As wireless technology advances and smaller devices become more powerful, wearable technology has begun to expand beyond niche markets into more mainstream applications. Christian Lindholm of design firm Koru expects the trend of wearable technology in 2013 and highlights the products he thinks will make the largest splashes, including watches, sensors and glasses.

Watches: Pebble, Meta Watch and Basis are competing in the developing smart watch segment, but take different directions with their development. Pebble captured much of the early adopter segment, while Meta Watch has strived to make a fashionable smart watch, and Basis has gone the route of creating a highly functional smart watch. Beautiful looking watches have always dominated the market, but Lindholm asks if 2013 could be the year people begin to favor functionality for their watches.

Functional jewelry: Arm and wristbands are no longer just fashion accessories, as devices like Disney World’s Magic Band can store guest information and “acts as ticket, room key, ride pass and more,” writes Lindholm for GigaOM. Other fitness bands can track pulse and other forms of wellness. Lindholm expects to see more waterproof options, and speculates that luxury brands could enter this space.

Audio wearables: Luxury headphones have been successful, as luxury brands have already shaped this area. Lindholm expects edgy headphone brands to continue their success.

Sensors: “Retro-fitting smartness into everyday objects is one of the most fascinating trends we will be living through. It’s where the Internet of Things and wearable technology converge,” writes Lindholm. These types of products are early in development  so he expects much growth in this segment this year.

Apps: Companion applications allow users to connect with their wearable devices. This is especially helpful with fitness products so people can track their progress from mobile devices.

Google Glass: Lindholm is especially impressed by Google Glass. “Transforming sunglasses from a fashion accessory into a functional interface will herald a social revolution. Google’s decision to build Project Glass ‘in public’ is a brave one, as changing consumer perceptions will take years. That’s partly because the intimacy of an embedded user interface transforms all our perceptions of privacy. We can’t assume that everyone will readily accept being recorded all the time, or will welcome the idea of an interface between them and the world at every point.”