Intel Strengthens Its Wearable Offerings With The Acquisition Of Recon Instruments

Intel acquired the smart eyewear company Recon on June 17. Recon Instruments, which was previously an Intel Capital Portfolio Company is known for being the maker of the critically acclaimed Recon Jet smart eyewear for sports and high intensive environments, according to reports.

According to Intel, the acquisition of Recon Instruments brings in a talented, experienced wearable computing team to Intel that will help them expand the market for head mounted display products and technologies.

With the acquisition of Recon, Intel is continuing with its efforts to strengthen its wearable offerings, reports Tech Times. Intel had taken over San Francisco based wearable tech firm Basis Science last year for $100 million. The company also inked a partnership with Opening Ceremony to launch the MICA smart bracelet last year. Intel has also signed a multiyear R&D collaboration with Luxxotica Group and is also in plans to build a new wearable device with Oakley. Besides that a Swiss smartwatch is also being planned with TAG Heuer and Google, according to Tech Times report.

Recon will continue selling and marketing their products under the Recon brand. “Customers and retailers of Recon products can rest assured they’ll continue selling, enhancing and marketing their products under the Recon brand without disruption. The team will also partner with Intel’s New Devices Group to develop smart device platforms for a broader set of customers and market segments,” said Josh Walden, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Intel’s New Technology Group.

Recon Instruments was established in 2008, reports The Verge. It started off as a business school project at the University of British Columbia. Recon’s team that has over 75 people will join Intel’s New Devices Group, according to The Verge report.

According to a report on ReadWrite, smart eyewear products from Recon focus on fitness and the Recon Jet provides important information like distance covered, speed, GPS location for runners and sports enthusiasts and it also displays calls, texts and notifications from a connected mobile in the wearer’s eyeline.

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