News
watchOS 7 previews new workouts, sleep tracking, and better hand-washing
Rolling out in the fall
Who says smartwatches are dead? Despite the dwindling number of competitors, the Apple Watch is still alive and kicking. At WWDC 2020, Apple unveiled the latest innovations in the coming watchOS 7, featuring innovations that will help you sleep and wash your hands properly.
Sharable watch faces
Naturally, a smartwatch user’s watch face will depend on their individual lifestyles. A surfer will not enjoy the same functionalities as a new mom, for example. watchOS 7 will introduce new ways to customize and to share your watch faces. New complications, like a tachymeter for sports aficionado and a breastfeeding tracker for moms, will open the Apple Watch for different users.
Apple will provide new official watch faces for now: Glow Baby for moms and Dawn Patrol for surfers, for example. However, users can share their own customizations to other users through Messages or Mail.
Sleep tracking
Finally, Apple has a solution for your sleeping habits. However, instead of just tracking how you sleep, watchOS 7 will also help optimize your pre-bedtime routine. Wind Down, the new feature, can automgadatically turn off notifications, operate smart home devices, and play specific playlists or a meditation app.
As for sleeping time itself, the update can detect micro-movements to accurately measure periods of waking and sleeping. The watch will then report the user’s sleep patterns weekly or monthly.
New workouts
As the watch’s most used function, Workout is getting some interesting additions, including new workout types: Core Training, Dance, Functional Strength Training, and Cooldown. The Dance function, for example, sampled the four most popular fitness dances: Bollywood, cardio dance, hip-hop, and Latin.
Improved Noise
In watchOS, Apple introduced a new function that measured a location’s ambient sound level, helping users reduce noise pollution. In watchOS 7, the company is improving this app to measure how loud your media is. If you’re listening to music at dangerously high volumes for concerningly long periods of time, the watch will alert you to turn your volume down.
Washing for 20 seconds
Especially useful nowadays, watchOS 7 will start notifying you if you did a good job washing your hands. Using motion sensors and machine learning, the watch can detect your method and your duration. If you wash your hands for less than the prescribed 20 seconds, it will tell you to continue washing.
watchOS 7 will roll out later this year. The update will support the Apple Watch Series 3 onward paired with the iPhone 6s or later.
SEE ALSO: The Apple Watch Series 5 is here!
Sony is bringing back one of its iconic Walkman-era headphones with the MDR-3R. The new wired headphones modernize the original MDR-3 with USB-C connectivity and updated features.
Introduced in 1979, the original Walkman and MDR-3 headphones helped popularize portable music listening. The MDR-3R carries that legacy forward with a familiar design and modern conveniences.
The headphones retain the original’s lightweight, open-ear construction. They also feature interchangeable blue and orange ear pads. Sony even gives the packaging and instruction manual a design inspired by the original model.
The MDR-3R connects to compatible smartphones and other devices through USB-C. Users can listen to music without charging, pairing, or installing updates. A built-in microphone and in-line remote also make calls and playback controls more convenient.
Sony equipped the headphones with the same 23mm driver units as the original MDR-3. The company also tuned them to closely reproduce the original’s sound signature. They deliver balanced audio, natural vocals, and the emotional richness associated with Sony headphones.
Sony MDR-3R gets a Stranger Things edition
Sony is also launching a special MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. The collaboration celebrates the 1980s inspiration shared by the Walkman era and Netflix’s popular series.
Inspired by Max’s signature headphone style and the mysterious Upside Down, the special edition features exclusive design details. These include an engraved Stranger Things logo and custom packaging.
Sony also considered environmental impact when developing the headphones. Approximately 25 percent of the plastic used in the product comes from recycled materials. The packaging is also plastic-free.
Price and availability
Sony has opened preorders for the MDR-3R and MDR-3R Stranger Things Edition. Availability and pricing vary by market.
In the United States, the standard MDR-3R costs US$59.99, while the Stranger Things Edition costs US$79.99. The standard model is available through Sony and authorized retailers.
In Singapore, both models will launch in December 2026. The standard MDR-3R costs SG$89, while the Stranger Things Edition costs SG$129. Both are exclusive to Sony Stores and Sony Store Online.
In the Philippines, Sony has yet to announce local pricing and availability. Based on US pricing, the headphones would cost approximately PHP 3,500 for the standard edition and PHP 4,700 for the Stranger Things Edition, before local taxes and retail adjustments.
Entertainment
The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila
The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.
As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.
There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.
From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.
Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.
SEE ALSO: Kingdom Come devs are working on a Lord of the Rings RPG
Can you believe that it’s been over eight years since Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls VI. Since then, we’ve seen neither hide nor hair of the upcoming title. Today, the studio has mercifully revealed a tiny bit more about the game including its title and setting.
Historically, the Elder Scrolls franchise is not known for its numbering. It’s not The Elder Scrolls III, IV, and V; it’s Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim. Now, we know what The Elder Scrolls VI will be called — Sentinel.
The name is also a huge clue as to where the game will take place. Besides being the name of the game itself, Sentinel is also the capital of Hammerfell, a region in northwest Tamriel. The teaser, which shows a sword being uncovered from a pile of sand, confirms this. After all, the Alik’r Desert is one of the region’s highlights.
Now, Hammerfell is not a new region for players. The region, especially the titular Sentinel, was previously featured in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall. Obviously, not a lot of gamers would have played this classic game before, so a return will introduce the region to a lot more modern players.
Unfortunately, despite throwing us a bone with the name and the setting, Bethesda did not reveal when the title is coming. Given that Grand Theft Auto VI is launching very soon, the time is ripe for the launch of another much-awaited title.
SEE ALSO: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered is out now
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