Jewelbots: Cool tech wearables for teenage girls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr-8tYfIzsU&feature=youtu.be

Jewelbots is a friendship bracelet that encourages teenage girls to learn coding. Via Wired:

Compared to a gleaming Apple Watch or even an entry-level Fitbit, the Jewelbot hardware is primitive: a semi-translucent plastic flower charm that slides onto a hair tie–like elastic bracelet. The functionality is basic, too. The charms talk to each other over Bluetooth, and using a Jewelbots smartphone app, youngsters can program their charms to vibrate or light up when their friends are nearby. But despite their apparent simplicity, Jewelbots exhibit some truly fresh thinking about wearable technology. And with a little imagination, they hint at devices far more interesting than today’s computer watches.

If you’re looking to buy yourself a set, check out their website. Touting itself as the world’s first programmable friendship bracelet, they cost about $59 (pre-order) to $159 for a three pack. From the company:

Using basic if/then statements, kids begin to learn the fundamentals of computer science while engaging with their friends and expressing themselves. They can create friend-groups and decide how their Jewelbot lights up and vibrates when they are together. Once they get a hang of it, they can use the iOS + Android compatible app to write little mods such as have their Jewelbot light up when they get a new Instagram like. The mod possibilities are endless. And of course – Jewelbots’ basic functions can be used without a phone.

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