Half of wearables customers sold their device within six months of purchasing it , according to a survey conducted by Acquity Group , with 24 % saying they found their device too complicated to use , and 21 % saying their devices do not operate as advertised . 8 % of the worldwide population now own a wearable device , with 40 % planning on buying one over the next five years . Despite strong compound growth , a variety of issues continue to plague the sector , highlighting the blurred lines between consumer and medical devices . Many companies are reluctant to go through the often - challenging and lengthy process of getting their devices certified by regulatory agencies such as the US FDA , with most device - makers opting for the consumer route .
Half of wearables customers abandon their device within six months of purchasing it, according to a survey conducted by Acquity Group, with 24% saying they found their device too complicated to use, and 21% saying their devices do not work as advertised. 8% of the worldwide population now own a wearable device, with 40% planning on buying one over the next five years. Despite strong compound growth, a variety of issues continue to plague the sector, including the blurred lines between consumer and medical devices. Many companies are reluctant to go through the often-challenging and lengthy process of getting their devices certified by regulatory agencies such as the US FDA, with most wearables-makers opting for the consumer route.