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The Internet of Things (IoT) are devices that are connected to the internet that the user can communicate with and benefit from. The IoT is a booming industry with so much potential as the world is becoming increasingly connected, and wearable technologies (WT) are gaining more acceptance and popularity (Hasan et al., 2018; Yildirim & Ali-Eldin, 2019). The rapid evolution of technological innovations has resulted in an entire ecosystem of wearable technologies. Nowadays, all products are digitalized, and people prefer to use smart devices that they can wear, referred to as WT, rather than ordinary devices that they usually carry. WTs, with all their capabilities, is a subset of the IoT where the entire technology is based on an internet connection (Thierer, 2015). Wearable devices are supported with small sensors that encompass wireless connectivity with a minimal independent level of processing capability that make them mobile when worn while tracking sensitive information (Godfrey et al., 2018). The technologies are built with health monitoring functions enabled with wireless communication capabilities and mobile applications to transform the way humans interact with the world around them.
Wearable technologies have emerged from the technology convergence theorem, which refers to a fusion of several individual communication and information technologies that have joined into one computer-like device. WT is visualized as a converged device that the user wears on their body (Lee & Lee, 2015; Park, D., Choi, & Kim, 2015). WTs have more benefits associated with them when compared with conventional technologies. They are products that are directly worn on the human body to enhance the user’s experience. They range from smartwatches, glasses, earwear, clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry, allowing everyday users to track and monitor sensitive information related to health, fitness, and chronic diseases that were not possible in the past (Godfrey et al., 2018; Mardonova & Choi, 2018).
Wearable technologies are also implantable gadgets that can be inserted under human skin through simple surgeries in different forms, such as a pacemaker (Khalil & Gogia, 2018). In terms of user acceptance, WT is still at its infancy stage. However, smartwatches are widely used (Choi & Kim, 2016; Chuah et al., 2016; Khalil & Gogia, 2018; Kim & Shin, 2015) and can perform a variety of tasks, similar to smartphones.
Such functionality, coupled with the excitement and importance of managing one’s health without going to the doctor, is increasing in importance, especially among people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart problems, and cancer. A good example is Apple’s 2021 Watch Series 6, which is equipped with revolutionary functions such as an accelerometer, and a gyroscope that detects hard falls and accidents, an electric heart rate sensor that allows users to take an electrocardiogram (ECG), and sensors to determine blood oxygen levels for users (Apple watch, 2021). Such radical capabilities of wearable technologies are transforming everyday medical assistance for people who need them in addition to the general public and play an important role in saving people’s lives.
Among the various kinds of wearable technologies, market growth is increasing, with smartwatches and fitness wristbands making up an estimated 95% of worldwide wearable device shipments. The two main categories of adoption in WTs have been evident in smartwatches and wristbands. Smartwatch adoption in 2018 hit 72.4m (indicated in millions) with an estimated increase to 121.1m by 2022, while wristband adoption in 2018 reached 44.2m with an estimated increase to 45.5m in 2022. The next sellable category of WTs is in clothing and earwear. Smart clothes adoption in 2018 reached 2.9m with an estimated increase to 10.5m in 2022, and earwear is 2.1m in 2018 with an estimated increase to 12.3m in 2022. This leaves smart glasses last in line with 0.2m in 2018 and is expected to remain the same by 2022 (Richter, 2018; Ubani, 2018). Thus, WTs are transforming the health care concept and the IoT by creating an entire ecosystem of wearable devices supported by applications to monitor health and user experiences.