The Razer Nabu is a wearable “smartband” being released later this year featuring the ability to pair your social networking and smartphone apps to your wrist.
Unveiled at this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Nabu was able to wow attendees significantly more soundly than your average smartband. While offering standards like the ability to keep track of steps taken and calories burnt (useful for joggers), the Nabu also aims to take things one step further by offering band-to-band communication (find other Nabu users), social networking and smartphone integration, as well as app support. The company is relying on mobile app developers to create new apps that will take advantage of the device’s unique design. To achieve this Razer allowed interested developers to apply for a Nabu (at a discounted $49); and in the first 24 hours more than 10 000 had signed up for consideration.
Razer will be sending the device and its SDK (software development kit) to approved applicants in the coming weeks, and interested parties can still sign up at the Nabu developers page.
“The overwhelming demand we’ve received from the development community to work on applications for the Nabu more than validates our decision to make wearables a long-term focus for our business,” said Min-Liang Tan, Razer CEO, co-founder and creative director.The Nabu is built on an open platform and will be able to synchronize with both iOS and Android devices. The band features two screens; a public 32x32 pixel OLED display on the outside and a 128x32 pixel OLED “private” screen on the inside of your wrist.
The small outer display will light up with an alert icon when you receive a call, email, instant message, Twitter reply, etc. (depending on what apps you pair with the device). After the outer display lights up users can turn their wrist to view information about the alert on their private display. The Nabu will also be able to support gestures, meaning users can wave their hands or snap their fingers to dismiss calls or retweet something without your phone ever having to leave your pocket. Contact information can also be transferred between Nabu users with a high-five or related gesture (similar to Bump).
The device will also apparently be able to go seven days between charges, and is splashproof, meaning it can tag along in the rain or in the shower.
The Razer Nabu definitely looks like it’ll make a splash in the emerging wearables market, the question of course is whether app developers can find ways to utilize the concept. Razer plans to launch the Nabu worldwide between Q1 and Q2 this year with a retail price under $100.
