Fossil launches 3 hybrid smartwatches that work with your Android phone

By Christian de Looper December 14, 2016

Fossil Q Founder smartwatch — Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Fossil is one of the companies that seem to have wholeheartedly embraced Android Wear — it has full Android Wear devices in the Q Founder, Q Wander, and Q Marshall — but it’s not done with smartwatches just yet. The company just launched three more “hybrid” smartwatches — watches that look and feel like standard analog watches, but which have a number of smart features under the hood.

The watches, called the Emporio Armani, Kate Spade, and the Diesel, aren’t Android Wear devices, but they do work perfectly well with your Android phone.

Let’s start with the Emporio Armani. The device comes in five different versions, with options including a stainless steel bracelet, a black bracelet, a rose gold and brown leather strap, stainless steel and blue leather strap, and a gun metal and black leather strap.

fossil-watches — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Kate Spade watch is available in three models, including a rose gold and black leather strap, a silver with gray leather strap, and a gold with pale pink leather strap.

Last but not least is the Diesel watch, which also comes in five versions. All of the options include a stainless steel casing, with strap options including black, brown, and dark brown.

So what makes these watches so smart? Well, under the hood they can track your activity and vibrate for notifications. Not only that but the buttons on the side of the watch can perform rudimentary smart tasks, such as checking your fitness progress or remotely controlling your camera. The best part of a hybrid, however, is the battery life — since there’s no display, the watch lasts a hefty six months on a single charge.

The Kate Spade watch will be available in early 2017 for $250. Both the Diesel and the Armani are set to be released to the public later in December, however, we don’t know how much they will cost just yet.

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Christian de Looper

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Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…

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