By 2019, the wearable market is projected to be worth $25 billion with smartwatches having a dominant 60 percent share of the industry. While there appears to be a growing demand for smartwatches, the technology isn’t close to being perfected, and is still in its infancy. Recent developments addressing performance quality, reliability, battery life, and other factors make the future of this industry, look very promising. Improved design qualities are essential in the potential success of the wearables market down the road, with the following three factors especially standing out.
Improved Operating Systems:
Some of the wearable industry’s big players like Google, Apple, and Samsung have been learning from experience to make smartwatches more user-friendly. These corporate entities started offering new features with every system update. The Android Wear 2.0, for example, contains several different features like Google Fit and the “smarter” Google Assistant.
LG has begun utilizing Watch Sport and Watch Style, while Android Pay (via NFC and Smart Replay system) is developing a smartphone-like device. These particular wearables will compete against the Apple Watch, which is already installed with Apple Pay services software. Watchmakers like Swatch and Tag Heuer have reportedly considered making their own smartwatch operating systems (OS), with Swatch aiming to create an in-house OS that focuses on details many devices sorely lack such as battery life. This is all part of the company’s promise to start “thinking small”, which translates to researching and developing wearables that utilize less battery power.
Independently Operating, Tether-Free Devices:
One of the biggest steps forward in the smartwatch sector of the wearables industry would be the development of reliable smartwatches that are tether-less and capable of performing tasks similar to smartphones without having to be synced. The hope behind this is to ease a growing concern among consumers that see wearables as no more than a mobile accessory.
Samsung developed a standalone smartwatch that comes with its own SIM card slot, while being able to run apps and connect to Wi-Fi or mobile data. Rumors are swirling that Apple is developing a tether-free watch as well. Most consumers have given unfavorable ratings and reviews on standalone watches, mainly citing issues regarding reliability, compatibility, along with unreliable OS. More reliable standalone and tether-free devices are awaiting release, which should help smartwatches gain acceptance on a mainstream level.
Improved GPS Accuracy:
Automotive giant Mitsubishi recently announced their intentions to expedite delivery of what they described as their “crazily accurate GPS”, which is expected to be released in 2018. The project’s aim is to sync four new satellites for improving the proximity of their navigation technology. Mitsubishi isn’t looking to compete against the US GPS system, but plan on fixing inaccuracies contained in tracking service so locations can be mapped out more precisely as more industries begin utilizing this technology.
The availability of GPS led to the telematics industry forming, which integrated other technologies that allowed for remote management of smartwatches, smart cars, and other assets. Smartwatches will become more reliable in tracking the whereabouts of its user, which will come in handy for determining consumer demographics for groups like the elderly. As the availability of GPS improves, becomes more accurate and high-tech, we should expect to see more technologies and industries become increasingly involved in utilizing this navigational brand of technology.
Filed Under: M2M (machine to machine)
