Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Wearables
  3. Mobile
  4. News

Want a high-fashion smartwatch? Fossil collaborates with Emporio Armani, others

Add as a preferred source on Google

Your wrist may already be home to some high tech, but it can now also feature some high fashion. That’s right — your wearable is getting a major face-lift now that fashion houses like Kate Spade, Diesel, and Emporio Armani are jumping on the smartwatch trend. This week, Fossil Group introduced more than 40 new devices sporting the well-known brand names of some giants in the fashion world. The new smartwatches combine luxury, design, and, of course, technology.

“Today, technology decisively influences our daily lives. There’s an app for everything, and I find that in many cases, they’re inventions that actually improve our lives,” Giorgio Armani said of his brand’s new product line. “I’m delighted to present a hybrid smartwatch, which marks the entrance of Emporio Armani — a brand always at the forefront of innovation — into the world of connected accessories. This line of timepieces combines stylistic research, high technological content, immediacy, and ease of use,” he added.

Recommended Videos

The Emporio Armani Connected hybrid smartwatches promise a number of features that are now standard on smartwatches including activity tracking, music control, and the ability to locate your lost smartphone. The hybrid smartwatch also allows users to wirelessly take photos on their smartphone, provides discreet notifications, but best of all, requires very infrequent charging. In fact, the battery on these guys is purported to last for six months.

You can check out the full Emporio Armani Connected line of hybrid smartwatches on www.emporioarmaniconnected.com, where watches are available in rose gold, black, gunmetal, and stainless steel. You can also choose between a three-piece link or leather strap.

“We know technology is a major disruptor in many industries right now — even fashion,” said Jill Elliot, chief creative officer at Fossil. “But to successfully merge the two, we need to have the fashion design expertise and focus on it first.”

Lulu Chang
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
This smart ring makes a blood pressure promise Apple and Oura still won’t
The $399 Signal Ring provides actual systolic and diastolic readings, but it’s launching as a wellness device without FDA clearance
Oura Ring 4, Galaxy Ring and RingConn Gen 2 in the palm of a hand

Vital Signals has unveiled a $399 smart ring that goes further than Apple and Oura currently dare. The Signal Ring displays numerical blood pressure readings without requiring an arm cuff for initial or recurring calibration.

Bloomberg reports that preorders open July 16, with shipping scheduled to begin in October. The ring can collect readings during the day and overnight, then display the results through an iOS or Android app.

Read more
HTC’s smart glasses are apparently coming to the US, but HTC hasn’t said so
Amazon briefly listed the VIVE Eagle for a September 1 launch, while HTC still says the $499 glasses are only available in Taiwan
A woman wearing the HTC Vive Eagle smart glasses

HTC’s VIVE Eagle smart glasses could finally be heading to the US. Apparently, Amazon got the memo before HTC was ready to share it.

Notebookcheck spotted six versions available for preorder at $499, each carrying a September 1 release date. Amazon has since pulled the pages, so new orders are closed and anyone who already placed one is left wondering whether it still counts.

Read more
Don’t expect smartwatches and fitness bands with replaceable batteries anytime soon
Turns out even the EU thinks your smartwatch is too small for a battery swap.
Wristwatch, Arm, Body Part

The EU has a habit of pushing tech companies to adopt meaningful changes in their product. It's the reason your iPhone finally has a USB-C port, and it's also why companies now have to offer spare parts and repair support for electronics for several years after launch. So naturally, many of us assumed wearables were next in line for mandatory swappable batteries. Turns out, the EU just went the other way.

So what did the EU announce?

Read more