WHO, WHAT, WEARABLE

Kate Spade New York Scallop 2

Kate Spade New York’s original Scallop, released in 2018, checked a lot of boxes for female smartwatch wearers. The Bluetooth-connected timepiece was ­feminine but boasted a bigger dial, robust functionality, and on-trend appeal. Together with wearables partner Fossil Group, the brand updated the Scallop 2 in savvy ways for this spring, upgrading the watch’s tools and elevating its distinctive design.

What it does: The touch-screen Scallop 2 connects to iPhone and Android phones to run third-party apps including Google Assistant, notifies users of calls/texts/emails, tracks fitness endeavors, plays music, and more. New features in this model include a heart rate sensor, an NFC (near-field communication) reader (for Google Pay), and GPS.

What we liked: The dial features a playing-card spade motif at the 12 o’clock index that functions as a heart rate touchpoint, making it simple to check your heart rate. And the Scallop 2 comes preloaded with a “micro app” that lets you answer a few simple questions to create a full-color dial design that complements your outfit. Cute!

Best features: The new watch looks and feels more upscale than its predecessor. The scallop border now extends to the straps: The entry-level watch comes with a pared-down black or white silicone strap with scalloped edges; the premium version has a metal bracelet with scallop-edged links. Both are girly but not juvenile—an aesthetic that’s a signature of the brand. ($295; katespade.com)

The design tweaks are courtesy of Kate Spade creative director Nicola Glass.

 

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Leica Stereozoom S9i Package

Share what you’re seeing under your microscope with colleagues using Stuller’s new Leica Stereozoom S9i, a microscope that boasts an integrated 10 megapixel camera. The investment-worthy scope connects to a company’s network via lightning-fast Ethernet, so you can live-stream up to 35 images to monitors, desktop and laptop computers, and mobile devices (including tablets) in real time. Results can be documented in both video and image format. We’d be hard-pressed to come up with an easier way to answer questions, get a second opinion, or share information without saying a word. ($4,978; stuller.com)

The S9i features magnification up to 55x, and a 9:1 zoom for rapid transitions from overview to details.