People prefer wearable devices that are unobtrusive, fit into daily life and existing habits, and look stylish. But even if all these boxes are ticked, do they really want to wear technology on their wrists, faces and around their necks?

With half a billion wearable devices shipping in the next few years and going straight onto wrists, shoes, glasses and lapels, soon interacting with smart cities will seem as 'normal' as checking Facebook.

A new wave of technological advancements is making it easier than ever to plug into a techno-utopian automated lifestyle, as people increasingly expect to exchange minimum input for maximum output.

Brands want people to interact with their products and services - because interaction can take on value as an alternative to traditional currencies - and they're constantly searching for the best exchange rate. But what's in it for consumers?