Analysts wary of wearable devices

WEARABLES A TOUGH FIT?: Charlie Wynkoop tracks his exercise using a digital fitness device he wears on his wrist and syncs with his smartphone at his home in West Los Angeles. (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Is wearable tech already wearing thin? Despite the hype for upcoming products from Apple Inc., Google Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., a number of analysts say Internet-connected personal devices such as smartwatches and fitness bands, so-called wearables,will be hard-pressed to reach the same sales heights as smartphones and tablets. 

That's because nearly every selling point for wearable tech, a smartphone alternative, a better system for fitness tracking and a link to other Internet-connected devices, may not have broad appeal, some analysts say.