Wearable tech has a future (whether you like it or not)

In the interests of security and the detection of crime it looks like carrying a Core device should be made compulsory. Transponders concealed in every geographical micro-cell would be able to emit an alert signal if anyone passed it who was not wearing one or if it was deactivated. Concert promoters could verify that all the attendees were bona fide ticket holders. Tesco Clubcard points could no longer be spent if their owner was somewhere else. The continuously updated biometric data could make passports [and the scams that hang on them] redundant. Sounds like the answer to Which?’s prayers. . . .or maybe not.

I’m not sure this really helps with the “bigger things in life”. I can manage very well without constantly being available on email or phone, so I shall not find it a necessity to track my every move, and have another device to cause me to worry about my diet, health or fitness (assuming it has the capability of doing any of those things competently). However, manufacturers are always looking at producing expensive adult toys and novelties to solve problems you never knew were problems, and at £100 it could make a family birthday present when you have no other more sensible ideas? If we spent more time working hard instead of monitoring our personal elerctronic devices we might get out of these times of austerity a bit quicker. An anti-cynical device should be on my list, I suppose.

I think Mike is going to have an uphill battle trying to get the regulars on Which? Conversation to embrace the technology of the 21st century, but it’s nice to see some topics coming up here as well as on Which? Tech Daily.

Perhaps smartwatches are a good introduction to wearable technology. Few objected to the wristwatch and that evolved to show the date and day, then alarms were added, and so on. The beauty of a computer, tablet or smartphone is that we can use them for all sorts of different things to suit our lifestyle, and ignore whatever we see as pointless or trivial.

It is important that any wearable tech is waterproof, sufficiently robust to survive, and we overcome the problem of pathetic battery life. I’ll have a smartwatch that provides an up to date weather forecast and helps me to get from A to B without getting lost when walking.

But – like Malcolm – I don’t like being contactable at all times of the day.

I see potential for Google Glass , the technology is at the stage of providing a usable item just needs acceptance by a a larger segment of the public.
Of course there are those who see no need for such technology- thats fine, just let those who are interested or tempted get on with using this leading edge technology.
But look at how mobile phones and then Smartphones are in such widespread use by a wide spectrum of the population.
Really wish my ageing eyesight was better !

Smart!
What makes it smart, nothing I can see.
Just another device or devices that are advertised to seem essential, to continue growth in the gadget sector.
This time I don’t agree it’s progress, just gadgetry.
Some More Advertisers Revenue Trick.

I can’t wait for electronic specs.

I read about them with some interest a couple of years ago. A mark 1 was released that had a few problems, and while I was waiting for the mark 2, the company went bust. Such a shame.
They were sold in the UK for a very short time – double the price than if you bought them in the USA!

There are some John Lennon style ones around but they don’t quite have the same appeal.

Remember when they were going to incorporate web browsers into the front of microwave ovens? We asked, “Why?”

The patent records are full of nutty ideas like combined vacuum cleaner/coffee makers, bicycles with hexagonal wheels and now wearable tech.

Will we then have to have a special wearable tech wash cycle incorporated into our washing machines?

Thank you, Jane, for alerting us to the wider implications . . . as well as for reminding us of that powerful thinker Zbigniew Brzezinski whose liftetime contribution to world affairs has never been properly appreciated or recognised.

I suppose if we succumb totally to information technology, members of the human race will lose much of their personality and individuality. It seems to be happening already. I am not generally a doomsayer, and I can see the upside of many new developments even if they don’t appeal to me, but I sometimes feel we should pause and look at the bigger picture.

That’s why I have nothing whatsoever to do with the Internet.