Smartwatch

Samsung introduces new Tizen-based ‘Gear 2’ smartwatches

Cody Lee ∙ February 22, 2014

As rumors regarding Apple's iWatch project continue to bounce about the web, Samsung introduced its second generation smartwatch tonight. The announcement came at Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, and actually includes two separate products: the Gear 2 and the Gear 2 Neo.

Perhaps the most notable difference between these smartwatches and the one Samsung released 6 months ago is that these run the company's open source operating system called 'Tizen,' not Android. Samsung says that the switch in OSes results in easier use and much better battery life...

Apple among companies interested in buying health tracker maker Basis

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 22, 2017

TechCrunch is reporting this evening that Basis, the company behind the Basis Health fitness tracker, has put itself up on the auction block. And, as usual, there are a number of high-profile tech companies interested in buying it including Microsoft, Google, Samsung and yes, Apple.

To be more specific, Basis makes a smartwatch-like device that it calls the "world's most advanced health tracker." It has built-in sensors capable of capturing heart rate patterns, tracking multiple sleep stages and calorie expenditure by activity, and even monitoring skin temperature...

iWatch may have simpler capabilities than initially thought. Disappointed?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2016

According to a new report by Brian Dolan of MobiHealthNews, the rumored Apple wearable device, the iWatch, may have simpler technological capabilities than those high-profile hirings, job ads, patents and rumors would have you believe.

Citing unnamed sources with "limited but direct knowledge," the report claims the iWatch is more of a companion than a standalone device.

In other words, it may require the iPhone for much of its functionality. MobiHealthNews doesn't have an established track record in terms of Apple rumors so the story should be taken with a grain of salt.

On the other hand, the publication did accurately reveal that Apple hired Michael O'Reilly, former chief medical officer and executive vice president of medical affairs at pulse oximeter firm Masimo Corporation...

iWatch to tap LG Chem’s energy efficient stepped batteries, rumor has it

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

As Apple continues to build up its team of world-class sleep researchers, medical device experts and biosensing ace engineers for the iWatch team, the rumor-mill is in full swing with related chatter originating from the company's vast network of Taiwanese suppliers and contract manufacturers.

The latest rumor: the company is tackling battery challenges said to plague the project by using so-called stepped batteries, a technology offering better longevity and enhanced energy density versus the traditional solutions.

Stepped batteries can be applied to different shapes and, as a bonus, boost capacity by as much as sixteen percent. Conveniently, Apple recently filed for a patent detailing a flexible battery design that specifically mentions wearable devices...

Pebble launches smartwatch app store with over 1,000 apps and watch faces

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

As promised back in December, Pebble launched its dedicated app store today. The store, which can be accessed via the official Pebble iOS app, features over 1000 apps and watch faces that can be installed on the company's line of smartwatches.

Like other app stores, the Pebble Shop pulls together all third-party apps developed for the Pebble and organizes them into categories like Fitness, Notifications and Games. This makes it easier to browse through existing apps and discover new ones...

How to invoke Siri from the Pebble Smartwatch

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated March 19, 2018

Great news for all of your Pebble Smartwatch owners: PebbleSiri and the Smartwatch+ jailbreak app has been updated to work with iOS 7. This means that you can now invoke Siri from your Pebble Smartwatch without touching your iPhone.

iPhone plugged into an outlet across the room, but want to set an alarm? No problem, just press the Siri button on your Pebble Smartwatch to invoke Siri and start dictating your commands. PebbleSiri is an absolute must have jailbreak tweak for Pebble Smartwatch owners, because it lessens the friction between the end user and Siri.

Finally, an iWatch concept that doesn’t look like a watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 21, 2014

I've always felt that the watch itself should be almost an afterthought in the never-ending discussion pertaining to what Apple’s rumored iWatch should be. ‘You’re thinking about it all wrong’ instantly comes to mind whenever new iWatch concepts hit the web. Looking at the current crop of mockups, their predictability and untenableness is starting to feel depressing and really killing all the fun for me.

But there’s some hope left as 3D artist Todd Hamilton took it upon himself to improve upon Thomas Bogner’s Nike FuelBand-like iWatch concept, taking his idea to the next level of awesomeness. It's right after the jump: have a look at the renderings and dare tell us it’s not the best iWatch concept you’ve seen thus far...

CES 2014: Pebble announces next-generation ‘Pebble Steel’ smartwatch

Cody Lee ∙ January 6, 2014

For weeks, Pebble has been hinting that it had a big announcement coming up at CES, and today it finally let the cat out of the bag. The smartwatch-maker unveiled its next generation wearable, the Pebble Steel, with an all-new band and face design.

The Steel features a stainless steel body with a leather or steel band—a huge upgrade from the plastic used in the previous model— and a face covered with Gorilla Glass. The new Pebble is lighter, and has a thinner profile thanks to slimmer bezels...

Rumor: surface finish treatment issues holding back mass production of iWatch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

According to the latest supply chain chatter, Apple's unannounced iWatch wearable device is facing production difficulty stemming from weak yields.

The point at issue here is that the surface finish treatments dealing with the device's body are reportedly showing unexpectedly low yield rates of less than 50 percent.

Needless to say, that's totally unacceptable for mass production.

According to a report coming straight out of Taiwan where the bulk of Apple's component suppliers and manufacturers are located, both the iPhone maker and the chip giant Qualcomm - which is also pursuing a smartwatch of its own - are finding it difficult to produce tiny wearable devices using metal injection molding (MIM)...

Archos previews array of iOS-compatible wearable gadgets and connected home gizmos

Christian Zibreg ∙ December 30, 2013

Ahead of the looming 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, the French consumer electronics company Archos is previewing an upcoming line of devices and accessories, including 'Connected Self' smartwatches and health trackers and various 'Connected Home' appliances, all designed to be compatible with Apple's iOS and Google's Android mobile operating systems.

There will also be a Connected Self mobile application to “serve as the backbone application for all connected self devices” allowing folks to track their activity, check their health-related data, turn on the lights, automatically capture video when motion sensors are triggered and lots more. The full breakdown is right past the jump...

Pebble Appstore is slated to launch early 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 12, 2018

The Pebble smartwatch project has certainly hit the ground running since receiving funding via the crowd funding platform Kickstarter.

The regularly updated software has been improving the smartwatch's functionality as the company looks to secure its position before heavy-weights like Apple enter the category with their own products.

Aiming to secure its footing in the still nascent but fast-growing wearable technology industry, Pebble on Wednesday announced that an official Pebble appstore is coming early next year to give customers the official venue to download and install third-party smartwatch apps to their Pebble.

The store will launch with watchfaces and six app categories for Daily, Remotes, Sports & Fitness, Notifications, Tools & Utilities and Games. Like Apple, Pebble will feature a selection of the best/new apps on a per-category basis...

Rumor: iWatch with wireless charging due in 2014

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2016

Apple's rumored smartwatch, affectionately dubbed by the media iWatch, is scheduled for launch late next year and will include a wireless charging feature, according to a new rumor by a reliable Chinese blog.

Apple has already tested two prototypes, the story goes, and is shooting to release the health/fitness iOS accessory in October of 2014.

That would put the iWatch debut close to the upcoming iPhone 6. More on that right after the break...