Intel Launches MICA Wearable Device

Intel+Launches+MICA+Wearable+Device

Courtesy of Intel

Famous microprocessor company Intel launched its first wrist wearable device, the MICA, at a media event on Monday.

The MICA, which is short for “My Intelligent Companion Accessory,” is a wristband device that features a 1.6 inch LED screen and is stained with an 18k gold coating. The device offers two days of battery life and uses microUSB as its charging and information transfer interface.

Unlike other wearables, the MICA does not need a smartphone to operate. Because it is completely independent from smartphones, MICA has a unique phone number, separate from that of a smartphone. Intel has targeted this device towards women.

According to Intel’s website, “My Intelligent Communications Accessory (MICA), a collaboration between Opening Ceremony and Intel, celebrates what can happen when beauty meets intelligence. [It is m]eticulously designed for the stylish, connected woman and crafted from premium finishes.”

The MICA comes in many different options and finishes, including a black water snake skin variation with pearls from China and lapis stones from Madagascar, or a white water snake skin with tiger’s eye from South Africa and obsidian from Russia.

Apart from an emphasis on notifications based on text messages, email, Facebook messages, and Google contacts, the MICA also has integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which allows for location based notifications through Yelp.

Some students think the device can be useful for notifications and other common features normally accessed on a smartphone.

Other wearable devices in the industry include fitness trackers, such as Jawbone’s Up and FitBit’s Flex, which are specifically designed to monitor users’ exercise levels and diets. Another device, the Nod, is a “smart ring” that allows users to control their laptops and smartphones remotely.

Many students appreciate the novel concepts and capabilities wearable devices bring.

“I think wearable devices are really cool for very niche items like tracking vitals while exercising,” Zabin Bashar (12) said. “ Otherwise, it seems to make more sense just to pull out a smartphone.”