For the last few CES shows, we've been strapping on as many fitness trackers as would fit on our wrists, hitting the floors and conference rooms, and comparing results. We don't expect accuracy -- we don't do a manual count of steps -- but we hope for a degree of consistency. When we first did this three years ago, trackers showed error of more than 35 percent, which meant the … [Read more...]
Apple Watch’s Heart Monitor is More Accurate than Fitbit’s, Says JAMA
The journal JAMA Cardiology has published a research letter that found that the Apple Watch's heart rate monitor is more accurate than the one in Fitbit's Charge HR, and is matched only by the Mio Alpha. The study, led by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic, compared the heart rates reported by monitors in a range of wrist-worn consumer devices to the rates reported by an EKG … [Read more...]
Apple Debuts Waterproof Watch Series 2 with GPS, a Nike Version, and Pokemon App
Apple introduced its follow-up to the original Apple Watch today with the Watch Series 2, which is waterproof, includes a GPS radio, faster processors, and a brighter screen. The new watches are available in aluminum (gold, rose gold, silver or space black) or stainless steel (stainless or space black). Pricing starts at $369. There's a new Watch Edition in white ceramic for … [Read more...]
Next Apple Watch Tipped to Have GPS
It's late summer, so it's time for the latest Apple mobile rumors. MacRumors quotes a research note from KGI Securities as saying an Apple Watch 2 is likely to announced next month along with the iPhone 7. The major features of the watch would be GPS, a faster processor, and a larger battery enabled by a slimmer display -- handy because GPS kills battery life. Earlier rumors … [Read more...]
Google Reportedly Readies Android Wear Watches of its Own
The website Android Police is reporting that Google is getting ready to ship a pair of Android Wear smartwatches under its own brand. This bodes ill for the health of Android Wear. The whole point of Android Wear was to create a software platform that OEMs could basically plug into hardware, but only about a half-dozen companies -- all of them pretty big, but at least one of … [Read more...]
Faster Next Gen Apple Watch to Have Cellular SIM, Says WSJ
We're coming up on the first anniversary of the Apple Watch's announcement -- as opposed to its shipment -- so expect a lot of stories about its shortcomings, benefits, and future. The Wall Street Journal has one such, which cites "sources" as saying the next version of the watch will have a faster processor and be able to connect directly to cellular networks. Both guesses … [Read more...]
The Rumor Mill Grinds Out an Apple Watch 2 in March
We're writing this out of a sense of obligation, not belief: the generally reliable 9to5Mac is citing "sources" as saying Apple will announce an Apple Watch 2 in March, maybe with a new camera, wireless, sleep tracking, and sensor pack. Or maybe not. Or maybe with a smaller, 4-inch, "iPhone 6c." Or maybe not at all. One thing we do know: there will be an Apple Watch 2. But … [Read more...]
Apple WatchOS 2.0 Released
It was supposed to hit the streets last week, but QA found a show-stopping bug. Things seem to have now been resolved, and Apple has released WatchOS 2.0 to the public. You can update over the air from your Apple Watch iPhone app. We haven't tried it yet, and we don't know what the bug was. We'll update as necessary. … [Read more...]
Apple’s Revving Up for the Holidays
In another move away from Apple’s once vaunted isolationism, T-Mobile and Sprint will be selling the Apple Watch in store starting Sept. 25, the same launch date as for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. (This must count as an accessory for them, as there's no network connectivity or plan involved.) Not long afterwards, on Oct. 5, Apple and Hermes stores will carry a luxury … [Read more...]
Apple Watch a Close Number 2 Behind Fitbit, Says IDC
We've been saying for months that we won't judge the Apple Watch a success or failure until we see hard numbers from a company like IDC. Now, the market intelligence company says Apple shipped 3.4 million units in 2Q15 -- the first quarter of its availability -- compared to Fitbit's 4.4 million. The wearables industry as a whole shipped 18.1 million units, up 223 percent from … [Read more...]