The text discusses the future of wearable tech and its impact on our lives. It explores the concept of cyborg lifestyles, where human and machine merge, and the increasing integration of technology into our daily routines. The text highlights the potential of wearable tech to revolutionize social interactions and access to innovations such as augmented reality and artificial intelligence. It also mentions successful examples like wireless earphones and the challenges faced by products like Google Glass. The text concludes by emphasizing the need for wearable tech to blend seamlessly into our lives and the potential of augmented reality to create a new hybrid reality.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next major shift in consumer behavior | From smartphone-based technologies to beyond | Wearable tech becomes most prevalent way to access innovations | Advancements in artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and cloud computing |
| Wearable tech as a reflection of social lifestyles | From instant augmentation to embedded social habits | Existence in both online and physical dimensions | Evolving social lifestyles and desire for seamless integration |
| Growing presence of wearable tech | From limited use to widespread adoption | More sophisticated technological features and applications | Advancements in wireless technology and consumer demand |
| Success of Apple AirPods | From surprise success to practical, fashionable wearables | Wearables that are aesthetically pleasing and practical | Seamless integration into consumers’ lives and fashion trends |
| Complex legacy of Google Glass | From hype to enterprise use | AR-enhanced glasses with complex implementation | Fear of constant surveillance and practical application in the workplace |
| Future wearables with subtle aesthetics | From futuristic designs to unassuming, intuitive products | Wearables with soft textures, muted colors, and imperfections | Desire for less invasive and more comfortable technology |
| AR introducing the metaverse | From unknown worlds to familiar tactile experiences | Wearables that bring the metaverse into daily life | Countering anxiety through grounded aesthetics and familiar interactions |
| New relationship with our bodies through wearables | From physical selves to practical applications and network nodes | Expansion of physical boundaries and practical applications | Desire for enhanced capabilities and integration with technology |