The new AI wearable technology badges have been met with less than favorable reviews despite their compact design and features. Users cited practicality issues as one of the main reasons for their disappointment, with critics pointing out the lack in comfort and convenience of use.
Not only were the wearability factors criticized, but the implementation of AI, which was intended to be the product’s selling point, was called out as being crude. Users reported frequent technical issues, such as system errors and slow responses. Hence, falling short from the high expectations set for these badges, improvements are sorely needed for them to win consumer trust and interest.
Nonetheless, the barriers for these tech badges do not end with their actual performance. The cost of the badges is another major concern. With an upfront cost of $700 and a recurring monthly fee of $24, many potential buyers find themselves priced out of the tech badge market.
Smartwatches, on the other hand, immerge as a more affordable alternative, offering similar or even superior features for less.
Unfulfilled expectations of AI tech badges
They outperform tech badges in many aspects, including note-taking, and offer additional functionalities like GPS tracking, heart-rate monitoring, and easy access to various apps. Their larger display, enhanced touch features, user-friendly operating system, and superior aesthetic design make them significantly more appealing to users.
In addition, smartwatches have the capability for placing calls and sending messages, whereas this feature is marketed as a novelty for the tech badges. Even considering the added cost for data and phone number syncing on smartwatches, they remain cheaper than tech badges in the long run.
Smartwatches continue to offer extra features like activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and various apps, which tech badges seem to lack. Despite these clear advantages, however, tech badges have managed to gain some popularity in the market.
Yet, looking at practicality and value for money, smartwatches are the more sensible choice. They already provide essential features such weather, date, and time displays, and offer supplementary benefits like health metrics tracking, syncing with other devices, text messaging, and navigation.
The wearable market is large and mature, offering wide options of sleekly designed smartwatches that can easily integrate with other devices and supported by renowned tech companies. Hence, consumers are advised to invest in smartwatches over tech badges due to the former’s superiority in cost, functionality, and design.
