Wearables

Study: Smartwatches can detect COVID-19 before symptoms

Even among asymptomatic people

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Apple Watch

Almost a year into the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we’re only just starting to patch those festering wounds. Still, even after everyone is hopefully vaccinated, we should still learn from the tempestuous period’s lessons. For example, the tech world, sidewinded by a torrent of innovations, are on their way to keeping some newfound health features, especially those accredited by health organization. According to a new study, smartwatches can detect COVID-19 before it manifests symptoms.

According to a Mount Sinai published in November and reported by CBS News, current smartwatch technology can detect subtle, almost imperceptible changes in a person’s heartbeat. Heart rate variability are potential symptoms of COVID-19, even among those who are asymptomatic.

The study’s authors conducted the tests between April and November last year. Most of the participants, health workers in Mount Sinai in New York, wore Apple Watches. Though Apple was certainly a huge player in the study, the company didn’t fund it.

Last year, smartwatch makers touted features that can reportedly detect the coronavirus, such as blood oxygen levels. At the time, however, the feature was still under extensive study. Now, with the study published now, smartwatches might not even need new features to detect the virus. Heart rate detection is already an essential feature in smartwatch technology.

With a study in the bag, smartwatch users might find a lot more use in their wearable devices.

SEE ALSO: Apple Watch Series 6 launches with Blood Oxygen Sensor

Philippines

Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 brings open-ear audio to everyday life

Open-ear audio for everyday listening

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Anker

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is now available in the Philippines. These open-ear clip-on earbuds combine lightweight comfort, AI-powered call technology, and an IP57 rating for everyday listening, workouts, and commutes.

Unlike conventional earbuds that sit inside the ear canal, the AeroClip 2 clips onto the outer ear. This design allows users to listen to music and take calls while remaining aware of their surroundings.

Lightweight design for all-day comfort

The soundcore AeroClip 2 weighs just 6.2 grams per earbud. Its open-ear clip-on design is engineered to stay securely in place during daily activities, including commuting, walking, and exercising.

Anker developed the earbuds using a database of more than 2,000 ear profiles and tested them on over 1,000 users. The earbuds have also undergone more than 10,000 flex tests to assess their durability.

Immersive audio with customizable sound

The AeroClip 2 features 12mm dual-magnetic drivers, Hi-Res Audio certification, and LDAC support for compatible Android devices. Users can also personalize their listening experience through soundcore’s HearID 5.0 technology.

Its open-ear design allows users to enjoy music and podcasts without completely blocking out ambient sounds. This makes the earbuds suitable for everyday listening and outdoor activities where environmental awareness remains important.

AI-powered call clarity

For users who frequently take calls while commuting or working outside the office, the AeroClip 2 features soundcore’s THUS AI chip and 6-Sensor Call Technology.

These technologies are designed to isolate the user’s voice and reduce distracting background noise during calls.

The earbuds have also received a Guinness World Records certification as the “World’s Clearest Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds for Calls.”

Nap Mode for quick breaks

The AeroClip 2 includes a Nap Mode that lets users listen to offline white noise through the earbuds.

Price and availability in the Philippines

The Anker soundcore AeroClip 2 is now available in the Philippines for PHP 9,995. It comes in four colors: Burgundy Red, Midnight Black, Cloud White, and Mist Blue.

Customers can purchase the earbuds through Anker’s official stores on the following platforms:

The AeroClip 2 is also available through authorized Anker stores and retail partners nationwide.

For the latest product information, promotions, and updates, follow Anker Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Wearables

Garmin Approach S72 brings swing metrics, green reading to your wrist

Meet the newest flagship golf watch with a built-in speaker!

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Garmin has unveiled the Approach S72, its new flagship golf smartwatch.

It comes in 43mm and 47mm sizes, and both have bright AMOLED displays. The watch also gets a titanium bezel, a sapphire lens, and a new lightweight ComfortFit fabric band.

Swing and heart rate data on the course

The Approach S72 adds on-wrist swing metrics, including hand speed, backswing length, and wrist rotation. Garmin says the idea is to help you change your swing based on real data instead of feel alone.

Real-time heart rate is part of the picture too. You can see how your heart rate changes before and after each shot, and once the round is over, you can look back at trends in how it may have affected your score.

The Approach S72 also covers everyday health tracking with its wrist-based heart rate and stress tracking, plus Body Battery energy monitoring and advanced sleep monitoring. It also comes with preloaded activity profiles for strength and mobility work.

Reading greens and reviewing rounds

A new green reading feature uses green contour data to show which direction a putt will break, along with the average slope percentage, which should make picking an aim point quicker.

This requires an active Garmin Golf Membership. After a round, the Garmin Golf app can show putting analytics like speed bias, direction bias, and make rate.

Aerial imagery of each hole is also included, so you can see real photos when deciding where to lay up or where the safest miss is.

Driving range sessions can be logged to the Garmin Connect app as well. You’ll get swing metrics and tendencies there, and the practice time counts toward your fitness goals.

Built to wear all day

The titanium bezel is light enough that Garmin says it won’t get in the way of a swing.

The Approach S72 also has a speaker and microphone, so you can make and take calls and use voice commands on or off the course. Garmin calls it the first of its golf smartwatches to offer this.

A built-in flashlight has variable white light intensities and a red light, which comes in handy for finding gear in your bag or lighting up a dark spot.

On battery life, Garmin says the larger model lasts up to 20 hours with GPS on the course and up to 16 days with GPS off.

Price, availability

The Garmin Approach S72 will be available starting October 22 for PhP 52,990. You can buy it at garmin.com, Garmin Brand Stores, Garmin Specialty Stores, and Garmin’s official e-commerce platforms.

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Wearables

Garmin Enduro 4 promises up to 320 hours of battery life

Solar charging, new stamina metrics, and a 66-gram build for long days on the trail.

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Garmin has announced the Enduro 4, the newest GPS smartwatch in its long-lasting Enduro line.

It pairs an energy-efficient 1.4-inch MIP display with a solar lens, and can last up to 320 hours in activity mode or up to 90 days in smartwatch mode.

Power modes that match your effort

The Enduro 4 introduces preset power modes, so you can choose how much battery you’re willing to trade for performance.

Max Accuracy turns on full-feature tracking for shorter efforts, and Max Battery stretches recording time for longer outings. The 320-hour figure comes from Max Battery with solar charging.

Built for hilly terrain

Two new grade-adjusted features are aimed at runners who spend their time on climbs. Grade-adjusted pace-based workout targets help you stay in your effort range when the trail tilts upward, and grade-adjusted rolling pace shows your pace in real time as the terrain changes.

The watch also adds stamina zones, which show how your stamina affected a given activity. Stamina curve looks at the bigger picture, charting how your endurance changes over time based on your fitness and training history.

Faster maps, plus a way to log longer adventures

Garmin gave the Enduro 4 50% more RAM than the Enduro 3 and an updated map engine. Garmin claims panning is up to 30% faster on the built-in routable maps.

A new perspective view adds detail both close-up and farther out, which makes it easier to see what’s coming next on the route.

For longer trips, Garmin Epic lets you combine multiple activities into one entry in Garmin Connect. You can group them across days, weeks, or months, add photos, share the story with family and friends, and see the health and performance data collected over that stretch.

Indoor rowers get VO2 max and power curve, and ruckers can now adjust pack weight mid-activity and set target metrics like calories burned.

Lightweight, with a new band

Garmin lists the Enduro 4 at 66 grams, which it says makes it one of the lightest ultraperformance smartwatches around.

The 51mm case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, topped with a titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant Power Sapphire lens. It also has an integrated LED flashlight with white and red options, and a 10 ATM water resistance rating.

The new ComfortFit Fabric Band is moisture-wicking and uses QuickFit, so swapping bands is simple. Onboard storage is 64 GB, which gives you room for maps, music, and data when you’re away from home for a while.

Price, availability

The Garmin Enduro 4 will be available starting November 3 for PhP 56,290. You can buy it at garmin.com, Garmin Brand Stores, Garmin Specialty Stores, and Garmin’s official e-commerce platforms.

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