With the smartwatch space heating up, more and more high quality watchmakers are looking to make entry into this space. Fossil, maker of some truly breathtaking watches, is next on that list of interested parties and have just announced a partnership between Fossil and Intel to create Android Wear devices. In fact, Fossil is no stranger to the smartwatch industry; MetaWatch is a Fossil-branded offshoot, albeit one that hasn’t quite reaped the rewards it might have expected. Despite this, it looks like they’re willing to have another go, this time with a different operating system and Intel fanning wind into their sails.
However, it doesn’t look like Fossil and Intel’s ambitions end with wrist wearables. With quotes like this:
“Combining our fashion lifestyle brands with Intel’s expertise in technology, hardware and innovation will position us to be a leader in this segment.” – CEO of Fossil, Kosta Kartsotis
And this:
“The combination of Intel’s technology and Fossil Group’s ability to design innovative fashion accessories and to create, market and distribute globally is why we are confident about this initiative.” – VP and GM of Intel New Devices, Mike Bell
It looks like Fossil and Intel are leaving the door open for wearable technologies to be mixed into Fossil’s jewelry and accessories business too. That could be an important innovative differentiation in a market now crowded by wrist wearables, but we’ll see where this partnership goes.
What do you think about Fossil and Intel teaming up to make wearable technology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Intel Newsroom via engadget
