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Smartwatch Wearable tech

Smart rings, air-purifying masks and hearables — the wearable tech … – Marketplace

As we wind down the year, we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to look back at some notable tech trends and maybe predict a few, especially those in the ever-growing wearable tech market.

Smartwatches are much more common these days, but “wearable” is starting to expand beyond the gadgets you strap to your wrist. Marketplace’s Kimberly Adams spoke with Victoria Song, a wearable technology reviewer for The Verge, who explained what’s on the horizon for this stuff in the coming year.

The following is an edited transcript of their conversation.

Victoria Song: You know, obviously smartwatches and fitness bands are the things that most people think of, but there’s actually stuff like smart rings that are out there. I would say the most famous one is probably the Oura ring. It’s a sleep tracker. A ton of celebrities use it. And then there’s also the Dyson Zone, which is a $950 wearable, air-purifying mask that connects to a pair of noise canceling headphones. If you wear it, you look like Bane, the “Batman” villain. You know, those are just two extreme ends, and somewhere in the middle we also have hearables. They’re basically little wearable devices that go in your ear, and they help you hear better. There’s just a lot of different things. They can look like things that aren’t things you might think of as tech, but anything that you can wear on your body, technically that’s wearable tech.

Kimberly Adams: “Hearables,” that’s a term I haven’t heard yet. The [Food and Drug Administration] relatively recently approved over-the-counter hearing aids. Is that where hearables come in?

Victoria Song (Courtesy The Verge)

Song: Actually, hearables have been around for a while. But yes, the over-the-counter hearing aid ruling has just, it’s just going to blur the line even further. But, a hearable is any piece of technology that you put in your ear that helps you hear better. So technically, AirPods could be considered a hearable because they have hearing-accessibility features. Like one of them is called Conversation Boost. And when you’re talking in a loud area, it’ll, you know, amplify the sound of the person you’re talking to so you can hear them better. It’s very similar in function to a hearing aid. But it’s not a hearing aid. Because you can’t call something a hearing aid without FDA clearance. Hearing aids are a regulated medical device.

Adams: I want to go back to that Dyson mask you were talking about. I was very entertained by your review of the Dyson Zone — part air purifier, part noise canceling headphones. Is something like that an outlier of wearable tech, or do you think it’s a signal of trends to come?

Song: It’s a little bit of both. Like right now, it’s an outlier because most people are not going to shell out $950 for something that’s very experimental. And also just, you know, there’s a lot of social stigmas and different types of social norms that come into play with wearable gadgets. Because any tech that you wear on your face that obscures your face, that creates like this primal sense of distrust. That’s why it’s an outlier. And it’s also very hard to mass produce something like that to fit a wide variety of faces. My face is different from your face, which is different from, you know, your friend’s face. It’s very difficult to mass produce those kinds of gadgets. But they are kind of the next wave of wearables. So there’s, like, two categories we can see them going off to. One is biometrics and the other is technology like AR glasses, augmented reality glasses, or [virtual reality] headsets. These are things that you put on your face, and it puts a layer of technology between you and the world. And it’s the same thing with the Dyson Zone. It is where we’re heading. We’re just not going to get there anytime soon.

Courtesy: The Verge TikTok

Adams: One of the things that comes up a lot with wearable devices is privacy. What about consumers who are interested in wearable tech, but also want some guaranteed measure of privacy? Have you seen any wearables that cater to that?

Song: Unfortunately, no. There’s no one wearable device that I can point you towards and be like, “You will be 100% guaranteed to have privacy.” Part of that is because each company has their own privacy policy in terms and conditions. And, you know, third-party apps play into this as well. Let’s say you buy the Apple Watch, and you’re buying the Apple Watch because you believe that Apple is really committed to privacy, which they have publicly said that they are. And then you’re like, “Oh, I also use the running or fitness app Strava for, you know, collecting a lot of data and interacting with all of my athlete friends.” Well, you’re going to connect those two, you’re going to connect Strava through the Apple HealthKit. And that means Strava now has your data as well. And you have to agree to Strava’s privacy policies, which may or may not be as strong as Apple’s. And I’m just using Strava as an example here. But there are hundreds, thousands of third-party apps that you could link to your Apple Watch. And you don’t control what they do with your data. It’s a nasty little web of what happens with your data after you’ve given permission, so it’s tricky.

Adams: What is a wearable tech trend that you’re watching and most excited about going into 2023?

Song: I would actually say going into 2023, I’m most excited about the over-the-counter hearing aids market. It’s new, and it’s confusing. There’s bound to be drama in some sense, in this case regulatory drama. There’s just a lot of products out there, and how they market themselves as hearing aids or are they going to market themselves as personal sound-amplification products? You have consumers who are going to be new to this, going to retail stores trying to figure out what is best for their mild-to-moderate hearing loss. And I think that’s just going to be superinteresting to see which companies decide to enter that market. Like we’ve already seen Sony and Bose and some other big consumer tech brands kind of dip their toe in this arena. So it’s just gonna be really, really fun — well, fun for me, maybe not so fun for consumers to see how the line between hearing aids, headphones and hearables just blurs together.

Adams: We’re in the last little bit of time before holiday shopping for many people. Is there any particular wearable tech that you’d recommend for someone who’s on a budget or maybe needs a very-last-minute gift?

Song: So the good thing about wearables is that these used to be really luxury gadgets costing like $400, $500. But there’s actually a lot of solid entry-level budget options for people who are just looking to get started. Like if you’re on an iPhone, the best wearable you can get someone as a gift is an Apple Watch, it just is. But there’s different price levels for them now, like they just released the new second [generation] SE, and I really recommend that device as an entry-level gateway smartwatch for someone who doesn’t know whether they actually want one of these things or what type of device they want. It’s $250. If you can find it on sale, it might be for less. And the other trick that I give people is if you’re OK using a slightly older generation of device, look into refurbished markets because you can find higher-quality materials like the stainless steel instead of the aluminium for much cheaper than buying new. And it’s environmentally safe, and it’s still a really great gift. So I would check there.

Adams: My last three phones were refurbished.

Song: Yeah, there you go. See like, it’s a hack that we use as gadget reviewers. Also open box. Just look for eBay for open box stuff. It’s how you find it last minute for prices that aren’t so bad.

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

How Wearable Technology Can Improve Safety on the Jobsite – For Construction Pros

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

How Wearable Technology Can Improve Safety on the Jobsite – For Construction Pros

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

Revisit Wareable’s 2022 wearable technology events – Wareable

If you missed Wareable’s program of talks and events in 2022 – never fear. We’ve launched an on-demand service where you can get access to all of our talks.

In total there are 10 talks, including three panel discussions, delivering insights on the wearables industry from top insiders and experts.

Read on for a breakdown of our three wearables events and how you can access our box sets and on-demand access. 

The future of wearables 

Our first event saw Andrew Rickman of Rockley Photonics offer incredible insight into how his company was re-inventing the heart rate sensor, with all-new photonic technology, that will offer insights into metrics such as hydration tracking, blood pressure, and even glucose levels – all from the wrist.

He was joined by Issy Towell, of CCS Insight, who delivered a powerful talk on wearables for women, and how big tech companies have failed women so far – but how that could be about to change.

Download the box set here

Wellness wearables – how to FINALLY make them useful

Our second event focused on the idea of wellness – but how adding sensors isn’t the answer to creating great experiences that deliver meaningful change.

Amaury Kosman of Circular Ring joined us to explain how his company was tackling the idea of ‘so what?’ And making experiences that encouraged people to use their data to feel better – rather than just stare at the graphs and relegate their wearable to a drawer.

He was joined by Suzaan Saurman, an entrepreneur and experienced advisor to huge wearables brands. She talked about her learnings from years of working with the likes of Jabra, Fitbit, and Pandora – and how to make wearables that matter to women and effect meaningful change.

Download the box set here.

How can wearables evolve from the smartwatch?

Our final event of 2022 saw Qualcomm take to the stage. Pankaj Kedia outlined the company’s vision for wearables, where ubiquitous devices seamlessly talk together, and industries such as fashion, luxury, pets, and enterprise are all transformed by cheap, low-power, and slim wearable devices.

We also heard from Montblanc chief Felix Obschonka, who explained how Montblanc, a company steeped in centuries of traditions, has embraced wearable tech.

Download the box set here.

By James Stables

James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.

He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.

James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

Wearable Technology Market Projected to Reach $265.4 billion by … – GlobeNewswire

Chicago, May 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to MarketsandMarkets™, the Wearable Technology Market by Product (Wristwear, Headwear, Footwear, Fashion & Jewelry, Bodywear), Type (Smart Textile, Non-Textile), Application (Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Enterprise & Industrial), and Geography – Global Forecast to 2026″, size is projected to grow from USD 116.2 billion in 2021 to USD 265.4 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.0% from 2021 to 2026. Factors such as growing consumer preference for sleek and compact devices in fitness and healthcare applications and the rising popularity of IoT and connected devices are driving the growth of the market during the forecast period.

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Apple Inc. is one of the most innovative companies which designs and develops hardware, application software, and services for different consumer electronic products. The company has a prominent focus on R&D activities and is extremely innovative. In the wearable technology market, Apple offers a series of smartwatches with iOS. Apple Watch enables users to communicate in new ways from their wrist and track their health and fitness and offers workout apps and contactless payments through Apple Pay. Apple Watch Series 6 is specifically designed for contactless and secure payments and fitness and healthcare purposes. The company focuses on R&D activities to gain a competitive advantage. Also, the company’s growing investments in R&D have enabled it to expand its product portfolio in wearable technology.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was among the leading players in the wearable technology market in 2020. Samsung Electronics is a multinational conglomerate company. The company manufactures and sells consumer electronic products. To cater to the huge demand for wearable technologies, the company has a separate portfolio. The company’s premium smartwatch series Gear S, Gear Circle, Gear Fit, and Gear VR are the backbone of its wearable portfolio. Samsung competes against technology-intensive firms such as Apple, Google, and Sony, creating a strong competitive edge. The company’s R&D investment is increasing yearly, which is the major reason behind new product developments and the company’s growth.

Xiaomi Corporation is one of the largest global wearable device providers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, wearable devices, and other consumer electronics. The company’s product range includes smartphones, smartwatches, smart wristbands, wireless routers, tablets, TVs, and power banks. Xiaomi entered the wearable space in 2014. The company offers a wide product portfolio, which includes smart bands and smartwatches. Until 2019, Xiaomi smartwatches and bands with the payment technology were available only in China. However, the company is expanding its foothold in contactless technology in other countries as well. In June 2020, Xiaomi and Mastercard launched Mi smart band 4 NFC with the contactless payment function in Russia. Xiaomi continues to view product developments and collaborations as a major part of its growth strategy. Such product developments and collaborations are intended to augment growth, expand its business with new technologies and products, and enhance its geographical reach.

Browse in-depth TOC on “Wearable Technology Market”
147 – Tables
46- Figures
241 – Pages

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Key Market Players

The wearable technology market is dominated by a few globally established players such as

  • Apple Inc. (US),
  • Fitbit Inc. (US),
  • Google LLC (US),
  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(South Korea),
  • Garmin Ltd.(Switzerland),
  • LG(South Korea),
  • Huawei(China),
  • Sony Corporation(Japan), and more…….

APAC held the largest market for the wearable technology market in 2026

APAC accounted for the largest share in the market in 2026. APAC has the presence of prominent market players. Manufacturers in China and India offer wearable devices at a low price, making them affordable for customers. Many international players get their wearable devices manufactured and assembled by local manufacturers based in the region and then brand their names. The region has many highly populated countries, which account for the high adoption rate of consumer electronics. Wearable device manufacturers are continuously innovating their wearable devices to attain a competitive advantage. Several manufacturers have integrated NFC technology into their wearable devices to enable payment functionalities. Also, increasing per capita income in developing countries in the region as well as improving the standard of living have led to the growing demand for wearable devices. Besides, the wearable technology market in APAC is moderately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consumer electronics industry in China witnessed a decline in production owing to the outbreak of COVID-19. The global prices of consumer electronics witnessed a rise initially owing to the partial clamp down on manufacturing facilities in China. Also, critical components such as NFC chips and RFID tags which are manufactured in China faced a slowdown in their supply chain. The pandemic has also positively impacted the market by accelerating the rise of the digital economy, particularly wearable devices such as smartwatches. APAC also includes countries such as China, Japan, Singapore, and Australia, which are proving to be digitally mature markets where demand for consumer electronics has already been on the rise. These factors are fueling the market growth of wearable technology in APAC.

Related Reports:

Micro-LED Market


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Smartwatch Wearable tech

15 Features, Forms And Functions That May Soon Be Coming To Wearable Tech – Forbes

getty

Tech pundits have dubbed IBM’s Simon Personal Communicator the world’s first smartphone. Released in 1994, it didn’t gain much traction; it wasn’t until Apple’s first iPhone launched in 2007 that the smartphone started its journey toward becoming the indispensable piece of tech most of us never leave home without.

Wearable tech has seen steady growth in adoption in recent years, but when most people think of wearables, they think only of smartwatches and fitness trackers. However, with the ongoing addition of new capabilities and products—from glasses to headsets to clothing—wearable tech may soon take its place alongside—perhaps even surpass—the smartphone as must-have, everyday tech. Below, 15 members of Forbes Technology Council discuss some new features, forms and functions that may soon be coming to wearable tech that consumers should know about.

1. Deeper Integration With Other Wearables

One day, your watch, clothing, shoes and eyewear will all be connected and will monitor your health and other activities. It may not be “soon” exactly, but it’s not far away either. Wearables are gaining traction, and companies including Apple and Google are paying attention. Look for integrations with technology including augmented and virtual reality systems too. – Jordan Yallen, MetaTope

2. Renewable Energy Sources

I predict we will soon see the mainstream integration of renewable energy sources into wearable tech, including solar charging, body heat and motion, and so on. The biggest current drawback to wearable tech is the time we spend charging our devices. Soon, this will no longer be the case; we won’t need to plug in our myriad devices at night, because they will have charged during the day. – Vikas Khorana, Ntooitive Digital


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3. Capability To Charge Via User Action

Technological advances will allow wearable devices to be powered by users rather than relying on charging cords. This eliminates the constant worry of whether or not devices are charged when tracking workouts or other health metrics. Most importantly, it makes the tech invisible and effortless, giving users the luxury to move freely, build healthy habits and keep a better pulse on their health and goals. – Thomas Serval, Baracoda Group

4. Biometric Sensors

One new feature that will soon be coming to wearable tech is the integration of biometric sensors. These sensors, which can be embedded in wearable devices such as smartwatches or fitness trackers, can collect data on various physiological metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. – Ivan Novikov, Wallarm Inc.

5. Realistic Digital Twins

As Internet of Things sensors improve, they will use data to enable us to build increasingly realistic digital twins of different systems, from manufacturing facilities to shopping malls. Combine this with the metaverse and virtual reality headsets, and you have a whole new world where users can interact, work, shop and more. – Martin Taylor, Content Guru

6. Embedded Nonfungible Tokens

Wearables may soon feature embedded NFTs. Most wearables, including bags, sneakers, shirts and so on, will have an integrated NFT feature that will help identify them, verify their authenticity and create a digital twin that customers can use also in the digital space (such as the metaverse). – Nir Kaldero, NEORIS

7. Personalized Medical Alerts

Today’s wearable tech knows very little about the consumers who wear it. The next generation of wearable tech will incorporate much deeper contextual information about the individual that will enable better feedback and guidance. For example, imagine a fitness watch that uses its knowledge of each wearer’s medical history and medications to provide personalized alerts in dangerous situations. – William Bain, ScaleOut Software, Inc.

8. Brain Wave Pattern Recognition To Operate Devices

I have recently discovered a new technology that allows the user to control devices using their mind via a headband. This extraordinary technology uses AI to pattern-recognize EEG brain waves and issues commands to, for example, wheelchairs, thus enabling severely disabled users to operate the vehicle without physical intervention. – Carlo Brayda, Tortora Brayda Institute

9. Remote Patient Monitors

Remote patient monitoring is one of the most significant potential advantages of wearable tech. Patients will have more influence over their own lives and health thanks to remote monitoring. It could lower the number of hospital stays or pricey therapies for those with long-term illnesses. Wearable technology can really stop chronic illnesses from ever occurring, in addition to monitoring them. – Dipesh Ranjan, Cyble, Inc.

10. Social Interaction Tracking

By tracking every human interaction you have, wearables will know the answer to the question, “Where do I know that person from?” In the process, wearables will identify new impromptu social networks based on people you consistently cross paths with, but may never know. These networks will be based on previously unknown affiliations or shared traits and behaviors that naturally draw people together. – Malcolm Hawker, Profisee

11. Location-Based, Personalized Recommendations

Smarter, more efficient use of location intelligence will soon come to wearable tech. Wearable tech will take location data beyond route mapping and distance tracking to create proactive, personalized recommendations, from a can’t-miss event or attraction to the best place to stop for a snack or refuel. This will make wearable tech indispensable and, potentially, change the way we move about the world. – Jeff White, Gravy Analytics

12. Vital Statistics Monitors

Wearables embedded directly into clothing will create new healthcare possibilities, monitoring everything from liver and kidney functions to sweat to detect electrolyte levels to mobility. This will allow physicians to track a patient’s progress while recovering from physical injuries. Combining this with other advancements in clothing technology would allow device makers to change the color of your shirt to red if your electrolytes are low. – Matt Dickson, Stericycle Communication Solutions

13. Gamified Health-Monitoring Apps

I expect apps synced with wearable tech to become more fun. For example, if we look at apps for continuous glucose monitoring, most of them offer just the bare minimum: charts, glucose level alerts and sharing. What if we gamify the app, reward healthy habits with badges and add community-building features such as content sharing, quizzes debunking myths about diabetes or other real-time challenges? – Konstantin Klyagin, Redwerk

14. Gesture Control

One of the new features that will soon be available with wearable tech is gesture control. This technology uses sensors to detect hand and body movements, allowing users to control the device with simple gestures. This could be used to scroll through pages, navigate menus and control various functions on the device. This could make wearing and using wearable tech much easier and more intuitive. – Sean Toussi, Glo3D Inc.

15. AR Overlay

I think the exciting new feature that consumers can look forward to in the near future is augmented reality. It involves the overlay of digital content on top of the physical world and can be used to create a number of exciting new applications for wearable devices, such as enhancing your workout with real-time feedback on your performance, helping you find and purchase new items in stores and more. – Sandro Shubladze, Datamam

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

Wearable Technology Market Projected to Reach $265.4 billion by … – GlobeNewswire

Chicago, May 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — According to MarketsandMarkets™, the Wearable Technology Market by Product (Wristwear, Headwear, Footwear, Fashion & Jewelry, Bodywear), Type (Smart Textile, Non-Textile), Application (Consumer Electronics, Healthcare, Enterprise & Industrial), and Geography – Global Forecast to 2026″, size is projected to grow from USD 116.2 billion in 2021 to USD 265.4 billion by 2026; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18.0% from 2021 to 2026. Factors such as growing consumer preference for sleek and compact devices in fitness and healthcare applications and the rising popularity of IoT and connected devices are driving the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Ask for PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=983

Apple Inc. is one of the most innovative companies which designs and develops hardware, application software, and services for different consumer electronic products. The company has a prominent focus on R&D activities and is extremely innovative. In the wearable technology market, Apple offers a series of smartwatches with iOS. Apple Watch enables users to communicate in new ways from their wrist and track their health and fitness and offers workout apps and contactless payments through Apple Pay. Apple Watch Series 6 is specifically designed for contactless and secure payments and fitness and healthcare purposes. The company focuses on R&D activities to gain a competitive advantage. Also, the company’s growing investments in R&D have enabled it to expand its product portfolio in wearable technology.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. was among the leading players in the wearable technology market in 2020. Samsung Electronics is a multinational conglomerate company. The company manufactures and sells consumer electronic products. To cater to the huge demand for wearable technologies, the company has a separate portfolio. The company’s premium smartwatch series Gear S, Gear Circle, Gear Fit, and Gear VR are the backbone of its wearable portfolio. Samsung competes against technology-intensive firms such as Apple, Google, and Sony, creating a strong competitive edge. The company’s R&D investment is increasing yearly, which is the major reason behind new product developments and the company’s growth.

Xiaomi Corporation is one of the largest global wearable device providers. The company designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, wearable devices, and other consumer electronics. The company’s product range includes smartphones, smartwatches, smart wristbands, wireless routers, tablets, TVs, and power banks. Xiaomi entered the wearable space in 2014. The company offers a wide product portfolio, which includes smart bands and smartwatches. Until 2019, Xiaomi smartwatches and bands with the payment technology were available only in China. However, the company is expanding its foothold in contactless technology in other countries as well. In June 2020, Xiaomi and Mastercard launched Mi smart band 4 NFC with the contactless payment function in Russia. Xiaomi continues to view product developments and collaborations as a major part of its growth strategy. Such product developments and collaborations are intended to augment growth, expand its business with new technologies and products, and enhance its geographical reach.

Browse in-depth TOC on “Wearable Technology Market”
147 – Tables
46- Figures
241 – Pages

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=983

Key Market Players

The wearable technology market is dominated by a few globally established players such as

  • Apple Inc. (US),
  • Fitbit Inc. (US),
  • Google LLC (US),
  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(South Korea),
  • Garmin Ltd.(Switzerland),
  • LG(South Korea),
  • Huawei(China),
  • Sony Corporation(Japan), and more…….

APAC held the largest market for the wearable technology market in 2026

APAC accounted for the largest share in the market in 2026. APAC has the presence of prominent market players. Manufacturers in China and India offer wearable devices at a low price, making them affordable for customers. Many international players get their wearable devices manufactured and assembled by local manufacturers based in the region and then brand their names. The region has many highly populated countries, which account for the high adoption rate of consumer electronics. Wearable device manufacturers are continuously innovating their wearable devices to attain a competitive advantage. Several manufacturers have integrated NFC technology into their wearable devices to enable payment functionalities. Also, increasing per capita income in developing countries in the region as well as improving the standard of living have led to the growing demand for wearable devices. Besides, the wearable technology market in APAC is moderately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The consumer electronics industry in China witnessed a decline in production owing to the outbreak of COVID-19. The global prices of consumer electronics witnessed a rise initially owing to the partial clamp down on manufacturing facilities in China. Also, critical components such as NFC chips and RFID tags which are manufactured in China faced a slowdown in their supply chain. The pandemic has also positively impacted the market by accelerating the rise of the digital economy, particularly wearable devices such as smartwatches. APAC also includes countries such as China, Japan, Singapore, and Australia, which are proving to be digitally mature markets where demand for consumer electronics has already been on the rise. These factors are fueling the market growth of wearable technology in APAC.

Related Reports:

Micro-LED Market


Categories
Smartwatch Wearable tech

‘It’s not going to have to be a $700 watch:’ The future of wearable tech – The Globe and Mail

Kinesiology professor Reed Ferber helped create We-TRAC, a University of Calgary program that uses data from volunteers’ wearable technology to research everything from sleep to exercise.Glenn Lowson

Before Reed Ferber helped create an entire university program to study wearable technology and biometric data, his journey to understanding the power of wearables began while working at the Running Injury Clinic in 2008.

Ferber, a professor at the University of Calgary’s faculty of kinesiology, was working with a casual runner and asked her what her distance goals were for the day. “She said, ‘Well, I wasn’t going to go for a run today. I left my Nike chip at home,’ ” explaining that she was competing in a running challenge with friends.

The course of Ferber’s research would change after being shown the empty chip insert lodged in the sole of her runners. “Right there – it just clicked that her behaviour was changing because of this technology,” Ferber says. “And as a health researcher, I’m trying to change people’s behaviour.”

Since then, Ferber helped create We-TRAC, a University of Calgary program that uses data from volunteers’ wearable tech for research on everything from sleep to exercise.

In recent years, the sophistication, specificity and types of wearable technology and smart watches have branched out. Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and Huawei remain the dominant brands in wearable tech, accounting for around 30 per cent, 10 per cent, 9 per cent and 7 per cent of the market share, respectively, according to a 2022 IDC report. But there are many competing companies selling technology with specialized features and measurements.

Garmin, for example, offers smartwatches from $99 to over $2,000, from basic activity trackers to watches for golfers that map out courses and individual shots, waterproof watches for swimmers, and watches that display aviation information for pilots. Other wearables, like the WHOOP wristband, can use blood oxygen levels, heart rate and heart rate variability to track sleep, physical activity and recovery.

The Oura Ring can monitor sleep, potential stress, exercise, and was found to detect signals of COVID-19 in a study with the University of California, San Francisco. “The Oura Ring is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose medical conditions. However, it provides a holistic picture of a person’s health,” an Oura spokesperson says, explaining that it can help users “spot meaningful changes in their metrics, like an elevated heart rate or temperature, that can be shared with medical providers to help diagnose and/or treat health conditions.”

Michael Snyder, professor and chair of Stanford University’s department of genetics, was able to notice early symptoms of Lyme disease in 2015 while participating in a study that had him attached to eight biosensors. When he saw that his blood oxygen was abnormally low and his heartbeat was elevated after a stint in rural Massachusetts, Snyder promptly got treated for the disease. Later tests would show that he did, in fact, have Lyme disease, and it prompted him to look further into the uses of wearable tech.

When the pandemic hit, Snyder and his group from wearable tech data. Using smartwatch data from 5,300 volunteers with various brands, they found 31 people with Fitbits who had recorded when their symptoms presented and when they were diagnosed. “It worked 80 per cent of the time, with 26 of 31 cases [detecting signs of COVID-19] in a median of four days prior to symptom onset,” he says.

While excited by the initial results, Snyder says any widespread use of such an app would require further testing and regulatory approvals. “It is a research study – we’re not FDA approved,” he says. But Snyder is a firm believer in the technology’s potential. “This is it. This is the future.”

While Ferber acknowledges that the sensors, software and apps have improved, he cautions that some wearable tech companies have not adequately validated their products, if at all. “I’m not going to name names, but there’s a lot of products out there – especially if you see a new one on the shelf or it pops up in your Instagram feed – chances are it has not been validated, and they’re simply looking to make money.”

He suggests prospective buyers check to see if the company has partnered with a university, and if the research has been peer reviewed.

The future includes wearable tech into clothing, says Simon Fraser University professor Max Donelan. “The idea would be to integrate it directly into what you wear, like your shoes, or your helmet,” says Donelan, who co-directs SFU’s WearTech Labs, “but eventually, people imagine it being woven directly into clothing.”

Reed says this kind of technology already exists, as companies like WHOOP have begun to roll out sensor-enhanced technical clothing. “We’re going to buy our wearable tech from Walmart, TJ Maxx – just an average clothing store pretty soon. It’s not going to have to be a $700 watch.”

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

The Merge Between Fashion and Functionality: Wearable Tech – LUXUO

Image: MICA

Fashion and technology are two different spheres that have been brought together when the first calculator watch was introduced in the mid 1970s. Since then, wearable technology has only been growing, entering not only the accessories sector but clothing and footwear. Nowadays, luxury companies are rethinking their approach to tech-based fashion, and today’s digital adoption and consumer readiness are fast-tracking the wearables industry to hit US$6.5 billion by 2027. From the US$15,000 diamond-clad DeGrisogono rendition of the Samsung Gear S2 Smartwatch to Louis Vuitton’s in-house connected Tambour timepiece, luxury brands are making their mark in the smart tech space.

A more recent example, Gucci’s foray into the tech world sees them collaborating with Oura, a smart ring brand that’s managed to find a market of more than 300,000 wearers to date because of its impressive tech. Gucci X Oura monitors a number of metrics — including heart rate, body temperature, oxygen levels and movement — to calculate three daily scores: Sleep, Activity and Readiness. It’s a comprehensive health consultant packaged into a device the size and shape of a standard wedding band. Oura sells the same Generation 3 ring in silver on its website, the Gucci rendition just comes in black PVD titanium with details and the brand’s logo in gold tone; it’s a combination of style and smart tech. Appearance aside, the Oura Generation 3 and the Gucci x Oura rings are identical, which begs the question, why is there such a demand for fashionable wearable technology?

Image: Gucci x Oura

Well, Oura believes that what one wears also impacts how a person feels. The Oura technology is already established, but it has become a more attractive wearable device with Gucci’s style. This is fashion and function together. Oura’s chief operations officer Michael Chapp said, “Oura has always held a firm belief that wearables can be both innovative and stylish. With this collaboration, we’re hoping to elevate our design and appeal to more audiences.”

The Merge Between Fashion and Functionality

Image: Montblanc

There’s always been an interest in the world of fashion in the practicalities and possibilities of new ideas, so it’s not a surprise that new wearable tech trends are being explored by the fashion industry. From dystopian-inspired innovations to tech and fashion brand collaborations, the constant blurring of boundaries between design and smart technology is ever-present.

Image: TAG Heuer

This marriage between design and functionality are often seen in watch brands. TAG Heuer’s latest Connected Calibre E4 watch combines elegance and craftsmanship with new high-tech features that focuses on an immersive sports experience. It works with the TAG Heuere Sport app and provides detailed tracking for golf, running, cycling, walking and fitness sessions thanks to the watch’s built-in GPS and heart-rate monitor. “The TAG Heuer Connected watch was designed and engineered with the same passion and attention to detail as our mechanical watches. The Connected watch is not only a beautiful timepiece, it’s a truly immersive experience, as it now sits within a complete TAG Heuer digital ecosystem geared towards performance and sports. It expresses the brand in a completely new way and offers limitless possibilities in terms of innovation for the future and will lead the way into a new era for TAG Heuer.” states TAG Heuer’s chief strategy and digital officer, Frédéric Arnault. The smart features of the watch is combined with the elegance of a chronograph-inspired timepiece crafted in the purest watchmaking tradition, with a 45-mm case in materials like stainless-steel titanium, ceramic or sapphire crystal, subtle polishes and interchangeable strap choices.

Image: Hublot

Hublot also had a foray into wearable technology with their luxury smartwatch, the Big Bang E Titanium 42, which folds connected tech into one of the 21st century’s most recognisable watch designs. The Big Bang E builds on that platform and is part of LVMH’s larger push into high-end smartwatches, it’s regarded as the new incarnation of the brand’s Art of Fusion ethos: a fusion between tradition and innovation, cutting edge materials and the latest digital technology. Equipped with the latest technological developments available for wearable technology, the Big Bang E Titanium comprises of 42 components and is powered with Wear OS by Google. The wearer can access apps on Google Play, get answers on the go with Google Assistant and make fast simple payments with Google Pay. It features exclusive interpretations of traditional watch complications, such as the Perpetual Calendar with an immaculately precise moon phase or a second GMT time zone, and enhanced to take advantage of the possibilities offered by the digital world. The result is a more traditional wristwatch wearing experience that includes the expressive nature of wearable technology.

Nike’s chief talent scout, Michael Leming states that “With aesthetics being as important as the devices these days, tech execs are hiring fashion powerhouses in the hopes that their new partners will bring their taste with them. Leaders have to be more broadly skilled than before: they have to be able to respond to a customer base that wants tech and fashion in one package.”

Image: Apple

The mindset of technology and fashion fusing is not an uncommon one. In 2015, with the release of the original Apple Watch, it was revealed that Apple had partnered up with luxury goods maker Hermés. At that time, Fitbit and Pebble were the main players in the smartwatch industry, but with the release of the Apple Watch alongside the iconic collaboration, the two experts offered consumers the best of technological and traditional craftsmanship. The goal was to create a product that will attract both tech and high-fashion audiences. As a result, the wearing of the watch didn’t just mean that you were a tech-fan but it became a powerful fashion statement.

One thing is for sure, we have a lot to look forward to in terms of wearable tech. No matter the fashion-tech collaboration, there is a simple theme to bring the product to market: design for the user. It’s not enough to be fashionable or technically savvy, consumers want both.

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Smartwatch Wearable tech

Wearable tech: eating and playing our way to a longer lifespan – Big Think

Scientists predict that humans can live up to 150 years without significant medical intervention. The key to achieving this long life isn’t a well-kept secret: Eat better and exercise more. But this is easier said than done.

Food recommendations seem to always be changing, and exercising becomes more difficult as we get older. Wearable technology, however, is changing what we know about our dietary needs while creating new possibilities for engaging in physical activity. In other words, our fancy gadgets are helping us to eat and play our way to a longer lifespan.

Throw out the food diaries and calories trackers

In 2022, a group of Norwegian scientists investigated the effect specific foods have on life expectancy. Some of the results were as expected: Eating more legumes could add one to four years. Other results were a bit more confusing: Eating more vegetables could cause either a loss or gain of a year. Eating vegetables is generally good for one’s health, so why was it sometimes associated with a shorter life span? For that matter, why do some legume eaters only get an extra year, while others get four? Not all vegetables or legumes are made the same. Mung beans contain more iron than peanuts; kale contains more vitamin C than asparagus. To understand what we should eat to live a long, healthy life, we need a reliable way to measure the nutritional content of the food we eat.

In 2018, researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering designed a wearable device that can detect specific molecules, such as glucose and salt, in food while it is being eaten. The 2mm x 2mm sensor attaches directly to a tooth and transmits radiofrequency waves based on the nutritional molecules it detects. This technology can provide glimpses into exactly what nutrients our bodies are taking in. 

“In theory we can modify the bioresponsive layer in these sensors to target other chemicals – we are really limited only by our creativity,” said Fiorenzo Omenetto, Ph.D., one of the engineers who designed the sensor. C. Doble Professor of Engineering at Tufts. 

The tooth-mounted sensor might be able to tell us the exact molecular composition of our diet. (Credit: Tseng et al, Advanced Materials, 2018)

This information, however, is only helpful if we know how those specific nutrient levels influence health. What we eat affects us all differently. Two people might have the same meal, but their body’s responses can vary wildly. This has led health tech researchers to develop wearable technologies to assess the effects of diet in a more precise way. In 2020, the Melbourne-based startup Nutronimcs announced that it was partnering with engineers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) to develop the world’s first personalized nutrition-monitoring patch. The thumbprint-sized smart patch painlessly measures key dietary biomarkers and sends the information to an app, enabling users to precisely track how their bodies respond to different foods.

“This smart patch is a significant evolution in wearable health monitoring technology,” said Sharath Sriram, the co-director of RMIT’s Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group. “Current wearable technologies can track your heart rate and steps, but they can’t monitor your health at a molecular level. This new technology goes deeper, targeting the precise biomarkers that drive lifestyle-related diseases like Type 2 diabetes.”

It is unlikely that you’ll be wearing a tooth-mounted sensor or nutrition-monitoring patch in the next couple of years, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to benefit from these wearable technologies in the immediate future. For the first time, scientists can monitor nutritional intake and bodily effects in real time. These wearable sensors have the potential to move us away from general food recommendations and toward understanding the unique needs each individual requires for long life. 

Wearable tech transforms physical activity into play

For millennia, researchers have known physicahhgl activity is important for health. Hippocrates and Galen advised that a lack of physical exercise was detrimental to health. Unfortunately, these ancient wise men also claimed that over-exertion was also unwise, and many western cultures took this to heart. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that scientists had begun to backtrack 2,000 years and suggest that, perhaps, vigorous physical activity can improve life expectancy. 

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In the mid-1900s, researchers became interested in using steps per day to quantify physical activity. For about 50 years, step-trackers were primarily used in research. In the 1990s, however, the waist-mounted activity tracker escaped the lab and started becoming popular for fitness enthusiasts. Two decades later, the step-tracker market finally hit its stride, largely thanks to FitBit. 

FitBit did something remarkable. In addition to automatically recording daily steps, the device introduced goals and achievements. Walking with a FitBit wasn’t just physical activity, it was a game. Many wearable activity trackers quickly followed suit. In 2022, researchers in Denmark reviewed more than 120 studies of smart-step trackers and concluded that wearing the devices leads to about 1,200 extra steps per day.

It turns out people are more likely to engage in physical activity if it feels like playing. Despite 50 years of studies, it remained unclear whether a few extra steps could increase a person’s lifespan. The Danish researchers finally cleared up the matter. For those who are already relatively active, an additional 1,000 steps a day reduces mortality by 6%. For those who live a more sedentary lifestyle, 1,000 extra steps can reduce mortality by up 36%. 

But not everyone has the luxury of going for a walk every day. For those who are older or with disabilities, physical activity is often carried out in a rehab facility and in isolation. Consequently, these groups (of which all of us are or will be a member of) engage in less exercise and don’t receive the same level of cognitive and emotional benefit that comes from playful physical activity. 

Over the last decade, researchers have found that virtual reality-based exergames (VREs) have the potential to be an accessible way for everyone to engage in physical activity, regardless of age or ableness. VREs are dual tasks, meaning they stimulate the brain to generate cognitive and motor responses simultaneously. With the advances in new games, especially interactive games, it is possible to improve an individual’s physical and cognitive health better than traditional exercise, while playing with others. For example, according to two randomized control trials, a single session of Nintendo Wii-Workouts improved semantic memory and executive function of elderly individuals, and 12-16 sessions increased short-term memory and mobility of the same group.