Chipmaker Qualcomm has revealed a new set of products aimed at powering the next generation of wearables and Internet of Things devices, unveiling a new wi-fi solution, software ecosystem and development platform.

New Snapdragon Takes Flight
The Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 1100 processor is aimed at use in the fast-growing targeted-purpose wearables segment, targeting devices like smartwatches for children and the elderly, fitness trackers, smart headsets and wearable accessories. It complements the existing Wear 2100 processor, which is designed for multi-purpose wearables.

The Wear 1100 is designed for smaller wearables with longer battery lives, and comes with low power features including a Power Save Mode, and a next generation modem that supports an always-connected experience. It also features an integrated app processor that can support voice, wi-fi and Bluetooth, Qualcomms iZat location engine for enhanced accuracy, and a cryptographic engine.

To support the Wear 1100, Qualcomm has announced a series of collaborations with designers and manufacturers including Aricent, Borqs, SurfaceInk and Infomark, all of which showcased reference platforms based on its wearable technology. These platforms are designed to accelerate adoption of the new chips, and demonstrate reference implementations that target children and the elderly.

“Borqs has strategically invested in IoT for smart connected wearables with tailored solutions for kids, elderly, enterprise and youth,” said Goerge Thangadurai, senior vice president of international business at Borqs. “We are please that our close collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies as a Snapdragon Wear platform ecosystem provider has resulting in ready-to-commercialise innovative reference designs exploiting the leadership features of Qualcomm Technologies SoCs (systems on a chip).”

As part of the wearables announcement, Qualcomm also hosted a number of manufacturers who launched connected kids watches which made use of the Wear 1100. Anda Technologies unveiled a smartwatch for the Latin America region that was based on the Borqs reference design, inWatch revealed two watch designs aimed at the Chinese market, one for boys and one for girls, and WeBandz demonstrated a smart tracking modular device based on the SurfaceInk design which can be customised for the elderly, children or even pets.

Accelerating the Smart Home
Qualcomm also announced a new product for its flagship connectivity solutions line, the QCA4012. The chip brings dual band wi-fi, enhanced security and low power modes to connected devices, all in a tiny form factor and at a competitive price. To support the new chip, Qualcomm is expanding its software ecosystem to support Apples HomeKit, Google Weave and AllJoyn, as well as a number of new cloud providers.

The chip complements Qualcomms existing IoT products with dual-band connectivity, making it well-suited for applications in interference-sensitive environments, while also offering increased computing performance, memory and advanced features while minimising size, cot and power consumption.

The QCA4012 integrates low-power wi-fi and a fully featured micro-control unit in a single-chip solution, combining flexibility and development capabilities with a comprehensive set of interfaces and enhanced security.

The support for a number of ecosystems aims to achieve interoperability between products in the home, making them easier and more secure to use and enabling consumers to build more comprehensive, interdependent networks of smart home devices.

Qualcomm has also been involved in providing developers with technical tools to develop new IoT solutions and accelerate commercialisation of the technology. Cloud service providers including Exosite, Ayla and IOTA Labs have built solutions involving Qualcomms technology, while Silex and other manufacturers are working on hardware platforms integrating the new chip.