14 DAY TRIAL // Wearables still have a long way before going mainstream, but a lot of major tech players seem to be putting a lot of their efforts into pushing this particular product category.
A very good example is Samsung, which has recently roll out the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo, and Gear Fit wearable devices and is already working on the Gear 3 and another standalone smartwatch iteration.
A newcomer to the wearable bandwagon is the struggling and failing Acer. The company hasn’t been spared of bumps lately, but it’s still trying to stay afloat by any means necessary.
Acer recently unveiled the Liquid Leap health-centric fitness band, but even so the company seems to remain pretty confused when it comes to the smartwatch and wearable field.
Talking to Engadget in an interview, Acer CEO Jason Chen blurted out that the company didn’t know exactly what users expect from a smartwatch. Even worse, he admitted that the Liquid Leap didn’t really stand out from other products on the market, it’s just there to fill the niche.
“We believe over time the market will prove itself. What we have to do is get the product out and see how it goes.”
So, basically, Acer is testing the market. But such a strategy could be considered reckless in terms of resources. Why create a product altogether when you could learn a few things from the mistakes the competition has made?
For example, one of the biggest complaints smartwatch lovers looking to do business with Samsung for a Gear 2 or Gear 2 Neo is that the Korean tech giant has limited the compatibility to smartphones and tablets from its own garden, a move that greatly diminishes the appeal of the overall product.
But Acer does the same with the Liquid Leap wearable, which can be synced only with Acer’s own Liquid Jade smartphone. Actually, the two are sold in a bundle. Nevertheless, plans for the creation of an iOS app seem to be on the horizon. Although it’s unclear which iPhone users will choose an Acer wearable to begin with.
Chen seems to be pretty confident that the company has managed to become a big brand that people trust. But, even if they don’t (and some really don’t), Acer continues to appeal due to their low price tags.
So, armed with a decent consumer base, Acer believes it has to participate with a product in each niche. Therefore, the company will continue to follow the market trend, but what about innovation?