In 2013, vendors shipped nearly 2 million smart watches. Although still a high-cost and indeterminately useful technology, the addition of smart watches into the mobile market certainly solidifies the importance of being in front of the mobile curve.
With products like Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, Firefox and Pebble OS, the mobile market has expanded beyond the phone and the tablet into new devices that give users expanded internet and Cloud access. Although 1.9 million units globally hardly scratches the surface when compared with the 990 million smart phones and 227 million tablets shipped in 2013, it does indicate an expansion of the mobile market and a consumer desire for more digital access technology.
Of course, the smart watch does have its problems. Virtually everything about them needs improving from hardware to software to the price point. However, this was certainly true of the iPhone nearly ten years ago. What this does mean to competing industries who rely more and more on their IT to interact with and serve their customers is that this requirement will only increase over time.
It is vital for any business no matter how large or small to be able to adapt to rapid changes in the mobile market. Between computers, laptops, smart phones, tablets and now watches, among others, nearly 98% of all consumers, employees, partners and investors are accessing information online and in the Cloud. As this trend continues, it will be necessary for businesses who wish to capture and maintain their market share to do all they can to keep up.
More robust networks, better web-based applications, advanced mobile computing, greater Agility and a heavier reliance on The Cloud will be what is required for growing companies to stay ahead of the game. This means better software and hardware and hiring IT professionals who really know their stuff. The good news is, there are more and more means available to both businesses seeking IT professionals and IT professionals seeking employment available today, thanks to the very technologies which need installation, maintenance, upgrading and programming.
Although smart watches are still in the proving stage, it does illustrate a strong future trend. It may be that in a very short time, there will be a whole plethora of smart wireless devices and integrations available to the general public. This is great news for IT professionals and the businesses that know how to utilize them.