Wearables

Samsung pulls back the curtain on two new wearables: Gear S3 Classic and Frontier

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 31, 2016

It is no secret that the Gear S2 watches were far from perfect even though they were a step in the right direction for Samsung. Today, the South Korean company has expanded its smartwatch lineup with the introduction of a pair of new wearables—the Gear S3 Classic and Gear S3 Frontier. More elegant and rugged than ever, the new Samsung watches have embedded GPS and cellular LTE connectivity.

Like the 2015 Gear S2, the new S3 range is based on the Tizen operating system that brings some updated software features to the mix. The Gear S3 Classic and Frontier will start shipping later this year.

Rumor: new health-tracking Apple hardware in the works for 2017 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 11, 2017

Taiwan's Economic Daily News is reporting that Apple is developing a brand new health-tracking hardware product that will be released in 2017. Although the report sheds little light on the matter, a machine-translated version of the story suggests that the device, described as a “killer new” gadget, will be a first-generation product so we can rule out a second-generation Apple Watch.

It's also unclear if the rumored product will be worn on one's body and whether it will operate standalone or require an iPhone, like the Apple Watch.

Jawbone denies exiting wearables business, production of UP devices continues

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

Following a Tech Insider report earlier this week claiming that accessory maker Jawbone had made the decision to sell its remaining inventory to a third-party reseller, stop building UP fitness trackers and create a clinical-grade health device, it's issued a post to officially deny exiting the wearables business, putting a stop to “wrongful insinuations“.

Jawbone stops making UP fitness trackers, planning a clinical-grade health device

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 28, 2016

Jawbone, which made a name for itself a decade ago with a lineup of high-quality Bluetooth headsets, has stopped making and selling the UP fitness trackers, according to a report yesterday from Tech Insider.

Sources familiar with the matter have reportedly told the publication that the company has sold its remaining inventory to a third-party reseller, while The Verge adds that Jawbone is now exploring a “clinical-grade health device”.

Say hello to three new pebbles: Pebble 2, Pebble Time 2 and Pebble Core

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Smartwatch and wearable devices startup Pebble on Tuesday unveiled three new devices: a second-generation Pebble, dubbed the Pebble 2, a new version of the Pebble Time and the Core, a pocket computer for runners wit built-in cellular connectivity.

Future Fitbit devices to gain support for NFC-based contactless payment technology

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2016

Fitbit, which makes fitness accessories, activity trackers and other wearable devices, just acquired payments hardware firm Coin, signaling its intent to enrich its product lineup with contactless payment features. That's right, your next Fitbit fitness tracker may let you pay for in-store purchases.

Fitbit unveils fashionable Alta activity tracker with swappable bands

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

Wearable maker Fitbit on Wednesday announced a brand new activity tracker with fashionable design that gives you the ability to swap bands.

Featuring five days of usage on a single charge and a selection of bands, including leather ones and a stainless steel bracelet, Fitbit hopes to appeal to the burgeoning market of stylish tech gadgets that are worn on one's body.

The Alta has the usual assortment of movement-tracking sensors and includes a slim touchscreen OLED display that shows basic stats and notifications relayed from a smartphone.

Misfit debuts stylish new activity tracker and its first wireless in-ear headphones

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 3, 2016

Wearable devices maker Misfit at CES 2016 announced new products that build on its expertise in health and fitness tracking. A new activity tracker from the company, called the Ray, tracks your movement and sleep and resembles a bracelet with a cylindrical aluminum body.

Another new product from Misfit, a first for the company: the Specter in-ear wireless headphones with dual driver technology and a built-in accelerometer sensor for tracking your activity and sleep when worn.

Samsung says its Gear S2 smartwatch will support iPhone later this year

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 16, 2018

During its CES keynote on Tuesday, Samsung announced that iOS compatibility is coming soon to its Gear S2 smartwatch. On stage at the Las Vegas event, the company's VP Alanna Cotton said that the popular Tizen-powered accessory is getting iPhone support later this year.

Cotton didn't offer up specific dates or details, but expect S2 functionality to be far more limited on iOS than it is on Android. Apple does not give developers the kind of low-level access its own Watch enjoys—something that has long-hampered Pebble and Android Wear devices.

Cook: Apple Watch sales accelerating, new health features in development

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 20, 2015

Apple CEO Tim Cook discussed a variety of topics at the Wall Street Journal’s WSJ.D Live conference last night in Laguna Beach, California, including confirming pre-sales for the new Apple TV next Monday and revealing that Apple Music currently has 6.5 million paid customers.

And while Cook was mum on Apple Watch sales—”We don't want to give information to competitors,” he said—he did allude to additional health-related functions coming to Apple's wearable platform in the future.

Apple Watch Hermès collection now available in 10 different style and size combinations

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 5, 2015

The Apple Watch Hermès collection, which got announced at the September 2015 media event, is now available at select retail locations in ten different style and size combinations. As first reported on by AppleInsider, sales are in-store only and unavailable online, with prices starting at $1,100.

Hermès is a Paris-based fashion label specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery and luxury goods. The company is “dedicated to serving European noblemen” though its products are renowned around the world.

Runtastic introduces Moment, an analog watch with fitness tracking features

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Runtastic on Friday announced the Moment, an analog watch with fitness tracking features. The maker of popular mobile fitness apps, which was recently acquired by Adidas, says the device has the potential to disrupt the wearables market because of its unique blend of traditional timekeeping and technology.

Like most fitness-focused wearables, the Moment is capable of tracking steps, distance, active minutes, calories burned, sleep cycles and goals. But unlike other trackers, it's waterproof up to 300 feet, so it can be used to track swimming, and it runs on a standard watch battery, so it doesn't need to be recharged.