1IDC Research Shows How Buyer Preferences Influencing Wearable Designs
The wearables market is growing, according to data from research firm IDC. The market researcher estimates people will spend billions of dollars annually on everything from smartwatches to fitness trackers. But in order to attract customers, companies are modifying their device design and go-to-market strategies to focus the latest emerging trends in the wearables market. Market research data suggests that people are trying to break away from their smartphones as often as possible. The research also indicates that basic wearables, which have a bare minimum of functions and keep prices low, are far more appealing now to buyers than advanced devices with many features and high prices. The fledgling wearables market is in a state of flux, and this slide show will discuss in more detail the trends that are influencing smartwatch buying decisions in the next few years.
2Wearable Users Focus on Fitness
3Wearables Are Getting Processing Power
4Long Battery Life Is a Priority
Battery life is a major concern for most wearable owners. And although devices can last quite a while on a single charge, depending on the wearable, device makers will increase battery life. The wearables will have more power-efficient components. Software advancements should also improve battery life. And since the devices are worn outside, there’s a chance that they could use alternative energy sources to keep on ticking.
5Buyers, Designers Favoring Traditional Watch Designs
On the design front, rectangular cases appear to be stepping aside. In their place, companies are opting for designs that make them look quite similar to traditional watches with round faces. They also come with more traditional materials, like metal and leather, which make them feel more like high-quality watches of old than low-end plastic devices.
6Waterproofing Becomes Important
7GPS Offers Mobility
8Where Are the Onboard App Stores?
With the release of Android Wear 2.0, Google offered an onboard app marketplace, which was an important development. Users don’t want to rely upon a smartphone to get the full wearable experience. They want to untether their wearables from their smartphones, and access to an onboard app store selling wearable applications gets them closer to that goal.
9Wearable Owners Want Wireless Connectivity
Wireless carrier connectivity is also important if wearable users are to break away from their smartphones. Wireless connectivity lets users leave their smartphones at home while still being able to access the internet, answer calls, send text messages and more. It’s a must-have feature for many users.
10Better Pricing Is Welcome
To their credit, wearable makers are becoming more realistic in their pricing. The companies that were once pushing $1,000 or much more for their devices are now realizing that customers really only want to spend a few hundred dollars on their products. Surprisingly, Apple is one of the companies that has thought seriously about pricing and replaced its expensive Gold Edition Apple Watch with a ceramic version that’s a fraction of the high-end model’s price.
11Simplicity Means More
Research firm IDC said in a statement in December that it’s seeing a notable trend developing in the wearables market: Customers are more interested in simple devices that deliver barebones functionality than sophisticated devices with all the bells and whistles. So-called “basic wearables” are expected to grow in popularity in the coming years, meaning “smartwatches” might be more appealing as “semi-smartwatches.”