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ReviewsAccessories & WearablesThe Google Jacket Is Smarter Than Ever (But Still Pretty Dumb)
I had it all planned out. On the subway ride home, I’d been futzing around in the Jacquard app, assigning actions to my Levi’s Trucker Jacket with Jacquard by Google. A simple double-tap to the wrist cuff as I neared my apartment, and when I walked through the door, I’d strut in to “Touch the … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsThe Clever Tech Powering the New Apple Watch’s Always-On Display
The Apple Watch Series 5 is the first of Apple’s smartwatches to come with an always-on display, so you no longer need to lift your wrist to see what the time is—one of the few features that Google’s Wear OS got first. This upgrade is made possible by a change in the screen tech on … Continued
By David Nield -
ReviewsAccessories & WearablesThe New Apple Watch Is the Best One Yet—Thanks to a Major OS Upgrade
The Apple Watch is hands-down the best smartwatch out there. There, I said it. It’s a boring conclusion that is nevertheless the cold, hard truth. You can prefer a round face, or a different operating system. You can scream about better battery life and third-party watch faces until you die, purple-faced from asphyxiation. The Series … Continued
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Tech NewsWill We Ever Get Multi-day Battery Life on the Apple Watch?
Yesterday we got a glimpse at the Apple Watch Series 5. While it boasts a new LTPO screen and some software updates, one thing that hasn’t changed is its 18-hour, “all-day” battery life. It’s an omission I noted in my initial Series 5 writeup, and one that earned scoffs from plenty of Apple Watch users … Continued
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Tech NewsApple Watch Series 5 Brings Software Upgrades, Not Much Else
It’s no surprise that Apple announced the next iteration of its Apple Watch today. But where last year’s Series 4 represented a major shift in design and added ECG capabilities, this year’s model focuses on software. We already knew what to expect from WatchOS 6 after WWDC. And as expected, we’re getting some new watch … Continued
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ReviewsAccessories & WearablesThe Fitbit Versa 2 Is a Solid Update That Just Makes Me Want So Much More
Let me start out this review by saying I love my Fitbit Versa. There’s a reason it’s Fitbit’s most popular smartwatch. It’s stylish, affordable, the fitness features are solid, and the 5+ days of battery life are a godsend. I’m just tired of every new announcement from Fitbit being a different flavor of Versa—even if … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsWithings Didn’t Forget the Move ECG—It’s Just Been Trapped in Regulation Hell
Withing’s long-promised budget rival to the Apple Watch is shipping. Back at CES, Withings gave us a peek at the Move ECG, a $130 activity tracker that offered the same electrocardiogram capabilities as the Apple Watch Series 4. Nine months later at IFA, it’s finally available—but only if you live in Europe. Now before you start … Continued
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ReviewsAfter Years of Ugly Watches, Garmin’s Got Some Fresh Styles
While Garmin might be known for powerful frumpy smartwatches, at IFA it’s launched some gorgeous wristables a fashionista wouldn’t be ashamed to wear. First up is the Venu, Garmin’s first smartwatch with a 1.2-inch AMOLED display. It might sound surprising to get up in arms about an AMOLED smartwatch in 2019, but it’s a big … Continued
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ReviewsAsus Rises From Smartwatch Grave With New VivoWatch SP
Asus just showed off a brand new smartwatch at IFA—I guess it isn’t giving up on smartwatches after all. After releasing the Zenwatch 3 in 2016, it seemed like Asus had quietly withdrawn from smartwatches. Yet today the company proudly touted its new VivoWatch SP—a chic health-oriented wearable that boasts 14-day battery life, and “medical … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsGarmin’s New Solar-Powered Watch Is a Beast In More Ways Than One
There are smartwatches that can do fitness, and then there are fitness smartwatches geared toward that one super buff friend who reminds you every few months about the upcoming triathlon. Garmin’s made a name for itself making the latter. Today, it’s launching its Fenix 6 series of smartwatches, and boy, they sure are beefy. Leading … Continued
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ReviewsThe Fitbit Versa 2 Chases Apple’s Dominance
The new Fitbit Versa 2 seems awfully aware of the issues Fitbit has had with its smartwatches for the last few cycles. The product, announced today, addresses many of the previous issues with the Versa line while also keeping features that we love about its predecessors. As before, it’s a smartwatch that looks like an … Continued
By Alex Cranz -
ReviewsSamsung Should Have Just Led With the Galaxy Watch Active2
Earlier this spring, Samsung introduced its Galaxy Watch Active smartwatch. Gorgeous and streamlined, it would’ve been the perfect smartwatch if not for some buggy software. Less than six months later, Samsung’s already unveiled the Galaxy Watch Active2, which I got to see for myself at an event last week. It fixes a lot of the … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsA New Processor Means Fossil’s Smartwatches Might Be Getting Good
Remember when we were all hopeful that Qualcomm releasing the Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip would mean better, faster, longer-lasting Wear OS wearables? Well a year on, turns out it was just a dream as most Wear OS watches are still running that busted old 2100 chip. But today, Fossil is launching its Gen 5 smartwatches—all … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsLeak Suggests the Next Fitbit Might Be Slowly Catching Up to the Apple Watch
We struggled to find one positive thing to say about the Fitbit Ionic two years ago, but the company’s follow-up, the Versa, was a complete about-face, offering a better design, better battery life, and a bargain price tag. And if leaked product shots shared by Evan Blass are any indication, the next Versa is staying … Continued
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ReviewsAccessories & WearablesThis Fitness Smartwatch Humbled Me Into Taking Recovery Days More Seriously
Training sucks, especially if you’re a newly reformed couch potato. Your options are shell out for a trainer or gym membership—or cobbling together an ad hoc regimen with the help of apps, subreddits, a fitness tracker, and dubious YouTube personalities very keen on selling you their workout packages. The Polar Ignite is a casual fitness … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsSony’s Wearable Air Conditioner Should Be Ready for Next Year’s Heat Wave
We are officially in the dog days of summer, and that usually means strategically dashing from one air-conditioned space to the next. But what if we didn’t have to bow down to the whims of the scorching midday sun? Well, apparently Sony is crowdfunding a portable wearable air conditioner/heater so you can flip the bird … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgetsIBM Patents a Smartwatch That Transforms Into a Giant Awkward Tablet Screen on Your Wrist
Instead of maximizing pixel density to fit more info on a smartwatch’s tiny screen, IBM has patented a radically different approach that promises to change how we think about wrist wearables completely. But given the trouble companies have had with rolling out expanding screen smartphones, it’s hard to imagine this wearable ever being technically feasible. … Continued
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Tech NewsPolar’s Latest Fitness Smartwatch Is for Data Dummies
Fitness tracking can get old fast, especially if you’re a beginner staring at a bunch of numbers that don’t make sense. Polar in particular, is known for tracking in-depth metrics and that’s given it the reputation for creating wearables meant for serious athletes only. But its latest smartwatch—the Ignite—seems aimed at the more casual enthusiast—the … Continued
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Tech NewsCheck Out Apple’s Ridiculous Patent for Adding a Camera to the Apple Watch
Since its launch back in 2015, Apple has been steadily adding new sensors and features to the Apple Watch. The first model had a built-in heart rate sensor, the Apple Watch Series 2 tacked on GPS, while the Series 3 was the first version to feature true cellular connectivity. Most recently, Apple added an ECG … Continued
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ReviewsAccessories & WearablesAm I Wrong For Wanting a Better Screen on a $1,500 Smartwatch?
You can get a very capable smartwatch for a few hundred bucks now, as long as you’re not overly concerned with aesthetics. Following luxury watchmakers like TAG Heuer, Garmin’s new MARQ line strives to finally bridge the gap between stylish analog timepieces and less stylish smartwatches. But with a price tag ranging from $1,500 to … Continued