Upon the advent of wearable technology, its potential was met with mixed opinions. Some were doubtful, considering it a mere passing trend, while others expected it to grow as rapidly as smartphones. As it turned out, neither of these scenarios transpired and instead the industry has witnessed gradual and stable expansion.
Despite not achieving revolutionary status nor falling into obsolescence, wearable technology has carved a niche for itself, holding a market share of 5.9% projected for 2023. While it may seem to only attract technology enthusiasts, there are more profound factors that could propel wearables to increased relevance in the coming years. Let me delve deeper into this notion.
More Than a Frivolous Accessory
Even though they were not the innovators of wearable technology, Apple has tasted remarkable success in this arena. This triumph is largely attributed to the company’s leadership status in the industry and its effective marketing strategy. These two factors have notably influenced customers to view wearable devices in a manner akin to how they view Apple products.
The Apple Watch 2023 was introduced by Apple as a visually appealing smart gadget that boasts the ability to run apps, receive notifications and monitor fitness activity. Despite some early adopters finding it unwieldy and tricky to operate, they were quick to recognize its potential as a fitness tracker.
Apple took this customer feedback seriously and sought to improve the Watch’s health-related features in its second iteration. This shift in sales strategy brought about a more significant transformation, as wearables were no longer viewed as mere variations of smartphones. They were increasingly seen as serving a unique purpose, offering benefits that were not possible with mobile devices. This was the turning point at which wearables began to break away from being mere accessories and started to carve out their own independent identity.
There is now a wide range of manufacturers, including Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung and Montblanc, offering an array of intriguing wearable devices. The wearable market is projected to experience substantial growth in the future, with smart headphones potentially offering much more than just voice-activated assistance. There are even speculations that wearables could eventually supplant smartphones due to their potential. The future of wearables remains uncertain, but it is evident that they have the potential to become more than just a fashionable accessory.
A Pivotal Moment
A significant number of individuals have yet to fully comprehend the potential of wearable technology. Despite the efforts of companies to underscore the value of these devices vis-à-vis smartphones, some individuals remain trapped in conventional modes of thinking. This is regrettable since wearables offer numerous advantages that smartphones are unable to provide.
The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has drawn attention to the significance of health monitoring and the potential of wearable technology in serving this purpose. Wearables can furnish us with frequent updates on our health status between doctor visits and aid in keeping a close watch on our elderly family members, enabling us to take prompt action if necessary. Additionally, this technology can be utilized to design personalized plans to encourage us to adopt healthy habits.
Physical distancing and isolation are destined to become increasingly crucial in the future. Through the use of wearable technology, we are already able to minimize the physical area we occupy to make purchases or access entryways. It may even be conceivable to utilize this technology to enforce social distancing regulations in corporate and governmental contexts.
Wearable technology holds the promise of being deployed to track illnesses and aid in containing their spread, as long as the required privacy measures are put in place. When coupled with Artificial Intelligence algorithms, the ability to monitor vital signs and instantly notify those in close proximity to an affected person could help in curbing the spread of an outbreak. Learn more about how IoT is affecting healthcare here.
Undoubtedly, substantial effort will be necessary for wearable technology to play a significant role in preventing future epidemics. Firstly, it is crucial to comprehend how society will be impacted by the spread of the Coronavirus. Second, in a world where tracking devices are omnipresent, privacy concerns must be taken into account. Lastly, it is essential to break away from perceiving these devices as trifling “toys” and acknowledge their genuine potential.
Journeying through these times will present numerous challenges. It is vital to re-imagine our technological tools for service and protection. The Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR) can play a critical role in building a future where we have greater comprehension to tackle health crises such as the present one. Beyond this, we can transform other facets of people’s day-to-day routine, including gaming and transportation.
Our firm, Works – an offshore software development company, is teaming up with other organizations to push the boundaries of wearable technology. We appreciate any support you can provide to help us expand the potential applications of this technology beyond its existing uses.
