Archos announces iOS-compatible smart watches, health trackers & connected home devices

Electronics maker Archos on Monday preannounced a slew of new products it plans to show off at the upcoming 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, including "Connected Home" and "Connected Self" accessories compatible with Apple's iPhone and iPad.

The new Archos connected objects are compatible with devices running both Apple's iOS mobile operating system, as well as Google's Android platform. They connect to smartphones and tablets through Bluetooth Low Energy, and are "aimed at enhancing connectivity at home and improving personal health and well-being," the company said.

Most notably, Archos said it plans to unveil a "selection of smart watches" at CES 2014, with pricing starting under $50. The company said the wrist-worn accessories will feature a "pebble-like design."

Joining its new smart watches are a connected scale and blood pressure monitor. And the Archos Activity Tracker will monitor daily footsteps and calories burned.

These will work with the Archos Connected Self App for iOS, which the company said "will serve as the backbone application for all connected self devices." Using the application, users will be able to view their quick health assessment, track their activity over time, and enable up to 8 users to set goals and increase motivation.

On the company's "Connected Home" side, a new ecosystem of products will also be unveiled at CES 2014. They include a mini camera, motion ball, movement tag, weather tag and smart plug.

In particular, the camera will be the size of just a ping-pong ball, Archos said, and will use Bluetooth Low Energy for long lasting battery life.

These will be controlled through the Archos Smart Home App for iOS, though the company is also planning to release a dedicated, Android-powered 7-inch "Smart Home Tablet" to also bring these accessories together.

Finally, also set to be unveiled at CES is the Archos Weather Station, which will provide indoor and outdoor climate information, including CO2 levels, humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, and environmental noise levels. This device will be controlled through a proprietary Weather Station app that will be available for iOS.

"Mobile devices have become the center of our life and our demand for instant access to information creates the need for even more interconnectivity," said Loic Poirier, CEO of Archos. "Archos' new lineup of connected objects exemplifies the ability to share and access information and represents our vision of creating a universe where all devices complement and work together."