Wearable technology is now considered a “legitimate product category”, but analysts doubt it will take off before the Apple iWatch launch.
A huge amount of wearable tech devices launched at CES 2014, cementing the wearable tech category as a “legitimate” one for the first time.
“[Wearable technology has become a] legitimate, new product category,” said White in a note to investors, released to AppleInsider.
Products like the Razer Nabu, Pebble Steel, Garmin Vivofit, Sony SmartBand and LG LifeBand Touch were all unveiled at CES 2014, but these will not start the wearable tech revolution. This will be down to the Apple iWatch.
White wrote that sales of wearable technology will not see “meaningful adoption” until Apple launches the heavily rumoured iWatch.
In 2013, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the wearable tech market is “incredibly interesting”.
“It’s an area that’s ripe for exploration; it’s ripe for us to get excited about. Lots of companies will play in this space”, he added.
Apple has already openly filed trademarks for the iWatch name in several countries across the world, prompting further speculation that the Cupertino company is working on its own wrist-worn smart device.
Rumours suggest that Apple has pencilled in a tentative iWatch release date for autumn 2014, but new information indicates that Apple is being plagued by production snags.
Yield rates are reportedly down at 50 per cent, with other leaks suggesting that the battery performance has been so unsatisfactory Apple is considering changing the display type of the iWatch.
Despite the influx of new wearable tech, dedicated smartwatches already on the market like the Samsung Galaxy Gear and Sony SmartWatch 2 have failed to impress or sell in great numbers.
Apple may benefit by being one of the last major manufacturers to join the wearable market, especially as it won’t have rushed its smartwatch tech.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Gear vs Sony SmartWatch 2
