The path to mainstream wearable tech — Part 2 of my thoughts on wearable technology

Musings of a Product Guy

In Part 1 of my thoughts on wearable technology, I delved into my experience with the Pebble and, ultimately, why I stopped wearing it.

However, I am actually very bullish on wearable tech — I do think it will make its way into the mainstream. Therefore, in this Part 2, I’ll share a few of my thoughts on some of the qualities wearable tech will need to be massively successful vs just being a niche product (like say, the Segway).

A killer app for the mainstream…

There is a chance that wearable tech’s killer app is photos — just as it was one of the original killer apps for the smartphone. When I had the chance to try Google Glass, it was amazing to be able to take several photos while still having access to both my hands. Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy Gear watch, while I don’t think it will become mainstream, intrigued me with the ability to take photos straight from the watch — as it makes it less likely you’ll miss a moment compared to pulling out your phone.

Now the question is, will photos be enough? For people to adopt new technology, the killer functionality(ies) need to be significantly better than that of their predecessors (see my thoughts in Part 1 about this) — and I’m not sure photos will be that for wearable tech.

But I do believe that if it’s not photos, it will be something. The idea of having access to timely, contextual information with you at all times seems like too promising a development to not take off in some way.

…OR several killer apps

Alternatively, wearable tech may become successful by providing solutions to multiple verticals through MULTIPLE killer apps, rather than just one.

For instance, maybe Google Glass becomes mainstream, not as a consumer device, but as an enterprise one. For example, doctors use Google Glass in the operating room to further enhance their abilities.

Or perhaps while someone may not wear their Galaxy Gear or Google Glass everyday, perhaps families have ones to wear at specific events. For instance, maybe they want to take lots of pictures at a child’s concert or have the additional context Glass would provide at a baseball game — in which case a wearable may enhance the experience.

So even without a SINGLE killer app, a multitude of killer apps could bring wearables to the mainstream — and perhaps different use cases would require a different type of wearable (watch, glasses, etc)

It needs to be fashionable

Now of course, if wearables become a primarily enterprise device, then this becomes less important.

But remember the first iPhone? Not only did it have killer apps, but it was THE fashion statement. Everyone wanted to see and hold one.

And even if the iPhone weren’t beautifully designed, wearables are different because they are NOT kept in your pocket; they are a part of your everyday wardrobe. So unless a wearable’s utility so far exceeds that of their smartphone and current “dumb” watch/glasses/etc, consumers will have trouble making the utility for fashion trade off for things they wear everyday.

And it needs to blend in seamlessly with your daily life

Finally, the functionality of the wearable has to be simple perform and seamlessly fit into your daily life. If a user has to fidget with their glasses or watch to get it to perform the same functionality as their phone — they’re likely to just pull out their phone. So either the functionality has to go WAY above and beyond that of their phone or, more likely, the functionality of the wearable has to far be easier to use. And IF that is the case, then the functionality doesn’t even need to be better than that of the phone!

So to come back to the Pebble…

The reason I was so excited about the Pebble was that it was, in my mind, a GIANT first step toward wearables becoming mainstream. It may have not been the correct fit for me, but the concept of bringing functionality outside of the phone and making it easier, more powerful, and a more seamless experience, truly excites me — as you can probably tell.

So, in my opinion, the wearable(s) that can accomplish these things — a killer or several killer apps, being fashionable, and blending in seamlessly with our daily lives — will be able to truly bring wearables to the mainstream and lead to another wave of technology innovation!