Fashion designer Michael Kors has announced the return of its iconic Runway smartwatch with new, eye-catching features. The revival of the Runway watch gives it the familiar case and steel bracelet options while throwing in new silicone strap options and, of course, some digital underpinnings.
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“I’m excited about adding our signature Runway style to our already exceptional lineup of smartwatches made in collaboration with Google to feature the latest wearable technology and the Google Assistant,” says John D. Idol, Chairman and CEO of Michael Kors. “With the new features and benefits, Michael Kors Access smartwatches ensure that our customers can now be more connected than ever before.”
The new Runway models are still powered by old Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor (a bit ill-timed with Qualcomm’s next chip on the way), but they won’t be hurting for features.
The smartwatch with its first-ever silicone-strap styles is aimed at those who want a watch that can easily change from a workout wear to a night out wear with ease. “The last two generations of the Michael Kors Access collection have allowed users globally to express their style while staying in touch with the world around them,” said Miles Barr, Director of Engineering for Wear OS by Google. “We’re thrilled to partner again on the new Runway smartwatch and support Michael Kors’ ongoing innovation in the wearables space.”
The features are what makes the resurrected Runway different than the older version. The new watch includes GPS and heart-rate tracking, built-in Google Assistant, NFC for mobile payments and it’s even swim-proof up to 3ATM.
The watches aren’t very big. They start at a 1.2-inch, 390 x 390 circular display that results in a body large enough to provide “approximately” a day’s worth of battery life.
The watches come in several styles that include silver, gold and rose gold colors. Prices start at $295 for models with silicone bands, and $350 for steel bracelet versions. If you’re willing to splurge, they’ll climb as high as $450. The prices are fairly reasonable considering the feature-packed design.
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Powered with Wear OS by Google™ and the Qualcomm® Snapdragon Wear™ 2100 SoC, the new smartwatch is compatible with both iPhone® and Android™ phones. This might also be one of the last Wear OS watches to launch before the new guard arrives.
The Michael Kors Access Runway Fall 2018 Collection will be available in Michael Kors stores, online and from selected retailers worldwide in August 2018.
