TCL MOBILE
The Future of Wearable Technology
Interview with Stefan Streit, Chief Marketing Officer, TCL Communication
  • Stefan Streit
    Chief Marketing Officer at TCL Communication
I. Introduction
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at TCL?
I am the Chief Marketing Officer at TCL Communication and am responsible for TCL Communication’s brands and marketing programs worldwide.

II. Adoption and Development of Wearable Technology
Given the rapid evolution of technology in recent years, how do you envision the wearable technology adoption and development in the near future?
The evolution of technology from feature phones to smartphones in the late 2000s has set the stage for a new era of wearable technology. that promises to revolutionise how we interact with the world. Major players in the tech industry, including those investing heavily in AR and VR, explore how to blend the virtual and real worlds, it's becoming increasingly clear that wearables will play a crucial role in this mix. As technology continues to advance, and with the advent of 6G or 7G conceivable, the possibilities for wearables to enhance our experiences and interactions with the world will only increase.


III. Impact on Daily Life and Society
How do you see wearable technology potentially impacting and transforming other areas of our daily lives and society as a whole?
Wearable technology can significantly transform prominent aspects of our daily lives. With the development of advanced form factors and innovative features, wearable devices could provide us with real-time information about things such as our physical well-being, navigation and interaction with commerce in general. Wearable technology has the potential to enhance other new technologies by enabling seamless integration and more natural interaction. With wearable devices like headsets and displays, users could interact with voice assistants using voice and gesture commands, reducing the need to interact physically with other devices. As such, we may see a shift towards a more intuitive and seamless approach to using technology in our daily lives, as well as improvements in the accuracy and capabilities of voice assistants. Overall, these advancements and innovations in wearable technology will continue to shape and transform how we interact with technology in the coming years.


IV. Standout Trends at CES
What were some of the most significant advancements and standout trends you observed in wearable technology at CES this year, and how do you see these advancements impacting the market in the near future?
At CES this year, one of the standout trends was the growing number of companies showcasing augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) solutions. While the early VR headsets were clunky and not very user-friendly, recent advancements have made VR more accessible and immersive. Virtual reality (VR) headsets have made impressive strides in recent years, with new products offering an immersive experience at a premium price. TCL recently announced at CES 2023 the launch of TCL RayNeo X2 augmented reality (AR) smart glasses with a revolution of sorts where the glasses harness pioneering binocular full-colour Micro-LED optical waveguide displays alongside an array of new interactive features to create unparalleled AR experiences for users. One of the challenges the industry is currently facing is making the user experience more intuitive and natural. Augmented reality (AR) is also advancing, with companies exploring new ways to improve the user interface. Some industry players are experimenting with full-colour glasses that offer a simultaneous display, mimicking the way the human eye and brain work together. While this technology holds great promise, cost remains a significant barrier to adoption by mainstream consumers.

Overall, there is a lot of interest in AR and VR, where many new applications and opportunities will emerge. The challenge is to balance convenience and not overwhelm users with too much information.

V. TCL's Approach to Wearable Technology
Can you give us an overview of TCL's approach to wearable technology and the role it plays in the company's overall strategy?
As you know, TCL is one of the leading display manufacturers in the world with expertise in various display technologies ranging from TV displays down to tablets, mobiles, watches and flexible displays. We know we have the experience and superior skillset to create advanced and unique wearable products that utilize cutting-edge display technology. Our goal is to enhance the user experience of wearable products by leveraging our display expertise. We have already explored various forms to incorporate flexible display technology, such as rolling and folding displays, which could significantly enhance the display experience for wearables. The role of wearable technology in our overall strategy is to bring our display technology to products in innovative ways that showcase our state-of-the-art technology. At TCL, we believe everyone should have access to technology, which is why we're always working on improving our smart wearables. We're also super excited about exploring new tech like augmented reality, mixed reality, and virtual reality and investing in making those experiences even more exciting.

VI. Development and Production Challenges
Can you speak to any specific challenges TCL has faced in the development and production of its wearable technology?
One of the biggest challenges we face in developing and producing our wearable technology is creating a comfortable user experience and balanced ergonomics. We understand that users are concerned about the weight of the device and the distribution of weight, which can affect the balance of the device on the head. Through extensive R&D, our teams are gradually finding ways to make our wearables as light as possible and to reduce heat build-up around the head. Naturally, we are just getting started, but we see the TCL RayNeo X2 as the first frontier of AR glasses, and we are confident that with time and continued innovation, we will be able to provide an exceptional user experience for our wearable products. We've seen how other wearable technologies, like smartwatches, have improved over time, and we believe that the same is possible for our wearables.

VII. Integration with Other Devices and Technology
How does TCL see the integration of wearable technology with other devices and technology, such as smartphones and laptops?
I believe that integrating wearable technology with other devices and technology, such as smartphones and laptops, will be a game-changer. The next generation is about convenience and accessibility, and wearables can provide just that. It's exciting to think about the different possibilities that wearables can offer for specific purposes, and I believe that there will be multiple devices for various purposes in the future.

VIII. TCL's Range of Wearable Glasses and Display Technology
Can you tell us more about TCL's current range of wearable glasses and display technology, including any specific features or capabilities that set them apart?
As mentioned previously, TCL launched the RayNeo X2 AR smart glasses at CES 2023, featuring binocular full-colour Micro-LED optical waveguide displays and interactive features for an unparalleled AR experience. The glasses have a subtle and lightweight body while offering smart navigation, auto-translation, photography, and music play. They also have a high contrast ratio and image brightness, making them ideal for indoor and outdoor usage. The glasses have a smart GPS navigation system that uses SLAM and gesture recognition, with an on-screen message notifications via Bluetooth. The translation features make it easy to connect with people from different languages. The integrated camera allows users to create unique forms of entertainment, with features like image stabilization and auto night mode. TCL NXTWEAR S wearable display glasses also made their debut to the U.S. market at CES 2023 and continue the NXTWEAR range advancements by delivering a private cinema-like audio-visual experience.

IX. Closing question
Is there anything else you'd like to add or share with us about TCL's approach to wearable technology and the future of the industry?
The future of wearable technology is bright and exciting. As the younger generation demonstrates their strong acceptance of mobile devices and tablets, there is a growing need for convenient and purpose-built devices. In the future, we will see various products designed for specific activities. These devices will offer a more seamless experience and liberate users to interact with the world around them. I am excited to see how wearable technology will continue to evolve and improve our daily lives.