You may have heard of BearTek before. It launched its first-generation Smart Gloves a while back as a way to control your smartphone with built-in sensors. Last Friday night, the guys behind BearTek made an appearance on Shark Tank and launched version 2.0 on Indiegogo. We won’t spoil the episode for you, but we’ll just say Mr. Wonderful had his doubts.
So what does the second generation add? In addition to the original model’s support for iPhone/Android, BearTek has introduced compatibility with GoPro plus “user-defined touchpoints” and a new developer kit. Full details below.
The first generation model offered a medium for controlling playback of your media while enjoying outdoor activities. By simply touching two fingers together, users could skip tracks, control volume and play/pause. Now, instead of depending on Bluetooth for connectivity, Beartek has introduced a Wi-Fi module to the mix which opens a whole new world of compatible products.
Beartek’s second generation model has many of the same features as its predecessor. There are still the same touch-based activation points on the gloves to manipulate and control your device. Each finger has two sensors, which carry out user-defined actions when activated. The free iOS and Android app can be used to assign and manage settings to individual specifications.
The addition of Wi-Fi to the second generation is where things get interesting. While Beartek’s gloves have always been a natural fit for outdoor sports, the inclusion of GoPro support makes it a no-brainer for action camera fans. Users will be able to switch over to the Wi-Fi module within the app and pair the gloves just like a standard GoPro Remote. From there, you’ll be able to activate recording and change shooting modes as needed.
Additional improvements include haptic feedback for incoming calls and a new developer kit. The potential for app-connected uses is particularly intriguing going forward. Battery life is expected to hold steady at around 80 hours, like the first generation model.
If you’re interested, you’ll want to get in on the Indiegogo pricing. Currently, a pledge of $99 will deliver a pair in November when the expected retail price is set to jump to $225.
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