Fossil has unveiled two new models in its Fossil Q Android Wear smartwatch line and an improved activity tracker that gains smart tap controls and replaceable batteries. Also debuting are two new analog watches that connect with smartphone apps to give users wider capabilities.
The new devices were announced by Fossil in a March 15 post on the Fossil Blog, five months after the company unveiled its first Fossil Q devices in October 2015.
The new smartwatch models are the Q Wander and the Q Marshal (both pictured), which include touch-screen displays, refined steel bodies and classic leather accents. New for both models are smaller 44mm or 46mm cases compared to the previous Q smartwatch series and silicone strap options for users who prefer non-leather bands, according to Fossil.
The Q Wander features “a soft curving, multi-finish case with artfully sculpted wire lugs,” while the Q Marshal includes a rugged case and “design updates like a striking navy blue plated case paired with vintage-inspired leather straps,” according to Fossil.
Both the Q Wander and the Q Marshal run Android Wear operating systems and include always-on displays as found in the original Fossil Q smartwatches. The always-on displays allow users to continuously have access to information such as the time, incoming calls and various alerts. Users can also respond to messages on the watches by tapping the screen or by using voice commands and can receive Google Now updates for information on commuting, flights and other reminders on the device displays. Both models can be personalized with customizable watch face designs, including exclusive Fossil dials and a wide range of interchangeable watch straps.
Both smartwatch models, which can be used with Android or iPhone smartphones, also will come with slim wireless chargers that use no pins or charging connectors. Prices and availability dates for both watch models will be announced later this year, according to Fossil.
The New Q Motion Activity Tracker
Fossil’s latest activity tracker, the Q Motion, follows in the footsteps of its earlier models, the Q Reveler and the Q Dreamer, which were unveiled last year. In addition to being able to track activities and notify users about incoming calls and texts, the new Q Motion adds haptic vibrations and multi-color LED lights for its notifications to users. Also new is the incorporation of smart tap technology, which lets users tap the device to play their favorite music, find their smartphone or take a perfect selfie, according to Fossil.
Also new for the Q Motion is the replacement of its rechargeable battery with a set of coin cell batteries that will run the devices for up to six months. The Q Motion, which is also water-resistant for up to 50 meters and gets a new sleek cylinder design, will be available this summer at prices to be announced.
The New Q Tailor and Q Nate Smart Analog Watches
Rounding out the upcoming Fossil line are the Q Tailor and Q Nate analog wristwatches that include classic watch styling and companion apps that let the devices work alongside smartphones to provide extra functionality to users. Using an Android or iOS app and Bluetooth connectivity, wearers will be able to get alerts about incoming calls and notifications from close contacts with a turn of the watch’s hands. The analog watches will also be able to track steps taken, calories that are spent, sleep, automatic time zone updates, a second time zone and more, according to Fossil. Both watches bring together the elegance and simplicity of a traditional analog watch along with some of the latest technology found in a full-on smartwatch.
“Customers want to be connected to the world around them and are eager to access information about daily activities, filtered content and their social networks,” Jill Elliott, chief creative officer at Fossil, said in a statement. “The expanded Fossil Q line brings creativity, curiosity and connectivity through smarter watches and trackers that enhance their personal style.”
Fossil Debuts Its Latest Smartwatches and Activity Tracker
The luxury smartwatch market continues to grow as more vendors join the fray.
In December 2015, Breitling unveiled its $8,900 Breitling Exospace B55 chronograph-styled watch, which was the Swiss company’s first connected timepiece, according to a eWEEK story at the time. Featuring a titanium body, the Exospace B55 connects via an app to a wearer’s Android or Apple iOS smartphone to provide a wide range of notifications for incoming emails, Short Message Service (SMS) or WhatsApp messages, phone calls and reminders of upcoming appointments. Users can also upload data from the chronograph to their smartphones, including flight times, recorded times with split times and lap times for storage or sharing.
In November 2015, TAG Heuer’s luxury Connected smartwatch, designed and built in collaboration with Intel and Google, went on sale for $1,500, according to an earlier eWEEK report. The watch includes design and styling from TAG Heuer, a 1.6GHz Atom Z34XX dual-core processor from Intel and Google’s Android Wear operating system. The timepiece is built inside a Grade 2 titanium case and has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a 1.5-inch circular LTPS LCD touch-screen display with 360-by-360 (240-ppi) resolution, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of on-board storage. The smartwatch is compatible with smartphones running at least Android 4.3 or Apple’s iOS 8.2 or above.
Also released in November was the MB Chronowing luxury connected watch from fashion designer Michael Bastian, in collaboration with technology from HP. The MB Chronowing timepiece is a stainless steel watch with a face that looks like a traditional round watch face, but is changeable electronically and includes calendar, email and text notification capabilities. It also features one-week battery life and the ability to adjust volume and control music tracks from the device.
The MB Chronowing timepiece comes in two versions—a standard version that includes three interchangeable wrist straps in perforated brown leather, olive green nylon and black rubber, as well as a special MB Chronowing limited-edition black version, which is limited to only 300 copies. The regular MB Chronowing retails for $349, while the limited-edition version sells for $649.