Smartwatch

Amazfit has released software version 9.55.3.2 for an older smartwatch, the T-Rex 2. The update contains new sports activities alongside various improvements for cyclists and rowers. The software can be downloaded via the Zepp app, though whether the rollout is complete remains to be seen.

According to new reports, Wear OS will return this year with a fifth major revision. Missing out on interim Wear OS 4 updates altogether, Wear OS is rumoured to be moving onto Android 14, with Samsung already preparing builds for the Galaxy Watch7 and its Exynos 5535 chipset.

In an interview with the head of Samsung's Mobile Digital Health division, a neck-and-neck race with Apple for supremacy in two important areas of health over the next few years is on the cards: Both the non-painful measurement of blood sugar and continuous blood pressure monitoring with individual risk analysis are said to be at the top of Samsung's to-do list. The newly teased Galaxy Ring is set to come onto the market in several variants.

Garmin has released another update on its Beta Program for various recent flagship smartwatches. Rolling out as Beta Version 16.13, the update should arrive automatically within the next 24-48 hours and can also be downloaded manually if needed.

The Amazfit Active smartwatch is now receiving an update via the Zepp app with new workout-related features. These include AI training plans for running races, real-time exercise analysis and additional post-workout data. Plus, you can now use a wrist gesture to bring up fitness metrics quickly.

Wear OS 3.5 is being rolled out in phases to the Mobvoi TicWatch E3 as part of a broader move to push all of the brand’s products to Wear OS 3 early in 2024. The update brings a refreshed UI and new Google apps, though some are also lost through the update. Plus, the latest software will allegedly boost the wearable’s battery life.

Along with iOS 17.3 for the iPhone, Apple has also released updates for the Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV, introducing a range of new features and a highly customizable watch face.

The import ban on the Apple Watch in the US has been reinstated. The move has been received positively by Masimo, the company claiming patent infringement on its SpO2 technology, which will be used in its upcoming Freedom wearables. Plus, the brand has announced an offer on the new smart watch and band, which are expected to arrive this year.

Various sources have shared initial information about the chipset around which Samsung is developing the Galaxy Watch7 series. Seemingly, Samsung has codenamed the chipset Exynos 5535 and Exynos S5E5535, which the General Administration of Customs (GAC) in China has already certified.

Garmin has released another update to one of its latest smartwatches. Distributed through its Beta Program, the new update is reported to contain the same associated bugs that it is designed to resolve.

Garmin has pushed a new update to a few of its latest smartwatches. Arriving as the second update in as many weeks, Beta 9.16 disables ECG functionality without warning or the ability to download a rollback file to return to stable builds.

The iHeal 6 is a new and suspiciously inexpensive smartwatch that can supposedly measure numerous vital parameters. The watch also comes in three colors.

ZeppOS 3.0 is being rolled out to the Amazfit GTR 4 smartwatch via update version 6.3.2.3. The new software brings a range of features, including a refreshed user interface, additional wellness tools and various improvements to enhance your workouts. However, some users have reported issues after installing the update.

While Google’s 2nd-gen Pixel smartwatch brings some significant improvements, it retains the same size as the 1st-gen watch, which is a bit small for some. Google reportedly plans to address this by offering the Google Pixel Watch 3 in two sizes.

The new Rollme Hero M5 smartwatch offers an impressive range of features at a low price of less than $50. It supposedly comes with ECG and blood glucose monitoring, a skin temperature sensor and many other health features.

A reliable leaker has unveiled the launch window for the OnePlus Watch 2. The same leaker has reiterated that the OnePlus Watch 2 will be the company's first running Wear OS, unlike the current OnePlus Watch.

Garmin is now rolling out a new beta update for various current high-end smartwatches. Available as Beta Version 16.11, the update introduces nearly a dozen bug fixes and improvements. However, it also disables ECG functionality for any compatible smartwatch running beta builds.

Apple's latest Watches are thought to be on the brink of losing a common wearable feature over its maker's ongoing legal battle with another company. The 2023 devices might have their blood oxygen (SpO2) measurement feature disabled in response to a court order that affects the smartwatches' availability in the United States.

According to the latest rumours, the Oppo Watch 4 will have a round OLED display. Other allegedly leaked details indicate dual chipsets and various health-tracking features, including more advanced sensors. Plus, a source has suggested there will be three color options to choose from at launch.

The BlitzWolf BW-HL5 is a new smartwatch with a large display and, according to the manufacturer, a huge range of functions. It is even said to be able to measure blood sugar levels and blood pressure - that simply sounds too good and makes one skeptical.

Xiaomi is now selling the Redmi Watch 4 globally, which has launched alongside the Redmi Buds 5, Redmi Buds 5 Pro and the Redmi Note 13 series. Available for under €100, the smartwatch sports a metal housing, an AMOLED display and up to 20 days of battery life from its 470 mAh battery.

The Garmin Public Beta 9.15 update is now rolling out to one of the brand’s latest models. The software includes two new tools and various bug fixes for the wearable, including one intended to resolve a battery drain problem. However, a user has reported further battery life issues post-update.

Oukitel is now selling its BT50 rugged smartwatch globally. The cheaper model has features including Bluetooth calling, smart notifications from your phone and tracking of health metrics like your heart rate and SpO2 level. The military-style wearable is also said to last up to 15 days with typical use.

Xiaomi is launching a new smartwatch onto the market, namely a limited special edition that is intended to go hand-in-hand with the manufacturer's upcoming electric car. The watch also has cellular capabilities and supports the use of an eSIM.

Garmin has started updating two of its recent smartwatches to Beta 9.15, a build that resolves outstanding bugs and adds two new features including a jump rope activity. Beta 9.15 should be available to download as an over-the-air (OTA) update.

Garmin is rolling out a new update to various smartwatches, including the Fenix 6. Available through its Beta Program for now, Beta Version 26.86 addresses several outstanding bugs, including one related to monitoring lap cadence while swimming.

Honor has refreshed the Watch 4 Pro, three months after it first introduced its high-end smartwatch. Complimenting the launches of the Magic6, Magic6 Pro and the Magic V2 RSR Porsche Design, the new Watch 4 Pro variants expand Honor's offering to five colours, all with stainless steel housings.

Amazfit's probably final round of 2024 New Year's deals are exclusive to one online retail platform, and offer a chance to grab the distinctively flat-faced Limited Edition of the GTR 3 Pro smartwatch for a limited time. The discount requires a specific code, as does that for the OEM's ANC-enabled PowerBuds Pro.

Garmin has pushed the first v16.xx update to the Fenix 7 series and its counterpart. Rolling out as Beta Version 16.10, the new update contains almost 25 improvements, plus new firmware updates for GPS, Wireless and Sensor Hub software, along with fresh Audio Prompt files.

Xiaomi has issued a new update for the Smart Band 8, one of its current smartwatches. The update brings various new features and improvements to the Xiaomi Smart Band 8, as well as various bug fixes.

Doublepoint has debuted the free Wow Mouse software for Wear OS smartwatches. This app enables touch-free control of computers, tablets, AR/VR/XR headsets, and smart homes through hand gestures and motions.

Garmin has brought out its first new set of smartwatches for 2024. Available to order now across multiple markets, the new models come in six styles with silicone, fabric and leather watch band options.

CMF has launched a new Striking Silver Edition of the Nothing Watch Pro. The latest colorway has similar features to its predecessors, with support for Bluetooth calling and built-in GPS. The gadget is currently on sale in a limited number of countries, with the company announcing a wider rollout of the wearable at retailers worldwide.

The Garmin Beta Update Version 18.12 is rolling out to Forerunner 255, Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches. The update surfaced a few days ago, with Garmin only recently confirming the complete list of changes included with the software. There are several new features like Sleep Coach glance, Jump Rope and Lap Undo.

The Amazfit Cheetah Pro smartwatch is receiving new software. The latest update brings a range of new features, including route tracking in winter sports and running performance data. Plus, the company has hinted at a similar update in the near future for other wearables in its range.

In 2023, most Strava registered runners were still using the Garmin Forerunner 235, first released in October 2015. A majority of cyclists were using the Garmin Edge 530.

The Amazfit T-Rex Ultra and Falcon smartwatches are receiving a new update. The latest software brings a range of features to the wearables, like new ball workouts, AI running plans and real-time performance data at a glance. The update also optimizes Strength training tracking and personal best records.

Casio has launched the RANGEMAN series, a new series of solar-powered, smartwatches that combine the toughness of a G-SHOCK with the benefits of a health tracker. The shock and drop proof body protects the watch while the GPS keeps adventurers on track through wet and muddy treks.

The Garmin Sleep Coach has arrived on some Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches via an unannounced Beta update. Software version 18.12 was spotted by several users, with Garmin yet to release a full changelog. Alongside Sleep Coach, there have been suggestions of tweaks to widgets and a missing hiking feature after the update.

The Rogbid Tank G1 is a new and affordable smartwatch on the market for less than $50. It comes with the usual health features as well as GPS, compass and altimeter, and is also waterproof according to IP68 standards.

HarmonyOS 4 will shortly be rolled out to a select number of Huawei Watch 3 series smartwatch users in a closed beta program in China. The latest software is said to include new lock screen animations, and 3D gaming watch faces, among other features. The company has suggested a wider rollout of HarmonyOS 4 this year.

France-based SilMach has launched TheTimeChanger – the world’s first watch utilizing a revolutionary MEMS movement. This silicon motor offers horologists lower power usage, anti-magnetic operation, and thinner profiles than currently possible with Lavet motors.

One of the largest smartwatch manufacturers in the world hopes to shake up the smartphone market with its wristphone, intended to be an alternative to the ever-growing amount of smartphones and housing the necessary features in the format of an Apple Watch.

Garmin has shared the first picture of one of its forthcoming smartwatches. While a release date remains a mystery for the time being, pricing for the unreleased wearable has already surfaced, as have full SKU options.

Kospet has launched the iHeal 5A smartwatch, which is now shipping to countries worldwide. The company claims the wearable has many health-tracking features, including sensors to track your blood glucose level, skin temperature, and blood pressure and take ECGs. However, the accuracy of these tools is uncertain.

The iHeal 4 is a new and reasonably priced smartwatch with a large screen and extensive sensor technology. A rotating crown is also on board.

Yesterday was Xiaomi EV day, but fans of Xiaomi smartphones and wearables will also get their money's worth even sooner than the first SU7 and SU7 Max electric cars. The Xiaomi 14, Xiaomi 14 Pro and the Xiaomi Watch S3 are now available in the two pretty new colors of the Xiaomi electric fleet - at least in China.

The recently imposed ban on sale/import of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 has been temporarily lifted by a US Court of Appeals order. While online sale has resumed today, all Apple Stores will have them in stock by December 30. Meanwhile, the ITC will have a chance to argue for reinstating the ban, which follows a lawsuit over the pulse oximetry technology used in the watch.

Pre-orders for the RedMagic 9 Pro have begun. Those who pre-order will receive a discount and may even win the smartphone itself or a particularly high discount.