Wearable tech is entering the mainstream
The worldwide wearable computing market (commonly referred to as “wearables tech”) is finally expanding beyond early adopter status, says the research group, International Data Corporation (IDC).
According to the firm, wearable tech is moving into a more functional and stylish lifestyle accessory category that’s making its way into mainstream media.
New research from , wearables took a huge step forward over the past year and shipment volumes will exceed 19 million units in 2014, more than tripling last year’s sales.
Additionally, the global market is expected to swell to 111.9 million units in 2018, resulting in a CAGR of 78.4%.
IDC predicts that complex accessories (e.g., Nike+ FuelBand, Jawbone UP, and Fitbit devices) will lead the wearables market through 2018, as users continue to embrace their simplicity and low price points.
These devices are designed to operate partially independent of any other device, but fully operate when connected with IP-capable devices such as a smartphone, tablet, or a PC.
“Complex accessories have succeeded in drawing much-needed interest and attention to a wearables market that has had some difficulty gaining traction,” said Ramon Llamas, Research Manager, Mobile Phones.
“The increased buzz has prompted more vendors to announce their intentions to enter this market. Most importantly, end-users have warmed to their simplicity in terms of design and functionality, making their value easy to understand and use.”
Google Glass
Another segment of the market, smart accessories, is also expected gain momentum through the forecast period and surpass complex accessory shipments by 2018.
“Similar to complex accessories, with their dependence on connecting with IP-capable devices, smart accessories allow users to add third-party applications that boost features and functions for a more robust experience,” IDC said.
“While not quite ready for prime time, the smart accessory market will continue to mature as users better understand and accept the value proposition and vendors refine their offerings.”
The third segment of the wearables market is smart wearables, such as Google Glass, which function with full autonomy, independent of any other device except to access the Internet.
“To succeed, smart wearable vendors must convince users to shift to a new user experience while offering them a robust selection of third-party applications. It is not a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ wearables as a whole will extend into the enterprise,” IDC said.
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