Innovation in wearables: new developments and what they mean

Wearables continue to be a strategic focus for device manufacturers as new features are launched and the ecosystem of associated services expands. The launch of the Apple Watch in 2015 helped turned the tide for wearables, but consumer adoption of smartwatches remains relatively low compared to mass-market mobile devices such as smartphones and laptops. This is to be expected, as wearables suit specific market segments and customer needs rather than the entire population. Importantly, recent trends show renewed momentum centred on health and wellness, especially in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this analysis, we examine the latest developments and innovations in wearables and outline what they mean for consumers and the mobile ecosystem.