Tag: wearables

Wearable technology device to result from Intel Fossil partnership

| September 9, 2014

The two companies recently announced that they would develop these gadgets in a joint effort.

Intel Corp, the chipmaker giant, has recently announced that it will be working with Fossil Group, the designer fashion accessory retailer, in order to create wearable technology devices that will benefit from both practical features and from style.

This partnership has arrived at a time in which Intel has been seeking to broaden its efforts beyond its traditions.

Intel is taking steps toward wearable technology as it expands its horizons beyond its traditional personal computer industry market, and into new markets such as the personal computer industry. Their sights are clearly set on new areas of internet connected products that includes such items as tablets, smartwatches, and even smart clothing.

By working with Fossil on its wearable technology Intel may give itself a considerable fashion advantage.

wearable technology - partnershipAside from working with Intel on fashion products that cross over as wearable tech devices, Fossil is also going to be assisting the venture capital arm at Intel in the search for investments that will drive innovation forward in the wearables category. This, according to a statement that Intel has recently released with regards to its partnership with the designer retailer.

Intel has previously announced that it has been working with Opening Ceremony, a design company, in order to create and launch a new fashion bracelet that is designed with semi precious gemstones, as well as wireless charging and communications features.

With each new announcement, it is becoming increasingly clear that Intel is viewing the road ahead as one that is aimed directly through the wearable technology market. While this category hasn’t taken off with the speed that had been predicted – other than with fitness trackers – the majority of the large mobile tech companies are all coming up with their own versions of gadgets that can be worn in one way or another in order to gather and track information, provide notifications, and even run certain apps. This month is set to be a strong one for releases and unveilings of smartwatches from a number of brands that have never before had a product in this category.

Wearables sector scores Rebecca Minkoff for more appealing designs

| September 8, 2014

The brand is now taking its first steps into the wearable technology marketplace.

The Rebecca Minkoff brand is known for its forward thinking style and willingness to embrace technology is now making its way into one of the latest branches of mobile, which is wearables.

In fact, the designer will be releasing a new wearable technology based collection this month.

Minkoff will be starting its wearables collection set with two bracelets. One of those devices unfolds in order to become a cell phone battery charger. The other one provides the wearer with notifications when various activities occur on his or her smartphone, such as the receipt of a text, an incoming phone call, and other types of alert. These bracelets are going to be sold in a variety of different colors and while the charger version will cost $60, the notification piece will cost twice that much, at $120.

These wearables will become available for purchase at Rebecca Minkoff stores, which will soon be opening.

Wearables - BraceletThe first of these shops will be in New York City and is slated to open in November. That said, the devices will also be sold at Nordstrom as early as this month. When it comes to wearable technology, many designers and companies are betting on the popularity of devices that bring together jewelry and technology, although watches and smart clothing have been working hard to make their marks.

That said, one of the reasons that the Rebecca Minkoff brand decided to take this direction with its wearable tech is that if these gadgets double as jewelry, then the pieces can be designed to be attractive enough that consumers will love them regardless of what they actually do for a smartphone user. The designer believes that this concept is central to encouraging people who aren’t typically early adopters of technology to be willing to buy one of these devices.

Minkoff is hardly the first designer to step into the wearables market, though this brand is hoping to become an important player. Recently Ralph Lauren unveiled his sensor shirt at the U.S. Open in tennis, whereas Tory Burch created jewelry for some of the latest Fitbit chips. Google Glass brought Diane von Furstenberg onboard to help to design its frames.