WHITEFISH, MT / ACCESSWIRE / May 11, 2015 / Technology today changes incredibly fast; so fast that often we forget what it was like to live without certain things. It was only a couple decades ago that very few homes had a desktop computer or a cell phone, but look how things are today. Investors are always asking, "What's next?" in a bid to stay ahead of the curve and "get in" before new technologies become mainstream. The technologies of three small companies, NXT-ID, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTD), Next Galaxy Corp. (PINKSHEETS: NXGA) and Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQB: DRNE) give a glimpse of the next step in the evolution of technology and how it impacts our world.
Everything is Getting Smart, You're Wallet Should Be Too
NXT-ID is a biometric authentication company centered on the mobile commerce market. The Oxford, Connecticut-based firm has a number of products covering user authentication at consumer and enterprise scale, but the one that is gaining the most attention is its flagship consumer product branded "Wocket(R)," which NXT-ID dubs as "the world's first smart wallet, and the next evolution in smart devices." Think of it as an all-in-one credit card (only it's meant to replace your whole wallet) with the advanced encryption and security technologies that can store information from thousands of credit/debit/gift/loyalty cards, records and other data for use without needing a smartphone or internet connection. Opened by a PIN or voice recognition, Wocket(R) resets each time a card is selected and swiped via a magnetic strip just like any traditional credit card. The only piece of identification that a user may need is a driver's license, and Wocket(R) has a place for that as well. By being independent of the internet, data is not being transmitted over the airways, eliminating vulnerability for attack by cybercriminals at it relates to Wocket(R).
NXT-ID has also patented new technology designed to increase performance of wireless payment systems. NXT-ID chief executive Gino Pereira calls the technology a potential game changer for the mobile payment industry, as it uses miniature antenna modules that are small enough to fit into next-generation handheld devices and smart watches for near-field contact and magnetic stripe reader applications to improve success rates of wireless transactions while using a fraction of the power of today's technology. This patent followed issuance of a separate patent covering a voice-directed payment method, in which account access is only given through a combination of speech and biometric recognition. This introduces the idea of "voice cards" as a possible future method for secure payments.
Against the backdrop of skeptics questioning when/if shipments would begin for Wocket(R), shipments began in mid-March to early pre-order customers. Last week, NXT-ID said that a third batch of orders will be shipping this week and that the remainder of pre-orders will be fulfilled during the month of May. Reaction from independent firms and publications reviewing Wocket(R) has been positive to date, so if consumer adoption is strong and NXT-ID can scale order production, the idea of a "Wocket in my pocket" may have a whole new meaning outside the Dr. Seuss book.
Virtual Reality Taking You Anywhere You Want to Go
Can you imagine a day that is comprised of leaving your house in the United States for a meeting with a friend in Paris, then jetting off to watch the Super Bowl from an owner's box, followed by front row seats to a Black Eyed Peas concert in Los Angeles? Sounds like a day reserved for only the extremely wealthy, but it could be coming to the general population, thanks to the power of Virtual Reality (VR). Next Galaxy Corp. is taking a leadership position in bringing VR mainstream as a developer and distributor of VR content covering an array of topics. The Miami Beach, Florida-based company's flagship product is Ceek(TM), a fully immersive social VR hub for accessing entertainment, education and branded experiences that simulates the communal experience of attending live events, such as concerts, movies, sporting events or business conferences. In the company's words, "Next Galaxy is building the meeting places of the future."
Next Galaxy's portfolio for projects is canvasing a broad array of topics. In the music space, the company has already lined up Grammy Award-winning record producer, songwriter and musician Teddy Riley, who has worked with mega-stars such as Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, Will Smith, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and many more; Latin American music pioneer Ron Diaz; and Grammy-nominated music producer Willie "Bum Bum" Baker, who has worked with stars like Beyonce, Pink and India Arie. In the sports space, Next Galaxy has teamed with two of the biggest names in college basketball, iconic Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim and legendary University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari to create VR content. The experiences are meant for viewing on VR headsets with the audio optimized for Ceekars, Next Galaxy's first-in-class 4D audio headset that Mike Bristol of ESPN Radio says is "perhaps the most exciting and innovative way to experience sound." Founder and President Mary Spio says the company coined the term "4D audio" for its patent pending technology because it combines 3D sound and haptic feedback, allowing users to "feel the sound" for realistic experiences.
In a recent interview with Pimm Fox on Bloomberg Business' "Taking Stock," Coach Calipari explained he got involved with Next Galaxy because of the power of VR to take people anywhere in the world before they actually go and the many applications that he feels can benefit sports teams with transparency, keeping fans close and for recruitment purposes. Coach Cal described this technology as not only "what's next," but "what's next and then some."
Next Galaxy has also tapped into the medical space through a partnership with Miami Children's Hospital. Per the multi-year agreement, Next Galaxy will be working with the hospital to create instructional VR videos for patient and medical professional education, starting with immersive VR courses for CPR and then other life saving techniques.
Next Galaxy's footprint in the VR business is impressive already and growing. In addition to its aforementioned partnerships, the company has an agreement in place with Annex Telecom for content creation and distribution in Korea and has attracted a $200,000 investment from Steel Partners, LLC, as disclosed in a regulatory filing with the SEC. The tech industry is acknowledging Next Galaxy as well for its accomplishments and direction. The company has recently been named as a Top 10 startup for Mobile Week 2015 and tapped as one of only nine companies chosen to be featured as top innovators at the presitgious eMerge Americas eP2 conference being held today and covered live by CNBC.
VR is not just the future of computing; it is here today and simply needs more content. While most VR companies are focused on a gaming, Next Galaxy is uniquely taking a broad approach to develop a robust platform for local and mobile devices where content can be created, viewed, shared and monetized, setting this company ahead of the pack.
Drones Everywhere
Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) has brought drones to the spotlight with its Prime Air drone delivery service and blasting of the Federal Aviation Administration for moving too slowly in setting regulations to allow the U.S. to keep up with other countries in uses for unmanned aircraft. Amazon may have made the use of commercial drones more public, but they're not the only one in the space, others include Google (NASDAQ: GOOGL) with its Project Wing that it has been testing for delivery utility in Australia.
While the wrangling continues in Washington and the FAA proposes new rule changes, many industries are opting for tethered drones that are less expensive to operate and don't have to overcome the same regulatory hurdles. Drone Aviation Holding Corp., through its wholly owned subsidiary Drone Aviation Corp., specializes in developing and manufacturing compact and quickly deployable aerial platforms, including lighter-than-air aerostats and electric-powered drones for enhanced surveillance and communications operations. The company's client list includes domestic and international military, law enforcement, government, commercial and defense contractor customers.
Drone Aviation's tethered aerostat systems are legal to operate under current FAA guidelines and offer greater flight duration and security because the power and communications run through the armored tether line. For example, the company's WATT-200 tethered drone, which can be deployed up to 300 feet and is equipped with a military grade/broadcast quality HD video imager to provide 360-degree surveillance during day or night, can draw power from a gas or diesel host vehicle or independently operate for up to 8 hours through ground power deployed from a commercial vehicle with standard 120v/220v power. Drone's larger aerostat systems, such as the BIB-300 (Blimp in a Box), have multi-day capacity and can operate into up to 50 mile-per-hour winds, making them ideal for mission critical applications.
The interest in Drone Aviation's aerial solutions is evidenced through a series of new orders spanning the company's product portfolio. Valencia, California-based Troll Systems, a leading provider of advanced microwave datalink solutions, this month ordered a set of Winch Aerostat Small Platform (WASP) aerostat systems for which the two companies will work to integrate the L-3 Wescam MX-10 into the WASP platform for an international customer. The U.S. Army ordered aerostat related equipment for Drone Aviation BIB systems that it is utilizing for soldier training and operations. Further, NASA Langley Research Center awarded Drone Aviation a contract to provide aerial and ground based equipment for use in a new research program testing unmanned aircraft aerodynamic designs and flight dynamics by launching vehicles from a controlled tactical aerostat.
Drones are going to become more and more common in everyday applications as the FAA modifies regulations. As such, the landscape for manufacturers will likely be crowded and competition fierce. Drone Aviation is in a good niche in the market and building a strong brand in a less-competitive area of tethered unmanned vehicles tailored for government, commercial and industrial uses. The company that it is keeping to date puts Drone Aviation on the map going forward as the industry continues to evolve.
Three Different Companies, Three Different Industries
Answering the question "What's next?" is always a moving target, as technology seems to change things right before our eyes. NXT-ID, Next Galaxy and Drone Aviation are three upstarts with different, but viable products focusing on using new technologies to meet demand in their specific industry. While different, there is the common ground of connectivity between the products, a topic for which supply will never outstrip demand.
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