Michael Kors Smartwatch Review : Access Dylan and Bradshaw
The Michael Kors Access line features to main smartwatch products: Dylan and Bradshaw. Both are available in more than one color and with a variety of straps. The Dylan is the lesser of the two, coming in two "silocone" iterations, one black (the one we have here), and one closer to a true rose gold. The Bradshaw comes in Gold, Rose Gold, and Sable – all of which are "tones" of stainless steel, not actual gold. Michael Kors brand suggests that these watches are what the user should consider "the chicest way to do tech."UPDATE: To clarify a bit on branding: the line is called Michael Kors Access, while the product names are Bradshaw and Dylan smartwatches.
Do we believe that putting finer materials on the same software makes this wearable experience any better than it is with any other Android Wear watch with equivalent specs? Inside this device can be found the following bits of hardware and features:
Bradshaw Smartwatches:
• Display: 320 x 290 pixel TFT LCD transflective touchscreen
• Speaker and Microphone
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 SoC
• Case Size: 44.5mm
• Water Resistance: 1 ATM
• Strap/Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
• Strap Closure: Bracelet Deployant
• Lug Width: 22mm
• Internal Storage: 4GB
• Battery: 400mAh
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope (for Activity Tracking)
• WIFI b/g/n, Bluetooth Smart Enabled / 4.1 Low Energy
Dylan Smartwatches:
• Display: 320 x 290 pixel TFT LCD transflective touchscreen
• Speaker and Microphone
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 2100 SoC
• Case Size: 46mm
• Water Resistance: 1 ATM
• Strap/Bracelet Material: Silicone
• Strap Closure: Bracelet Deployant
• Lug Width: 28mm
• Internal Storage: 4GB
• Battery: 400mAh
• Sensors: Accelerometer, Gyroscope (for Activity Tracking)
• WIFI b/g/n, Bluetooth Smart Enabled / 4.1 Low Energy
Design is different, innards are the same.
Both devices are heavier than the average smartwatch – especially one running Android Wear. While my first thought was that this might be a weight-job*, both devices are, in fact, made up of real-deal heavy metal. The weight we get is the weight added by the metal that makes up the watch.
*The artificial adding of weighted material to an otherwise light device to make it seem more substantial.
The crown on both models is a different story. The crown, while notched and appearing to be made for turning, has no such ability. Both crowns work only as press-in buttons. This is consistent with other Android Wear watches, certainly – but the design of the hardware, I think, should reflect functionality.
Both models feature the "flat tire" display design we first experienced with the Moto 360 from Motorola. This is a newer display, but it's retained the not-quite-round look.
The display certainly can't be this way due to the availability of an alternative. That is unless, of course, display-makers are making watch displays (like these) available only to big smart-electronics brands like... LG. LG released their LG G Watch R with a circular watch face in February of 2015.
The good thing about this display is that, like the Moto 360 Sport and the TAG Heuer Connected, it has transflective properties. This means that when the watch is viewed in direct sunlight, the light will reflect rather than glare. See our Moto 360 Sport analysis of display for another view of a very similar display.
Aside from the standard Android Wear UI, the Michael Kors crew's contribution to software is an app on the watch that allows the user to put watchfaces in color categories. This app also allows the user to have their watch change faces depending on the time of day. Helpful and none to complicated.
For the discerning watch-lover, a person who's known to drop inordinate amounts of cash on clothing, jewelry, and timepieces most of all, the Michael Kors Access line can be a rather enticing candidate for their first smartwatch purchase.
Certainly as an alternative to the also-high-end Apple Watch, the Michael Kors Access line sets itself aside with an industrial design that's amongst the finest in the field.
For those familiar with the Michael Kors brand that've been waiting to purchase a smartwatch until a fashionable alternative to the Apple Watch arrived – this is it. If the user is comfortable with the watch and happy with the design, these Michael Kors Access line's watches are the new high end of Android Wear without a doubt.
While the brand is more important than the functionality in a watch in this category, this device will be ready to roll for all Android Wear apps (circular, anyway) for the next couple of years at least.
All models are being launched this week in the following regions: Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
Users will find several different models and bands available: prices start at $350.00 for the metal/silicone strap Dylan and the all-metal Bradshaw. The Bradshaw with Gold-Tone/Tortoise bracelet will cost users $375.00, while the Gold-tone pave bracelet Bradshaw retails for $395.00. Also available are a number of Michael Kors Access brand watch straps available for between $40 and $50 USD.