A report from Rackspace Hosting has concluded that, with the rise of wearable technology, it will drive the rise of the “human cloud”.
Cloud computing has become an integral facet of the rise in wearable tech, with the rich data available at a user’s command all being easily stored in the cloud.
As a result the report, ‘The Human Cloud: Wearable Technology from Novelty to Productivity’, examined the responses of 4000 UK and US adults, as well as collaborating with experts from the Centre for Creative and Social Technology (CAST). The key takeaways were:
- 82% of wearable tech users in America, and 71% in Britain believed that these devices have “enhanced their lives”
- More than four in five (87% US, 81% UK) respondents believe that wearable tech has improved their personal abilities
- Just under half (47%) of wearable tech users “felt more intelligent” whilst 61% “felt more informed”, with the same number agreeing that their personal efficiency improved with the devices
Of course the most well-known example of wearable tech, Google Glass, has been constantly in the news during the past month. From bloggers speculating as to the best media taken so far, to its features for the enterprise, as well as the news that Britons are so far not interested in the product because of its lack of style, there have been plenty of column inches dedicated to Glass of late.
The previous survey, conducted last month by VoucherCodesPro, found that after lack of aesthetic appeal, concerns regarding data gathering were the biggest worry for UK consumers.
With the Rackspace research, more than half (51%) of respondents see security issues as a barrier to adoption for wearable computing, with one in five saying that the devices should be banned entirely.
The research examined the six distinctive types of wearable tech user, and how businesses need to take advantage of them:
- Curious: people who have no specific need, but are more interested in playing with the technology. Rackspace argues businesses need to focus on simplicity of use and attractiveness of design in order to keep these customers.
- Controllers: people who will only purchase once they know exactly what they want to do with it, and that they can manage their data in an appropriate fashion. The paper advocates that this demographic is going to be vital when considering second and third generation devices
- Quantified sellers: people who want to track themselves as they live their lives; an academic interest. Rackspace notes that these people are “e-hoarders”, needing their data in two or more places, particularly the cloud.
- Self-medics: users who wish to utilise wearable tech for m-health. Rackspace argues that, for these users in particular, the data gathering methods need to be spot on – ensuring the “how, when and why” of data collection is transparent.
- Finish line fanatics: those for whom the gloss of a shiny new device soon wears off. Understandably, the report advocates that businesses need to capitalise on the initial excitement, advocating giving “real meaning from the data”.
- Ubiquitous future: digital natives that will grow up with the next generation of wearable technology. Rackspace argues that, for this generation, privacy will not be an issue, with boosting personal skills the key.
What do you make of this report? Are you using wearable technology right now, and where would Google Glass be without the cloud?
