1. Apple Watch - The long-awaited launch of Apple's smartwatch is a game-changer. Not because it offers radical new features and functions, but because it delivers a best-in-class consumer experience and is part of a seamless ecosystem... and, of course, it's from Apple!
2. Intel Wearables - Intel is making a big push into the wearable sector with a wide range of chipsets. From Edison to Curie, these new chips will power many smart wireless devices this year. The company also has co-branding deals with Open Ceremony for the MICA wristband, SMS Audio for stylish earbuds, and Luxottica for smart glasses.
3. Microsoft HoloLens - Microsoft envisions consumer-friendly smart glasses that can bring AR experiences throughout the home, from watching football projected onto a wall to playing Minecraft on the kitchen table.
4. GOQii Fitness - GOQii aims to shake up the fitness device sector with its subscription-based service. This connects a user with a "real" personal trainer who helps interpret the fitness device's output and offers motivation and data analysis—something often lacking in the fitness wearables space.
5. Google-TAG Heuer SmartWatch – This is an exciting development for the smartwatch sector, opening up a broader market for high-end watches for Android Wear and Intel chips. Along with the launch of the Apple Watch, it marks a new phase of development for smart wear.
The impact of these developments, and more, is discussed in Juniper's latest research, Smart Wireless Devices: CE, Enterprise, Health, Fitness, Payments 2015-2019.
