Get All Access for $5/mo

Wearable Tech Could Someday Be as Common as Smartphones The vast majority of Americans say they are super excited about wearable technologies, according to a recent study.

By Emily Price

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

chinaz.com
Sergey Brin

If you think wearable tech like Google Glass and Samsung's Galaxy Gear is just a fad, think again.

A whopping 91 percent of Americans are excited about wearable tech, according to a recent study conducted by Wakefield Research for Santa Clara, Calif.-based cloud and networking technologies firm Citrix. The study showed that not only are most Americans excited about wearable technology, they think it's on the rise, with 60 percent of respondents indicating they think wearable tech will be as common as smartphones in just six years.

That's roughly when today's 6th graders will be headed off to college.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Google Glass Is Doomed

When it comes to wearing their tech, 73 percent of people want a gadget that blends into the everyday clothing rather than something like Google Glass that draws attention to itself. Only 19 percent of respondents were excited about the prospect of smart glasses. In contrast, the biggest winner of the bunch was smart watches, with 30 percent of respondents excited about the technology.

So what do people plan on doing with all that wearable tech? The majority of respondents think that wearable technology will be used primarily for fun in their life, while 41 percent think that the tech will make them more productive.

All that excitement for wearable technology doesn't point to one specific type of technology that's going to be a clear winner over time.

When asked what fictional wearable technology they would most like to own, top answers included X-ray glasses from James Bond and Tony's Stark's armor suit from Iron Man. Neither technology has been developed and released to the public. Not yet, anyway.

Related: Wearable Tech, Marissa Mayer, Entrepreneurs and Innovation: A CES 2014 Preview

Emily Price

Technology Writer

Emily Price is a tech reporter based in San Francisco, Calif. She specializes in mobile technology, social media, apps, and startups. Her work has appeared in a number of publications including The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, PC World, Macworld, CNN and Mashable.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business News

Homeowners in These 10 States Pay the Most in 'Hidden' Upkeep Costs

Hidden home costs pile on top of mortgage payments.

Growing a Business

5 Books to Help You Motivate, Unify and Build Perspective

In a post-Covid world, check out these must-read books to help build a more resilient organization, create a modern work culture and maintain a powerful growth mindset.

Money & Finance

Avoid These 10 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make with Money

Despite the challenging statistic that only 5% of startups survive beyond five years, common financial pitfalls often contribute to their failure. Through personal observation, I've identified the prevalent financial mistakes made by entrepreneurs.

Growing a Business

How Visionary Leaders Transform Curiosity Into Groundbreaking Ideas

Lee Brian Schrager, founder of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, discusses the spark that launched FoodieCon, his best practices for running popular food events, and why all business owners need to adapt to social media trends.

Making a Change

Learn All of Rosetta Stone's Languages for $152

A lifetime subscription is nearly $250 off for a limited time.