The Cicret Bracelet will turn your arm into the display and interface

As wearable technology continues to evolve and define the space, as well as redefine mobile in general, we get to enjoy the hatching of new ideas. It really is quite remarkable, as seeing a completely new set of ideas form and become an entirely new, tangible product does not happen that often.

2014 could arguably be called the “dawn of the wearable.” It was not the launch by any means, but this was the year we started to see more than just a few companies exert real effort to cater this product to the consumer.

In addition to that, we have seen dozens of smaller crowd-sourced ideas over the past year, and we have also seen how successful, and versatile the various ideas of wearables can be. Aside from Google Glass, whose display creates the impression of a large image a few feet away, most wearable ideas so far have been connected wrist wear.

Android Wear, Samsung’s Tizen powered brood, Pebble, and soon the Apple Watch, all make a play on the enduring wristwatch. While these new devices are not meant to necessarily replace the smartphone, as the first generation of users, we will find ourselves with the longest wish list for features or functionality.

Physically speaking though, one of the challenges is the size of the display. While we have watched smartphones balloon in size over the past couple years, it is fair to say that we may not want to demand such an evolution on our wrist. Who really wants to strap a 5-inch display to his or her arm?

Turns out you may not have to. Cicret (pronounced “secret”), based in Paris, France, is designing a bracelet that will be equipped with a picoprojector and an array of proximity sensors. The projector emits an image on your forearm, and as you interact with the image, the proximity sensors determine the gesture action or execution command.

The design and technology behind the Cicret Bracelet is still in development. In lieu of a crowdfunding campaign which would most certainly find a number of delays, the company is flat-out seeking donations from the world at large to help them fund not only the bracelet, but to also expand availability of the company’s secure messaging app, CICRET (beta available in Google Play, linked below).

If they reach a goal of €300,000 ($373,600; £237,500), Cicret will be able to develop its secure messaging application across all platforms. Raising €700,000 ($872,000; £554,000) will give the company the backing it needs to continue prototype development of the Cicret Bracelet. A donation earns a spot on the company’s Wall of Fame, and gratitude.

If the Cicret Bracelet can make it to production, expect a retail cost somewhere in the €380 ($475; £300) range. The currently projected specifications are the normal cast of characters, accelerometer, memory card, micro USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LED, 16GB or 32GB, 10 colors options, and possibly a SIM card so the Cicret Bracelet can operate as a standalone mobile device.

A working prototype is said to be unveiled in just a few short weeks, and that Cicret says that its bracelet will pick-up where Google Glass left off. The final design is expected to support Android and iOS.


sources: Cicret and CICRET APP (Google Play) via The Daily Mail