Welcome to season two of Product Powwow.
In this episode, I talk to Nick Hunn, a global expert in wireless technologies and more specifically in what he calls ‘hearables’ – which are ear-based wearables. We cover a lot of ground, including audio, hearing loss, health-sensing and voice control use cases for hearables. Themes include the nuances of human perception and behaviour around this highly intimate technology, and the search for sustainable business models based on all the data wearable devices collect.
This episode is on the longer side, but it was tough to edit down as Nick delivers ‘all killer, no filler’. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I did.
02:05 A brief history of wearables
03:30 In praise of ears and hearing aids
07:15 Wearables still in the 'hope bubble'
17:10 The hidden genius of hearing aid
26:30 Overcoming the stigma of hearing aids
36:15 Is Apple going to change the game
42:10 What the new Bluetooth LE standard unlock
51:10 The return of voice
57:05 Health monitoring
1:00:30 What is Apple doing with that health data?
1:04:45 The wider role of hearables in our tech ecosystem
NICK HUNN
Nick is technology strategist, serial entrepreneur, expert witness, keynote speaker and author with a broad view of the details of technologies, user experience and wider interplay of different market solutions.
Website: www.nickhunn.com
KEVIN & PLAN
Kevin McCullagh is the founder of Plan, a product strategy consultancy based in London, which helps design and innovation leaders with strategic clarity. He writes and speaks on Foresight, Innovation and Leadership.
Website: www.plan.london
Email: kevin@plan.london
MUSIC
By Nico Delaney
https://www.instagram.com/marksson.music
