International Data Corp. (IDC) predicted that wearable technology
will grow and the Apple Watch will play a key role. The firm said that 45.7
million wearable devices will ship this year, with that number climbing to 126.1
million in 2019, according to a report in VentureBeat.
Just over four million smart wearables—defined by IDC
as wearable devices that run apps—were sold in 2014. The IDC forecast called
for that number to reach 25.7 million this year, while “dumb wearables”—devices
like fitness trackers than don’t run apps—will grow from sales of 15.4 million
units in 2014 to 20 million this year.
“The Apple Watch raises the profile of wearables in
general, and there are many vendors and devices that are eager to share the
spotlight,” said Ramon Llamas of IDC. “Basic wearables, meanwhile, will not
disappear. In fact, we anticipate continued growth here as many segments of the
market seek out simple, single-use wearable devices.”