By RAVINA PATEL
Staff Writer
As technology becomes more prevalent, companies are finding new ways to integrate their products into society. Products rising in popularity are wearable, such as the Apple watch and the Google glass. Though many students do not currently own one due to the high prices, many hope for one in the future.
Bhargav Yalamuri (Sr.) would want some type of wearable technology in order to manage his schedule, as well as to keep track of reminders, read texts and view notifications through a watch instead of his phone. “For me, since I am an Android fan, I tend to lean more towards the Android wear watches such as the Moto or the LG G watch just because Google does such a great job integrating all of my personal touches to any device just by logging into my account.”
Many wearable technologies are expensive, and Yalamuri cites this as the reason that many students do not own one. He is confident that prices will lower in the future to be more accessible to students, who he believes can benefit from such products. He said, “Students already use their smartphones almost every single hour of the day anyway and if they can do the same things as taking pictures, texting, and browsing and it can be all done on their wrist students would be glad to use them to quickly do things and save time.”
Students who own some form of wearable technology seem satisfied by its uses, including Krishan Patel (Fr.). He was able to get the LG G Watch for 85% of the original price in a Black Friday Sale. When asked how he uses the watch, Patel said, “I use it to respond to emails and texts when my phone is unavailable. Other students would benefit because the immediate notifications and easy [to use] voice typed replies would allow for a higher speed of communication, better organization, and it also tells the time and date like a regular watch.” Patel is especially fond of the calculator, dictionary and calendar features of the watch.
Mahek Logantha (So.) said that she enjoys the convenience of smart watches, because it allows her to do things with both of her hands, rather than one hand being occupied with a phone. “I don’t want to hold my phone in one hand while I try doing something else with my other hand. My favorite part of a smart watch would be the fact that it literally is at the palm of my hands, it is very easy to use, I have both of my hands free and it looks stylish. For people who own smart watches, it is useful because they don’t have to carry around their phones everywhere and it has the same functions as a phone.” Although she enjoys the idea of wearable technology overall, she is disappointed that society is becoming so dependent on gadgets that they are now able to be worn.
Many students have expressed interest in wearable technologies, but consider the price to be an overwhelming obstacle in acquiring an item. As companies become more aware of the interest among students, they will hopefully make such items more affordable to cater to teenagers.