News

Fitbit unveils Versa Lite smartwatch and new fitness-focused wearables

Even the kids get new smart bands

Published

March 7, 2019

Daniel Morial

Image credit: Fitbit

Coming from a good holiday quarter, Fitbit is determined to bring wearables to more consumers. That’s why the US-based company has unveiled a new smartwatch and three smart bands.

Versa Lite

Following the success of the Fitbit Versa is the Versa Lite. This new Fitbit smartwatch packs many of the features of the first one such as the automatic activity tracker, PurePulse (heart rate) and Sleep Stages tracking, 15+ goal-based exercise modes, connected GPS, and smartphone notifications.

It looks like the first one with its squarish body, but it only has a single button as opposed to three of the original Versa. It’s still swim-proof and has an SpO2 (blood oxygen) sensor that can detect sleep apnea.

Fitbit Versa Lite | Image credit: Fitbit

As its name suggests, the Versa Lite has to let go of some features. It lacks automatic lap counting, it can’t count stairs either due to the absence of a barometer, and it has no built-in storage for music.

Although, this makes the Versa Lite Fitbit’s most affordable smartwatch for US$ 160. It’ll come in four color choices: Mulberry, Blue Marina, Lilac, and White.

Inspire and Inspire HR

Aside from the Versa Lite, Fitbit also introduced the Inspire and Inspire HR smart bands. These two new wearables are not full-blown smartwatches, but are instead activity trackers just like the previous Fitbit Alta series.

With a promised battery life of up to five days, the Inspire smart bands can track user’s active periods with more than 15 exercise modes, plus rest periods including sleep.

Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR | Image credit: Fitbit

They are water-resistant for up to 50 meters and you can take them for a swim. Aside from activity tracking, the Inspire and Inspire HR have timer and stopwatch features. They connect to a smartphone to show notifications through its grayscale OLED display.

The Inspire HR gets an additional heart rate monitor, hence its name. The regular Inspire is priced at US$ 70, while the HR model goes for US$ 100.

Ace 2

Fitbit also wants to capture the kids market with the Ace 2. Other big wearable brands like Apple and Samsung don’t have products for kids yet, which makes this segment pretty exclusive to Fitbit.

If the old Ace is based on the Alta, the new Ace 2 is a kid-friendly version of the Inspire. It has a durable bumper design and it’s water-resistant. Like the Inspire, it can last for up to five days on a single charge.

Fitbit Ace 2 | Image credit: Fitbit

The Ace 2 hopes to help kids build healthy habits. That’s why aside from the usual activity tracking, it also features friendly competition with other Ace 2 users and they can win virtual badges when certain goals are met.

The smart band for kids shows cutely animated watch faces that match the bright Watermelon/Teal and Night Sky/Neon color options. Printed bands are available as well. It’ll be sold for US$ 70.

All the new Fitbit wearables will be available starting this month, aside from the Ace 2 which will come during the summer.

Related Topics:Ace 2 Fitbit Inspire Inspire HR Versa Lite

Gaming

Avatar: The Last Airbender is getting a fighting game

You can play as one of twelve characters on launch.

Published

October 13, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

For every beloved anime franchise, there will always come a time when the only thing left to do is to pit all of its characters inside a fighting game. So far, it’s happened with Dragon Ball, Naruto, My Hero Academia, and Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. Soon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is joining the fight. An official fighting game is coming.

Announced during New York Comic Con, the upcoming title, temporarily called Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game, will pit the franchise’s most powerful characters against each other. According to the Steam page, the game’s launch will see 12 initial characters for gamers to fight with. More characters will then come afterward through a seasonal model. From the trailer, we can already confirm Aang, Korra, Toph, Sokka, Azula, Katara, and Zuko.

Importantly, the game will use 2D drawn animation. Its style will thankfully look similar to the original series. It will also feature special powers using something the developers call a “flow system.” And characters will get swappable support characters to bolster their powers.

It will feature a single-player campaign featuring an original narrative.

It’s all currently vague because the game is in pre-alpha development. However, Gameplay Group International, the game’s developers, has already confirmed a release date window during the summer of next year. It will launch on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and Steam.

News

NBA China, Alibaba Cloud partner to reimagine fan engagement

Alibaba Cloud becomes Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner of NBA in China

Published

October 10, 2025

GadgetMatch

NBA China and Alibaba Cloud have announced a multi-year partnership to elevate the fan experience locally through AI and cloud technologies.

Through the collaboration, Alibaba Cloud becomes the Official Cloud Computing and AI Partner of NBA in the country.

NBA China will utilize Alibaba Cloud’s AI and cloud computing services to support a wide range of digital fan engagement initiatives.

This includes the development of a proprietary AI model for NBA China based on Alibaba’s Qwen series of foundational models.

The scope of the partnership encompasses even the NBA All-Star, NBA Playoffs, and NBA Finals.

Even Quark and the Tongyi App, which are Alibaba’s consumer-facing AI applications, will also become Official Marketing Partners of NBA China.

Moreover, NBA China will leverage Alibaba Cloud’s infrastructure to host its digital destinations. These include the NBA App, the league’s official website in China, and NBA China mini-programs.

In addition, Alibaba Cloud will debut a Real-Time 360 Replay Solution at The NBA China Games 2025. This shall provide fans with AI-powered visual enhancements to replay highlights.

This year’s NBA China Games will likewise showcase innovative and interactive experiences powered by Alibaba Cloud’s AI capabilities.

At NBA House, fans can create personalized NBA-themed avatars and generate iconic commentary clips in a voice replicated from a sample of their own.

Lastly, as part of the multi-year deal, NBA China will also utilize Alibaba Cloud’s intelligent analytical tools to generate data-driven insights. This shall help enhance the league’s fan engagement efforts locally.

Entertainment

A Minecraft Movie is getting a sequel

It’s scheduled to premiere in July 2027.

Published

October 10, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

A Minecraft Movie was decidedly not for me. However, there’s no denying how much the movie was so effective for younger fans and gamers who grew up with Minecraft. It’s one of the highest-grossing movies this year. Even if I didn’t personally like it, I still consider it a success for videogame adaptations. Now, recognizing the film’s success, Warner Bros. has signed off on a sequel to Jack Black’s blocky caper, as confirmed by Variety.

It’s a mystery where the sequel will take players. Not to spoil anything, but the original movie did end with virtually loose ends neatly tied into a bow. Then again, Minecraft is an endless well of content. Where one story ends, another can just as easily open up in its place. As a game, it’s a completely open sandbox where nothing is limited.

However, to establish continuity, the sequel is reportedly tapping the talents of director Jared Hess once again. Chris Galleta might also come back to write the screenplay.

Interestingly, Jack Black is not confirmed yet. But given how much of a star he was as Steve, it’s hard to imagine a sequel without his energy, so it’s likely that he’s coming back. On a more positive note, Jason Momoa, who co-starred as Garrett Garrison, is expected to co-produce the sequel.

Warner Bros. has currently scheduled the sequel’s premiere on July 23, 2027.

SEE ALSO: Now Playing: A Minecraft Movie