Tag: canalys

These augmented reality wearable technology devices will be the next ones hit by ads and promotions.

Hipcricket, an expert in mobile marketing engagements, has recently revealed that its AD LIFE platform will now be supporting text messaging and website rendering for wearable technology devices, such as Google Glass and other types of augmented reality glasses.

The AD LIFE platform from the company is already being used by many different brands.

The platform is being used by international and domestic agencies and brands for the purpose of powering their mobile marketing campaigns. The goal is to enhance the interaction between companies and consumers through the devices that these shoppers are using the most. Though this had previously been smartphones, it has expanded over the last while to include tablets, and now wearable technology, as well. The platform offers advertising and analytics, all in one place.

Mobile marketing for wearable technology is becoming increasingly important as these devices take off.

According to Canalys, this year will be the year in which wearable technology will suddenly explode among consumers, with an estimated 8 million shipments of smartwatches headed in our direction. It was also estimated by that firm that this number will skyrocket next year to 23 million units, and that by 2017, that will have reached 45 million units.

Hipcricket has explained that wearable tech will be including everything from the iWatch, which is rumored to launch at some point this year, as well as the already existent Google Glass, and a range of different fitness and medical devices. This notable shift in consumer behaviors is expected to reflect the same one that occurred when there was a movement away from desktops toward smartphones and tablets. Now consumers are thinking even smaller and more convenient than those already small screens.

The Hipcricket chief operating officer, Doug Stovall explained that “We believe mobile will evolve to become seamlessly integrated with our everyday actions in the form of wearable technology.” For that reason, the company is ensuring that its platform keeps in line with the consumer preferred devices and will gear its mobile marketing capabilities in those directions.

Analysts are predicting that this will be one of the top tech trends of 2014 and that it won’t stop there.

According to Canaly, the market analyst, the sales of wearable technology might be breaking the 17 million mark by the end of 2014, and that this trend will be greatly driven by strong sales in smartwatches.

These pricy tiny mobile devices worn on the wrist have become surprisingly popular.

While the wearable technology market may still currently be small, the predictions form Canalys are that this will have dramatically changed as soon as the end of the year. The range of these mobile devices and the competition that is starting to build is making it easier for consumers to find just the right gadget that will appeal to them enough to drop the money for them.

Smartwatch sales forecasts will dominate the wearable technology market with a predicted 8 million sales.

According to the report that was released by Canalys, at the moment the market for these wearable mobile devices is pretty small and that it is focused primarily at fitness enthusiasts, such as in the form of bands that are worn to track heart rate or steps taken. However, the fact that even this specific market has taken off as quickly as it has shows that they “represent a massive opportunity in the medical and wellness segment”.

The report also stated that this year will be the one in which these devices “become a key consumer technology, as the smart band segment is estimated to reach 8 million annual shipments.”

The report pointed out that in the second half of 2013, there had already been 1.6 million smartwatches and fitness bands sold. This was made pushed along considerably by the release of the Sony SmartWatch 2 and the Samsung Galaxy Gear.

The marketing that Samsung has put forward for its Galaxy Gear wearable technology has generated a considerable amount of exposure and interest from consumers. The shipments of those specific devices spiked the brand to the top of this category, although additional promotional activity will be needed over the next few months in order to overcome the sell-through that has been somewhat less than expected, so far. This, according to Canalys principal analyst and vice president, Chris Jones.