Fossil Group, lengthy identified for its fashionable and accessible conventional watches, is chucking up the sponge on smartwatches, based on a report by The Verge. The corporate introduced right this moment that will probably be exiting the smartwatch enterprise completely, marking a major shift in its technique and a possible blow to the Put on OS ecosystem.
“Because the smartwatch panorama has advanced considerably over the previous few years, we have now made the strategic resolution to exit the smartwatch enterprise,” Fossil spokesperson Amanda Castelli advised The Verge. “Fossil Group is redirecting sources to help our core power and the core segments of our enterprise that proceed to supply robust development alternatives for us: designing and distributing thrilling conventional watches, jewelry, and leather-based items beneath our personal in addition to licensed model names.”
Fossil’s foray into smartwatches started in 2016 with excessive hopes. Their hybrid watches, mixing traditional watch design with good options like notifications and exercise monitoring, discovered preliminary success. Nonetheless, the panorama rapidly grew to become aggressive, with Apple and Samsung dominating the market with extra superior wearable know-how.
For followers of Fossil smartwatches, the information means no new fashions might be launched. Present prospects will nonetheless obtain guarantee help and software program updates for a restricted time, however the way forward for Put on OS on Fossil gadgets stays unsure.
Whereas Fossil’s smartwatches provided a classy various to the customarily clunky designs of early wearables, they struggled to match the performance and efficiency of their rivals. The combination of Put on OS, whereas bettering over time, by no means totally addressed the restrictions of battery life and app compatibility that plagued the platform. Moreover, the fast innovation and value drops within the smartwatch market made it tough for Fossil to take care of its premium value level whereas nonetheless providing aggressive options.
Regardless of these challenges, Fossil continued to launch new smartwatch fashions, with its Gen 6 in 2021 being its final hurrah. Nonetheless, the corporate’s resolution to exit the smartwatch enterprise now appears inevitable, reflecting its realisation that its core strengths lie within the realm of conventional watches and equipment.
“Because the smartwatch panorama has advanced considerably over the previous few years, we have now made the strategic resolution to exit the smartwatch enterprise,” Fossil spokesperson Amanda Castelli advised The Verge. “Fossil Group is redirecting sources to help our core power and the core segments of our enterprise that proceed to supply robust development alternatives for us: designing and distributing thrilling conventional watches, jewelry, and leather-based items beneath our personal in addition to licensed model names.”
Fossil’s foray into smartwatches started in 2016 with excessive hopes. Their hybrid watches, mixing traditional watch design with good options like notifications and exercise monitoring, discovered preliminary success. Nonetheless, the panorama rapidly grew to become aggressive, with Apple and Samsung dominating the market with extra superior wearable know-how.
For followers of Fossil smartwatches, the information means no new fashions might be launched. Present prospects will nonetheless obtain guarantee help and software program updates for a restricted time, however the way forward for Put on OS on Fossil gadgets stays unsure.
Whereas Fossil’s smartwatches provided a classy various to the customarily clunky designs of early wearables, they struggled to match the performance and efficiency of their rivals. The combination of Put on OS, whereas bettering over time, by no means totally addressed the restrictions of battery life and app compatibility that plagued the platform. Moreover, the fast innovation and value drops within the smartwatch market made it tough for Fossil to take care of its premium value level whereas nonetheless providing aggressive options.
Regardless of these challenges, Fossil continued to launch new smartwatch fashions, with its Gen 6 in 2021 being its final hurrah. Nonetheless, the corporate’s resolution to exit the smartwatch enterprise now appears inevitable, reflecting its realisation that its core strengths lie within the realm of conventional watches and equipment.
