ClickZ Wearables Newsletter - 09.05.2024

PLUS: Are your AirPods water-resistant? Which models can handle a splash

Author

ClickZ
September 05, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Huawei has unveiled the HUAWEI TruSense system, a groundbreaking advancement in health and fitness technology. This innovative system integrates precise monitoring of over 60 health indicators, including emotional well-being. With extensive research and global partnerships, Huawei aims to lead the future of digital health. Products launch in September.

Rico Zhang, President of Huawei Consumer BG Smart Wearable and Health Product Line, released the HUAWEI TruSense System. Image: Huawei

Running a marathon is no walk in the park—it's a grueling 26.2-mile test of endurance that demands months of training and the right gear. With over 1.1 million runners completing marathons globally each year, the tech industry has stepped up to offer gadgets that make the journey a bit more bearable. Let's dive into some of the top tech products that marathoners swear by.

First up, the Zwift RunPod. This nifty little device clips onto your shoe and tracks your speed, cadence, and distance. Perfect for those who prefer the comfort of their living room over the unpredictability of outdoor tracks. It's like having a personal coach that doesn't yell at you.

Next, we have the Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor. This chest strap offers real-time heart rate data with pinpoint accuracy. It's waterproof, lightweight, and has a battery life that outlasts your will to keep running. If you're serious about monitoring your vitals, this is your go-to gadget.

For those who like to keep things stylish, the Oura Ring is a sleek option that tracks sleep, stress, and activity levels. It’s like having a health guru on your finger, minus the annoying advice. And let's not forget the Bose Sport Earbuds, designed to stay put and deliver top-notch sound quality, making those endless miles a bit more tolerable.

Finally, the Renpho Active Thermacool Massage Gun and Gatorade GX Sweat Patch round out our list. The massage gun offers muscle relief with both heat and cooling functions, while the sweat patch helps you manage hydration levels. Because let's face it, no one wants to collapse from dehydration mid-race.

Apple's AirPods offer varying degrees of water resistance, with the second-gen AirPods Pro providing the best protection (IP54 rating). However, none are fully waterproof, making them unsuitable for swimming or heavy rain. For serious athletes, earbuds with higher IP ratings, like the Jabra Elite 8 Active, are recommended.

AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Image: Apple

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, despite its rugged build and bright display, falls short of being a true adventure watch. It offers extensive health features and customization but lacks advanced navigation tools and sufficient battery life for serious athletes. It's more a robust smartwatch than an outdoor timepiece.

Parks Associates' study reveals nearly 50% of US internet households own and use wearables, driven by smart watches and new form factors like smart rings. With 32% of owners having subscriptions and 92% willing to pay for health features, the market shows significant growth potential.

Wearable tech like Samsung's Galaxy Ring and Google Pixel Watch 3 are unrepairable, contributing to e-waste. Lithium-ion batteries in these devices can't be replaced, leading to disposal. E-waste is a growing issue, with only 22.3% of 2022's e-waste properly recycled, exacerbating environmental impacts.

The rising tide of e-waste. Image: Medium

Performance Platters 🍽️

In August 2024, TikTok and Amazon teamed up for a seamless shopping experience directly within the TikTok app. This timely partnership, coming just before the Q4 shopping season, leverages TikTok's massive user base and Amazon's e-commerce dominance.

But how will it impact brands?

A major challenge for brands is measuring the halo impact of social media interactions on Amazon sales, as Amazon's data exists in a walled garden and relies on a last-click attribution model, potentially overlooking external contributions that drives product discovery.

The partnership highlights the need for more holistic marketing measurement solutions as the line between social media and e-commerce blurs.

Richard Bell, President of UntilGone, leverages AI tools like Google Gemini and Google Cloud for Retail to enhance product descriptions, personalized emails, and search functionalities. These innovations have significantly boosted efficiency, customer engagement, and revenue, demonstrating the transformative power of AI in ecommerce.

Google's digital ad revenue is growing rapidly, outpacing Microsoft's. In 2024, Google's US ad revenues are projected to hit $77.49 billion, driven by its search dominance. However, a US ruling against Google's search monopoly could shift market dynamics. Marketers should consider investing in leading search platforms.

ClickZ is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division