Wearable

Garmin has unveiled the Vivomove Trend, a 40 mm hybrid smartwatch. Available in four colours, the Vivomove Trend retails from US$269.99 and supports all core Garmin smartwatch features, such as Garmin Pay and the Garmin Connect app.

Leaked images of a second-generation Meta Watch have surfaced online. The smartwatch has an unusual design with two cameras and a notch for one of them, among other features.

Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Smart Band 2 in Japan, with a 10% discount offered until February 6. Product pages for the wearable have appeared in European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands and Spain. These new listings confirm the RRP and suggest that the gadget will soon arrive in these markets.

The Amazfit GTR Mini has appeared in leaked photos. The reported new smartwatch will have a smaller 1.28-in (~33 mm) display and arrive in several colorways. According to the leaker, the watch will have features like heart rate and SpO2 monitors and support for positioning systems like GPS.

Two new Beta software updates are available for several Garmin smartwatches; version 24.85 for the Fenix 6 and MARQ models and 11.14 for Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S wearables. The latest software resolves several issues, including some which could cause the watches to crash.

The Ace 2 will launch as the Chinese-market version of OnePlus' latest premium mid-range Android smartphone, to be available elsewhere as the 11R. Its launch event will also introduce a new pair of TWS earbuds of a similar name. The accessories look quite like the brand's existing mid-range audio options - however, they apparently upgrade to noise cancellation and Bluetooth 5.3.

After debuting in China a month ago, the new Redmi Band 2 finally looks set to make the trip over to the European market, with a new leak now revealing pricing and official marketing material for the affordable, lightweight smartband.

Garmin is preparing to release another stable update for the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S. In the meantime, the company has issued new beta updates that make numerous changes and improvements, as well as several bug fixes.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Golf and Edition and Galaxy Watch5 Pro Golf Edition have been launched in the UK. The smartwatches, starting from £319 (~US$395), come with a lifetime subscription to Smart Caddie with features like voice guidance around a course and club suggestions.

Amazon US and Mobvoi have slashed the price of the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS, one of Mobvoi's many TicWatch Pro 3 series models. Seemingly discounted ahead of the TicWatch Pro 5's release, the TicWatch Pro 3 GPS can now be picked up for as much as the TicWatch E3.

Garmin has issued Beta version 14.12 to the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955, the last beta build before Garmin embarks on a new stable software release. Beta version 14.12 address a few bugs and makes a few refinements for both smartwatches.

Samsung has started rolling out new updates to the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic. Like the Galaxy Watch5 series, the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 Classic can now take advantage of an improved Camera Controller app, as well as a battery diagnostics utility.

Amazon has cut the price of the Garmin Instinct Solar smartwatch in the US and the UK. Customers in the US can save up to 43% on the wearable, and those in the UK can buy the device for up to 36% less than the RRP. The gadget has a solar battery, GPS support, and a built-in heart rate monitor and pulse oximeter.

Reputedly, Apple may skip the Watch Series 9. In its place is rumoured to be the Watch Series X or Watch X, a smartwatch that will celebrate ten Apple Watch generations. Major hardware changes may not be due until 2024, though.

Garmin has updated a host of recent smartwatches to new beta software builds ahead of stable rollouts. Enduro 2, Epix 2, Fenix 7 and Marq 2 series are now receiving Beta version 11.22, which follows hot on the heels of Beta version 11.21.

Google Pixel Watch users recently reported finding Irregular Heart Rhythm notifications. The alerts were seen in the Fitbit app with a “Data last analyzed” timestamp. Google has now confirmed that this feature is not available on the Pixel Watch and explained the appearance of the data. However, a different feature, Fall Detection, is now rolling out to the device.

Garmin has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally given its ECG App for the Venu 2 Plus a go. Therefore, its units in this country can now use the electrocardiography hardware found in their wearable for the first time. Users can view their "revolutionary" cardiac graphs right on their wrist or sync them to the Connect smartphone app.

Sony's new Float Run is the OEM's most unique earphone product since the LinkBuds. However, unlike those TWS buds, this new gadget integrates earphones designed to stay just outside the user's ear canal during use. Their maker touts this new form-factor as made for runners, athletes or fitness enthusiasts, as it might eliminate discomfort, not to mention the dreaded risk of fall-out, while exercising.

Rumors suggest that the Redmi Band 2 could soon arrive in Europe after a supposed Declaration of Conformity for the wearable was found in Italy. Last year, the lightweight gadget launched in China with features like exercise tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, and WeChat or AliPay payments.

A leaker has discovered early retailer listings for the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965, a pair of next-generation Garmin smartwatches. Not only has the retailer revealed some details about both smartwatches, but it has outlined launch prices, too.

Samsung has revealed plans to further improve functionality across the Galaxy Watch4 and Galaxy Watch5 series. Soon, the Galaxy Watch4, Galaxy Watch4 Classic, Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro will be able to monitor and control devices via the Samsung SmartThings ecosystem, including Nest and Ring doorbells.

The latest Garmin Public Beta for Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955 smartwatches, version 14.08, has been released. Updates in the latest software include improvements to graphs and the Auto Rest feature. However, users have flagged in the Garmin Forum various issues in the release, including a bug which causes the wearable to restart.

ESR's latest offerings with its MagSafe-ready charging technology includes a new version of the kind of wireless charger reduced to a disk that can snap onto the back of an iPhone for continual use while charging. This HaloLock Mini "faster charging" accessory is rated to charge has a thicker "reinforced" braided cable rated to bear more weight, and has landed alongside new AirPod 2 Pro cases and something to make any iPhone or newer Samsung Galaxy S-series case MagSafe.

Skagen has reportedly started to push Wear OS 3 to its latest Falster Gen 6 smartwatch. However, numerous users have found that the hotly-awaited software upgrade has arrived without some features they may have expected. Furthermore, they also claim that others they had gotten used to on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus-powered wearable are now gone.

The inaugural Apple Watch Ultra is now tipped to be succeeded by a newer model in 2024. Not only could this product be touted as a second-gen premium 'adventurer-grade' smartwatch, but one with the first-even display from its own manufacturer. The panel in question is said to be based on advanced microLED technology and to be the first in a long line of Apple devices with proprietary displays.

Numerous marketing images of a future Garmin hybrid smartwatch have emerged online. Supposedly called the Vivomove Trend, the leak showcases the device's design, several features and even an idea of its launch price.

The United States' administration has ruled that Apple has infringed on the intellectual property of another company. Masimo asserts that the Cupertino giant appropriated their trade secrets in making the pulse oximeter found in Apple Watches since the 6 series. Now, the deliberations that might see the popular wearables banned from the market are slated to begin.

Huawei has provided the Watch GT 2 and Watch GT 2 Pro with new software updates. Rolling out as firmware versions 11.0.17.6 and 11.0.11.6, respectively, the updates are said to improve system security but no new features to speak of.

DIZO is now selling two new Watch D smartwatches, building on the Watch D Plus. Billed as the Watch D Pro and the Watch D Ultra, the pair are available in the same colourways but with different feature sets.

JLab is an accessory OEM that tends to equip its TWS earbud cases with in-built USB type-A cables for potentially increased convenience. This feature is found in the ANC and Sport ANC variants of the brand's Epic Air line, all of which mark the start of 2023 with discounts via a major retailer to help with those activity- or productivity-focused new year goals.

RedMagic has sent out a survey to gauge the interest of its fans in its hardware, its growing line of PC gaming hardware as well as its flagship Android smartphones included. The Nubia subsidiary may have let a clue as to a new addition to the former slip in the process: a first-gen TV. It may or may not be joined by new peripherals from the brand.

Citizen has introduced a new generation of CZ Smart smartwatches. Now running Wear OS 3, the CZ Smart relies on the Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset and a 1.29-inch AMOLED display, among other features. The new series of CZ Smart smartwatches will be available in March from US$350.

Fossil has launched the Gen 6 Wellness Edition Hybrid smartwatch. The wearable has an E-ink display allowing up to two weeks of battery life. Built-in lights help you to read the screen in low lighting, and analogue hands indicate the time. Health features of the gadget include SpO2, heart rate zone and VO2 Max tracking.

OnePlus has debuted its second-gen Buds Pro today (January 4, 2023) as TWS earbuds that step up to spatial audio and Dynaudio co-branding for the first time. They also have active noise cancellation (ANC) touted as significantly improved compared to that of their predecessors, not to mention Bluetooth 5.3 and up to 39 hours of battery life. However, it is possible that one might need to pair them with a new 11 flagship smartphone to get the best out of the new TWS earbuds.

Garmin has filed three new multisport watches with the IMDA, a regulatory body in Singapore. The listings suggest that the wearables will have GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity. It is unclear whether these are three separate models or several versions of one watch. The gadgets are unlikely to be the Vivomove Trend, which leaked last year.

IWO PRO is now selling the DT8 Ultra+, or DT8 Ultra Pro, smartwatch worldwide. The gadget is similar in appearance to the Apple Watch Ultra, with a 2.13-in (~54 mm) larger display. Features of the device include GPS tracking, NFC and Bluetooth calling. Plus, the listing suggests that you can use the watch to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.

Apple has unveiled a new limited edition of the second-generation AirPods Pro in China, themed after the transition from the Year of the Tiger (2022) to that of the Rabbit (2023). The TWS earbuds' case come with an appropriately-themed engraving, which is also picked out on their retail box. They are available on the OEM's Store from now.

The Movano Evie smart ring has been announced, a health wearable which could compete with the likes of the Oura ring. The gadget has various biometric tracking tools, such as skin temperature and SpO2 sensors. Plus, the company has revealed plans to apply for FDA approval for the device to make it the first medical-grade smart ring on the market.

The Redmi Watch 3 and Redmi Band 2 wearables are now available in China. The Watch 3 has a larger 1.75-in (~44 mm) AMOLED display, with GPS and Bluetooth calling support. The smaller Band 2 weighs just 14.9 g (~0.5 oz), and both smartwatches have SpO2 monitors and the ability to make payments via NFC.

The Honor Band 7 smartwatch is now available to pre-order in China. The slim wearable has a 1.47-in (~37 mm) display and is available in various colors. The smartwatch has health features such as SpO2 and heart rate sensors, and 96 sports modes to log your exercise. Plus, you can use Bluetooth 5.2 to enable tools like contactless payments and music playback.

Rockley Photonics is forging ahead with its work on clinic-on-the-wrist wearable tech. It is anticipated that a device, possibly the company’s Bioptx band, with hydration measurement could launch in the second half of 2023. A glucose indicator is penciled in for a Q1 2025 launch, with a potential Bioptx Pro or future Apple Watch eventually sporting the vital sensor.

The Zeblaze Vibe 7 Pro smartwatch has been listed as “coming soon” on AliExpress. The wearable has a larger 1.43-in (~36 mm) AMOLED display and a range of health features. Plus, you can use the watch to make Bluetooth calls, and the device lasts up to 30 days when in standby mode.

Sporting both active noise cancelation and an audio transparency mode like most competing products, the OnePlus Buds Z2 wireless earbuds come with a superior battery life of up to 38 hours (24 hours with ANC turned on). With a list price of US$99.99, the OnePlus Buds Z2 can be acquired now from Amazon for half the price.

Garmin has announced that software Alpha version 11.15 is now available to download for various smartwatches such as the Fenix 7 and Epix (Gen 2). The update brings new features like Jet Lag Adviser, which can help you reduce the impact of travel on your body. Plus, the software brings support for Connect IQ System 6.

Released less than three months ago, the Fitbit Versa 4 is slightly thinner than its predecessor and sports an improved multi-path optical heart rate tracker. It comes with Google Wallet & Maps, automatic exercise tracking, and challenges. Amazon's ongoing 30% discount takes the US$229.95 list price down to US$159.95.

Xiaomi has started selling the Watch S2 in China, a smartwatch series that consists of 42 mm and 46 mm sizes. Only available in China for now, the Xiaomi Watch S2 features bright AMOLED displays, advanced health features and long battery life, regardless of the model chosen.