Intel’s Smart Bracelet, MICA to offer Alerts and Texting

Computing giant Intel and New York-based fashion retailer Opening Ceremony revealed the features and final form of their new bracelet, the MICA. Short for “My Intelligent Communication Accessory,” the bracelet will allow you to access text messages, Gmail, Yelp, GPS, and Google and Facebook events. The device, which features a curved sapphire touch-screen display, will be available in December for $495 at Opening Ceremony’s online and retail stores.

Unlike other wristwatch computers, such as the Apple Watch and several devices running Google’s Android Wear, MICA does not have to be connected to a smartphone to operate. Instead, it’ll be powered by its own two-year AT&T data contract, “paid for by Intel,” after which Intel Vice President Ayse Ildeniz says you and AT&T will have to “re-contract.”

The bangle, which was first announced during Fashion Week this past September, is made in two colors: black and white. Both have an 18-carat gold coating. One comes with black water snake skin, Chinese pearls, and lapis stones from Madagascar. The other is made from white water snake skin, tiger’s eye from South Africa, and obsidian from Russia. When I tried one on during a quick hands-on demo, it was light on the wrist, fit well, and was comfortable to wear.

Rather than carry a display at the top of the bracelet, MICA is designed for women to glance at and swipe notifications from the insides of their wrists. These include something Intel calls “Time to Go” alerts, which combine GPS and your calendar events to estimate time it’ll take for you to travel from one place to another. Other notifications include text messages and email alerts from handpicked VIPs.

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