Technology Advances

[Marsbar]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Sony is delving further into the wearable computing market with SmartBand, a waterproof wristband that tracks everything from daily physical activities and nightly sleep patterns to how much you've socialized with friends.

The sensor-packed band has no display and interacts wirelessly with an Android smartphone or tablet through an app called Lifelog. It keeps a daily record of activities and recommends actions for the future.

SmartBand also informs its wearer of incoming calls and messages by vibrating. Users listening to music can use it to play, pause or skip tracks.

The band's core is removable and can be worn in various ways other than with the wristband.

Sony announced SmartBand on Monday and said it would be available this spring, but didn't give pricing. Sony's SmartWatch retails for upward of $70.

[Marsbar]

SAN FRANCISCO - LG Electronics is bringing its smartphone with a curved six-inch screen to the U.S. later this year.

The deals announced Monday with wireless carriers AT&T Inc., Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. will give U.S. consumers their first chance to buy LG's "G Flex." The device is being touted as the first step in the smartphone's evolution from a rectangle that doesn't bend into a device that someday will be able to roll up like a scroll or fold like a wallet.

The G Flex is a long way from reaching that goal. Besides a concave screen, the G Flex's other distinguishing features are a curved battery and a special coating designed to automatically repair minor scratches to the exterior.

LG Electronics began selling the G Flex in South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong late last year.

The precise timing of the G Flex's U.S. release or how much the phone will cost hasn't been disclosed yet. Those details are expected to come in the next few weeks.

The G Flex has been selling for more than $900 in other markets, but major U.S. wireless carriers routinely reduce the upfront cost of smartphones in return for two-year commitments to Internet data plans.

[Sunbeam]

And has a backdoor which opens up right into the NSA and CSEC...