Wearable devices need to be more useful to boost adoption: Gartner

The abandonment rate of smartwatches is 29%, and 30% for fitness trackers, because people do not find them useful, said a report by research and advisory firm Gartner.

This was a serious problem, said Angela McIntyre, research director at Gartner.

“The abandonment rate is quite high relative to the usage rate. To offer a compelling enough value proposition, the uses for wearable devices need to be distinct from what smartphones typically provide. Wearables makers need to engage users with incentives and gamification,” the report said.

The report further said the adoption of smartwatch (10%) was still in the early stages and fitness trackers was 19%.

Also, only 8% of consumers have used VR glasses/headmounted displays (excluding cardboard types).

It also claims that people typi“The cally purchase smartwatches and fitness trackers for personal use, with 34% of fitness trackers and 26% of smartwatches given as gifts.

“Continued growth in the adoption of smartwatches and fitness trackers will now be from mainstream consumers instead of early technology adopters,” the researchsaid.

greatest hurdle for fitness tracker and smartwatch providers is the consumer perception that the devices do not offer a compelling enough value proposition.”

While the United States is the leading smartwatch market with 12% adoption, according to the report, United Kingdom and Australia are trailing behind with 9% and 7% adoption.

“The key to creating a value proposition to interest mainstream consumers is lifestyle messages around health tracking and the convenience of receiving alerts on the wrist, instead of the phone,” said McIntyre.

“The benefit will increase as these devices gain the capability to function more independently from the phone.”

“Smartwatch usage is clearly higher among people 44 years old and younger. More than half of people who use a smartwatch (58%) use it every day, and those who don’t (33%) use it at least several times a week,” she said.

The abandonment rate is quite high relative to the usage rate. To offer a compelling enough value proposition, the uses for wearable devices need to be distinct from that of smartphones, and function more independently.