Pavlovian iPosture is no slouch
The iPosture can be worn as a pendant, attached to the skin with adhesive patches, or clipped to a shirt or bra.
(Credit: iposture.com)Thanks to nanosensor technology, your mother doesn't need to tell you to stand up straight anymore. A new gadget called iPosture will do that job for her.
The battery-operated device contains a microchip that monitors the angle of the wearer's upper chest several times per second, vibrating briefly when it senses a deviation greater than three degrees from the programmed ideal stance. Specialized software filters spurious movements, which allows the iPosture to adapt to various body types and activities--presumably stopping it from zapping you in the middle of sit-ups, for example. It's an inch in diameter and can be clipped to a shirt or bra, worn as a pendant, or attached to the skin with special adhesive patches.
(Credit:
Business Wire)
The idea for iPosture was born while Memphis, Tenn.-based neurologist and pain management specialist Moacir Schnapp and his wife, Dr. Elma Schnapp, were writing the book Young, Sexy and Healthy: The Ten Best Exercises for Your Posture.
The Schnapps cite manifold reasons to stop slouching. They say women with good posture are less prone to osteoporosis fractures; men with good posture are twice as likely to keep their balance and function as they age; and everyone who stands up straight is generally happier and more confident.
Oh, and they also note that "women with improved posture become more attractive" and "men with good posture are seen as more successful."
But lest poor-posture havers fear they'll have to lean on this device for life, the docs say it's designed to be worn for approximately four hours per day for the first two to four weeks to ingrain good behavior that will continue once a user takes the zapper off. The wearer should continue to use the device two to three times per week thereafter to maintain posture improvement.
The iPosture will be available online soon for around $99.95. And don't worry, moms. You can still tell your kids to clean behind their ears.
Leslie Katz, senior editor of CNET's Crave, covers gadgets, games, and most other digital distractions. As a co-host of the CNET News Daily Podcast, she sometimes tries to channel Terry Gross. E-mail Leslie. 
There's times where I wish I had help monitoring my posture (usually busy concentrating and not paying attention to things like that), so there might be a market. Now if they'd just drop that meaningless drivel of a name. I'm just waiting for the iCereal, to be eaten with iMilk and your iSpoon.