DR JOHN MORGAN
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Technology news<br />
UK wearable tech uptake ‘set to double’ in 2015<br />
Research suggests Christmas 2014 could kickstart more wearable tech purchases<br />
The number of people who own wearable<br />
tech in the UK is set to double in 2015 – from<br />
6 to 13 per cent – as products begin to make<br />
the leap from niche market to mainstream.<br />
These are the findings from YouGov’s<br />
recent analysis of wearable tech prospects,<br />
which suggests Christmas 2014 will be a key<br />
juncture for the sector. The research finds<br />
that currently 2.8 million people own a piece<br />
of wearable technology, and by the end of the<br />
festive season there will be 4.7 million.<br />
This steady increase is set to continue over<br />
the next year and by September 2015, 6.1<br />
million are likely to own one of the devices.<br />
The research found fitness devices are the<br />
most popular wearable tech category, with 3<br />
per cent of the population owning a fitness<br />
band. Despite hype around recent launches<br />
such as the Apple Watch, approximately one<br />
per cent of the population currently own a<br />
smartwatch, but this is expected to increase.<br />
Details: http://lei.sra=k5m6p<br />
Online giant Amazon<br />
eyes wearable tech push<br />
Online retailer Amazon appears poised<br />
for a further push into the wearable<br />
technology sector, with the company set<br />
to increase investment and staff at its<br />
secretive hardware operations unit Lab126.<br />
Recent reports suggest the retailer is<br />
looking to increase hiring by 27 per cent, by<br />
adding close to 4,000 people to its Silicon<br />
Valley-based division in the next five years,<br />
with US$55m (€43.6m, £33.9m) in funding<br />
being poured into the lab.<br />
Earlier this year, Amazon opened its own<br />
dedicated online store for wearables, with<br />
the UK’s wearable technology shopfront<br />
offering a wide range of wearable devices,<br />
including activity trackers, smart watches,<br />
smart glasses and wearable cameras.<br />
Details: http://lei.sra=H2p7v<br />
Amazon is making moves in the<br />
wearable tech market<br />
Microsoft device ready ‘within weeks’<br />
Tech pioneer Bill Gates founded<br />
Microsoft with childhood friend<br />
Paul Allen in 1975<br />
Microsoft is reportedly weeks away from track a wearer’s heart rate and activity levels<br />
launching its own smartwatch with fitness among other fitness functions, as well boasting<br />
tracking features, expected to challenge existing a battery life of more than two days’ regular<br />
offerings from rivals Samsung and Apple. use. Currently, Samsung’s Galaxy Gear and<br />
The company founded by Bill Gates is said Moto 360 smartwatches need to be charged<br />
to be planning a quick launch which would every day, while Microsoft is also seeking to<br />
see the device hit shops in time for the steal a march on Apple by making the device<br />
lucrative Christmas period, with wearable tech compatible with all phones, whereas the Apple<br />
expected to top many a wish list this year. watch will only work with iOS devices.<br />
Microsoft will be hoping it fares better with Further details are scarce at this stage, but<br />
smartwatches than it has in the smartphone with decades of experience in hardware and<br />
sector, where Windows devices account for software launches – as well as the potential for<br />
just 2.5 per cent of the market – well behind tie-ups with the popular Xbox One console<br />
the offerings from Samsung and Apple. – Microsoft’s smartwatch is expected to be a<br />
According to ‘sources close to the project’ contender in the burgeoning market.<br />
cited by Forbes, the Microsoft smartwatch will Details: http://lei.sra=s6A5m<br />
26 Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital<br />
November/December 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
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