Wearables losing fizz, says an IEEE survey

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Digital music devices - such as MP3 players, 3D printers and ‘wearable’ products were considered the three technologies most likely to be redundant or unnecessary this year.

This is what an online survey, conducted in late December 2014, showed when it questioned over thousand adults across the metros of India to understand their perception of influential and redundant technologies in 2015.

In 2015, the most influential technology items, targeted by online users will be smart phones, tablets, notebooks or laptops, according to a survey of consumers in India conducted for the IEEE – a professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence.

When asked, from a list of technologies that included laptops, e-readers and music streaming services, which, if any, would be significantly influential in 2015, 71 per cent picked out smart phones, 57 per cent tablets and laptops at 56 per cent. Electric cars also rated highly at 46 per cent.

From the same list of technologies respondents were asked which, if any, will be redundant/unnecessary this year. 3D Printers, ‘wearable’ products and digital music devices tied in joint top position at 19 per cent. Home automation and E-readers were at 18 per cent and 17 per cent as the most redundant technologies.

On the results of this survey, Aiyappan Pillai, Senior Member IEEE and Secretary, IEEE Bombay Section states, “The Indian consumer is very conscious of the total value derived from investment in technology. I believe, people do not see 3-D printing as a technology that helps make a quantum jump in the quality of living, irrespective of price. A convincing use case nor value is not seen as of now. Mobile and Internet are two key technologies that are enabling even the average Indian connect to success like never before. This explains why smartphones, tablets and laptops have cornered top ranks.”

On balance, respondents believed the electric car will also be influential this year, with 46 per cent rating it so and only 15 per cent believing it would be redundant/unnecessary.

IEEE held similar research in the UK, United States and Brazil where surveys showed comparable results, with smart phones among the most desired products. However in India, 3D printers and “wearable” products are the least desired whereas in the other three countries digital cameras were stated as the least desired.