Apple’s great at hopping into new markets just as they’re set to explode, and it seems that the upcoming Apple Watch is no different.
Despite mixed reports about consumer interest, research firm IHS thinks demand for sensor-equipped wearable tech devices is going to see a major acceleration starting next year — largely thanks to Cupertino. Just how much of an increase are we talking about? Try 7x the size of the existing market by 2019, according to analysts.
“Similar to the iPhone and iPad, IHS expects the Apple Watch will set a de facto standard for sensor specifications in smartwatches,” says Jeremie Bouchaud, director and senior principal analyst, MEMS & Sensors. “Most other wearable [original equipment manufacturers] will follow Apple’s lead in [incorporating multiple sensors into devices] — or will add even more sensors to differentiate.”
IHS credits the rise of sensor-equipped devices with improved user interfaces (of the sort Apple has innovated with Apple Watch), along with the move from dumb single sensors of the past, such as pedometers, toward multipurpose devices like smartwatches.
Apple is perfectly poised to capitalize on this area, having assembled a veritable dream team of wearables experts, including numerous pioneers in the smart biosensor space. The Apple Watch itself features an accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone and pulse sensor — while other sensors will almost certainly be added in future iterations.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch the Apple Watch in February 2015, albeit with only a limited supply. In the meantime a select few Apple engineers are already busy testing the devices in the wild.
It’s not yet clear how many Apple Watches Cupertino is projecting to sell in its first year. One recent report claimed that Apple has placed orders for shipments of up to five million AMOLED panels per month, which would suggest sales of 50+ million units next year.
Some analysts are slightly more conservative, however, with Gene Munster recently predicting that Apple’s first year sales for Apple Watch will come in at around the 10 million mark.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
4 responses to “Apple Watch could lead to 7x increase in wearables market”
When Bill Gates built his home in Seattle, he included technology where people wearing a small device, would adjust the light, music and other items to their liking. I see this coming in the iWatch. The front door opens when I approach and it will know it’s me because of the bio signature.
“Apple Watch could lead to 7x increase in wearables market”
It’ll lead to a 100% increase in my wearable electronics. Can’t wait!
Will get it only if it pairs with ipad air 2
The problem is BEFORE Apple enters a market, that CE thing feature set is limited or a feature is listed but it doesn’t work very well at all – and asking people to take a “leap of faith” is mostly idiotic though now 80% of people realize that Apple will probably get it right … PRE, if you asked consumers about these CE categorigies, 99% of consumers wanted NOTHING to do with them because what was out was stupid.
Pre iPod – Bulky players that had ZERO music UI navigation designed by humans – they merely transported over the file listings from a WIN PC, useless for 1,000 music tracks.
Pre-iPhone – Touchscreens worked like ***. Surfing on the internet was idiotic and charged by the KB, who wanted a touchscreen internet phone.
Pre iPad – tablets are bulky and unresponsive …
Right now, watches are mostly an arm notifier for a smartphone – there are hints of what it can do … open hotel doors … applepay … if it can open your car door and adjust your seat? if you can place your togo order with your fav restauarnt by tapping it once? Call an uber cab? check in at the airport? DL coupons when ou walk into a store you frequent?