The technology giant and the designer accessory brand are coming together for wearables fashion and functionality.

As soon as the Android Wear operating system for wearables such as the smartwatch were announced, Google stated that a number of large brands such as LG, HTC, Samsung, Motorola, and Asus would all be powered by the OS later on this year.

That said, Google also dropped another important name, though not of a tech brand: Fossil.

Fossil is a designer brand of accessories and clothing and will now be working with Google in the design of its smartwatch, causing its shares to rise considerably. The designer brand is based in Richardson, Texas. Its chief strategy and marketing officer, Greg McKelvey said that it is a company that is driven by design and innovation in the creation of products with which customers will simply fall in love.

Now the brand is hoping that a new kind of accessory, the smartwatch, will be something its customers love.

McKelvey released a statement in which he explained the company’s perspective on these wearables. In it, he said that “We believe we are uniquely positioned to develop and bring to market products for our fashion customers that marry the beauty of our designs, the promise of our brands and now the function of new technology.”

He pointed out that this form of wearable technology is “still very much in the formative research and development stage,” but that they are actively taking part in a drive toward wearables that will bring tech and fashion together.

As it is becoming widely believed that one of the primary barriers standing in the way of the widespread adoption of wearable technology is its clunky, large, science fiction geek look, the development of a device by a fashion designer could mean that this struggle could be overcome. Many feel that companies need to work together in order to speed up the development of devices that people will actually wear, instead of releasing one generation after the next that draws curiosity but doesn’t generate the necessary sales.

It will be interesting to see what designers do to the smartwatch over the next few months, as it could change the face – so to speak – of these devices, altogether.

New service has been put to trial in Toronto, Canada

PayPal has brought a new mobile payments service to Toronto, Canada. The company has been working to further establish its dominance in the mobile commerce field by providing businesses and consumers a way to connect to one another more effectively throughout mobile devices. In Canada, consumers are beginning to use their smartphones for much more than just communication. These people are beginning to shop for products and pay for services from their mobile devices more frequently, increasing the demand for comprehensive mobile commerce services.

Mobile payments now supported by 50 bars in Toronto area

PayPal has partnered with 50 bars in the Toronto area in order to make mobile payments possible among consumers. Those using the PayPal mobile application can make payments at these bars with their smartphones. PayPal has launched similar services in the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom and has received strong support from consumers in those countries. The application also has a unique approach on the matter of security.

PayPal app takes a unique approach to mobile commerce security

In order to place an order at a participating bar in Toronto, users of the PayPal app must “check-in” using the app’s location-based features. After doing so, consumers can place orders for food. In order to pay for the order, the application will require that the user takes a picture of themselves. This picture will be made available to staff as a form of authentication. The application can also be used to find nearby stores that also accept PayPal mobile payments.

PayPal focuses on restaurants for trial of new mobile services

The launch of PayPal’s service in Toronto represents a sort of trial. The company is testing the enthusiasm that Canadian consumers have when it comes to mobile commerce. If the company’s service receives strong support, it will likely make the service more widely available throughout the country. PayPal often chooses restaurants for these sorts of trials because they are places where consumers expect quick and convenient service. If PayPal’s services do well in that sort of environment, they are likely to perform well in retail environments as well.