Wearables

Apple Watch Ultra caters to thrill seekers and adventurers

For hikers, divers, and runners

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The Apple Watch has traditionally designed itself for the general user. While the wearable can appeal to most people, a niche segment — composed of thrill seekers and endurance athletes — might not find it all that useful. For today’s Far Out event, Apple has revealed the more rugged Apple Watch Ultra, appealing to the world of adventure seekers.

Sporting a more vertical 49mm case, the Apple Watch Ultra can display more information, a critical feature for those who need data immediately while on the go. Likewise, the rugged titanium case and sapphire crystal can endure freezing peaks, blazing hot deserts, or ultra-long marathons. It also has coarser grooves on its crown for better grip even while wearing gloves. Finally, it is certified for EN13319 for divers.

Going beyond the regular Apple Watch, the Ultra has a dedicated action button in bright international orange. Users can customize the button to ease functions with a simple button press — including starting workouts more accurately and transitioning between legs of a triathlon.

For safety when out on a trail, the smartwatch has three microphones to pick up your environment regardless of weather conditions. It also has cellular functions, which helps users if they lose their phone. If users get lost, the watch plays a unique siren heard over 80 meters away. To help users avoid getting lost, the watch has dual frequency GPS for more accuracy.

The new Wayfinder face offers more information specifically for hiking, diving, and running. The orienteering view, for example, ensures that users can orient themselves on a trail. Speaking of variety, it offers three different loops: Alpine, Trail, and Ocean.

On its own, the Apple Watch Ultra can last 36 hours. However, a low-power mode extends this to 60 hours.

The Apple Watch Ultra will cost US$799 / S$1199 / ₱52,990.

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Samsung will debut its Vision Pro rival next week

Project Moohan is coming.

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It’s not often that other brands are trailing behind Apple on an innovation; usually, it’s the other way around. But that’s not the case with the Vision Pro. However, given how lackluster the headset is, it’s no surprise that Apple’s rivals aren’t quickly jumping on the new segment. Now, more than two years since Apple’s debut, Samsung is ready to unveil its own mixed reality headset.

Today, Samsung has officially issued invites for an upcoming event on October 21. There is no mystery as to what’s coming next week. The company has explicitly stated that the event will reveal “a new category of AI-native devices”. The announcement even names Project Moohan, the current codename for the brand’s mixed reality headset.

In contrast to Apple’s native software, Samsung’s headset will run on Android XR, Google’s newest platform for mixed reality hardware, co-developed with Qualcomm. It will also, predictably, infuse the platform with AI-based features.

Looks-wise, the invite comes with a tiny sneak peek at what the headset looks like. Half of the graphic has the familiar dome shape of a typical headset, made to look like the curvature of the globe.

Other than that, we’ll just have to wait a week for the headset’s launch. If anything, the segment is finally warming up. A few months ago, vivo unleashed the Vision, its own take on mixed reality headsets. There’s also some expectation that Apple might finally update the Vision Pro in a more consumer-friendly way.

SEE ALSO: vivo Vision undoubtedly wants to take over Apple’s Vision Pro

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Wearables

Tag Heuer announces a $2,000 smartwatch with New Balance

It’s based on Android.

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Did you hear that? That was the sound of a nepo baby opening their wallet for a new piece of ostentatious luxury. For those dissatisfied with the sheer number of convenient smartwatch options out in the market, Tag Heuer has just partnered with New Balance for a new sporty watch.

Now, if a luxury watch brand like Tag Heuer started offering smartwatches meant for sport, I wouldn’t usually give a second glance. Leaving the sporty features to the ones with experience sounds like a better idea, anyway.

However, the new Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5 40mm x New Balance Edition has some pedigree behind it. The running shoe brand is lending its experience in sports to help produce a worthy smartwatch.

Shining in lilac and mint green, the smartwatch is quite the looker. Yes, it does look like it’s asking me to get in the effin’ robot, but the color combination works. The curved glass and the textile strap adds to the premium-but-functional feel.

Inside, the Connected Calibre E5 has a good array of sensors you might need for an active day, including a heart rate monitor, GPS, an altimeter, and a sleep tracker. It also comes with workouts tailored by New Balance.

It comes with a hefty Snapdragon 5100+ processor and Tag Heuer OS, which is based on the Android Open Source Project.

As a downside, the battery lasts only a day-and-a-half on full power, and only two days on low power mode. It can charge to full in just 90 minutes, though.

And now for the price. Just like any Tag Heuer watch, the Connected Calibre E5 40mm x New Balance Edition costs quite a lot of pennies — US$ 2,050, to be exact.

SEE ALSO: Unboxing the latest Apple Watch × Hermès

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Suunto joins Strava in legal battle against Garmin

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Last week, Strava started a surprising legal war against Garmin. The latter allegedly infringed on several software patents. Now, another company is joining the fight. Suunto is also suing Garmin for hardware-related patent infringements.

Strava’s issues stem from software-related issues. Some features, especially Garmin’s heatmaps, are allegedly violating Strava’s own patents. Thus, Strava is asking the courts to stop Garmin from selling its infringing devices, which coincidentally makes up most of the company’s lineup.

In contrast, Suunto’s issues are geared towards Garmin’s hardware. However, the desired end result is the same: stopping Garmin from selling its watches.

Via Canadian Running, Garmin reportedly violated up to five hardware patents. These patents supposedly cover a variety of features including antenna positioning, golf swing detection, and the case’s design.

The suit was filed on September 22, so it’s a fairly recent development too. Much like Strava, Suunto wants financial compensation and an injunction against Garmin selling affected smartwatches. Coincidentally, the devices affected once again include most of Garmin’s devices.

Last week, it felt unlikely that Strava’s lawsuit would lead to the collapse of Garmin’s business. However, with two companies now fighting against the one, the fight just got more interesting. To be fair, the cases might still end up with nothing happening, but it’s still worth following.

SEE ALSO: Strava is suing Garmin over alleged patent infringements

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