Wearables
Apple Watch Ultra caters to thrill seekers and adventurers
For hikers, divers, and runners
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$1199 / ₱52,990.
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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.
According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.
If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.
Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 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
News
Samsung Galaxy Glasses revealed in leaked images
It’s out first glimpse since getting teased by Samsung.
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.
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
Accessories
Sony announces open-back INZONE H6 Air
Deeper and tighter bass, more immersive gaming soundscape
Gamers are set to get another immersive headphones from Sony with the launch of the INZONE H6 Air.
This latest offering features an open-back acoustic structure and custom drivers for deep and tight bass, thanks to back ducts integrated into the drivers.
The open-back structure also helps with a realistic immersive sound field, making gamers feel they are in the game space.
This design minimizes internal reflections by leaving the housing unobstructed. The result is accurate sound field reproduction exactly as game creators intended.
The Sony INZONE H6 Air also features precision-tuned driver units engineered with the same technology as Sony’s renowned MDR-MV1 open-back studio monitor headsets. It is specially adapted for this particular wearable.
Back ducts integrated into the driver unit help deliver deep and controlled bass reproduction, while maintaining clear separation of mids and lows. This detail is helpful especially for titles where rich sound detail matters.
Crafted with premium aluminum, the INZONE H6 Air is also one of Sony’s lightest gaming headsets at just 199 grams. The headset uses the same spring hinge headband design seen on the INZONE H9 II.
Furthermore, the headset features an “RPG/Adventure” equalizer profile as it is developed with sound engineers from PlayStation Studios.
This specific profile is optimized for RPG and adventure titles, recreating the acoustic experience of a sound studio and delivering an immersive listening experience.
An additional cardioid boom mic focuses on voice angled towards the user’s mouth, eliminating unnecessary side noise.
Fnatic Edition devices, INZONE Buds Glass Purple
In addition to the Sony INZONE H6 Air, Sony has launched the Fnatic Editions of the INZONE Mouse-A, INZONE Mat-F, and INZONE Mat-D.
This next step in the collaboration between Sony and Fnatic makes the professional esports club even more present in fans’ daily gaming experience.
Rounding out the new releases is the INZONE Buds in Glass Purple colorway. This joins the previous black and white options, giving owners plenty of choices to suit their styles.
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