Wearable

Apple's senior vice president of Hardware Technologies was a notable absentee from the launch of the Apple Vision Pro, along with the new Mac Pro and upgraded Mac Studio. Srouji has been a stalwart in Apple's recent launch videos, but he was strangely not anywhere to be seen this time.

The inaugural Vision Pro's launch has prompted a Twitter thread from a researcher who contributed to "neurotechnology" development at Apple outlining details on the headset (or its possible successors) that might be interpreted as meaning that the hardware (or its AI, rather) is capable of reading the user's mind. That may or may not be the case; nevertheless, the thread has helped fuel reservations on visionOS-powered devices and their potential effects on users and humanity as a whole.

Amazfit has now launched the Pop 3S, a new budget smartwatch with an AMOLED display. The Amazfit Pop 3S is also available with a stainless steel strap and numerous health features.

Amazfit has partnered with the non-profit group Coral Guardians to present a new Special Edition of the brand's T-Rex 2 rugged smartwatch. Accordingly, the AMOLED-screened wearable is rated to help conserve vital ecosystems as well as withstand active lifestyles to a MIL-STD 810G-certified standard in a whole new colorway. The Ocean Blue version also comes in "100% environmentally friendly" original packaging and a new recycled strap.

Huawei has now provided full details about the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Pro, its latest flagship smartwatches. Orderable from next week in Europe, the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Pro combine premium designs with modern hardware.

The long-anticipated Apple Vision Pro headset is finally here. While some are lavishing praise on it, not everyone is. Notably, legendary former Apple hardware engineer Tony Fadell says that Apple has "Jumped the Shark" with it.

Huawei is preparing to release the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Pro in Europe, following last month's global launch. In the meantime, Huawei has rolled out a significant day-one patch that adds plenty of features, including Health Glance functionality.

The Garmin Beta Version 12.53 for the Forerunner 245, Forerunner 745 and Forerunner 945 smartwatches is rolling out. The update brings two bug fixes to the smartwatches alongside minor GPS improvements. Garmin notes that the software is a Release Candidate and will be delivered to eligible wearables OTA.

Several new map features are expected to arrive on the Fenix 7 and Epix 2 smartwatches. The Split Screen, Perimeter Map Screen and Weather Map Overlays are already available on the new Fenix 7 Pro and Epix Pro models, allowing you to view multiple pieces of data on the same screen.

Sony is rumoured to be lining up a WF-1000XM5 release soon, possibly as early as later this week. In the meantime, a renowned leaker has shared high-resolution official images of the forthcoming earbuds in its two launch colours.

Fnatic has secured a long-term development partnership with Sony to provide input on next-gen INZONE products. The new collaboration is slated to result in new content from the brand as well as follow-ups to PlayStation-themed monitors such as the M9. Sony asserts that the e-sports team members' experience and feedback will lead to a revolution in its own-brand gaming gear in the near future.

Samsung has now shared the first beta for One UI 5 Watch and Wear OS 4. Rolling out now as a 1.5 GB download for the Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic, Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, the update is the first change to test Wear OS 4 outside of an emulator.

Amazfit is preparing to release two new smartwatches. Purportedly to be sold under the Cheetah series, the Cheetah and Cheetah Pro have sporty designs and could be the A2292 and A2294 that were previously thought of as the Amazfit GTR 5 series.

Garmin is finalising its latest round of alpha and beta updates for the Fenix 6 series and its counterparts. While newer models have already started receiving new stable updates, the Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq, Quatix 6 and Tactix Delta series have received their first Release Candidate update. Rolling out as Beta Version 26.00, the update should reach all eligible smartwatches soon.

Garmin has started rolling out new stable updates to various smartwatches, including the Fenix ​​7 and Instinct 2 series. This month's round of patches introduces a number of new features, such as an obstacle course activity and wrist-based running dynamics tracking.

The Garmin Beta Version 12.24 update has begun rolling out to eligible Instinct 2, Instinct 2S and Instinct Crossover smartwatches. Plus, the software is available for the new Instinct 2X model. The new software brings a series of bug fixes for the wearables, tackling issues with CIQ, cycling and watch face data fields.

Amazfit is preparing to announce a new Pop series smartwatch. Launching as the Amazfit Pop 3S, the smartwatch will feature up to 12 days of battery life, over 100 watch faces and a 1.96-inch AMOLED display.

Bluetooth and LTE versions of two forthcoming Galaxy Watch6 models have surfaced at the FCC, underlining their imminent release. Thought to be the 40 mm and 44 mm versions of the Galaxy Watch6, the pair should also be joined by more high-end options under Samsung's 'Classic' or 'Pro' branding.

Mixed reality by Apple has finally made its long-awaited global debut at WWDC 2023. The Cupertino behemoth claims to have built a potentially definitive take on the technology from the ground up, resulting in a 3D experience now backed to impose macOS-like UI features on real life as much as possible. On that note, the headset is also rated to switch to completely immersion for entertainment purposes instead.

Reputedly, Sony is days away from revealing the WF-1000XM5. In the meantime, a retailer has shared numerous Sony WF-1000XM5 specifications, along with a sneak peek at the earbuds' design.

Apple is now backed by more industry leaders than ever before to re-imagine itself as the next big extended-reality (XR) brand during its imminent WWDC23 event. The Cupertino giant is now tipped to offer the conference's attendees the chance to test the hardware in question in person, which, according to the latest leaks, will strive to stay ahead of its competition with high-tech internals and a compelling UX.

OPPO backs its first-gen MR headset as ready and able to take on anything else in the fast-growing mixed or extended reality (MR/XR) space with "advanced technology and unique innovations". They include the binocular video pass-through (VPT) feature tipped to become the next hot spec among headsets of that type, as well as the same rapid SuperVOOC charging as the OEM's smartphones. Then again, it has yet to become available to the public.

Is it a multi-mode mobile device charging station?...is it a DIY desk toy?...is it a potential gift for a techy loved one? According to AOHi, it is all of those things. The brand's "Future Eternal City" accessory is intended to look like a space-themed display, yet is in fact a wired/wireless charger bundle, with a power bank to boot. It is also on sale with a coupon code for a limited time.

Garmin has rolled out a new beta update for Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq, Quatix 6 and Tactix Delta smartwatches. Arriving as Beta Version 25.91, the update is available as an OTA or through Garmin's Connect Mobile and Express services.

Amazfit has announced that it is now working on a purpose-built GPS Wear device for running - although its release is far from imminent. In the meantime, it has something else for aspiring fitness-enthused beta-testers: a chance to get a unit of the upcoming "sports watch" for free in advance, and assess its apparently cutting-edge tracking technology.

Meta has revealed its next consumer-grade VR headset. Arriving later this year as the 'most powerful Meta Quest' headset to date, the Quest 3 has debuted just ahead of Apple's first VR outing.

Garmin has introduced the Epix 2 Pro series, a trio of smartwatches that debuts alongside the new Fenix 7 Pro series. The Epix 2 Pro series is available with more battery life than their regular counterparts, as well as a new heart rate sensor, a built-in flashlight and new exercise tracking features.

The Fenix 7 Pro series consists of three sizes, starting with the Fenix 7S Pro. Available to order from US$799.99, the Fenix 7 Pro series adds a built-in flashlight and a new heart rate sensor to the Fenix 7 series package, among other changes.

Iris has launched an Indiegogo InDemand campaign for its smart ring following its successful Kickstarter campaign earlier this year. You can use the wearable to track your heart rate and blood oxygen level, with blood pressure and skin temperature features coming in 2024.

The well-known Bloomberg correspondent Mark Gurman claims to have been able to test the upcoming third-gen Quest headset from Meta ahead of its launch. Its apparently mixed reality (MR) -focused build is described as updated in some areas compared to its predecessor, although it may fall short of its rumored impending Apple rival in some respects.

Garmin has rolled out a new beta update for Fenix 6 series smartwatches and its counterparts. Curiously, Beta Version 25.89 contains fewer changes than its predecessor, with Garmin removing 17 bug fixes that it included in Beta Version 25.88.

The Garmin Beta Version 13.22 update is rolling out OTA to eligible Fenix 7, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and MARQ 2 smartwatches. The new software brings various bug fixes to the wearables, addressing watch face issues, locked wallets and unexpected shutdowns. Plus, a problem with the MARQ 2’s heart rate sensor has been resolved.

Being rejected in early 2022, Elon Musk's brain-implant initiative, Neuralink, has finally managed to secure FDA's approval. Thanks to this step, the road to the first-in-human clinical trial is now open. Recruitment is not open yet, but more information on this matter should become available soon.

Garmin is edging ever nearer to launching the Epix 2 Pro series, one of two upcoming flagship smartwatch launches. Now, a Dutch retailer has listed one of Garmin's various Epix 2 Pro models, confirming several new features in the process.

Filings at SIRIM in Malaysia have appeared for the upcoming Garmin Venu 3 and Venu 3S smartwatches. Little is known about the wearables, which could feature the new Garmin ECG app, used to detect an irregular heart rhythm. The new watches are unlikely to launch ahead of the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro models.

The Garmin Public Beta Version 15.19 update is currently rolling out to eligible Forerunner 945 LTE wearables. The software is a release candidate, meaning a public launch of the update is on the horizon. The new Beta version is almost identical to v15.16 and v15.12, bringing a new Sensor Hub Update.

The Garmin Beta Version 25.88 update for Fenix 6, Enduro and MARQ smartwatches is now available. The new software must be installed manually, with an OTA version of the update coming soon. Version 25.88 brings two bug fixes to the wearables, solving problems encountered during activities.

Zepp Health has filed two new round smartwatches with the FCC in the US, which could be for Amazfit GTR 5 series wearables. The documents show that both watches support Bluetooth connectivity, and one model also supports Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi smartwatch has a 440 mAh battery and a 45 mm (~1.77-in) wide watch face.

Mobvoi has made its latest premium smartwatch official today (May 24, 2023). The TicWatch 5 Pro is a brand first in that it has a Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset and a physical crown. It is rated for up to 80 hours of battery life thanks to an "ultra-low-power" dual-layer display set-up. The Pro 5 also supports 100 or more "professional" work-out modes within its Wear OS 3-based UI.

A renowned leaker has shared new details about the Epix 2 Pro and Fenix 7 Pro series. Apparently not available until mid-June, Garmin will likely announce the pair slightly earlier. Full European pricing for all models has leaked too.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch6 Classic has surfaced in the first renders of the device. A key highlight is the return of the mechanical rotating bezel that was dropped for a touch-based version on the Galaxy Watch5 Pro.

Garmin has presented the Approach S70, a successor to last year's Approach S62. Launching in two sizes, the Approach S70 has an AMOLED display regardless of whether you choose the 42 mm or 47 mm variants, and has many golfing-focused features.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi Watch 3 Youth Edition, a large smartwatch that is expected to launch globally as the Redmi Watch 3 Lite. The Watch 3 Youth Edition starts at CNY 399 (~US$57) and comes in two colours.

The new iQOO Pad draws an unavoidable comparison between other Android slates such as the OnePlus Pad on its launch. However, it has debuted with the slightly newer and faster Dimensity 9000+ processor. The Pad has been unleashed alongside new TWS earbuds with ANC and a matching colorway.

Garmin is preparing to release new flagship smartwatches under the auspices of the Fenix 7 series. All arriving within the next weeks with 'Pro' monikers, the Fenix 7 Pro, Fenix 7S Pro and Fenix 7X Pro will also be joined by accompanying Solar and Sapphire Solar models. In the meantime, pricing has surfaced online for Solar models, courtesy of a retailer.

Apple released watchOS 9.5 a few days ago with various bug fixes and a new themed watch face. However, the update also introduces a green display tint for some models, Watch SE, Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra included.

Garmin is rolling out a long-awaited battery drain fix for the Fenix 7 series and its counterparts. Available as Beta Version 13.19, the update also contains several other bug fixes and an improvement from its predecessor.