Notebookcheck

Wearable

     restrict settings
additional restrictions: Wearable
The Xiaomi Heylou Solar smartwatch retails for just CNY 150. (Image source: Xiaomiyoupin)

Xiaomi Haylou Solar: Not solar-powered, but a smartwatch that costs just ~US$20

The Xiaomi subsidiary Haylou, pronounced "Hello", has released a new smartwatch, the Solar. While the Haylou Solar is not a solar-powered smartwatch as its name suggests, it still packs some impressive tech for ~US$20.
Alex Alderson, Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:35:00 +0200
The paid music-streaming market breakdown for 2019. (Source: Counterpoint Research)

Subscription-based music-streaming increased by 32% in 2019

According to a new Counterpoint Research report, music-streaming service subscriptions have increased in 2019 compared to 2018. Spotify has retained the top spot in this market year-on-year (YoY), also other popular platforms such...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sun, 05 Apr 2020 21:33:00 +0200
There could be a wireless charger with this branding on the market soon. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus may launch a Warp Charge 30 Wireless Charger to go with the 8 Pro

The 8 Pro is rumored to become OnePlus' first flagship phone with wireless charging. Now, a prominent leaker asserts that the OEM will sell a power accessory to support this feature. This brand is also now rumored to have Bullets ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sat, 04 Apr 2020 22:50:00 +0200
The next Galaxy Buds? Source: WinFuture

Rumor | Samsung has developed a new, kidney bean-shaped Galaxy Bud

Samsung is now rumored to have a completely new type of Galaxy Bud in the works. According to a new leak, they will have a much larger shape that looks somewhat like a pair of beans. Some renders generated based on this idea sugge...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sat, 04 Apr 2020 21:45:00 +0200
The new Redmi Band. (Source: MyDrivers)

The Redmi Band: a fitness tracker pitched even cheaper than the Mi Band in China

Redmi has launched its first wearable: a smart band quite like that of Realme's initial foray into this market. It will be only 99 yuan (~$US14) when it goes on sale in China - or even cheaper during a crowd-funding event to be he...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 03 Apr 2020 22:11:00 +0200
The smartwatch market may continue to grow until 2024. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The smartwatch market could break 100 million units shipped by 2024: new market research

The market for smartwatches is associated with an estimated 43.87 million unit shipments in 2018. However, this number is now thought to reach a possible total of 108.91 million by 2024. This growth may be driven by an increased d...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 03 Apr 2020 18:05:00 +0200
Pick up the Fossil Sport for just US$99. (Image source: Fossil)

Deal | Snap up a Fossil smartwatch with Wear OS & Snapdragon Wear 3100 for US$99 instead of US$275; take over 50% off the Gen 4 too

Interested in a smartwatch but put off by the price? Well, Fossil is currently offering some stonking discounts on its Sport and Gen 4 smartwatches. Featuring a waterproof design, Wear OS, a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100, GPS, 4 G...
Alex Alderson, Thu, 02 Apr 2020 21:29:00 +0200
The new Sony WH-CH710N wireless headphones. (Source: Sony)

Sony releases new noise-cancelling wireless headphones

Sony has unveiled the WH-CH710N completely wireless headphones. They are equipped with Automatic Artificial Intelligence Noise Canceling (AINC), which excludes ambient sounds in a way that adapts to the wearer's environment. They ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:33:00 +0200
The Mi Band 4. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi updates the Mi Band 3 and 4 with a laptop-unlocking function

The Mi Bands 3 and 4 have a new firmware update that fixes several UI-related bugs. It also introduces a first-party notebook-unlocking facility to these fitness trackers. They also now support Apple ID logins for the first time.
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:50:00 +0200
The Xiaomi Mi Band 4 features a 30-day battery. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi celebrates shipping 100 million wearables with possible hint of upcoming Mi Band 5 launch

Xiaomi has posted some details about the upcoming Mi Fan Festival event that is taking place in China on April 3. The Chinese manufacturer revealed that over 100 million Xiaomi wearables had been shipped between 2014 and 2019 and ...
Daniel R Deakin, Thu, 02 Apr 2020 10:19:00 +0200
The new Sony WF-XB700s. (Source: Sony)

Sony announces new TWS earphones with EXTRA BASS

Sony has released the WF-XB700 earphones: TWS devices designed to incorporate this OEM's EXTRA BASS technology. They also have an IP4 rating against sweat and water-splashes and ergonomics that may help them stay in the user's ear...
Deirdre O Donnell, Wed, 01 Apr 2020 22:20:00 +0200
The new Fitbit Charge 4. (Source: Fitbit)

Fitbit launches the Charge 4 and 4 Special Edition

Fitbit has unleashed its latest Charge 4 and 4 SE band-style wearables. These devices look much like their predecessors, but now pack advanced features such as on-board GPS. The OEM also claims that they are rated for up to 7 days...
Deirdre O Donnell, Wed, 01 Apr 2020 20:48:00 +0200
The new Samsung AKG N400 TWS earbuds. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung releases new AKG-tuned TWS earbuds with the ANC the Galaxy Buds+ lack

Samsung has launched the AKG N400, a new pair of true-wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds. These accessories, unlike the Galaxy Buds+, have active noise cancellation (ANC). They also hold an IP rating and different color options over th...
Deirdre O Donnell, Tue, 31 Mar 2020 19:05:00 +0200
An infograph on the US phone-call attitudes study. (Source: HighSpeedInternet.com)

Phone...calls?...what are those?: Most US millennials are found to be more comfortable with texting

A study conducted by a broadband internet research group has found that millennials are more likely to develop anxiety at the thought of a voice-call compared to boomers. 50% of the former group also reported getting their parents...
Deirdre O Donnell, Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:45:00 +0200
The new Jabra Evolve2 series. (Source: Jabra)

Jabra launches the Evolve2 enterprise-grade headsets

Jabra has announced new editions to its collaboration- and co-working-focused Evolve series of headsets. They are compatible with the Unified Communications (UC) platforms typically used in offices, and may block a greater degree ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:07:00 +0200
Several Sony businesses are to be restructed. (Source: Sony)

Sony will consolidate 3 areas of its business into a new corporation

Sony has announced a plan to take its existing Electronics Products & Solutions (EP&S) divisions, which includes its Mobile Communications business, and combine them into 1 intermediate holding entity. This new corporation is inte...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sun, 29 Mar 2020 23:32:00 +0200
Standard Fitbit Charge 4 and Special Edition model. (Image source: WinFuture/edit)

Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker promo video and prices for Europe leaked; built-in GPS module included for first time

A promo video showing off the upcoming Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker has been shared online. Prices for the European market for both the standard edition of the Charge 4 and the special edition of the fitness tracker have also b...
Daniel R Deakin, Sat, 28 Mar 2020 11:12:00 +0100
The Galaxy Watch Active 2. (Source: Samsung)

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will get ECG support, but it will be delayed

Samsung's latest smartwatch has an electrocardiography (ECG) sensor, but it is deactivated at present. The OEM had projected that it would be working via a firmware update in the first quarter of 2020 (1Q2020). However, it now see...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 27 Mar 2020 20:51:00 +0100
Qualcomm debuts new Bluetooth audio chips. (Source: Qualcomm)

Qualcomm launches its latest TWS-friendly Bluetooth chipsets

Qualcomm has introduced the QCC514X and QCC304X, 2 new audio SoCs that are "optimized for" true wireless (TWS) earbuds and other similar accessories. They are equipped with support for its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) an...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:46:00 +0100
Apple is just one company headed for potential loss this year. (Source: Apple)

Every sector of the tech market will feel the effects of COVID-19, according to a new report

GlobalData is an analysis firm that produces the ‘Tech, Media & Telecom Trends' report. It has just released a re-evaluated form of the same for 2020 that takes the economic impact of COVID-19 into account. It indicates that all a...
Deirdre O Donnell, Tue, 24 Mar 2020 18:41:00 +0100
Here's our first glimpse at HP's next-generation VR headset. (Source: HP)

HP partnering with Valve, Microsoft on new VR headset

HP has teased its latest VR headset and it looks like it will be a genuine challenger to the current top tier VR headsets on the market. The new headset has been designed in partnership with both Valve and Microsoft, suggesting th...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Tue, 24 Mar 2020 10:40:00 +0100
The possible Pixel Buds 2 charging case. (Source: WPC)

A new leak points to second-generation TWS Google Pixel Buds on the way

Taiwan's NCC regulator has reportedly cleared a new set of TWS devices from Google. This suggests that the Pixel Buds debuted last year will see successors in 2020. However, it is difficult to guess from their new putative leak ho...
Deirdre O Donnell, Mon, 23 Mar 2020 19:23:00 +0100
The ZenBuds have won 2020 design accolades. (Source: Huami)

Amazfit's ZenBuds win an iF Design Award in time for World Sleep Day 2020

Amazfit has announced that its iF Design Award for the innovative ZenBuds came in during the week of World Sleep Day this year (March 13, 2020). These TWS earbuds, appropriately enough, have been created in order to support improv...
Deirdre O Donnell, Mon, 23 Mar 2020 17:05:00 +0100
Honor MagicWatch 2 Smartwatch Review: The Huawei clone convinces with graphical fitness charts

Honor MagicWatch 2 Smartwatch Review: The Huawei clone convinces with graphical fitness charts

Multi-function sports watch at an affordable price. The concept of cloning technology, which is usually practiced by Honor and Huawei with their smartphones, also works with smartwatches: Aside from some visual details, the Honor MagicWatch 2 is a clone of the Watch GT 2 from the parent company Huawei. It looks just as elegant and is just as good, and it is more affordable.
1.39" | 41 g
Inge Schwabe, Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0100
Aukey's latest products with wireless charging. (Source: Aukey)

The latest wireless charger from Aukey has a fan to keep it cool

The well-known power accessories brand Aukey has launched the Graphite Pro 15W, a wireless charger that has won a 2020 iF Design Award for its futuristic form-factor. It integrates vents, a fan and "aviation-grade aluminum" to kee...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sun, 22 Mar 2020 19:22:00 +0100
Fitbit users now have access to more features than usual. (Source: Fitbit)

Fitbit announces a new free trial of its Premium features to help combat the coronavirus pandemic

Fitbit has thrown many of the normally pay-walled aspects of its ecosystem open to all users as they continue to cope with the ongoing pandemic. This offer comprises 90 days of its Premium package, which includes advanced sleep-tr...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sat, 21 Mar 2020 19:23:00 +0100
No release date has been announced for the Fitbit Charge 4 yet. (Image source: 9To5Google)

First Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker images leak online

Some images of the upcoming Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker have been leaked online, hot on the heels of the revealed full specifications for the wearable. The new pictures show the Charge 4 looking very similar to the Fitbit Char...
Daniel R Deakin, Fri, 20 Mar 2020 09:22:00 +0100
Xiaomi may have finally given up on its Surge chipsets. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi reportedly abandons all hope of an in-house CPU

The last few years have seen a scatter of articles about Surge, Xiaomi's supposed competitor to the Kirin or Exynos SoC series of the world in development. Now, however, there are indications that the Chinese OEM is finally giving...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 19 Mar 2020 19:07:00 +0100
The Fitbit Charge 3 wearable was called the "2018 fitness tracker of the year". (Image source: Fitbit)

Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker full specs revealed by online retailer including prices, colors, and NFC capability

The Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker has made a couple of online appearances recently. One of them was for an FCC certification and the other was on a retailer site. Unfortunately, no images of the Fitbit Charge 4 were leaked, but ...
Daniel R Deakin, Thu, 19 Mar 2020 10:22:00 +0100
The new Powerbeats earphones. (Source: Apple)

Apple releases new Powerbeats: less expensive than the Pros, but not TWS

Apple has debuted a refreshed pair of Powerbeats for 2020. These new products look much the same as their predecessors, although they have comparably extended battery life and Audio Sharing. They are available from now for ~US$150...
Deirdre O Donnell, Wed, 18 Mar 2020 19:00:00 +0100
Huami's latest smartwatch, the Amazfit T-Rex. (Source: Gearbest)

Huami reports that it made nearly US$835 million in 2019

Huami is a wearables OEM that has recently made a name for its own brand, Amazfit. Besides this, it also has a role as an ODM to other brands such as Xiaomi to make their smart accessories. The company has reported a year-on-year ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sat, 14 Mar 2020 21:56:00 +0100
The latest high-end Tag Heuer Connected Android Wear-powered smartwatch has landed. (Source: Tag Heuer)

Tag Heuer launches third-gen luxury Connected smartwatch powered by Qualcomm this time around

Swiss luxury watch maker Tag Heuer has launched its third-generation Connected smartwatch. The most notable change, in addition to a more refined design, is a switch from an Intel chipset to Qualcomm’s 2018 Snapdragon Wear 3100 So...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Fri, 13 Mar 2020 11:45:00 +0100
The Apple Watch 6 might look like this. (Source: YouTube)

Apple Watch 6: a new leak may reveal some upcoming features

Some code allegedly derived from an as-yet unreleased version of iOS also reportedly offers insight into watchOS 7, software that may debut with the next Apple Watch. It hints at additions such as sleep tracking and a new mode for...
Deirdre O Donnell, Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:37:00 +0100
The Montblanc Summit 2+ smartwatch. (Source: Montblanc)

Montblanc launches Summit 2+ smartwatch and its first wireless Smart Headphones

Luxury goods maker Montblanc has launched its latest smartwatch alongside its first pair of premium wireless headphones. The new Summit 2+ builds on the same platform as its predecessor but is now larger while its new luxury Smart...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:34:00 +0100
Xiaomi has closed its UK Mi Store down. (Source: Wikipedia)

Xiaomi closes its only UK physical store

Xiaomi showed quite some ambition when it opened its own Apple Store-esque outlet in Shepherd's Bush, London. However, reports that this brick-and-mortar establishment has shut down have recently emerged. UK customers can still bu...
Deirdre O Donnell, Mon, 09 Mar 2020 23:33:00 +0100
Sony has not released a new WH-1000XM since the XM3 in 2018. (Image source: Gear Patrol)

Rumour | Sony WH-1000XM4: Bluetooth 5.0 and 40 hours of battery life with NC on, but no aptX or aptX HD support?

The WH-1000XM4 has been a long time coming, with it being almost eighteen months since Sony announced the WH-1000XM3. The WH-1000XM4 was expected to be unveiled at CES 2020 and now a listing for the ANC headphones has appeared on ...
Alex Alderson, Mon, 09 Mar 2020 13:47:00 +0100
A future Apple Watch might monitor blood oxygen levels. (Source: Apple)

Oxygen level sensing coming to future Apple Watch say tipsters

Early on in the product life cycle of the Apple Watch, Apple realized that it was on to a winner with its health tracking features. This is an aspect of the device that it has continued to refine with each iteration. It looks set ...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Mon, 09 Mar 2020 11:52:00 +0100
OPPO Watch hands-on video (Source: Ice universe on Twitter)

The upcoming OPPO Watch has just been spotted in the wild

The hands-on video that has recently surfaced online shows a smartwatch with slightly curved sides and bezels that seem to be a bit bigger than shown by the unofficial renders that were leaked not long ago. This smart wearable is ...
Codrut Nistor, Mon, 09 Mar 2020 11:11:00 +0100
The new AirPods Pro variant will apparently be Apple's mid-tier TWS earbuds option. (Image source: Apple)

Rumour | New Apple AirPods Pro variant entering mass production this month ahead of mid-2020 launch

Rumoured to be called the AirPods Pro Lite by Taiwanese media outlet DigiTimes, the entry-level answer to the AirPods Pro could be entering mass production this month. Expected to be released in mid-2020, it remains unclear what t...
Alex Alderson, Fri, 06 Mar 2020 16:46:00 +0100
These new products were registered with the WPC in March 2020. (Source: WPC)

New TWS earbuds from Xiaomi may be on the way

A new listing for "Mi True Wireless Earphones 2S" has appeared on the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) website. Based on this name, it seems that Xiaomi has a new TWS product on the way. However, the image that goes with their new ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 05 Mar 2020 17:07:00 +0100
Watchy: A free alternative to the Apple Watch and Co. that is also Arduino and Python compatible. (Image source: SQFMI)

Watchy: A free alternative to the Apple Watch and Co. that is also Arduino and Python compatible

SQFMI has launched a new smartwatch. Called the Watchy, the device is equipped with an E-ink display, four buttons and has a vibration motor. An accelerometer and a real-time clock are onboard too, along with Bluetooth LE and Wi-F...
Alex Alderson, Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:53:00 +0100
The Timex Ironman R300 is an affordable smartwatch that functions primarily as a fitness tracker. (Image source: Timex)

Ironman R300: Timex presents a fitness smartwatch with GPS and 25 days of battery life

The constantly growing smartwatch market is getting another competitor, Timex. With the Ironman R300, the company has created a cheap smartwatch that supports GPS and multiple fitness tracking options. Timex promises that the Iron...
Alex Alderson, Wed, 04 Mar 2020 14:48:00 +0100
Google I/O 2020 has been officially cancelled. (Source: Google)

Google cancels I/0 2020 over coronavirus

Google has officially canceled Google I/O 2020 due to coronavirus concerns. As with cancellations of other events, it is a significant blow as it is the annual software showcase for the company that also usually features some hard...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Wed, 04 Mar 2020 10:51:00 +0100
A screenshot that may support impending aptX for the Sony TWS earbuds. (Credit: WalkmanBlog)

Update | A new leak points to an upgrade to aptX HD for the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds

The Sony WF-1000XM3s are widely regarded as some of the best TWS earbuds out there. However, they do have some discrepancies, one of which is the absence of Qualcomm's aptX HD Bluetooth codec. A new leak suggests that this is to b...
Deirdre O Donnell, Tue, 03 Mar 2020 20:22:00 +0100
Products such as Xiaomi's Mi Band remained popular in India at the end of 2019. (Source: Banggood)

Xiaomi is found to have led the Indian smart-band market in 2019

IDC India has released its report on the wearables market in this country for the last quarter of 2019 (4Q2019). It reveals that the 'audio' category of these electronics had the highest share for that period, overtaking band-type...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sun, 01 Mar 2020 22:43:00 +0100
The Realme Band's color options. (Source: Realme)

Realme's first wearable is a smart band that will launch in India soon

Realme has been connected with an inaugural wearable for a while. This product is, as it turns out, of the fitness-tracker variety. It is set to launch on March 5, 2020 in the Indian market. Accordingly, this smart device has 9 "s...
Deirdre O Donnell, Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:40:00 +0100
Wireless charging may grow as a market until 2025. (Source: Apple)

The wireless charging market is now estimated to be worth up to US$71 billion in 5 years

Wireless charging is mainly relevant to smartphones and other similar portable electronics at present. However, a new analysis indicates that its market will benefit more and more from its application to electric vehicles. This ma...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:58:00 +0100
The black OPPO Watch also has a new band in this leak. (Source: Weibo via IndiaShopps)

The latest OPPO Watch leak hints at Wear OS and one of its case/band variants

OPPO has already let it be known that it will launch its first ever smartwatch soon, and that it has taken profound design cues from Apple. However, the OEM has yet to mention anything about the new wearable's software. A well-kno...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:47:00 +0100
The new SOL REPUBLIC Amps Air +. (Source: SOL REPUBLIC)

SOL REPUBLIC's 3rd-gen TWS earbuds upgrade to ANC and USB type C charging

The Amps Air + are the latest TWS earbuds from SOL REPUBLIC. They are the brand's first such product with active noise cancellation (ANC). These new Amps also now feature a slimmer case with USB type C charging, which can deliver ...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 28 Feb 2020 16:22:00 +0100
The new Reference Design based on the Snapdragon XR2 platform. (Source: Qualcomm)

Qualcomm brings 5G to headset gaming with its new Snapdragon XR2 Reference Design

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon XR2 Reference Design headset, the first such XR (as in, virtual, mixed or augmented reality) device that supports 5G. It does so via its in-built X55 modem, which is part of its latest hardware...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 27 Feb 2020 17:21:00 +0100

Tags

5G (266) Accessory (1971) AMD (1848) Android (10991) Apple (2100) ARM (4379) Audio (259) Bay Trail (163) Business (6044) Cannon Lake (37) Charts (398) Chinese Tech (2853) Chromebook (306) Coffee Lake (632) Comet Lake (195) Console (604) Convertible / 2-in-1 (1207) Cryptocurrency (65) Cyberlaw (310) Deal (600) Desktop (2042) Fail (938) Foldable (37) Gadget (449) Galaxy Note (411) Galaxy S (775) Gamecheck (330) Gaming (4248) Geforce (1752) Google Nexus / Pixel (334) How To (31) Ice Lake (170) Internet of Things (IoT) (322) iOS (474) iPad Pro (317) iPhone (917) Kaby Lake (981) Opinion Lakefield (19) Laptop (5361) Linux / Unix (266) MacBook (319) Mini PC (58) Monitor (302) MSI (178) OnePlus (132) Phablet (2069) Project Athena (30) Renoir (77) Review Snippet (213) Rocket Lake Rumor (3768) Ryzen (Zen) (639) Security (706) Smart Home (285) Smartphone (10310) Smartwatch (762) Software (3338) Storage (1022) Tablet (2591) ThinkPad (1065) Thunderbolt (218) Tiger Lake (21) Touchscreen (3983) Ultrabook (1596) Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) (339) Wearable (527) Whiskey Lake (274) Windows (4999) Workstation (714) XPS (275)
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News > News > Topics
Redaktion, 2013-05- 8 (Update: 2013-09-27)