Tech giants like Google and Samsung, along with a slew of lesser-known firms, are all getting into the wearable tech market, but what do Americans really think of these devices?
According to a new poll released this week by Harris Interactive, nearly half of Americans (or 46 percent) are at "least a little interested" in owning a watch-like wearable computing device while 27 percent are "very or somewhat interested."
The online survey of 2,577 U.S. adults, conducted between Sept. 18 and 24, also found that nearly half of respondents are at least mildly interested in owning some other type of wearable tech gadget, though fewer expressed interest in headsets or glasses.
"In the end, Americans aren't yet displaying truly decisive opinions either for or against wearable tech, which may reflect a simple lack of clear understanding of the category as a whole," Harris said. "The variety of devices coming to market thus far, and of the inconsistency of roles they're designed to fill in consumers' lives, can make it hard for the public to wrap its head around just what these devices are all about."
Opinions about wearable tech are mixed, but Americans are "leaning slightly in the direction of skepticism," the poll found. Roughly half (49 percent) believe wearable tech is just a fad that won't become common. Moreover, 47 percent said wearable tech probably wouldn't be useful to their lives. As for aesthetics, 43 percent said wearable tech can be stylish while 41 percent disagreed.
Meanwhile, in terms of demographics, interest in wearable tech is strongest among 18-to-35 year olds, a category Harris calls "Echo Boomers," followed by 37-to-48 year olds, known as "Gen Xers." Sixty-three percent of Echo Boomers and 47 percent of Gen Xers are interested in owning such devices, the poll found. In comparison, 37 percent of "Baby Boomers" and 32 percent of "Matures" are intrigued by these devices.
"Interest is also consistently stronger among men than among women; more specifically, over half of men are at least a little interested in owning a watch or wristband type of wearable tech (52 percent, vs. 40 percent among women)," Harris said.
The poll comes as Google expands its Glass Explorer program, letting current participants invite three friends to purchase and test out its pricey headset.
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