Wearable devices aim to get a grip

Two visitors check wearable electronic devices at an information technology expo in Shenzhen. Wearable devices, a new "cool" thing - just as smartphones were some years ago - are eagerly welcoming Chinese people to try them on. Provided to China Daily

Tech-savvy customers attached to new gadgets

If you are not sure how quickly technology changes people's lives, look at the cellphone you are using.

Many of us can hardly imagine a life without a handset nowadays, although as recently as 20 years ago, phones could do only one thing - call each other.

Now people simply cannot leave their smartphones for even a half-hour. Technology dependency has fundamentally changed the way people manage their daily lives.

Just as we are getting used to life with smartphones, technology cannot wait to attach more devices to our body - even closer this time. Tech is targeting your wrist - and, in some cases, your eyes as well.

Wearable devices, a new "cool" thing - just as smartphones were a few years back - are eagerly welcoming people to try them on.

Some customers are already "prisoners" of this new technology because once one has a wearable on the body, the device becomes addictive and hard to take off.

According to Canalys, an industry researcher, wearable-band shipments will reach 43.2 million units in 2015, representing a 129 percent year-on-year growth.

China is among the most quickly growing wearable markets in the world.

According to local research company Analysys International, turnover of the Chinese wearable device market is set to hit 2.2 billion yuan ($358 million) this year, up from only 900 million yuan in 2013.

Apple Inc will be the biggest driver behind wearable band shipments in 2015.

"By creating a new user interface tailored to its tiny display, Apple has produced a smart watch that mass-market consumers will actually want to wear," said Daniel Matte, a Canalys analyst.

"The sleek software, variety of designs and reasonable entry price make for a compelling new product. Apple must still prove, however, that the final product will deliver adequate battery life for consumers."

Industry insiders segment the wearable market into "smart bands", which are capable of running third-party applications, and "basic bands", which are not.

Many market observers have asked why consumers would want a smart band at all, demanding compelling-use cases.

Seeking to address these concerns about its new wearable, Apple has demonstrated a variety of use cases across health and fitness, personal communication and other areas, including mapping for walking navigation, workout and activity tracking, and mobile payments.

Meanwhile, low-cost Chinese vendors are increasingly playing a role in the market for wearable bands. Xiaomi Corp has attempted to dramatically lower the price of basic bands with its Mi Band.

Xiaomi's band sells at 79 yuan each, one of the cheapest products from mainstream vendors.