From smartwatches to fitness-tracking bands, wearable technology is on the move. According to thegoodestate, usage of wearable technology in the United States increased from just 9 percent in 2014 to 33 percent in 2018. Regardless of what type of device you opt for, there is no denying that wearable technology is becoming a part of our wardrobe. And there is little doubt that it is improving our lives. Here are just a few ways digital technology is changing the way we go about our days.
Staying Connected
Luckily, the days of pagers are long behind us. Rather than relying on bulky and cumbersome devices, we can now stay connected with our family, friends, and colleagues via stylish gadgets such as smartwatches. Forget pulling out your phone or setting up your laptop because receiving mail or texts these days is as simple as looking at your wrist.
According to a Deloitte survey, we check our smartphones around 34 times per day. This can be inconvenient or downright dangerous, especially when driving. While a Bluetooth headset can ensure that you can still take incoming calls while focusing on other tasks, a number of new gadgets have taken things even further. For example, a wearable device such as Google Glass (a gadget that looks like a pair of eyeglasses) lets your access information via voice commands. Google Glass has been designed to perform a huge variety of functions including making phone calls, sending texts, and even taking photos and videos—all handsfree.
Healthcare and Fitness
Wearable technology can help you reach your health and fitness goals, as well as motivate you to take better care of your wellbeing. According to Business Insider, approximately 75 percent of individuals who use wearable healthcare devices have said that they have inspired them to take better care of their health.
Fitness trackers, which can be worn as wristbands, can help you monitor your activity levels, nutrient intake, and sleeping patterns. Many such wearable gadgets can even detect a lighter sleep cycle to gently wake you up within a preset time range. And some even let you connect and transfer data to your smartwatch. Wearable devices can also be useful when it comes to monitoring vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar level—this can be particularly important for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Making a Fashion Statement
When it comes to wearable technology, fashion matters. After all functionality and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive. In fact, numerous tech companies have already been working with fashion houses to spruce up the look of their products (think Apple’s partnership with Hermès). Ayse Ildeniz, vice president of the device group Intel Corporation agrees: “What we have seen are the technology companies taking the lead on the wearable domain, and we believe it is time the fashion companies take the lead. They should be defining what a wearable aesthetic should look like and the kind of functions it should provide. There’s a larger sensitivity in the industry toward that.”
