Hearing Child of a Deaf Parent and a Deaf Child of a Hearing Parent Assignment

Hearing Child of a Deaf Parent and a Deaf Child of a Hearing Parent - Assignment Example Daniel never delayed to ask the coaches, audiologists and much different experts any inquiries and considerably different issues of concern. They would frequently give him the most extreme help he required. His folks cherished and empowered him, applauded him for anything he progressed nicely, regularly grinning with him and focused on at whatever point he needed to impart something to them. These caring exercises were the most significant achievement of boosting his certainty and causing him to feel loose. He regularly came to class and pondered around with his entertaining tales about his encounters at the family social occasions. He feared the events since he was the oldest kid, yet his more youthful cousins and even the grown-ups would not get him. He would pass without anyone else to peruse any book in the loft including the children’s books. His cousins would disregard him and approach playing and making the mud â€Å"cookies†. He would associate with the grown-up s with his folks continually attempting to decipher, however the degrees of progress were fluctuating. He regularly missed profound discussions even with his grandparents. He discloses to me that my weaknesses ought to never deflect me from making progress and this truly moves me. Billy revealed to her story as well. She had been raised by hard of hearing guardians yet had no consultation impedance. At five years old, she was lying on her bed, and the idea of little beasts under the bed entered her thoughts. Their goal was to eat her feet on the off chance that she endeavored to step down. Like each other kid, incapacitated in dread, she attempted to call for help from her folks, however sadly, her shouts would arrive on hard of hearing ears of her folks. At that age, she realized her folks were hard of hearing, and they lived in a visual world with her. To draw in her parents’ consideration, it requested her to be inside their inclusion of sight and wave her hands, or to tenderly touch them to signalize her essence.

Rural Markets Retail Management free essay sample

Retail Management as of late, country markets of India have obtained hugeness, as the general development of the Indian economy has come about into generous increment in the buying intensity of the rustic networks. Because of green transformation, the provincial zones are expending a huge amount of mechanical and urban made items. In this unique circumstance, an uncommon promoting methodology, in particular, rustic advertising has risen. Rustic India with its conventional discernment has become throughout the years, as far as salary, yet in addition regarding thinking.The country markets are developing at over multiple times quicker pace than urban markets; of course, provincial India represents 60% of the complete national interest. Today, provincial market involves a bigger piece of our economy and it is required to develop in any event multiple times the current size. Another contributing variable for provincial push was developing immersion in urban markets. To be exact, country promoting in Indian economy covers two wide segments: 1. We will compose a custom paper test on Rustic Markets Retail Management or on the other hand any comparative subject explicitly for you Don't WasteYour Time Recruit WRITER Just 13.90/page Selling of horticultural items in the urban territories 2.Selling of made items in the provincial areas In current circumstance, our enormous populace is helping advertisers to think new promoting techniques. 630 Billion provincial populaces are more noteworthy than all out devouring markets of numerous nations like Canada, South Korea, and so forth. Tapping the rustic market is one of the most significant advertising procedures followed by different MNCs and Indian organizations now-a-days. Various organizations in FMCG, customer durables just as telecom part have adjusted techniques to extend their base in provincial market. Among the individuals who have just showed amazing drive in provincial market are HLL, Colgate, LG Electronics, Philips, BSNL, LIC, CavinKare, Britannia and Hero Honda. Country Marketing in basic word is arranging and usage of advertising capacity for rustic regions. Rustic advertising has been characterized as the way toward creating, estimating, advancing, dispersing provincial explicit items and administrations prompting trade among urban and country markets which fulfills buyer requests and furthermore accomplishes hierarchical goal.

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Essay Example

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell Paper All through North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell depicts the connections between different characters on either sides of the apparent class division that exists all through the novel. Gaskell utilizes different people to depict various assessments and points of view of this separation. Accordingly introducing likenesses and contrasts through shared view and varying perspectives on the numerous issues in plain view inside the novel itself. Elizabeth utilizes the people to transmute one anothers observations or without a doubt confusions of one another in manners that will be clarified. One can at first point to Margaret as a person who is utilized to arrange the class isolate all through the initial sections of North and South. The title itself and the difference in title from Margaret Hale to North and South shows the significance of the courageous woman, Margaret in breaking the separation among North and South. In Chapter One Margaret starts as an individual from Shaw family unit, an upper working class family at that point advances to the Hales, her actual guardians who are lower in economic wellbeing and riches. This shows the idea of Margarets character at an early stage and how she will in time progress further and haggle between classes in more noteworthy profundity. This proceeds quickly with her new life in Milton, upon where she sees a factory laborer brutally beaten for minimal possible explanation. This features Gaskells point in utilizing Elizabeth to make a level of compassion toward the belittled aggressor average workers of the mechanical time. This can be seen to a considerably more prominent degree with the relationship hit up by Margaret with Higgins and her resultant kinship with Bessy. We will compose a custom article test on North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell explicitly for you for just $16.38 $13.9/page Request now We will compose a custom exposition test on North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer We will compose a custom exposition test on North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell explicitly for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Recruit Writer In reality, this is a relationship condescending by Margaret; indicating her compassionate roots and wish to cross the apparent class partition. We see that Margaret asks Bessy May I go with you and really thinks about what sort of life have you [Bessy] driven? This all happens during the initial parts, making a view of Margaret as a character who wishes to discover shared opinion between classes through connections manufactured; consequently crossing class limits. Mr Thornton is another individual whos associations with others and those of different classes are telling and from numerous points of view cross the gap more characteristically than Margaret. The explanation behind this exists in Mr Thorntons common laborers foundation and his somewhat brilliant ascent to riches, consequently ascending the stepping stool of societal position. While he might be seen by numerous individuals as an ordinary plant proprietor, treating his laborers with a clench hand of iron, the significance of his character is obvious. He has indicated that cash can permit one to rise above all ideas of class as Mr Thornton presently engages the Mayor and significant authorities from London. Without a doubt later in the book Bessy was amazed that the informed and complex Hales had been welcome to the Thorntons family unit as she states to Margaret, beggin yo pardon, yo not got a lot of cash. Anyway this might be a disposition increasingly common in the north of England and Milton, where cash appeared to be esteemed most importantly. In this way featuring the inborn split clarified by the title itself, among North and South. This difference can likewise be found in the manner by which hirelings are treated in the North and South. In fact, the Hales have an apparent southern point of view and approach Dixon with deference and permit her opportunity to pick her own staff and run the family. This relationship was extraordinarily disliked by Mrs Thornton who watched your hireling isnt occupied enough Mrs Hale. This features the distinction among classes and the manner by which these distinctions are drawn closer by various individuals. While the Hales whose notoriety was set up through right of birth, the Thorntons worked for their cash and rose from humble beginnings to a recently made class of the neauvou-riche. This wonder was undeniably progressively common in the mechanical town and plants of the North as opposed to the more settled businesses of the south where class was a substantially more fixed and profound situated issue. Anyway apparently Mrs Thorntons humble beginnings have driven her to be more hateful of those socially beneath her than the Hales. She raged at her house cleaner and gave a hateful look. Mr Hale also can be believed to treat the factory laborers along these lines, I have to work them hard, they have the right to additional. It is therefore evident that while the class partition is recognized and generally clung to by both the Hales and the Thorntons (except for Margaret), the Thorntons show up considerably more unbending in their convictions. All in all it is evident that Gaskell arranges the connections among classes and people in the initial sections of the novel by tending to the key polarity and the various perspectives to it. The initial parts can be believed to show a plenty of differentiating convictions and activities, serving to feature the clear class polarity. It is likewise apparent that Margaret as a character is being utilized to discover likenesses and create positive connections between classes as she does with the Higgins. Very as opposed to this is the disposition of Mr Thornton and his mom for the initial parts and this relationship shows the distinction between mentalities of the North and South. To be sure, one may contend that while the Thorntons have riches and economic wellbeing, they don't have class, in this manner they can never genuinely fit into the distinguished society they obviously hunger for.

PepsiCo Business Level and Corporate Level Strategies Research Paper

PepsiCo Business Level and Corporate Level Strategies - Research Paper Example From the paper, PepsiCo rose in 1965 as a business relationship between Frito-Lay, and Pepsi-Cola. Later on, the organization obtained Tropicana in 1998. Moreover, in 1998 it converged with Quaker Oats and later with Gatorade in 2001. PepsiCo basically manages drinks, tidbits, and nourishments with incomes over $ 65 million dollars. The organization intends to be a worldwide innovator in the creation of helpful drinks and nourishments. Also, it intends to increment shareholder’s riches, engage representatives, business partners and networks in which they lead business. The organization is separated into PepsiCo Americas Foods, PepsiCo Europe, PepsiCo Americas Beverages and PepsiCo Middle East and Africa. Under the business methodology, companies with different organizations treat each as a different key specialty unit. Basically, in every unit, there are free markets or items served by associations with each serving various conditions. For each market (or item portion), there is a special domain reasonable for that division. So as to achieve an upper hand then the association should fulfill the requirements of clients with an emphasis on youth. The pith of the business level methodology is the clients; the youngsters. The exceptional taste and highlights of the clients are a basic factor in guaranteeing that the system works appropriately. Furthermore, the utilization examples of the adolescent ought to be considered while actualizing the business level system. Statistical surveying on the customer’s inclinations assists with increasing an upper hand over Coca-Cola, which is more perceived all inclusive in the drinks part than Pepsi Cola. Keeping up a decent connection with clients has been viable by giving better items than clients. The monstrous interest in statistical surveying and R&D is a demonstration of this. The Company centers around brand unwaveringness, especially in America. This dedication means esteem creation and an expansion in gainfulness for the organization. The business methodology likewise attempts to arrive at increasingly worldwide clients given that universal business is more globalized than any other time in recent memory. The business level technique is likewise identified with the conventional five powers of rivalry. Therefore, the techniques mean to increase a serious edge over comparable organizations. One of the powers is the risk of new contestants. Given the fame of soda pops and the immense incomes among refreshment organizations, new participants represent a gigantic danger. The development of new contestants is probably going to originate from rising nations because of the minimal effort of creation. Disregarding the danger presented by new contestants, the industry is capital escalated with innovative work a need for the organizations.

The Rise of Wearables

The Rise of Wearables Why carry a laptop, tablet, or even a phone for Internet access when you could log on through your glasses or wristwatch? No longer a solely a futurist trope, electronics and software firms are in a race to develop industry-defining models of what is known as wearable tech or wearables. This disruptive trend may one day render the modern day PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphone obsolete, and make Internet connectivity simply a matter of getting dressed.Wearable technology (wearables) is defined as the integration of computing and wireless technologies with clothing, jewelry and accessories. While more rudimentary forms of wireless tech, such as the calculator wristwatch, have existed since the 1980s, with advances in miniaturizing circuitry and wireless technologies, wearables have significantly increased the existing and potential applications of the concept. © Shutterstock.com | scyther5In this article, we will explore the world of wearable tech, specifically: 1) brief history of wearables, 2) trends and development in wearables, 3) benefits of wearables, 4) applications of wearables, 5) notable current example of wearables, 6) challenges presented by wearables, and 7) the future of wearables.BRIEF HISTORY OF WEARABLESWearable tech may seem like a new phenomenon, but its origins actually lie in the 1960s and 1970s, with wearables designed and used to cheat at gambling. In 1961, MIT professor Edward Thorp created a wearable device to cheat at roulette, and in 1972, Kevin Taft created one to cheat at blackjack. In 1975, the calculator wristwatch was marketed and sold to the public. But wearables did not expand further until 1987, with the advent of the digital hearing aid. As Internet technologies took proliferated throughout the next decade, 1994 saw the invention of the first wireless wearable webcam, 2000 saw the sale of the first Blue tooth headset, and 2006 saw the release of the Nike iPod, which synced iPod user to their movements.TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN WEARABLESThe largest categories of wearables currently on the consumer market are fitness and healthcare monitors. Most new developments center around the type of clothing or accessory, as well as the level of functionality. And fashion designers are beginning to get in on the act, with recent fashion shows incorporating stylish and functional clothing. Wearables research often deals with new materials that may be used to create wearables, such as graphene, a pliable and efficient electricity conductor. Miniaturization plays heavily into wearables, as well for obvious reasons.Experts believe that the market is young and growing. Transparency Market Research, a marketing research firm, predicts that the market will grow to $5.8 billion in 2018 from $750 million in 2012. Juniper Research, another marketing research firm, predicts that the market will grow to 4 19 billion by 2018.However, other experts are concerned about how disruptive wearables will be, as one-third of Americans who own a wearable device, stops wearing it within six months. Some counter this is because the market is still relatively new. Others wonder how devices with less functionality than a smartphone will compete with a smartphone.BENEFITS OF WEARABLESDespite the legitimate concerns, wearables provide users with a number of benefits including:Physical activity and fitness monitoring;Enhanced social networking: through unique wearables user communities, like Google’s “Glass Explorers”, or Fitbit’s active online community;Personal safety: through communications interfaces for emergency usage featured on some wearables;Healthcare monitoring: through monitoring of patient vital signs either in hospital or remotely by specially designed wearables; andGeneral increased wireless connectivity.APPLICATIONS OF WEARABLESWearables have broader applications then just fitn ess and health. And while consumer applications drive the market, many of the design, usability, manufacturing, and production are adaptable to commercial, military, and medicinal applications as well.The Future Of Wearable Technology Commercial Wearable tech has many enterprise-level applications for businesses. An April 2014 survey of businesses indicated that the majority did not plan to implement wearables on an enterprise level, but that even of those that did not, they expected that, if they did, the benefits would include “improved communication, enhanced productivity, and better customer relations.” A recent University of London study confirmed this, concluding, after a month-long experiment, that wearables can boost productivity and job satisfaction in the workplace.Enterprise-level applications include enhancing resource access to, and tracking the whereabouts of, remote workers; enhanced communication (through wireless headsets and wristbands, for moving employees suc h as retail workers); augmented vision (through smart glasses, used for example, in the construction industry, to “see” inside walls); and increased payment options (through a wristwatch, for example). Further wearables have considerable industry-specific applications for uniformed professions, such as law enforcement and emergency medical technicians.But perhaps the biggest benefit of wearables for business is the data that wearables collect. Such consumer information could be invaluable to marketing and sales departments. This application of wearable tech has doubtlessly influenced the entry of large firms, such as Google, Intel, Qualcomm, and Samsung.ConsumerThere are a number of consumer wearables currently on the market, ranging from smart wristwatches to smart contact lenses to sensor-integrated clothes. Examples include XOEye’s XOne camera glasses; CSR’s smart jewelry, which can be worn around the neck and blinks when the wearer receives a phone call; SafeNecklace, wh ich can monitor kids during field trips; OMSignal’s spandex shirt, which can monitor a wearer’s vital functions Lumo’s posture correcting belt, the Bluetooth LumoBack belt; the Pebble Steel smartwatch, on which the wearer can receive text messages and emails; and Sensoria’s electronic anklet which tracks the wearer’s speed and distance, just to name a few. There are even electronic tattoos under development. However, the consumer market for wearables is extremely fragmented.Military © Flickr | PEOSoldierOne wearables enthusiast is the U.S. military, which sees the technology providing enhanced efficiency for soldiers. Wearables that can monitor the vital signs of soldiers can be the difference between life and death. Other wearables, in the form of helmets, overlay information over a soldier’s eyes to increase their awareness of their surroundings. An example of this is the Aviation Warrior, a wearables system developed by Raytheon, which includes a helmet, wrist display and portable computing device, all designed to provide the soldier with as much information as possible about who is on the battlefield in real-time.The military is not limited in the scope of its wearables-related thinking to soldiers. Under development is a wearable that can “translate” the actions of military animals. The system is known as FIDO (facilitating interactions for dogs with occupations”), and after training, the dog could activate different sensors to activate different t hings, for example a tug to issue a beep to indicate the presence of an explosive.MedicalAnother early adopter of wearables is the medical community, many members of whom are interested in miniature wearables for healthcare monitoring. One such wearable is MC10’s ultra-thin Biostamp, which, when affixed to the body, can monitor heart rate, temperature and other vital statistics, and can send that information wirelessly back to doctors. Others include a bandaid by medical sensor company Corventis that monitors heart conditions; a muscle contraction sensor by TMG that measures muscle fatigue; and a “smart” insole by Moticon for use in patient analysis, monitoring, and rehabilitation.Wearables have further applications in clinical practice, such as the 9Solutions IPCS, a device that tracks medical staff and equipment in real-time.OtherOther applications of wearable tech include, but are not limited to recording car accidents for insurance purposes; law enforcement surveillance; m apping terrain for outdoor activities in real-time; and serving as memory aids.NOTABLE CURRENT EXAMPLES OF WEARABLESWhile there are many, many players in the wearables market, a few standout.Top 5 Wearable Tech So Far Google Glass © Flickr | Ted EytanPerhaps the most buzzworthy wearable in recent years has been Google Glass, a headset that can be fitted with prescription frames, that provides users with wireless connectivity, apps, and other features available on the android operating system. In 2013, a limited run was manufactured, distributed, and priced at $1,500 a piece. As of August 2014, it is available to anyone who wants one, but Google has indicated to journalists that it is not a fully formed consumer product yet.During its short life, Google Glass has proven itself to be an object of excitement, curiosity and scorn. Many tech enthusiasts praise the functionality and design, as well as its light weight, but many others who encounter users, are put off by it because of privacy concerns, and the perception of intrusiveness. Technical complaints involve the limited battery life, unreliable voice recognition for anything other than navigation, issues conforming to the vision needs of certain users, and generally underdeveloped software.Fitbit © Flickr | US CPSCA recognized brand in the fitness wearables category, the firm Fitbit sells several models of smart wristbands that tracks your physical activity, and transmits this information, wirelessly, to your smartphone or tablet app. It is compatible with devices running iOS or Android OS, and can send notifications when a wearer have achieved or missed a fitness goal. It has proven to be popular, largely within the fitness enthusiast market. It does have a number of direct competitors in addition to the basic pedometer, a number of smart wristbands by different manufacturers that track physical activity, differentiated by design, metrics, and usability. Fortunately for Fitbit’s competitors, following wearer complaints that the Fitbit Force caused skin rashes, the company recently recalled the product (controversy has continued with delays in the issuance of recall checks). This is illustrative of one of the challenges presented to wearables manufacturers â€" ensuring tha t the device works safely on the human body.Others © Flickr | Karlis DambransOther notable wearables on the market include:The Martian Notifier, Pebble Watch, and Samsung Gear 2 Neo, three different smartwatches with varying levels of smartphone functionality;The Fitbit Zip, Basis Band, Jawbone Up24, and Withings Pulse O2: different smart physical activity trackers for the fitness enthusiast; andAiQ’s smart shirts, such as the BioMan t-shirt with smart sleeves that monitor the wearer’s vital signs; the SolarMan vest that can capture and store solar energy and use it to recharge a wearer’s electronic devices; and the ArmorMan pullover that stiffens to protect the wearer.CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY WEARABLESDespite the number of players in the wearables markets and the optimism of market analysts, widespread adoption of wearables remains a challenging proposition for a number of reasons including privacy issues, consumer reticence, and both design and standardization issues.PrivacyThere are severe privacy considerations concerning w earables, which must be addressed within the contexts of various national and local legal frameworks. Fundamentally, what controls exist to ensure that people are not using wearables to surreptitiously record others or copyrighted material?Notably, a user of Google Glass, who had the device integrated with his prescription glasses, was arrested and detained in January of 2014 by federal law enforcement official on suspicion that he had recorded a movie he had just watched (he had not). As media accounts indicate, agents who repeatedly questioned him and asked him to demonstrate the devices usage, did not fully understand the device and were unprepared to enforce relevant laws.While this user did not surreptitiously record material, and while Google Glass has restricted its authorized apps from incorporating facial recognition functionality, a determined do-it-yourselfer can incorporate these features into their device. This reality adds to the perception of the intrusiveness of head sets and other wearables that incorporate recording technology, and heightens consumer hesitance to use the product.Consumer reticenceWidespread adoption of wearables is further constrained by 1) the limited consumer awareness of the products currently on the market; 2) the limited number of products currently on the market; and 3) hesitation among some consumers to increase their connectivity. Regarding the latter, some people will undoubtedly just want clothes to just be clothes. The aforementioned privacy concern, coupled with public accounts of overzealous law enforcement regarding the Google Glass, adds to consumer reticence.Further, fashion is an important aspect of wearables adoption: people will not adopt wearables if it aesthetically displeasing or uncomfortable. And many technology firms are struggling with the perfect mix of form and function.The average consumer may wonder why they should be interested in wearables. After all, they have smartphones, which in many cases, have more functionality than the average wearable. In the first quarter of 2014, 300 million smartphones were shipped, compared to only 2.8 million wearable devices.Other challengesAs a practical matter, wearables are limited by the size, shape, and form of the wireless technology incorporated into the clothing item, as well as the maximum life of the battery that powers it. Materials must be flexible and pliable enough to conform to a body part or body type. Wearables must also be able to operate safely on the human body, a moving and perspiring environment subject to the elements. Display quality is also in issue in the sunlight; poor visibility will turn off consumers. And batteries should have an appreciable life â€" a tall order for most wearables.Many current applications cannot yet be manufactured at a high volume for a low price point, making cost a further challenge. Standardization is another key challenge. While major software firms like Google are players in this space, there are a number of smaller competitors as well, each with their own operating parameters.Further, security is a challenge that cannot be overstated. A recent study by IT firm Symantec found:“…’security risks in a large number of self-tracking devices and applications,’ including the finding that ‘all of the wearable activity-tracking devices examined, including those from leading brands, are vulnerable to location tracking.’THE FUTURE OF WEARABLESBeyond the realms of fitness, tech enthusiasts, medical/healthcare and military gear, the future of wearables remains to be seen. The market could very well endure some consolidation, with a few major players emerging. But a compelling consumer wearable model â€" a reason to connect clothing, a reason to, ostensibly, do away with the smartphone, and a reasonable price point â€" has not yet emerged. Wearables may yet remain a niche product, albeit a growing one, as new technologies emerge.The Internet of Things (IoT) â€" the e ver-increasing trend of connecting physical objects to the Internet may drive the growth of wearables. It may be that consumers, buying into the growing smart home trend and living in municipalities that are increasingly interconnected (“smart cities”), may decide they simply want everything connected. And advances in the technology may eliminate safety and aesthetics as concerns. Privacy remains a significant hurdle; how it is addressed by national and local governments will have a significant impact on consumer adoption.But no matter how widespread consumer wearables become, commercial, medical and military wearables have a bright future. And with both the growing market and the lucrative pot of big data that wearables create, it’s a near-certainty that firms will continue to develop, introduce, and refine consumer wearable products and brands vigorously.The Creators Project Make It Wearable  SeriesEpisode 1 Human Communication Episode 2 Human Health Episode 3 Human Expr ession Episode 4 Becoming Superhuman Image credit:  Flickr | PEOSoldier, Flickr | Karlis Dambrans under Attribution 2.0 Generic.  Flickr | Ted Eytan under Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic.

The Rise of Wearables

The Rise of Wearables Why carry a laptop, tablet, or even a phone for Internet access when you could log on through your glasses or wristwatch? No longer a solely a futurist trope, electronics and software firms are in a race to develop industry-defining models of what is known as wearable tech or wearables. This disruptive trend may one day render the modern day PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphone obsolete, and make Internet connectivity simply a matter of getting dressed.Wearable technology (wearables) is defined as the integration of computing and wireless technologies with clothing, jewelry and accessories. While more rudimentary forms of wireless tech, such as the calculator wristwatch, have existed since the 1980s, with advances in miniaturizing circuitry and wireless technologies, wearables have significantly increased the existing and potential applications of the concept. © Shutterstock.com | scyther5In this article, we will explore the world of wearable tech, specifically: 1) brief history of wearables, 2) trends and development in wearables, 3) benefits of wearables, 4) applications of wearables, 5) notable current example of wearables, 6) challenges presented by wearables, and 7) the future of wearables.BRIEF HISTORY OF WEARABLESWearable tech may seem like a new phenomenon, but its origins actually lie in the 1960s and 1970s, with wearables designed and used to cheat at gambling. In 1961, MIT professor Edward Thorp created a wearable device to cheat at roulette, and in 1972, Kevin Taft created one to cheat at blackjack. In 1975, the calculator wristwatch was marketed and sold to the public. But wearables did not expand further until 1987, with the advent of the digital hearing aid. As Internet technologies took proliferated throughout the next decade, 1994 saw the invention of the first wireless wearable webcam, 2000 saw the sale of the first Blue tooth headset, and 2006 saw the release of the Nike iPod, which synced iPod user to their movements.TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN WEARABLESThe largest categories of wearables currently on the consumer market are fitness and healthcare monitors. Most new developments center around the type of clothing or accessory, as well as the level of functionality. And fashion designers are beginning to get in on the act, with recent fashion shows incorporating stylish and functional clothing. Wearables research often deals with new materials that may be used to create wearables, such as graphene, a pliable and efficient electricity conductor. Miniaturization plays heavily into wearables, as well for obvious reasons.Experts believe that the market is young and growing. Transparency Market Research, a marketing research firm, predicts that the market will grow to $5.8 billion in 2018 from $750 million in 2012. Juniper Research, another marketing research firm, predicts that the market will grow to 4 19 billion by 2018.However, other experts are concerned about how disruptive wearables will be, as one-third of Americans who own a wearable device, stops wearing it within six months. Some counter this is because the market is still relatively new. Others wonder how devices with less functionality than a smartphone will compete with a smartphone.BENEFITS OF WEARABLESDespite the legitimate concerns, wearables provide users with a number of benefits including:Physical activity and fitness monitoring;Enhanced social networking: through unique wearables user communities, like Google’s “Glass Explorers”, or Fitbit’s active online community;Personal safety: through communications interfaces for emergency usage featured on some wearables;Healthcare monitoring: through monitoring of patient vital signs either in hospital or remotely by specially designed wearables; andGeneral increased wireless connectivity.APPLICATIONS OF WEARABLESWearables have broader applications then just fitn ess and health. And while consumer applications drive the market, many of the design, usability, manufacturing, and production are adaptable to commercial, military, and medicinal applications as well.The Future Of Wearable Technology Commercial Wearable tech has many enterprise-level applications for businesses. An April 2014 survey of businesses indicated that the majority did not plan to implement wearables on an enterprise level, but that even of those that did not, they expected that, if they did, the benefits would include “improved communication, enhanced productivity, and better customer relations.” A recent University of London study confirmed this, concluding, after a month-long experiment, that wearables can boost productivity and job satisfaction in the workplace.Enterprise-level applications include enhancing resource access to, and tracking the whereabouts of, remote workers; enhanced communication (through wireless headsets and wristbands, for moving employees suc h as retail workers); augmented vision (through smart glasses, used for example, in the construction industry, to “see” inside walls); and increased payment options (through a wristwatch, for example). Further wearables have considerable industry-specific applications for uniformed professions, such as law enforcement and emergency medical technicians.But perhaps the biggest benefit of wearables for business is the data that wearables collect. Such consumer information could be invaluable to marketing and sales departments. This application of wearable tech has doubtlessly influenced the entry of large firms, such as Google, Intel, Qualcomm, and Samsung.ConsumerThere are a number of consumer wearables currently on the market, ranging from smart wristwatches to smart contact lenses to sensor-integrated clothes. Examples include XOEye’s XOne camera glasses; CSR’s smart jewelry, which can be worn around the neck and blinks when the wearer receives a phone call; SafeNecklace, wh ich can monitor kids during field trips; OMSignal’s spandex shirt, which can monitor a wearer’s vital functions Lumo’s posture correcting belt, the Bluetooth LumoBack belt; the Pebble Steel smartwatch, on which the wearer can receive text messages and emails; and Sensoria’s electronic anklet which tracks the wearer’s speed and distance, just to name a few. There are even electronic tattoos under development. However, the consumer market for wearables is extremely fragmented.Military © Flickr | PEOSoldierOne wearables enthusiast is the U.S. military, which sees the technology providing enhanced efficiency for soldiers. Wearables that can monitor the vital signs of soldiers can be the difference between life and death. Other wearables, in the form of helmets, overlay information over a soldier’s eyes to increase their awareness of their surroundings. An example of this is the Aviation Warrior, a wearables system developed by Raytheon, which includes a helmet, wrist display and portable computing device, all designed to provide the soldier with as much information as possible about who is on the battlefield in real-time.The military is not limited in the scope of its wearables-related thinking to soldiers. Under development is a wearable that can “translate” the actions of military animals. The system is known as FIDO (facilitating interactions for dogs with occupations”), and after training, the dog could activate different sensors to activate different t hings, for example a tug to issue a beep to indicate the presence of an explosive.MedicalAnother early adopter of wearables is the medical community, many members of whom are interested in miniature wearables for healthcare monitoring. One such wearable is MC10’s ultra-thin Biostamp, which, when affixed to the body, can monitor heart rate, temperature and other vital statistics, and can send that information wirelessly back to doctors. Others include a bandaid by medical sensor company Corventis that monitors heart conditions; a muscle contraction sensor by TMG that measures muscle fatigue; and a “smart” insole by Moticon for use in patient analysis, monitoring, and rehabilitation.Wearables have further applications in clinical practice, such as the 9Solutions IPCS, a device that tracks medical staff and equipment in real-time.OtherOther applications of wearable tech include, but are not limited to recording car accidents for insurance purposes; law enforcement surveillance; m apping terrain for outdoor activities in real-time; and serving as memory aids.NOTABLE CURRENT EXAMPLES OF WEARABLESWhile there are many, many players in the wearables market, a few standout.Top 5 Wearable Tech So Far Google Glass © Flickr | Ted EytanPerhaps the most buzzworthy wearable in recent years has been Google Glass, a headset that can be fitted with prescription frames, that provides users with wireless connectivity, apps, and other features available on the android operating system. In 2013, a limited run was manufactured, distributed, and priced at $1,500 a piece. As of August 2014, it is available to anyone who wants one, but Google has indicated to journalists that it is not a fully formed consumer product yet.During its short life, Google Glass has proven itself to be an object of excitement, curiosity and scorn. Many tech enthusiasts praise the functionality and design, as well as its light weight, but many others who encounter users, are put off by it because of privacy concerns, and the perception of intrusiveness. Technical complaints involve the limited battery life, unreliable voice recognition for anything other than navigation, issues conforming to the vision needs of certain users, and generally underdeveloped software.Fitbit © Flickr | US CPSCA recognized brand in the fitness wearables category, the firm Fitbit sells several models of smart wristbands that tracks your physical activity, and transmits this information, wirelessly, to your smartphone or tablet app. It is compatible with devices running iOS or Android OS, and can send notifications when a wearer have achieved or missed a fitness goal. It has proven to be popular, largely within the fitness enthusiast market. It does have a number of direct competitors in addition to the basic pedometer, a number of smart wristbands by different manufacturers that track physical activity, differentiated by design, metrics, and usability. Fortunately for Fitbit’s competitors, following wearer complaints that the Fitbit Force caused skin rashes, the company recently recalled the product (controversy has continued with delays in the issuance of recall checks). This is illustrative of one of the challenges presented to wearables manufacturers â€" ensuring tha t the device works safely on the human body.Others © Flickr | Karlis DambransOther notable wearables on the market include:The Martian Notifier, Pebble Watch, and Samsung Gear 2 Neo, three different smartwatches with varying levels of smartphone functionality;The Fitbit Zip, Basis Band, Jawbone Up24, and Withings Pulse O2: different smart physical activity trackers for the fitness enthusiast; andAiQ’s smart shirts, such as the BioMan t-shirt with smart sleeves that monitor the wearer’s vital signs; the SolarMan vest that can capture and store solar energy and use it to recharge a wearer’s electronic devices; and the ArmorMan pullover that stiffens to protect the wearer.CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY WEARABLESDespite the number of players in the wearables markets and the optimism of market analysts, widespread adoption of wearables remains a challenging proposition for a number of reasons including privacy issues, consumer reticence, and both design and standardization issues.PrivacyThere are severe privacy considerations concerning w earables, which must be addressed within the contexts of various national and local legal frameworks. Fundamentally, what controls exist to ensure that people are not using wearables to surreptitiously record others or copyrighted material?Notably, a user of Google Glass, who had the device integrated with his prescription glasses, was arrested and detained in January of 2014 by federal law enforcement official on suspicion that he had recorded a movie he had just watched (he had not). As media accounts indicate, agents who repeatedly questioned him and asked him to demonstrate the devices usage, did not fully understand the device and were unprepared to enforce relevant laws.While this user did not surreptitiously record material, and while Google Glass has restricted its authorized apps from incorporating facial recognition functionality, a determined do-it-yourselfer can incorporate these features into their device. This reality adds to the perception of the intrusiveness of head sets and other wearables that incorporate recording technology, and heightens consumer hesitance to use the product.Consumer reticenceWidespread adoption of wearables is further constrained by 1) the limited consumer awareness of the products currently on the market; 2) the limited number of products currently on the market; and 3) hesitation among some consumers to increase their connectivity. Regarding the latter, some people will undoubtedly just want clothes to just be clothes. The aforementioned privacy concern, coupled with public accounts of overzealous law enforcement regarding the Google Glass, adds to consumer reticence.Further, fashion is an important aspect of wearables adoption: people will not adopt wearables if it aesthetically displeasing or uncomfortable. And many technology firms are struggling with the perfect mix of form and function.The average consumer may wonder why they should be interested in wearables. After all, they have smartphones, which in many cases, have more functionality than the average wearable. In the first quarter of 2014, 300 million smartphones were shipped, compared to only 2.8 million wearable devices.Other challengesAs a practical matter, wearables are limited by the size, shape, and form of the wireless technology incorporated into the clothing item, as well as the maximum life of the battery that powers it. Materials must be flexible and pliable enough to conform to a body part or body type. Wearables must also be able to operate safely on the human body, a moving and perspiring environment subject to the elements. Display quality is also in issue in the sunlight; poor visibility will turn off consumers. And batteries should have an appreciable life â€" a tall order for most wearables.Many current applications cannot yet be manufactured at a high volume for a low price point, making cost a further challenge. Standardization is another key challenge. While major software firms like Google are players in this space, there are a number of smaller competitors as well, each with their own operating parameters.Further, security is a challenge that cannot be overstated. A recent study by IT firm Symantec found:“…’security risks in a large number of self-tracking devices and applications,’ including the finding that ‘all of the wearable activity-tracking devices examined, including those from leading brands, are vulnerable to location tracking.’THE FUTURE OF WEARABLESBeyond the realms of fitness, tech enthusiasts, medical/healthcare and military gear, the future of wearables remains to be seen. The market could very well endure some consolidation, with a few major players emerging. But a compelling consumer wearable model â€" a reason to connect clothing, a reason to, ostensibly, do away with the smartphone, and a reasonable price point â€" has not yet emerged. Wearables may yet remain a niche product, albeit a growing one, as new technologies emerge.The Internet of Things (IoT) â€" the e ver-increasing trend of connecting physical objects to the Internet may drive the growth of wearables. It may be that consumers, buying into the growing smart home trend and living in municipalities that are increasingly interconnected (“smart cities”), may decide they simply want everything connected. And advances in the technology may eliminate safety and aesthetics as concerns. Privacy remains a significant hurdle; how it is addressed by national and local governments will have a significant impact on consumer adoption.But no matter how widespread consumer wearables become, commercial, medical and military wearables have a bright future. And with both the growing market and the lucrative pot of big data that wearables create, it’s a near-certainty that firms will continue to develop, introduce, and refine consumer wearable products and brands vigorously.The Creators Project Make It Wearable  SeriesEpisode 1 Human Communication Episode 2 Human Health Episode 3 Human Expr ession Episode 4 Becoming Superhuman Image credit:  Flickr | PEOSoldier, Flickr | Karlis Dambrans under Attribution 2.0 Generic.  Flickr | Ted Eytan under Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic.