Android Wear is off to a rather slow start, selling 720,000 units in 2014. As far as smartwatches go, the Moto 360 managed to take the top spot.
The news is a little unsurprising for those who have been following the smartwatch revolution over the past year.
One of the main reasons that the Moto 360 has been selling better than other Android Wear smartwatches is its design.
While smartwatches are a new and futuristic category, that doesn't mean that everyone wants a device that looks like it's from the year 2050. Wearable technology is a fashion statement, and many still want that classic look that they could get from a normal watch, just with extra features and connectivity.
Motorola really went for that classic look in creating the Moto 360. At the time of its release it was one of the first round smartwatches to hit the market. Not only that, but like other smartwatches, users could complete the look with a classic looking watch face.
Going hand in hand with design is the fact that the Moto 360 is quite a bit more customizable than other smartwatches on the market. It comes in either a dark finish or light metal finish with either a metal band or a leather band, or in a gold or silver metal stainless steel option. This is important for a fashion accessory, as it allows people with different styles and tastes to find the watch that will best go with their style.
The design of the device isn't the only reason that the Moto 360 has had such success as far as smartwatches go. Because the device is from Motorola, users can customize the device with the Moto Connect app. The ambient light sensor also allows users to be able to see the face of the watch with ease whenever it is on their wrist. At the time, the device was the only one with an ambient light sensor.
There are a number of things that other companies can take away from the success of the Moto 360. As mentioned before, design is paramount. There is a sea of square smartwatches, and users clearly don't want more devices that look like a small smartphone strapped to the users' wrists. Users also see a watch as a fashion statement. They need options.
Practicality is also important. A watch is obviously going to be in a number of differently lit environments, so accommodating for that is important.
With the second iteration of the Moto 360 expected to be announced in the near future, it will be interesting to see what Motorola does with the line.
