An emerging media trend that appears to be rapidly growing is wearable technology. Such items include smart watches, smart rings, smart glasses, fitness trackers, and more. These technologies enable health monitoring, entertainment, and additional productivity possibilities right at our fingertips… or should I say wrists, eyes, and hands?
I envision this trend to increase rapidly over the next couple of years. According to the “Experts: Internet of Things and Wearables Will Dominate by 2025” article for Mashable, Experts predict the rise of wearable and embedded computing could bring the next revolution in digital technology. Sharing, that this brings many positives such and an increase in health, productivity, safety, and convenience. However, this growing trend brings downsides such as, privacy challenges, over-hyped expectations and technology complexity.
Thinking back from my past, it is hard to believe how far along mobile has come. We use our phones daily. I for one always have mine by my side, and I am sure I am not alone in that habit. With that in mind think how much easier and more convenient it would be to have wearable technology in your life. A smart watch for example, provides the benefits of making calls, receiving emails, texts, viewing the weather, social media, music and more- all compactly and conveniently on your wrist. No more losing your phone or carrying keys, coffee, wallets, books and your bulky phone while rushing out the door in the morning or running to a meeting.
Why will it progress?
A huge reason I predict this trend will progress is due to two factors- the convenience and feeling of need. Aforementioned wearable technology is convenient and also new to us. We love new products that have the latest and greatest technology. I can remember as a child my Mom had a “car phone”, some would say “bag phone”. At the time, we thought that was convenient and handy. Now, my Mom’s car features even more convenient (and safer) technology. Simply with the push of a button and speaking the name the car will call whomever you wish. We as a society are leaning to convenient.
The second reason is a feeling of need. As new products come out and marketing kicks in, eventually, even the best of us, can get suckered in to the hype. Apple successfully launched their watch with dedicated brand advocates counting down for their product. Olenick, with Forbes, shares, The tech research firm ABIResearch is forecasting that Apple will ship 13.77 million units in 2015. Considering 28.1 million smartwatches of all brands will ship worldwide this year means Apple will immediately grab almost 50 percent of the entire market.
As I look around my office it is hard to believe the number of people I already see wearing wearable technology. Fitness trackers in particular seem to be on the rise- which we can also attribute to the trend of healthier lifestyles. The feeling of need is strong as it seems we daily grow more and more dependent on our technology- wearable technology makes it even easier to have this source available on hand, literally.
Check out the infographic from Niftyreads.com below for more information on this growing media.
How do you see marketers leveraging this new trend?
Do you predict we will see a greater cater to not only mobile advertising, but specifically smart watch advertising for example, creating apps., ads, games, widgets, and so on?
Do you own any wearable technology- smart watch, smart glasses, fitness tracker, etc.?
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