Types of wearable tech you didn’t know about
Technological advancements in consumerism have given way to wearable technology that tracks your health, movements, and social media notifications. These technologies help you stay connected, allow for hands-free audio, and help you conveniently keep tabs on your well-being, such as your heart rate pattern or how much water you drank in one day.
By the close of 2020, it’s estimated that 125.5 million wearable devices will be shipped and that number is expected to continue to grow. Fitness trackers are one of the most well-known in the industry because they discreetly track your fitness data and health parameters. Smartwatches have also become a lifeline for many as a more convenient and accessible extension of the smartphone.
In addition to these popular wearable tech devices, there are other pieces of smart technology that are breaking into the industry. These lesser-known wearable tech devices may have a big impact on what you wear, how you track data, and who you connect with.
Smart jewelry.
While smartwatches are a popular type of wearable tech, there are other pieces of jewelry that can also keep you connected without looking at your phone. Smart rings, such as the MOTA TAMO smart ring, are making their way into the wearable tech scene as an alternative to smartwatches.
While you can’t type responses or send messages from the ring, it alerts you when you receive a text message, phone call, or email on your smartphone. You can also configure the ring’s settings to notify you about social media activity. By glancing at the ring, you can see who’s contacting you and the contents of their text message.
The Bellabeat Leaf wellness tracker may be worn as a necklace, bracelet, or brooch. It tracks your stress level, sleep, and movement, and reports data to an app on your smartphone. This inconspicuous piece of tech is perfect for those who don’t want to wear a smartwatch or fitness tracker but want to benefit from smart tracker data collection.
Smart clothing.
Smart clothing is still new to the market and some items can’t be found in tech stores just yet. Wearable technology is going a step further by integrating itself into clothes for a hands-free experience. Be on the lookout for smart:
Hoodies: The Machina smart hoodie intercepts social media notifications and allows you to answer your smartphone hands-free. With a small movement, you can also control your music, hit the panic button if you’re in trouble, or take a selfie.
Yoga pants: Wearable X's Nadi X yoga pants help correct your yoga form without a professional instructor. As you begin to form into a pose, the pants vibrate in specific areas to remind you to move or hold positions differently. Sync your session to a designated smartphone app and you’ll see a review of your yoga session.
Socks: The Owlet Smart Sock 2 is a great companion for babies. It tracks oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep so parents can easily access health data on a smartphone app for their little ones.
Smart clothing is expected to quickly move into the athletic market to help athletes with their form or keep a close eye on their health data.
Smart speakers.
Smart speakers have become a popular technology because they use voice commands to play, stop, or skip music. These same voice commands may also perform an internet search to answer questions, such as current weather conditions or directions to a destination.
Smart speakers can also connect with smart home technology to turn lights on and off or change the temperature on the thermostat. Homeowners find these small speakers convenient because they integrate technologies throughout the household into one voice-controlled device.
Next generation earbuds.
At one point, wireless headphones with Bluetooth technology were all the rage. Now, next-generation earbuds can do so much more than play music. Next-gen headphones can provide you with a seamless audio experience but also track your heart rate, steps, and calories burned during a workout. This information syncs to a smartphone app so you can keep track of your activity over time.
Smart eyewear.
Google took over the smart eyewear scene with both contact lenses and glasses. The contacts track blood glucose levels in the wearer so those living with diabetes can have access to accurate and instant readings.
Google Glass are eyeglasses that give workers access to a computer without using their hands. Wearers can use voice commands to connect with co-workers or pull up applications instantly.
Wearable camera.
Wearable cameras allow you to get video and photos from a first-person angle. Some cameras can be worn on your chest or on a helmet while others are shaped like eyeglasses. After securing the camera, the touch of a button allows you to begin recording.
With these cameras, you can engage in extreme sports or walk around an attraction without worrying about pulling out your smartphone or video camera. You can upload your content to your mobile device or computer and edit the footage later.
Implantables.
An implantable is a type of technology that’s implanted into the body to provide data or perform another function, such as a pacemaker. Implantables haven’t become commonplace in the tech industry, but experimentation with this technology is on the rise.
The development of brain chips that alleviate the symptoms of diseases, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s, is gaining attention in the industry. With advancements in technology, retinal implants may help the blind to recover their vision or electronic tattoos could monitor body temperature, heart rate, or blood oxygen levels.
The future of smart technology.
Smart technology is becoming more personalized with the intention of improving the health of its users. With smart tech for the whole family now being made available, even children can keep track of their activity and heart rate when they’re on the playground.
It seems that the future of smart technology includes advancements in all genres of wearable tech, such as smart home accessories and health data. The healthcare industry may benefit from these advances because it’s easier for patients to identify symptoms of health problems faster and track symptoms of current medical conditions.
Health-tracking wearable technology also encourages consumers to engage in a healthier lifestyle. According to a study, 75% of wearable tech users feel this technology helps them take control of their own health. This behavior reduces hospital visits that may have occurred due to poorly managed personal health conditions.
Wearable technology has become a common trend among consumers. As technology continues to advance, different approaches to wearable tech are being tested and integrated into the market. When you take advantage of this smart technology, you can connect to friends and family, track your health data, and perform tasks around the house hands-free.
