The wearable meter currently used in 20 “live” PPM markets has been under development for 15 years and has been criticized on account of its size and aesthetics – which some people believe affects panel members' willingness to carry it. Arbitron Radio Advisory Council Chair Lisa Decker says council members “were quite impressed” by the forward-looking presentation about next generation devices at this week’s council meeting. Many outsiders would like Arbitron to marry the PPM software to a smart phone, although that’s not an idea Arbitron discussed on Thursday’s conference call. Arbitron CEO Michael Skarzynski believes his company is “very uniquely positioned to compete, because we are following the person, wherever he or she may go.” That’s in contrast to a "set-top box or a remote” in a living room – a shot at Nielsen, which has begun competing with Arbitron in the field of radio ratings.