Fossil buys wearable maker Misfit for $260 million

Looks like more watchmakers are now ready to enter the wearable space. This time, Fossil Group just announced that they have agreed to purchase wearable maker Misfit for US$260 million. The company plans to incorporate Misfit’s technologies into its products as early as next year. Misfit CEO and co-founder Sonny Vu will become president and CTO of Fossil Group. The company produces watches for brands such as adidas, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, DKNY, and Burberry.

“With the acquisition of Misfit, Fossil Group will be uniquely positioned to lead the convergence of style and technology and to become the fashion gateway to the high-growth wearable technology and connected device markets." Kosta Kartsotis, CEO of Fossil Group said in a statement.

Source: The Verge

Parents can now manage kids' screen time with the PBS Kids app on their Apple Watch screen

PBS KIDS Super Vision, the number-one children’s educational media brand’s revolutionary app for parents, is now available for Apple Watch. The free app gives parents the “super power” to easily engage with their kids’ digital media time wherever they are – in the kitchen, at work or on the go. 

With PBS KIDS Super Vision for Apple Watch, parents can limit their children’s screen time on pbskids.org by setting a simple Play Timer on Apple Watch. The fully featured PBS KIDS Super Vision App for iPhone and iPod touch includes the Play Timer and offers parents a tool to see what their kids are watching, playing and learning on pbskids.org, helping parents make the most of their children’s screen time.

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Samsung tipped to be partnering with a premium watchmaker for its new smartwatch

Samsung is said to be developing a round smartwatch referred to as Orbis and they are reportedly asking for help from a premium watchmaker for it. Perhaps to take on Apple and its new Apple Watch, Samsung is supposedly testing its Orbis smartwatch in France, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. It’s seen as a peculiar move because they usually test new devices in Germany and Poland.

According to Sammobile, this might be because they are working with a popular premium watchmaker from France like Dior, Cartier, or Chanel to unveil a premium variant of this upcoming smartwatch. No one has be confirmed to be working with Samsung yet. These are still rumours at the moment. But if it rings true, then Apple Watch will have new competition.

Source: Sammobile

The Apple Beat: Industry focuses on Apple Watch event

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Many companies have had a head start in the wearables race and so far, there hasn't been a clear winner. 

We're a few days away from Apple's 'Spring Forward' Event which will likely be heavily focused on the company's next product category and first wearable, the Apple Watch. Everyone will be watching with great interest.

Wearables, specially smart watches, have been around for years. Various companies have given us their versions of what a proper smart watch should be, what it has to offer, and a lot of functionality offloaded from our smartphones to our wrist.

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