{"id":798,"date":"2015-06-12T09:03:12","date_gmt":"2015-06-12T17:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kylemathewson.com\/?p=798"},"modified":"2015-06-12T09:03:12","modified_gmt":"2015-06-12T17:03:12","slug":"the-future-of-wearables-kyle-mathewson-on-new-interfaces-for-the-human-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.psych.ualberta.ca\/kylemathewson\/the-future-of-wearables-kyle-mathewson-on-new-interfaces-for-the-human-body\/","title":{"rendered":"The Future of Wearables: Kyle Mathewson on New Interfaces for the Human Body"},"content":{"rendered":"

http:\/\/sourcebits.com\/app-development-design-blog\/article\/kyle-mathewson-human-brain-new-interfaces-for-wearables\/<\/a><\/h4>\n

 <\/h4>\n

The Future of Wearables: Kyle Mathewson on New Interfaces for the Human Body<\/h4>\n

By Sooz<\/small> 06-10-15<\/small>| THE FUTURE OF WEARABLES<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

\"kyle<\/p>\n

A psychology professor from the University of Alberta will blow your mind in episode 4 of the Future of Wearables podcast this week. Kyle Mathewson has developed new technologies relevant to wearables \u2013 all to help him study the human brain in the real world. What does that mean for the mobile industry?<\/p>\n

LISTEN TO EPISODE 4<\/h3>\n

http:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/futureofwearables\/FutureofWearables4_KyleMatthewson.mp3<\/a> <\/p>\n

From interfaces that feel like human skin to button-free interactions \u2013 what might seem like far-off science fiction is already a reality. In fact, Mathewson\u2019s work has impacted wearable devices already on the market \u2013 and many more to come. He\u2019s currently testing an EEG headset called Muse<\/a>, by InteraXon in Toronto. It uses Bluetooth to transmit your brain waves during meditation to either your iPhone, or to a computer.<\/p>\n

As these wearable technologies gain adoption, researchers and businesses are excited by the new data that can help us learn more about how our brains work outside the lab. It\u2019s a mind-bending conversation you don\u2019t want to miss!<\/p>\n

THE SOURCEBITS TAKE<\/h3>\n

Mathewson might seem far out, but he\u2019s really not far off. And there\u2019s tremendous opportunity for businesses creating apps and wearables interfaces. Within just 3 years, the smart glasses industry could become a $6 billion opportunity. Analysts at Onalytica also predict about 170 million fitness trackers and activity monitors will be sold by 2017.Business Insider forecasts that 91.6 million smartwatch units will be sold globally in 2018.<\/p>\n

But entirely new interfaces require wearable apps designers and developers to take an innovative approach to UI\/UX and visual design. Everything is still extremely experimental \u2013 you need to innovate while evaluating and testing.<\/p>\n

How do you design apps that make the most of these new interfaces and bring the future to life? Sourcebits Chief Innovation Officer (and Apple Design Award winner) Piotr Gajos shared the following tips about creating compelling interactions on wearable apps that go beyond buttons to select, navigate, and input data.<\/p>\n

1. USE THE SENSE OF TOUCH TO PROVIDE INFORMATION<\/h4>\n

Design interactions that make it easy for the user to push and squeeze the device itself to interact with the pressure-sensitive touchscreen \u2013 like on the Apple Watch. The interaction target is much larger \u2013 making the entire device essentially a button. It\u2019s like the device is made out of rubber. You can squeeze in different directions, press on it, and pull on it. The wearable responds to what users do with it, and they can feel the change on their fingertips.<\/p>\n

2. DESIGN FOR SIMPLE GESTURES<\/h4>\n

When a wearable can read gestures without touching it \u2013 it\u2019s important to design for simple gestures such as waving a few fingers in front of the device, not the user\u2019s whole arm. It might sound awkward (like giving voice commands to a device in public) \u2013 but this type of interaction can be designed in a tasteful and minimalist way.<\/p>\n

3. TRACK EYE MOVEMENTS<\/h4>\n

If the wearable device has a rear-facing camera, think about including eyesight tracking so you can incorporate how the user\u2019s eyes move. Then your app can respond to reactions inside the eye. Curious to learn how eyesight tracking is being used today? Listen to The Future of Wearables episode 2 with Affectiva\u2019s Boisy Pitre<\/a> on technology used to map people\u2019s facial expressions to \u201cread\u201d emotions.<\/p>\n

4. MAKE THE MOST OF SENSORS \u2013 COLLECT DATA PASSIVELY<\/h4>\n

Right now it\u2019s difficult to take advantage of all the sensors available on a wearable because of battery issues. Once battery life improves, you\u2019ll be able to do more with the heart rate sensor, gyroscope, and accelerometer. For example, continuous heart rate monitoring could make it possible to detect trends and predict behaviors. Imagine an app experience where the user is about to get exhausted, or when they\u2019ve had too much rest and need to move around, and the app starts playing energizing music.<\/p>\n

LET\u2019S TALK WEARABLE APPS<\/h3>\n

We love working with clients that seek our mobile design<\/a> and app development services<\/a> \u2013 and they\u2019ve asked us to create awesome apps for the wearable tech market. A great example of a recent project: Vuzix and their enterprise smart glasses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking about entering the wearable tech market or have an existing app that you\u2019d like to reimagine for the Apple Watch, smart glasses or other devices \u2013 you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n

TALK TO US<\/a><\/p>\n

Sourcebits is sponsoring The Future of Wearables podcast \u2013 sign up<\/a> to get a weekly email with the latest episode. Each week, host Heather Schlegel<\/a>interviews mobile industry thought leaders and wearable makers.<\/p>\n

By Sooz<\/small> June 10, 2015<\/small><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Sooz<\/h6>\n

Sooz, Content Marketing Specialist, wrangles all things content at Sourcebits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

http:\/\/sourcebits.com\/app-development-design-blog\/article\/kyle-mathewson-human-brain-new-interfaces-for-wearables\/   The Future of Wearables: Kyle Mathewson on New Interfaces for the Human Body By Sooz 06-10-15| THE FUTURE OF WEARABLES A psychology professor from the University of Alberta will blow your mind in episode 4 of the Future of Wearables podcast this week. Kyle Mathewson has developed new technologies relevant to wearables \u2013 … <\/p>\n

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