The Shine 2, now on sale on Misfit’s website for $100, mimics the design of its predecessor, but that’s not a bad thing. The original Shine looked a minimalist though slightly strange bracelet when it launched in 2013, but that was appealing in an age of all-around hideous activity-trackers. Now companies are upping their game, so Misfit had to polish the Shine’s rough spots—most notably, its syncing and accuracy.
The Shine 2 ships with a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis magnetometer, which Misfit says will track activity and sleep more accurately. The new wearable also has improved capacitive-sensing tech, which means it will respond to your taps more quickly. That was a big problem in the original Shine. Because the device has no LED screen, you have to prompt the tracker to activate by tapping its round, pebble-like face. We found the tracker was slow to respond, or didn’t recognize the right number of taps. Misfit promises the Shine 2 has “dramatically improved touch responsiveness.”
Misfit also paired the new device with its Link app, so you can set up the Shine 2 to act as a remote control for playing music, take selfies, and a variety of other functions using IFTTT recipes.
The Shine 2 is smarter and faster, but it’s also thinner and now comes in rose gold, which is the hottest color in technology these days. (See: Apple, Samsung, and HTC’s newest flagship phones.) It has the same battery life: about six months with no charge necessary—though you’ll have to replace the battery if it dies.
You can buy a Shine 2 right now online for $100, or pick one up in-store Nov. 1. Stay tuned for a full review of the Shine 2, which might be the wearable that wins on affordability and style.