Wearables
Fitbit Versa Lite and Fitbit Inspire HR hands-on
Plus a quick chat on what Fitbit is up to
Last month, Fitbit announced the Fitbit Versa Lite which is a colorful version of the beloved Fitbit Versa at a cheaper price point. They also announced the Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR, which are their most affordable fitness trackers yet. I finally got my hands on the new wearables and here they are in all their glory.
Fitbit Versa Lite
Fitbit Regional Director Louis Lye explained to me that Fitbit’s move towards smartwatches came from the need to provide more information on a surface area. Fitbit knew they could deliver more on a smartwatch platform than just a wearable platform. Last year, 44 percent of Fitbit’s revenue came from smartwatches. Considering they only had two at the time, that’s pretty impressive. It comes as no surprise then that the brand decided on a follow-up to the Fitbit Versa.
The Fitbit Versa Lite offers brighter, livelier hues that cater to millennial tastes.
It does most of what the Versa can do but, for a lower price tag, Fitbit had to make a few compromises: no automatic stair counting, lap tracking, or in-device storage.
Despite all this, the Versa Lite looks and feels promising — mostly because it looks and feels almost exactly like the original Versa and I liked that smartwatch. Save for more color options and the difference in buttons, the two are identical.
Of course, I opted for the Mulberry unit because it’s just so cute! With the new responsive Bitmoji watch face announced just last week, this watch is definitely fun to wear. There are also a number of straps and accessories available for the watch so there are different look options!
The Fitbit Versa Lite retails for PhP 10,390 in the Philippines and SG$ 248 in Singapore.
Fitbit Inspire and Inspire HR
Even with the Fitbit push towards smartwatches, Lye tells me that there’s still a demand for fitness trackers which are different from smartwatches.
In the wearables department, Fitbit also offers a new contender: The Fitbit Inspire and Fitbit Inspire HR.
These no-nonsense trackers are pretty straightforward: exercise, sleep, and activity tracking, water resistance of up to 50 meters, smartphone alerts, and a five-day battery life. The HR version is equipped with a heart rate monitor.
What I love about these trackers, though, is the number of strap options you get! There’s even a clip mount so you can always have your Inspire on you without having to wear it on your wrist.
I especially love the mesh bracelets that make these things look so classy! All of a sudden, these trackers become less of that clunky sports wearable and more of an accessory.
These wearables will cost you PhP 4,590 and PhP 6,290 for the Inspire and Inspire HR in the Philippines and SG$ 118 and SG$ 158 in Singapore, respectively.
“How do we come up with products and solutions to make the world healthier?” Lye asked me. He tells me this is the same question Fitbit tries to answer. He further explains that Fitbit develops solutions based on data and that 56 percent of Fitbit employees are in research and development because of this.
As of now, Fitbit is focusing on solutions based on data. As we speak, they are awaiting approval in the US for a software algorithm based on Fitbit user data that will detect sleep apnea in its users. “This is all I can talk about now,” Lye explains, “but there’s definitely more.”
But as of now, these pretty straps will do.
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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