The benefits offered by wearable devices seem limitless, and for many people, the devices are really chic. These wireless gadgets can track the number of steps people take each day; measure their heart rates, the number of calories they ate, or the amount of energy they expended; or access data by using cloud computing. "Wearables"--bracelets, rings, eyeglasses, necklaces, shoe clips, and more--enable individuals to read, text, send e-mails, stay connected via social networks, or access the Internet as they walk. This intriguing volume also explains the devices' cutting-edge medical applications, including as impact indicators for concussion studies.

Unlock the full potential of your home with *Building Smart Devices and Home Automation Systems with Raspberry Pi and IoT*—a comprehensive guide that takes you from novice to smart home expert. This eBook is your gateway to the exciting world of home automation, designed to make your life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Start your journey by understanding the basics of smart home technology, its numerous components, and the undeniable advantages of turning your regular house into a smart one. Get hands-on experience with the versatile Raspberry Pi, learning how to set it up and create introductory projects that lay the groundwork for more complex systems. Dive into the fascinating Internet of Things (IoT), demystifying its role in home automation and getting familiar with key concepts and terminology. Navigate the sometimes overwhelming choice of sensors and actuators, selecting the right tools to build and customize your unique projects. Network setup can be daunting, but our step-by-step guide on configuring your home network ensures a secure and efficient connection for all your smart devices. Take control of your environment with mobile app integration and explore the power of voice control using AI assistants. Transform your lighting with smart, customizable systems, bolster your security with intelligent doorbells and cameras, and optimize your home climate with automated thermostats and air conditioners. Bring your entertainment system into the future with voice-controlled media centers and enhanced audio-visual setups. For those with green thumbs, our section on smart gardening will help you build automated watering systems and monitor plant health. Manage and monitor energy use effectively to create a more sustainable household. Don't stop at the basics—explore advanced projects like creating a personalized smart mirror or integrating wearable devices into your smart home ecosystem. Troubleshooting, maintenance tips, and security measures ensure your smart home remains efficient and safe. Look ahead to future trends in home automation and arm yourself with resources for continued learning. Transform your home today and step into the future with *Building Smart Devices and Home Automation Systems with Raspberry Pi and IoT*!

This book is a guide for makers who want to revolutionize their sewing game. It explores the difference between mechanical, electronic, and digital sewing machines and how these machines work in conjunction with other machines in a Fab Lab. It covers careers available to digital sewing machine operators and about what education and projects can help them gain the necessary skills.

You've probably seen LED-decorated t-shirts and hats, and maybe even other electronic gadgets embedded in clothing, but with Arduino Wearables you can learn to make your own wearable electronic creations. This book is an introduction to wearable computing, prototyping, and smart materials using the Arduino platform. Every chapter takes you all the way from idea to finished project. Even if you have no experience with Arduino, this book will get you set up with all the materials, software, and hardware you need; you'll complete simple projects first, and then build on your growing expertise to make more complex projects. By the end of the book, you'll have learned: Electronics basics How to prototype successfully Arduino programming How to design and build your own wearable Arduino creations Along the way you'll create fun and inspiring wearables, such as: An LED bracelet: learn the basics of wearable electronics A synthesizer tie: accept user input and create output in response A solar-powered glow in the dark bag: create self-sufficient wearables A shape memory flower: store state and manipulate your wearables An EL wire dress: add designer touches to your wearables A beatbox hoodie: use a voice-activated sequencer and skin resistance to create the coolest of urban wearables Arduino Wearables is the complete guide to getting started with Arduino and wearable computing. The 10 inspiring projects to make, learn from, and build upon will equip you for creating your own projects; the only limit is your imagination.

The Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate and do business. It has even affected how people fundraise and seek investors. This introduction to crowdfunding explains how innovative entrepreneurs are using the power of collective groups to drum up interest in and fund their products and services. Readers receive a stimulating and highly practical overview of how different crowdfunding sites work, which site may be best for their project, the kind of work involved in becoming a crowdfunding success, and what they can realistically expect from a crowdfunding experience.

Digital technology is advancing all the time, and how we pay for things is getting high tech, too. Instead of paper money and coins, or even credit and debit cards, this book introduces Bitcoins, a currency made up of bits and bytes. Readers will learn the essentials about Bitcoins, the sometimes-turbulent history of this open source currency, as well as examples of how it is used and when it has the most practical value. This intriguing resource reviews some of Bitcoins' pros and cons and discusses the future of this fascinating financial tool.

Alternative education models are becoming increasingly popular with students who may not be able to afford the high tuitions of traditional brick-and-mortar schools or commit to their rigid schedules. Requiring only an Internet connection and minimal software, Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs, are amongst the most accessible distance learning programs. They often offer free enrollment and a wide range of courses from top schools across the globe to students in even the remotest of areas. This volume evaluates the pros and cons of MOOCs in relation to traditional education and the exciting possibilities they open for students of all ages.