Watching Wearables – Why Certain Markets Are Leading the Way and What Can We Learn from This
While trend analysts are forecasting double-digit growth of the phenomenon, we explored to what extent brands, with limited digital budgets, should be prioritising this new wave of technology as a way to improve their customers’ experience.
There’s no doubt that wearables are creeping into our lives, and changing (yet again) how we operate within the digital landscape. Looking at some pros and cons of wearables, what lessons we can learn to further exploit wearable technology?
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While trend analysts are forecasting double-digit growth of the phenomenon, we explored to what extent brands, with limited digital budgets, should be prioritising this new wave of technology as a way to improve their customers’ experience. Looking at some pros and cons of wearables, what lessons we can learn to further exploit wearable technology?
So why do we need wearables? The simple answer is, we don’t. As with the iPad, wearable technology will make our lives easier and will enable us to interact with the digital universe in an easier way.
But looking at the sectors that are innovating within the wearables market, what are the catalysts to growing the popularity and use of these devices?
Social participation
Devices like Fitbit have succeeded and grown in popularity, by capitalising on human’s ‘competitive nature’. Linking devices encourages a networked group to do more exercise and become very motivated by their peers.
Simplicity
When people start using contactless devises for payment in particular, it becomes expected that this quick and easy way should become the norm. However there’s nothing that exists on the desktop that makes it that easy. Mobile web developers need to build these features into their websites and manufacturers need to address the desktop void, which will soon seem convoluted.
Security
Many manufacturers are creating devices specifically for children like Filip, the creator of the child’s smart watch. These type of devices will allow parents to track the whereabouts of their children, or alert them if they exceed a set proximity (which is great for holidays and public events). It will also allow the younger generation to become even more comfortable with wearable tech.
Exclusivity
In some cultures and group environments, there can be a perception of exclusivity and the desire to be elite, which can drive some people to seek out devices. Consider on a holiday resort, guests with wrist bands which allow them to pay for services have an air of exclusivity, which other guests will want. This can help build advocacy.
Medical industry
The opportunity to collect data is already huge. Wearable technology allows the collection of a set of data that would otherwise be impossible to gain on a mass scale or not feasible by traditional means.
The work place
With Google now positioning Glass for enterprise, many are looking at how wearable technology can help in the workplace, where the stigma of the form factor and the conflict with social norms is not an issue. Think about surgeons pulling up information as they operate, or engineers with hands-free access to technical plans. Brother has been leading the way on this technology for years with its AiRScouter product.
Potential barriers to success
So we’ve looked at the reasons for wearable technology, but is it right for all brands? Considering potential barriers to success key factors include:
Security
With the ability to pay on any device and the ‘stealability’ of some of these products, security is clearly an issue. If you are creating a wearable solution - how are you going to protect your customer in the case of fraud or theft?
Form factor
In some cases the actual design and form of these devises prevents users from adopting them. For instance, smartwatches are also competing with traditional watch design and are already behind the curve, even in terms of technology. Watch manufactures have been using solar power, kinetic movement and different screen display technologies to increase battery life – current smart watches are really just miniature phones on your wrist.
Battery life
The constant need to recharge is a nuisance and barrier for some people. Even the best devices have two days or less battery life. However, all is not lost, there are some emerging technologies like the Zap and Go Graphene charger which can charge in 5 minutes.
Merchandising
Currently, wearable devices are sold in stores in a very traditional way, usually behind glass cabinets or in packages. To be taken up, they need to be experienced, touched, worn and used. Retailers need to create environments that can demonstrate these experience and benefits.
What’s next for the wearable space?
Wearables will continue to be a hot topic for 2016, in order for the technology to get over the early adopter hump and into mass market freedom, it needs the innovation from great brands to demonstrate the simplicity benefits.
Original Article