Wearables are expected to gain traction in the next of couple of years as significant innovations would be embedded in devices, while 2017 would be the year of smartwatches, according to Qualcomm.

With fashion marrying technology, a lot of traction is expected in smartwatches, and over the next 45 days a number of launches are also expected.

However, the price point – of about $250-500 (₹16,750-33,500) – is the major hindrance for buying a wearable now.

“Establishing a category is a marathon as it takes a great amount of time. Wearables as a category was born two or three years ago, and if you look at the history of technology these categories take 5-7 years of establish as a segment and become mainstream. It does not happen overnight, but we believe in the growth potential of wearables,” Pankaj Kedia, Senior Director & Business Lead, Smart Wearables Segment at Qualcomm, said.

Wearables are defined as devices worn by a person that includes smartwatches, smart glass, smart clothing that includes shoes among others.

“They have been gaining grounds and the trajectory is expected to continue,” he said, adding it would take some more time.

For example, Android phones were introduced in 2007 and in the first year there was only one phone with the operating system. The next year that number jumped to double digits, and only by the fourth year a number of models were brought in. Similar was the case with laptops, which first came in 1984, and took at least 15 years to become popular.

This week, Qualcomm partnered with Movado and fashion brands such as Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger to launch smartwatches.

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