Wearable Technology Grows in Popularity

-- New SSI QuickThoughts™ Mobile App Used for International Survey

SHELTON, Connecticut, Sept. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent SSI survey found that wearable technology will become popular in mainstream markets within the next two to three years. The study showed one out of three people were "very" or "somewhat likely" to buy a wearable device.

More than 3,600 people from seven countries – Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States – weighed in on their vision for the future and their interest in wearable computer devices.  When asked to select what type of wearable computer device they were most interested in, people overwhelmingly listed wristbands (65 percent) as their first choice followed closely by glasses at 55 percent.  

"We're excited about the results of this survey," said Chris Fanning, president and CEO of SSI.  "This survey is the first of its kind in that it includes respondents using SSI's QuickThoughts™ mobile app, a new type of mobile sampling and data collection solution for marketing researchers.  The survey also coincides with the launch of SSI's QuickThoughts mobile app in these seven target countries all of which are major research markets." 

The free SSI QuickThoughts mobile app is available for iPads, iPhones and Android tablets, with Android phone support launching later this year.  

"By including QuickThoughts mobile members, SSI survey results produce a more exact cross-section of the population," explained Fanning.  "Our research in the U.S. shows mobile users are more likely than traditional respondents to be males, younger, wealthier and savvy when it comes to using technology.  The QuickThoughts platform increases SSI's capacity in the demographics that are more difficult for research professionals to reach."

Additional SSI survey findings revealed that wearable technology has increased the public's awareness of privacy.  More than 70 percent of respondents agreed with the statement, "Due to smartphones and social media, nothing in public is private anymore."  And more than 75 percent believe that governments need to create better laws to protect people's privacy when they are out in public.  

In spite of the concern over erosion of their privacy, the survey showed the attitude toward wearable technology was mostly positive with respondents describing it as "interesting" (35%), "convenient" (31%) and "fun" (30%).  Full survey results including illustrations, can be found at: http://www.surveysampling.com/sample/online/QuickThoughts/launch or by request at info@surveysampling.com.

SSI QuickThoughts mobile app offers a platform for researchers to display mobile-friendly surveys to deliver interviews faster, allowing projects to finish sooner. Respondents are eager to use the app because they are given questionnaires on a sleek interface that is simple and highly intuitive.  The QuickThoughts application is the first of its kind to offer iTunes® credits as the exclusive reward for iPad® and iPhone® survey takers.

At least 10 additional countries are targeted for QuickThoughts rollout in 2013 and include countries where mobile devices and broadband access are disproportionately represented which should result in very robust additions to the SSI Blend. 

The survey on wearable technology was conducted using the SSI online sample blend, which includes QuickThoughts members.  QuickThoughts integrates seamlessly with SSI's industry leading Dynamix sampling platform.  Survey takers using the app were incorporated into SSI's online sample, using the proprietary SSI Blend that controls sample consistency via personality, lifestyle and psychographic attributes.

SSI is the premier global provider of sampling, data collection and data analytic solutions for survey research, reaching respondents in 78 countries via Internet, telephone, mobile/wireless and mixed-access offerings. Additionally, SSI staff operates from 26 offices in 18 countries, offering CATI, questionnaire design consultation, programming and hosting, online custom reporting and data processing. SSI's 3,100 employees serve more than 3,000 clients worldwide. For additional information, please visit www.surveysampling.com.

QuickThoughts and Dynamix are trademarks of Survey Sampling International LLC.

iPad, iPhone and iTunes are trademarks of Apple Inc.