wearables78.615 min read
Galaxy Watch Ultra 2 leaks point to boxier chassis and slimmer bezels
19 days ago•Source: Android Central
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55.1 min•1 month ago
Pixel Watch 5 leaks from the ocean floor, hinting at a near-final prototype
An alleged Pixel Watch 5 prototype was found underwater near St. Martin, with branding and sensor cues (SpO2, EDA, heart rate, UWB) and IP68 water resistance visible, suggesting a device close to a retail-ready product. Google has not commented, and the watch could be real or a convincing fake, but the underwater survival adds an intriguing twist to early hardware leaks.
55.655 min•1 month ago
Fitbit Air Band Colors: Which Strap and Color Are Right for You
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Seven essential first steps to set up Google's Fitbit Air
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Luna Band debuts in July as subscription-free rival to Fitbit Air
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Android XR display glasses emerge at Google I/O, hinting at a smarter future for wearables
At Google I/O, Android Central tester tries Google’s monocular Android XR glasses and Xreal’s Project Aura, finding display glasses more exciting than audio-only models: Aura uses dual OLED displays driven by a power puck with gesture controls, while Google’s prototype offers in‑lens widgets like Translate and Maps, suggesting practical AR in everyday wear as Samsung and others prep their own display glasses for launch.
Google's Fitbit Air aims to out-slim Whoop with a screenless, battery-friendly design
Google’s Fitbit Air is a slim, screenless fitness tracker designed to rival Whoop, promising up to a week of battery life in a lighter, smaller form factor (12g) with a left-side LED status light and a double-tap to check battery or dismiss alarms. It’s priced at $99 with a $35 Google Store credit for pre-orders before May 25, and wider shipping begins May 26; demo units are live in Google Store locations, and side-by-side comparisons show the Air is notably slimmer than Whoop.
Samsung teases two-model Galaxy Glasses to rival Ray‑Ban's AR crown
Samsung’s Galaxy Glasses leak reveals two models in development: Jinju (entry-level, no display) and Haean (premium with a micro‑LED AR display), with Jinju slated for late 2026 and Haean in 2027. The lineup, which emphasizes audio, AI, and an autofocus camera, appears aimed at everyday users and could challenge Meta’s Ray‑Ban glasses, signaling a broader consumer AR strategy that could incorporate Google’s Gemini AI features.
Google Health Could Fold Fitbit Into a Unified Health Brand
Rumors suggest Google may rebrand Fitbit’s software and services under Google Health, renaming Fitbit Premium to Google Health Premium and introducing a Google Health logo, while Fitbit hardware could remain branded separately. Early store listings and App Store changes pointed to the shift, but Google reportedly pulled back the branding and restored Fitbit Premium in some regions, leaving the future branding unclear as Google may keep Fitbit for devices while unifying software under Google Health.
Fitbit Air hints at May release with colorful, screen-free tracking
A rumored Fitbit Air, a screen-free fitness tracker aiming to rival Whoop, is expected to launch around May 16 for about $99. It would focus on passive metrics like sleep, heart rate, HRV, and activity without a monthly fee, and would offer multiple color options and bands (Obsidian, Lavender, Berry) as Google continues to push into health wearables.
Xiaomi Watch 5 Redefines Wear OS with Battery Brilliance and Bold Design
Android Central’s Harish Jonnalagadda argues that the global Xiaomi Watch 5 is now a standout Wear OS smartwatch thanks to four points: a smooth Wear OS 6 experience with Maps, Spotify and more; a 930mAh silicon-carbon battery that delivers over four days (up to two weeks in power saver); a bright 1.54-inch AMOLED display with strong outdoor visibility; and a bold stainless‑steel design with comfortable bundled bands, all for about €299. These factors combine to make it his go-to Android smartwatch, especially for travel.
Bluetooth-only freedom: ditching LTE on my smartwatch saved me money without sacrificing core features
After canceling the LTE data plan on his Galaxy Watch 5, the Android Central writer switched to a Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi smartwatch and saved about $120 a year while still using most features—offline music and maps, calls/texts via the connected phone, and workout tracking. He argues LTE isn’t essential if you carry your phone, notes Garmin watches work well without LTE, and invites readers to share whether data on a smartwatch is a must. He also acknowledges some data-dependent features (like satellite SOS) exist on certain models.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Receives Early One UI 8 Watch and Wear OS 6 Update
Samsung has released the One UI 8 Watch update for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, adding new health features like Running Coach, Vascular Load, and Antioxidant Index, along with an improved, customizable user interface that provides essential information at a glance. The update enhances the watch's usability for outdoor activities and daily wellness, complementing the new Galaxy Watch8 series and its variants, including the stylish Titanium Blue model.
"ITC Pushes for Reinstatement of Apple Watch Ban Amid Weak Apple Appeal"
The U.S. International Trade Commission has argued against allowing the sale of Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 while Apple appeals a ruling that it infringed on patents for blood oxygen monitoring tech. The Commission contends that Apple's case for continuing sales is weak and effectively amounts to requesting permission to continue alleged patent infringement. The U.S. Appeals Court has set a deadline for responses to Apple's request, and a decision could lead to the return of a ban on these smartwatches.
Garmin's Latest Leaks: Wearable Tech Innovations Ahead.
A recent leak reveals that Garmin is set to release new models of its older series, including the Fenix 7 Pro, Fenix 7X Pro, Epix Pro Gen 2, and Approach S70. The leak shows images of the watches but lacks technical information. The Fenix 7 Pro and 7X Pro will have a base, Solar, and Sapphire Solar version, with the Solar feature extending battery life. The Epix Pro Gen 2 will be available in three sizes, and the Approach S70 is Garmin's next golf watch. The new smartwatches are expected to be introduced at the end of May going into June.