As we advance ourselves as a society, we seem to be becoming more and more dependent on technology to keep us on track. Whether it be robots that assemble our goods or cell phones held up to our ears, it’s apparent that technology is taking a greater foothold in our lives. Though as of late, certain peripherals have been taking the world by storm. Whether they’re worn on our wrists or our heads, wearable technology has been headlines in many ways. Last year, Apple made records sales on top of record innovation. The release of their newest iteration of the iPhone, iPhone 6, once again beat out it’s predecessor. Made even thinner, faster, and boasting a higher resolution display, Apple’s iPhone 6 found its way into the pockets and purses of many customers. But one announcement from the Silicon Valley-based company caught everyone’s attention: The Apple Watch.

A new product, the Apple Watch, holds a lot of potential to be the iPhone of its time. All things considered, and hype building, wearable tech has already found its way into Ipswich High School. One student whose already adopted this trend is Senior Abigail McCarthy. When asked on why she purchased the device, McCarthy said, “I think the main reason why I bought it per se, was mainly due to my friends. Myself, Maddie Hill, Linda Barg, and others all kind of made a pact. We track our fitness together. It really sets a certain standard and encourages us to strive for better.”

It was becoming apparent to me that more teenagers could be seeing this technology as a kind of way to conform, for lack of a better term. Regardless, it isn’t alien to seventeen and eighteen-year olds. Going off of this, I question Abigail on what her actual opinion was on wearable tech as a whole, and whether or not she’d be purchasing an Apple Watch. “Oh boy, an Apple Watch, probably not. Its price is a bit too steep. But I think wearable tech is a great idea. There’s a lot that can be done with it and coming from the athletic person I am, I see what it also can accomplish in terms of fitness and nutrition. Tracking is very helpful from what I’ve used of it. Ultimately, I think it comes down to what it’s used for.”

Apple’s Apple Watch, unlike fitness bands, is a smartwatch. Putting aside the unrealistic hype that has followed the device since its announcement, it’s not the first to see mass production. Another was Samsung’s flagship wearable piece of tech, the Samsung Gear. The smartwatch received average praise, seeing as it was the first of its kind in a way. But this didn’t stop one current IHS Senior from purchasing an early model: Eyvind Lier. Taking notice, Lier seemed pleased that I even brought it up. “Glad you noticed, really. It was a Samsung gear smart watch, and its functionality is very widespread. It tracked sports related info, it showed text messages when I got them, and it even allowed me to answer and make calls. Like something out of Star Wars!”, he said. “I just thought it was cool. In Norway, I had the money, so I bought it. Pretty simple. I’m not too big into technology, but that was enough for me. That sort of stuff is the future, and I really wanted to get an idea of what it was” Lier said when asked why he bought it in the first place.

All things considered, the Apple Watch improves on what the Gear did, and arguably better, but Lier didn’t seem content on buying one.  “I have a Samsung, so I’d have to buy a brand new phone. But it does look pretty cool. I think wearable tech is an awesome idea, and it can really be used for good uses if done right. Just think of the possibilities.” I honestly agree with Eyvind, and I respect his early adoption of the technology, as I’m an early adopted myself.

I see the potential the Apple Watch has, and definitely how it improves on what Samsung really brought into the public eye, but the price is too steep for my taste. They’re ultimately charging a premium price, for a not so premium product. You’re paying for the name: Apple.

I love technology; I won’t lie. I’m someone who’ll bust out $800 every consecutive year for the newest model of the iPhone. But wearable tech is a slippery slope. It can both hurt and help us. We can become so dependent on it, it can hurt us. Devolve us. But with that,  it can bring could mold us into a more far along, in-tune people.