Category: Wearables

Smartwatch, Apple Watch, Moto 360 , Samsung Gear, Gear Fit, Galaxy Gear, watches smart wearables and all the latest news on iGyaan

Xiaomi Huami Amazfit Bip Lite Smartwatch Launched In India
In the month of July last year, Huami, a company backed by Xiaomi launched its two wearable devices in India which include the Amazfit Bip and Amazfit Stratos.

Two weeks ahead of the Amazon India prime day sale, the company has silently listed the Amazfit Bip Lite smartwatch on the e-commerce website. As the name suggests, the newly launched device is an affordable variant of the previously announced Amazfit Bip. However, don’t let the ‘Lite’ suffix mislead you to taking the Amazfit Bip Lite as a substandard product. Even though it has an economical price, it still packs loads of fitness-oriented features in addition to the conventional watch.

Huami Amazfit Bip Lite Quick Specs:
- 1.28-inch colour Always-on reflective touch display
- Gorilla Glass 3
- Optical heart rate sensor
- Bluetooth 4.0
- IP68 Resistant to dust, rain and splashing
- 190mah Battery with up to 45 days of battery life
Amazfit Bip Lite Design And Features

The Amazfit Bip Lite has an elegant design with a square watch dial and soft silicome straps. The smartwatch sports a 1.28 inch colour display which has a resolution of 176 x 176 ppi. To protect the device against scratches it uses a 2.5d Corning Gorilla Glass.

To navigate across various menus and features of the Huami Amazfit Bip Lite, the user can either use the touch button placed below the display or the right side mounted circular crown. The rear side of the fitness watch houses a heart rate monitor which can measure the user’s heart rate on the go.

Besides, the Amazfit Bip Lite also has a pedometer (step counter), sleep monitor and a sedentary reminder. The fitness watch prompts the user with a reminder when they have remained seated for an extended period of time.

The Amazfit Bip Lite is powered by a 190 mAh battery which is claimed to provide a battery backup of 45 days depending on the usage. The battery is charged via a proprietary connector and it takes about 2.5 to fully replenish it.

Talking about features, the Huami Amazfit Bip Lite has a built-in vibration motor which sends haptic feedback when the user receives a message or phone call. The fitness device is compatible with both iOS and Android, also the users can save data for later which can be transferred to an app on the smartphone. Other sensors on the device include a Barometer and GPS.

In addition to the Amazfit Bip Lite smartwatch, the box includes a charging cable and a user manual. The smartwatch is available in a black colour option and is priced at Rs 3,999. As previously mentioned it will be available for purchase with the Amazon Prime day which begins 15th of July.

Also Read: LCD In Display Fingerprint Scanner Arriving In Smartphones Next Year

The Huami Amazfit Bip Lite seems like a worthy buy not only for a fitness enthusiast but for anyone who is looking an affordable smart wearable.
June 29, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Leaked In Images

Korean technology giant Samsung rebranded its wearable lineup by dropping the “Gear” label to adopting the iconic “Galaxy” moniker; starting from last year’s Galaxy Watch smartwatch. The company then launched a slew of devices under the new brand name, including the Galaxy Watch Active launched in the month of February this year. It is a fitness-focused wearable and a separate device from the original Galaxy Watch. Now, images of its successor, purportedly called the Galaxy Watch Active 2 have been leaked online.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

As mentioned above, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will be a successor to the smartwatch released a few months ago. The design of the wearable revealed in the image is reminiscent of its predecessor, albeit with a few changes. Unlike the previous generation, the home/power button is round in shape; while the back button on the top right is rectangular. A red circle is also visible in one of the images; which is claimed to be just a design quirk. Over at the back, the device has a new design, with it sporting a circular ring around the heart rate sensor.

Also read: Jony Ive Is Quitting Apple

In terms of specifications, it has been revealed that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 will have two variants; one with LTE support and one with support for just Wi-Fi networks. The former will be powered by a 340mAh battery while the latter will be provided with a 237mAh cell. The smartwatch is said to ship with OneUI version 1.5, which is supposedly a considerable improvement over the current version 1.0. Unfortunately more details like the features and the launch date of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 are not known yet. However, the leaked images suggest the device is ready for primetime. While it is arguable that a four-month-old wearable does not need a successor, we trust Samsung to know better; and hope that the update is worth the asking price.

June 29, 2019
Apple Watch Could Soon Receive A Camera

Apple introduced its line up of smart wearables with the original Apple Watch back in the year 2015. Since then the gadget has become one of the worlds most popular smartwatch. Reports reveal that the Apple Watch is one of its best selling products that the company has produced till date. Multiple iterations of the device have been released in the past 4 years and now a new report points towards a camera being added to the smart wearable.

Apple Watch with its latest watchOS 6 update, has made the device capable of providing a proper standalone experience. The one feature that the company has restrained to bring to the Apple Watch is an actual camera. A freshly filed patent at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) suggests that Apple plans on putting a camera on the wearable. The tech giant is reportedly building a unique camera system which is placed on the strap rather than the main body of the watch.

The design would have logically been put in the body of the device, as Apple had previously mentioned. According to the schematics, a camera is going to be placed on the end of the Apple Watch strap. Various designs showcase different methods of the camera being mounted on the flexible surface. One of the design simply adds a third smaller strap to exclusively house the sensor that can be laid when not in use. Most designs have shown that the camera can be made to stand in an upright manner. Apple Watch’s strap will likely include some form of connection between the main body and the sensor. It can be achieved by using malleable cores that can give the camera free motion alongside metal wire, magnetorheological fluid, or metal links.

There are also indications that a hidden button might be employed for taking selfie shots without need the help of the smartwatch. More than one camera sensor is suggested in the design, as two sensors can potentially be housed on either side. Users can possibly switch between the front and back cameras during a video call or taking a picture. Apple may also seek to employ just one sensor that is placed on a rotary design, allowing for dual functionality.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A90 Leaked, To Feature Snapdragon 855, 5G Support

Camera in the Apple Watch has been rumoured before by the company itself in 2018. Apple might soon add a major game-changing addition on its popular lineup of wearable devices. A camera will also seek to further the gap between the smartwatches reliance on the iPhone. The new camera feature will be a great new addition to the future iterations of the products line up.

June 26, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active And Galaxy Fit Bands Launched In India
In the month of February, Samsung held the Galaxy Unpacked event where it unveiled the Galaxy S10 lineup (1,2,3) of flagship smartphones. Besides, the company also unveiled a wide variety of accessories which include the Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Fit e and the Galaxy Watch Active. The Galaxy Buds were made available in the country alongside the flagship smartphones, but the three previously mentioned smart wearables were not.

On the 25th of June, Samsung India sent out a press release where it officially announced the three fitness oriented smart wearable devices for the country. To recap the features and specs of the devices are as follows:

Samsung Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Fit e

Both the Samsung Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Fit e have a similar design but they have significantly different features. In terms of looks, both the devices have an appealing design with a tall display and thin silicon straps. Notably, the display on the feature laden Galaxy Fit is surrounded by metal casing while the affordable Galaxy Fit e gets plastic edges.

The difference in the choice of material also translates to disparate weight. The former weighs 23 grams with strap while the latter weighs just 15 grams with strap. The two devices also have different size and type of display. The Galaxy Fit has 0.95 inch colour AMOLED display with a pixel density of 282 ppi while the Galaxy Fit e incorporates a 0.74 inch PMOLED display that has a pixel density of 193 ppi.

The Galaxy Fit is powered by a 120 mAh battery whereas the Fit e is powered by a 70 mAh battery. Both the fitness bands from Samsung support Activity tracking, Sleep tracking and continuous HRM (Heart Rate Monitor). Noteworthy, the expensive out of the two, the Galaxy Fit supports additional features including Stress Tracking and Roaming Clock (Updates with the location of user, requires smartphone connectivity).

The two smart bands from Samsung are also 5ATM water resistant and Military Grade (MIL-STD-810G) certified. The Galaxy Fit and Galaxy Fit e use Bluetooth for connection and are compatible with both Android (version 5.0 or greater having 1.5 GB of RAM) and iOS (iPhone 5 or above running iOS 9 ). In terms of sensors, both support HRM and accelerometer while the high end Galaxy Fit also gets a Gyroscope. The two devices will be available for purchase starting 1st of July via Flipkart.com and traditional brick and mortar stores. The price of the two devices are as follows:
- Galaxy Fit e: Rs 2,490
- Galaxy Fit: Rs 8,990
Galaxy Watch Active

The Galaxy Watch Active runs on Tizen based wearable OS 4.0 which can be navigated via gestures and the two side-mounted buttons. The smartwatch packs the Exynos 9110 SoC which consists of a dual-core processor. It has a 1.1 inch AMOLED display that has a resolution of 360×360 px.

The Galaxy Watch Active is capable of automatically recognizing and tracking the activity being performed by the user. Apart from that, it also has a continuous heart rate tracking feature which can provide users with real-time information regarding their cardiac health.

The Galaxy Watch Active has 768 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. The smartwatch is IP68 water and dust resistant and is MIL-STD-810G certified. Connectivity options on the device include GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0. As far as the sensors go, the Galaxy Watch Active has an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope and a pedometer. Furthermore, the smartwatch also has a sleep monitoring feature. The watch is powered by a 230 mAh battery which can be charged via WPC-based wireless charging (Wireless Power Consortium).

The Galaxy Watch Active is available for purchase starting today (25th on June) on Amazon.in, Samsung’s e shop and multi brand retail store brands.

Also Read: Samsung Could Be Working On A New Galaxy Fold With Curved Display

Samsung with its updated smart wearables has tried to break into different price brackets. However, the Mi Band 4 from Xiaomi which will soon launch in the country will surely give the Samsung offering’s a run for their money, especially the Galaxy Fit e.

What are your thoughts on the Galaxy Fit range for smart wearables? Do let us know in the comments below
June 25, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 Leaked, To Launch Alongside The Galaxy Note 10

Samsung rebranded its wearable lineup starting the Galaxy Watch last year. The successor to the Gear S3, it features an upgraded design and better features. The company then launched its fitness variant, the Galaxy Watch Active at the Galaxy Unpacked event in the month of February. Now, reports of the successor to the Galaxy Watch have started to surface online. According to a source, Samsung is working on the next generation wearable, purportedly called the Galaxy Watch 2 and may release it soon.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 2

Galaxy Watch

As mentioned above, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 will be a successor to the Galaxy Watch from last year. Reports claim that the wearable has been in the works inside the company for quite some time. It has been codenamed “Renaissance”, which is a combination of French and Latin and means rebirth. Notably, it is also a period in European history from the 14th to the 17th century that was defined by the pinnacle in art.

While more details about the Galaxy Watch 2 are not available as of yet; it has been revealed that it may launch alongside the Galaxy Note 10. The information was revealed a while ago that the next generation flagship smartphone by Samsung has been codenamed “Da Vinci”. It is based on Leonardo Da Vinci, who was a famous artist during the Renaissance. This, along with the fact that last year’s Galaxy Watch was launched alongside the Galaxy Note 9, further strengthens the aforementioned claim.

Also read: Xiaomi Introduces 3D Air Gestures To Toggle Apps With One Hand

The Galaxy Watch was launched in two sizes last year, one with a 42mm dial and one with a 46mm dial. It is expected that Samsung will continue the same size options in the latest wearable. The upcoming smartwatch may also feature a digital rotating dial; which will be in contrast to the physical dial found in its predecessor. Unfortunately, more details like the price and rest of the features about the Galaxy Watch 2 are not known currently; but may be revealed as we move closer to its launch date.

June 25, 2019
Apple Watch Saves A Heart Patient’s Life In US Restaurant
When Apple launched the Apple Watch Series 4 with the ECG functionality, it could have not been foretold that even medical practitioners would use it to diagnose patients. In an astonishing report, a US doctor used his Apple Watch Series 4 to diagnose a patient with a heart condition at a restaurant.

As a physician, it’s much faster to put my #applewatch4 on someone else’s wrist to detect ?? disease (A. fib) than finding a ECG machine at a public restaurant! ? (Indeed, a true #mhealth guardian) pic.twitter.com/JLVD4JUYI9
— Tommy Korn MD (@TommyKornMD) June 21, 2019

The Tweet shared by the doctor exhibits the patient who is getting his ECG performed with the help of the Apple Watch. In a short span of just seconds, the device measures the ECG and also pinpoints a cardiac condition called Atrial Fibrillation. The said medical condition may not have any symptoms but when they appear they include palpitations, shortness of breath and fatigue.

Even though Atrial Fibrillation is not life-threatening, it is a serious medical condition that sometimes requires emergency treatment. A major concern with this cardiac disorder is the potential to develop blood clots within the upper chambers of the heart that can be followed by strokes which can be fatal.

Also Read: Realme India To Launch A 64 MP Camera Smartphone

Besides, this is not the first time that Apple watch has saved precious lives. Some of the cases that have made their way to the internet include:
- Apple Watch Series 4 Saves A 67-Year Old Man’s Life
- Apple Watch Series 4 Notifies A Man Of Heartbeat Anomaly Saving His Life
All in all, Apple’s smartwatch has been a great tool for users who are unaware of an underlying health condition. Furthermore, future Apple Watch is reported to have a sensor which will be able to track blood sugar on the go. This would help in saving countless lives, as diabetes one of the most common fatal disease known to mankind.
June 24, 2019
Future Apple Watch Will Be Able To Monitor Blood Sugar Levels

The Apple Watch was first introduced in the year 2015 which incorporates fitness tracking and health oriented capabilities including heart rate monitoring. Over the last four years, the device has seen three iterations with the current generation Apple Watch 4 being unveiled in September 2018. Three months before the expected launch date of Apple Watch 5 (name not official) some details about the future device have surfaced. Reportedly the upcoming Apple Watch will be of great use for Diabetes patient as it will be able to track blood glucose levels on the go with the flick of a wrist.

The piece of information was shared by a senior executive of Dexcom Inc that designs and manufactures continuous glucose monitoring systems for diabetes patients. In the year 2018, the company launched it latest device, called the Dexcom G6 it can function without any fingerstick-based calibration. For readers who are unaware, fingersticks are disposable strips which are used for checking blood sugar with the help of a Glucose meter.

The company is expected to be working on new and improved Dexcom G7 model that will directly transfer the wearer’s blood Glucose levels to the Apple Watch. The whole process will simplify the medication process for any Diabetes patient. However, the Dexcom executive did not reveal whether the G7 sensor will be integrated right into the Apple Watch or work as a separate device. Noteworthy, the current generation Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitoring system costs about USD 349 (around Rs 25,000). Therefore, integrating such a sensor in the Apple watch will significantly raise its price unless the company is able to develop a similar sensor with an affordable price tag.

Also Read: Google Accused Of Copying Song Lyrics In Search Results

Conclusively, the report seems to be big news for Diabetes patients who will be able to easily track their blood Glucose with such a device. Although Apple is yet to confirm or deny the claims made by the medical equipment company.

June 17, 2019
Garmin Forerunner 245 & 245 Music Smart Watches Launched In India
The United States based Garmin has introduced the latest smartwatches under its Forerunner lineup in India. The wearables carry the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music and they were originally launched in the US in the month of May. Both devices are targeted towards runners and cyclists who wish to keep track of their workout stats. Besides, the newly launched devices also offer support for strength training, yoga, elliptical and tracking sleep cycles. The key difference between the two devices is that the Forerunner Music 245 can locally store upto 500 music tracks.

Forerunner 245 & 245 Music Design and Features

Both the Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music have an identical look with a circular form factor and a wide polymer strap. The smartwatches measure 42.3 x 42.3 x 12.2 mm and can fit wrists with a circumference of 127-204 mm. They feature a circular colour display that measures 30.4 mm or 1.2 inch. The touchscreen display has a resolution of 240 x 240 px.

The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music duo of smartwatches weighs in at 38.5 grams. In terms of battery life, Garmin claims the two devices can provide a battery backup of upto 7 days on smartwatch mode, upto 6 hours on GPS mode with music and upto 24 hours on GPS mode without music. Both devices are also water resistant and a rated to 5 ATM of pressure.

The Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music duo of smartwatches include a whole host of sensors including GPS, GLONASS, Compass and an Accelerometer. Connectivity options on the two devices include Bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi. Safety and tracking features on the smartwatch duo include incident detection during select activities like fall detection.

The two smartwatches from Garmin also support traditional activity tracking features including a step counter, calories burned, distance travelled, stress tracking and body battery energy monitor.

Forerunner 245 & 245 Music Price and Colours

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+ Cameras Receive Night Mode With Latest Update

The Garmin Forerunner 245 and Forerunner 245 Music is offered in five colour options including Black, Lava Red, Aqua, Slate Gray and Yellow. Both the devices will be available for purchase on Amazon.in, Paytm and select offline stores. The prices for the two smartwatches are as follows:
- Garmin Forerunner 245: Rs 29,990
- Garmin Forerunner 245 Music: Rs 34,990
June 12, 2019
Amazfit Health Watch With 1.28 Inch Colour Display Announced

Xiaomi backed Huami has launched the Amazfit Amazfit Health Watch at an event held in China. It is the successor to the original Huami Amazfit Watch and has a similar design to its predecessor.

HuamiAmazfit Health Watch Features and Design

The Amazfit Health Watch from Huami has a modern design with a square shaped housing. The smart fitness watch features a 1.28 inch colour display with 176 x 176 px resolution and tempered glass protection. Besides the touch screen display, the device can even be controlled via the right side mounted circular crown. The smartwatch supports narrowband network technology (NB IoT) so it is not necessary to be paired with a smartphone to track and collect fitness related data.

The rear of the Amazfit Health Watch has a plastic build that features a PPG heart rate sensor and an ECG sensor. The latter measures the ECG of the wearer in 60 seconds which can be stored locally as well for upto 7 days. The smart wearable is powered by a 200 mAh battery which the company claims can provide for 7 day battery backup. The device runs on the Huangshan No 1 processor which is an in house developed chipset dedicated for wearable devices and has support for AI functionality. The chipset is used to track the data for fitness including ECG. The Amazfit Health Watch is also water resistant to 3 ATM or 30 metres.

Also Read: NASA To Test Safer, More Efficient Green Fuel For Spacecraft

The Amazfit Health Watch is priced at CNY 699 (around Rs 7000) and will be available for purchase in China later this month. It is available in three colour options which include Black, Brown with Rose Gold face and Brown with Gold face. The device is also expected to make its way into India in the coming months.

June 11, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 With Colour Display Launched

After much speculations and leaks, Chinese smartphone OEM Xiaomi has launched the Mi Band 4 fitness tracker. It is the successor to the Mi Band 3 introduced last year and boasts of notable improvements over its predecessor. The wearable has been launched initially in China with global availability to be announced soon.

Mi Band 4

As mentioned above, the Xiaomi Mi Band 4 is the latest fitness band from the company. The most distinguishable change of the device over its predecessor is the presence of a colour display. It has a 0.95 inch AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 240 x 120 px which is significantly larger than the 0.78-inch monochrome OLED found in the Mi Band 3. In terms of design, the wearable is reminiscent to the previous generations, with a pill like a form factor and interchangeable silicone bands available in five different colours, Orange, Purple, Black, Burgundy and Beige. As it is a fitness band, there are also features like a step counter, heart rate sensor on board.

In terms of connectivity, the Mi Band 4 is available in two variants, one with Bluetooth and the other with support for NFC (Near Field Communications). The latter is required for seamless payments with supported gateways. Notably, the latest wearable also has support for voice commands via the digital assistant present in the device. Like its predecessor, it is also rated for 5ATM water resistance. The Mi Band 4 has a 135mAh battery, which is again a notable improvement over the last generation’s 110 mAh capacity. Xiaomi claims a battery life of 20 days on a single charge with the device.

Pricing

Also read: Honor 20 And Honor 20 Pro Launched In India

The Mi Band 4 standard Bluetooth variant has been priced at CNY 169 (Rs. 1,700) while the version with NFC will cost CNY 229 (Rs. 2,300) for prospective buyers. The device is expected to launch in other countries including India soon.

June 11, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 With Colour Display To Launch On 11th June

After the wonderful success of the Mi Band 3, Xiaomi has been highly anticipated to launch the updated Mi Band 4. The former is expected to be a worthwhile upgrade over the current generation device with significantly bumped up features. The company’s CEO has shared an official teaser of the smart wearable that uncovers its launch date and key features.

Mi Band 4 Features

The key highlighting feature of the upcoming Mi Band 4 is the inclusion of a colour display which will open up a whole new array of applications for the device. Due to the said feature, the information presented on the device’s display will be more intuitive and appealing to the eye. Another feature that the 4th generation of fitness tracker from Mi is set to introduce is a heart rate monitor.

Apple Watch

The said feature is inspired from the Apple Watch which is the leader in smart wearable industry. As the name suggests, it monitors the heart rate of the wearer. If the device registers irregular pattern in heart functionality of the wearer, they can be promoted with a notification to consult a medical profession. This in exchange can prevent a forthcoming health adversity that has not yet presented itself.

Furthermore, the Mi Band 4 will get all new colour options for the strap which include violet, red, maroon and almond. The device is also reported to feature a larger capacity battery to make up for a colour display that consumes comparatively more energy. Also new with Mi Band 4, the device is proposed to have an option with NFC support which will be used for wireless payments.

Mi Band 4 Price and Launch Date

Also Read: Huawei P30 With 12GB RAM Spotted On TENAA

Taking all the new features of the device in to account, the Mi Band 4 will have higher price tag compared to Rs 1,999 of the current generation device. All in all, the official features and price of the fitness tracker will revealed at its launch event which is set for the 11th of June in China.

June 8, 2019
Here Is How Apple Watch Covers All Bases In Modern Healthcare

In a world where health concerns are on the rise, each step taken in the right direction may save lives. Apple recognised the need for a device that brings genuine utility for its consumers. Rather than making an entirely new product, it has added new layers of functionality that enables the device to be a small but impactful health partner.

Apple has focused on making the Watch a standalone experience with its own unique functions. With the inclusion of an ECG sensor on the Apple Watch series 4, health took an active role with the device. Incorporating many of the health monitoring features that have been popular in the mobile industry such as tracking the number of steps taken. With individuals becoming more self-aware and conscious with their health, the industry soon adapted to provide the market with their current demands.

Health partner bands and companion wearable devices are not a new concept now, but Apple with its inclusion of functions like noise detection and menstrual cycle tracking made the experience a lot more streamlined and rounded. ECG sensor that brought real-time monitoring of heart rate, in countries like India where heart conditions affect nearly one-third of the entire adult population, makes it more than a useful tool for everyday use. (ECG is presently only available in limited countries)

The latest update to watchOS 6 had Apple say, ‘why stop there?’ The company along with its new ‘faces’ has seamlessly integrated pro-health functions to the Apple Watch. The ‘Loud Noise’ detecting app is one such application that passively records and measure sound levels in the users surrounding ambience. Noise pollution has become a real epidemic in the modern world and areas where sound levels cross 90 decibels are immediately notified to the user as harmful and unsafe. This function has yet to be reproduced by other manufacturers that target health-conscious consumers.

Apple, for its women userbase, has added a uniquely interactive app that lets them track their menstrual cycles. With the new Cycle Tracking App, women can log important data related to their menstrual cycles. The application with data inputs is also capable of predicting future cycles beforehand along with current period flow, symptoms and results from ovulation prediction kits. Fertility and ovulation can also be tracked by Apple Watch.

Also Read: Apple Mac Pro Is The Productivity Machine Apple Promised

No wearable device/companion, even the ones specifically made for health monitoring feature such degree of functionality at this size. Apple succeeded in making the best wearable device in the market in this regard. Users can get a full picture of their health right on their wrist without ever needing an iPhone.

Apple has also made the Apple Watch a more stand alone device, which means it can function without requiring input from the iPhone. The Apple Watch offers Fall detection and emergency auto dial for the elderly, Heart Rate monitoring, and ECG, along with several other features like, Breathe reminders and fitness tracking which include auto exercise detection. The Apple Watch has already saved a lot of lives with some of it’s features and with more being added with WatchOS 6, the Apple Watch has now become the most well developed fitness and health tracker.

June 4, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 With A Coloured Display Leaked In Images

Xiaomi launched the latest iteration of its fitness wearable, the Mi Band 3 last year. It has been long speculated that the company will launch a successor to the device soon. Details about the upcoming wearable; purportedly called the Mi Band 4 have been leaked online in the past. Images of the device have surfaced online which reveal the updates inbound over its predecessor.

Mi Band 4

The Mi Band 4 will be the latest fitness wearable from Xiaomi. Images of the device reveal it will have a coloured display. This will be an improvement over the monochrome display found on the Mi Band 3. While its rest of the design is reminiscent of the previous generation, the addition of a colour display will make for a notable addition. As a colour display consumes more power than a monochrome display; the future smart wearable may have a 135 mAh battery which is a considerable bump from 110 mAh found on the current device. Noteworthy, disparate to previous Mi Band versions, the Mi Band 4 will have an inbuilt charging port. The previous generation devices have proprietary charging connectors; which have not been well received by numerous consumers due to their complexity.

Xiaomi Mi Band 3

Also read: Apple To Focus On Devices Other Than The iPhone In The Future

The leaks in the past also reveal the Mi Band 4 will be offered in two variants. The affordable variant will only have support for Bluetooth 5 Low Energy (LE) while the top end variant will also support NFC. The rest of the features will reportedly be taken over from the Mi Band 3; including a heart rate tracker, a pedometer for counting steps and a water resistance rating. In terms of pricing, it is expected that the lower end, Bluetooth version of the Mi Band 4 will cost Rs 2,000 like its predecessor; while the NFC version may be priced in the neighborhood of Rs 3,500. The smart wearable is expected to be unveiled in the following weeks.

June 1, 2019
Under Armour And Dwayne Johnson Launch Project Rock Truly Wireless Earphones

American apparel brand Under Armour and popular actor/retired professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson have collaborated to unveil new ‘Project Rock’ Truly Wireless Earphones. The earbuds are focused towards consumers who indulge in extensive fitness activities such as gymming, running and exercising. Previously, the duo launched the over-the-ear UA Sport Wireless Project Rock Edition headphones in 2018.

Project True Wireless Earphones Features

The Truly Wireless Earbuds will be the latest addition to the “Project Rock” audio products. Named as the “UA True Wireless Flash Project Rock Edition”, the earphones are IPX7-rated water and sweat resistant. On a single charge, the earphones can last for about 5 hours. Upon discharging, they can be juiced up via the charging-cum-carrying case, which provides an additional 20 hours of recharge. The carrying case itself can be charged via a micro-USB 2.0 port. Regarding audio, the company has teamed up with JBL audio.

The Project True Wireless Earphones feature UA TALKTHRU, which enables the user to lower the music momentarily to focus on the surroundings. This technology is similar to the one found in JBL’s own wireless earbuds. A golden bull logo is embossed on both the earphones, which doubles up as a button to activate noise cancellation and block out external audio. The earphones will ship with a set of antibacterial ear tips that will enable them to sit comfortably in the ear without falling off.

Also Read: Facebook Patent Reveals A Drone Powered By Kites

The Project Rock earphones will pack JBL’s 40mm drivers for high-precision audio. Dwayne Johnson has been teasing the sound quality of the earphones for quite some time now on his Instagram channel. The earphones will be shipped June 7 onwards, and are priced at US$ 199 (~INR 13,800). They will go up against the Beats PowerBeats Pro Truly wireless earbuds, which retail for $249.95.

June 1, 2019
Korvaa: A Pair Of Biodegradable Headphones Developed By A Finnish Design Studio

“Electronics” and “Growing” are probably two words that may not have previously co-existed in the past, though not anymore. Reports claim that almost 400 million headphone units were retailed in the year 2018 alone. The highly popular gadgets are fabricated out of a variety of materials such as leather, plastic and mesh, all of which are not exactly environment favourable. As a solution, Finnish Design Studio Aivan has designed the Korvaa headphones that are extremely environment friendly. In fact, the materials used form a crucial basis of the environment itself.

The headband of the Korvaa headset is born out of a 3D printer and designed with the help of a bioplastic formulated from yeast produced lactic acid. Notably, the earcup padding is made out of Hydrophobin. The compound is known for its ability to form a hydrophobic (water-repellent) coating on the surface of an object. It is essentially a foaming protein generated by a type fungus and plant cellulose. Instead of the mesh used in conventional headphones, the Korvaa headset uses a biosynthetic spider silk that is produced by microbes. The outer foam used in the headphones is a composite compound made out of mycelium and cellulose.

Also Read: New MediaTek SoC Is All Set To Bring 5G Network On Budget Devices

The headphones are a result of a joint venture between Avian, Aalto University and VTT Technical Research. First showcased at an event in Helinski, the headphones are still in a prototype stage, which means that except the outer casing, no electronic components are present inside the headset. However, The company aims to incorporate the same “growing electronics” technology in future headphones, so that e-waste generation can be put on hold. If the technology is developed further, bio-engineered products might be a common sight while shopping in the future.

May 29, 2019