31/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 31, 2025 theSunday Special XII Gadgets that whisper to your body BY SIMON VELLA

WHPSHUDWXUH R̆ HULQJ D OD\HU RI UHDVVXU ance that previous generations didn’t have. Even spiritual practices are evolving through wearables. Digital prayer coun ters, designed to assist with meditative or devotional recitations, are now worn on WKH ZULVW OLNH ¿WQHVV EDQGV 7KHVH GLVFUHHW devices vibrate gently after each count, allowing users to stay focused without reaching for their phones. This blending of technology with tradition shows that wearables are not only adapting to global wellness trends but also resonating with local spiritual habits and cultural rituals. Ultimately, wearables aren’t just about chasing data. They’re about expanding the conversation around health – physical, mental and even cultural. They raise valid questions: Are we outsourcing self awareness to our gadgets? Or are we simply upgrading our senses with tools that speak our language? Either way, one thing is clear – our bodies are talking. The question is, do we like what they’re saying? IF you think smartwatches and rings are cutting-edge, just wait. The next generation of wearables won’t just be worn – it’ll be woven, stuck on, or even printed directly onto your skin. Researchers are now developing ultra-thin e-skin sensors, smart tattoos and breathable adhesive patches that can track everything from hydration levels to hormone fluctuations. Some at tach to your arm like a plaster, analysing sweat biomarkers such as electrolytes or glucose. Others are being embedded into everyday fabrics to monitor posture or heart rate – all without the wearer noticing. This shift toward “invisible wearables” signals a new phase in personal tech – one that’s ambient, unobtrusive and deeply tailored to the user. No screens. No buttons. Just data, passively col lected in the background. Startups like Xsensio (Switzerland), MC10 (US) and Myontec (Finland) are pioneering this. Singapore’s IMDA and Korean universities are investing in wearables, but mainstream pilot adop tion is still limited to elite sports and research contexts. While some of these tools are still in clinical or testing phases, their rollout is accelerating. In Malaysia, such innovations may soon find uses in elder care, diabetes management, or even factory safety – quietly monitoring vital signs without interrupting daily life. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about making technology feel more human – subtle, responsive and almost forgettable. If today’s wearables are companions, the next generation will be a second skin. The next skin – where wearables are headingare heading

Your outfit might know more about your health than your doctor does.”

O NCE , all a wristwatch had to do was tell the time. Now it measures your heart rate, tracks your REM sleep, re minds you to drink water and occasionally shames you for not standing up enough. Welcome to the era of wear ables – where your body becomes a data VWUHDP DQG \RXU RXW¿W PLJKW NQRZ PRUH about your health than your doctor does. Wearable tech isn’t new, but it’s getting … bolder. What began with step counters and fitness bands has evolved into an ecosystem of biometric clothing, emotion monitoring headbands, AI-enhanced smart rings and even digital posture correctors. In Malaysia, the trend is slowly gaining ground, not just with athletes or biohackers, but regular folks who want a glimpse of their body’s dashboard. Smartwatches remain the gateway drug, especially in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. But smaller devices are stealing the spotlight. Take smart rings like the Oura – sleek, minimal ist and packed with sensors that track heart rate variability, sleep quality and even temperature shifts. Some Malaysians now wear them not just for health, but to optimise productivity or detect early signs of illness. Then there are posture wearables. These tiny devices sit between your shoul der blades and buzz gently when you slouch. Some sync with an app to show your back’s alignment over time. For everyday people into biometric explorers From smart rings to neural headbands, wearable tech is turning

desk-bound professionals in Malaysia’s WFH and hybrid setups, it’s a physical reminder to sit up straight – or else. Other devices target mental clarity. Muse headbands and similar neurofeed back gadgets claim to monitor your brainwaves during meditation, helping you “train” your focus. The idea? Make mindfulness measurable. The good, the bad, the slightly obsessive Let’s be honest. It can get a little intense. The promise of data-driven living is allur

ing, but also overwhelming. Some users report anxiety when sleep trackers deliver bad news. Others obsess over metrics, trying to hack their bodies into perfection. Then there’s the style question. While smart rings and watches have grown sleeker, not all wearables are fashion friendly. A bulky chest strap under your baju kurung ? Not ideal. Malaysia’s hot, humid weather also complicates the wear ability of certain devices designed for cooler climates. Still, many find balance. They use wearables as gentle nudges, not tyrants. A nudge to hydrate. A nudge to move. A silent companion on the path to better habits. So, what are we wearing? We’re wearing curiosity about our bodies, our habits, our hidden patterns. Wearables offer a new kind of self awareness – not through journaling or therapy, but through metrics. For some, it’s empowering. For others, it raises questions about privacy, accuracy and whether all this self-tracking makes us happier or just more self-critical. More than metrics Increasingly, wearables aren’t just about the individual – they’re shaping how families, communities and even cultures relate to health. Smart baby monitors with vitals tracking and sleep mapping are becoming must-haves for tech-savvy parents in urban Malaysia. These devices don’t just alert parents when a baby cries – they track breathing rhythms and room

Smart rings are growing in popularity for their sleek design and sleep insights.