A SmartWatch here, a smartwatch there, a smartwatch everywhere, it seems to be making headlines, but the question is, do people really need them?
The smartwatch wars have already begun. Google has launched its own line of Android-powered wearables, called Android Wear , and manufacturers like Motorola and LG have jumped at the chance to be early adopters of the platform.
In addition, Samsung has released several wearable devices and Apple seems to be working on something similar.
It seems like all the big names in the industry are eager to play the wearables game, but is it something consumers really need?
The gadget market has run out of ideas and the current trend is to push the boundaries between existing products, offering multiple functions in a single device. A good example would be tablets and phables, where the latter seems to be succeeding the former.
Manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to differentiate between product categories, so instead of innovating, they tend to overcomplicate certain features (like screen size) or add a plethora of features. But is it better?
Is it really necessary for a tablet to have phone calling capabilities? Or a pair of glasses to have computer capabilities? Furthermore, does a SmartWatch really need to function as a phone?
Social Media Marketing Consultant Lauren Sosik argues that smartwatches currently offer nothing that other devices can't. She argues that manufacturers need to look beyond today's tradition and try and bring something extra.
"When my smartwatch can unlock my door, open my garage door, start my car, turn on the lights or turn them off in any room in my house, then you'll see this category make progress," he said.
