Google Enters the Wearables Market with a Plan

Wearable technology is all the rage these days. For users that are waiting patiently for the yet-to-be-released Google Glass, there are plenty of other options on the market that have moved beyond the proof of concept to grace retail store shelves. Several of the top mobile device manufacturers have released, or will release in 2014, products designed to seamlessly integrate into a user's daily routine. With Glass on the horizon and the newly announced Android Wear, Google is taking its future tech to your body.

Google's plan is to create a dedicated interface for wearables, which are mostly smart watches at this point, and give software developers the chance to create applications that can make it easier to have the information you need, when you need it, by glancing at your wrist. Instead of being glued to one's smartphone, as is the case with many of us these days, some of these notifications will be delivered by less obtruse devices. Devices such as these:

The introduction of this form factor is not new. In fact, manufacturers such as Samsung and Pebble already have smartwatch technology that pairs with a user's smartphone to give them access to useful information. As developers start writing software for wearable technology, more relevant information will be accessible from devices like smart watches, thus fewer people will need to be glued to their smart phones.

This paradigm shift will go a long way in reducing the social awkwardness that ensues when users are locked in their own little world with their phones. The society-wide addiction to smartphones has been studied at length by psychologists, with two likely results found. One, that people who suffer from materialism have a tendency to spend a lot of time looking at their phone. These people have emotional attachment to their devices, because they put a great deal of value on the acquisition of goods. The other is impulsivity. This type of user takes full advantage of the interface because they like the ability to stay connected. The irony, of course, is that the smartphone is, first and foremost, a communications device, and shouldn't necessarily be a distraction from meetings and social interaction.

We are still in the "beta" phase of wearable technology. Not many offerings are currently available, but considering the rampant smartphone addiction, and its role on the dwindling productivity of your average worker, business owners and executives have to be mindful of all technologies that can work to make their employees more productive.

At k_Street Consulting, LLC we recognize when a piece of technology can work for your business. Our knowledgeable technicians are up on all of the latest technology trends to ensure that we can provide the most dynamic solutions for your business. What do you think? Does wearable technology like smart watches appeal to you? Let us know in the comments!