The current state of wearables is segmented, run (Nike+ Fuelband, Fitbit Force), sleep (Jawbone Up), watches (pebble, Samsung Galaxy Gear, Sony SmartWatch, metawatch)…, some of them like pebble offer a great amount of customisation, yet it reminds me of the 90's Nokia phones and apps/Casio G-shock.
I can see in the near future a hybrid device (let’s call it PAWM (personal assistant wrist management)), that could evolve from an iPod nano/Nike+ Fuelband, being is whole premise to freed us from the current phone and becoming a link and not a smaller version of the phone which all current products are offering, the idea is to have a personal assistant that simply highlights what we predefined.
From a purely design point of view it reeks of “for geeks/gadget only”. I’d like to see a design led approach (Apple) as opposed to a functional one. Montblanc black precious resin anyone? I am talking about a bracelet that will prompt me with relevant information, not a walking app store.
Again the majority of consumers are not looking for a small version of a phone/gadget to wear. The key driver comes from the clothing accessories industry, and this applies to the whole wearable game. Take for example the watch industry. Watch=jewels not time, in some expensive cases under a simple watch face you find some of the most complex mechanics in the world yet the watch is aesthetically simple.
What PAWM does?
Manage a 24h day cycle.
In the mornings:
It will wake you up vibrating or with sounds and alert you to preselected events, like sms, tweets, emails, appointments, Google hangouts voice messages, and an update of your sleep cycle, pre-programmed on desktop or mobile.
Over the course of the day alerts will notify you of appointments or tasks, some based on proximity (Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)) some could be deals (shopping/food) or events (galleries/bar openings) based on your preferences or pre registered services/brands/businesses(beacons). You can also meet friends with Apple Find My Friends, or just be alerted they are near (surprise coffee break).
Incoming calls can be forward or answered with pre-programmed sms, appointments accepted, todos checked or reminded.
From a favourite list of callers, leave voice messages with the inbuilt microphone or make phone calls with Oakley inbuilt headphones or other inbuilt microphones (bluetooth noise cancelling earphones anyone?).
Like on Google Gmail Important/Everything else, i can program what content needs my attention to accept, redirect or notify tasks without being distracted
After work, a quick dive on Sydney’s Manly and run will alert me of milestones i’ve reached including distance, underwater depth, altitude, or temperature. PAWM is powered by the sun or usb port. (Casio/Suunto…). If I’m late for dinner i can leave a message that will be send when in proximity to wifi or mobile, i cal also send my Google or Bing maps location when running in the park while controlling music from my player…
Arriving at home i get reminded by proximity to pick up goods, finally at home i get reminded on how much sleep i need to catch up, Google live hangouts, or new youtube videos i can play/pause..
Is PAWM a soon to be reality? is there a hub or next frontier that as the phone freed us from the desks, will it will freed as from pocket screen craving for more attention?
Apple introduced the iMac in 1999 in colour, looking like a hybrid of futuristic TV and lava lamp. Why are we creating products that look and behave like 90's Nokia phones. Again the solution may not be in the tech/valley community but in predicting future behaviour.
P.S.Starting yesterday (Oct 29, 2013) MEMI has this great kickstarter offering a a bracelet more on the lines mentioned above, although is clearly aimed at women i think is a great step forward.
FURTHER READING
https://medium.com/adventures-in-consumer-technology/cf558f38c451
