Watch out for 'wearables' as smart money is on doubling of market

SAN FRANCISCO - Sales of "wearable" computing items - from internet-linked watches to step-counting shoes - will nearly double in the next few years, a market forecaster said on Wednesday.

International Data Corporation expected the overall wearables market to go from shipping 113.2 million units this year to some 222.3 million in 2021.

"Tomorrow's wearables will become more fully featured and multifunctional, spanning health and fitness to communication and productivity," said IDC wearables team manager Ramon Llamas.