TORONTO – As technology becomes more invasive – from Google Glass to activity monitors that seemingly run or lives – some still remain puzzled about the role wearable gadgets should play.
But a new Toronto-area meet-up dubbed “Wearable Wednesday” hopes to change that.
Organized by wearable technology writer Tom Emrich, the event aims to bring together everyone from big name brands, advertising agencies, marketers, wearable tech companies and entrepreneurs in the hopes of getting more people acquainted with some of the newest wearable tech.
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“Toronto and Canada are continuing to show themselves as epicenters for wearable tech,” said Emrich.
“We really do need this community event here in Toronto to gather and rally the community to really learn, discuss, and celebrate this new round of technology.”
Emrich was inspired to create Wearable Wednesdays after looking back on his experience with “Mobile Monday’s” – another meet-up where those who worked in the mobile industry would get together to discuss the industry.
“It was a place for people to have constructive presentations and educational sessions on the technology; but even more so, it was an opportunity for people who were working in the space to get together, rub elbows, and help really push that emerging technology forward,” he said.
“So, I was really inspired by the idea of creating a sense of community around wearable tech and pushing information in an informal but effective way to a large crowd.”
Wednesday will mark the first edition of the wearable tech meet-up, where Toronto-based wearable maker Kiwi Wearables will be the featured guest.
Kiwi Wearables – created by a McMaster University grad – recently launched the “Kiwi Move,” an activity monitor that aims to be an all-in-one device.
The Kiwi Move allows users to track their fitness and activity levels, but also offers more high-tech features like gesture controls that allow users to create movements to open a particular app, or use voice controls to dictate actions.
WATCH: Kiwi Move
“Kiwi is a great wearable to start with because it really acts as a blank slate; its creators are trying to create a platform,” said Emrich.
“The ultimate goal is to create an eco-system around the hardware.”
Emrich said that while wearables has garnered a lot of interest recently, people need to be more exposed to different types in order to better understand what their use is.
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For example, Google Glass has been making headlines since the Internet giant first unveiled its prototype to developers – but the majority of people still don’t understand its potential and see it as another smartphone companion device.
But Emrich points out that now that there are examples of doctors using the device to help gather expert opinions in the operating room – including a team at St. Michaels hospital in Toronto – people see how useful it can be.
“Once you start seeing doctors applying it to stream video, or see heartbeat information right before their eyes, that’s when the hardware starts to make sense to people. That’s when the synergy starts to happen with the hardware and the software and the content providers and the brands,” he said.
Wearable Wednesday isn’t the only wearable tech-driven meet up in the city – but this monthly event is not designed for developers or tech-driven people like other events.
“It’s really about letting people get acquainted with and get their hands on the technology,” Emrich said.
More information about Wearable Wednesday meet ups can be found here.
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