Wearables growing but their apps are floudering

Wearable fitness tech devices from Fitbit, Microsoft, Samsung and Garmin are increasingly popular among consumers, however the apps associated with these devices are not helping users analyse and interpret the data they collect and so app dissatisfaction is becoming more common amongst these users. Concerns to be addressed include device accuracy, regulation, privacy and a lack of utility. With the wearables market still in expansion and consumer and professional healthcare trends driving an interest in wearables, companies must find ways to improve their apps in order to boost customer satisfaction and increase wearable adoption further.

Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fitbit

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Wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers are growing in popularity, but they're falling short in one area.

Consumers who are accessorizing with Apple Watches and Fitbits are not pleased with the health and fitness apps tethered to these devices, according to research from Argus Insights.

The firm noted in its analysis that consumers want the type of data these apps provide, but the current apps are not helping users analyze and interpret the data.

Wearable devices from Fitbit, Microsoft, Samsung, and Garmin had much better customer reviews than the apps that accompany them, according to the study. Nike and Jawbone apps, however, received positive customer reviews.

Jawbone app users highlighted its Smart Coach functionality, which helps users track nutrition intake, sleep patterns, steps, and heart rate. Moreover, it can pull in data from other fitness apps to help collect information about workouts. This all-in-one view was a major reason for customer satisfaction.

Nike has ceased development of the FuelBand, but the Nike+ Running app pleased customers with regard to tracking runs.

As wearable adoption continues to increase, companies must find ways to pull in other health and fitness data sources in order to give users a fuller picture of their individual health in one place.

Despite the app dissatisfaction, the health sector remains the most promising area for wearables adoption. Several emerging consumer and professional healthcare trends, which dovetail with advances in health technology over the past five years, are driving interest in wearables. And where wearables are most commonly used for fitness-tracking purposes at the moment, they show great potential for widespread adoption in the healthcare sector.

Will McKitterick, senior research analyst at BI Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, has compiled a detailed report on wearables in the healthcare sector that examines the use cases for wearables in health, ranging from consumers collecting fitness data to healthcare providers and insurers using wearables to improve health outcomes.

The report also explores barriers to widespread adoption of wearables in healthcare and how tech giants, including Apple, Google, and Samsung, are developing devices and platforms that will help bridge the gap between fitness tracking and actual medical care.

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Here are some key points from the report:

While adoption levels are growing, the wearables market is still in the early phases of expansion. We estimate global shipments will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.8% over the five years, reaching 162.9 million units in 2020.

Emerging consumer and professional healthcare trends are driving interest in wearables. For consumers, interest in quantifying personal health metrics is translating into demand for fitness tracking devices and smartwatches. Meanwhile, businesses in a variety of industries have been quick to sense the opportunities for harnessing health data from employees, consumer, and patients to help drive efficiencies and enhance services related to healthcare.

Barriers remain blocking the widespread adoption of wearables in the healthcare sector. Device accuracy and regulation are two major sticking points for device makers and technologists to address. Concerns surrounding privacy and a lack of utility must also be addressed.

Consumer-facing products will eventually be used for more advanced medical care. Tech giants, including Apple, Google, and Samsung, are investing significant resources into developing devices that will help bridge the gap between fitness tracking and actual medical care. Future products will serve both consumer and professional markets.

In full, the report:

Looks at areas of the healthcare sector where wearables may have a tangible impact in years to come.

Examines what broader trends in healthcare and technology are driving wearables adoption.

Discusses how major tech players, including Apple, Google, and Samsung plan on transforming consumer wearables into powerful healthcare devices.

Identifies the top hurdles to wearables adoption in the healthcare sector.

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