Wearable Tech: Fad or Future?

Image Source: https://pixabay.com/en/smart-watch-apple-technology-style-821559/

Wearable technology was the buzzword scrawled across the notebook of every budding tech journalist upon launch. Months on, it seems that we were expecting far more than current technology was capable of. As such, demand saw a sharp decline. However, recently there have been incredible and innovative advancements in wearable technology and sales are slowly increasing. Is a resurgence in wearable technology on the horizon, and is the new generation anything more than a fad?

Watches

Previously, product developers and marketers had been experimenting with blurring the lines between smart and traditional watches. But was this the right approach?

The first consumer model of any new technology is going to be rough around the edges, but usually the PR and hype around the first iteration is enough to carry sales and consumer interest through, while developers improve on the existing product. Then, as sales begin to drop off, the manufacturers can release their new, ‘perfected’ product (until the next one). So, with that said, it certainly feels like a lack of faith in the developers to release a product that is so closely linked to mechanical watches. Because, from a consumer perspective, a smart watch is a ‘watch’ in name alone. The mobile phone I keep in my jeans tells the time too, but we don’t call it a pocket watch. The real selling point of a smartwatch comes with its integration with my other devices.

Perhaps feedback similar to mine, is why we’re seeing such a change from the first generation of smartwatches in the second generation.

Smartwatches are now releasing with substantial improvements to battery-life, mobile app integration for common services like Spotify and Google Play Music and further Bluetooth integration for use in streaming data to other devices. SIM cards are even available for selected models, allowing users to make and receive calls from their device.  The second generation boasts improvement on key selling points of the first generation, with considerable refinements to fitness tracking – going as far as logging the results of strength training sessions (not just counting steps, and tracking calories).

Newer smartwatches even look better than before. It’s safe to say that smartwatches have made the leap from gadget toys to stylish, professional accessories. It’s no surprise that smartwatches aren’t cheap, and in order to perform sufficiently for as long as possible they need to be maintained correctly. This revelation has created avenues for established businesses that may have previously focused on the maintenance and care of mechanical watches, into producing stunning, intelligent smartwatch cases that charge and protect your device and accessories on the go.

Likening the progress of smartwatches to the hybrid car would be a fair assessment. Instead of trying to define themselves as ‘smart-mechanical-watches’, we’re beginning to see smart watches blending the best of both worlds, while offering an array of new features for tech users. It’s safe to say that we’re seeing the gap between tech and fashion close considerably.

Jewellery

Smart tech isn’t satisfied with remaining at the wrist. Now, even fashion designers have turned their hand to the tech market with ‘smart jewellery’. The creation of necklaces, earrings and rings that can interact with phones, mainly through visual and vibrating alerts is a recent, but welcome inclusion to the smart market. Smart jewellery isn’t confined to alerting the wearer when they have a like on Instagram either, some even double up as fitness trackers.

Unfortunately, for men, there doesn’t seem to be a huge array of smart tech jewellery, just yet. But, that could soon be a thing of the past. Early last year, Samsung released a concept product: smart tech cufflinks for men that can send visual alerts when receiving a phone call or message. That’s more like it!

Eyewear

Smart eyewear has had a somewhat tricky time getting its foot in the door. The much-anticipated Google Glass, never really took off for a number of reasons. Most critics put it down to an overly futuristic aesthetic combined with poor functionality. Though the failure of Google Glass hasn’t deterred companies from jumping on the smart eye bandwagon.

The social media behemoth, Snapchat, recently released glasses enabling the user to take first person videos for their app. You may have already seen 360 degree videos on Facebook – Snapchat glasses are also capable of recording panoramic video. Though, at a $130 price point for a glorified camera holder, only very wealthy adopters have found any real need for the proprietary technology.

Could smart eyewear developers learn anything from virtual or augmented reality developers like Microsoft’s Hololens, or the HTC Vive? I’ll look to cover this topic in the coming months… Stay tuned!

What’s next?

Let’s move away from the functional and fashionable aspects of wearable tech, and look at how wearable tech can improve the living standards of those affected by disease.  In one notable instance, Emma Lawton, a graphic designer diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 29, created a smartwatch that would interrupt the Parkinson’s vibrations with opposing vibrations. Her device, produced with help from Microsoft Research Cambridge’s innovation director Haiyan Zhang and the BBC was able to cut down the tremors dramatically for the Parkinson’s sufferer.

There are endless possibilities for wearable tech in becoming a helping hand for people with disabilities. Another promising instance of disability-assistance based technology comes in the form of a braille dot smartwatch, created by a Korean start-up company as an aid for the visually impaired.

As I said before, the first iteration of new technology is rarely anything more than an optimistic, and exciting prototype. But with that said, I don’t think we have even skimmed the surface of what wearable technology could achieve. Wearable technology showcases incredible promise, far beyond that of other recent breakaways in tech.

Like it or not, wearable technology is a future we can’t ignore.