Wearables

Apple enhances Watch Series 10, Watch Ultra 2 for water sports

Bigger screens, new apps, more insights

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Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple has officially announced the new Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which can now be preordered. The latest Apple Watch additions will be available on September 20.

The Apple Watch Series 10 features the biggest display and the thinnest design on an Apple Watch product yet. It sports a wide angle OLED display with up to a 30% more screen area.

This expansive screen helps users see more lines of texts on apps like Messages. It is likewise better for typing quick responses or passcodes, or simply navigating the watchOS 11 UI. Moreover, it is 40% brighter when viewed from angles as it emits more light.

And while the display is larger and brighter, the Apple Watch Series 10 doesn’t compromise power consumption. In fact, it supports up to 18 hours of all-day battery life on a single charge.

Furthermore, using OLED for its screen allows the Apple Watch Series 10 to support always-on display, wherein the seconds hand is visible even when the user’s wrist isn’t raised.

To complete the look, a Reflections watch face with a distinctive shimmering dial has been integrated. This reacts to user movements, complementing the reflective titanium cases.

Aside from its redesign, the Apple Watch Series 10 boasts of the fastest charging yet on an Apple Watch, offering up to a 80% recharge in just 30 minutes.

Detect signs of Sleep Apnea

 

Also debuting on the Watch Series 10 is a Breathing Disturbances feature to help users detect signs of sleep apnea. This joins various health monitoring functions.

The metric uses the accelerometer to detect small movements on the wrist associated with interruptions to normal respiratory patterns during sleep.

Every 30 days, the Apple Watch will analyze breathing disturbance data and notify users automatically if it shows consistent signs of moderate to severe sleep apnea.

Breathing Disturbances can also be uses to assess the restfulness of sleep. It can be influenced by alcohol, medications, sleep position, and more. Viewing this metric nightly on the Health app will allow users to check if the metric is elevated or not.

The 4-core Neural Engine on the Apple Watch Series 10 also makes it smarter. Among enhanced features are the double tap gesture, on-device Siri, dictation, and automatic workout detection, as well as important safety features such as Crash Detection and Fall Detection.

Great for water activities

As for workouts, there are many ways the new offering can make physical activities better. First off, it’s easier to read workout metrics on the larger display. Next, its swim-proof design has a 50-meter water resistance rating.

Plus, the Watch Series 10 can automatically detect swimming strokes and count laps. Custom Workouts for pool swims have also been added to watchOS 11.

Moreover, a depth gauge and water temperature sensor have been added so the wearable becomes a better companion when in water. These sensors will also display such metrics, providing vital information in real-time.

For water activities, the new Tides App comes in handy. Users can access seven rolling days of forecasted tidal information for coastlines and surf spots around the globe. This includes information on high and low tides, rising and falling tides, sunrise and sunset, ad many more.

To top it off, the Oceanic+ app also debuts on the Watch Series 10. Developed in partnership with Huish Outdoors, this app has features for snorkeling. It can easily find popular snorkeling locations nearby and provide relevant information.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been fortified to make water sports experiences even better as well. It has a Titanium Milanese Loop band, designed specifically for water activities as it is corrosion resistant.

The second generation Watch Ultra also has the most accurate GPS in a sports watch. It has precision dual-frequency GPS, utilizing advanced satellite and signal models, custom positioning algorithms, and Apple Maps data.

Like the Apple Watch Series 10, the Watch Ultra 2 runs on watchOS 11 and brings new features, including the Tides app, Vitals app, and sleep apnea-related notifications. It can also last up to 36 hours on regular use, or 72 hours in Low Power Mode.

That’s not all. The second generation Watch Ultra is also great for cyclists, hikers, and runners. For cyclists, workout metrics may be viewed live on an iPhone while it is mounted onto their bikes.

Hikers can enjoy enhanced trail experiences with offline maps too, complete with turn-by-turn directions. They can also access features like Waypoints. They can even create and save custom hiking routes in iOS 18 when synced to the watch.

What’s great about the Watch Ultra 2 is its 3,000 nits maximum brightness, providing users a clear view of what’s on the display, no matter what the scenario is.

The customizable Action button also makes it easier for users to start a workout. They can even switch between workout types during Multisport workout. When not using it for physical activities, users may customize the Action button to access Stopwatch, Flashlight, Voice Memos, Shazam, and more in an instant.

Price, availability

The Apple Watch Series 10 is available in 42mm and 46mm sizes in jet black, rose gold, silver aluminum, and titanium in natural, gold, and slate. The models come with a Sport Loop, Braided Solo Loop, or updated Milanese Loop.

The Apple Watch Series 10 starts at US$ 399. In addition, the Apple Watch SE retails starting at US$ 249.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is priced starting at US$ 799 in natural and black titanium. The Apple Watch Hermès Ultra 2, in particular, costs US$ 1,399.

Wearables

Google launches the screen-less Fitbit Air

Featuring a premium Stephen Curry edition.

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Discreet wearables are finally a thing. Though huge screens are still thriving in the market, there is a growing demand for wearables that don’t make it obvious that they’re wearables. Besides smart rings, we now have screen-less fitness bands, highlighted by the new Google Fitbit Air.

Fitbit has been known as a wearable brand for a long time now. However, the wearable has since mellowed out since getting bought by Google, especially after the launch of the Pixel Watch. Now, Google is aiming for a resurgence of Fitbit in the screen-less market.

Today, Google is launching the Fitbit Air, a screen-less band that’s designed for subtlety and comfort, while maintaining the brand’s prowess in fitness tracking. On the outside, the new wearable presents itself as a modest customizable band. On the inside, a pebble-shaped device rests comfortably between the band and your skin. This little pebble packs all the tech that can give you a rundown of your fitness.

Since the Fitbit Air doesn’t have a screen, you can control everything via the new Google Health app. It also has automatic workout tracking which starts when the device detects activity. Users can then view their workouts afterwards on the app.

Besides workouts, the Fitbit Air has an optical heartrate monitor, a 3-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope, an SpO2 monitor, and a temperature sensor. There’s also a vibration motor for alarms.

A single charge can reportedly last up to seven days. Plus, a five-minute charge is enough for a day’s worth of battery.

The Fitbit Air will ship starting May 26. It starts at US$ 99.99. A special Stephen Curry edition retails for US$ 129.99.

It comes in Obsidian, Fog, Berry, and Lavender. You can also get a sweat-proof Active Sport Band (US$ 34.99) or an Elevated Modern band (US$ 49.99).

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Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Samsung Galaxy Glasses revealed in leaked images

It’s out first glimpse since getting teased by Samsung.

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Image: Glasses from TECNO

Samsung’s next major project is now making its first peek from the shadows. The upcoming Galaxy Glasses recently surfaced in a major leak.

Being an unannounced device, Samsung has not revealed anything substantial about the new glasses yet. We know it exists, though. Months ago, the company made direct allusions to “next-generation AR glasses.” Now, for the first time, the so-called Galaxy Glasses are real, albeit via a leak.

Revealed by Android Headlines, the Galaxy Glasses look like a standard set of frames but with some tech built inside. It’s not a complete package yet, though. Codenamed “Jinju,” the first iteration of the wearable will not have a display. Instead, it will have a built-in camera, which users can interface with via Android XR.

Image source: Android Headlines

It’s not the only thing, too. Though the leak depicts the Jinju, Samsung is reportedly working on a second iteration already. Codenamed “Haean,” the second generation will have a micro-LED display. That pair might debut in 2027.

In the meantime, the Jinju is expected to launch later this year at an undisclosed date. The likeliest candidate is the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked in a few months.

Though undisclosed, this might not be the only time we’ll hear about the Galaxy Glasses. Next month, Google is hosting its annual I/O event. Android XR will likely make an appearance, so expect Samsung’s wearable to be bandied around even if it’s just a mention.

Additionally, Samsung won’t be the only player. Google is also expected to launch its own pair of glasses soon.

SEE ALSO: Samsung is teasing smart glasses again

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