Category: Wearables

March 25, 2024
Amazfit Testing Blood Pressure Monitoring on Smartwatches
Amazfit is currently in the process of testing a new blood pressure measurement tool for its Balance smartwatch. This innovative feature, which has been discovered by users in China, Malaysia, and Brazil, brings the capability of monitoring blood pressure directly to your wrist.
Amazfit Testing Blood Pressure Measurement Tool on Balance Smartwatch
Although not yet formally announced, it appears that the feature is currently undergoing limited testing. A YouTube video posted by user @petersoncpxb demonstrates how the tool operates. Just like other health metrics available on the watch, there is a specific app dedicated to monitoring blood pressure. Upon opening the app, users can view their most recent blood pressure reading along with the corresponding date and time.
The Measurement Process
To take a reading, users need to tighten the watch band and acknowledge a disclaimer stating that the watch is not a certified medical device. The actual measurement process lasts for about 30 seconds and requires the user to keep their arm flat on a table without moving. Once the measurement is complete, the watch shows both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings, in addition to the current heart rate. The app also seems to have the capability to store past data.
Features and Specifications of the Balance Smartwatch
Amazfit introduced the Balance smartwatch last September, offering a wide array of health and fitness features that are AI-powered through Zepp Aura and Zepp Coach. The smartwatch comes equipped with a 1.5-inch AMOLED display, water resistance up to 50m, and a BioTracker for monitoring sleep. It provides meditation and relaxation soundscapes and AI sleep coaching as part of a paid subscription service. The device can measure various body metrics and boasts a battery life of up to 14 days.
The specific date for a broader rollout of this blood pressure monitoring feature to all Amazfit Balance smartwatches is currently unknown. This development is promising as it indicates that Amazfit is exploring new possibilities in smartwatch functionality, potentially offering users in certain regions a convenient method for tracking blood pressure. We will be monitoring any further progress and official announcements from Amazfit regarding the wider availability of this feature.
In addition to the ongoing testing of the blood pressure feature, Amazfit has also recently introduced the Body Composition Analyzer Mat. This product, designed to complement the Balance smartwatch, employs bioelectrical impedance analysis to provide users with a comprehensive overview of their health by focusing on lower body composition metrics.
Tags: Amazfit, Balance smartwatch, blood pressure monitoring
March 25, 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Three Models with Doubled Storage
We have been increasingly exposed to information regarding the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 series, with numerous leaks and speculations in circulation. Recent revelations pointed towards the integration of the Exynos W940 processor in the smartwatch.
Samsung's Enhanced Smartwatch Lineup
A fresh update from SamMobile indicates that Samsung is undergoing significant transformations in its upcoming smartwatch range. The company is expanding its offerings within the Galaxy Watch 7 series, transitioning from the usual launch of two models to now introducing three distinct models.
This expansion not only indicates a shift in Samsung's strategy but also hints at a potential alteration in the naming conventions for their smartwatches, although the precise nomenclature for these variants remains undisclosed.
Model Variants and Features
Reports suggest that Samsung is revamping the model number system for the Galaxy Watch 7 lineup. The initial variant is associated with model numbers SM-L300 and SM-L305, while the mid-tier model is anticipated to be linked with model numbers SM-L310 and SM-L315.
The top-tier iteration of the Galaxy Watch 7 is connected with model numbers SM-L700 and SM-L705. Speculations suggest that models ending with the number 5 will offer cellular connectivity and eSIM capabilities.
Enhanced Storage and Software
Samsung is reportedly enhancing the internal storage capacity of the Galaxy Watch 7 to 32GB, doubling the previous 16GB allocation. This boost in storage capacity is poised to provide users with increased flexibility for downloading apps, watch faces, and offline music playlists.
Additionally, it is expected that the Galaxy Watch 7 lineup will be powered by Wear OS 5 based on Android 14. The smartwatch, alongside Samsung's new foldable device, Galaxy Ring, and Galaxy Buds 3, is projected to be unveiled at the speculated July 2024 Unpacked event.
Tags: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7, Smartwatch lineup expansion, Wear OS 5
March 25, 2024
Xiaomi Launches Mijia Smart Audio Glasses with Air Conduction Tech at $63
Xiaomi has introduced its latest innovation, the Mijia Smart Audio Glasses, in China today. These smart glasses merge audio functionalities with trendy eyewear, creating a harmonious blend of technology and style.
Customizable Design and Audio Technology
The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses present a customizable design featuring six interchangeable frame options, offering users the flexibility to match the glasses with their specific vision needs. Primarily focusing on audio delivery, these glasses utilize air conduction technology to transmit sound to the ear canals. Equipped with ultrasonic speakers and a fusion sound cavity structure algorithm, they deliver a rich and immersive audio experience.
Enhanced Features and Ergonomics
These smart glasses incorporate dual anti-sound leakage technology to prevent sound leakages during calls, ensuring clear communication. With impressive battery life, they support up to 10 hours of music playback, 7 hours of phone calls, 24 hours of general use, and an 11-day standby time. Charging is convenient with a magnetic contact point located on the temple of the glasses. Weighing just 37.7g, they are lightweight and feature adjustable nose pads and a detachable hinge for added comfort.
Intelligent Functions and Controls
The Mijia Smart Audio Glasses boast intelligent wear detection technology that automatically pauses music playback when the glasses are taken off. The temple supports intuitive gesture controls, enabling users to manage actions such as playing/pausing music, adjusting volume, changing tracks, and more. Interactions with the glasses are also possible through compatible voice assistants.
Pricing and Crowdfunding Details
Xiaomi will launch the Xiaomi Mijia Smart Audio Glasses for crowdfunding in China on Xiaomi Youpin from March 27th to April 10th. During the crowdfunding period, the glasses are priced at 459 yuan (~ $63), with a retail price of CNY 599 (~ $83) thereafter. Availability details post crowdfunding will be announced by Xiaomi.
Tags: Audio Technology, smart glasses, Xiaomi Mija
March 24, 2024
Baseus AirGo 1 Ring Open-Ear Earphones: 360° Sound, 25hr Battery, Low Latency & Fast Charging
Baseus recently introduced a novel set of clip-on earbuds named the AirGo 1 Ring, characterized by an open-ear design and an impressive overall battery life of 25 hours. These earphones are priced at 138 yuan (equivalent to approximately $20) and can be purchased on JD.com.
Baseus AirGo 1 Ring Highlights:
The AirGo 1 Ring stands out with its distinctive feature of "360-degree surround sound effects," made possible by 12mm dynamic drivers and spatial audio technology. This technology is intended to deliver a more lifelike and immersive listening experience for open-ear headphones.
Innovative Design and Functionality:
Although designed as open-ear earphones, Baseus assures that the AirGo 1 Ring employs directional audio transmission and a precise 20-degree ear angle to minimize sound leakage while preserving high-definition audio quality.
Impressive Features and Performance:
In terms of battery life, the AirGo 1 Ring offers up to 6 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case extending this duration to a total of 25 hours. The case also supports fast charging, providing 2 hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge.
The earbuds are incredibly lightweight at 4.5 grams each and feature a transparent, double-layer ear hook design for a secure and comfortable fit all day long.
Moreover, the earbuds offer a range of features. They are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 for a reliable connection and minimal power consumption. Additionally, they support Baseus Smart Dual Connect technology, enabling users to simultaneously connect to two devices, making it ideal for managing work calls and personal music listening.
Enhanced Gaming Experience:
Gamers will appreciate the ultra-low latency of 0.06 seconds, ensuring that audio and visuals remain perfectly synchronized during gameplay. The Baseus app enhances this experience with customizable buttons, headphone positioning adjustments, and a choice of 12 EQ sound effects.
The earphones feature touch controls that allow users to manage music playback, handle calls, switch between sound modes, and activate their voice assistant. All gesture controls can be personalized via the Baseus app.
Design and Connectivity:
The Baseus AirGo 1 Ring is available in two colors: Starlight White and Star Yao Black. They weigh 42.8 grams (excluding packaging) and offer a communication range of approximately 10 meters. The charging case utilizes a Type-C interface, requiring around 1.5 hours for a full charge.
Tags: Dual connect technology, Open-ear design, open-source 3D spatial audio technology
March 24, 2024
Apple stops in-house MicroLED display plans for Watch Ultra 2
Apple has ceased its internal work on microLED display development for smartwatches, as per a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The company had allocated significant funds towards this technology, intending to introduce it initially in the Apple Watch Ultra range. However, Gurman's latest findings indicate that Apple found the microLED technology too expensive and intricate to pursue further.
Apple's Shift in Focus
The decision to abandon the project has led to restructuring within Apple's display engineering teams and job cuts in the U.S. and Asia. While some employees might be reassigned internally, others will receive severance packages.
MicroLED Technology
MicroLED, an advanced display tech utilizing tiny LEDs for individual pixels, offers advantages such as enhanced energy efficiency, contrast, color accuracy, and response times over traditional LED and OLED technologies. Furthermore, it eliminates issues like burn-in commonly associated with OLED displays.
Future Prospects
Despite scrapping the current microLED project, Apple is expected to maintain interest in the technology. Gurman mentions that the company will explore external suppliers and novel manufacturing methods but the timeline for microLED's integration into upcoming Apple products remains uncertain. In the interim, Apple Watch models will likely continue utilizing OLED displays for the next one to two years.
Tags: Apple Watch Ultra, Flexible Display Technology, microLED displays
March 24, 2024
Apple Watch to Android: Surprising Proximity Revealed! Find Out What Happened
The recent legal action taken by the US Department of Justice (DOJ) against Apple focuses on accusations of monopolistic practices, particularly regarding the limited compatibility of third-party smartwatches with iOS. This disparity in functionality between Apple's own smartwatch and third-party alternatives on iOS is a central point in the lawsuit, highlighting what the DOJ perceives as anti-competitive conduct.
Apple's Consideration of Android Compatibility
Apple has revealed that it once contemplated creating an Apple Watch that could sync with Android smartphones. This initiative was explored for three years, but was ultimately abandoned due to various technical challenges. The decision to halt the project was influenced by practical limitations that Apple encountered during this period.
Implications of Lawsuit on Apple's Strategy
The lawsuit and its scrutiny of Apple's practices may prompt the tech giant to reassess its stance on cross-platform compatibility. The pressure from the legal proceedings could lead Apple to reevaluate its position and potentially explore new avenues to facilitate interoperability between its devices and those of other brands.
Balancing Ecosystem Cohesion and Consumer Choice
While there are evident benefits for consumers if devices from different brands could seamlessly interact, Apple's strength derives from its tightly knit ecosystem. The seamless integration between iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and other Apple products is highly valued by users. However, this integration, while enhancing user experience, also limits consumer choice by fostering a dependence on Apple's ecosystem.
The DOJ lawsuit, apart from the smartwatch compatibility issue, has also raised concerns about other aspects of Apple's practices, including the controversial "green bubbles" and allegations of monopolistic control within the App Store on iOS. Overall, these legal challenges may compel Apple to reconsider its approach and potentially make adjustments to address the issues raised.
Tags: Apple, Monopolistic Practices, smartwatches
March 24, 2024
Noise Luna Ring: Affordable Smart Ring Goes Global
Noise Luna Ring, a health-focused wearable that made its debut in the Indian market last year, has now initiated a global crowdfunding initiative on Indiegogo. Interested buyers can avail of a Super Early Bird offer priced at $229, reflecting a substantial 23% markdown from the standard retail cost of $299.
Global Crowdfunding Campaign
The campaign assures worldwide shipping, targeting a delivery timeline of May 2024. While details about the post-campaign availability of Luna Ring beyond India remain undisclosed, customers can select from a range of color options including Midnight Black, Sunlit Gold, Lunar Black, Stardust Silver, and Rose Gold.
Luna Ring Features
The Luna Ring, weighing 3.2 grams, slightly heavier than some rival products, delivers an array of health metrics. It encompasses functionalities such as heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, and skin temperature assessment.
Comprehensive Health Tracking
Distinguished by its extensive health tracking capabilities, the smart ring offers over 70 metrics, surpassing basic monitoring features. Users can delve into their sleep patterns using features like sleep score (ranging from 0-100), sleep stage tracking (including deep sleep, REM sleep, light sleep, and awake time), and nighttime movement monitoring. Additionally, the device evaluates blood oxygen levels while asleep to detect potential breathing issues.
For fitness tracking, the Luna Ring provides an activity score that factors in calorie objectives, workout frequency, and intensity. It automatically detects activities, obviating the need for manual logging, and categorizes daytime movements for user assessment.
The Luna Ring goes beyond mere activity tracking by incorporating recovery considerations. The 'Readiness Score' furnishes a daily evaluation of one's physical preparedness based on sleep quality, activity levels, and recovery status. Features like sleep and activity balance facilitate enhanced training and rest cycles.
App Integration and Wearability
The companion app processes user data to generate insights such as Energy Index, Readiness Score, and Stress Level. It also offers recommendations for enhancing well-being and seamlessly integrates with popular platforms such as Google Fit and Apple Health.
Designed for everyday wear, the Luna Ring is crafted from sturdy titanium with a hypoallergenic, non-metallic PVD coating. Featuring a water resistance rating of up to 150 feet, it is suitable for workouts, splashes, and even brief swims. Noise asserts a battery life of up to five days on a single charge.
Tags: Global Crowdfunding, Health Wearable, Noise Luna Ring
March 23, 2024
Xiaomi Buds 5 Set for Soon Launch, Passes Multiple Certifications
Xiaomi recently unveiled the Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro smartphone in China, sparking speculation about its potential launch in India. Alongside this announcement, there are reports suggesting that Xiaomi is gearing up for the release of a new pair of earbuds, likely to be named the Xiaomi Buds 5. These earbuds, identified under the model number M2341E1, have been spotted on various certification sites, including the FCC, hinting at an upcoming debut.
Xiaomi Buds 5 Specifications
The FCC listing sheds light on some key details about the Xiaomi Buds 5. These earbuds are expected to function within a frequency range of 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz and will feature a PIFA antenna with a 50 Ohm impedance. Dimensions provided in the listing indicate that the earbuds measure 17.18mm x 20.17mm x 30mm, while the case comes in at 53.2mm x 24.5mm x 53.93mm, with a combined weight of 44.7g for both components.
Global Launch Prospects
Apart from the FCC database, the Xiaomi Buds 5 have also made appearances on other certification platforms such as SDPPI, SIRIM, and CMIIT, hinting at a potential global release in the near future. While specific features and specifications of the earbuds are still undisclosed, insights from the Xiaomi Buds 4 can provide a glimpse into what the successor might offer.
Xiaomi Buds 4 Overview
The Xiaomi Buds 4 showcase a semi-in-ear design similar to AirPods, featuring no silicone ear tips and an IPX54 water-resistant rating. They include microphone cutouts on each earbud and offer tap controls on the stem. In terms of audio quality, they are equipped with a graphene-dual magnetic dynamic driver, intelligent active noise cancellation, 360-degree spatial audio, and a transparency mode. These earbuds support Hi-Res audio wireless certification, LHDC 5.0 for CD-level sound quality, and are equipped with three built-in microphones that include noise reduction features, such as wind noise elimination for clearer calls.
The Xiaomi Buds 4 come with a pebble-shaped charging case sporting a dual-tone design, providing 6 hours of playback time and a total battery life of 30 hours. Each earbud contains a 30mAh cell powered by a 480mAh battery, allowing for simultaneous connection to two devices.
Tags: Samsung wireless earbuds, Xiaomi, Xiaomi Buds 5
March 23, 2024
Huawei Band 9: Official Release with AMOLED Display, 5 ATM Rating, and More
Huawei has recently introduced the Band 9, the newest model in its popular series of fitness trackers. This latest device builds upon the design foundation laid out by its predecessor, ensuring that users have access to the essential features they have grown accustomed to in a wearable fitness gadget. Let’s explore the details further.
Huawei Band 9 Specifications
The Huawei Band 9 maintains the practical rectangular shape of its forerunner, featuring a rounded display and a convenient side button. At a mere 14 grams and a slender 8.9mm, it is both lightweight and slim. The device boasts a 1.47-inch AMOLED screen for user interactions and is waterproof up to 5ATM. Huawei offers the Band 9 in five color options, including Electric Blue, Light Pink, Lemon Yellow, Sand White, and Stellar Black. Moreover, Huawei highlights an enhanced soft fluoroelastomer strap for improved skin compatibility, along with a woven nylon strap for the blue variant.
Health and Fitness Features
For enthusiasts of health and wellness, the Band 9 presents over 100 sports modes to cater to various activities. The incorporation of Huawei TruSleep 4.0 ensures thorough sleep monitoring, furnishing users with intricate insights into their sleep patterns and efficiency. The device boasts a maximum battery life of 14 days under standard usage conditions and 9 days under heavy use. Recharging the tracker is a swift process, with just a 45-minute charge required for a full battery refill.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity, the Band 9 is compatible with both Android devices (Android 9.0 and above) and iPhones (iOS 11 and later). Users can access all their health metrics and statistics through the Huawei Health app.
Huawei has initiated pre-sales for the Band 9 in Malaysia, although official pricing details are yet to be disclosed. It is anticipated that the company will unveil pricing information in the near future.
Tags: Huawei Band 9, smart wearables, US Fitness Tracker Market
March 23, 2024
Vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi with Qualcomm S3 Gen 3 Chip Launching on March 26
vivo is set to reveal its latest true wireless earphones on March 26th. The upcoming lineup includes the vivo TWS 4, vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi, and the vivo Pad3 Pro. A standout feature of the vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi is its incorporation of a newly developed audio chip from Qualcomm.
Qualcomm's Latest Innovation
The vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi is equipped with Qualcomm's cutting-edge S3 Gen 3 audio chip. Although Qualcomm has not officially introduced this chip yet, it has been disclosed that the vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi will be powered by the S3 Gen 3 chip. The launch will introduce two distinct earphone models: the vivo TWS 4 and the vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi. Notably, the Hi-Fi version will be the exclusive bearer of the S3 Gen 3 chip, while the standard vivo TWS 4 will feature the Qualcomm S3 Gen 2 chip.
Enhanced Performance
With the introduction of the S3 Gen 2, Qualcomm made significant strides in reducing audio latency as compared to its predecessor. The S3 Gen 1 had an audio latency of 80 ms, which was drastically lessened to as low as 20 ms with a dongle in the S3 Gen 2. Anticipations are high for the S3 Gen 3 to further improve latency rates.
Battery Life and Expectations
The vivo TWS 4 is projected to provide a total battery life of 45 hours, allowing for uninterrupted playback for up to 11 hours on a single charge. While details regarding the battery performance of the vivo TWS 4 Hi-Fi remain vague, it is likely to mirror the standards set by the base TWS 4 model.
Tags: Qualcomm S3 Gen 3, True wireless earphones, vivo TWS 4