Last night, Misfit launched its first new version of the Shine activity tracker. The Shine was Misfit's original product when the company launched in 2012.
The Misfit Shine 2 will have a very similar look and price point to the original Misfit Shine, but adds a number of new features including some that reflect the company's recent focus on using its wearables as controllers for other smart objects and systems around the house.
The new Shine is lighter and thinner than its predecessor, but carved out of the same airplane-grade aluminum. It also has updated firmware and hardware, allowing it to sync faster, send data to the phone at a longer range, and be more responsive to touch. It also sports a brighter LED (able to be seen in direct sunlight) with 12 lights and a full range of colors.
"We’ve packed a lot into Shine 2, adding more functionality into an even thinner form factor with the same battery life," Adam Mack, Misfit’s Director of Mechanical Design, said in a statement. “We didn’t compromise on craftsmanship or the user experience.”
In addition to the Shine's three-axis accelerometer, the Shine 2 sports a magnetometer for more accurate activity and sleep tracking. It also includes a feature -- perhaps inspired by the Apple Watch -- that vibrates to remind users to get up and move throughout the day.
But the big draw may be the features that go beyond health tracking. The Shine 2 can notify users about incoming calls or texts, and it's compatible with the Misfit Link iOS app, which debuted in July with the launch of the Misfit Flash Link, a smaller lower-priced device from the company. With Misfit Link, users can activate their phone's camera, turn on and off connected lights, and play music, all by tapping the device.
Like its predecessor, the Shine 2 will be waterproof up to 50 meters and will have an internal battery that lasts six months, eschewing the need for charging.
The device is already available for purchase via Misfit's website for $99. It will go on sale in retail stores in November.
