By 2022, the number of connected wearable devices around the world is expected to reach 1.1 billion. Wearable technology has a futuristic appeal and users are hooked to the technology. Some of the popular end-products of wearable technology are Smartwatches, Smartglasses, Fitness trackers, temperature controllers, Hearables, etc. Due to the advancements in technology, app development companiesbuild apps that can enhance the experience of the wearable device.
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What is Wearable Technology?
Wearables are the gadgets that can be worn, embedded in their clothing or implanted straight into user’s body. Wearable devices have smart sensors connected to the internet for logging, transmitting, and analyzing data. As per Statista, between 2016 and 2019, the number of wearables connected devices went from 325 to 722 million.
Wearable devices measure user’s personal data thousands of times a day through smart sensors and microchips embedded in the electronic device. Wearable devices can access applications and provide feedback.
Benefits of Wearables in Different Industries
Healthcare
Wearable technology is readily used in healthcare; it’s a great way to safeguard people. Smart sensors are used to measure the quality of sleep, heart rate, respiratory functions, etc. These sensors communicate with each other to store all health-related data of a user. The user receives feedback and reminders about his health. In treatment decision making, diagnosis, and preventive healthcare, the wearable devices are estimated to save more than $20 billion.
Fitness trackers: Wearable fitness trackers are smart bands and are hugely popular. For example. Fitbit, Garmin, etc.
Smart health watches: Apple watch from Apple, Galaxy watches from Samsung are the examples of smart health watches.
Body mounted sensors: Monitoring of biological data by sensors for healthcare purposes. For example, wearable ECG monitors, biosensors for detecting blood oxygen, muscle oxygen saturation, etc.
Fitness trackers became the most popular wearable devices and after that smartwatches have followed the lead.
Gaming
Wearable technology has been gaining popularity in gaming. In recent years. Wearable gaming technologies have gained a lot of attention. They are not something new, and in coming years, they will continue to grow.
The progress in the gaming wearable technology paced up with the first prototypes of modern VR headsets. Now, virtual reality wearable devices have common and are a source of entertainment in the gaming industry. Customers want a better experience with each new release, that’s why wearable haptic devices are a perfect applicant for the job.
Virtual Reality wearables: Virtual Reality (VR) headsets were the first type of wearables used in gaming. With the help of VR gaming headsets and goggles users enter the gaming world and immerse completely in it. The gaming world seems so real as if it’s the reality. VR wearables are the most important gaming wearable. These VR wearable devices are available to fit any budget- simple VR goggles to display 3D game environment, advanced motion-control VR headsets to capture and transmit full user’s head and eye movements.
Haptic Devices: Haptic devices provide tactile feedback, which means producing repeated patterns of pressure on the skin, which brain interpret as a rich array of sensations. Haptics have bee incorporated into wearable devices- haptic vests, suits, gloves, etc., make the whole gaming experience more realistic. As the technology is evolving, haptics would be more common in wearable devices.
Fashion
Fashion industry is high on trends; whenever anything exciting comes in, it never skips an opportunity to make it a part of fashion. Smart garments and accessories join aesthetics with functional technology. Smart accessories can change their color to match your outfits, smart bag can charge your phone, etc.
Smart fabrics of Levi’s have sensors to measure biometrics.
Trends in Wearable App Development
By 2022, 22% of US population is projected to use wearable devices. Such a huge growth means software development firm has to buckle up to provide users with the best. Let’s see some of the top trends in wearable devices app development:
Internet of Things
Internet of Things (IoT) means a network of physical objects that are embedded with sensors or other technologies to connect and exchange data over the internet. Healthcare facilities are rolling out below IoT-enables devices:
- Wearable defibrillators for heart patients
- Remote asthma monitors
- Glucose trackers
- Bluetooth enabled tracking apps for cancer patients
- Sports utility equipment to avoid concussion
Google has been targeting customers with products like smart lens and Apple has come up with iWatch. It’s important for wearable app developers to integrate IoT into their products to make a mark.
Shared Data Ownership
It is projected that by 2025, there would be 30.9 billion connected IoT devices, which would produce 79 zettabytes of data. Following sources of data would contribute to the data:
- Industrial control systems
- Wearables
- Business Applications
- Sensors and devices
- Web Data
- Location Trackers
- Digital Media
Shared data ownerships make it easy to merge wearable tech companies with e-commerce platforms. IoT data collection will make marketers to leave old ways and experiment with unconventional approaches.
GPS Wearables
Wristbands, Google glass are some examples of wearable technology that collect user location. These devices are pocket friendly and have gained a huge popularity. These wearables allow guardians to supervise adolescents with a single tracker. In future, wearable devices need to be integrated with GPS.
e-Payments
The global contactless payments marketplace is anticipated to reach $18 billion by 2025. Wearables and smartphones will act as catalysts in the rise. Even private banks are also introducing contactless wearable devices. Near Field Communication Technology (NFCT) is utilized for connecting smart devices to debit cards, credit cards, and prepaid cards.
Smartwatch development
Consumers want more in less cost. Smartwatches can double as a fitness tracker and a small smartphone. Software development firm understands user requirements and come up with something innovative. Smartwatches can track heart rate, glucose levels, number of steps taken, calories burned in a particular physical activity, etc.
Beacon Technology
Beacons are wireless transmitters and they interact with the devices in their vicinity and exchange information with them. Beacons operate on low-power Bluetooth technology and is incorporated into wearables like smartwatches.
Challenges in Wearable Technology
Wearable technology will see advancements that will help overcome challenges like limitations of wearable apps, seamless connectivity, compatibility with multitude of devices. In addition to that, data privacy is one of the biggest challenges for wearable app development companies.
Initially, users are reluctant to share their private data due to fear of security breaches. Strong user authentication is crucial to save users from attacks. Another challenge in wearable apps is updating them to keep them relevant; the development of wearable apps is more complex than normal smartphone apps. Wearable app development companies are working hard to overcome these challenges, and with the advancements in technology, these challenges would be overcome in no time.
Final Words
There is no doubt that wearable technology brings many benefits including lifestyle benefits. Users love wearables because of the many benefits and convenience they provide to users. The app development company understands that the future belongs to those who understand the importance of wearables and come up with unique solutions to make users’ lives easier and more convenient.
