Nixon will be a major player in the rugged smartwatch market when it launches its new Android Wear watch. The “Mission” is billed as the world’s first Android Wear action sports smartwatch and that seems to be a fair assessment. The Mission is water-resistant to 100 meters (10 ATM) and is built specifically for outdoor sporting activities like surfing and skiing. The 48mm polycarbonate case is shock-resistant and the crystal is made of Corning Gorilla Glass. A stainless steel raised bezel protects the AMOLED touchscreen display from impacts and scratches. The Android Wear operating system is powered by the newly launched Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 system-on-chip (SoC).
The Mission includes exclusive Nixon Mission and Trace apps and works with Surfline and Snocountry to monitor surf and mountain conditions and track sessions. As an Android Wear watch The Mission also runs Google Fit activity tracking, conducts voice searches, and controls music playback.
There will be over 20 dual-layer silicone band options and 15 bezel choices. Bezel options include solid stainless steel, IP-plated steel, and Cerakote colors. Buyers can also choose between different case finishes and will have the option of personalizing their watch with a custom engraved case back. These options will be available when ordering on Nixon.com and will allow buyers to create a unique watch exactly to their liking. Another unique Nixon feature is the ability to set the face to mimic the displays of popular Nixon watch models.
The Nixon Mission appears poised to be one of the top rugged smartwatch options. Its 100-meter water resistance is the most advanced yet for an Android Wear smartwatch and its rugged structure will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. More information that hasn’t been released yet like price, battery life, and whether or not it has built-in GPS and environmental sensors will help to determine just how desirable this rugged smartwatch will be, particularly in comparison to the Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch. (Update: The Mission does have built-in GPS.)
Nixon will be launching The Mission later this year at select retailers and at Nixon.com.
See more at www.nixon.com
