Wearable

Fresh rumors have started about the Garmin Descent Mk3i following the leak of an image supposedly showing an event preview. The new wearable series would be a watch-style dive computer, with alleged features including a flashlight, AMOLED display and diver communication via SubWave technology.

Garmin has released a new beta build for the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro series. Also available across Epix 2, Enduro 2, Fenix 7, Fenix 7 Pro, MARQ Gen 2 and Quatix 7 series smartwatches, the update introduces over 10 changes, including a few new features.

Google has already released the Pixel Watch 2 back in October. While it brings many improvements, the new watch isn't a major refresh. That means the Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) is still a good purchase, especially with this 43% discount on Amazon.

Google's Pixel Buds Pro can now be had for US$119 on Amazon, a massive 40% drop from their list price. The flagship truly wireless earbuds support Active Noise Cancellation and transparency mode, and they have a total listening time of up to 31 hours with the charging case.

OneOdio is lauding the fact that its A10 over-ear headphones have been declared best of their class in 2023 by CNET. The announcement coincides with a sizeable discount on the same audio peripherals on Amazon. Are the award-winning cans really first and foremost in terms of their specs and features, though?

Garmin has released new updates for the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 265. Both Release Candidate builds, the updates contain various improvements and bug fixes for the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 265 ahead of a full public rollout.

The Garmin Public Beta Version 17.18 update is now available for the Forerunner 955 and Forerunner 965 smartwatches. The new software brings improvements for Body Battery, sleep insights and smart notifications. Plus, a Red Shift night vision mode is offered for the Forerunner 965.

Google has recently shared details of its research in audioplethysmography (APG) technology, which can enable heart rate monitoring in ANC earbuds with just a software update. The feature requires no extra sensors, is accurate and impervious to variations in skin tones, seal conditions and ear canal size. It can even be used while playing music and running.

The Movano Evie smart ring will launch this November, according to a recent announcement from the company. The wearable has heart rate, HRV and SpO2 level tracking with an accompanying app. However, the gadget has yet to receive the medical device clearance it currently seeks from the FDA.

The Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3s smartwatches now have a skin temperature monitoring feature, designed for use with sleep tracking. The new tool arrives as part of a broader Public Beta update, version 8.23, which also brings new features for runners and Red Shift mode to protect night vision.

Sennheiser Europe has announced a "Halloween" sale with up to 20% off popular consumer audio products such as Ambeo soundbars and Momentum True Wireless earbuds. Meanwhile, the OEM is also building up to its Early Black Friday event for US customers, promising "exclusive" savings to those who sign up to its wait-list.

The Xiaomi MiTu Children’s Phone Watch U1 Pro has been revealed in China. The gadget supports 4G, allowing you to make video and voice calls with family or friends. Other features include GPS tracking for parents, contactless payments and an educational voice assistant and app.

Several Garmin smartwatches may get a new functionality within the scope of a software update. Accordingly, the hardware requirements are unlikely to be an issue.

Rogbid has launched a new smartwatch, the Rowatch 5, which is on sale at a low price thanks to a massive discount and, according to the manufacturer, can even measure blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Volta has announced that its next "high-speed" charging accessory will launch via a crowdfunding campaign. The 10,000mAh VoltaGo power bank is designed to deliver fast wireless charging to MagSafe-compatible iPhones, although it is also touted to work as well with Android smartphones. It also incorporates a unique fold-flat kickstand and a USB type-C port to double as a wired power bank.

Garmin has released Beta Version 26.81 for the Fenix 6 series and its counterparts. Rolling out now as a side-load-only build, the update is the latest that aims to improve Garmin's Auto Run feature in Sky and Snowboard activities.

Garmin has released yet another update for the Instinct 2, Instinct 2S, Instinct 2X and Instinct Crossover. Rolling out as Beta Version 14.09, the update focuses on bug fixes that were present in Beta Version 14.05.

According to a new report from a renowned Apple analyst, there may not be a new Watch Ultra in development. For some reason, the company has elected against developing a Watch Ultra 3 for now, possibly because of production issues associated with its rumoured microLED display panels.

Samsung's next generation of flagship smartwatches is now believed to be the first of their line to debut with a 3 nanometer (nm) processor, made using the OEM itself using its latest techniques. Should that be the case, it would also mean that the Watch7 series would beat even Galaxy S24-series smartphones to this potentially significant upgrade.

Garmin has rolled out a new beta update for various smartwatches, including the Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro. Issued as Beta Version 15.68, the new update contains 40 changes from Garmin's last stable update, including 13 new features.

Certifications at bodies, including the NRAA and the EEC, have revealed a new Redmi smartwatch. Details of the Bluetooth wearable remain unclear, including an official launch date. The mysterious new model would follow the Redmi Watch 3 series, which launched globally earlier this year.

A new Xiaomi smartwatch, currently called the Wrist ECG and Blood Pressure Recorder, has been teased on social media. This is the first wearable of its kind from the company, with medical device certification in China. The watch’s bracelet mimics a regular blood pressure cuff for accurate readings.

Amazfit has officially launched its Active and Active Edge smartwatches. The rectangular Active model is available globally, while the rugged Active Edge is currently only on sale in the US. The new wearables come in multiple colors with features including GPS tracking and the AI-powered Zepp Coach.

Oura has revealed three new features to help you monitor and reduce stress with its smart ring. The tools are named Daytime Stress, Reflections and Stress Resilience, with varying release timings and methods. Oura also revealed a new Brushed Titanium finish for its Horizon smart ring.

The Garmin D2 Mach 1 Pro smartwatch is now available in countries worldwide. The aviator wearable has a titanium bezel and a built-in flashlight with adjustable brightness. Other features include aviation weather, offline maps, a Pulse Ox sensor and Garmin Pay contactless payments.

CheckMag The Huawei Band 8, the Huawei Watch Fit SE and the Amazfit Band 7 are the lightest fitness trackers and smartwatches that we have tested over the course of the last 10 months. In this short piece, we briefly revisit their features, their strong sides and their shortcomings, of which there are many.

The Amazfit Active and Active Edge smartwatches have been leaked in Brazil following a teaser image posted by Zepp Health on social media. The new wearables will be officially unveiled in October. The Active is a rectangular wearable with Bluetooth calling and music playback, and the Active Edge is a round watch with up to 16 days battery life.

Xiaomi has confirmed its intentions to offer a new smartwatch alongside the Xiaomi 14 series later this week. Arriving as the Xiaomi Watch S3, the smartwatch will feature many elements of other recent Xiaomi smartwatches but with an innovative and customisable design.

Suunto has a new smartwatch on offer that is also suitable for long and demanding off-road tours. The model was created in collaboration with outdoor company Mammut.

Edifier asserts that its second-gen NeoBuds Pro pack a patented form of active noise cancellation (ANC) that should block a greater and broader range of unwanted sounds than the average pair of TWS earbuds. The Pro 2s are also rated for spatial audio, a low-latency gaming mode and the LHDC 5.0 codec as well as LDAC and SBC. The NeoBuds Pro 2 also offer over 20 hours of estimated battery life for under US$150.

So far, Garmin has only distributed its ECG app to three countries, including the US. Following this week's expansion to Epix 2 Pro, Fenix 7 Pro and Venu 3 series smartwatches, some intrepid owners have already got ECG functionality working in the UK and Europe with a few temporary tweaks.

The Amazfit Falcon has a new firmware update, currently rolling out to the wearable. The latest software was announced on social media and contains various new features and improvements. For example, you can now view offline maps in a new Maps App, and the Zepp Coach workout records have been enhanced.

The Garmin Beta software version 26.79 is now available for Fenix 6, Enduro and MARQ smartwatches. The update brings new Device Settings Backup, Connect IQ Rating and OTA update tools. Plus, the Ski and Snowboard activities have been adjusted to improve the accuracy of the data collected.

Garmin has released a new beta update to the Instinct 2 series, bringing them up to v14 builds. Rolling out as Beta Version 14.05, the update contains various changes, with nearly a dozen for all eligible smartwatches.

It seems that Garmin is preparing to release new dive computer smartwatches under its Descent series. Next up are Descent Mk3 smartwatches, which will be available in two sizes with optional Subwave technology support.

Meta Quest 3 is a new VR headset designed primarily for an immersive gaming experience, but is being utilized by early buyers in public spaces for very different purposes. The unusual use of Quest 3 suggests that Mark Zuckerberg's plan to make virtual reality headsets attractive to the masses may be working.

Google has now released Wear OS 4 for the first Pixel Watch. Not only does the new version of Wear OS finally add a backup and restore feature, but it also should improve battery life and performance through a reworked watch face format. Unfortunately, Google has locked several software features to the Pixel Watch 2, including new watch faces.

The Amazfit GTR 3 Pro and Amazfit GTR 3 Pro Limited Edition smartwatches are currently discounted at Amazon. Customers in the US and the Netherlands can save up to 33% on the list price. Features of the wearable include a round AMOLED display with up to 1,000 nits brightness and a BioTracker 3.0 PPG sensor.

TCL has spun RayNeo off into a dedicated company that produces AR and XR products. One of the company's first products is the RayNeo Air 2, a pair of XR glasses that will be available soon with Sony Micro OLED displays for under US$300.

TCL has now opened pre-orders for the RayNeo X2 in China, a pair of AR glasses that the company showcased in January during CES 2023. The RayNeo X2 should eventually receive a global release too, potentially after the RayNeo Air 2 becomes available outside China.

Several new features from Garmin and two new smartwatch models are rumored to be in the works. As reported by the5krunner, from an unknown source, improvements will be made to Garmin Connect, new health tracking tools will be added, and additional workout personalization will be made possible.

Huawei has unleashed its latest flagship TWS earbuds on markets such as Germany today (October 18, 2023). The "Intelligent ANC 3.0" accessories are touted as even more stylish and comfortable than ever before, and to have up to 31 hours of battery life. They have launched at a price of US$212 and are bundled with the chance to get the OEM's latest fitness tracker as well at a potentially significant discount.

German semiconductor and IoT systems giant Infineon, in collaboration with adidas, has made the Lighting Shoe prototype to showcase its sensor and power systems technology. The shoe, based on the adidas originals NMD S1, uses MEMS microphones and a microcontroller to ‘listen’ to music and create striking lighting effects in sync with the beats. Unfortunately, there are no plans to bring it into production.

Qualcomm and Google has announced that RISC-V-based wearables with all the benefits of Wear OS might be on the cards in the near future. The two OEMs are currently collaborating on such a new platform with the emerging alternative to ARM and software support for the same. This new version of Snapdragon Wear might be just the tip of the iceberg for the wider integration of RISC-V throughout the entirety of Android devices.

The FDA has cleared Garmin to roll out ECG app support for a slew of new smartwatches. Still limited to three countries, the ECG app is now available across numerous recent Garmin smartwatches, including the Fenix 7 Pro, Fenix 7S Pro and Fenix 7X Pro.