Wearable Technology
Alicia Lorde
New York City College of Technology
Society, Technology and Self
Sociology, SOC 2401
May 13, 2016
Technology has highly advanced over several years from industrial times to the modern times now of the 20th century. It has increased the way many consumers now purchase and depend on them for accuracy and results. Some technology has made consumers more dependable on innovations instead of actual medical outcomes. This innovation is called wearable technology. Wearable technology was introduced in the early 1980’s with a calculator watch and now in the 20th century it comes in many different forms of devices such as fitness trackers and cameras. Consumers now use this technology to track their heart rates while walking or exercising, it’s a fashion statement piece and it can also communicate with many smart devices and computers.
Wearable Technology is a device that is being known to enhance the way of life for many people. People are using these devices to avoid long wait times at the doctor’s office and high co- pays by putting their trust in the results that this device gives them. These mechanisms are different from other developments in the same field because of its advancement in technology that is used to create them for a specific task. Wearable’s can track your heart rate and calculate your pulse just by placing it on your wrist. Other wearables like digital eyewear are used in the United States Military for soldiers to see holographic images of their opponents more visibly in the night.
These devices have become a wide spread of importance for the future of our society because of the data tracking it carries. When consumers invest in this equipment it helps them be more aware of their health and fitness level which this technology mostly targets. Once this device is placed on ones wrist, arm or body part it uses a motion sensor to track a person steps, calorie intake throughout the day and their heart rates. Wearable technology has advanced so much that people and even physicians are using this technology to access sleeping disorders. This device makes people more aware of how in shape and/or unhealthy they life maybe in order to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle. This mechanism attracts many different consumers worldwide. It helps citizens nationwide but specifically targets people that will benefit most from the use of this devices and help to improve their quality of life like the obese population. This population of people wants help but many are ashamed to ask for it because of the embarrassment they feel about their weight. Since going to a physician might not be the first initial route that they may want to take. Investing in wearable technology will be the equipment piece that they may consider to purchase. Like most of us consumers we love technology, with this type of technology they can avoid any embarrassment they may feel with dealing with medical professionals by using this discreet device. They can start on their own pace, view their results privately to make changes to improve their overall health. One example of wearable technology is the Fitbit. This product was established by James Park and Eric Friedman. James Park attended Harvard College studying Computer Science but dropped out and never graduated. James Park established two other companies Windup Labs and Epsei technologies before he became the Co-founder of Fit bit. Like most consumers he became captivated with the Nintendo Wii and how it created the illusion of tracking movements during fitness. With the growth of technology he gathered that sensors and wireless technology can bring fitness and health encounters. He thought how he could take this same technology and expands on it to develop a portable device. James decided to bring this idea to his partner Eric Friedman, a graduate from Yale University with his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Sciences and also a Co Founder in Windup Labs came up with the Fitbit; a name that is said to come from a thought during a nap.
In 2007, in San Francisco, California the activity tracker launched. This device can track your steps, calories and quality of sleep. It also integrates fitness tracking and health effectiveness. The prices for these models range from $50 to $ 140. This device was to be used daily with tracking data from the wrist of your hand. Without much publicity the Fit bit became an instant hit with various buyers and ranges to close to $ 93 million sold by the year 2017. Convenience and instant results is important to shoppers, so to have a portable device that can track data from the wrist of your arm will be an instant hit.
Like many technological innovations there always drawbacks, like the Fit Bit. Most customers not only depend on a accurate and good reading of their daily activities throughout the day anything less causes panic. Many consumers are constantly using the Fit Bit to check their blood pressures to see if they have serious health conditions. This is causing the patients to contact their medical professionals on several times in fear because of the recorded outcomes. Secondly, these devices are a disturbance from getting notifications or vibrations while driving which compares to texting. Lastly, the radiation contact to the skin can cause harm over time to people wearing it for a long period of time.
These situations are alarming because people are now depending on technology to give them health results rather than a licensed medical professional. This is bad for medical professionals as well as the consumers because the professionals lose money and for the consumers they might get misleading readings, think they’re in great health when that might not be the case. This is a major health risk for any individual.
In conclusion, with any technological device they will be continuous pros and cons. It is with hope that the constant advancement in technology that they will be less than cons and more pros. Overall no individual should let a device dictate their overall health outcomes seeking a licensed medical profession is always the best route to avoid serious health conditions.
Annotated Bibliography
Lewis, T. (2015, April 15). 1 Million Orders and Counting: Why So Many Covet the Apple Watch. Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/50485-apple-watch-mania.html
The launch of the apple watch draws consumers to purchase their products by the constant advance in there innovations. Having a smart watch is a great technological gadget for Iphone users and a handy piece of equipment that is linked to the consumer’s phone. They can check messages, take a picture or even record a video. Convenience, smart technology and the ability to communicate with others on your wrist without taking your phone out of your pocket or bag draws thousand or even millions to purchase these products.
Bilton, N. (2016, January 20). Where Wearable Technology Ends Up (Hint: Not Your Wrist). New York Times. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/style/where-wearable-technology-ends-up-hint-not-your-wrist.html?_r=0
There are claims that there is not future for wearable devices. All wearable devices end in up junk drawers because they are bulky, that are not accurate and not fashionable prices that a women would not wear. Although the apple watch was a good phenomenon the reality is that no one wants to pay the same price for a watch a much as their cell phone. They aren’t that useful because they just show notifications from your smart phone.
Mertz, L. (2016). Are Wearables Safe?: We Carry Our Smart Devices with Us Everywhere – Even to Bed – But Have We Been Sleeping with the Enemy, or are Cautionary Tales Overinflated?. IEEE Pulse, 7(1), 39-43.
There has been ongoing research regarding the safety of wearable technology. The U.S. food and Drug Administration accesses how adequately wearable technology works. The number one thing is to find out if these products are accurate. Many consumers are constantly using them to check their blood pressures to see if they have serious health conditions. This is causing the patients to contact their medical professionals on numerous occasions in a panic because of the recorded outcomes. Secondly, these devices are a disturbance from getting notifications or vibrations while driving which is comparable to texting while driving. Lastly, is the radiation contact to your skin harmful over time to a person wearing this device for a long period of time. These concerns bring ongoing research to see what the future holds for these devices.
Miller, J (2015). Examples of Nonomaterial-Based Displays in Wearable Electronics.
Nanotechnology Law & Business, 12(@), 81-83
The idea of using engineered nonmaterial’s through wearable technology such as clothing, shoes, wallets and ties will be programmable by smart phones to show the different features of the product. The idea to have on the same item of clothing or high heel shoes and this technology able it to transform in a different color, design and even to show a message, This is what the future hold for wearable technology. Instead of having to change in too many articles of clothing or shoes you are able to transform it into a different color or design to match what you are currently wearing. This technological advancement will create an opportunity in clothing designs.
Sabelman, E. E., & Lam, R (2105, June 23). The Real-Life Dangers of Augmented Reality. Spectrum Lee. Retrieved March 5, 2016, from http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/portable-devices/the-reallife-dangers-of-augmented-reality
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The danger of augmented reality through glasses is an ongoing technological innovation that is constantly improving through research. This wearable technology can impair the view and maneuverability to focus which can cause many accidents to consumers wearing this product. It is easy to miscalculate and have an accurate response time with this device, which is great hazard. The good in this device is that people with impairments usually improve while others have bad reactions to that are compared to eye diseases. Overall the software for this technology will determine if the forthcoming of this will grow or come to a standstill.
Walsh, B., & Sifferlin, A. (2014). Data Mine. Time, 184(20), 34-38.
The Jawbone UP24 is a wearable device that tracks the steps and calories a person intake throughout the day and it also includes a motion sensor that tracks a person sleep time. The application for this device use algorithms to count the amount of hours in light and deep sleep. This device hopes to help and make life easier for consumers to better track their health by exercising, sleep the correct amount of hours per night (8 hours) and eating a well balanced meal. This device will be good for consumers but also be bad for physicians. A consumer might be dependable on the device to the point that they don’t go to see a medical professional because they feel that their overall health is in great shape according to the device. The device hopes to continue to advance and keep helping consumers by adding more features like tracking heart rates, skin temperature, respiration, hydration and many more.
McNeill, J., Hutchins, A. (2015). The Anatomy of Information: Bio-data and Wearable Technology Under Examination. Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 95(2), 26.
Wearable technology in educational institutions has become a new teaching and learning opportunity in colleges nationwide. The major issues and concerns is that all of the data that is collected through these devices make it extremely easy for hackers to access student information. Although, colleges are creating safe online learning settings for their students; students still have to use third party applications to retrieve their online courses. Activists are trying to address these privacy concerns to come up with a more secure service to protect college students.
Brud, L., Fleming, N. (2016). Late equalizer. New Scientist, 229(3055), 25.
Football is a game of timing. Tracking devices helps coaches determine where a player is with their speed and there risk for injury during the time when they practice hard. This is a video based system that can be sewn on to a player clothing that tracks their overall performance and heart rate. Although these devices have been used during games the issue is not to have the referees and staff have access to it which can cause games to be forfeited because of the opposing team may already know there moves and positions.
Metz, R. (2015). The Struggle for Accurate Measurements on Your Wrist. MIT Technology Review, 118(4), 74-77.
Many wearable devices do not fit correctly on consumer wrists. The fit of wearable devices can give misleading information because the device sits incorrectly on ones wrist. Many of these wearable devices do not adjust properly to rest correctly on a consumer hand which gives misleading readings and accuracy. Every person wrist is a different in size so overall this isn’t a good place to get a good result from a wearable device that tracks heart rates.
Torres, T. (2015). So-So Features Limit This Gaming-Minded Tracker. PC Magazine, 65-69.
All wearable technology has pros and cons like the Razer Nabu X. It is an inexpensive device about $ 50.00 in price, it has good battery life, it fits comfortable and gives a good fitness tracking measurement. With many of these devices they also have cons such as the constant non responsive track measurements. The notification lighting, consumer’s are not sure what light is tracking what. This device doesn’t have a lot of social features and it is very difficult to reset. Wearable devices are a hit and miss; with the constant upgrade in technology there will always be one device better than the other.
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Wearable Technology
Alicia Lorde
New York City College of Technology
Society, Technology and Self
Sociology, SOC 2401
May 13, 2016
Technology has highly advanced over several years from industrial times to the modern times now of the 20th century. It has increased the way many consumers now purchase and depend on them for accuracy and results. Some technology has made consumers more dependable on innovations instead of actual medical outcomes. This innovation is called wearable technology. Wearable technology was introduced in the early 1980’s with a calculator watch and now in the 20th century it comes in many different forms of devices such as fitness trackers and cameras. Consumers now use this technology to track their heart rates while walking or exercising, it’s a fashion statement piece and it can also communicate with many smart devices and computers.
Wearable Technology is a device that is being known to enhance the way of life for many people. People are using these devices to avoid long wait times at the doctor’s office and high co- pays by putting their trust in the results that this device gives them. These mechanisms are different from other developments in the same field because of its advancement in technology that is used to create them for a specific task. Wearable’s can track your heart rate and calculate your pulse just by placing it on your wrist. Other wearables like digital eyewear are used in the United States Military for soldiers to see holographic images of their opponents more visibly in the night.
These devices have become a wide spread of importance for the future of our society because of the data tracking it carries. When consumers invest in this equipment it helps them be more aware of their health and fitness level which this technology mostly targets. Once this device is placed on ones wrist, arm or body part it uses a motion sensor to track a person steps, calorie intake throughout the day and their heart rates. Wearable technology has advanced so much that people and even physicians are using this technology to access sleeping disorders. This device makes people more aware of how in shape and/or unhealthy they life maybe in order to make changes to live a healthier lifestyle. This mechanism attracts many different consumers worldwide. It helps citizens nationwide but specifically targets people that will benefit most from the use of this devices and help to improve their quality of life like the obese population. This population of people wants help but many are ashamed to ask for it because of the embarrassment they feel about their weight. Since going to a physician might not be the first initial route that they may want to take. Investing in wearable technology will be the equipment piece that they may consider to purchase. Like most of us consumers we love technology, with this type of technology they can avoid any embarrassment they may feel with dealing with medical professionals by using this discreet device. They can start on their own pace, view their results privately to make changes to improve their overall health. One example of wearable technology is the Fitbit. This product was established by James Park and Eric Friedman. James Park attended Harvard College studying Computer Science but dropped out and never graduated. James Park established two other companies Windup Labs and Epsei technologies before he became the Co-founder of Fit bit. Like most consumers he became captivated with the Nintendo Wii and how it created the illusion of tracking movements during fitness. With the growth of technology he gathered that sensors and wireless technology can bring fitness and health encounters. He thought how he could take this same technology and expands on it to develop a portable device. James decided to bring this idea to his partner Eric Friedman, a graduate from Yale University with his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Sciences and also a Co Founder in Windup Labs came up with the Fitbit; a name that is said to come from a thought during a nap.
In 2007, in San Francisco, California the activity tracker launched. This device can track your steps, calories and quality of sleep. It also integrates fitness tracking and health effectiveness. The prices for these models range from $50 to $ 140. This device was to be used daily with tracking data from the wrist of your hand. Without much publicity the Fit bit became an instant hit with various buyers and ranges to close to $ 93 million sold by the year 2017. Convenience and instant results is important to shoppers, so to have a portable device that can track data from the wrist of your arm will be an instant hit.
Like many technological innovations there always drawbacks, like the Fit Bit. Most customers not only depend on a accurate and good reading of their daily activities throughout the day anything less causes panic. Many consumers are constantly using the Fit Bit to check their blood pressures to see if they have serious health conditions. This is causing the patients to contact their medical professionals on several times in fear because of the recorded outcomes. Secondly, these devices are a disturbance from getting notifications or vibrations while driving which compares to texting. Lastly, the radiation contact to the skin can cause harm over time to people wearing it for a long period of time.
These situations are alarming because people are now depending on technology to give them health results rather than a licensed medical professional. This is bad for medical professionals as well as the consumers because the professionals lose money and for the consumers they might get misleading readings, think they’re in great health when that might not be the case. This is a major health risk for any individual.
In conclusion, with any technological device they will be continuous pros and cons. It is with hope that the constant advancement in technology that they will be less than cons and more pros. Overall no individual should let a device dictate their overall health outcomes seeking a licensed medical profession is always the best route to avoid serious health conditions.
Annotated Bibliography
Lewis, T. (2015, April 15). 1 Million Orders and Counting: Why So Many Covet the Apple Watch. Retrieved March 05, 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/50485-apple-watch-mania.html
The launch of the apple watch draws consumers to purchase their products by the constant advance in there innovations. Having a smart watch is a great technological gadget for Iphone users and a handy piece of equipment that is linked to the consumer’s phone. They can check messages, take a picture or even record a video. Convenience, smart technology and the ability to communicate with others on your wrist without taking your phone out of your pocket or bag draws thousand or even millions to purchase these products.
Bilton, N. (2016, January 20). Where Wearable Technology Ends Up (Hint: Not Your Wrist). New York Times. Retrieved March 06, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/21/style/where-wearable-technology-ends-up-hint-not-your-wrist.html?_r=0
There are claims that there is not future for wearable devices. All wearable devices end in up junk drawers because they are bulky, that are not accurate and not fashionable prices that a women would not wear. Although the apple watch was a good phenomenon the reality is that no one wants to pay the same price for a watch a much as their cell phone. They aren’t that useful because they just show notifications from your smart phone.
Mertz, L. (2016). Are Wearables Safe?: We Carry Our Smart Devices with Us Everywhere – Even to Bed – But Have We Been Sleeping with the Enemy, or are Cautionary Tales Overinflated?. IEEE Pulse, 7(1), 39-43.
There has been ongoing research regarding the safety of wearable technology. The U.S. food and Drug Administration accesses how adequately wearable technology works. The number one thing is to find out if these products are accurate. Many consumers are constantly using them to check their blood pressures to see if they have serious health conditions. This is causing the patients to contact their medical professionals on numerous occasions in a panic because of the recorded outcomes. Secondly, these devices are a disturbance from getting notifications or vibrations while driving which is comparable to texting while driving. Lastly, is the radiation contact to your skin harmful over time to a person wearing this device for a long period of time. These concerns bring ongoing research to see what the future holds for these devices.
Miller, J (2015). Examples of Nonomaterial-Based Displays in Wearable Electronics.
Nanotechnology Law & Business, 12(@), 81-83
The idea of using engineered nonmaterial’s through wearable technology such as clothing, shoes, wallets and ties will be programmable by smart phones to show the different features of the product. The idea to have on the same item of clothing or high heel shoes and this technology able it to transform in a different color, design and even to show a message, This is what the future hold for wearable technology. Instead of having to change in too many articles of clothing or shoes you are able to transform it into a different color or design to match what you are currently wearing. This technological advancement will create an opportunity in clothing designs.
Sabelman, E. E., & Lam, R (2105, June 23). The Real-Life Dangers of Augmented Reality. Spectrum Lee. Retrieved March 5, 2016, from http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/portable-devices/the-reallife-dangers-of-augmented-reality
Â
The danger of augmented reality through glasses is an ongoing technological innovation that is constantly improving through research. This wearable technology can impair the view and maneuverability to focus which can cause many accidents to consumers wearing this product. It is easy to miscalculate and have an accurate response time with this device, which is great hazard. The good in this device is that people with impairments usually improve while others have bad reactions to that are compared to eye diseases. Overall the software for this technology will determine if the forthcoming of this will grow or come to a standstill.
Walsh, B., & Sifferlin, A. (2014). Data Mine. Time, 184(20), 34-38.
The Jawbone UP24 is a wearable device that tracks the steps and calories a person intake throughout the day and it also includes a motion sensor that tracks a person sleep time. The application for this device use algorithms to count the amount of hours in light and deep sleep. This device hopes to help and make life easier for consumers to better track their health by exercising, sleep the correct amount of hours per night (8 hours) and eating a well balanced meal. This device will be good for consumers but also be bad for physicians. A consumer might be dependable on the device to the point that they don’t go to see a medical professional because they feel that their overall health is in great shape according to the device. The device hopes to continue to advance and keep helping consumers by adding more features like tracking heart rates, skin temperature, respiration, hydration and many more.
McNeill, J., Hutchins, A. (2015). The Anatomy of Information: Bio-data and Wearable Technology Under Examination. Phi Kappa Phi Forum, 95(2), 26.
Wearable technology in educational institutions has become a new teaching and learning opportunity in colleges nationwide. The major issues and concerns is that all of the data that is collected through these devices make it extremely easy for hackers to access student information. Although, colleges are creating safe online learning settings for their students; students still have to use third party applications to retrieve their online courses. Activists are trying to address these privacy concerns to come up with a more secure service to protect college students.
Brud, L., Fleming, N. (2016). Late equalizer. New Scientist, 229(3055), 25.
Football is a game of timing. Tracking devices helps coaches determine where a player is with their speed and there risk for injury during the time when they practice hard. This is a video based system that can be sewn on to a player clothing that tracks their overall performance and heart rate. Although these devices have been used during games the issue is not to have the referees and staff have access to it which can cause games to be forfeited because of the opposing team may already know there moves and positions.
Metz, R. (2015). The Struggle for Accurate Measurements on Your Wrist. MIT Technology Review, 118(4), 74-77.
Many wearable devices do not fit correctly on consumer wrists. The fit of wearable devices can give misleading information because the device sits incorrectly on ones wrist. Many of these wearable devices do not adjust properly to rest correctly on a consumer hand which gives misleading readings and accuracy. Every person wrist is a different in size so overall this isn’t a good place to get a good result from a wearable device that tracks heart rates.
Torres, T. (2015). So-So Features Limit This Gaming-Minded Tracker. PC Magazine, 65-69.
All wearable technology has pros and cons like the Razer Nabu X. It is an inexpensive device about $ 50.00 in price, it has good battery life, it fits comfortable and gives a good fitness tracking measurement. With many of these devices they also have cons such as the constant non responsive track measurements. The notification lighting, consumer’s are not sure what light is tracking what. This device doesn’t have a lot of social features and it is very difficult to reset. Wearable devices are a hit and miss; with the constant upgrade in technology there will always be one device better than the other.
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