Swarovski bling comes to Misfit’s fitness tracker collection

0
75

Swarovski bling comes to Misfit’s fitness tracker collection

Swarovski-shine-thumb-2

Image: Misfit

LAS VEGAS — Here’s what I tend to say when I get my hands on a new fitness tracker: it works great, but I’d never leave it on for a fancy dinner.

Now Misfit’s assortment of bejeweled accessories will have me way overdressed for the gym.

Misfit, known for its fitness and sleep tracking gadgets, is partnering up with crystal giant Swarovski for two new wearable products and nine sparkling accessories (three bracelets, three wristbands and three pendants, available in black, white and grey).

And they’re actually gorgeous, an adjective you rarely hear when it comes to wearable technology.

The accessories work with the $99 Shine fitness tracker, which comes with a sensor-filled core — the part that houses the data that tracks daily activity — which pops out of the wristband.

This means the sporty band can be swapped later in the day for a sparkly pendant or bangled bracelet that conceals the core for a night out. Prices vary between $69 and $149, which may be a worthy investment for not having to stop tracking steps when it’s time to get dressed up.

Misfit Swarovski

Image: Misfit

In addition to the accessories, the companies launched two new wearables in its Swarovski Shine line: a fitness tracker with a classic crystal face ($169) and another with a solar-powered violet design ($249). The latter uses patented “energy crystal” technology that stores up enough power that you’ll supposedly never have to plug your tracker in.

That promise is a huge one, considering most fitness trackers (like the Fitbit Flex) last a week or less on a charge; smartwatches such as the forthcoming Apple Watch last less than 24 hours.

Misfit Swarovski

Image: Misfit

Considering the devices are fitness trackers, they do precisely what you’d expect: track steps, distance, calories burned and sleep quality.

Misfit Swarovski

Image: Misfit

Misfit is joining a new trend in wearables: appealing to fashion-conscious users. Typically, fitness trackers and smartwatches are clunky and unsightly, with bands made of rubber and an interface that can look like a child’s toy.

Most recently, Intel introduced one of the most discreet approaches to the category so far with a smart bracelet called MICA (“my intelligent communication accessory”).

High-end designer Tory Burch partnered with Fitbit last year to bring a stylish refresh to the unattractive fitness tracker design, too — users can pop out the core and stick them into patterned bracelets, a pendant necklace and a hinged bracelet.

Pricing for the new Misfit collection hasn’t yet been announced, but it will be available via Misfit.com and Swarovski retail locations this spring in the U.S., Hong Kong and China.

While Misfit is typically focused on health and fitness, it is also expanding into smart home technology with the launch of Misfit Bolt ($49), a Wi-Fi-connected light bulb that lets users personalize their home lighting. Misfit started as a company looking for crowdfunding on Indiegogo in 2012; it dropped the word “wearables” from its name last year to open it up to more categories in the connected market.

The Misfit Bolt can be controlled via Android or iOS, and works alongside Misfit’s sleep tracking technology — so it can gently wake up users with a sunrise simulation during the lightest stage of sleep.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.