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Smart glasses are likely to gain mainstream acceptance this year, while other wearable devices should remain niche markets.

The market for wearable computers is generating a lot of excitement. But which of these devices will be the right fit in 2014 and beyond? To separate reality from hype, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL) looked at the trajectories of three kinds of wearables—smart glasses, smart fitness bands, and smart watches. Smart glasses appear poised to become mainstream, while smart fitness bands and smart watches seem destined to be smaller markets.

Deloitte predicts that smart glasses, fitness bands, and watches are likely to sell about 10 million units in 2014, generating $3 billion. Of that total, smart glasses should contribute the lion’s share of revenues—about $2 billion, or four million units at an average selling price of $500. With sales in the millions, smart glasses are just getting started on the road to ubiquity. Global demand may increase to the tens of millions by 2016 and surpass 100 million by 2020.

Smart glasses will become increasingly popular because they offer a line-of-sight screen that complements the array of larger screens we already use for activities like accessing information and taking photos. Think of smart glasses as useful for Internet snacks, not Internet meals.

Smart fitness bands suffer from an enthusiasm gap. After an initial burst of excitement, people often stop using them to monitor their workout progress (or lack thereof). Smart watches—with capabilities like text messaging and email—don’t offer the convenience of line-of-sight viewing.

In this TMT Predictions video, DTTL researchers Duncan Stewart and Paul Lee discuss the outlook for wearables.