Business and Marketing

Heads up. Apple and Google seem to have primed the wearable-tech market for tapping.

With the recent release of Android Wear, and the pending release of the Apple Watch, wearable technology will likely take center stage in the New Year.

As an extension of the oft discussed (and poorly named) Internet of Things movement, wearable technology could prove the first true indicator of the next wave in mobile technology—providing the idea jives with consumer interests. Given the tone of social conversations about wearables, marketers may want to seriously consider exploring marketing and advertising strategies on these emerging platforms.

@Concur There's been so much produced in wearable tech that I just love it all! I want all the magic wands/rings/wearables!

— Kait Moffatt (@KaitMoffatt) December 17, 2014

I think the iPhone 6 Plus on my desk may be the last phone I buy. In three years, they'll have wearables with three inch displays, right?

— Stefan Constantine (@WhatTheBit) December 17, 2014

For wearables to be successful, they need to get out of the hands of tech companies, and into the hands of fashion designers.

— Jake Pechtel (@JakePechtel) December 17, 2014

2015 will be the year of wearables, data analysis on mobile/sensor, native mobile app for journalism Source: Stroppa's prediction

— Andrea Stroppa (@Andst7) December 17, 2014

There are some fun marketing technologies around that leverage wearables and IoT now, but they're beyond niche @AlHopper_ #custserv

— Stewart Rogers (@TheRealSJR) December 17, 2014

Q1 Also, pay attention to wearables (which kinda fits in the mobile category). Messaging on smartwatches will be a challenge! #ragansocial

— Shel Holtz (@shelholtz) December 9, 2014

Of course, empirical evidence and digital anecdotes are never enough to necessitate commitment of the increasingly precious marketing dollar. Some consumers couldn't care less for smartwatches or smartglasses. Still, the fact that these conversations are happening bears marketers' attention.

Smartwatches are in this realm of "cool concept, but I greatly prefer classic wrist watch" @Cardivore

— Travis Allen (@wizardbumpin) December 10, 2014

Is there a way to tell the whole internet to stop showing me stuff about smartwatches? Like a global ignore filter.

— Dario Solera (@DarioSolera) December 10, 2014

Now they're all like "Android wear doesn't do enough". I recon both Android Wear and Apple Watch will fail in the long term.

— David Goemans (@dgoemans) December 2, 2014

Why are cellular-capable smartwatches a thing now? Like your ever-present cell phone isn't enough connectivity for you?

— Marcus Ceballos (@Darth_Marques) December 9, 2014

Business Breaking News: BlackBerry Classic (2014): Top 5 Business Features

The new BlackBerry Classic couples solid productivity features with plenty of nostalgic appeal — at least for business users who long for the days of physical QWERTY keyboards on their smartphones. BlackBerry is hoping to recapture some of that enthusiasm with the Classic, a throwback phone with updated software, great security features and a physical keyboard that still provides the most accurate way to type on a smartphone.

Of course, BlackBerry's weaknesses are as obvious as ever. For starters, the platform still doesn't have as many apps as iOS or Android, and its interface is less polished overall. But after taking the BlackBerry Passport for a spin earlier this year, I realize that there's still a lot here for serious business users to like. You can buy BlackBerry Classic starting this week for $449 off contract or wait until January to pick it up for a subsidized price through Verizon or AT&T. We'll have a full review of the phone up soon, but for now, here are five features that make the BlackBerry Classic worth a look in the age of the iPhone.

Keyboard

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