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Hermès Apple Watch Bands April Spring 2016 Stand Alone
Watches

Hermès Introduces New Apple Watch Bands To Be Sold Separately

April 8, 2016

Hermès Apple Watch Bands April Spring 2016 Stand Alone

Apple has announced that for the first time Hermès Apple Watch bands will be available as a separate purchase. Previously if you wanted the leather bands from the French design house, you had to purchase the Hermès Edition Watch, the cheapest version of which was $1,100. All three styles of band are available as a stand-alone purchase. The least expensive option is the Single Tour band (think – regular watch band) which retails for $340 and is available in 38mm and 42mm sizing. The next step up is the Double Tour, designed to wrap around your wrist twice, for $490 (38mm only). Finally, the most expensive option is the cuff band for the 42mm Apple Watch; it lists for $690! To mark the occasion, Hermès has also updated the colors offered. Besides the signature Fauve color (tan), they have added Feu (fire), Bleu Saphir (dark blue), Bleu Paon (peacock blue – 38mm only), and blanc (white – 38mm only). The new bands go on sale April 19th and will continue to only be available online, at select Apple Stores, and at Hermès boutiques.  

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by Doug Parker
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michael kors access android wear smartwatch
Fashion, Watches

Michael Kors To Release Android Wear Smartwatch In Fall

April 8, 2016

Michael Kors Access Android Wear Smartwatch Fall 2015

Michael Kors has joined the growing list of brands releasing an Android Wear smartwatch. The prebuilt architecture is proving to be a quick path for new entrants to enter the wearable device market. By using Google’s software and fairly standardized hardware, the primary hurdle for a company to overcome is to simply design a watch case and band. Called MICHAEL KORS ACCESS, the smartwatch is expected to be released in Fall 2016. It will be compatible with both iOS and Android devices and available in both a men’s and women’s version. Predictably, the men’s variety features a black metal face while the women’s is gold with a crystal laden band. They are expected to be priced starting at $395 and will be available most places where you already find Michael Kors products (website, company owned stores, department stores, and specialty retail).  

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by Doug Parker
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Hublot smartwatch smart watch TAG Heuer Connected LVMH Android Wear Intel
Watches, Wearable Technology

LVMH Eyeing Hublot As Next Brand To Introduce Smartwatch

March 18, 2016

LVMH Hublot Smartwatch TAG Heuer Carrera Connected Android Wear smart watch Intel

By a lot of accounts TAG Heuer didn’t exactly knock it out of the park with their Carrera Connected smartwatch. While a decent device with a well made casing, the Connected was essentially a $250 Android Wear watch in a very fancy package. The $1500 device is less well equipped than most smartwatches, lacking a heart rate monitor and using a surprisingly low resolution screen, especially for its size. One review compared the 240 ppi display to “the pixelated experience of 1980s Tetris.” For all intents and purposes, the Connected is a Franken-watch; it is a not-fully-gelled mashup between the high-end Swiss made TAG Heuer, mass produced Chinese made electronics, and the one-size-fits-all Android Wear OS. To be truly on brand, TAG Heuer should have created their own smartwatch instead of simply repackaging existing technology and software. Thus, to us the Connected reads as more of an experiment than a true smartwatch entry. Unsurprisingly, other Swiss timepiece makers, such as Patek Philippe’s Chairman Thierry Stern, have been quick to criticize TAG Heuer for going after the quick buck and eroding the “Swiss Made” reputation. Despite all of this, TAG Heuer’ Jean-Claude Biver contends that the Connected is selling so well that the company cannot keep up with demand. Not being die hard watch people, maybe there is a special sauce that we don’t understand about TAG Heuer or maybe the feel of the Swiss made watch case makes that much of difference or perhaps buyers are blindly purchasing due to the name or simply not comparison shopping.  

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Gear S2 Classic 3G 4G smartwatch at&t verizon US preorder
Watches

Samsung Launching 3G / 4G Version Of Gear S2 Classic In US

February 25, 2016

smartwatch preorder Samsung Launching 3G 4G Version Gear S2 Classic US Verizon AT&T

This week both AT&T and Verizon have begun take preorders for a 3G/4G version of the Samsung Gear S2 Classic (lacking LTE, it is compatible with AT&T’s HSPA+ “4G” network). Up until now, if you wanted the Gear S2 with wireless capability the only option was the very smartwatch-looking original variant of the wearable. The Classic version, by contrast, takes its aesthetic cues from traditional wrist wear. The wireless version of the device will launch on March 11th. For the pleasure of purchasing the AT&T version, you will need to make 20 monthly payments of $17.50. This equates to $350, which is exactly the list price for the non-3G version of the smartwatch. AT&T users also be able to make use of the carrier’s NumberSync technology that allows you to receive calls to your main phone number on other devices. Unfortunately you still need a wireless plan on the watch for NumberSync to work. On the Verizon side, you can either purchase the 3G Gear S2 for $400 or sign a 2 year contract and pay $350. While the cost of the smartwatch isn’t significantly higher (if at all) than the non-3G version, the additional monthly wireless costs will add up quickly!  

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by Doug Parker
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Samsung Fitness Tracker Gear S2 SM-R150 Triathlon S-Patch Fitbit
Watches

Samsung Preparing New Fitness Oriented Wearable

January 29, 2016

Samsung Fitness Tracker Gear S2 SM-R150 Triathlon S-Patch Fitbit

Two years ago at the Mobile World Congress, Samsung introduced a bevy of new wearables. Among those was a fitness tracker called the Samsung Fit. The Microsoft Band-like device was mediocrely reviewed and didn’t make a big splash in the market place. But if a rumor from Tizen Cafe is to be believed, Samsung is ready to tackle the fitness market again. The new device appears to be based on the Gear S2; it has the same shape and seems to sport the signature rotating bezel. Code named SM-R150, SamMobile is reporting the device is being called Triathlon internally. Besides that, little is known about the device. We can infer it is possible that the new wearable will integrate Samsung’s new S-Patch bio processor, which the company showed at CES this year. Based on images from Tizen Cafe, the SM-R150 seems to have a component that attaches to one’s shirt but the purpose of it is not clear. The images also show a “Body Equalizer” view with the ability to select things such as body fat and weight, a rep counter for the gym, and a way to track hydration. In one image you can also see a screen that appears to feature Airplane Mode, music playback, and a Settings option. We expect to find out more about the device in a few weeks, when the Mobile World Conference kicks off on February 22nd.  

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by Doug Parker
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Apple Watch 50 percent smartwatch market sales majority dominant android wear pebble samsung martian
Business, Watches

Apple Watch Estimated To Have Over 50% Of Smartwatch Market

January 13, 2016

Apple Watch 50 percent smartwatch market sales majority dominant android wear pebble samsung martian

While Apple still isn’t releasing any numbers, a new report from Juniper Research estimates that the company’s Apple Watch now controls over half of the smartwatch market. This echoes similar numbers from IDC from before the holidays. If true, this is big news for the California based company, which was notably late to enter the segment. The Apple Watch has only been shipping for slightly more than 8 months, while Samsung and Pebble have been selling smartwatches since 2013 and Android Wear started shipping almost 2 years ago. Juniper believes that Apple has secured 52% of the smartwatch market. Android Wear, on the other hand, comprised less than 10% of the year’s smartwatch shipments and Samsung’s Gear S2 barely made an impact. No word on Pebble’s take, but we would suspect that they also are around 10% of the market. One of the most interesting aspects of the report from Juniper is that simple smartwatches, such as the non-display models, are proving extremely popular. These devices offer activity tracking and, at most, notifications, but no apps or deeper connectivity. Specifically mentioned in the report is Martian, which produces connected watches similarly priced to a Fitbit. It is easy to see how a device like that could serve as “trial” watch, allowing the customer to see what they think of smartwatches without spending a large amount of money. Oddly, the report also mentions the popularity of a connected Guess watch and Breitling timepiece, both of which sell for more than the Apple Watch… the Breitling is actually closer to Apple Watch Edition territory.  

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by Doug Parker
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Fossil Q54 Pilot Non Display Smartwatch Connected watch
Watches

Fossil Expanding Wearable Lineup Starting With Q54 Pilot

January 6, 2016

Fossil Q54 Pilot Non Display Smartwatch Connected watch

Clearly Fossil has been pleased with the reception of their Q line of wearable devices. Less than 3 months after the launch of 4 unique wearable lines, Fossil is already preparing to add more models to their lineup. First up is the upcoming Q54 Pilot. The “non-display” smartwatch is based off of the company’s classic looking Pilot 54 casing, which is extremely handsome in design. Besides looks, the new chronograph watch is pretty much identical to the existing Q Grant model. This means it tracks your daily activity and alerts you to notifications via vibration (Fossil calls it a “buzz”) and a discreet multicolor LED light. It will be available this Spring in either a leather version for $175 or a stainless version for $215. Later this year, Fossil will also introduce 2 new variations of the Q Dreamer, their women’s activity tracker. The company will add a faux tortoiseshell model and a shimmer horn acetate version. While there aren’t any images yet of the new Q Dreamer finishes, based off of other Fossil products that use the same materials, we expect them to be quite attractive. In case you need refreshing; the Q Dreamer is worn like a bracelet, alerts you to notifications (via LED and vibration), and tracks your daily activity. Both new variations will both launch this Summer and are expected to retail for $145.  

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by Doug Parker
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