Journal contributors offer two takes on smartwatch success
The Wall Street Journal asks, “Will smartwatches be a hit?” It sought answers from Daniel Matte, a wearable-technology analyst at Canalys, a global research and consulting firm, and Kevin McCullagh, founder of Plan Strategic Ltd., a product-strategy consulting firm based in London.
Matte says yes, smartwatches will succeed. They eliminate pocket fishing and streamline many tasks—such as paying for groceries or boarding an airplane. Early adopters will spur on the development ecosystem. Further, the smartwatch is always with you and serve as fashion statements. And smartwatches are affordable, with low-end ones within the impulse-buy range.
McCullagh, on the other hand, believes smartwatches will remain “strictly geek chic” for the next few years. The Apple Watch is fashionable for a tech product, but offers nothing that’s not taken for granted in the fashion world. And the Apple Watch, with taps, beeps, scroll wheel, and so on, offers too may modes of interaction. Battery life could be a problem. You have to turn the watch on just to tell the time.
Matte concludes that smartwatch success will hinge on the apps. He writes, “There is no one killer app for smartwatches. Different people will find different features and apps appealing. But apps collectively are the reason smartwatch platforms will succeed.”
McCullagh, in contrast, concludes, “…smartwatches will always be an optional accessory for some, not a necessity for the masses.”
