We’ve all seen athletes point to the heavens, get down on a knee, and profess their faith after a big score or athletic feat. What if those athletes had specialized wearables that afforded them some time for a quick prayer amidst the constant energy and hubbub of a sporting event?
Acer is looking to provide that brief religious respite with chargeable prayer beads designed for Buddhists that will count mantras for them, according to a report Thursday from Gadgets and Wearables. With over 500 million Buddhists across the world, the report said, it would appear Acer is tapping into a large customer base (although the Leap Beads, as they’re called, are currently sold only to Buddhist religious organizations in Taiwan).
Tech-wise, the beads contain a chip that counts full rotations of the beads as one mantra, allowing the user to focus more on the prayers themselves. The number of mantras is displayed on a smartphone app, the report said, and social-media inclined Buddhists could then share their numbers and prayers with friends. A lotus flower on the front bead lights up to indicate the Leap Beads are being charged. Like traditional wearables, the beads can also track steps, distance and sleep.
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SportTechie Takeaway:
Acer’s Leap Beads are an interesting addition to the wearables market. Given their dual functionality, they could create an opening for other similar devices that allow people—and athletes specifically—to more easily add faith into their daily routines, even during gameplay. Tracking athlete wearable data in professional sports remains a contentious but promising area of growth, as exemplified by a thorough panel discussion at SportTechie’s State Of The Industry event last month. While wearables are typically limited on the field of play—the NBA recently discussed the future role of wearables in basketball—perhaps athletes would be more inclined to wear them if they feature a religious twist, something that is inconspicuous and keeps them connected to their faith, while also tracking biometrics like heart rate and sleep patterns.