The Vatican announced that it launched a wearable smart device that connects with a smartphone app for guided prayer.
Read more This Smart Bracelet Uses Your Heartbeat to Authenticate Access
Launched by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, the "Click to Prayer eRosary" is a device targeted to young people as a tool to educate about praying the rosary, according to the Vatican News, the church's official communication channel, reports NBC News.
"Click to Prayer eRosary" is a project under the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, a network focused on "mobilizing Catholics through prayer and action," said the Vatican.
The device is activated by making the sign of the cross and will keep track of a user's rosary progress. It consists of 10 black beads and a "smart cross" that stores data linked to the app.
“Physically, the device consists of ten consecutive black agate and hematite rosary beads, and of a smart cross which stores all the technological data connected to the app. When activated, the user has the possibility to choose either to pray the standard rosary, a contemplative Rosary and different kinds of thematic rosaries that will be updated every year. Once the prayer begins, the smart rosary shows the user’s progress throughout the different mysteries and keeps track of each rosary completed,” said Vatican News.
The smart rosary also has health features to encourage the faithful to pursue a healthy lifestyle. For example, it tracks the number of steps the user makes during the day and calories burned.
Read more Covestro Unveils Smart Bracelet that Regulates Body Temperature
“Aimed at the peripheral frontiers of the digital world where the young people dwell, the Click To Pray eRosary serves as a technology-based pedagogy to teach the young how to pray for peace, how to contemplate the Gospel,” said the Holy See's press office.
The eRosary is on sale now for 99 euros or $110 on Amazon and from Acer. The Business Insider reports that as of now, it’s not available in Italy and soon it’ll be available in the United States.
