Low-cost devices drive growth in wearable gadgets market
The wearable technology devices market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 38.3% in the third quarter of 2016 to about 487,000 units, driven by low-cost devices, according to a report by global research firm International Data Corporation (IDC). Wearable devices include smart watches and fitness devices. By the end of 2016 the IDC expects wearables market in MEA to total 1.96-million, representing a increase of 38.4% compared to 2015. "Buyers for smart wearables are limited as the main application for these devices is fitness, which is an area that basic wearables also cater for at a much lower cost," said Nakul Dogra, a senior research analyst for personal computing, systems and infrastructure solutions at IDC MEA.
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