging option.

Priced from ?49.99 to ?119.00 the cards will go on sale at Amazon, Apple, Computer Warehouse and Dabs.

Tags: Cameras Memory cards Eye-Fi Wireless Camera accessories

Eye-Fi wireless memory cards to launch in the UK originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:43:21 +0100

It seems Nokia is looking at new wireless charging technologies as it's been announced the phone manufacturer has joined the Wireless Power Consortium.

Members already include Duracell, Olympus, Philips, Samsung and Sanyo who have signed up to the Consortium's Qi universal standard that will offer "easy, convenient wireless power charging everywhere".

Rival Palm's Pre currently offers a wireless charger - the TouchStone - as does Dell's new Latitude Z notebook.

"Wireless charging technology carries significant potential to enhance consumer experience of battery charging", said Markku Verkama, director of devices R&D at Nokia.

"Consumers expect ease of use and general compatibility of mobile devices. By joining the Wireless Power Consortium, Nokia continues to support the open standards approach that aims to meet these consumer expectations. Wireless Power Consortium is the first serious effort by the leading companies to harmonize the wireless charging technologies".

Tags: Phones Mobile phone industry Nokia Wireless Power Consortium Wireless

Nokia working on wireless charging solutions originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:26:15 +0100