Wearable technology has been deemed to be the next biggest thing after the smartphone. 2 years since its launch it has seen its share of mixed emotions. From some wholeheartedly accepting it for the value that it brings in healthifying your life to allowing the user to be more handsfree on the go. While on the other hand the more popular opinion lately has been of discontentment in terms of its limited capabilities and useful functionalities which could lead to its premature death. This technology begs for deeper and unique functionalities for it to be widely accepted and become as indispensable as its counterpart- the smartphone.

Apple has been at the forefront in pushing technology and making it aspirational. When this big player introduces a smartwatch of its own it is imperative that the world would adopt it faster than any other competitor. It recently announced an update to the watch in terms of improved features and opening up capabilities for third party developers. This gives us immense excitement; with the recent looming cloud of negativity surrounding these devices as a whole, the apple watch update and advancement suggest that this technology has a huge potential that is yet to be tapped into.

It is pleasing to see the players adapting features to the specific technology. Up to now we have seen the smartwatch do functions that a phone does exactly, without it being adapted and suited to a new form and medium. Introducing smart ways of texting and replying that are adapted to a 1 inch screen shows a shift in thinking and an appreciation of both its limitations and advantages of a handsfree device. The areas of health are also being given deeper thought. Competition is inherent to any sporting / physical activity. To tie this into the health application and allowing a person to keep track of his peers, directly through the watch, immediately keeps the user engaged with his fitness as well as his gadget. Like the smartphone, the smartwatch has the capability of becoming your second buddy with intuitive and emotionally connecting applications. The breathe application and responsive texting & message receiving is sure to keep the eye fixed to this miniature screen.

But most importantly, a feature that is made for such technology and which this device proves advantageous to is safety. In times of crisis, most people do not have access to their phone. In split second scenarios, it is tough to reach out to a phone, unlock the screen and dial a number. These 3-4 step procedures are time consuming and often impractical. A plethora of phone applications and devices tailored specifically towards safety and rescue are inconvenient and impractical. Applications typically involve too many steps to reach somebody and targeted devices are often forgotten due to their single use nature. In world of premium wrist space, owning another band to specifically call out for some sort of help and alert is unuseful. In such a scenario, your own smartwatch can offer the same solution as the app & safety wearable in quicker and much lesser steps. Unlike the phone the smartwatch is easily accessible as this device is worn. In time of need, a simple gesture can easily alert the authorities, making the 3-4 step process involving the phone seem like stone-age.

As a team, we at SlamdunQ are very excited to lay our hands on the apple watch 2 and hope to hear the announcement of its availability of it soon. And we hope to have our apps on these killer devices soon.

Activity and fitness trackers exploded within a short span of a couple of years. Today morning us wearable geeks were jolted with the news of Jawbone, one of the first companies to enter this segment, exiting the market. Being such a nascent industry, it seemed sudden that one of the founding members of the fitness band segment should leave the space.

But this should not dampen the hopes on these awesome gadgets taking off, nor should it mean the death of wearables. Instead it signifies the importance of evolution and growth in functionalities of these devices. As nicely suggested by Muchaneta Kapfunde in his article – The death of the Standalone Activity Tracker, ‘With all this being said, one could agree that when it comes to fitness trackers it is more about the devices evolving rather than extinction? I feel that offering the ability to measure the key biometrics will soon be complementary.’

Fitness and activity trackers started as a beautiful example of using the wrist or body parts to map and calculate biometrics in an accessible and understandable format. Having established its efficiency and user engagement, it is time we shifted the focus towards more use-cases and functionalities, enabling the consumer to have a rich experience with their gadget. The consumer has adopted, used and gained benefits out of the first gen activity and fitness trackers. Setbacks and death of certain early competitors in this space only establishes the need for evolution.

With the wrist being premium property right now, devices instead of competing with themselves with exact or similar functionalities, should chase deeper and more meaningful solutions. ‘As technology advances and shrinks, the demand for performance of tech per sq inch on our bodies will grow.’ – Muchaneta Kapfunde. Differentiation will be key in sustaining interest and ensuring prolonged usage. As in the case of the smartphone, the constant evolvement in not only functionality but also form factors will keep the user engaged.

Most of us have gone through a phase of aggressively chasing the insect with a snake. Left, right, up and down keys pushed animatedly to beat scores amongst our small circle of friends. With every new phone release we all waited in anticipation of a new, more updated version of the games with ‘edgier’ graphics. This was the era of Nokia and the game ‘snake’ that so consumed everyone’s attention. Our expectations and imaginations contained to the few apps preloaded on the phone.

The world of phones has seen a rapid evolution in the last couple of years. With the big players, apple and samsung, revolutionising the way we interact with our phones. They have almost become an extension of our physical selves, making it almost impossible for some of us to live without them. With their advancements in technology they have made devices such as the camera and Tomtom GPS redundant. Compressing the functionality of these devices into one unit has simplified life and made content generation and navigation as simple as a click. All this and more has been made possible with the simple idea of opening up application development to the minds of a million creators. With more apps within the reach of your palm, we have become more and more dependant on this 5-inch device.

Technology is extending to devices beyond the phone to objects that people wear everyday. The rapidly growing market of wearables have enabled devices such as the watch to take on new meanings. The humble watch that showed only time and date has gone onto monitoring heart rates and capturing steps walked everyday. It has expanded into the fitness aspect beautifully, making people get up and take charge of their health.

But just like the phone, a few apps won’t be enough to engage the user who, unlike Darwin’s theory of evolution, has in a short space of time evolved and become attuned to having a plethora of apps to choose from and switch between to stay interested and engaged. Our behaviour patterns with the phone should dictate the usage pattern with the new age devices and gadgets. Single or few functionalities will pique the interest for a limited time, making these devices redundant even before they take-off.

The handsfree nature of wearables is a huge advantage and we should leverage this in every form as it has the potential of offering engaging use cases, whether in the games space, sports or healthcare & fitness. The smartphone industry has boomed due to this ecosystem and similarly the wearables market will have the potential to soar with an advent of a robust and thriving app solution ecosystem.

Coach Divecha is the esteemed coach of the golf pros – Anirban Lahiri, Chikkarangappa and Udayan Mane. He has years of experience in the field and exudes immeasurable passion for the sport. At SlamdunQ we are proud to feature him on our blog and gain a few insights on his thoughts about the game and his view on technology in sports.

A short glimpse about your journey into golf and coaching. How and why did you transition into the world of golf and coaching?

From the time I was a child of 3 or 4, I have always been into sports. Cricket was my passion till I was a student. My introduction to golf was at age 7 when I went to the golf course with my father. Lived a “normal” life and discovered that I wasn’t doing what I really wanted to do.  At age 39, gave up my corporate job to follow my passion – golf. Started my life from scratch. Started my education as a golf coach. It’s been a long journey but I have enjoyed it.  It required passion, commitment and self-belief. When I see what Anirban Lahiri, Chikkarangappa and Udayan Mane are doing it makes me realise that all that passion, commitment and never-say-die attitude is starting to show results. The journey has just begun and we are sure that we will keep reaching new destinations.

What are ‘Coach Divecha’ fundamentals and ideologies for golf?

The first and foremost thing to remember is that it’s a game and games are supposed to be fun. One must enjoy the journey of golf, Whether you are a world-ranked player or a leisure-time golfer, you have to enjoy this journey. When frustration sets in ( for all golfers) the fun goes out the window. All golfers MUST build the basic skill sets required to play golf on the course. My advice to all golfers is to find a good coach and learn the basic skill sets– it will enhance the enjoyment you get from playing this game. To golfers who want to improve their games from their current level — you have to invest in it. Lessons, time for practice, etc etc. No investment no return. Golf is a great builder of character because it follows a strict code of honesty and integrity. No referees or umpires to enforce ethics. When a golfer breaks this code it is a reflection of his character.  Play a lot, enjoy your game and the company of fellow golfers in the green surroundings provided on a golf course and most important is consideration for others is the spirit of the game of golf. These would be my ideologies for golf for all golfers regardless of what level of golf they play. If you are considering taking up golf as a career besides the above mentioned points, many other things come into consideration. To pursue golf as a career, you have to start young, play competitive golf as a junior, have the support of your family, give it 8 to 10 years to reach an international standard, have a good work ethic and be a good learner. Last but not the least have an insatiable hunger to find the next level.

What are your views on technology and the new wearables such as Fitbit and Apple watches in the space of self-mapping?

Over the last ten years technology and the digital revolution is providing us with tools which can measure and provide information we did not have access to before. A parallel comparison to the field of medicine — we had x-rays, then we got CT scans, and now we have MRI. In golf we had video– a flat 2 dimensional tool. We now have launch monitors and 3D capture. Tools like wearables are easy to use and provide information at an economical price and therefore can be used by many people. A launch monitor can cost from 3 or 4 Lacs to 25 Lacs for the professional model. These price points obviously put it out of reach of the bulk of the golfing public. Wearables and Apps give some basic information at a nominal price in comparison.

My views on technology are that technology is a great tool for analysis. Technology can be used to get a fix on various parameters. Technology captures what the naked eye cannot. BUT it is a tool and one must remember that.  To put things in perspective, technology gives us a lot of information however it still needs a doctor to interpret the numbers eventually.

You have seen the game grow through years, what is your take on the technological introductions into the game of golf? Do you see them as beneficial or as temporary solutions?

Through the years golf coaches already knew many things we know today. However with modern technology we are getting a better understanding of cause and effect. This better understanding enables a “good player” to have better ball control. The average golfer’s handicap over the last 20 years has not changed for the better. All information provided by technology is being used by the better players in the world however the average golfer does not use it effectively and 90 per cent or more of the golfing public do not seek guidance of a professional to improve. I see them as beneficial solutions provided they are used effectively and the golfer has guidance provided by a professional.  The eventual solution is to know what to do with the information and it’s recommended that people seek professional help and understand so that they can use technology effectively.

Once upon a time…

We ran with no other agenda but to stay fit. Fitness and keeping healthy were the only criterion involved in the simple morning run. The closest thing we came to cool gadgets were our uber cool touch screen phones that came with slick black velcro straps that attached to the arm giving us access to pumping music and our trusty old designer kicks from nike to adidas. One fought only to keep up with the trending neon colours & the allure of the global sneaker companies.

Fast forward from the days of yore to today…

Let’s take a moment to stop gazing at those walls of neon shoes to rotate our gaze to those line up of neon bands that are so taking over everyone’s life. Fitbit, Mifit, Xiaomi have all raged into the market, offering lifestyle solutions. The everyday run is no more just the average run. This everyday activity has taken on new meaning with the offer of counting those calories, mapping the route and tracking your steps / distance. Companies are clamouring to help you quantify your life. Walking to the grocer, running from the neighbourhood dogs or just tripping down those stairs, all play significant roles in the new perception of ‘healthy’ with a band that keeps track of everything.

Fast forward a tiny bit more…

How long before a consumer craves more from his gadget than just the number of steps he’s walked or the calories she burned over her workout. ‘Up until this point, wearable technology has been stuck in the information age. Our devices have counted our steps, measured our heart rates and brain waves, and tracked everything from our sleep habits to our breathing patterns.’ (http://bit.ly/1QCo99Y)

Wearables have the possibility to engage deeper with the user. The area of sports, for example, has the maximum capabilities. Imagine strapping your bulky phone to your arm and measuring your sport. Nope. Nope. A thousand nopes. But imagine a slim band strapped to your wrist that monitors your game closely the same way it currently monitor your lifestyle.

Wearables have opened the horizon, being non intrusive and ‘smart’. Their design has bought a fundamental change in the way we monitor, track and communicate our body stats. Generation 1 apps were about manually inputting stats to keep a track of them, whereas with the onslaught of wearables one can forget about physically tracking while the wearable does the monitoring while you focus deeper on the game. Imagine a coach whom you always wanted to train under, but lives miles away, has the opportunity to look at your data and gives you inputs and feedback about your game. This is the paradigm shift that wearables can bring about in the world of sports. Data collection and data analysis can be easily simplified with this simple band.

The last decade has been the years of the phone, shape-shifting and in Harry Potter terms, an ‘Animagus’ that has changed over the years with the world’s ever changing perception of ‘smart intelligence’.

But 2016 marks the dawn of the Wearables. Functional, hands-free and directed towards lifestyle improvement solutions, these gadgets will soon take over the mighty cellphone.

As the meme above very rightly points out, our old gadgets are starting to hold new meanings. The average running shoe is aspiring to become a tool to measure your balance during your exercise routine or warm your feet with smart insoles that heat up with just a tap on your phone. The watch is inching towards replacing the phone, sharing anything from alerts and notifications to making calls. Heck, we are now able to carry our very own 3D cinemas right in our bags with the Occulus and Gear VRs.

With such dramatic transitions in user experiences and deep dives into the field of self mapping, it is only imperative that wearables make their significant mark in the Sports Industry. The field is an age old space of competition and self analysis and wearables have everything to help you put yourself on the leaderboard.

The sports industry is currently wrought with gadgets that are meant only for the pro-levels and the champions to better their game. Golf has its trusty Trackman and Flightscope, while cricket has the PitchVision. While these devices are reliable and extremely accurate, a normal player can only aspire to test with one due their exorbitant price tags. Furthermore, some of them come with elaborate set-ups; such as the PitchVision that has pressure mats, cameras and et all. This further deems them difficult to use.

In recent times the area of sports has seen an entry of companies aiming to create devices/gadgets that are directed at helping the average person’s game. Zepp for instance, has designed a set of wearables for different sports such as Golf, Baseball, Tennis; small devices that can be attached to your racquets. Similarly, Arccos Golf has created small devices that can be screwed onto the top of your golf clubs. These devices come with apps that have certain parameters which are designed to measure each sport, helping you keep a track of your game.

While these devices are more accessible and cheaper than the pro-level tools, they are still priced slightly higher making them out of reach for the young and young adult sports players. Furthermore, the average person is showing interest or expertise in more than one sport. In which case the number of devices to invest in also increases.

In the meantime, the Smartwatch and Smartband industry has seen an incredible rise, reaching at almost 65 million units in sale worldwide. They are easy to use, functional with the necessary intelligence to make them useful in lot other fields other than just notifications and alerts. With big players such as Apple and Samsung paving the market, the prediction of 2017 being the year of the wearables seems apt.

At SlamdunQ we feel that these are the ideal devices for the aspirational and recreational sports player to monitor their sports performance. They are hands-free which means that they allow you to focus on your game while collecting data and monitoring your performance. While the world moves towards Smartwatches and Smartbands a player is not hindered by the thought of buying a new gadget for their sport. Furthermore, with just one device, the player can load more than one app to monitor his multiple sports, making him switch between golf and tennis as easily as switching between whatsapp and photo gallery.

With the wearable industry taking off and particularly the smartwatches and smartbands, having access to sensors that sit on the wrist will provide access to incredible solutions, from lifestyle to fitness to health and medical. At such a time sports apps will have immense value and make monitoring, performance improvement and body movement tracking extremely easy and everyday solutions.