Wearable technology is becoming more and more popular these days, and whether its just a fad or a viable product that meets needs, it seems like they are here to say. Apple just recently released their version of a smart watch, a watch that pairs via bluetooth to your smart phone, following suit from other technology companies like Samsung and LG. The history of wearable tech is hazy at best, but it seems to have come to the foreground when Google introduced the Google Glass. Ralph Lauren also intends to enter this market with a shirt that monitors you heart rate and breathing through micro sensors placed throughout the shirt. With science fiction coming to life with wearable tech, we are going to examine five companies who are leaders in the wearable tech market.
5. Nike
Surprisingly enough Nike has been in the wearable tech game for quite some time now. Before the Google Glass was introduced Nike had a shoe line that had monitors and sensors that would track how far you were walking/running, and at what speeds. The shoes would pair with a application made for Apple devices. In fact Apple had the application integrated with their OS. Nike then went out to design and created a wearable band that would perform some of the same functions.
4. Pebble
Pebble was originally a Kickstarter project and one of the first companies to popularize smart watches. After the Kickstarter campaign became very successful Pebble went on to make a variety of different models. All the watches use an Eink screen, like mobile e-readers, which means they have actually a great battery life as Eink uses considerably less energy. Pebble currently has 2 models of watches: the entry level model watch that comes in a variety of colors and a higher end model that has a luxurious stainless steel band. The stainless steel model is $250 as opposed to the cheaper $150 watch that features the plastic band.
3. Samsung
Samsung is also a leader in the wearable technology industry. They have created a few smart watches now and look to expand those product lines. They currently have 4 smart watches on the market which include the Galaxy Gear, the Galaxy Gear 2, the Gear Fit, and the Gear live. Like all smart watches the watches pair with your smartphone to relay certain notifications and display other content on your wrist.
2. Medtronic
Medical device company Medtronic is also considered to be a leader in the wearable tech industry. While not making a nifty smart watch, Medtronic recently developed a wearable pancreas for people who have Type 1 diabetes. This technology is expected to help thousands of people. With more and more health care companies and medical devices companies looking to produce wearable tech, they health care industry will certainly be changed.
1. Motorola
Motorola’s new smart watch the Moto 360 has received a large amount of praise from critics. While earlier smart watches developed by competitors seemed more of a novelty item or a “fancy toy” the Moto 360 is arguably the finest smart watch on the market today. It’s elegant design packed with a variety of features make it a hot item. The Moto 360 is compatible with any Android devices running Android 4.3 or higher. With Apple recently releasing their watch line, fans were sure that it would have the best design, however after seeing the Apple Watch I think Motorola has them beat. Either way wearable technology is around to stay.
Photo from Bloomberg/Getty Images
