The upcoming generation of wearables is expected to be lighter and more flexible. Future devices may also be equipped with an advanced power source, which could be a portable, long-lasting battery or even a generator. Indeed, as Professor Byung Jin Cho of The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) notes, supplying power in a stable […]
Analysts at IHS say the global market for batteries used in wearable electronics will increase more than tenfold in just four short years, propelled by new devices suitable for active sports and fitness lifestyles. Indeed, worldwide revenue for wearable electronics batteries is projected to reach $77 million by 2018, up considerably from a mere $6 […]
On March 8th, the Chinese American Semiconductor Professionals Association (CASPA) held a symposium titled “The Wearable Future: Moving Beyond the Hype; the Search for the Holy Grail and Practical Use Cases.” As SemiWiki’s Daniel Nenni notes in a recent blog post, the symposium, hosted at the Intel HQ Auditorium in Santa Clara, was standing room […]
Industrial Economics and Knowledge Research Center (IEK) analyst Hou Chun-Yuan says worldwide wearable device shipments will increase approximately 499 percent to 190 million units in 2018, up from 31.7 million units 2014. According to Hou, the global market for wearable devices like smartwatches and wristbands is forecast to grow significantly this year as various technical […]
As the potential for smart wearable devices continues to draw new entrants into the market, it is the sports and healthcare functionality that currently dominates shipments and is expected to drive future wearable device adoption. According to analysts at ABI Research, the most popular device functionality is heart rate monitoring – with close to 12 […]
Basic and smart wearable band shipments increased dramatically in the second half of 2013, with analysts at Canalys predicting a significant acceleration of the trend in 2014. Indeed, over 17 million wearable bands are forecast to ship this year, driven primarily by devices with wearable-specific sensors. According to Canalys analyst Chris Jones, basic band vendors […]
Forrester analyst JP Gownder says tech companies must create a new type of ecosystem for wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, this ecosystem shouldn’t necessarily focus on developers, hardware makers or service companies. Rather, Gownder believes it should prioritize brands, healthcare providers, retailers, financial services companies and governments. “Let’s be honest: A lot […]
Analysts at ABI Research expect 90 million wearable devices to ship in 2014. As senior analyst Joshua Flood notes, wearable tech will be characterized by a diversity of products, although only those with clear use-cases and target audiences are likely to succeed. “The next 12 months will be a critical period for the acceptance and […]
Writing for InformationWeek, Forrester analyst J.P. Gownder confirms that wearable devices represent the next logical step in the mobile revolution. “If done right – with vigorous ecosystems of brands, retailers, healthcare providers, and even governments tapping into their value – wearables will create more efficient and seamless experiences for wearers,” he explains. “Many of these […]
Writing for ComputerWorld, Matt Hamblen reports that an apps shortage has been a “major shortfall” plaguing many wearable devices. As Hamblen notes, some smartwatches might have only 15 to 20 apps – and often require Bluetooth to connect with a nearby smartphone. “Compare that number to the 1 million-plus apps in Apple’s App Store or […]
