Consumer interest in wearable technology significant

Sharp releases the latest Quattron Plus TV at the 2014 international CES in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan 6, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]

Journalists try the latest smart phone of China's Huawei during an Exhibitor Press Release of the 2014 international CES in Las Vegas, the United States, Jan 6, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

From fitness monitors to smart watches, the wearable technology is generating significant consumer buying interest, showed a survey released Monday on the eve of the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show.

The consumer electronics industry was still dominated by smartphones, HDTVs, laptop computers and tablet PCs, but more than half - 52 percent - of consumers are now interested in buying wearable technologies, such as fitness monitors for tracking physical activity and managing their personal health, the survey conducted by consulting company Accenture said.

Many people are also interested in buying smart watches (46 percent) and Internet-connected eyeglasses (42 percent). showed the survey, which polled more than 6,000 people in six countries, namely Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

"In the past year wearable technologies have emerged as the next big consumer electronics market category, particularly for health and wellness," said Mattias Lewren, global managing director of Accenture's Electronics and High-Tech industry group.

"To capitalize on this growth opportunity, consumer electronics companies should consider investing in wearable product innovation and industrial design, and building ecosystems that connect wearables to the broader array of interactive digital networks," Lewren said.

In addition, the survey found significant consumer interest in purchasing phablets, an emerging category of mobile devices that combine smartphone and tablet PC functions while featuring a screen size of five-to-seven inches -- in between a traditional smartphone and a tablet PC.

The survey also unveiled strong purchase plans over the next year for traditional smartphones, HDTVs, laptops and tablet PCs.

Consumers in India ranked the highest among the six countries in the percentages that plan to buy consumer electronics products during the next year in numerous categories, it said.

For example, 80 percent of the respondents plan to buy a smartphone; more than two-thirds - 69 percent - a HDTV; nearly two-thirds --65 percent - a traditional tablet PC, and 63 percent a laptop PC.

"India is clearly a major growth market for consumer electronics," said Lewren. "Craving more personalized digital experiences, the country's consumers rank among the world's most willing to pay for and use consumer electronics devices -- including wearable technologies."

Wearable products are believed to be one of the highlights of the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show, the world's largest of the kind. It officially runs from Tuesday through Friday in Las Vegas.