Wearable Technology exploded into the tech industry with the main reputation of being a passing fad. However, over the years, it has quickly turned out to be a trend that seems to be here to stay. As more conglomerate mobile businesses continue to embrace wearable tech, cross-platform integration is becoming ever so prominent and seamless. With the Apple Watch, you are able to access a variety of essential features that you can do with your phone. But why not use a more versatile device on your wrist beyond just timekeeping? It’s amazing to think that wearable technology was something that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. But in recent years, they’ve taken the consumer market by storm, and now we can expect them to continue to integrate with force in the future.
As more time goes by and the price point continues to drop for the devices, you can expect to see even further market penetration from them as more companies continue to roll out and embrace the tech.
The UK’s Most Popular Wearables
So far this year, almost 141 million smartwatch devices have been sold around the world. With new models hitting the market every day, this statistic will inevitably continue to increase.
Most wearable technology falls into a few popular types. The most popular and different types of wearable tech consist of:
- Smartwatches. Devices like the Apple Watch and Moboi’s Ticwatch tops the list of the UK’s most popular smartwatches. These devices can tell the time and perform a number of other useful functions like giving directions, performing calculations, notifying you of incoming emails and texts, answering calls, taking pictures and playing music.
- Fitness trackers. Fitness trackers usually fit on your wrist like a smartwatch does, but they are more specialised and intricate with the data it collects. Manufacturers like Fitbit, Garmin, Amazfit, and others create devices that will monitor your heart rate, steps walked, floors climbed, sleep, exercise patterns and other variables. While these devices may have some of the functionality of a smartwatch, they are geared specifically towards improving users’ health.
- Other products. Other wearable tech products include devices like VR headsets, AR glasses and haptic gloves. Right now, many of these products are either too difficult to wear in everyday life or they are too expensive for most consumers. However, you may see the majority of these products roll out onto the mass market in years to come, becoming more mainstream than ever.
Wearable Technology and the Mobile Market
Mobiles and tablets have dramatically transformed the way we interact with technology. Wearable tech is just beginning to change the way we engage with our devices. Over the next several years, you can expect to see exciting new developments. While some manufacturers have chosen to limit the range of apps that will run on wearable devices, the majority of devices run either Apple’s iOS or Google’s Android operating system. Both platforms allow wearables to run any compatible apps available on either the Apple App Store or Google Play. This is great for users looking to expand their app catalogue.
Most of the apps available are identical to their mobile phone counterparts. The best apps are designed/optimised specifically for wearable devices. They are designed specifically to work within the unique limitations of wearable tech. This is beneficial for the user as it ensures that their wants and needs are met appropriately. For instance, apps designed for wearable tech need to function well on a smaller touchscreen. They must also consume less power than their smartphone counterparts. Many apps will focus on immediate user needs, such as voice-to-text capabilities, notifications, and event tracking.
Future Considerations
However, beyond that, there’s tremendous potential for innovation. Accelerometers and motion trackers in smartwatches can detect even the finest changes in motion. Developers can use this to create novel gesture-control systems. Heart rate monitors can detect changes in users’ emotions, allowing developers to create apps that engage with users uniquely and emotionally.
Wearable tech is a small but growing percentage of the mobile market. Developers will tailor more apps for these devices as it achieves greater market penetration. While they pose unique challenges for most developers, their capabilities also have the potential to dramatically change how we interact and consume technology in the future.
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