Foxconn has announced a new smart wristband that can measure vital signs like respiration and heartbeat, and also check phone calls and Facebook posts, according to a report from the Want China Times.

Terry Gou, the head of Hon Hai Precision Industry -- the name of Foxconn's parent company -- said the company's research groups are looking to add fingerprint identification to the product as well. The device can make suggestions to the wearer on ways to improve their health if vital signs are out of the optimal range.

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Hon Hai chairman Terry Gou said his company's wireless communications and medical research groups also plan to add new features such as fingerprint identification to the gadget in the future, to help record personal health data.

"With such a device, you can keep your phone in your pocket and simply check all kinds of messages on your watch," Gou told shareholders.

Wearable computers are a quickly developing market, with devices like the Nike FuelBand -- which Tim Cook wears -- and the Fitbit Flex wristband making inroads with consumers, while prototype devices like Google Glass have captured the attention of tech-savvy types.

Apple is actively developing wearable devices, including a smart watch with a curved glass screen. It's been reported that Apple has a team of 100 working on its smart watch project, and that the device's development has moved beyond the experimental phase.

Top Rated Comments

flash84x Avatar
157 months ago
Do they use this to make sure their factory workers are alive?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solomani Avatar
157 months ago

But it has no screen - how can it be a watch?

Maybe it's not a watch. It's a "listen".
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Red Oak Avatar
157 months ago
Foxconn now believes it must be a consumer brand, and develop its own hardware and software. This is quickly going to become another Samsung situation for Apple.

I love how Foxconn thinks it can just hire 3,000 software developers and overnight becoming a player in software. Same goes with Samsung. Apple has a true competitive advantage in software.

As if "we'll spend whatever it takes" is how you get there
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
3282868 Avatar
157 months ago
Other features not announced:

- GPS tracking of workers
- Health alert STATS on each worker for quick assembly line replacement
- Tracking worker hours
- Tracking employee stat's
- Electroshock if employee is behind their hourly assembly quota
- "Invisible Fence" partnership for added geo-fencing employees
- Tracking distance to ground level for each employee based on station
- Passbook support for docking meals from pay

*Neck collar coming soon
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
157 months ago
All the Foxconn jokes while ignoring that we're all dependent on them. It's not just Apple using them. Most consumer electronics coming out of China use them. HTC, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, Dell, Sony, and most everyone else us Foxconn. Thats why it was funny when Apple was the only one getting crap for using them as everyone else does too.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
numlock Avatar
157 months ago
Foxconn now believes it must be a consumer brand, and develop its own hardware and software. This is quickly going to become another Samsung situation for Apple.

I love how Foxconn thinks it can just hire 3,000 software developers and overnight becoming a player in software. Same goes with Samsung. Apple has a true competitive advantage in software.

As if "we'll spend whatever it takes" is how you get there

maybe they should go into the ad business, maps business, online radio etc etc
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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