Apple could be coming out with its rumored iWatch later this year, according to recent reports, and it could put to rest any doubts about the staying power of wearable devices.
Although Apple declined to comment on speculation of a forthcoming iWatch, the China Times reported that the tech giant will unveil the device in the second half of this year.
"I'd be surprised if they don't. I mean, we've been hearing rumors about an iWatch for, what, a couple of years already? ... I do think there's a lot of credibility there," said Ed Baig, personal technology columnist at USA Today.
How successful Apple's device is depends on the features it has, according to Baig. Several wearable devices that are currently on the market, such as the Pebble and the FitBit, focus on fitness tracking. But many consumers will expect more versatility from an Apple device.
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So far, no wearable device on the market has been a home run, said Baig, who called the first Samsung Galaxy watch a "dud" that turned off users with a difficult user interface and disappointing battery life. But consumers are looking to Apple for a game changer, according to Baig.
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About half of consumers see wearable technology as a fad, according to a poll by Harris Interactive last fall.
But don't underestimate the importance of style as a selling point, especially when it comes to an Apple device, Baig said.
"Whatever it ends up doing, it will look good," Baig said.
—By CNBC's Althea Chang.