CES 2015 concluded almost an entire week ago. It’s crazy to think about how fast time flies. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the new year and now we’re already halfway through January. In addition, the wearable and smartwatch market has changed considerably in just the last month. We already have a whole slew of new devices — and rumored ones — on their way to market. By the time Mobile World Congress kicks off in Barcelona in a couple months, our plates will be full – full of new wearable and smartwatch devices that is.
While it may seem a little early to some to take a look back, we don’t feel that way. In fact, we think it’s a great idea to step backwards and analyze everything in order to see what lies ahead. On that note, here’s a list of several things we learned from CES 2015 that are sure to affect the market over the next year.
Five Things We Took Away from CES 2015 about the Future of the Wearable and Smartwatch Market
One way or another, all of these things will change the market. Whether that be for better or for worse, it’s too early to tell. That said, we’re definitely excited for the future which makes plenty of sense why we’re exploring these ideas in the first place.
Fitness Will Be Crowned King
One thing is definitely certain, and that’s fitness features and devices will be crowned king of the market. What do we mean by that exactly? Almost all of the devices announced, unveiled or coming out of CES this year had some form of fitness tracking and health monitoring support. It makes a lot of sense after all, for a wearable device to monitor various aspects of your health – especially something that you’ll be wearing on your person at all times.
Even some of the less advanced smartwatches have been designed to track the most basic fitness data like distance traveled, calories burned and even steps taken. Of course, that’s not even taking into account the flood of fitness and health devices hitting the market or that are already available. We could write a lengthy book that simply lists all the health related devices out there.
What does this mean for the market and how is it going to shape the future? Any and all devices are going to be outfitted to include health tracking support. It’s practical, useful and one of the go-to reasons most people are donning “smart” wearables these days. That means devices — including smartwatches — devoid of these features are going to be left behind in the dust but rivals that do. Hell, even the Apple Watch is launching with a health tracking suite including hardware built-in to the smartwatch and various mobile and desktop apps.
This year fitness will be crowned kind of the wearable market, if it isn’t already. Does that mean you’re only going to use your device for health stuff? Absolutely not. It just means that most devices — if not all of them — are going to offer such a thing.
Personal Monitoring and Lifelogging Will Become More Acceptable
Sure, we’ve been carrying around wearable and smartwatch devices with integrated cameras and sensors for years. However, most of the time, they sit in our pockets out of view. That’s all going to change when everyone starts wearing smartwatches, bracelets, jewelery and more. These devices are being packed to the brim with sensors, cameras, and various hardware for tracking very specific data. In other words, expect personal monitoring, lifelogging devices and apps and various tools that allow such a thing to become commonplace. We’re not trying to say that everyone is going to magically be okay with you wearing Google Glass around them. There will always be those who prefer to remain “off-the-grid” so-to-speak. What it does mean is that social networking, personal monitoring and the like are all going to become that much more advanced and widespread.
Imagine a device that tracks your location at any given time and automatically sends alerts to your family or select contacts when you’re in trouble, all without the need to carry a smartphone. What about a device that allows popular YouTubers to film their adventures out in the open world, from a unique perspective?
The possibilities are endless, but one thing is certain – it’s all about to change. Expect that to happen over the course of next year through various device launches from the wearable, smartwatch, smartphone and even general technology markets.
People Care About Style and so Do “Smart” Device Makers
It’s difficult to imagine how geeky some of the original “smartwatch” devices from names like Casio used to be. Remember those crazy looking calculators built into a wristwatch? We’ve come a long way since then, but even so many wearable devices and smartwatches are still a bit oversized and unattractive.
Thanks to devices like the Moto 360, LG G Watch R, Pebble Steel and more the aesthetics have undergone a complete overhaul. Devices are now more stylish and desirable than ever, and that’s only going to improve over the coming year. We’ve already seen devices like the LookSee bracelet, LG Audi smartwatch, InBody Band and Withings Activite Pop crop up at CES last week. That’s only the beginning.
Samsung is rumored to be working on a round smartwatch similar to the LG G Watch R and Moto 360, something we suspect will look real nice once it’s unveiled. HTC has a device coming real soon, and they have a reputation for slick looking gadgets. Then, of course we’ll likely see a successor to the Moto 360, among many others. Pebble may even have something new, and stylish to show off real soon.
The point is, smartwatches are looking better than ever and that’s going to keep improving over the next year. Smart device makers have finally realized people care about style, and that’s beginning to reflect on devices that are making their way to market.
Yes, that means we may finally see designer wearable and smartwatch devices targeted towards women. We’ll see plenty akin to the Guess Connect, which was also unveiled at CES.
Remote Controls Will Become Centric to Smartwatch and Wearable Devices
Sure, smart devices have always been able to control other electronics remotely like music players, a smart thermostat, connected home lights and bulbs and much more. However, it’s clear that over the coming year there will be a boost in remote control support for wearable and smartwatch devices.
Audi’s chairman walked out on stage sporting an LG Audi themed smartwatch and casually — through remote controls — rolled the new driverless Prologue on stage. Then, there’s the new BMW app that lets you remotely park your vehicle with a compatible Android Wear device. Misfit even showed off some “connected” bulbs at CES which can be controlled via smartphone or smartwatch.
The remote control revolution is coming folks, or… um, something like that anyway. At the very least we should see some more ingenious and innovative ways to make use of our wearables this year. If a smartwatch can drive a car, then surely there’s so much more it can do.
Niche Wearable and Smartwatch Devices are on the Rise
Sure, smartwatches and fitness trackers are a dime a dozen. This year, we’ll see an increase in niche device targeted to very specific demographics. For example, the OKY skin coach is an odd looking device with unique sensors that allow you to know what’s up with your skin. It can detect elements like moisture, oils, elasticity, firmness and more and then tell you how to improve your skin health. That’s just one device in a sea of others, many of which haven’t even come into fruition just yet.
Expect to see a boatload of manufacturers and new brands cashing in on the wearable success. We’re not saying that these devices will be good or bad, surely there’s going to be some bad apples in there. What we’re actually saying is that niche devices are going to become regular occurences in the market. Hell, a few of them may even be considered flagship devices eventually.
What are Your Predictions for the Future of the Wearable and Smartwatch Market?
Now that you’ve had a chance to hear our predictions for the year ahead and what we’ve taken out of CES, what are your thoughts? What do you think is going to happen with the market?