We're still a ways off from every face-to-face interaction being obscured — or some would argue "enhanced" — by transparent Google Glass lenses, or even from fitness bands that sync with smartphones. But that doesn't deter a good deal of optimism from consumers about wearables, and their potential applications for health, according to a new survey.
Here are six takeaways from a PwC survey on consumer habits and the future of wearable tech:
- Health is the primary motivator for interest in and purchase of wearables.
- In 2014, 41 percent of respondents were excited about using wearable tech in everyday life. In 2015 that number grew to 57 percent.
- Of survey respondents, 33 percent said wearables would increase the quality of social interactions.
- Items designed to be worn daily, such as smart watches, clothing, glasses or fitness trackers, tend to be worn less over time. Limiting factors for long-term use are battery life, comfort, lack of seamless smartphone-syncing and unclear use cases.
- Healthcare stakeholders, including physician offices, hospitals and insurers, have the highest percentage of consumers that are excited about wearable technology, but the greatest drop off when it comes to trusting that technology.
- Most survey respondents — 45 percent — owned a fitness tracking band over other devices, followed by smart watches and glasses.