Category: Wearables

January 27, 2025
OPPO Redesigns Blood Pressure Smartwatch Patent Without Air Nozzle
OPPO has received a patent that might revolutionize the way blood pressure monitoring systems are integrated into smartwatches. This patent, filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), describes a more straightforward and efficient way to measure blood pressure.
Downsides of Existing Technology
Smartwatches, such as the Huawei Watch D2, utilize an airbag within the strap for blood pressure measurements. This airbag is inflated by an air pump located in the watch head, connected through an air nozzle. While this method works, it comes with a major downside: the air nozzle occupies space in the watch head, which restricts the arrangement of other parts, including additional sensors.
How OPPO’s Innovative System Operates
The innovative patent from OPPO removes the need for a separate air nozzle by integrating the air path directly into the strap of the watch. In this design, the watch head contains an air pump along with a shell assembly that links to the strap through a “connecting assembly.” This connection completes the air path, allowing for the airbag to be inflated and deflated without the requirement for a separate nozzle.
This new design not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also enhances the arrangement options for internal components. It opens up more space within the watch head, enabling more compact and versatile designs.
Future of OPPO’s Smartwatches
Even though OPPO has been awarded the patent, it remains uncertain when the company will launch this technology in its smartwatches. There are reports stating that the upcoming OPPO Watch X2 may include blood pressure monitoring capabilities, but it’s yet to be confirmed whether this particular system will be utilized.
Regarding the Watch X2, current reports indicate that it will be available in three distinct models: the standard Watch X2, a larger 46mm version, and the premium Watch X2 Pro, with some models potentially being rebranded as the OnePlus Watch 3 internationally. Notable features of these models are blood pressure and ECG monitoring, wrist temperature assessment, a 60-second health check, and fitness tracking with GPS functionality.
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Tags: blood pressure monitoring, Oppo, Watch X2
January 27, 2025
Polar Ignite 3 Braided Yarn Edition Launches Worldwide for $340
Polar has launched the Ignite 3 Braided Yarn Edition smartwatch worldwide. This new version swaps the original silicone band for a woven fiber strap, which is designed to be light and soft, enhancing comfort for users.
Strap Options
The strap comes in two widths of 20 mm. The black strap showcases a zig-zag design and is currently available for purchase, while a Bold Red strap with a colorful pattern has been announced but isn’t up for sale yet.
Features of the Ignite 3
This smartwatch boasts a 1.28-inch AMOLED screen with a 416 x 416 pixel resolution, providing clearer visuals. It also has an ambient light sensor that adjusts brightness automatically. The case is 43mm in diameter and 9.5mm thick, weighing 21 grams without the strap and 35 grams when the strap is attached.
The Ignite 3 monitors sleep, heart rate, calorie burn, and a variety of activities. Its Nightly Recharge feature gives users insights into their energy levels, while SleepWise evaluates sleep habits and suggests ways to improve rest. The watch includes more than 150 sports modes, guided breathing exercises, and audio feedback during training. Additionally, Polar Fitness Tests allow users to assess their fitness levels before exercising.
Battery Life
The smartwatch’s 215mAh battery lasts up to 120 hours in watch mode, 30 hours when using GPS and heart rate tracking, and 100 hours in power-saving mode.
Pricing and Availability
The Polar Ignite 3 Braided Yarn Edition is priced at £294.00 in the UK and €339.90 in the EU. In the US, its retail price is set at $340. Presently, the product is out of stock on Polar’s website in the US, and there is no confirmed date for its release.
Tags: Ignite 3 Braided Yarn Edition, polar, Smartwatch
January 27, 2025
Creal Clarity: 3D AR Light Field Display Technology Explained
Creal has launched its innovative Clarity light field display technology for manufacturers of AR glasses. This advanced display system accurately reproduces the complete 3D depth of virtual reality scenes, allowing eyes to focus effortlessly on virtual objects, whether they are close or far away.
Traditional AR Glasses Limitations
Most AR glasses currently utilize micro displays to project light into the eyes at a fixed focal point. This means that when users concentrate on a virtual image, real-life objects at varying distances become blurry. Conversely, focusing on real-world objects results in the virtual image appearing out of focus.
The Advantage of Creal Clarity
Creal Clarity mimics the light rays that come from virtual objects as if they were part of a real environment, accounting for the parallax differences that occur naturally when shifting focus between nearby and distant items. Clarity generates more than 1,000 depth plane images across the user’s field of view and employs pinhole-like optics to send the complete light field into the eyes.
Users can naturally focus on 3D objects in AR scenes without experiencing eye strain, nausea, or other health concerns linked to traditional AR glasses that display images at a fixed distance. Creal Clarity delivers virtual environments with high spatial resolution that meets or exceeds that of current AR glasses, boasting over a 1,000:1 contrast ratio.
Correcting Vision Issues
This projection technology not only ensures exceptional lens clarity but also has the capability to correct for nearsightedness and farsightedness by rendering light fields as perceived through simulated prescription glasses. This innovation eliminates the need for prescription inserts in AR lenses.
Creal, Creal press release, Creal on YouTube, Creal whitepaper
A Major Leap for Vision-Friendly AR Glasses
22.01.2025
At CREAL, we are excited to announce a major advancement this new year! We proudly present Clarity, our state-of-the-art light field display made for integration into AR glasses. This groundbreaking display allows OEMs to create AR glasses that offer a truly natural, comfortable, and healthy viewing experience—free from visual conflicts and eye strain. This means extended and comfortable usage of AR glasses is now achievable, paving the way for augmented reality to realize its full potential.
As the buzz around AR smart glasses continues to build, we firmly believe that for these devices to become everyday essentials, usable all day long, they must provide an authentic and accurate vision of both real and digital content, without adverse effects. These glasses represent the next step in the evolution of traditional eyewear, where their main goal—vision correction and enhancement—must remain intact. This is why our light field display is designed with vision care needs and eyewear features at its very foundation:
– Real image depth for natural visualization
– Prescription fit for corrected vision
– Transparent lens for social comfort
With this achievement, CREAL is excited to remove a significant hurdle to widespread AR adoption. Each element of AR glasses brings unique challenges, and the display especially requires a true transformation to present lifelike digital visuals. Ultimately, through technology licensing and custom component integration, Clarity will allow all-in-one AR glasses to provide a natural, immersive, and contextual visual experience.
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Tags: AR glasses, Creal Clarity, light field display
January 27, 2025
Casio G-Shock MRG-B5000BA-1JR: New Black and Blue Titanium Watch
The Casio MR-G series is often considered the top tier of G-Shock’s offerings, renowned for its durability and accuracy. Initially introduced in 1996, this series typically makes use of high-end materials such as titanium to ensure both strength and a lightweight feel. It seems that Casio is preparing to officially unveil a new model in its premium MRG collection, the MRG-B5000BA-1JR. This watch features a titanium structure and continues the Aizumi (藍墨, or indigo dye) theme that was first launched in 2022 with the MRG-B5000BA-1JR series, adding elegant blue touches to its black DLC-coated case and bracelet.
Specifications and Features
The MRG-B5000BA-1JR is constructed from DAT55G titanium, a strong and light alloy known for its impressive scratch resistance. The case is made up of 25 individually polished pieces. Notable features include Tough Solar technology, Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping, Bluetooth connectivity, and a water resistance rating of up to 200 meters. The watch is also equipped with an LED backlight featuring Super Illuminator, five alarms, a stopwatch, and world time functionality covering 39 cities, making it quite adaptable. According to a listing on Yahoo Japan, the MRG-B5000BA-1JR is expected to be priced at ¥495,000 (approximately $3,750).
Availability and Future Updates
At this time, while the MRG-B5000BA-1JR has been listed, it seems it won’t be available for purchase until after Casio officially announces it. Unfortunately, we don’t have many details regarding the upcoming release as of now, but we anticipate more information will become available shortly.
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Tags: Casio, G-SHOCK, MRG-B5000BA-1JR
January 25, 2025
Apple Addresses Product Safety Concerns Over Watch Band Chemicals
Apple has recently responded to a class-action lawsuit that claims some Apple Watch bands contain dangerous levels of “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The company assured customers that all its watch bands undergo rigorous quality testing and comply with safety standards, providing reassurance that they are safe for everyday use.
Apple’s Commitment to Safety
In a statement released by Macrumors, Apple reinforced its dedication to keeping users safe: “Users can wear Apple Watch bands with confidence and safety. Before the Apple Watch leaves the factory, it undergoes rigorous testing. Additionally, we collaborate with independent laboratories to conduct thorough analysis of the materials used in our products, including Apple Watch bands.” This statement comes as concerns grow following a lawsuit in California, which alleges that Apple’s Sport Band, Ocean Band, and Nike Sport Band contain harmful levels of PFAS. These chemicals, known for their resistance to water and oils, are associated with serious health risks, including cancer, immune system issues, and developmental problems.
Research Raises Alarms
In a 2024 study from the University of Notre Dame, researchers found high levels of PFAS in various smartwatch bands, including some made by Apple. The research pointed out that these chemicals could penetrate the skin, especially during physical activities, as sweat and open pores might increase the risk of absorption. Apple has previously committed to removing PFAS from its products, but the lawsuit claims the company has been selling bands with these chemicals while not warning consumers about the potential health threats.
Legal Implications and Consumer Choices
The ongoing legal situation has led Apple to reiterate its focus on safety and transparency. Critics are pushing for stricter regulations and safer production methods. For those concerned about PFAS, exploring PFAS-free or silicone bands might be a safer option.
You can also check out our article about how smartphone chips are changing on-device AI, featuring advancements like Neural Processing Units (NPUs) that allow for quicker, energy-efficient AI tasks while improving privacy and security. Major manufacturers such as Apple, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung are at the forefront of enhancing performance, thermal management, and local data processing.
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Tags: Apple Watch, Class Action Lawsuit, PFAS
January 25, 2025
Sony and Xiaomi Launch PlayStation Fitness Tracker Collaboration
PlayStation China is celebrating its 10th birthday, and in honor of this milestone, Sony has partnered with Xiaomi to introduce a fitness tracker marked with the PlayStation brand. While specific details remain scarce from both companies, this smartwatch seems to be a tailored version of Xiaomi’s Smart Band 9 Pro.
Special Edition Design
As a limited edition, the PlayStation fitness tracker showcases a strap designed with PlayStation motifs. This strap displays the iconic PlayStation logo along with its familiar face button symbols. In addition to the smartwatch, the packaging includes a standard black strap, a commemorative card, and a typical charging cable.
Features and Specifications
There’s no word on whether this special edition comes with PlayStation-themed software modifications. If it is indeed a modified Smart Band 9 Pro, it is expected to feature a 1.74-inch AMOLED display boasting a resolution of 336×480 pixels and a maximum brightness of 1,200 nits.
Xiaomi’s Smart Band 9 Pro is also known for its water resistance with a rating of 5ATM, along with various fitness tracking functionalities. Health monitoring is enhanced by an upgraded AFE chip, providing precise readings for blood oxygen levels and heart rate. Additional features include tracking for sleep and women’s health.
Availability and Pricing
So far, neither Xiaomi nor Sony has disclosed a release date for the PlayStation fitness tracker. There’s also no mention of its price. However, considering that this smartwatch is a special edition commemorating PlayStation China’s decade in business, it is likely that it won’t be sold on the global market (the regular Smart Band 9 Pro can be found on Amazon).
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Tags: Fitness Tracker, PlayStation China, Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro
January 25, 2025
Sharge Loomos AI Glasses: Release Date and Lowest Price Revealed
loomos has given a sneak peek of its first-generation smart glasses, likening them to a mix of Meta’s Ray-Bans and a Shargeek 140 power bank. This blend is not unexpected, as the brand loomos is a new offshoot of Sharge.
Pricing Details
One interesting aspect is the starting price, which may be a welcome surprise for those familiar with the Meta alternatives that start around $290.90 on Amazon. Sharge has revealed that its new loomos glasses will begin at $199.99, but there’s a catch.
This introductory price applies only to the first 2,000 units sold through Kickstarter. After that, the cost will increase to $209 for the next 4,000 units and $219 for the following 4,000. Eventually, the glasses could be priced at a suggested retail price of $299.
Additional Features
Additionally, customers can opt to bundle the glasses with a new Sharge power bank, which is designed like a neckband and offers a battery capacity of 6,500mAh to enhance the loomos’ battery life.
The glasses are marketed as “all-day” AI wearables even without the power bank. However, Sharge has also noted that the up-to-4K video recordings are limited to just 5 minutes.
Specifications
The loomos smart glasses are equipped with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC internal memory. They can connect to smartphones using Bluetooth 5.0 and have IP5X and IPX4 ratings for dust and water resistance, respectively.
Moreover, they can be fitted with prescription lenses and come with a dedicated Unisoc quad-core processor to support its AI assistant based on GPT 4o. The crowdfunding campaign for the loomos glasses will kick off on January 28, 2025, at 10:00 EST (16:00 CET).
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Tags: Loomos, Sharge, smart glasses
January 25, 2025
Samsung Advances Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Monitoring for Wearables
Wearables today, especially those made by Samsung, come with a wide range of sensors. These sensors do more than just track where you are or which way you’re facing; they also monitor health-related data, like heart rates and oxygen levels. Some advanced models even have the ability to record an electrocardiogram. That said, current smartwatches are still not able to accurately measure blood glucose levels. Previously, we looked into the difficulties of monitoring glucose without invasive methods.
Samsung’s Efforts in Glucose Monitoring
Samsung is reportedly making strides in this area, putting in significant effort to develop this technology. Dr. Hon Pak, who is the Senior Vice President and leads the Digital Health Team at Samsung Electronics, shared at the Samsung Health Forum in San Jose that the company is working on a non-invasive way to monitor blood glucose. He seemed quite optimistic about the advancements and mentioned that this technique could really change the game if executed properly. Unfortunately, he was unable to disclose further details about how the method works or when it might be available. In a press release, Samsung also explored the role of AI and its potential applications in glucose monitoring.
Future Applications Beyond Wearables
While some news sources, like Android Authority, quickly connected this technology to Galaxy wearables, it doesn’t mean it will be a part of those devices right away. Given that Samsung manufactures medical equipment, such as ultrasound machines and CT scanners, there’s a chance this innovation could be applied in larger medical devices and professional environments. Reports suggest that Apple is struggling to make non-invasive glucose monitoring smaller and more practical. Samsung could encounter similar challenges in their development process.
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Tags: blood glucose monitoring, Samsung, wearables
January 25, 2025
Affordable Casio Runner Watches with 5-Year Battery Life Available
Casio has introduced two fresh models in its LWS1200H series in the United States. The LWS1200H-1A2V features a pink dial set in a black resin case and strap, while the LWS1200H-7A3V offers a turquoise dial with a white casing and band. Other than their new colors, these models are the same as previous versions in the series.
Designed for Runners
The LWS1200H, also called the LWS-1200H in different areas, is tailored for those who love running. As per the product details, it can store up to 60 lap times, which assists you in monitoring your performance. Additional functionalities include a stopwatch accurate to 1/100 of a second, a countdown timer, hourly signals, and three alarms. An amber LED backlight makes it easier to read in low-light environments, and it can display dual time. Moreover, it is water-resistant up to 100 meters, allowing you to wear it during rain, and it promises up to five years of battery life powered by a CR1620 battery.
Pricing and Availability
The Casio LWS1200H-1A2V and LWS1200H-7A3V are priced at $29.95 in the United States, which is the same price point as older models like the LWS-1200H-1AVCF (currently listed at $21.92 on Amazon). Casio has not yet disclosed any intentions to release these watches in Europe or other regions.
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Tags: Casio LWS1200H, LWS1200H-1A2V, LWS1200H-7A3V
January 25, 2025
Casio Unveils Three New MWA300H Multi-Dial Watches
Casio has introduced three new timepieces in the United States: the MWA300H-1AV, MWA300H-2AV, and MWA300H-3AV. These watches feature a sporty style and multiple dials. They come with a stainless steel bezel that has both hairline and mirror finishes.
Unique Color Options
Each model in the MWA300H series showcases a distinct color. The MWA300H-1AV comes with a black watch face, the MWA300H-2AV has a blue face, and the MWA300H-3AV features a green dial. The first two models share a black resin band, while the third model has a green strap that complements its face.
Practical Features
The watches are equipped with a simple 1/10-second stopwatch that includes modes for elapsed time and split time, displayed on three smaller dials. They feature three hands for hours, minutes, and seconds, and also show the date (only the day of the month). Additionally, these watches are water-resistant up to 100 m (around 330 ft) and can operate for nearly three years on an SR920SW battery. Notably, the product description does not mention the presence of a backlight, which is typically found in many Casio models to aid visibility in dim light.
You can purchase the Casio MWA300H-1AV, MWA300H-2AV, and MWA300H-3AV for the price of $69.95. This price is higher than that of the more basic MWA series watches, such as the MWA100H, which retails for $42.95 but is currently listed at $33.50 on Amazon. It remains uncertain when, or if, these watches will be available in other regions like Europe.
Conclusion
Overall, Casio continues to expand its range with these stylish yet functional watches. G-Central has covered this launch thoroughly.
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Tags: Casio MWA300H, sporty analog watches, water resistant watches