Washington DC is such a cool town. I had forgotten how cool until I got the opportunity to speak at the Modev Wearables + Things conference.

Not only was the conference informational, but it was inspirational. The energy was palpable as I saw everything from small startups launching their first products (check out iStrategyLabs’ Dorothy) to established companies like Google, Adidas, and Sony showing off their innovation.

Predictions for the wearables space vary greatly. I’ve seen growth numbers range from $13 billion to $50 billion by 2018 and from 135 million devices to 300 million devices by 2018 (the truth is probably in there somewhere), but the impact of this market on developers is real. They are jumping in with both feet to an industry that seems like it’s poised for a real explosion.

They are jumping in, not because of analysts (although that always helps), but because of the consumer demand for wearables. From medical devices to activity trackers, from security devices to high fashion, wearables are the ‘it’ thing right now. If you want to see something interesting, check out one of the planet’s largest retailers and their online storefront dedicated to the space.

What do all of these devices have in common? They all connect the digital realm to the physical world viaBluetooth® technology. According to HIS Technology, MEMS (Microelectromechanical systems) and Bluetooth Smart—specifically, the low energy feature—provide the communications backbone for the wearables segment to continue its current growth trajectory.

Personally, I can’t wait to see what the future holds in this arena. In the meantime, I think I’ll put on my activity tracker and go for a jog.

(Credit: Steve Hegenderfer)