The rise of the smartwatch is here, with dozens of companies releasing smartwatches and smart wearables.
Wearable devices do, however, have a long way to go before they will be truly smart devices and truly consumer-friendly.
One of the biggest aspects that wearable companies have not yet nailed is fashion. Often, smartwatches look simply like a smartphone that is strapped to the wrist, as is the case with a certain Apple device. This has certainly been changing over the past year or so with devices like the Moto 360 and the new Huawei Watch, though many users want a device that they can show off. None of the smartwatches that have been released could be described as a "classic-looking timepiece."
Of course, it's important to note that the technology of today is a limiting factor in what companies can do with a wearable device. The Huawei Watch is seen by many as the best-looking smartwatch so far, however, its downfall is its thickness. While it's certainly possible that the device was simply designed like that, it's probable that it would be a thinner device if technology allowed it.
It's also important to note that, while some consider the new Apple Watch to be lacking in terms of design, one aspect that it excels in is customizability. Because of the fact that wearables are a fashion statement, allowing users to have input into how a watch looks is important.
Of course, it's not all about fashion. Wearables have some steps to take in terms of functionality, too.
Voice activation and control is going to be very important for smartwatches going forward. Trying to tap on a screen as small as many smartwatches have might work for some things, but it's certainly not the most practical solution, especially for everyday things like checking appointments and conducting Web searches. Of course, touch control is still necessary for things like apps and for instances in which silence is necessary, but it should not be the main form of input for a device.
That's not to say that smartwatches don't have voice control. However, it seems to be taking back seat, especially in Apple's offering.
Some things are out of smartwatch manufacturers' control. Third-party developers will need to continue to create interesting apps for the devices. This goes hand-in-hand with customizability and will allow users to add an extra layer of personality to their device.
As technology gets better, so will smartwatches. Depite this, smartwatch manufacturers have some serious steps they need to take. A focus on design will be extremely important going forward, as will alternate types of input like voice control.
