Wearable Technology is all About Convenience and Necessity

According to Steve Mann's definition of wearable computer presented by the author of the article "Definition of  'Wearable Computer'", wearable computer is a computer different from the regular ones, that takes place into the user's own space and can be controlled by him/her. The main difference is that a wearable computer is always on and the user can access it any time it is convenient.

Usually, most part of the tasks that can be executed by a wearable computers can also be completed using a smartphone or a regular computer. What makes them different is the purpose they were created to. As the author of the article "Why Wearable Tech Will Be as Big as the Smartphone", Bill Wasik, emphasizes, the data that people need will not be helpful if they will not be able to access it exactly when they need. That is why we can say that the wearable technology came to supply the necessity of accessing your computer/smartphone while executing some other activity that requires a lot of your attention. 

Cycling with the Recon Jet - The first heads-up display for sports.

Skiing with the Snow2 - The next generation display for alpine sports.

Both products displayed above were created by the Recon company, that was founded by a man who saw in his own need, as a recent ex-athlete, the opportunity to provide the information people want to access when they are practicing sports. Being aware of the data they need can give them some advantage in a competition, for example.

Besides providing the user the ability to access a computer and realize another activity at the same time, one other very important feature of the wearable computer is that the user will see only the essential data. No distractions will be available, so the user will be able to get exactly what he/she needs and nothing else. Furthermore, this is one more aspect that makes it more convenient than a smartphone in situations where the user should be only focused on completing his task effectively.

Not only helpful in sports, the wearable computer can also be very advantageous in daily activities. As the author of the article "What is a wearable computer" points out, because this technology can provide a greater degree of encapsulation between the user and the computer, it can give us a better sense of perception of the world that is around us. Thus, we have the ability to obtain as many data as it is convenient for us at the moment. Moreover, our awareness of what is nearby us enhances according to the amount of data we get from the wearable computer. 

What makes the wearable technology attractive is the convenience that is provides for the users. The possibility of having a computer attached to you while you do other activities, with no distractions, is what turns it so interesting. In addition, the fact that this computer will directly satisfy the need of the user also increases its usability. 

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Sources:

- N.A. (1998). Definition of Wearable Computer. Wearcomp.

Retrieved from: http://wearcomp.org/wearcompdef.html

- Wasik, B. (2013). Why Wearable Tech Will Be as Big as the Smartphone. Wired.

Retrieved from:  http://www.wired.com/2013/12/wearable-computers/

- Bilton, N. (2012). Wearable Computers Are the Next Big Devices, Report Says. Bits.

Retrieved from: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/17/wearable-computers-are-the-next-platform-wars-report-says/?_r=0