Wearable tech devices have taken over the technology development world. This year alone, I have seen the rise of wearable devices and their acceptance into society. Just a few examples of these devices include Google Glass and the Nike Fuel band. Wearables are a reality.
Where the new development of wearables rise, many complications and setbacks for their wearers follow. Some devices have caused adverse physical side-effects for users, like rashes and burns. Other side effects include the backlash from critics about the intrusive nature of wearable technology.
In a previous post, I discuss what I believe is the biggest obstruction to the universal acceptance of Google Glass in society. This barrier is simply our unfamiliarity with the device. Perhaps this unfamiliarity is fueled by the ostentatious design of the glasses. They are visually noticeable and any wearer can be identified. Also, some wrist devices are a bit bulky and constantly draw attention from other individuals.
My question is: Why can't wearable technology devices be discreet, yet still effective? A Hungarian freelance designer, Gábor Balogh, believes they can. Recently, Balogh created a design for a mechanism that connects to a cellular device and has most of the basic functions of a phone, but resembles a completely normal wristwatch.
His design features a watch that functions as a normal time teller but includes features that allow you to do a plethora of tasks, from tracking your physical activity to checking your text messages. His theory is to to keep things simple, without voice interaction or touch screens, while still maintaing a high function level.
To me, Balogh's design seems like a much more plausible prototype for the future of wearables than that of google glass. The watch is fashionable and functional, while remaining visually obscure to onlookers. While his design would have to be technologically adjustmented to be actually produced, it surely resembles the foreseeable future of wearable devices.
Maybe I am drawn to his gadget just because of my obsession with watches... But if this watch was on the market, I would definitely be buying.
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