Wearable Tech - Fashion, Fad, or Function?

The core focus at MWC 2014 was Wearable Tech (SmartWear),  one could argue that this is not new as the very first calculator watches in the 1980s were wearable tech. 

In those early days the tech was restricted to the device, whereas now we are living in a highly connected mobile World where data is stored in the cloud (albeit ultimately on a server somewhere in the World).

The usual players came to the fore, but there are a number of smaller players out there with in some cases substantial funding.

We have: Samsung Gear, Sony Smartwatch, Nike Fuelband, and the up and coming Fitbit (popular here in Singapore).  Along with these there is the Hyetis Crossbow smartwatch which one could argue is more of a statement piece (at its current pricepoint) http://www.hyetis.com/, Misfit wearables, http://www.misfitwearables.com/, as well as Health / Meditech such as http://www.withings.com/.

After this initial burst of activity there will undoubtably be a period of consolidation when I expect to see the most heavily funded (and fashionable) come out on top. 

I personally would like to see a smaller player succeed as their tech and form factor currently surpasses that of the major players. Think early days or digital music, the Ipod was not the best in terms of tech and still isn't in my opinion, to form / design won out.

Another thing on my wishlist is for the tech to be compatible with all devices for ease of use by all prospective customers (although I doubt this will happen).

Here in Singapore our choices will likely be based upon in-market availability as with most countries outside of North America and Europe. If we want to explore beyond the usual suspects it will be a case taking advantage of those business trip weekend, using a proxy postal address (VPost), or paying the heavy shipping costs from the US, AU, or China, which always makes me laugh (and then cry) as they are usually made and assembled on our doorstep and often transit through the Worlds largest port.

I am currently trialing the Fitbit Flex, the Sony SmartWatch 2 and will soon be in receipt of my Hyetis Crossbow.

Watch this space for an uncoming review.

 

Using Web Analytics to Increase Website ROI

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Using Web Analytics to Increase Website ROI

View more documents from Morgan McKeagney.

Insightr InSite: Comparing Free Analytics (Visual)

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Insightr InSite: Comparing Free Analytics (Visual)

View more presentations from Insightr Consulting.

A World Appart

Rapidly approaching 4 years in Singapore and I'm still fascinated by the APAC region. From the sublime to the ridiculous, wealth to poverty, and from developed to developing.

One thing that is certain is that you have to live here to really understand the cultural and to a great extent business dynamics, watching the latest HSBC ad won't cut it, neither will reading the odd blog or book on the region.

The region has a large number of smart and well educated individuals but there is an increasing problem with the lack of exposure they have had. Yes Multinational Corporations operate in the regional hubs (specifically, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Shanghai), but the problems lies in the type of work undertaken, the level of autonomy afforded to them and yes their exposure to areas like business strategy and new product development.

MNC's in general, do not encourage cross-learning (I don't mean a 2 day seminar in Cannes), it's important that skills and experiences are shared across the globe, secondments should be a minimum of 1 year to allow for real immersion and ideally 2 years (Nokia practice this).

The World is an increasingly smaller place but most of the time we barely touch the surface of a place, yet still claim to be experts in the market. Next time you go on a business trip or on holiday, try to step off the well trodden path for a day (at least) and immerse yourself in the culture of the place (don't arrange a cultural trip, as it will be staged), you might just learn something new.