Fossil brings Google Pay, GPS, and heart-rate tracking to new smartwatches

Fossil just released the fourth-generation of its Fossil Q lineup and offers some features other traditional-looking smartwatches don’t have yet. The new Fossil Q line comes with Google Pay support, heart-rate monitor, and standalone GPS. The Q Venture HR and Q Explorist HR are priced between $335 and $365 and come with different band and color options. Some are available for pre-order, while others are on sale already over at Fossil’s site.

The Q Venture HR comes with a 40mm stainless steel casing, while the Explorist HR has a larger 45mm case. And while you get new features, unfortunately, you’re stuck with the two-year-old Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip. If that doesn’t bother you and you still want to try out a Wear OS watch, you can check these out now.

Source: The Verge

Best Buy highlights consumer life & wearable tech in Toronto

 

By Sonya Davidson

The exciting world of lifestyle related and wearable tech products is growing quickly and judging by the thousands who visited Best Buy's Life & Wearable Tech Expo last week in Toronto, consumers are definitely intrigued and ready to embrace it all. Yonge & Dundas Square was the location of the second annual showcase that offered the public an up close and interactive look at the latest lifestyle technology. 

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Fossil buys wearable maker Misfit for $260 million

Looks like more watchmakers are now ready to enter the wearable space. This time, Fossil Group just announced that they have agreed to purchase wearable maker Misfit for US$260 million. The company plans to incorporate Misfit’s technologies into its products as early as next year. Misfit CEO and co-founder Sonny Vu will become president and CTO of Fossil Group. The company produces watches for brands such as adidas, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, DKNY, and Burberry.

“With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be uniquely positioned to lead the convergence of style and technology and to become the fashion gateway to the high-growth wearable technology and connected device markets." Kosta Kartsotis, CEO of Fossil Group said in a statement.

Source: The Verge