Wearables

Fitbit launches Sense 2, Versa 4, and Inspire 3

The button is back!

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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.

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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