The Internet of Things (IoT) is affecting every major area of our lives, including our health and wellbeing. With the rising popularity of wearable devices such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch in recent years, it is now possible to collect comprehensive real-time data simply by wearing a health and fitness monitoring device.
Wearable technology is designed to be convenient, ergonomic and easy to use making them valuable tools for health professionals including medical practitioners, fitpro experts and nutritional advisers. But that’s not all. In addition to being clever little devices to help us maintain and improves our fitness and healthy lifestyles, the products themselves have become attractive and aspirational consumer goods in their own right.
The global smart wearable devices market is valued at $2.93 billion in 2016, expecting to reach $5.8 by 2018. In the UK, over 3 million wrist worn wearable devices were sold in 2015, a 118% increase from unit sales in 2014 reaching £1.4 million. Wearable smart technology is clearly on the ascent.
So, who are the major players? Here, tech blogger Mike James who works with Best VPN discusses the four top brands available:
Apple
The world’s largest technology company and second largest mobile phone manufacturer, Apple needs no introduction. Its Apple Watch is a touch screen multi-performance sports watch that includes fitness tracking and health focused capabilities and is integrated with other Apple products, services and software. It is also high on most people’s Christmas wish list.
A new version (Apple Watch 2) was released a few months ago, along with special editions Apple Watch Nike +, Apple Watch Hermes and the white ceramic Apple Watch Edition. Features include built-in GPS, a heart rate sensor, comprehensive workout app and 50 metre water resistance.
Fitbit
The name Fitbit is synonymous with activity trackers, wireless enabled wearable smart technology devices that measure a range of health related data – heart rate, steps walked, steps climbed, body weight, sleep quality, nutritional data and many other personal metrics.
From the original Fitbit Tracker, the company has developed a vast variety of immensely successful high tech wearable devices for everyday fitness, active fitness and performance fitness. These work seamlessly with a range of integrated apps including Day & Night, Activity & Workout, Motivation & Friends and Weight & Nutrition.
American internet giant Google entered the wearables market with Android Wear, the operating systems designed for smartwatches and other wearables. Partnering with major electronics manufacturers, including the Huawei Watch, the Tag Heuer Connected or the Moto 360, you can use any supported product with a wealth of apps downloadable from the Google Play store to give your wrist more health and fitness functionality than ever before.
Samsung
The South Korean multinational electronics company Samsung Electronics has diversified into consumer electronics in recent years and is a leading manufacturer of smartwear technology too. Its product portfolio includes smartwatches and wearable technology such as Gear S3 and Gear 2 Neo, Smart Gear Fit and Gear VR, all of whom enjoy compatibility with a number of Galaxy smartphones.
