Canadian tech-firm Recon Instruments has become Intel’s latest acquisition, suggesting the chip-maker’s commitment to “iconic wearables” is more than just lip service.
Recon Instruments is known for its sports-focused eyewear, with headsets designed for runners, bikers and alpine skiers. The former offer a built-in screen to display directions and running statistics, as well as notifications and a camera.
If that sounds too similar to the ill-fated Google Glass, then that’s because it is. The difference, however, is that Recon has found a profitable niche. While Google stopped producing Glass prototypes in January, Recon continues to sell its Snow and Jet products in the UK for around £500.
Recon will continue to sell its products under the original branding, but the team responsible for the products will join Intel’s New Devices Group to work on “smart device platforms for a broader set of customers and market segments,” explains a post on the Intel site.
Recon co-founder and CEO Dan Eisenhardt showed his support for the acquisition in an enthusiastic blog post. “As part of Intel, we’ll have the resources to continue the mission we began with the creation of Recon in 2008, but with a level of efficacy and speed that’s beyond the reach of a pioneer in a new market.”
Intel has been pushing hard on wearable technology of late, introducing the Curie Module, which can power wearables the size of a button, and the MICA smart bracelet, designed to make electronic wristwear more visually appealing.
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