Wearable technology, including fitness trackers and smartwatches, is a rapidly evolving sector within the broader technology industry, surpassing the pace of smartphone development. From basic fitness trackers to advanced sports and smartwatches, as well as virtual and augmented reality headsets, wearables have become ubiquitous. They have even given rise to a new subcategory called “hearables” — devices placed in the ear to deliver music and provide access to smart assistants. For those new to the world of wearables, this article will provide a comprehensive overview.
What Is Wearable Tech?
The new generation of wearables is designed to connect with our daily lives, equipped with smart sensors that monitor our movements and biometrics. These devices often use Bluetooth for wireless synchronization with smartphones, while some rely on Wi-Fi and standalone mobile 4G LTE connections. Wearables use sensors to engage with individuals, helping them achieve goals such as staying active, losing weight, staying organized, or monitoring their mental and physical health. In the case of virtual and augmented reality headsets, they offer a wide range of entertainment and educational opportunities, enhancing our experiences.
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How Are They Worn?
In the early days of wearables, devices were often clipped to our bodies, primarily to track movement through motion sensors. However, advancements in sensor technology have led to wearables that require direct skin contact. As a result, wearables have gravitated to various body parts, including wrists, fingers, chest, forearms, ears, eyes, forehead, temples, and more.
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Types of Wearables
- Smartwatches: These wrist-worn devices connect to mobile phones, serving as mini-windows into users’ digital lives. The Apple Watch, a dominant player, provides notifications, call functionality, physical activity tracking, GPS for location services, and even LTE models. Android users have their equivalent in Google’s Wear OS, and other options like the Skagen Falster 3 and Fitbit Versa 2 cater to different preferences.
- Fitness Trackers: Popular among those seeking to monitor heart rate, steps, and calorie burn, fitness trackers offer smartphone notifications and extended battery life compared to smartwatches. Devices like the Fitbit Charge 3 and Xiaomi Mi Band 4 provide features such as heart-rate tracking, sleep tracking, and waterproofing.
- Sports Watches: Ideal for athletes, these dedicated sports watches come with GPS, heart rate tracking, and in-depth insights, enhancing the training experience. Garmin’s Forerunner series, the Fenix 6, and options from Polar and Suunto cater to different sporting needs.
- Head-Mounted Displays: These are classified into virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) categories. VR headsets, such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, immerse users in virtual worlds. Standalone options like Oculus Quest and Vive Cosmos offer high-quality experiences. On the other hand, AR/smartglasses enhance the real world with virtual elements. Microsoft’s Hololens and smart glasses like the Eyesight Raptor and Solos are leading this field.
- Hearables: The fastest-growing segment, hearables, are worn in the ear. Apple’s AirPods and other voice assistant-enabled earphones fall into this category. There are also devices for live translation, smart hearing aids, and smart sunglasses like the Bose Frames.
- Consumer Health: Wearables with medical-grade sensors are saving lives and broadening their appeal. Examples include the Apple Watch with an ECG feature, wearable blood sugar monitors, and devices for treating conditions like insomnia and depression.
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Challenges and Future Developments
Despite remarkable progress, wearables still face some challenges. Battery life remains a limitation for many devices, and sleep tracking is an area where improvements are needed. Hearables hold promise, but seamless support for voice assistants and real-time language translation without lag is desired. Smart clothing, while promising, faces development challenges. Additionally, we are just scratching the surface in terms of interpreting the wealth of biometric data that wearables collect. Virtual reality and augmented reality have potential, but the quest to integrate these technologies seamlessly into our lives is ongoing.
In conclusion, the world of wearables is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, offering a diverse range of devices to suit different lifestyles and needs. As technology continues to advance, we can expect more innovations and improvements in the world of wearable technology, making it an exciting space to watch.
