Wearables users say accuracy most important feature
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- Published on 23 June 2016
- Written by The Peorian
A recent national survey on wearable technology devices ("wearables") revealed that consumers consider accuracy the most important feature of wearables, and more than half of those who do not own a wearable would consider buying one if they trusted the accuracy.
The survey findings were announced by Valencell, a leading innovator in performance biometric data sensor technology, and MEMS & Sensors Industry Group, the trade association advancing Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and sensors across global markets.
The online survey polled 706 U.S. consumers, ages 18-65, on their knowledge and preferences around wearables, which were defined as a device, clothing and/or accessories incorporating computer and advanced electronic technologies.
Among those surveyed, more than 42 percent of respondents own or have owned a wearable device, and the majority (63 percent) ranked accuracy as a highly important feature of that wearable. Among wearable owners, 80 percent feel that their wearable has a positive impact on their health. For those who do not own a wearable, 74 percent of would consider using one if accuracy in wearables could help them to better manage their health.
"These survey results are testament to Valencell's view that accurate and interesting insights are critical to the success of the wearable industry, and are the biggest drivers of growth today," said Dr. Steven LeBoeuf, president and co-founder of Valencell. "More consumers than ever before are looking to biometric wearables to monitor their health and fitness, and wearables that cannot be trusted for accuracy will ultimately lose out to wearables that have been properly validated."
While most wearable owners find functions such as step counting, heart rate monitoring and notifications most useful, they would also like their wearable to monitor additional health metrics, including stress, blood pressure, sunlight/UV exposure, hydration, and key vitamin and supplement levels.
"MEMS and sensors are critical components in more accurate wearables," said Karen Lightman, executive director, MEMS & Sensors Industry Group. "That's because the devices themselves, from accelerometers, gyros and pressure sensors to heart rate monitors and environmental sensors are delivering ever higher levels of granularity while consuming less power in smaller footprints. Beyond accuracy, MEMS and sensors make wearables more interesting because they literally sense the world around us. With so much advanced functionality now at their disposal, I am convinced that wearables designers will introduce new and compelling products that consumers will consider must-have rather than just nice-to-own."
Key findings of the survey are below. An executive summary of the survey and infographic can also be found at valencell.com/blog.
Accuracy Trumps Cost as a Barrier to Wearable Ownership
Nearly half of all respondents own or have owned a wearable device, with the most popular form factors being wristbands, earbuds and smartwatches. Among notable findings:
- 42% of survey respondents own or have owned a wearable;
- Of those who own a wearable, 52% own a wristband, 36% earbuds and 32% a smartwatch;
- 42% purchased the wearable to track overall activity and 28% purchased to manage weight;
- Of those who do not own a wearable, 31% do not own because they are too expensive and 28% do not own because they are not sure of the benefit of wearables; 58% would consider buying if they trusted the accuracy.
Consumers Want More than Just Step Counting
Consumers who own wearables like to use the data provided to check on progress, and many feel the wearable has helped improve their performance. While respondents find step counting and heart rate monitoring the most useful functions, they would also like to be able to monitor additional health conditions and metrics. These findings support anecdotal stories that consumers care less about the raw metrics and more about assessments derived from raw metrics. Among notable findings:
- 35% of wearable owners feel step counting is the most useful function; 18% find heart rate monitoring most useful; and 12% find the notifications most useful;
- When asked what type of condition they would like to monitor beyond what they are doing now:
- 55% would like to monitor stress
- 48% would like to monitor hydration
- 46% would like to monitor blood pressure
- 38% would like to monitor sunlight/UV exposure
- 35% would like to monitor key vitamin and supplement levels
- When asked what they like most about their wearable:
- 62% like getting data and checking on progress
- 29% like that their wearable has helped improve their performance
- 27% like the accuracy of the data
Accuracy is Key to Valuable Health Insights
Accuracy, comfort, and battery life topped the list of highly important features in wearables. Of those who currently own a wearable, 80% feel that the wearable has positively impacted their health. Among notable findings:
- 63% of all respondents ranked accuracy as a highly important (critical) feature, followed by comfort (57%) and battery life (47%);
- 73% of all respondents believe that accuracy in wearable technology will one day be able to directly affect your health;
- 80% of wearables owners feel that their wearable has positively impacted their health;
- More than 65% of respondents who do not own wearables would consider using one if it provided significant information on their health, including things like blood pressure, stress, and heart health;
- 74% of respondents who do not own wearables would consider using one if accuracy in wearables was able to help them better manage their health;
Of those who own wearables, more than half wear their device every day. However, more than a third have discontinued use of their wearable for reasons that include the hassle of recharging the wearable and their perception that it was not accurate enough and they didn't trust the data. Among notable findings:
- More than 80% have owned their wearable for more than six months;
- 56% wear their wearable every day; 13% wear it once a week;
- 37% have discontinued the use of their wearable;
- Of those who have discontinued using their wearables, 54% stopped using their wearable within 3 months or less;
- Top reasons for discontinuing use of a wearable:
- 40% Too much of a hassle to continually recharge
- 29% Not accurate enough (didn't trust the readings)
- 26% Uncomfortable to wear
- 24% Did not provide continually interesting insights
Situation worsens for agencies affect by state budget
- Details
- Published on 23 June 2016
- Written by The Peorian
A new survey conducted by United Way of Illinois (UWI), the statewide association of 52 local United Ways and the largest non-governmental funder of health and human services in the state, shows Illinois' year-long budget impasse continues to starve the nonprofit sector and cause harm to vulnerable citizens across the state.
In the fourth United Way of Illinois survey, more than half of safety net and mental health providers responded that they have been unable to meet the needs of clients for the past year. Survey respondents also indicated that the disruption in services will have long-term effects on the people they serve as extended waiting lists, the elimination of programs and triaging of clients mean more people are moving into crisis situations. The mentally ill who are not getting psychiatric services go to emergency rooms or jails and some of the young people who aren't in out-of-school time and job training programs become involved in the criminal justice system.
As of June 2016:
- 54% of survey respondents anticipate they will have to cease serving clients in six months if the impasse continues;
- Almost two-thirds of survey respondents reported making program and/or operational cuts, up from 48% in January 2016;
- Of those agencies, 91% have cut the number of clients they serve, leaving nearly 1 million clients in Illinois without critical support, most significantly in the areas of mental health, substance abuse services and childhood education;
- More than 50% of safety net and mental health providers indicated they could not meet the needs of their clients for the past year due to the impasse.
"We honestly wished we would have different news," said Kristi Long, United Way of Illinois Board chair. "The survey results show accelerating damage since January—more program cuts, more clients left unserved, more debt. The mentally ill, disabled seniors and young children in need of educational opportunities — these people can't wait for the next election."
Organizations have been unable to come close to filling the gap left by the state through additional fundraising efforts and have been forced to take extreme measures in order to continue serving clients. Agencies reported cutting back or eliminating vital programs, draining cash reserves and credit lines, laying off staff and considering the possibility of shutting their doors entirely.
In order to continue to serve clients:
- 45% of respondents have been forced to lay off staff, up from 24% in January 2016;
- 59% of respondents have used their cash reserves;
- 33% of respondents have used lines of credit;
- Respondents have taken on a combined $38 million in debt;
- 36% of agencies anticipate they will have to close six months if the impasse continues.
This is the fourth survey conducted by United Way of Illinois on the state budget stalemate. The survey was conducted June 1-8 and responses were received from 429 human services agencies that receive state funding. Responses were received from every county in Illinois.
Survey respondents represented a range of service categories including youth development, early childhood education, mental health, emergency housing, senior services and employment training and varied in budget size from less than $500,000 to more than $15 million.
For the full results, visit www.uw-mc.org/4thbudgetsurvey.
'Cheaper by the Dozen' set to open at Corn Stock
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- Published on 21 June 2016
- Written by Paul Gordon
Amy Williams has long loved the book “Cheaper by the Dozen” and hoped to someday be involved with the stage version of the biographical novel.
She got her wish. She is directing the comedy by the same name that opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. under the tent at Corn Stock Theatre in Upper Bradley Park, the second show on Corn Stock’s slate of shows this summer.
The classic, which was made into a film in 1950 but not into a stage until 1992, will run each night through July 2.
“The story of the book, which is based on a true story, has always been one of my favorites. You read it and you think, ‘This was quite a family.’ And it is funny. Audiences will love it,” Williams said.
The play is about the Gilbreth family headed by the father, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, and the mother, Lillian Moller Gilbreth. They have 12 children in their Montclair, New Jersey home. One of their children, Mary, died at the age of 5 of diphtheria.
What appealed to Williams about the story is what she believes audiences will take from the play. “It’s all about the importance of family and the struggles within a family, struggles that exist no matter how many kids a family might have,” she said.
“The oldest girl is more interested in boys than she is in mathematics, which of course doesn’t sit real well with her father. And it shows that is a common problem with teen-aged girls no matter what year we’re in. Throughout the show, we see how they came together as a family and it’s important,” she added.
Williams said her cast has done that since rehearsals began. “The way they have all come together as a family on stage has been fun to watch,” she said.
Stage veterans Charles Brown and Amy Wyckoff portray Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreth. Each is well known to Corn Stock audiences and Williams said they bring good chemistry to the role. In the play nine of the children are seen.
The story is told by the characters of Frank Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth, the oldest children. They also wrote the book. They are portrayed here by Logan Henderson and Anna Duffer.
Younger Frank Jr. is portrayed by Creighton Peacock and younger Ernestine is Elizabeth Duckworth. The other children are portrayed by Emma Wycoff (Anne), Megan Walters (Martha), Gardner Brown (Bill), Margot McNutt (Lillian), Jacob Brabec (Fred), Flynn Robertson (Dan) and Laynie Zika (Jackie).
“I could not have been happier with the turnout and the talent at auditions,” Williams said. She noted that 90 people auditioned, an almost unheard-of number for a non-musical. “It was overwhelming and of course, it made for some very hard choices. But that was a good problem to have. I would guess it was the well-known title that brought people out,” she said.
She added that some who came may have thought it was the story in the Steve Martin film of the same title made in 1992. That film had nothing to do with the Gilbreth story.
Williams said several of the actors are making their Corn Stock debuts, at least at the tent, but several of the children she was familiar with from having directed them in Corn Stock For Kids productions, including “Charlotte’s Web” this past spring. “It was great to see so many of them at auditions. I just wish I could have used them all,” she said.
While the play does have some dramatic parts, it remains family friendly, Williams said. “It is a family show, no question. The type of drama it has is the type adults will pick up on but not the younger kids in the audience,” she said.
Tickets for “Cheaper by the Dozen” are on sale at Corn Stock’s box office, online at www.cornstocktheatre.com, or they can be reserved by calling 676-2196. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students.
'Beauty and the Beast' opens Friday at Eastlight
- Details
- Published on 22 June 2016
- Written by Paul Gordon
When doing a musical for the community theatre stage, any director hopes for a show that is visually stunning and has the blend of vocal talent that will enthrall the audiences each night.
Travis Olson believes he got both in his Eastlight Theatre production of “Beauty and the Beast” that opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Byron Moore Auditorium at East Peoria High School.
“Because of the technical aspects that Steve Cordle brings to the table with every Eastlight show, this will be a visually stunning show, from the sets to the lighting. The costumes are great, as well,” Olson said.
“As a director you think about a dream cast and well, I’ve got one. With Roger Roemer’s vocal talents as the Beast and the beauty and talent of Jessi Palkovic as Belle, it will be a wonderful show from the top. I can’t wait for audiences to see it,” he said.
Olson said he’s loved “Beauty and the Beast” since the movie came out in 1991 and had a positive experience when he performed in the Corn Stock Theatre production of the musical several years ago. So when he was asked to direct it at Eastlight, “I really didn’t hesitate. And it has been a lot of fun,” he said.
There has been what he called a resurgence in interest in the classic since it was announced a new film version is going to be released next spring. “It’s at the forefront of people’s minds again. There is an excitement about it,” he said.
This production is not the first time in “Beauty and the Beast” for many in the cast. Palkovic was in chorus roles in two previous productions and Barb Couri, who plays Mrs. Potts and sings the title song, played that same role at Corn Stock and was Madame de la Grande Bouche in the previous Eastlight production of “Beauty and the Beast” in 2005.
Also, Zack Binder, who portrays the egomaniac Gaston in this production, was the Beast in that 2005 production. “Zack wanted to play Gaston this time around, so he didn’t audition for the Beast. He said that was a dream role then, but Gaston was one he’s always wanted to play and have fun with and he embodies that role,” Olson said.
Other cast members include Ramsey Hendricks as Lumiere, Scott Moore as Cogsworth, Hannah Wier as Babette, Kayla Siefferman as Madame de la Grande Bouche, Carter Swan as Chip, Brian Haas as Lefou, and Chip Johnson as Maurice.
The cast ranges in age from 6 to 64 but numbers only about 45 people, which is small for this production. Olson said many in the ensemble are busy throughout the show, changing costumes frequently in order to play more than one character.
“They’re always moving and that keeps it lively and fun,” he said.
Songs in “Beauty and the Beast” are well-known and include “Be Our Guest,” “Something There,” “Human Again,” “No Matter What,” the haunting “If I Can’t Love Her” and the title song, “Beauty and the Beast.”
Nicole Fauser was music director for the show, which demands strong voices in each role and chorus part, and Danny Fisher was choreographer. Lisa White handled the costumes, some of which had to be made for this show.
“Beauty and the Beast” will have seven performances, starting at 7:30 p.m. on June 24, 25, 29, 30, July 1 and 2 and at 2 p.m. on June 26. Tickets are $19 and can be purchased online at tickets.eastlighttheatre.com.
Cahill named to lead Peoria Park District
- Details
- Published on 21 June 2016
- Written by The Peorian
Emily Cahill, interim executive director of the Peoria Park District since the retirement of Bonnie Noble, was named to the position permanently on Monday.
The Park Board voted to fill the position from within the district this time. Earlier, the board voted to offer the position to Susan Knoblauch of Washington. She accepted at first, but later turned down the job to accept a position with the Illinois High School Association.
Cahill has been with the Peoria Park District since 2011. Since then she worked closely with Noble on the strategic operations of the district and oversaw all grant writing while serving on the districts grant writing, employee contributions and diversity initiative teams, according to the Park District news release.
Before coming to the Park District, Cahill worked 12 years at the Center for Prevention of Abuse.
Cahill is active in the volunteer community, as well. A member of the Junior League of Peoria, Cahill served as the organization’s president from 2007-2008. She also served on the American Red Cross Heart of America Board of Directors from 2008 to 2014, acting as its chair in 2012 and 2013. She received a 40 Leaders Under 40 Award in 2003, the 25 Women in Leadership Award in 2007, the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Junior League of Peoria in 2010, and the Prescott E. Bloom Community Service Award by the Peoria Jaycees in 2011.
Cahill is a native of Indiana and has a law degree from Indiana University. She has lived in central Illinois since 2000. She and her husband, Brian, have three children.
“I am honored and excited to serve the Peoria Park District in this new role. As an active member of this community, I look forward to advancing the mission of the Peoria Park District and tackling the challenges that we face. I look forward to working with the outstanding leadership of this District to serve our community,” Cahill said in the news release.
Park Board President Tim Cassidy said Cahill is “highly qualified and has unique skills to be an excellent executive director of the Peoria Park District and I'm looking forward to working with her and the entire Staff to insure our Park District continues as one of the best.”
