Category: Wearables

July 15, 2024

Apple Certified 65W Adapter with Wireless Charging for Apple Watch

Our smart devices are becoming increasingly advanced, simplifying our lives in numerous ways. Nonetheless, a common issue that persists across most electronics is battery life. Regularly charging devices can be inconvenient, and it’s easy to forget to charge them or leave your charger behind. Nomad’s latest 65W Apple Watch Edition Power Adapter tackles this problem with an elegant and innovative design.

Charging iPhone and Apple Watch Simultaneously

Many smartwatches don’t support USB Type-C charging and rely on proprietary charging standards. This means that when traveling, you often have to bring both your phone’s charging cable and your watch’s cable. Nomad’s new 65W GaN charger eliminates this inconvenience with two USB Type-C ports and a built-in wireless charging pad all packed into one single charger. This allows you to charge both an Apple Watch or AirPods while simultaneously charging your phone with just one charger.

Nomad 65W Power Adapter Apple Watch Edition

Nomad’s 65W charger incorporates all this functionality into an extremely compact form. It’s even smaller than Apple’s 61W charging adapter that comes with MacBooks. Moreover, it can charge multiple devices at once. While this new adapter is an efficient and compact solution for charging mobile devices, it does come with a higher price tag. The adapter is priced at $100. For more information, visit Nomad’s official website.

Tags: Apple Watch
July 15, 2024

NoiseFit Javelin Smartwatch Launched: Tribute to Indian Olympian

Noise has introduced a new smartwatch in India that honors an Indian Olympic gold medalist. Called the NoiseFit Javelin, this latest wearable draws direct inspiration from the athlete who also serves as the brand ambassador.

NoiseFit Javelin Smartwatch: Specs and Features

The NoiseFit Javelin is named after Neeraj Chopra, an Indian Olympic gold medalist and the reigning World champion in Men’s javelin throw. Chopra is the first Asian athlete to win gold in his event at the World Championship and the first track and field athlete to secure a gold medal for India at the Olympics.

Featuring a 1.46-inch HD AMOLED circular display with a resolution of 466 x 466, the smartwatch supports Bluetooth Calling, Dial Pad, and Recent Call History. It allows users to take calls via the built-in microphone and speaker. The NoiseFit Javelin also offers 24×7 heart rate monitoring, SpO2 blood oxygen mapping, sleep tracking, stress management, menstrual cycle tracking, and more.

On a full charge, the device can last up to 7 days. It supports over 100 sports modes, has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and integrates with the NoiseFit partner app. Other features include an SOS function, DND schedule, a 3-layer build with a screw dial crown, Alarm, Camera control, Music control, Calculator, Reminders, Notification display, and Weather updates.

NoiseFit Javelin Smartwatch: Pricing and Availability

The NoiseFit Javelin is available in an Indian Blue color and is priced at 3,999 INR (approximately 48 US Dollars). It is currently available for purchase on the brand’s official website, Myntra, and Amazon.

Tags: Smartwatch India
July 15, 2024

Watch OnePlus Summer Launch Event: Date, Time, and What to Expect
OnePlus is gearing up for its Summer Launch Event on July 16th, where the company is confirmed to unveil four new products — the OnePlus Nord 4, OnePlus Watch 2R, OnePlus Pad 2, and OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro. The event will be live-streamed across various platforms. So here’s a breakdown of how to watch the event live and what to expect from the new OnePlus devices.

How to Watch the OnePlus Summer Launch Event Live

The OnePlus Summer Launch Event will commence at 6:30 PM IST on July 16th. You can catch the live stream on the following platforms:
- Official OnePlus YouTube Channel: The event will be broadcast on the official OnePlus YouTube channel. Click on the “Notify Me” button to get a notification when the stream starts.
- OnePlus Social Media Handles: The event will also be live-streamed on OnePlus’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Expected Products at the OnePlus Summer Launch Event

The confirmed lineup for the event includes four new devices:
- OnePlus Nord 4: This smartphone is anticipated to be powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset and features a 6.74-inch 1.5K curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Rumors indicate a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. It is also confirmed to receive the longest software support ever offered by OnePlus, with 4 years of Android updates and 6 years of security patches.
- OnePlus Pad 2: This tablet is speculated to be a rebranded version of the OnePlus Pad Pro launched in China. Expected features include a 12.1-inch display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, and a 9,510 mAh battery with 67W fast charging. The camera setup might feature a 13MP rear sensor and an 8MP front-facing sensor.
- OnePlus Watch 2R: This smartwatch will come equipped with a Snapdragon Wear W5 processor and a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with 1,000 nits peak brightness. It might offer 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, and a claimed battery life of 100 hours. Additional features could include fast VOOC charging, dual-frequency GPS, and over 100 sports modes.
- OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro: These wireless earbuds are confirmed to offer 49dB Active Noise Cancellation and a total battery life of up to 44 hours with the charging case.
Tags: OnePlus Nord 4, OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, OnePlus Pad 2, OnePlus Watch 2R
July 14, 2024

Honor Unveils Haylou Watch Vitality with 1.95″ AMOLED & GPS

Honor, under its sub-brand Honor’s Choice, has introduced a new budget-friendly smartwatch called the Haylou Watch Vitality Edition. This smartwatch is geared towards fitness and daily health monitoring, making it an attractive option for those seeking a feature-rich wearable without spending too much.

Honor Haylou Watch Vitality Edition Specifications

The Haylou Watch Vitality Edition features a substantial 1.95-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 75% screen-to-body ratio. The screen has a peak brightness of 550 nits, ensuring clear visibility even under bright sunlight.

Internally, the smartwatch is equipped with built-in global positioning that utilizes five satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS) for precise outdoor sports tracking. It supports over 120 sports modes, including popular activities like cycling, swimming, and running, and can automatically recognize five common exercises.

For health monitoring, the Haylou Watch Vitality Edition provides continuous 24/7 heart rate and blood oxygen monitoring, alongside sleep tracking. It is water-resistant up to 5 ATM, allowing users to wear it without concern during swimming or showering.

Smart Features and Battery Life

The smartwatch includes several smart features, such as Bluetooth calling, enabling users to answer calls directly from their wrist. It also supports contactless payments through Alipay and WeChat Pay, offering convenience for quick transactions.

Honor claims that the watch can last up to 12 days on a single charge, making it ideal for those who prefer minimal charging interruptions.

Design and Customization

The Haylou Watch Vitality Edition is available in two color choices – Starry White and Night Black. Its watch body features a metal texture and weighs only 29 grams, ensuring comfort for prolonged wear. Additionally, the silicone straps are replaceable, allowing users to personalize the appearance of their watch.

Pricing and Availability

The Honor Choice Haylou Watch Vitality Edition is priced at 369 yuan (approximately $50) and is currently available for purchase in China on JD.com.

Tags: Budget Smartwatch, Fitness and Health Monitoring
July 13, 2024

Wear OS 5 to Support UWB, Bluetooth LE Audio on Pixel Watch 3

Google is anticipated to launch its upcoming Pixel Watch 3 series in August, alongside the Pixel 9 series. Numerous details about the watch were revealed earlier this week.

The upcoming watch is expected to feature the long-awaited ultra-wideband (UWB) capability, as evidenced by its recent appearance on the FCC.

Now Mishaal Rahman from Android Authority discovered a hidden UWB toggle in the May Wear OS 5 Developer Preview while digging Wear OS 5. The toggle’s description states that it “helps identify the relative position of nearby devices that have UWB.” This finding confirms that the upcoming Wear OS watches will be able to utilize this feature.

Set for an August release, the Pixel Watch 3 will likely debut this feature. UWB offers superior precision in location tracking, an advantage over GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, especially in small, battery-powered wearables. UWB’s accuracy in determining the distance and direction between devices makes it a valuable addition, already used in item trackers and by car manufacturers.

Enhanced Bluetooth LE Audio Support

The Wear OS developer preview also hints at support for Bluetooth LE Audio, first introduced in Android 13 for single-source, single-receiver audio transmission. With Android 15, Google might be enhancing this to support multi-device audio streaming. This means the supported watch could stream audio to multiple Bluetooth LE Audio-compatible headphones simultaneously.

Currently, no smartwatch offers Bluetooth LE Audio support. The Pixel Watch 3 could be the first to include this feature.

Addressing User Complaints

Google’s next Pixel Watch is rumored to address user complaints about the previous versions. The Pixel Watch 3 is expected to come in two sizes, 41mm and 45mm, with cellular and WiFi options. The bezels will be slimmer at 4.5mm compared to 5.5mm on the Pixel Watch 2.

The display will also be brighter with a peak brightness of 2000 nits, up from 1000 nits on the previous model. The watch series is rumored to come in multiple colors, including Silver, Black, and Gold cases paired with Hazel, Obsidian, Porcelain, and Rose Quartz bands.

Tags: Bluetooth LE Audio, Google Pixel Watch 3 XL
July 12, 2024

Elon Musk: Neuralink to Implant Chips in 1,000+ Patients by 2026

Elon Musk’s Neuralink, a firm focused on developing brain-computer interfaces, has set a lofty goal: implanting chips in over 1,000 patients by 2026. The announcement was made on Musk’s X (Twitter) platform on July 11th.

Life-Changing Technology for Paralyzed Patients

The technology has proven to be transformative for some individuals. Noland Arbaugh, the first person to receive a Neuralink implant, shared publicly how it has enhanced his life. Previously paralyzed from the neck down, Arbaugh faced challenges in interacting with technology. Post-surgery, he can now use devices and even play video games effortlessly.

Setbacks and Stability

Despite the promising advancements, there have been obstacles. In May, a small wire in Arbaugh’s brain shifted. Nonetheless, a Neuralink executive recently assured that the brain-computer interface chip is now “more or less very stable.”

Future Goals and Vision

During a live broadcast earlier on July 11th (Beijing time), Musk detailed Neuralink’s future objectives. He aims to implant the chip in thousands of patients over the next few years. Neuralink’s technology enables patients to control robotic limbs with their minds, surpassing the speed of natural brain-limb connections. Musk envisions an even bigger mission: creating a symbiotic relationship between humans and artificial intelligence to mitigate the risks AI poses to civilization.

Tags: brain-computer interface, Elon Musk, Neuralink
July 12, 2024

Oppo Watch X Auto Custom Edition Launched at Regular Price

Oppo launched the Watch X smartwatch earlier this year with a price tag of around $300. Today the company introduced an Ideal Auto Custom Edition of the Watch X. Let’s delve into the modifications.

Oppo Watch X Ideal Auto Custom Edition

This new edition features the same elephant gray strap as the Ideal MEGA. It includes a customized buckle adorned with the Ideal LOGO and an exclusive star ring dial available in green, black, Baby Blue, and other colors. Additionally, the power on-off animation is uniquely customized by Ideal.

The watch comes with the Ideal Auto app pre-installed, allowing users to remotely manage car windows and air conditioning. A shortcut key on the lower right corner enables one-click access to apps. It also supports smart car key functionality, letting the watch unlock and lock the car as you approach or leave.

The Oppo Watch X Ideal Auto Custom Edition sports a sapphire crystal mirror and an integrated stainless steel case, with drop resistance reportedly improved by 4 times. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 wearable chipset. With eSIM support, the watch can independently handle calls and text messages without needing a smartphone. It also supports the WeChat Watch version.

Battery Life and Health Tracking

Regarding battery life, the watch can last up to 4 days in “full intelligent mode” and up to 12 days in “light intelligent mode.” It features 8-channel heart rate monitoring and 16-channel blood oxygen tracking among other health functions.

Pricing and Availability

The Oppo Watch X Ideal Auto Custom Edition is listed on the Ideal Mall App for 2,299 yuan, equivalent to $320. It is also available on JD.com at the same price. Notably, the OPPO Watch X was initially released at the same starting price.

Tags: OPPO Watch X, Smartwatch Features
July 12, 2024

Garmin Fenix 8 Leak: New Display Tech and Name Change Rumored

New information has surfaced regarding the upcoming Garmin Fenix E and Fenix 8 smartwatches, successors to the Fenix 7 series. These details come courtesy of leaks discovered by the publication Fitness Tracker Test (FTT) on authorized Garmin dealer websites.

Previously, a Finnish retailer, Multitronic, listed the Fenix 8 with a release window in September 2024. While we didn’t get a peek at the smartwatch design, the listing did reveal some specifications like size and colors.

Design and Display Enhancements

The latest leak, from an Icelandic retailer, corroborates the September release timeframe and sheds light on design and display upgrades for the upcoming smartwatch. The listing reveals that the Fenix 8 will come in a 43mm size at the smallest compared to the 42mm size of the Fenix 7s. But the most notable change could be in terms of display. The leak reveals that instead of the customary Memory In Pixel (MIP) displays, the Fenix 8 might adopt AMOLED technology.

While AMOLED displays will offer richer colors and deeper blacks, MIP displays are known for their excellent battery life. So it remains to be seen if the Fenix 8 can maintain similar endurance as the Fenix 7s on a single charge.

Potential Name Change

The Icelandic retailer listing also hints at a potential name change for the smaller-sized Fenix model. Traditionally, the smaller variant was designated “Fenix 7s”. The leak suggests Garmin might simply call it “Fenix 8” for the next generation, dropping the “s” moniker altogether.

Meanwhile, FTT speculates that the Fenix E will retain MIP displays, acting as a more direct successor to the Fenix 7 series in terms of screen technology.

While these leaks offer valuable insights, it’s important to remember that official confirmation from Garmin is still pending. We are expecting an official announcement revealing the final specifications, pricing, and release date sometime in late August or early September.

Tags: AMOLED display technology, Garmin Fenix 8
July 12, 2024

Xiaomi Smart Band 9: Design, Battery, and Health Tracking Upgrades

Xiaomi has been actively introducing new devices in 2024, including its inaugural POCO tablet. However, there’s been no official announcement regarding a successor to the Smart Band 8 and Smart Band 8 Pro. Yet, a recent leak indicates that the Smart Band 9 might be in development, featuring several iterative enhancements over its predecessor.

According to the leak, the Smart Band 9 will likely maintain the design aesthetics of the Smart Band 8, which was already similar to the Smart Band 7. It is expected to keep the recognizable oval shape and a 1.62-inch display.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Render

The dimensions are rumored to be slightly smaller than the Band 8, measuring 46.53 x 21.63 x 10.95 mm. Notably, the leak hints at an upgrade in materials to an aluminum alloy casing with a sandblasted finish, giving it a more premium appearance.

In terms of display, there could be a significant enhancement in brightness. While the refresh rate is expected to stay at 60Hz, the peak brightness might reach 1200 nits, which is double what the Smart Band 8 offered.

Battery life is also expected to see a modest improvement. The leak suggests a 233 mAh battery, a 43 mAh increase compared to the Band 8. This should result in approximately 9 days of battery life with the always-on display enabled, or 21 days with it turned off.

Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Render

Other potential upgrades for the Smart Band 9 include a 10% improvement in the accuracy of the heart rate and SpO2 sensors, as well as a transition to Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity.

However, the leak does not reveal any information about a possible release date or pricing for the Smart Band 9. We’ll need to wait for further leaks or official announcements to learn more about the Xiaomi Smart Band 9.

Tags: Product Leak, Wearable technology, Xiaomi Smart Band 9
July 12, 2024

Suunto Unveils Three New Special-Edition Smartwatches and Wristband

Three new smartwatches have been introduced to the Suunto range, along with a new wristband. These models come with a wide array of features and functionalities. The smartwatches are limited-edition releases to celebrate the UTMB World Series and include the Suunto Vertical, Suunto Race, and Suunto Race S special edition models.

The Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) is an intense ultramarathon spanning approximately 170 kilometers with significant altitude changes. The extreme elevation conditions of this mountain marathon make it a demanding trail. These conditions necessitate robust navigational tools, which the Suunto Vertical, Race, and Race S special edition models provide.

Advanced Training Features

The smartwatch models can precisely record training sessions and offer comprehensive evaluations of training progress and performance enhancements. These watches support map usage and navigation even in the absence of mobile networks. Additionally, the smartwatches come equipped with several smart functionalities, such as music playback control and sleep analysis. The new limited-edition Suunto smartwatches boast a comprehensive suite of exercise and health monitoring features.

Pricing & Availability

The Suunto Vertical Special Edition is available for $449, the Suunto Race S model is priced at $349, and the Suunto Vertical retails for $629. These limited-edition models are priced higher than the standard Suunto smartwatches. Suunto is also offering a themed silicone wristband for $49. This special-edition wristband’s impact on demand remains to be seen. For more details about the new Suunto smartwatches and the themed wristband, you can visit the brand’s official website.