Smartwatch

TAG Heuer announces plans for smartwatch ahead of Apple Watch debut

Cody Lee ∙ December 16, 2014

LVMH watch chief Jean-Claude Biver announced today that its popular luxury watch line TAG Heuer is pushing ahead with plans for a smartwatch. At a press conference in Switzerland this morning, the executive admitted he had dismissed the threat of wearables, but recently had a change of heart.

"We started on the project about four months ago," Biver told journalists. "We have done several partnerships and might also do acquisitions." Google and Intel are among those rumored to be working with TAG on its smartwatch, which is believed to feature both mechanical actions and digital sensors.

FitBit unveils next-generation activity trackers and a $250 fitness superwatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

After recalling its rash-inducing Force wristband back in February, FitBit on Monday launched a new family of activity trackers, the FitBit Charge and Charge HR, while making its first foray into the smart watch space with the FitBit Surge fitness accessory.

The water-resistant Fitbit Charge, billed as “the Force reinvented”, is an improved version of the activity tracker with an OLED screen and a seven-day battery. The Fitbit Charge HR is an improved version of the Charge wristband with FitBit's PurePulse heart rate sensors and a five-day battery.

As for the Fitbit Surge, this $250 fitness watch packs in a total of eight sensors for more detailed logging of activities such as running and working out. Jump past the fold for more details.

Pebble smartwatches get new fitness features, cheaper prices

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Pebble today announced that it is releasing an update for all of its Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatches to add new features. The two devices are now capable of tracking a wearer's footsteps and sleep activity in the background, fulfilling a long time request by users.

Pebble says that these new capabilities won't have a major impact on battery life, and added that it is extending its fitness partnerships with new apps from Jawbone and Swim.com. The team is also opening up its activity tracking features to other 3rd party developers.

Apple Watch is headed to Paris for Fashion Week

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 27, 2016

Apple has teamed up with Colette, the famous Parisian boutique, on a promotional event involving a “one day only experience” on September 30 from 11:00am to 7:00pm local time at the at fashion retailer's gallery on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris, French blog Macplus reported Monday [Google Translate].

At the same time, members of the company's industrial design team are headed to Paris Fashion Week, vaguely indicating that the company's wearable device, the Apple Watch, could play a role at the semi-annual clothing trade show.

Motorola’s Android Wear-powered $249 Moto 360 smartwatch arrives

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Having previewed it in March, handset maker Motorola today launched its Moto 360 smartwatch with wireless charging, a rounded face, optical heart rate monitor, “all-day battery” and other perks.

Starting at $249 and available through Motorola's website, Google's Play store and Best Buy, the device runs Google's Android software for wearables dubbed Android Wear and features premium materials making the circular smartwatch feel “comfortable and familiar” on your wrist.

Competitor watch: LG, Samsung debut new smartwaches during peak of iWatch rumors

Jake Smith ∙ August 27, 2014

Two of the top-electronics manufacturers LG and Samsung took the wraps off two new smartwatches on Wednesday evening, hours after a major report pegged Apple's iWatch debut for September 9 instead of later this year.

Poll: would you buy a notebook, a tablet, a phone and a watch?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

We're living in a multi-device world. Taking into account the never-ending stream of both existing form factors and new-category products, small wonder that the line is blurring.

I'm of course referring to ultra-thin notebooks, smartphones, tablets and wearables that perform functions of smartwatches, fitness trackers, health bands and what not.

But do we really need all this hardware in our lives? And even more to the point, can anyone in today's multi-screen world safely do without owning all types of mobile gear?

That's the question I'd like to pose in today's poll. Assuming you have enough spare cash lying around somewhere, would buying a notebook, a tablet, a smartphone and a watch benefit your mobile computing, do you think?

Trusted analyst no longer sees iWatch in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 19, 2014

KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo has made a name for himself as one of the more credible — if not the most credible — analysts covering Apple.

And unlike many other ”analysts“ who base their armchair predictions on the combination of the generally inaccurate rumor-mill reporting, hearsay and the Internet echo chamber, Kuo actually does research and puts some thought into notes he issues to clients.

But even renowned analysts like Kuo — and trusted he is — have had their share of misses. Today, Kuo backpedalled on his earlier claim that Apple was working to released an iWatch at some point this year. Ask him again and he'll now tell you he no longer sees the mythical wearable released in 2014 due to the complexities involved in hardware and software engineering...

Pebble recruits former webOS designers for next-gen smartwatches

Cody Lee ∙ August 18, 2014

Despite its experience and notoriety, Pebble faces some serious competition in the smartwatch business. Major tech companies like Samsung and Google are stepping up their offerings, longtime watch veterans are getting involved, and who knows what Apple has planned.

With that in mind, Pebble has recruited some significant talent to help it forge its next generation of its smartwatches. According to a report from The Verge, the company has picked up two designers from LG, who were instrumental in creating webOS TV, as well as webOS...

Rumor: iPhone 6 launching on October 14, an ‘immense’ day for Apple

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 31, 2014

According to a rather dubious rumor published by MacRumors, citing a source familiar with an internal Apple Retail Store meeting, a senior Store Leader allegedly told staff that the whole month of October will be very busy for Apple Stores and the company itself, singling out October 14 as a particularly "immense" day for Apple.

Furthermore, the company is apparently planning a media event for Tuesday, September 16, nearly a month ahead of the iPhone 6's assumed October 14 launch...

Don’t expect to see iWatch or 5.5″ iPhone 6 before December, new rumor cautions

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 29, 2016

I don't think anyone in their right mind would seriously question Apple's motivation to reportedly market and sell bigger iPhones this year.

Moreover, many pundits and watchers are in agreement that Apple will indeed enter new product categories this year with a rumored iWatch wearable device, said to combine health and fitness functions.

What's unclear though is the timing for these product launches. We already know it's going to be action-packed Fall, but you'd be wise not to keep your fingers crossed for a simultaneous launch of both new iPhones and iWatches...

Swatch: we’re not working with Apple on iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 24, 2014

Just as I'd suspected, Apple isn't really partnering with Swiss watchsmiths on developing and producing multiple iWatch devices.

That's according to Swiss watchmaker Swatch which today issued an outright denial of the rumor in the form of a statement issued to Reuters.

In it, a spokesperson categorically states that the Swatch Group is not working with Apple on iWatch devices although the company has supplied components like integrated circuits to certain mobile phone makers...