The wearables boom is all about the wrist

A boom in wearables?

Since the tablet market has decline somewhat in recent years, many people have predicted wearables to be the net big thing in the technology and mobile industry. With the Apple Watch about to go on sale today, all the signs are pointing to a growing market and increased interest among consumers.

Reflecting the growing significance of wearables, research firm IDC predicts that worldwide wearable shipments worldwide are expected to grow from 19.6 million units (last year) to 45.7 million in 2015 and reach a not insignificant 126.1 million units by 2019.

All this talk of a wearables boom might seem like jumping the gun somewhat however, when you look at the numbers in more detail. But according to IDC, the phenomenal growth will be propelled almost exclusively by smartwatches and (wrist-worn) fitness trackers, which are expected to make up more than 90% of wearable devices shipped this year.