Wearable

A pair of forthcoming headphones have leaked online. Not only have official images of both leaked, but so have a few specifications and alleged European pricing.

The Zepp E smartwatch is one of Amazfit's most unique smartwatches, as it comes with a choice of round or square faces. It is available at one of its best prices yet for the brand's Valentine's Day 2023 sale. There is also up to 30% off some of its 2022 flagship smartwatches, or 35% off the slightly older GTS 2e.

A non-invasive glucose monitor in the form of the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor has been given a target launch timeframe that will likely be encouraging news for the millions of diabetics who have to rely on painful finger-sticking methods. The Afon Blood Glucose Sensor can be used with a wearable device and offers continuous blood sugar level monitoring.

While Xiaomi looks geared to debut the Xiaomi 13 Lite, Xiaomi 13, and Xiaomi 13 Pro globally at MWC, the company's main flagship, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will launch in a few months instead and could be joined by the Band 8, with the fitness band reportedly having now entered production.

Garmin has rolled out another beta update to the Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S. Beta version 11.16 is another Release Candidate for the pair, with Garmin finding a CIQ watch face bug in Beta version 11.15 that prevented its stable release.

The Huawei Watch GT Cyber is now available in Mexico, signalling the start of a wider global launch. The unusual smartwatch, which has an interchangeable casing and strap, was launched in China last year. Features of the wearable include GPS, Bluetooth calling, voice assistant and a SpO2 sensor.

Majority touts its new Tru Bio product as a particularly sustainable example of wireless earbuds as they (their case included) are made with "eco-biodegradable" materials. They are also rated to deliver quality audio via large drivers (also compostable) and hardware that supports up-to-date Bluetooth connectivity (less so). The Tru Bio buds have an estimated 30 hours of battery life and charge back up with USB type-C.

NR-Light is a new type of 5G pitched at moderate-bandwidth applications that fall between those like SIM-enabled broadband devices and, for example, the things of IoT systems. Qualcomm has just introduced the first modem and RF system specifically for it. The Snapdragon X35 may thus be found in next-gen, upgraded counterparts to current 4G/LTE smartwatches, AR glasses and perhaps even laptops.

New patent documents have emerged for a Fitbit blood pressure wearable. The device would include a force sensor, potentially in the display, which the user would push with their index finger. It was confirmed several years ago that the company was working on this new technology, though a release date has yet to be indicated.

Philips has introduced the Fidelio L4 and Fidelio T2, over-headphones and earbuds, respectively. Both feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, as well as support for the Bluetooth LC3 codec, Bluetooth LE Audio and even Sony LDAC.

Know Labs, the company behind the development of Bio-RFID technology, has revealed its numerous strong partnerships as it targets FDA approval for its non-invasive glucose monitoring devices, the KnowU and UBand. The firm has acquired assistance in vital areas such as machine learning, product development, and FDA clearance process acceleration.

Garmin has commenced the rollout of Beta version 11.25 for Fenix 7, Enduro 2, Epix 2, Quatix 7 and Marq 2 series smartwatches. The fourth beta since the company released the last stable update, Beta version 11.25 makes a few changes ahead of a future Release Candidate build.

Although listed with different prices for each color choice, the Skullcandy Indy Evo TWS earbuds are now down by up to 57% on Amazon. This discount applies to the grey version, which carries a US$29.99 discounted price tag. However, the cheapest color choice is green mint, available for US$29.13.

OnePlus has released the Buds 2 Pro in the UK, US and the Eurozone. Available for free with OnePlus 11 pre-orders in some countries, the Buds 2 Pro costs US$179.99 in the US and offer 48 dB of ANC and 6 hours of battery life with the feature enabled.

The 11R has just been unveiled as the latest OnePlus smartphone exclusive to India. It has been revealed as a way to get at the latest Android flagship look (albeit not all of the specs) at about 70% of the cost of a new 11. It is now joined in its R series by equally market-specific version of the OEM's new flagship TWS earbuds.

Garmin has released Beta version 24.86 for Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq, Quatix 6 and Tactix Delta series smartwatches. Available to download now, the new build follows Beta version 24.85 and makes a few software improvements ahead of a forthcoming stable update.

The Garmin Connect app has revealed the company's plans to offer smartwatches with a new health monitoring sensor. It remains to be seen whether the new functionality will be enabled on existing smartwatches or if Garmin is preparing to restrict the functionality to new and unreleased models.

Garmin have not announced the Forerunner 265 or Forerunner 965 yet, but another retailer has listed the pair online. Both smartwatches will cost more than their predecessors. However, the Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 will contain several upgrades over the Forerunner 255 and Forerunner 955.

The Beta Version 11.15 update for the Garmin Instinct 2 and Instinct 2S smartwatches has arrived. Customers were disappointed to learn that the latest software removes the new Morning Report feature from the wearable. The update also resolved many issues, such as problems with Garmin Pay.

EarFun asserts that its latest TWS earbuds are the world's first audio products of their type with a "highly efficient" LE-Audio Bluetooth architecture. An up-to-date Qualcomm chip that confers aptX Adaptive and QuietSmart 2.0 Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation on the Air Pro 3s, which also support one of the latest audio codecs in order to aim for pronounced bass.

The Redmi Smart Band 2 has launched in Europe and is now available in the UK, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy. Plus, you can get 14% off the wearable in many of these countries. The thin gadget has a 1.47-in (~37 mm) display and can last for 14 days with typical use.

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.