Many might know of Lycos as the search engine that came before the likes of Google and Yahoo. First started in 1994, the search engine is almost synonymous with the '90s.
The company is now attempting to make a comeback by releasing a number of connected devices, including wearables, home security devices and so on, all designed to work together to improve the user's life.
"With the release of its IoT-enabled suite of products, Lycos is also set to launch the Lycos Life Project, a not-for-profit foundation," says the company on its website. "The Life Project is a global humanitarian initiative that uses sensor and wireless communication technology to provide people throughout the world with access to critical, life-saving environmental information. Families will be given the power to instantly test the quality of water and air in their homes and communities with small portable sensors, provided to them for free. Five percent of Lycos Life sales will be donated to this global project."
To kick off the project, Lycos is launching two wearable devices, called "The Band" and "The Ring." Neither of the two devices are strikingly good-looking, and they are both relatively expensive, with The Band costing $124.99 and The Ring costing $59.99. Both devices come in six different colors.
Both of the two wearables are controlled through an Android app called Lycos Life, which is important considering the fact that neither of them have any buttons. Lycos really wants the devices to do a number of different things, and is touting The Band as an "advanced fitness monitor" as well as a "personal security manager." The Ring is also a personal security manager, however, only time will tell exactly what that means.
The Band is water-resistant and will last between 10 and 14 days on a single charge. The Ring doesn't use a battery.
Of course, the company also wants developers to take advantage of the new devices and develop ways to use them in new and exciting ways. The company plans to bring its wearable devices to iOS, however, they certainly will not be able to do as much because of the fact that Apple doesn't offer companies access to NFC.
It will certainly be interesting to see what else Lycos plans to release to the Lycos Life project, and it seems as though the company plans to extend it far beyond strictly wearable devices. The project will officially be released on Monday June 4.
