Easy availability, cost-effectiveness and multiple functions are some of the factors contributing to the increase in sale of these devices globally. By Avneep Dhingra
Look around and there are wearable GPS devices everywhere. From the hyperactive child next door to your all composed yoga instructor, almost everyone is sporting a smartwatch or a smart band. These wrist-wrapping gizmos now perform multiple functions — from answering texts and calls to tracking your sleep or helping you through your training session.
Once confined to a niche market, these devices are in great demand almost everywhere in the world. For instance, The Middle East and Africa (MEA) wearable devices market saw a whopping 144.43% unit growth in the second quarter of 2019, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC). According to IDC, as many as 1.96 million units worth $278.04 million were shipped to the region in the second quarter of this year.
For those in search of a fitness watch, a host of companies — including big players like Samsung and Apple — have their devices lined up in the market. So, what’s behind the growing popularity of these devices, and why people cutting across age groups are buying them all over the world? Let’s find out!
Cost effective
One of the biggest advantages of these devices is that they come for a highly affordable price. In case you are new to the world of fitness tracking, a band under $100 might be the best way to go. Even though you can grab a step-counting device for as low as $20, spending a little more may yield big dividends. Browse through the web and you will find tens of companies offering a smartwatch or smart band with latest features and a year-long warranty within $100.
Multi-utility
A large number of the wearable GPS devices can perform a host of functions such as tracking your sleep, monitoring your heart rate, counting the number of steps you have taken throughout the day and answering text messages and calls. Some of the trackers available in the market also have companion apps with social features for challenging friends, which is a great way to get active. With built-in GPS, these devices can particularly come in handy for athletes and sportsmen who want to track their running or cycling workouts.
Children’s safety
Despite numerous security concerns raised by experts, including a recent blog by security firm Avast that talks about how 30 GPS tracker models targeted at kids, seniors and pets can expose data including people’s real-time GPS coordinates, the demand for GPS powered wearables for children has only gown. GPS tracking devices are used to obtain accurate, real-time location-based information about a child to ensure his safety. The emergence of GPS devices that can report on youngsters’ whereabouts, coupled with the falling prices of gadgets, seem to offer parents a viable tech solution.
Perhaps that is why Swedish firm Trax and French firm Weenect have built devices specially for children. These gadgets issue alerts when children step outside of pre-set ‘geo-fences’, allow parents to follow their kids from their smartphone or computer in real time and have an SOS button that enables distressed children to call their parents.
Easy availability
Wearable devices are easily available online on almost every e-commerce websites and can also be bought from the open market. Most of these gadgets come for a nominal cost and thus are easy to own. Technology giants such as Apple and Samsung have recently launched a host of new models to capture the booming market for GPS powered wearables.Â
