Wearable devices which include Google Glass and Samsung Galaxy Gear watch may not be a hot commodity yet but mobile game developers are continuing to make apps for what they hope is going to be consumer technology's next big moment, Reuters reported. Mobile games maker Glu Mobile Chief Executive Officer Niccolo DeMasi said the potential of wearables can be likened to that of the iPhone launch of Apple in 2007. It was an event that catalyzed much of the creation of most of the mobile app world today, the report said.
Mobile app developers like DeMasi are hoping that by creating apps that are tailored with the special features of wearable devices in mind, they would also be able to spur a lot of demand for the products. The report quoted Mind Pirate Chief Executive Officer Shawn Hardin as saying, "A whole new app ecosystem is going to be born. Those who are going to make that happen in a big way are going to be valuable companies because of it, and those who wait too late won't be a part of it." Mind Pirate is set to launch "Global Food Fight," its first game for Google Glass this month.
Analysts have forecasted that the mobile game apps market will grow from $6 billion in 2010 to $17 billion in 2014, with wearables spurring future growth, the report said. This week, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will feature a wide range of new smartwatches and other devices like that of Fitbit, a fitness tracker, which could indicate a breakthrough for wearables this year, the report said.
Google Glass is also anticipated to be launched sometime in 2014. To date, its user-testing version is available for $1,500 to an estimated 15,000 developers and consumers who signed up to become part of its early adopter program.
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