Wearables are the future. We may all be flashing some type of wearable device in 2020, but most of us don?t own one today. In fact, only one in five owns a wearable device now, according to a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers.
The survey of 1,000 consumers, ?wearable technology influencers,? and business executives gives some recommendations for how the products might go from promising to truly useful items in our daily attire. The report defines wearable technology as ?clothing and accessories that incorporate computer and advanced electronic technologies,? including smartwatches and glasses, action cameras, and fitness trackers.
Here are five of the report?s prescriptions for wearable tech.
1. Seamlessly integrate with other devices. Right now, most wearables perform prescribed functions, offering limited data (miles walked, hours slept) through a closed relationship between the device and its supporting app. The gadgets should be able to connect to the cloud and seamlessly interact with other services. The ubiquitous wearable of the future could monitor your health as well as your home. Forty-one percent of respondents in the survey identified ?seamless integration with other devices? as a top-three reason to adopt wearable tech. That said, users don?t expect their smartwatch to replace their prized smartphone. When asked if a wearable would need to become a user?s primary device to justify its expense, 76 percent of respondents said no.
2. Provide information that?s meaningful. Spitting out data isn?t enough?wearables need to give users accurate information in real time, and then synthesize that data to provide insights that lead to better decision-making and behavior. ?Again and again in our research,? the report?s authors write, ?we heard consumers asking for devices that make data meaningful, to transform noise into an action plan?and make them accountable for it.? Consumers, particularly women and older millennials, said that improving personal accountability (eating healthier and exercising smarter) was one of wearable tech?s potential benefits.
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