Category: Gadgets

Retailers may need to change their strategies to engage consumers more effectively

Apple has released its new wearable device, called the Watch, and many consumers have shown interest in the product. Though Apple Watch has received criticism for its expensive nature, many consumers have found the device useful, especially because it can be used to make mobile payments. While consumers may be showing favor in Watch, retailers may have to revise their marketing strategies in order to better engage mobile consumers with this device.

Micro-moments are becoming more important to retailers

Julie Ask of Forrester Research suggests that retailers need to focus on “micro-moments” when it comes to Apple Watch. The micro-moments are times when consumers interact with mobile devices. These interactions tend to be short-lived, as consumers often check their devices to see social media updates and access their email accounts. Advertisements could be quite effective if  they are situated in these micro-moments, as consumers will be exposed to these ads when they check their mobile devices, including wearable devices.

Consumers are showing greater interest in mobile payments

Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in mobile payments, which is a trend that is making micro-moments more important. If retailers can effectively leverage these moments to their advantage, they may establish a much stronger position in the mobile market. They will have to change their marketing strategies, however, if they want to engage mobile consumers, especially those with wearable devices. These consumers tend to be somewhat resistant to traditional marketing endeavors, but their attention is often capture by mobile-centric strategies that take note of the importance of mobile technology.

Wearable technology could drive further growth in the mobile payments space

According to a recent report from Forrester Research, 40% of online consumers are tired of pulling out their smartphones to make a purchase. As such, wearable devices are becoming more popular. These devices act in much the same way that conventional smartphones do and have the ability to make mobile payments. Consumers are aligning themselves with wearable technology quite readily, which could lead to significant growth in the wearable sector in the coming years.

A developer has now come up with an application that allows the wearables to control the Model S.

A developer named Allen Wong from Rego Apps has come up with a new application for the Apple Watch that would make it possible for the owner of a Tesla Model S electric car to be able to access the basic functions of the vehicles from the convenience of his or her wearable technology device.

In this way, those functions can be controlled by the wearer of the smartwatch to improve the vehicle’s convenience.

The design of the Apple Watch App is such that it makes it possible for a user to complete a large number of functions that range from controlling the air conditioning settings to even opining the roof. Rego Apps went to the extent of documenting the app and sharing it over a YouTube video in order to help to demonstrate exactly what it is capable of doing. The video pointed out that this application doesn’t require the smartwatch wearer to be close to the electric car in order to control it.

The Apple Watch app makes it possible to access each of the controls remotely, all over the internet.

The video explained that “(T)he craziest part is that this can all be done remotely. You don’t even need to be near the car to issue the commands. It’s all communicated through the internet.”

The number of different things that the smartwatch application is capable of providing actually reaches beyond some of the options that are available through the official app from Tesla that also provides some remote functions through a vehicle owner’s smartphone. Among the various features that the wearable technology have to offer includes the chance to unlock or lock the car doors, to change the charge limit of the vehicle, to alter the climate control settings such as the air conditioner, to identify the position of the vehicle on a map through geolocation technology, and even use the wearables as a type of key for remote starting.

What has yet to be know is how many people have both an Apple Watch and a Tesla Model S so that they will actually be able to try to benefit from this wearable technology app.