Noise, a prominent Indian brand in wearable technology, has unveiled its latest smartwatch, the NoiseFit Halo 2. Building on the achievements of its earlier model, this new smartwatch comes with a sleek design, enhanced features, and an easy-to-use interface.
Design and Features
The NoiseFit Halo 2 is equipped with a captivating 1.46-inch AMOLED display that provides rich visuals, along with a distinctive rotating bezel for straightforward navigation. It boasts a high-quality metallic finish and three different strap styles to suit various tastes. Users can enjoy customizable transition effects, an Always-on Display, and efficient Bluetooth calling facilitated by Tru Sync technology.
For those focused on health, the smartwatch is integrated with the Noise Health Suite, which monitors heart rate, SpO2 levels, sleep trends, and stress indicators. Additionally, the Productivity Suite offers notifications and weather forecasts. With an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, along with a robust build, it’s ideal for those with an active lifestyle.
Pricing and Availability
The NoiseFit Halo 2 provides more than 100 sports modes and adjustable watch faces. It promises a 7-day battery lifespan on a single charge. Available in five color options, it’s priced at INR 4,499/- for leather and silicone versions, and INR 4,999/- for the metallic version. The smartwatch can be purchased exclusively on gonoise.com, Amazon, and Flipkart.
Competitor’s Offering
In related developments, Boat has introduced the Storm Call 3 Plus, an affordable smartwatch priced at Rs. 1,149. This model includes a 1.96-inch display, Bluetooth 5.2 calling with a dial pad, and turn-by-turn navigation through MapmyIndia. Running on Crest+ OS, it also offers a 7-day battery life. The watch is capable of supporting over 700 sports modes, tracking heart rate and SpO2, analyzing sleep, and more, all integrated within the Crest App Health Ecosystem.
Timekettle has introduced its latest innovation, the W4 PRO AI Interpreter Earbuds, at the IFA 2024 event in Berlin. These earbuds are designed to meet the needs of users requiring translation support in diverse situations, such as welcoming international visitors, engaging in multilingual online discussions, and traveling to foreign destinations.
Key Features and Modes
The W4 PRO marks Timekettle’s ongoing commitment to advancing translation technology. This newest product builds on their previous offerings, transitioning from handheld devices to earbuds that provide simultaneous interpretation.
The W4 PRO provides three main operational modes:
One-on-One Simultaneous Interpreting:
Enables instant translation for two-way conversations
Features a dual interpretation system
Equipped with a triple microphone array to enhance voice recognition
Listen & Play Mode:
Tailored for multilingual meetings
Allows seamless switching between listening and speaking with simultaneous translation
Utilizes AI Semantic Segmentation for sentence parsing
Includes an AI Memo feature for post-meeting summaries
Provides one-way assisted translation for unexpected foreign language phone calls
Delivers real-time transcription subtitles
Design and Technical Aspects
The design of the W4 PRO AI Interpreter Earbuds emphasizes both user comfort and functionality. These earbuds have an open-ear design, enabling prolonged use without the typical discomfort associated with in-ear models. This choice not only boosts comfort but also addresses hygiene concerns and promotes environmental awareness.
From a technical standpoint, the W4 PRO ensures high-quality audio output for clear and precise sound reproduction, which is essential for accurate translation and communication. The earbuds feature advanced voice recognition with a triple microphone array, ensuring accurate speech capture in various settings. Designed to manage multiple languages, the W4 PRO caters to the diverse communication needs of today’s globalized society.
Potential Applications
The W4 PRO is suitable for various scenarios, including:
Business negotiations that overcome language barriers
Communication for tourists in different countries
Participation in multilingual meetings
Engaging with foreign language media content
Leal Tian, CEO of Timekettle, stated that the W4 PRO is intended to enable more natural, hands-free conversations that maintain eye contact, potentially offering a smoother cross-language interaction experience compared to reliance on phone-based translation applications.
Currently, the Timekettle W4 Pro is available for purchase worldwide through the brand’s online store, priced at $449.
Boat has unveiled its new budget-friendly smartwatch, the Storm Call 3 Plus, shortly after the release of the Storm Call 3 in April. This updated device is packed with impressive features such as a larger display, turn-by-turn navigation, and Bluetooth calling, all offered at a competitive price.
Priced at merely Rs. 1,149, it aims to attract a broad audience, particularly those seeking a cost-efficient yet feature-rich smartwatch.
Boat Storm Call 3 Plus Specifications
The Storm Call 3 Plus boasts a 1.96-inch display with a resolution of 240×288 pixels, ensuring clear visuals and user-friendly operation. It includes an always-on display and wake gesture capability, allowing users to view the time and notifications effortlessly. The watch features a functional crown for easy navigation through its interface. Operating on Crest+ OS, it supports Bluetooth 5.2 calling, complete with a dial pad and contact-saving options, enabling users to handle calls directly from their wrist.
Equipped with a 300mAh battery, the smartwatch offers up to 7 days of battery life, or 2 days when Bluetooth calling and Always On Display are active.
Special Features
MapmyIndia navigation integration provides precise turn-by-turn directions, perfect for those frequently traveling or exploring new areas. The watch includes a customizable watch face via the DIY Watch Face Studio, allowing for personalization. With over 700 sports modes, it caters to fitness enthusiasts by tracking activities like running, cycling, swimming, and yoga.
For health monitoring, the smartwatch includes heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, sleep analysis, and energy score tracking, all accessible through the Crest App Health Ecosystem for tailored insights. Additional features comprise Emergency SOS, camera and music controls, weather updates, alarms, stopwatches, and even games. Its IP67 rating ensures resistance to sweat, dust, and water, making it suitable for various environments.
Pricing & Availability
The Boat Storm Call 3 Plus is available at a special introductory price of Rs. 1,149 and can be purchased via the Boat website and Flipkart. The smartwatch is offered in a variety of vibrant colors, including Active Black, Olive Green, Dark Blue, Cherry Blossom, Mint Green, Salmon Peach, and Black Metal Mesh, providing users with numerous style options.
Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Series 10, which boasts a fresh design, a bigger screen, and several innovative health and fitness functionalities.
Thinnest Design Yet
The Series 10 is about 10% slimmer than its predecessors, yet it maintains an 18-hour battery life. This sleekness is achieved by integrating the antenna into the watch’s body. The watch is available in aluminum and titanium, with various colors and finishes, such as jet-black aluminum and polished titanium.
Larger Display and Enhanced Refresh
The Series 10 features the largest display seen in any Apple Watch, with a 30% increase in screen area. Its wide-angle OLED technology ensures it is 40% brighter when viewed from an angle, and the improved refresh rate allows some watch faces to display a continuously moving second hand.
Faster Charging
Thanks to an updated back design, the Series 10 charges more swiftly. A quick 15-minute charge provides up to eight hours of use, while 30 minutes charges it to 80%.
Sleep Apnea Monitoring
Beyond sleep tracking, the Series 10 can now detect sleep apnea signs by monitoring wrist movements associated with breathing interruptions. This capability is expected to receive regulatory approval soon.
Water Activity Features
For aquatic enthusiasts, the Series 10 includes a depth gauge that measures up to 6 meters and a water temperature sensor. The Depth app provides details like current depth, water temperature, time underwater, and maximum depth. Additionally, watchOS 11 introduces a Tides app for open water activities.
Enhanced Audio and Call Quality
The Series 10 enables users to listen to audio through its built-in speakers, accommodating Apple Music, Podcasts, and third-party apps. A voice isolation feature also reduces background noise during calls.
Fresh Finishes
For the first time, the Apple Watch is offered in a polished aluminum finish, including a glossy jet-black option. A polished titanium finish replaces stainless steel in some models, providing a lighter and more reflective appearance. Both aluminum and titanium models are offered in various colors.
watchOS 11
Running on watchOS 11, the Series 10 introduces new features like the Vitals app, training load insights, customizable Activity rings, and an enhanced Smart Stack.
Pricing and Availability
The Apple Watch Series 10 is priced starting at $399. It is now available for pre-order, with in-store availability beginning on September 20. New watch bands can also be ordered.
Apple has expanded its Apple Watch Ultra 2 collection by introducing a new black titanium finish, in addition to the existing natural titanium option, offering consumers a wider range of choices.
The black titanium finish is achieved through a unique blasting technique followed by a carbon coating, which enhances its scratch resistance and durability for outdoor use. Additionally, the watch’s back is made from dark zirconia to complement the new color.
Updated Bands and Elegant Options
Apple has refreshed its Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band with black hardware to match the black titanium casing. Furthermore, the new Titanium Milanese Loop band provides a sophisticated look, inspired by diver mesh bands, while being lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
The Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2 now also comes in the black titanium finish. This exclusive edition merges the resilience of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a nautical-themed Hermès band and distinctive Hermès watch face, catering to those who desire both elegance and practicality.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Features
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is designed to withstand harsh environments, boasting military-grade toughness (MIL-STD 810H) and water resistance up to 100 meters (WR100). It’s certified for diving up to 40 meters, making it ideal for activities like kitesurfing, wakeboarding, and scuba diving.
The watch includes a rotating crown and action button for easy navigation, and a new double-tap gesture lets users complete tasks like answering calls or pausing timers without touching the screen.
Its Always-on Retina display can reach up to 3,000 nits of brightness, ensuring visibility even under direct sunlight. Call quality is enhanced by three built-in microphones, and machine learning helps minimize wind noise.
Health-tracking capabilities include a heart-rate monitor, ECG sensor, and SpO2 tracker. It can detect atrial fibrillation, crucial for heart health monitoring. For women, a menstrual cycle tracker utilizes temperature sensors for more accurate predictions.
Advanced GPS and Safety Features
Equipped with multi-band dual-frequency GPS, the watch is perfect for runners and hikers, while swimmers and divers benefit from the depth gauge. It also includes an 86 dB siren and emergency features like crash detection, which can automatically call for help after a severe car accident.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in black titanium starts at $799 / Rs. 89,900, and the version with the new Titanium Milanese Loop is priced at $1,399 / Rs. 1,04,900. Pre-orders are open, with shipping beginning on Friday, September 20.
Casio’s G-SHOCK, renowned for its robust and dependable timepieces, has introduced the G-STEEL GBM-2100 series to the Indian market. This new lineup, an evolution of the successful GM-2100, marries durability with elegance and modern technology.
Innovative Design
The GBM-2100 series is distinguished by its sleek metal octagonal bezel, a notable shift from the typical resin bezels seen in many G-SHOCK models. The watch face features a transparent grid pattern combined with a circular brushed finish, enhancing its sophisticated look.
Underneath its stylish appearance, the watch is designed for longevity. It boasts a stainless steel bezel and a tough inner case reinforced with glass fiber resin, safeguarding its internal components. The high-contrast dial, complemented by phosphorescent index markers, ensures readability even in dim lighting.
The series also includes a Super Illuminator, a powerful dual LED light that provides excellent visibility in any lighting condition. Key functionalities such as shock resistance, 200-meter water resistance, five daily alarms, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a countdown timer, and world time are also incorporated.
Commitment to Sustainability
G-SHOCK has integrated bio-based resin into parts of the case and band, reducing the watch’s environmental footprint and demonstrating the brand’s dedication to sustainability.
The G-STEEL GBM-2100 series is available in four color choices: black, blue, green, and brown. Priced at Rs 19,995, these watches can be acquired from Casio stores, G-SHOCK outlets, and Casio’s online platforms.
Amazfit has unveiled the newest version of its rugged T-Rex smartwatch, the T-Rex 3. While preserving the line’s renowned military-grade toughness, this model introduces several valuable enhancements. Let’s dive into the specifics.
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Features
The T-Rex 3 opts for an octagonal bezel, replacing the previous circular design, lending it a unique look. It maintains its robust style with textured buttons and red highlights at strategic points.
The screen size has increased to 1.5 inches with an impressive brightness of 2000 nits, making it ideal for viewing data even in intense sunlight. This is an upgrade from the former 1.39-inch display. The screen now includes Gorilla Glass protection and supports a glove mode for cold-weather use.
Although the watch straps remain at 22mm, the material has been updated to a more comfortable and sanitary liquid silicone.
Performance and Battery
Under the hood, the T-Rex 3 is equipped with a new ZPS3044 processor and 32GB of storage. It runs on the Zepp OS 4 interface and includes an AI assistant powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, along with a built-in app for managing Sonos audio systems.
The T-Rex 3 remains dedicated to fitness enthusiasts, providing support for 170 sports modes and offering 10 ATM water resistance, suitable for diving up to 45 meters. Additionally, it features skin temperature monitoring alongside the usual heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and sleep tracking.
One of the standout features of the new watch is its battery capacity — 1.4 times larger than that of the T-Rex 2, at 700mAh, which ensures up to 27 days of battery life with typical use, and an astounding 81 days in basic watch mode.
With GPS activated, the device can operate for 42 hours in accuracy mode, 114 hours in battery-saver mode, and an incredible 180 hours in extreme battery-saver mode. However, with heavy usage, the battery life is claimed to be just 13 days. The watch requires about 3 hours to fully charge.
Pricing and Availability
The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is available for €299 in Europe, $299 in the United States, and ￥1899 in China. It comes in Onyx and Lava colors, with eco-friendly strap options in the same hues.
At IFA Berlin 2024 today, HONOR revealed its newest smartwatch, the Watch 5, along with the flagship foldable phone Magic V3, the MagicPad 2 tablet, and the MagicBook Art 14 laptop. The Watch 5 continues the square design of its predecessor, featuring smooth curves and an aluminum frame.
HONOR Watch 5 Specifications & Features
The Watch 5 is equipped with a larger 1.85-inch AMOLED display, boasting a higher pixel density for a sharper and more vibrant visual experience. With a thickness of 11mm and a weight of 35g, it is designed to be lightweight and comfortable for everyday use.
On the health front, the Watch 5 monitors key metrics such as heart rate and SpO2 levels. It also includes a one-click health scan feature for quick evaluations. The AccuTrack positioning system improves GPS accuracy, offering more precise activity tracking.
The smartwatch is powered by a 480mAh Silicon-carbon battery, providing an impressive battery life of up to 15 days. The Turbo X Smart Power Management system further enhances energy efficiency.
Additional Features
The Watch 5 features over 400 customizable watch faces, 24/7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, sleep monitoring, and 85 sports modes, which include 12 professional workout modes. It has a water resistance rating of 5 ATM and supports various GPS systems.
Pricing & Availability
HONOR has not yet disclosed the pricing and availability details for the Watch 5. However, it is anticipated to be a competitive choice in the smartwatch market. For reference, the HONOR Watch 4 was launched at a price of €150.
In related news, Red Magic has launched the Gaming Tablet Pro, targeting gamers with its two available versions. The tablet features a 10.9-inch 2.8K display with a 144Hz refresh rate, while the 3D Explorer Edition offers a 12.1-inch screen that can switch between 2D and 3D modes. It is powered by either a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Gen 2 processor, with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The tablet also boasts advanced cooling features and a large battery capable of fast charging.
Smart wearable technology has been around for quite some time, yet many devices focus merely on data collection without offering meaningful insights. HUAWEI’s devices stand out as they not only track daily activities but also analyze the data to provide professional advice, enhancing self-awareness and decision-making. At the core of this innovation is the impressive TruSense system.
HUAWEI TruSense System
The TruSense system represents a comprehensive integration of state-of-the-art hardware, continually evolving software, extensive data from real-world testers, and partnerships with hospitals, organizations, and third-party applications. As a seasoned smartwatch user, I have yet to encounter a system as sophisticated and feature-rich as this one.
For example, while most smartwatches can track standard health metrics, individuals with chronic conditions like hypertension are advised to monitor their blood pressure multiple times daily. However, this is often insufficient. With a TruSense-enabled device, users can track blood pressure fluctuations anytime, receiving warnings before potential issues arise. Over time, accumulating data can lead to better body awareness and timely treatments.
A speaker shared a story of how HUAWEI smart wearables detected irregular heartbeats, potentially saving a life. For everyone, having a device that monitors various health metrics throughout the day, providing a comprehensive health report on 13 parameters in just 60 seconds, is invaluable.
Beneath the system lies a super sensing module featuring a multi-region optical path design, enhancing data accuracy and speed. Given that environmental factors, device build quality, activity intensity, and even racial differences can affect sensor data, this advancement is significant.
New TruSense Releases and Collaborations
Next month’s TruSense-equipped products promise to boost heart rate accuracy by 98% during running and improve speed by 40%. Such precision, comparable to medical-grade devices, can help reduce health risks and push athletic performance boundaries.
Despite the strength of HUAWEI’s health tracking capabilities, extensive data is needed to refine the software. Hence, the system is open to professional organizations and real testers. Collaborations with experts in blood pressure research and institutions like the University of Lisbon have yielded notable results, promising more exciting developments.
HUAWEI Health Lab Tour
The lab features various test zones, including those for exercise physiology, swimming, golf, ping-pong, rock climbing, and an altitude simulation chamber. It resembles a gym but with specialized testing equipment, contributing vital data for HUAWEI’s sports tracking algorithms.
Testers use HUAWEI wearables alongside professional devices, enabling specialists to compare data and refine algorithms continuously, enhancing the TruSense system. HUAWEI’s confidence in its sports tracking technology is evident from this setup.
The Exercise Physiology Test, in particular, is fascinating. It involves sophisticated equipment like a Metabolic Cart, Heart Rate Monitor, and professional treadmill. Lab specialists help track data such as maximal oxygen uptake, calorie burn, and heart rate, feeding it into algorithm upgrades for precise exercise data collection.
For those seeking extra excitement, the multifunctional running platform simulates various activities like running, cycling, and skiing, reaching speeds up to 50km/h. Surrounded by motion and posture capture cameras, it gathers comprehensive exercise data.
The lab’s rock climbing wall spans 156 square meters with diverse routes. Since muscle movements during climbing can affect data accuracy, the new TruSense devices use a Multi-Region Optical Path design to enhance motion detection signal quality by over 20%.
Though I’m a proficient swimmer, the advanced pool with a 1.5m/s maximum flow is challenging. It allows for professional-grade training with adjustable water temperature and speed. The movement sensors and cameras ensure TruSense receives reliable data, unaffected by water flow.
Unfortunately, access to the Altitude Simulation Chamber was restricted. However, external screen data illustrated how altitude affects the body, adjusting temperature, humidity, and air pressure. TruSense detects blood oxygen 40% faster than before, sending early warnings to prevent altitude sickness.
Ever played golf? At the Golf Research Zone, I tried it for the first time. Unlike many smartwatches, HUAWEI offers a specialized mode for golf. Each swing generates data—impact force, body movement, angles—enhanced by engineers using 30,000 swing data points to refine algorithms, effectively providing professional guidance.
Having experienced various equipment and learning about health and sports tracking from numerous experts, I am confident in TruSense and HUAWEI’s products. If you’re in the market for smart wearables, HUAWEI’s offerings are worth considering.
Google has garnered significant acclaim for its top-tier software support for Pixel smartphones. The recently unveiled Pixel 9 series sets a new benchmark with a commitment to seven years of OS and security updates, a feat unmatched by any leading manufacturer except Samsung.
Disparities in Software Support
However, this generous update policy does not extend to all of Google’s hardware. Owners of the Pixel Watch face a much less favorable situation regarding software support.
The original Pixel Watch and its successor, the Pixel Watch 2, each received only three years of software updates. Unfortunately, this pattern continues with the newly introduced Pixel Watch 3.
Limited Update Timeline
Google has pledged to provide software updates for the Pixel Watch 3 until October 2027. Although the company hasn’t dismissed the possibility of updates beyond this date, there is no assurance they will be delivered.
It’s important to note that, unlike with smartphones where Google clearly specifies Android and security patch updates, for smartwatches, “Guaranteed software updates” encompass WearOS updates. This includes “Google Pixel Watch security updates and may consist of feature drops and other software updates.”
Alternatively, a more skeptical perspective might suggest that this decision is cost-driven. Given that smartwatches generally come with a lower price tag than phones, the level of support might be determined by financial factors.
Regardless of the rationale, individuals interested in the Pixel Watch lineup should be mindful of the notable difference in software support when compared to Pixel phones. While the Pixel Watch 3 boasts the latest Wear OS and robust features, its longevity in receiving software updates does not match that of its smartphone siblings.
