Misfit Shine 2 features, specs and release date: Big on style, bigger on battery life

Misfit has unveiled a new version of the Shine, and it could be the most complete fitness tracker ever.

Alongside its stylish looks, the Misfit Shine 2 comes with improved tracking, vibration alerts – and even smart-home integration. But the most impressive thing about the Shine 2? The battery life: it will last between four and six months on a single watch battery.

The Shine 2 comes in black and rose gold – and is available now for only $100.

Misfit 2 features

As with the original, the new wearable can track your sleep, monitor your steps, and calculate calories burned – but it also adds a several new features. Despite being thinner and lighter than its predecessor, the Shine 2 fits in an all-new vibration module. The result? Shine 2 owners can receive subtle notifications throughout the day, or get a gentle nudge when waking up.

A new three-axis accelerometer and three-axis magnetometer address the less-than-accurate tracking of the previous model, but the most interesting feature has to be the device’s push towards the smart home. When combined with the new Misfit Link app, the Shine 2 transforms into a magic button for the Internet of Things. This means those with the wearable will be able to control connected lights, pause music, or even control the heating – just by tapping on the device’s face.

A different philosophy

While some wearables pack in a range of features we don’t really need, the Misfit Shine 2 keeps things simple – but concentrates on style and functionality. Thinner, lighter and considerably more stylish than most other devices on the market, the Shine 2 doesn’t do a great deal, but appears to execute everything it does do extremely well. When combined with its unbelievable battery life, the Misfit Shine 2 could easily fit into most of our lives. It could be one of the best wearables around.

If you’re interested in wearables, read next: What we thought of the Microsoft Band 2.