Two-thirds of wearable app developers reported that the greatest challenge they faced as first movers was the lack of information and research available on how, when, and for what consumers would use wearable technology, according to research by Clutch, a source of reviews on application development companies. Clutch spoke with experts from 15 businesses with experience designing and developing for a variety of wearable platforms. To gain insight into the development process, Clutch’s research aimed to identify the challenges encountered and the steps taken to overcome them.

In addition to a notable lack of information about how consumers use wearables, the developers interviewed also revealed four additional development challenges:

• 8 out of 15 emphasized the incompatibility between the perceived ideal uses for wearables and the technological capabilities of the platforms.

• 8 out of 15 referenced the difficulties involved in designing and developing an application before the release of the wearable device.

• 7 out of 15 claimed that the small screen space on most wearable platforms limited applications’ features and functionalities for the user.

• 4 out of 15 explained how the necessity of troubleshooting on a new platform lengthened the development process.

Clutch’s interviews also explore related topics, such as the trends shaping the future of wearable technology, the motivating factors for engaging with wearables, and the lessons learned from the design and development process. In addition to an infographic, Clutch published 16 in-depth examples of how these businesses applied the new technology to accomplish specific goals.