You probably already have a computer or two, a smartphone, and maybe a tablet. So over the past few years consumer electronics companies have been looking for the next thing to sell you, and many settled on smartwatches or other wearables. At one point or another, virtually every big smartphone maker launched a smartwatch, although […]
wearables
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AsteroidOS Alpha released: open source smartwatch operating system
AsteroidOS is an open source, Linux-based operating system designed to run as a replacement for the OS on some Android Wear smartwatches. Developer Florent Revest says it offers users more control over privacy and allows them to run free and open source software. The software may have another function: breathing new life into older hardware. […]
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Coming to Windows 10: Unlock your PC using a wearable
Windows Hello is a security feature built into Windows 10 that lets you prevent unauthorized people from logging into your device… but which lets you login without entering a PIN or password. Right now Windows Hello lets you do that via fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition, assuming your device has hardware to support those features. […]
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Report: Samsung confirms it’s done with Android Wear watches (Update: maybe)
Samsung may have been one of the first companies to launch a smartwatch using Google’s Android Wear software… but the company’s first Android Wear watch was also its last. Since launching the Samsung Gear Live, the company has launched half a dozen other wearables, and they’ve all used a version of the Tizen operating system. […]
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Pebble Time smartwatches get a $50 price cut (now starting at $150)
Pebbls is cutting the prices of its smartwatches with color screens. Now you can pick up a Pebble Time smartwatch for $150 or a Pebble Time Round for $200. That represents a $50 drop in the prices for each watch, and makes the watches more competitive with other budget smartwatches (and much cheaper than an entry-level […]
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Would you video chat on your smartwatch?
Just one day after Google rolled an Android Wear update that includes support for speakers on smartwatches that have them, Glide released an update to its video messaging app that brings support for Android Wear. That means you can view and respond to video messages from friends and family right from your wrist. But, is that something […]
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Fitbit’s new Alta fitness tracker is all about that bling
Fitbit’s latest fitness tracker is one that the company hopes you won’t be embarrassed to be seen wearing as an accessory. Instead of being ugly and stuffed with exercise-based bells and whistles, the Fitbit Alta is limited in its abilities. But it’s arguably the best-looking Fitbit wristband so far. That’s not to say the Alta isn’t […]
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A walk through the CES Global Technology Marketplace
The 2016 Consumer Electronics Show wraps up on Saturday, and we’ve seen a lot of announcements from well-known companies including Lenovo, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Acer. But while CES is a big event for tech reporters, it’s an even bigger deal for small companies looking to connect with one another (or with bigger companies). A […]
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WiFi is coming to Internet of Things with new WiFi HaLow standard
There’s a good chance you use WiFi to connect your phone, tablet, or computer to the internet… and to other phones, tablets, and computers on your home or work network. But right now a lot of low-power wearables, smart home products, and other “Internet of Things” devices rely on Bluetooth or other technologies. The Wi-Fi […]
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Android Wear goes Marshmallow, gains support for new hardware, new permissions model
The LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE may be the first smartwatch to ship with ship with a version of Android Wear based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but Google says the new version of its smartwatch OS will begin rolling out to all Android Wear watches in the next few months. So what’s new? According to […]
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New Arduino board has Intel Curie inside
Intel’s new button-sized system-on-a-chip, Curie, will be incorporated into a next-generation Arduino board called the Arduino 101, making it the first device to ship with a Curie module. The company made the announcement at Maker Faire Rome. What makes the Curie so special? The tiny, low-power chip is designed for wearables and other low-power connected devices. The chip […]
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Motorola launches two new Moto 360 watches, plus the Moto 360 Sport
As expected, Motorola is updating its smartwatch lineup, and as expected, there are three new models: A Moto 360 with a large display and thick wrist strap, a smaller model, and a Moto 360 Sport. Pre-orders for the new Moto 360 open today, and the watches should begin shipping later this month. Prices range from $300 […]