Modern smartwatches can sell for hundreds of dollars and run proprietary software or for as little as $25 while running open source code. Watchy is closer to that latter category. It’s a smartwatch with a paper-like monochrome display and open source hardware and software. With a list price of $50, it’s an affordable option for […]
Tag: wearables
Lilbits: GMK’s 2.4 inch mini PC is now available, Android picks up new features, and Raspberry Pi OS gains performance enhancements
2 Comments on Lilbits: GMK’s 2.4 inch mini PC is now available, Android picks up new features, and Raspberry Pi OS gains performance enhancementsThe GMK NucBox mini PC that I reviewed this summer is now available for purchase from GMK or Amazon, no crowdfunding campaign required. The unit I tested in August was a pre-release model and offered decent performance for a Windows PC in a 2.4″ x 2.4 ” x 1.7″ case. But I wasn’t able to […]
This ugly wrist band brings cameras to the Apple Watch
Folks have been asking whether the Apple Watch is more of a useful gadget or a fashion statement for as long as Apple has been in the watch business. The Wristcam is a new accessory designed that seems to be designed for people who value functionality over design. It’s a third-party Apple Watch wrist band that […]
Fitbit launches two new smartwatches with Google Assistant (but without Wear OS)
It’s been nearly a year since Google announced it was acquiring Fitbit, but today the company is introducing a new set of wearables… and none of them run Google’s Wear OS smartwatch operating system. But that doesn’t mean Google hasn’t influenced the new devices. The new Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 smartwatches both run a version of […]
Nubia Watch with a flexible OLED display hits Kickstarter for $179 and up
Most smartwatches have screens that are circles or rectangles. The Nubia Watch has… something else. This unusual smartwatch has a 4 inch flexible AMOLED touchscreen display that curves over your wrist, allowing you to see more data at once, while also using the extra space for scrolling and other touch controls. It’s available for pre-order […]
Google’s smartwatch operating system will get faster this fall
Google’s smartphone and smart TV operating systems aren’t the only ones getting an update this fall. The company says an update is coming to Wear OS this fall, which will bring faster app startup times and support for Qualcomm’s latest chips for wearables. The Wear OS update will bring support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 4100 […]
Band Unlocker keeps the Microsoft Band useful long past its sell-by date
The problem with modern “smart” gadgets is that many of them become pretty dumb once they’re no longer supported by the manufacturer. So when Microsoft discontinued the Microsoft Band 2 wearable activity tracker a few years ago, it was helpful that the company continued offering support its companion website and mobile apps… until mid-2019. That effectively […]
Qualcomm launches Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ chips for smartwatches
Two years after releasing its last smartwatch chip, Qualcomm is bringing two new models to market. The Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 and Snapdragon Wear 4100+ are faster, more efficient chips based on newer technologies. The new chips also support devices with cameras up to 16MP and offer optional support for 4G LTE. Qualcomm says we can expect […]
Rufus Cuff wrist computer might actually ship… 6 years late (crowdfunding)
Back in 2014 a company called Rufus launched a crowdfunding campaign for a wrist computer called the Rufus Cuff. At a time when the Pebble Steel was pretty much state of the art in the smartwatch space (and a year before the first Apple Watch was announced), the Rufus Cuff was… a very different take […]
Redmi Band is a $14 fitness band with 14-day battery life
Xiaomi’s Mi Band line of fitness trackers already offer some of the best bang for the buck in the wearable space. But what’s better than a $35 activity tracker with a color display and long battery life? How about a $14 one. The Chinese device maker’s latest wearable is the Redmi Band, which features a 1.08 […]
Fitbit Charge 4 coming April 13th for $150 (First Fitbit device since Google acquired the company)
4 Comments on Fitbit Charge 4 coming April 13th for $150 (First Fitbit device since Google acquired the company)The new Fitbit Charge 4 is an activity tracker that also supports mobile payments, smartphone notifications, Spotify controls, and GPS — making it the first Fibit device that can use satellite navigation to provide real-time distance and pace details even if you leave your phone behind when you’re out for a run or bike ride. […]
Adidas’ new shoe insole can track soccer player movements thanks to Google Jacquard technology
3 Comments on Adidas’ new shoe insole can track soccer player movements thanks to Google Jacquard technologyGoogle, Adidas, and Electronic Arts have teamed up on a new smart shoe insole that combines physical activity, digital activity and… video game rewards. The new Adidas GMR insole sells for $40 and it can be used with any set of soccer (football to most of the world) shoes. By tracking the motion of your […]