Earlier in January Google declared that its aims to purchase smartwatch technology of Fossil. Now, after a media report disclosed that the agreement involved the acquirement of the movements employed in hybrid watches, we have our first hint as to what the search behemoth may be planning.
As per media, various online listings have shown up displaying the “Fossil Collider Hybrid Smartwatch HR” sporting an E Ink screen, which recommends the watch may be operating on Wear OS. The pictures display features for weather, heart rate, date, and step count—similar to those found already in Wear OS watches—while some images disclose a fitness app not similar to Wear OS system by Google Fit.
There has been no verification from either Fossil or Google about the handset, and whether it does in fact operate on Wear OS, but as per the listings (which showed up on Reddit) the device will have a price tag of almost $225 with iOS and Android handset compatibility same to Wear OS.
On a related note, it seems that Fossil Group is renovating its portfolio of smartwatches all over the series of brands it controls in preparation for the winter. After upgrading in August the Fossil Touchscreen Smartwatch to the 5th-gen model, the firm revealed a 3 new Michael Kors watches, along with first-ever smartwatch of Puma. And earlier, it claimed that it is declaring a pair of new devices, dubbed as the Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 and the Diesel On Axial.
All of the lately declared devices have Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset by Qualcomm, which committed to increase one of the largest frustrations of the industry: battery life. Fossil also designed its own proprietary technology that is intended to expand runtime through 4 modes. These comprise an Extended Battery Mode to last number of days.