Category: Gadgets

Michael Kors smartwatch unveiled to reveal large wearables

| September 12, 2016

The new Access wearable technology is designed to combine tech and fashion in one device.

The Michael Kors smartwatch, called the Access, has launched. It has been anticipated for some time now and beyond the tech, many have wondered what it would look like. Now that its design has been revealed, there are a few things that stand out. The first is that it is quite attractive. The second is that it is very big.

Until now, most smartwatches have been a chunky gadget that could be customized with its strap.

There have been choices in wearable technology in which consumers can pick either nice band or a nice face. That said, no matter what, wearables tend to be a kind of fashion statement unto themselves. The Michael Kors smartwatch looks as though it might be among the first – if not the very first – to bring high levels of wearable technology and fashion into a single device. This gadget was created by the celebrated American designer in the hopes of bringing the tech into the fashion world.

The Michael Kors smartwatch runs on Android Wear and is currently offered in two different styles.

The “Bradshaw” is the smartwatch with the more feminine appearance. It has an all metal design. The “Dylan” is the wearable technology being marketed toward men. It has a sportier design. Both the Dylan and the Bradshaw are quite chunky and are definitely statement pieces. The Bradshaw is 44.5mm and the Dylan is 46mm. Both devices have a starting price of $350.

According to a Mashable report, Michael Kors created its smartwatch due to the fact that people feel that being connected all the time is crucial, regardless of where they are or what they do. A statement from the company said that their wearable technology devices provide “the best of both worlds — reliable technology and great design. We didn’t want our fans to have to choose between fashion and technology, so we’ve made it possible to have both.”

The two Michael Kors smartwatch designs come with additional options. The Dylan has three color choices and six possible straps. Of those straps, two are leather and four are silicone. The Bradshaw comes in a larger number of different metallic colors and strap possibilities. Furthermore, the faces can be customized for highlight colors, as well as dial and hand colors.

Smartphone sales are slowing down as predicted this year

| September 7, 2016

Emerging markets are continuing to exhibit positive growth, but as a whole it is declining in developed regions.

According to the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker from the International Data Corporation (IDC), smartphone sales are declining as expected. Many forecasts pointed to an overall slowdown of mobile phone sales in 2016. This is linked to a reduction in sales in developed regions.

Despite the positive growth that continues in emerging markets, it isn’t enough to keep the entire marketplace’s pace.

The report showed that much of the smartphone sales currently occurring in developed regions is in replacements. The rate of new users has decreased substantially as penetration within these populations is now very high. The report predicted a 1.6 year over year growth of smartphone shipments in 2016. This, upon the shipment of 1.46 billion units by the end of the year. That may appear to be a healthy number, but it is a fraction of what it was last year. In 2015, the year over year growth rate for smartphone shipments was 10.4 percent.

As a whole, developed markets are expected to see a negative growth rate in smartphone sales.

Smartphone Sales Slowing Down this YearThe report took the United States, Canada, Western Europe and Japan into its definition of developed markets. Within that region, the IDC predicts a -0.2 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Emerging markets were made up of Central and Eastern Europe, the Asia Pacific Region (except for Japan), Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. They are expected to see a 5.4 percent CAGR throughout the forecast period of 2015 to 2020.

Senior IDC research analyst at the Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Device Trackers, Jitesh Ubrani, said “Growth in the smartphone market is quickly becoming reliant on replacing existing handsets rather than seeking new users.” Ubrani also stated that from the point of view of the tech side, innovation is “in a lull.” Consumers have greatly reduced their inclination to purchase the latest device with all the newest bells and whistles. Instead, they are satisfied with mobile devices that are “good enough.”

Telcos have been working hard to breathe life back into their smartphone sales. Programs such as trade-ins and buy-backs are geared toward shortening lifecycles and increasing the inclination to purchase early replacements.