The next frontier for consumer electronics could well be the market of wearable technology. Giants such as Google, Sony and Samsung are relentlessly pursuing a future of interaction, where time-honoured accessories such as glasses and watches are upgraded into hyper-connected devices in the increasingly pervasive ‘internet of things'. Apple are shuffling their feet and smiling coyly, but their promises of big things to come are likely to involve the wearable market.

As smartphones reach an inevitable plateau in mature markets and the average consumer is reluctant to pay over £500 for a marginally better camera and shinier shiny bits, there is a clear need to create a new mass market of appeal within technology. Which means wearable technology as it seeks the love of the masses will find itself hearing the same question again and again:

… But does it look good?

Google's current support for prescription glasses comes solely from in-house designs
(credit: TNW)
Up until now the answer would have been uncertain, if you’re kind, and tinged with negativity, but now Google has grabbed the reins and brought in Ray-Ban and Oakley (owned by Italian brand Luxottica) to dramatically upgrade the look of its Glass units.

Google have also announced Android Wear, a stable platform, an API which the whole network of differently-branded products can be built upon, allowing potentially a variety of design flourishes and differing directions. Rather than buying into a technophile dream of a connected-world, through imperfect experimental devices (like early Glass explorers, perhaps), they’re buying the same thing they always have: a really nice looking watch.

The recently announced moto 360, powered by Android Wear
(credit: Techradar)
The near future could present a much more augmented experience than just glasses and watches though, already Google has created internet-connected contact lenses that measure glucose levels for diabetics. In fact the mystery, importance and sheer sci-fi appeal, of where Google is going next is worth its CEO, Larry Page, giving a talk on the topic to TED. The impact of wearable technology is hard to estimate, but if it did reach widespread adoption all of the established structure of the World Wide Web, advertising and even personal health could need to be re-written.

 More than ever the world will be at your fingertips or hovering a few centimeters from your eyeball. A whole world of new opportunities, tasks made easier and information increasingly personalised and delivered at exactly the right moment. It's an exciting prospect.

 So it comes back to the shallow but fundamental question we may each find ourselves asking, not just as a boardroom consideration at Google, but the final thought before we put our own hands into our wallets and purses: but does it look good enough to wear?