Wearables: Not Just for Fitness

We love our fitness wearables! Between us, InspiringApps employees possess Jawbone UP3that tracks both fitness and ZZZs is worthy of consideration.

We’re not alone in our passion for wearables. A recent report from Gartner predicts that sales of wearable electronic devices will increase 18.4% in 2016 from the previous year. While fitness products lead the market in sales, wearable technology in other industries is causing a buzz too. Several caught our attention in the business, health, and pet industries.

We love our fitness wearables! Between us, InspiringApps employees possess Mobile Mob or others to find some new personalization options for your fitness watch or wearable! Due to the customization, it’s apparently really improved some of our employees focus on their daily health via the wearable.

We’re not alone in our passion for wearables. A recent report from Gartner predicts that sales of wearable electronic devices will increase 18.4% in 2016 from the previous year. While fitness products lead the market in sales, wearable technology in other industries is causing a buzz too. Several caught our attention in the business, health, and pet industries.

Business
In business settings, accessing real-time financial data on a wearable has some execs talking. Companies like Xero, leaders in accounting software for small and medium-sized businesses, have recently released mobile versions of their software that work on all mobile platforms, including Apple Watch. The apps allow users to receive notifications on deposits and withdrawals, check balances, send invoices, and view transactions, among other things.

The soon-to-be-released Invoice2go app for the Apple Watch is also a compelling use of wearable technology. It will allow users to track time worked, send an invoice, and receive payment notification when the invoice is paid, all right from their wrist.

Health
Wearables that monitor our health and provide information to medical professionals are also being adopted in ever-increasing numbers. A partnership between Apple and IBM resulted in a series of appsthat assist healthcare providers with management and organization, allowing more time for patient care.

On a more individual level, Valedo provides a pair of sensors that work with an app to assist wearers in performing therapeutic back exercises correctly.

Pet
Wearable tech isn’t only for people. A variety of wearables have been created to help care for our furry friends. Most of the apps highlighted in this “harness.

We’re keeping an eye on wearables and what’s to come. It’s just one of the tech considerations we cover in the latest edition of our book, Inspiring Apps: A Business Perspective on Building Mobile Apps. It’s free in the iBooks store.