Wearables

Fitbit launches Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3

The button is back!

Published

August 25, 2022

Luigi Leonardo

Since 2020, smartwatches have been all the rage. Developers have persistently packed in more and more features to cater to the new fitness-conscious crowd. Because a lot of features shipped digitally, it wasn’t odd that some of the biggest names in the industry scarcely released new wearables since then. There is, of course, some value in unleashing new hardware. Reflecting that, Fitbit has unveiled a slew of new watches to update its most popular wearables.

Fitbit Sense 2

Headlining the new group is the Sense 2. Back in 2020, the original Sense became the brand’s most advanced fitness watch, melding lifestyle, fitness, and comfort into one package.

Though the Sense 2 is only a modest upgrade, it still comes with a lot of features to keep you in the know about your health. The advanced health metrics include stress management, continuous heart tracking, new sleep profiles, and multiple workout modes.

For the new and notable, the Sense 2 will resurrect a tactile button at its side. Previously, Fitbit notoriously replaced the button with a haptic surface. While there are certainly better reasons to upgrade, the return of the button is a plus.

Additionally, the Sense 2 will feature better integration with Google. Years since Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, the latter hasn’t really shown off the Google DNA. With the Sense 2, Google is finally strutting its stuff. The new wearable will feature on-wrist navigation via Google Maps and wireless paying via Google Wallet.

Finally, the Sense 2’s battery can supposedly last a lengthy six days on one charge.

Fitbit Versa 4

Besides the Sense, Fitbit is also updating the Versa line. The new Versa 4 will share most of the new features presented in the Sense 2, including the 6-day battery life. However, there are a few differences.

For one, the Versa 4 will not have the Sense 2’s all-day body-response tracking, skin temperature tracker, and EDA Scan app for stress management. It will also not have the ECG app for heart rhythm assessment. If stress management isn’t an important deal, the Versa 4 is a perfect midrange watch for you.

Fitbit Inspire 3

Rounding out the latest devices, the Inspire 3 is the perfect smartwatch if you’re looking for something simple. Meant to be a dedicated fitness tracker, the watch will pack in the new fitness-oriented features but will leave the fancier lifestyle ones — like stress management, temperature sensor, and Google integration — for the bigger guns.

On the other hand, it will have a longer 10-day battery life, trading in duration for fast charging.

Price and availability

Both the Sense 2 and Versa 4 are available for pre-orders now, shipping out sometime during the fall. The Sense 2 — coming in Shadow Grey/Graphite Aluminum, Lunar White/Platinum Aluminum, and Blue Mist/Soft Gold Aluminum — will cost US$ 299.95. Meanwhile, the Versa 4 — coming in Black/Graphite Aluminum, Waterfall Blue/Platinum Aluminum, Pink Sand/Copper Rose Aluminum, and Beet Juice/Copper Rose Aluminum — will cost US$ 229.95.

Finally, the Inspire 3 — coming in Midnight Zen/Black, Lilac Bliss/Black, and Morning Glow/Black — will cost US$ 99.95. It will ship in September.

All three smartwatches will come with a free six months of Fitbit Premium.

Related Topics:Fitbit Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitbit Sense 2 Fitbit Versa 4

News

Garmin introduces Descent series with next-gen dive technologies

The Mk3 and G1 Solar – Ocean Edition

Published

November 16, 2023

GadgetMatch

Garmin has released its two latest innovative dive computers with next-gen dive technologies in the Descent Mk3 series and Descent G1 Solar — Ocean Edition.

The Descent series redefines the underwater experience with advanced features, eco-friendly designs, and enhanced capabilities for divers of all levels.

Descent Mk3 series

Garmin’s Descent Mk3 series is a watch-style dive computer that allows users to explore depths confidently and safely.

It has a 200-meter dive rating, a touchscreen AMOLED display, multiple dive modes, over 4,000 preloaded dive sites, and premium multisport GPS smartwatch capabilities.

The models under this series come in two sizes – 43mm and 51mm – with the latter having a built-in LED flashlight for better visibility in low-light conditions, underwater or not.

Additionally, both have a Descent T2 transceiver for diver-to-diver messaging and Diver Assistance using SubWave technology, and tank pressure monitoring through a later update.

Descent G1 Solar — Ocean Edition

On the other hand, the Descent G1 Solar – Ocean Edition is an all-in-one rugged watch-style dive computer.

The device features a 45mm reinforced polymer case and scratch resistant sapphire lens. It meets US military 810 standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance. It also has a water rating of 100 meters.

The wearable is powered by solar charging and can offer up to 25 hours of battery life in dive mode and up to 124 days in smartwatch mode.

Underwater, users can benefit from its 3-axis dive compass for easier navigation. The model can store dive data for up to 200 dives. It is easily shareable via the Garmin Dive app.

When not using the device for diving, the Descent G1 Solar – Ocean Edition offers precise surface GPS, health monitoring, and connectivity for incident detection and assistance.

Price, availability

The Descent Mk3 series and Descent G1 Solar Ocean Edition will be available in the Philippines soon. They are priced as follows:

Descent Mk3 43mm: PhP 74,990
Descent Mk3i 43mm (Carbon Gray or Bronze Titanium bezel): PhP 87,890
Descent Mk3i 51mm: PhP 99,990
Descent G1 Solar – Ocean Edition (December 2023): PhP 39,950

The Descent T2 transmitter for the Descent Mk3 series is priced at PhP 31,390.

Singapore

G-SHOCK collaborates with TITAN 22 for latest timepiece

For the love of the game

Published

November 16, 2023

GadgetMatch

CASIO Singapore has announced the G-SHOCK x TITAN22 DW-5600TIT timepiece, making its partnership with the Philippine-based basketball specialty concept store official.

The collaborative black and gold timepiece integrates the hoop brand’s iconic lightning fist logo into the DW-5600, with the watch face and strap both having the original lightning pattern.

The model comes with a distinct packaging that features a custom logo combining the DW-5600 watch face outline and TITAN 22’s lightning shard emblems, as well as an inscription that reads “World Champions.”

The same statement can be found at the back of the watch and its strap while lightning shards have also been meticulously incorporated on the strap.

TITAN 22 is no stranger to collaborations; most notably, the company has partnered with Nike throughout the years for exclusively-designed LeBron shoe models that were catered specifically to the NBA superstars’ Filipino fans.