The truth is slowly coming out about wearable technology, which we are reliably being told is the next game changer for our increasingly modern world.
Thanks to Copenhagen Airport for letting us know that they have trialled Google Glass giving it the "thumbs up" and that "we can reduce the amount of paper our Duty Managers need to carry to give great customer service. And because the devices are hands-free, our managers are not focusing on a screen and can engage better with our passengers."
If that is any indication of how it will be used then wearable tech will be underwhelming.
Walking around with a tablet can reduce paper and putting the tablet in a bag around your shoulder can also free up your hands. Must you spend thousands on a set of digital spectacles? After the initial novelty has worn off, I suspect most will not.
Google will also demonstrate its smartwatch - part of its Android Wear range - at the upcoming Google I/O conference in San Francisco, promising interchangeable watch bands and faces to meet each individual style. Didn't Swatch do this in the 1980s? The "Pop" Swatch as I recall was an expensive failure. I am not picking on Google here. Apple with its focus on health related wearable tech, Samsung and Motorola with their own smart watches are all over-promising on this segment.
These devices offer no game changing utility whatsoever. They are essentially a repackaging of exisiting technology to create a new market in an ever increasingly competitive industry which the likes of Google, Apple, Samsung and others know will not allow all of them to stay on top or even survive.
malrawi@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @Ind_Insights
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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