New wearable technologies take fitness a step further.
Photo by: Marium Shaikh, Reporter

By: Michelle An, Copy Editor

Quite recently, a new technological niche has been introduced to the marketing world known as wearable technology or wearables. This phrase ‘wearable technology’ or ‘wearable’ collectively refers to “clothing and accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies.” The purpose of the technology may have practical applications, or they may just simply be accessories.

Surprisingly enough, wearable technology first found its roots in the early 1960’s as an attempt to cheat casinos. An MIT mathematics professor, Edward Thorp, created a wearable computer that gave users a 44% edge in gambling games, specifically the roulette. The computer essentially contained 12 transistors that gave the wearer the ability to time the revolutions of the ball and determine where it would end up. Since then, wearables have gained tremendous momentum as some of the largest tech companies in the world have flooded the market with their own inventions.

Sophomore Anastasia Papaioanou says, “I believe smart watches are more in demand due to their increased portability and accessibility. Rather than carrying around a phone in a bag or a back pocket, everything is at your wrist.”

Wearable technology has been around for quite some time as a necessity to meet medical impairments, such as hearing, vocal, or visual aids. However, the marketing world first began to focus on the gadgets during their resurgence in the twenty first century.

Currently, smart watches are circulating around and demanding quite a bit of attention from consumers and producers alike.  Consumer Reports performed an overall review of multiple different smart watches that have come out within the past year, from brands such as Motorola, Samsung, and LG. According to the report, several of the models have color touchscreen interfaces and are relatively resistant to scratching. Many of these devices are also compatible with smart phones, although restrictions vary on this matter.

Along with all the hub about these smart watches, which seem to be revolutionizing the watch industry, many complaints have also been filed from various consumers. One of the biggest complaints and limiting factors to these devices is the fact that smartwatches “aren’t exactly the most stylish things on the planet,” according to CrunchWear.

Major companies have acknowledged these complaints; in an interview with Re/code, Samsung Design America studio chief, Dennis Mileoski, addresses this issue in saying, “You have to look at the fasts that individuals have. It is something that is visible on your body and it is a part of you.”

Junior Alejandro Villanueva says, “One of the greatest limitations to wearables is their inability to function more than a couple of days, at least, without a charge. Another limitation, one of the primary reasons I haven’t bought one yet, is the fact that they aren’t very economical. For $300, I’d rather buy a good watch that is stylish because I wouldn’t wear a smart watch to a formal event.”

Despite complaints, companies continue to invest much time and effort into the production of Wearables. On Apple’s website, they have announced their intentions to release the Apple Watch in early 2015. Not only do they plan to incorporate many of the elements already existing in smart watches, but they have also included user-friendly settings such as a Taptic Engine that gives haptic feedback upon touch. Their introductory video and advertisement claims to introduce “an unparalleled level of technical innovation, combined with a design that connects with the wearer at an intimate level.”

Junior Julius Chai says, “Wearable technology can make the lives of people easier since it can help people keep track of daily events.”

While there are still many issues with smart technology that limit and hold back their success in the market, developers are hoping that with time and further investment, human bounds may be pushed even further to develop an all-encompassing machine to satisfy the demands of a technology-driven generation.