We are seeing pictures and articles written about one of the emerging areas to consider in the realm of new technologies – referred to as wearable technologies.
What exactly does it mean when we talk about wearable technologies? These are devices where they are able to sensor, detect, monitor, and push information towards the user in a variety of ways. Here is a great article highlighting this new form of technology more specifically from MIT.
We have seen this occur in pop culture when we look at the role these devices played for movies like James Bond and even in Star Trek (a classic!) – we have been exposed to these forms of technologies through entertainment for years, and some of these advances are being integrated into society as we speak.
Many have stated how certain years are defined for certain platforms or advances, but I think 2013 going into 2014 will be the year of wearable technologies. We will be able to not only receive information directed to us with these devices, but we are able to also share these experiences with our communities as well since these are most likely are going to be connected to various social media platforms.
One type that is generating a lot of buzz of course is Google Glasses. Several influencers in the technology industry have been writing about their experiences and opinions with the new form of technologies and sharing them with the community. In case you want to learn more about the program, check out their Google+ page.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1uyQZNg2vE[/youtube]
However, Google has also created a program called Google Glass Explorers, where it asked users to tell them what they would do if they had a pair. I actually participated and said I would show what it was like to be a professor and researcher teaching social media at a university. I got a notice a while ago saying I was part of the program, so I am excited about this opportunity.
So, what does wearable technologies mean for us as PR and strategic communicators? There are several things we have to be aware of as well as ask ourselves when it comes to this form of technology:
- Increase presence of visual data and information: We have seen this already with Google Glasses – and how we are getting information directed to us based on visual recognition software components. More information to consume while performing other tasks can raise both some opportunities and challenges to consider.
- Integrated into persona online and offline: We are basically connected with this form of technology in some fashion, so it is not just something we can put down like a mobile device, but it is going to be part of our identity and how we see the world.
- Transformation of analytics and measurement: What are going to be some of the new metrics to consider when we are exploring this type of technology and how it impacts society and individual behavior? Are there going to be new metrics or enhanced metrics to consider when looking at wearable technologies – will this be important to consider for PR professionals.
- Having information broadcast for the world to see and issue of privacy: This raises an interesting issue – what happens if everything you see and say is recorded for the world to see? What happens when you are conducting an interview and want to rephrase a statement? What about viewing confidential information for a client and their campaign? As PR professionals, we need to think and discuss all of these possible scenarios and how they will impact the way we are conducting ourselves professionally and personally.
- Enhanced risks and challenges to forecast: With every new development of technology, we can definitely look at the benefits, but we also have to look at the challenges. What are going to be some of the policies in place to use wearable technologies in certain industries as well as how private/public the data really is going to be? What about the risk of recording all activities 24/7 – how will this be used exactly and how will this amount of storage do we have at our disposal to host all of this information? What are also the security risks and threats for having people in various industries (ex. health, government, military, bank, etc) wear these devices to broadcast their experiences to the world? These are just a few things to think about and discuss in the community.
In summary, I think wearable technologies will continue to evolve and change over the next couple of months. We will see this part of our daily routines and be integrated possibly in various segments of society. There are many great opportunities here for communication professionals in social media to take note of, but we have to also consider the risks and challenges that arise with this new type of technology. We have to continue this conversation both in practice and in the academia community.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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