If you think you’re attached to your smartphone and tablet device now, get ready to obsess over the next big mobile convenience that you can literally attach to your body—wearable technology devices. While these devices aren’t mainstream just yet, if we consider the swift adoption rate of smartphones and tablets from years ago, you should certainly keep an eye on this ultramodern technology as an extension of your mobile marketing strategy and an efficient tool to streamline productivity.
What constitutes a wearable device?
Technology has evolved and advanced so much that we expect it to be our personal digital assistant. Wearable technology promotes a more convenient and personalized experience. These computerized devices can be worn on your wrist, attached to clothing, or even worn as glasses for instant access to critical data that is based on your personal preferences.
What’s more convenient than having this technology not just in the palm of your hands, but literally attached to your hip—or wrist—in this case? As Apple announced the 2015 release date of the Apple Watch, their newest gadget, smartwatches are expected to become a hot item. These smartwatches don’t just tell the time anymore, and they’re far from the calculator watch that was introduced in the ‘80s. Each smartwatch is equipped with a wireless bluetooth adapter that extends the functionality of your smartphone to the gear on your wrist. It’s capable of tracking your heart rate, providing directions and traffic updates, playing music, checking email, making calls, and essentially performing most of the functions of your smartphone, but from the convenience of your wrist.
What does it mean for real estate?
Eighty-nine percent of buyers are searching for homes using a mobile device (NAR). Considering the demand for mobile usage, adapting to this type of technology is really not that far off. It may only be a matter of time before your mobile-friendly website will need to adapt to a smartwatch in addition to desktops, smartphones and tablets. With wearables, homebuyers could receive property alerts, view property details and photos, save the property or contact an agent right from their wrist and even receive notifications as they’re steps away from a given property that matches their search criteria.
What does it mean for productivity?
Wearables allow users to go hands-free, which opens a lot of possibilities for real estate agents and brokers who could use this technology at work to streamline tasks. Here are three advantages.
1. Screen calls, texts and emails right from the smartwatch. This way, users can more discretely decide if it’s a critical call or message, and either instantly respond or return to it later without disrupting a meeting. Agents and brokers can also dictate emails or text messages, or ask a digital assistant a question using the smartwatch.
2. Get instant access to important data. Check notes, property specs and calendars from your watch during an appointment without taking the time to power up your laptop, tablet or smartphone.
3. Check-in with custom social apps. Apps like Facebook, Foursquare and Yelp are built for these watches. Agents can check-in, read reviews and tips and instantly share insights with clients and prospects.
If you’re curious about the wearable gadgets available today, take a look at these smartwatch reviews for more insight, or perhaps you want to wait until 2015 for the Apple Watch. As technology progresses and consumer expectations shift, it’s imperative that real estate professionals select a partner like Homes.com. Upgrade your Web presence with responsive design websites from Homes.com that will keep your brand on the cutting-edge and give consumers the mobile experience they demand.
For more information, visit www.connect.homes.com.
