Freescale-Enabled Wearables Reference Platform (WaRP) Supports Multiple Applications, Unleashes Design Innovation for New Products

Flexible platform built on a hybrid architecture enables “warp-speed” design for a broad range of fitness, healthcare and infotainment wearables.
To help systems designers more easily navigate the quickly evolving consumer wearables market, Freescale Semiconductor is enabling an open-source, scalable reference platform that gives OEMs the building blocks they need to rapidly develop a wide range of wearable product designs from a common platform.
Unlike other wearable solutions, the new platform is not limited to just one form factor or product category. The highly flexible, system-level design kit supports embedded wireless charging, incorporates processors and sensors within a hybrid architecture for scalability and flexibility, and comes with open-source software. The wearables reference platform (WaRP) is engineered to unleash design creativity for multiple vertical segments such as sports monitors, smart glasses, activity trackers, smart watches and healthcare/medical applications.
Rajeev Kumar, director of worldwide marketing and business development for Freescale’s Microcontrollers business, said:
“Wearables represent one of the ultimate edge node sensors for the Internet of Things, and hold tremendous promise for equipment makers, service providers and consumers alike.”
“This new solution is engineered to dramatically streamline the design and development of exciting new wearables products. It allows designers and OEMs to go from concept to prototype as quickly as the market is changing.”
According to Juniper Research, retail revenue from smart wearable devices will reach $19 billion by 2018, compared with $1.4 billion in 2013. The firm also projects that sales of smart wearable devices will approach 130 million units by 2018, which is 10 times higher than the number estimated to sell in 2013.
WaRP speeds and simplifies development by addressing many of the top technology challenges of the wearables market – connectivity, usability, battery life and miniaturization – thereby freeing developers to focus on creating differentiated features. The platform is built on Freescale’s i.MX 6SoloLite ARM® Cortex®-A9 apps processor as the core processing unit, supports the Android OS, and integrates production-grade silicon, software and hardware. The BOM-optimized hybrid architecture also features Freescale’s Xtrinsic MMA9553 turn-key pedometer, award-winning FXOS8700 electronic compass and ARM Cortex-M0+ Kinetis KL16 microcontroller.
WaRP is a result of collaboration between Freescale, Kynetics and Revolution Robotics. Kynetics provides the expertise for the platform’s software, and Revolution Robotics supplies the solution’s hardware. Freescale, Kynetics and Revolution Robotics worked together to develop a platform that is both scalable and modular for various usage models in the wearables market. This hybrid architecture-based platform enables customers to address different and new verticals as the market evolves, and to scale and customize their designs from both a hardware and software perspective to develop a product, or even an entire portfolio.
Development Support
A nonprofit, community-based organization will provide service and support for the wearables reference platform. The solution’s hardware and software will be open sourced and community-driven. No closed development tools or licensing fees are required when used in conjunction with open source resources. In addition, WaRP will have its own .org community to drive innovation in the market.
Availability
The wearables reference platform kit includes the main board, a daughter card, an LCD display battery and a micro USB cable. Availability is planned for Q2 2014 at www.WaRPboard.org, for $149 (USD) manufacturer’s suggested resale price.
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iFit® Launches iFit® Active Tracking Device

Expands iFit® Fitness Ecosystem To 360 Degree Fitness Experience.
At the 2014 International Consumer Electronic Show (CES), iFit® will introduce its wearable iFit® Active band, at booth #25933 in the Fitness Tech Zone at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall #2.
iFit® is the first ever technology to unify your fitness activities at home, in the club, and outside, all with a single login. With over 15 million miles logged on fitness equipment in 2013, iFit® is continually growing and evolving to create the most interactive workout experience possible.
iFit’s complete approach to fitness has expanded to an entirely new way to work out: with Internet-connected fitness equipment, mobile apps, and now wearable devices.
At the iFit® booth, CES showgoers can ride the ProForm Tour De France bike and walk or run on the ProForm Boston Marathon treadmill to experience iFit® in person, including watching Google Street View™ as the fitness equipment inclines and declines to match the geo-tags in a mapped route.
The iFit® booth has two of the mega-trends that Consumer Electronic Association forecasts for 2014: Wearable health and fitness and the Internet of Things.
The CEA predicts the market for personal health and wellness products to grow 142% by 2018 to $8 billion.
Running, walking and treadmill activity are the top three participation activities in the 2013 Tracking the Fitness Movement, published by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).
Everywhere You Go (#iFitEverywhere @iFit): The new iFit® Active wearable band is the enhanced experience of iFit®, as it goes everywhere with you. The iFit® Active band is the only one to automatically switch settings from awake to asleep, based on customized settings in the iFit® Active app. By personalizing sleep, workout and wake up schedules, the iFit® Active wearable will automatically log all activity and sleep, without manually switching modes.
All your activity, distance, steps, calories burned, and sleep patterns are automatically recorded on your iFit® Active device and synced to the iFit® Active app via Bluetooth® 4.0. Input your caloric intake with the touch of a button or log daily nutrition details through the smartphone app. The iFit® Active app automatically updates to a single user login at iFit.com.
Wear the iFit® Active band as a watch, clip or pod for your pocket. Sizing is as easy to adjust as a watch strap and can be customized with a variety of colors. The default display for the iFit® Active band includes two metrics: time of day and user’s choice of distance, calories and steps.
The iFit® Active tracker retails for $129 and will be available in Spring 2014 and includes the iFit Active app, available on both iOS and Android.
Everywhere Inside: Through iFit’s partnership with Google Maps™, create a route anywhere in the world and internet-connected, iFit-enabled fitness equipment will automatically adjust the incline and decline to the match the geo-tags in the Google Maps. Enjoy watching Street View on iFit-enabled fitness equipment with tablet consoles, or watch Google Street View on your tablet or internet TV.
Pre-mapped routes at iFit® include all 21 stages of the 2012 and 2013 Tour de France and the top marathons including Boston, Chicago, London, New York and more. iFit® also has extensive training programs for running 5K, 10K, Half and Marathon from beginner to advanced.
iFit® provides workouts tailored to your fitness and weight loss goals, created by America’s top trainers, including exclusive training content from Jillian Michaels.
iFit® tracks every workout: speed, incline, decline, distance, workout time, run pace, calories burned, heart rate and watts. Your stats automatically upload to your profile at iFit.com from iFit-enabled machines with built-in Wi-Fi. Workouts history is ready to view anytime, anywhere and workout highlights can be viewed on iFit® Active wearable.
Award-winning iFit® technology is available on a range of fitness equipment: treadmills, incline trainers, stationary bikes and ellipticals. Leading home fitness brands that feature iFit® include: NordicTrack®, ProForm®, HealthRider®, Gold’s Gym®, Reebok® and EPIC®. iFit® Technology is found at clubs with the FreeMotion Fitness® brand.
iFit® is a subscription-based fitness solution. iFit® Premium retails at for $99/year or $9.99/month on iFit.com or at fitness retailers such as Sears, Sports Authority and Modell’s.
Everywhere Outside: GPS-based iFit® apps are the only fitness apps capable of converting your outdoor workouts to iFit® workouts for fitness machines. Run or ride outside, upload to your iFit® account, and then repeat your route on iFit-enabled equipment. You’ll feel every hill or dip, as if you were outside, because iFit® technology will automatically adjust the incline and decline to mimic your route. Watch Google Street View on your console of the same route.
iFit Running and iFit Cycling track distance, time, pace, elevation gain, speed, heart rate and calories, and automatically uploads your route to your iFit.com profile. View workout highlights on the iFit® Active wearable. iFit Running includes cadence meter. iFit Cycling connects to a Bluetooth® Speed Cadence Sensor.
The iFit® mobile apps are free to download on the App Store™ and the Google Play™ store.
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Gemalto New M2M Module Provides LTE Connectivity for Advanced Internet of Things

Gemalto, the world leader in digital security, is expanding its portfolio of Cinterion® Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions to include an M2M-grade LTE wireless module.
The compact Cinterion PLS8 solution is transforming the M2M industry by providing LTE connectivity for advanced “Internet of Things” (IoT) applications including connected car systems, video signage solutions and NFC applications.
Following the successful introduction of the first carrier-certified LTE solution to the automotive market, Gemalto is now expanding LTE connectivity to the industrial sector with its new PLS8 solution. The PLS8 follows the widely adopted format of Cinterion® modules and is ideal for integration in the smallest M2M solutions. This dense footprint allows usage in multiple types of compact high reliability devices, from mHealth pedometers to stealthy home security video monitoring systems, and even new paradigm shifting wearable technologies such as smart clothing and wristband communicating objects. Based on the latest long life LTE chipset from Qualcomm Technologies, the PLS8 delivers industry-leading LTE multiband support for seamless connectivity to the fastest networks worldwide.
Moreover, with a footprint matching existing 2G, 3G and CDMA products, the PLS8 supports design simplicity by enabling one device design for multiple networks as well as easy network migration without expensive hardware revisions. The new and simple to deploy solution enables high bandwidth computing for connected devices and lightning-fast speeds for seamless coverage when roaming across wireless networks worldwide. The particularly low latency of LTE network systems allows M2M applications to provide an unprecedented, ultra-reactive user experience and facilitates entirely new business models where real time responsiveness is required.
“Over the next few years, the industrial sector is expecting to see steady double-digit growth for connected machines,” said Andreas Haegele, head of the Cinterion M2M product portfolio at Gemalto.
“Coupled with the increasing availability of LTE networks globally, this irreversible secular trend is creating new opportunities for Gemalto to expand the machine to machine technology for the Internet of Things market.”
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Arrayent Brings the Internet of Things to Life with New Products

Leading Internet of Things technology provider demonstrates IOT platform for connected products and systems at CES 2014.
Arrayent, a leader in virtualization technology for the Internet of Things, today announced a lineup for new connectivity solutions to be showcased at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show as part of its IOT Platform for Connected Products and Systems.
On the heels of its $11.9 million Series B Funding Round led by DCM Ventures and Intel Capital last month, Arrayent is announcing several new products at this year’s CES that are designed to enable manufacturers of consumer products, retailers and service providers to strengthen their relationships with consumers.
Shane Dyer, founder and CEO of Arrayent said:
“Looking back at 2013, we saw industry leading consumer product manufacturers, retailers and service providers all jockeying to capture share of the growing connected consumer products market.”
“At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show several major brands will be demonstrating in Arrayent’s booth an extensive lineup of new products all powered by Arrayent technology. In addition, we’ll be demonstrating advances to our Connect Platform that will accelerate their time to market.”
Arrayent is taking a unique and differentiated approach to the Internet of Things. Its device-virtualization technology minimizes the hardware and software complexity associated with adding Internet connectivity to consumer products. Device-virtualization places most of the compute power and software in the cloud, rather than in the device itself. By shifting complexity and functionality into the cloud, Arrayent customers reduce the cost of connected devices such as smoke detectors and thermostats while making them more reliable and much easier for consumers to install and use.
Among the highlights this year, Arrayent will be demonstrating a new low cost multi-protocol manufacture-ready design that supports ZigBee HA1.2, Z-Wave and Arrayent’s 900/868MHz protocol. Arrayent will also unveil its Mobile Framework, a new extension to the Arrayent Connect Platform. The framework accelerates mobile application development for partners building compelling, best-in-class user experiences on iOS and Android. Arrayent used the framework to develop a ‘smart home’ mobile application that lets a user remotely monitor and control connected devices such as lights, smart plugs, thermostats and sensors.
New Solutions for Marquee customers
Arrayent’s broad ecosystem of customers, including Whirlpool®, Pentair and Chamberlain, will also be showcasing several new products at this year’s CES, all of which are powered by the Arrayent Cloud Connect Platform and will be demonstrated during the show at the Arrayent booth (# 21124):

Chamberlain/LiftMaster – MyQ Garage is a universal Internet connected garage door opener retrofit kit, supporting any garage door opener brands. The accompanying Chamberlain MyQ Garage smartphone app enables consumers to control and monitor their garage doors from anywhere in the world, at any time. MyQ Garage was recently introduced to the Apple Store and other leading retailer channels.
First Alert – SmartBridge™ Smoke Detector – is at the heart of First Alert’s new DIY home security system. Homeowners can monitor their home at any time, from any place. The system is modular so that consumers can add to their system easily and affordably over time.
Pentair Water – Virtual Water Assistant battery backup sump pump- combines a powerful battery backup sump pump with Internet-connected technology that allows homeowners to monitor and test their backup system from anywhere in the world.
Salus Controls – IT 500 Internet connected thermostat – Launched by leading heating controls specialist, SALUS’ iT500 enables European consumers to control their home heating and hot water from anywhere via their smartphone or PC.
Whirlpool® Smart Appliances with 6th Sense Live™ Technology – allows consumers to know everything is running smoothly at home, including sending alerts on the appliance status and notification of progress during their daily functions (i.e. load complete).

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Etisalat extends M2M offerings

Etisalat, the leading telecom operator in the UAE, today announced new shared fixed data packages for Enterprise and SMB customers from the M2M Control Center launched earlier this year.
The new fixed shared data packages, in addition to available per SIM flexible data packages, enhance the firm’s Machine-to-Machine (M2M) offerings for enterprises planning M2M deployments. The different types of packages will facilitate M2M deployments in automotive, health, metering, energy and smart city sectors, the telecom firm said.
Etisalat’s enterprise and SME customers can now choose a package most suitable for their data needs. This will provide them full control over costs and data usage on their SIMs even as they enjoy real-time visibility into activities of their connected devices across UAE, it said.
The fixed package allows 1GB to 2000GB data usage which can be shared by any number of SIMs. It is optimum for big projects where expansion is on long-term basis and where all SIMs under the plan use a fixed amount of data.
Earlier this year, Etisalat launched the UAE’s first M2M flexible shared data pool packages which offer data allowance ranging from 10MB to 100MB per SIM. They are best suited for small to medium M2M deployments, where minimum amount of data is used per SIM. Under the package, additional SIMs can be added as required when the number of users increases. As a flexible and commercially viable option, this package enables smaller enterprises to keep costs in control.
Abdulla Hashim, senior vice president, ICT, said:
“Pioneering the latest – whether in technology or services – is a business requirement as we progress from being a telecom operator to becoming a complete ICT solutions provider.”
“Based on market study, we found that customers value real-time visibility into devices and their activities and an understanding and diagnosis of wireless connectivity issues.”
“In this age of globalisation, connected device operations must scale along with businesses and need to work anywhere in the world. Hence our solutions were custom-made to suit all these business needs of large enterprise or SMB customers.”
Etisalat’s M2M Control Center, launched in July this year, allows enterprise customers to launch, manage and rapidly scale connected M2M device businesses or M2M deployments. It allows for maximum automation of M2M services, giving enterprises on-demand self-management functionality over their network of connected devices. With a unique, real-time view of how their devices are connected using the Etisalat mobile network, enterprises can analyse and control how M2M devices work in the field and respond immediately to market conditions and customers’ needs, it said.
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