xBand

The wristband that communicates through vibrations.

Imagine a device that lets you receive information from your phone, without having to pick it up or listen to it. xBand can not only notify you when you receive a new text message, it can give you the content of the message. It can also tell you what time it is or remind you when you need to be somewhere. All this without making a noise or demanding your auditory attention.

You can discreetly read text messages without using a Braille display or blocking your ears with headphones. With xBand, you can keep your focus on what's going on around you, instead of on your phone. And you still don't have to worry about missing that important text message or reminder.

xBand sends information in Morse code through vibrations directly through your wrist. After a while, you will be able to interpret the messages instinctively, the same way you interpret text or speech.

How to get xBand?

You can pre-order your xBand here.

xBand is currently sold as Early Access. This means that some features might be limited or missing but through software updates you will get access to the full functionality.

We are currently producing the first batch of xBands. This means that we might not send your xBand right away and you might have to wait a number of weeks before your xBand arrives. We will do our best to keep you updated on our schedule and provide an estimated delivery time.

If you have any questions or problems when ordering your xBand, please contact us at team@xtactor.com or call our support: +46 70 014 58 63.

Have you received a discount code?

Apply your code in the field "Discount code" at checkout and press the button "Apply". Your discounted price should now be shown. If you are having trouble applying your discount count, please contact us at team@xtactor.com or call our support: +46 70 014 58 63.

Observe that discount codes are valid for a limited time only and only as long as we have stock from the first batch of xBands. Once the time-frame expires or our stock is depleted, the discount codes will no longer be applicable.

If you have received a discount code after signing up for early-access at signup.xtactor.com or received a code at one of our events together with SRF during October your discount-code will be valid until November 30th (or until we run out of stock).

Do you want to try xBand before you buy?

xBand is currently only sold online and is not available to try in any physical stores. We do however offer a 30-day return policy. During this period you can open the package and test xBand. As long as the product is in the same condition that you received it, and in its original packaging you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method. You are however responsible for the cost of return shipping.

Read more in our refund policy.

Who can benefit from xBand?

Our technology serves diverse needs by minimizing reliance on vision and hearing when communicating with a mobile phone. This can especially benefit individuals with visual impairments by enabling communication in situations where current assistive technologies fall short. In many situations Braille displays are too bulky. Screen readers and voice commands works best in quiet settings and also risk revealing private information. Additionally, they demand auditory attention, limiting interaction with surroundings. xBand doesn't fully replace these technologies, but it can significantly enhances the ability to stay connected in diverse settings, from walks and workouts to meetings and concerts.

We are committed to ensuring that our technology and app are as accessible as possible. To accomplish this, we rely on internal and external advisors who are highly knowledgeable about accessibility and also understand the challenges of living with a visual impairment. Their invaluable feedback guides our development process, creating a better user experience for everyone.

How does xBand work?

The device connects to your phone via Bluetooth. When the phone receives a notification, like a text message or email, the text information will be sent to the wristband and converted into vibration patterns. Depending on your settings, the vibration pattern may contain information about the type of notification, who the sender is (if it is for example a text message) and the content of the notification. You can also use xBand to get the current time or date vibrated on your wrist, even without being connected to your phone.

To translate text into vibrations, xBand utilizes Morse code. However, to start using xBand, there's no need to learn Morse code; one quickly learns to intuitively distinguish between different vibration messages and their meanings. But if you want to interpret entire text messages, you might have to practice some Morse code. Morse code is something most people can learn quickly and our mobile app has a Morse code training section where you can practice receiving text through vibrations.

In our app you can also change settings like vibration speed and strength, and customize vibration patterns by adding your own abbreviations for different messages.

The device itself is a compact black, rectangular unit, about 4 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 1 cm high. It features two buttons on top with raised, tactile patterns for easy identification. The device connects to an elastic wristband for a secure and comfortable fit, allowing vibrations to be conveyed optimally. The vibration motors are carefully designed to convey detailed information, differentiating it from conventional smartwatches that may lack precision in their vibrational alerts.

Why Morse code?

The reason xBand employs Morse code is that it is an exceedingly simple communication system consisting solely of patterns of short and long signals. This simplicity makes it easy to differentiate between signals and learn the rhythmic codes for various letters and numbers. The Morse code encoding for letters is also optimized to generate the shortest possible messages by coding more common letters into shorter signal patterns.

What is the future of xBand?

There are countless possibilities for using tactile communication and transmitting information through vibrations. We are always exploring new xBand features and ways to enhance our technology. xBand will gain more features over time, including the potential for text input.

We were also named one of the winners in The PTS (The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority) innovation Competition 2023 - Communication for all. The award granted us funding to further develop our technology for individuals with visual impairments and deaf-blindness.

Want to now more?

Please contact us at team@xtactor.com or call our support: +46 70 014 58 63.