Disappearables: Next big thing in mobile devices

NEW DELHI: Forget 'wearables', and even 'hearables.' The next big thing in mobile devices: 'disappearables.'

Even as the new Apple Watch piques consumer interest in wrist-worn devices, the pace of innovation and the tumbling cost, and size, of components will make wearables smaller — so small, some in the industry say, that no one will see them.

Within five years, wearables like the Watch could be overtaken by hearables — devices with tiny chips and sensors that can fit inside your ear. They, in turn, could be superseded by disappearables — technology tucked inside your clothing, or even inside your body.

"In five years, when we look back, everything we see (now) will absolutely be classified as toys, as the first very basic steps of getting this right," says Nikolaj Hviid, the man behind smart earbuds called the Dash.

Developed by Munich-based Bragi GmbH, the Dash is a wireless in-ear headphone that looks like a discreet hearing aid. Packed inside is a music player, 4 gigabytes of storage, a microphone to take phone calls — just nod your head to accept — and sensors that monitor your position, heart rate and body temperature.

Nick Hunn, a consultant who lays claim to the term 'hearables,' reckons the Dash is just the start. He predicts smartwatches will dominate wearable sales for the next three years, hearables will then overtake and, by 2020, will account for more than half of a $30 billion wearable device market.