Misfit Ray fitness band clips into your own jewelry, aims to be fashionably low-key
The Ray is a new design that can clip into existing necklaces and chains -- and hopefully it won't pop off your wrist, either.
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
It looks like a piece of abstract art jewelry: a metallic tube on a lanyard that lights up and vibrates. The Misfit Ray feels like something Jawbone could have made.
Misfit, a wearable fitness tech and connected-home lifestyle company, was last year acquired by Fossil Group, a fashion manufacturer that produces watches and jewelry. Its existing Shine and Flash fitness trackers look like metal or plastic discs, and pop into wristbands, clips or necklace accessories. But they had a bad habit of falling off too easily.
The Misfit Ray.
The Misfit Ray, announced in Las Vegas during CES 2016, looks like it'll do a better job at staying put. It's a simple aluminum cylinder with clips on both sides. These clips will accommodate the rubberized sport or leather band that are inlcuded with the Ray. The 8-millimeter spring clips will also work with other chains if you have them. Or you can detach one end of the Ray, letting the tracker hang like a pendant around your neck.
Ray does the same things as the recent Shine 2: it vibrates, tracks steps and sleep, can be worn while swimming (for up to 50 meters), and lasts six months on a replaceable battery. It also connects with Misfit Link, a programmable smart remote interface that turns the band into a simple smart button of sorts. But its lightweight design means it only has a single multi-color LED for simple notifications, instead of the 12-LED clock and fitness-progress ring on existing Shine and Flash trackers.
Misfit Ray is designed to be worn alongside a watch, according to Misfit. The thinner design gives it a more casual look, and seems less bulky.
Misfit and Fossil clearly have a big stake in fashion and design. Misfit has a continuing relationship with Swarovski, and its future that will undoubtedly involve some dovetailing with Fossil's collection of similar-looking trackers to the Ray.
The Ray can be pre-ordered now for $100 with a thin sport band, or $120 for a leather-banded version and will be available worldwide this spring. International pricing isn't currently available, but $100 roughly converts to £70 or AU$140. $120 converts to about £80 or AU$170.
