'Smart belt' loosens purses

A Samsung-backed smart belt has cracked its Kickstarter target and will go into production next year.

The “Welt” can measure your waistline, function as a pedometer and figure out when you're sitting down, then spew all that data into an app to help you stay svelte. A USB connection keeps power flowing, but the belt looks like it can talk to an app over the air.

The device appeared at CES earlier this year and Samsung helped its makers take off the rough edges. It's since hit Kickstarter and comfortably notched up $60,000 in pledges, well beyond its $30k goal. ®

Kickstarter Video