Misfit has unveiled its first watch since the company was taken over by the Fossil Group. Branded the Misfit Phase, this timepiece blends the analog watch design with smartwatch notification and fitness tracking capability. Being the first smartwatch by Misfit, this 41mm round-face wearable that comes in one size only has received great attention from tech pundits.
The Phase serves the tech market that isn’t so keen on the touch screen smartwatches but wants something better than an analog wrist watch. It offers its users the ability to track steps, distance, and sleep. The statistics from this fitness tracker are then availed to the user through an accompanying app.
How the Phase Delivers Notifications?
The Phase has the normal two hands of a wristwatch to show the time and features a small window at the six o’clock point. The hour and minute hands are designed to provide incoming call and text information while the tiny window shows notifications. The Phase is able to do this since the user is able to assign numbers on the clock to different callers. The hands automatically point to the assigned numbers when you receive a call. The tiny window, on the other hand, displays different colors corresponding to a type of notification – whether an email, text or phone call. Moreover, the device vibrates in its notification delivery.
The Phase’s Personalized Touch
The Vice President at Misfit, Preston Moxcey, explained that the concept behind the Phase was to have a discreet smartwatch. The result is this Hybrid device that delivered notifications in a personalized way compared to other smartwatch options allows onlookers to also be in the know.
The watch has two buttons on its right that are useful in switching between Phases and can also be used to remotely activate a function on the synced smartphone. The Phase can work with both iPhone and Android devices and can sync up to these via Bluetooth or Link, which is Misfit’s mobile device app enabling remote control capability. This synchronization allows users to activate their cameras and music player apps or peruse through presentation slides remotely using the bottom button.
The top button triggers the hands to move thereby enabling the user to run through activity statistics as well as switching between time zones. For instance, if the hands point to six on the watch, this is indicative of a 50% achievement of the user’s daily fitness goal.
The Battery Lasts for Months
Misfit has stuck to their non-rechargeable battery that is swappable after getting drained, similar to quartz watches. This gives users incredible convenience as they don’t need to plug in the device every few days. Misfit VP Moxcey points out that the Phase not having a digital screen allows users to enjoy this benefit since using hands on the watch allows it six months of battery life.
Look and Feel
There is no doubt that most smartwatch enthusiasts will be moved by how pretty the Phase looks. Six color options are available at launch and offer combinations of white, silver, black, navy, yellow gold and rose gold while its strap options are either leather or silicone. All available color combinations are set to appeal to the minimal aesthetic target.
The watch’s perimeter is chamfered and its aluminum shroud has a very attractive finishing on the edges. Its weight allows comfort to the wrist and isn’t unnecessarily bulky giving it a non-disposable feel compared to other smartwatches.
Pricing and availability of the Misfit Phase
The Phase costs $175 if it comes with the silicone strap while the leather strap option has a $195 price tag. This makes its price almost equal to the Q Tailor from Fossil at $195 and the Skagen Hagen Connected hybrid watch selling at that same price. The Withings, which has been in the market since its 2014 concept, is the Phase’s cheaper priced competition at $170.
The wearable is set to be available to buyers from the 7th of November. You can get it at online retailer Amazon as well as on the Misfit website. There are also plans by the Fossil Group subsidiary to have the Phase available in jewelers and traditional watch outlets.
Conclusion
Smartwatch and hybrid connected watch makers continue to offer tech enthusiasts alternatives from the traditional watches. However, in this market-share takeover-race, the hybrid devices are emerging as the easily acceptable alternative. Misfit’s role in this sector can’t be overlooked since the $260 million takeover of the sensor and software firm by the Fossil Group in 2015. Misfit’s technology is the force behind many smartwatch brands including Skagen, Adidas, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, Burberry as well as Fossil’s own wrist wearables.
If the Fossil Group opts to maintain the use of Misfit’s technology as it is currently, it will be difficult for the large tech players to compete in the smartwatch scene. This is because of the group’s brand diversity, retail visibility and marketing initiatives. This essentially means that the Fossil Group can end up dictating tastes in the market as it pushes its hybrid smartwatches, such as the Phase, to the masses.
