What’s the Secret to Making Wearables That People Actually Want?

I spoke to Wired magazine on wearables… Wired article published on February 24 2014.…

Misfit Wearables launched the Shine, an activity tracker that can be worn almost anywhere on your body. Image: Misfit Wearables

Last September, right around spring/winter Fashion Week, an unexpected group of people gathered for a round table discussion at the main offices of the Council of Fashion Designers of America in New York City. Present was Steven Kolb, the CFDA’s CEO, a few higher-ups from Intel and a handful of CFDA members who also happen to be big names in fashion and accessory design.

Intel had called the meeting to discuss the idea of starting a collaboration between the company and the fashion industry at large, with the ultimate goal of figuring out a way turn their decidedly unwearable technology into something people—fashionable people—might actually want to put on their bodies.

‘Tech companies know what is useful, but do we know how to make something desirable?’

Changing Lives Through Mobile – Innovation in Emerging Markets

On February 25, 2014, I had the opportunity to speak about:  “Changing Lives Through Mobile – Innovation in Emerging Markets” at the Centre for Contemporary Culture in Barcelona.  

Currently the average internet gap in developing counties is 23%, and Intel estimates that if we get an additional 600 million women online – global GDP would increase by $18B.  Beyond the obvious economic impact, it is really the improved standard of living for individual people that matters the most. 

So as we look to the future, it is important to think of how innovative mobile services can both build markets and change lives.  Through programs like “Intel Teach” we have trained more than 500,000 teachers in Africa; and “She Will Connect” is closing the technology divide for millions. Bringing a smartphone to Africa was an immense learning experience to see how users responded when a product is designed w their pain points in mind!

You can check; http://changinglivesmobile.com/

Wearable Technology: What's Next?

Today I'm going to talk at Churchill Club about wearable technology; what's next?

New consumer wearable technology is becoming the next big consumer electronics market including products such as fitness monitors, smart watches, Internet-connected eyeglasses, wearable cameras, helmets, apparel, baby monitors and more. What will it take for wearables to continue to capture consumer interest? According to the recently released Accenture Digital Consumer Tech Survey 2014, which polled consumers in six countries, at least 52 percent of consumers are interested in wearable technologies—and there is the potential for major investments that could go into growing this market. Join us as Robin Murdoch moderates this panel of top wearables experts about the key challenges and most promising opportunities ahead.