Pandemic lifts sales of wearable gadgets

Falling prices and new features and shapes for wearables were also helping to deliver stronger sales, say analysts. — AFP Relaxnews

Earphones embedded in pearl earrings, a smartwatch that measures body temperature, a diamond ring that monitors sleep patterns: The wearable gadgets market has boomed as the pandemic boosts interest in health monitoring and working from home.

While worldwide sales of smartphones slumped last year, a record 527 million wearables were sold in 2020, up from 384 million in 2019, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.