Category: Wearables

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

Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2 Announced

American technology giant Google has announced the Glass Enterprise Edition 2 in a blog post. The smart wearable was announced on the 20th of May and is the successor to the original Glass Enterprise Edition launched in the year 2017. The product focusses towards workers in certain industries that assemble intricate products and boasts of improving efficiency and precision in areas where it is required the most. It is touted as a considerable upgrade over its predecessor with improvements in performance, camera and usability.

Google Glass 2 Enterprise Edition

The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 doesn’t stray away from its predecessor’s design. It features a spectacle-like frame, hence the name and a heads up display with a camera on the front. The wearable runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 platform. It is claimed to feature a significantly powerful CPU over the original Glass. The chipset also has a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine, which enables power savings, better performance and support for advanced machine learning. The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 also boasts of improved camera performance and quality, which will reportedly help in shooting first-person video streaming. A USB Type-C port is present on the frame for charging, which also supports fast top-ups.

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When the first Google Glass was released, it was marketed as a commercial Augmented Reality (AR) headset. But due to complaints regarding the privacy of the users, it was later reinvented for surgeons, factory workers and people working in enterprises. The company has claimed in its blog post that many enterprises have had a profitable outcome since they started using the Glass Enterprise Edition. And the second generation will only see the number going upwards. The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 has been launched at a price of US$ 999 (Rs. 69,700) and will not be available commercially.

May 21, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 With A Colour Display And NFC To Launch Soon

After the sensational success of the Mi Band 3, Xiaomi has been anticipated to launch the updated Mi Band 4. IDC, a leading market research agency stated that the Mi Band 3 is currently the world’s second most selling smart wearable after the high end Apple watch. The research agency also revealed that Xiaomi sold more than 10 million units of the current generation device within 6 months of its launch. Fresh reports suggest that the upcoming device will be significantly different in terms of features in comparison to the current device.

Mi Band 4 Key Updates

Mi Band 3 (For Representation Purpose)

According to the source, the upcoming Mi Band 4 will have a colour display which is a praiseworthy upgrade over the OLED display present on the Mi Band 3. As a colour display consumes more power than a conventional OLED display, the future smart wearable will have a 135 mAh battery which is a considable bump from 110 mAh 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 proprietory charging connectors which have not been well received by numerous consumers.

In terms of connectivity, the Mi Band 4 will be offered in two variants. The affordable variant will only have support for Bluetooth 5 while the top end variant will also support NFC. Reports also suggest that the upcoming smart wearable from Xiaomi will have a heart rate sensor which will allow it to target customers who clearly need to choose the Apple Watch for the said feature.

Mi Band 4 Price & Launch

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With a considerable bump in features, the Mi Band 4 is also bound to get pricier. The NFC + Bluetooth variant will reportedly cost CNY 499 (Rs 5,000 approx) while the Bluetooth only variant will cost somewhere between CNY 200 and 300. Xiaomi is yet to announce the launch date of the smart wearable. However, going by the previous launch cycle, it will launch soon.

May 21, 2019
Royole Working On A New Form Of Folding Wearable Technology

Chinese technology company Royole is best known for making the world’s first foldable smartphone, the Royole FlexPai. Fresh patents from the company have surfaced online which reveal it is working on two new design for foldable wearable devices. Both the wearables feature a large screen that can be folded to be comfortably worn on the wrist.

About The Patent

The patent for a folding wearable was filed by the Royole Corporation in the second half of the year 2017. It was then published on the website of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on the 4th of April 2019. Images in the patent reveal a flexible wristband with a foldable rectangular display. The display can be folded into a compact form factor that can be easily worn on the user’s wrist. To hold the screen together, magnets are used behind the display. All the necessary display components are processed inside the bendable housing behind its top layer. The patent claims the folding wearable will make use of a flexible battery, which will be integrated into the watch band. Unfortunately, it is unclear what battery technology will be used into the device, as modern-day Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries cannot be bent because they have a high chance of leaking or exploding.

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The second patent showcased is of a ‘Smart bracelet’ which was published in the month of February this year. The images in the patent showcase a similar device to the first patent with minor differences. Like the one mentioned above, the device in the images also showcases a smartwatch with a foldable display, however, this time it is shaped in the form of a bracelet. The display on the smart bracelet can be unfolded downwards, providing an elongated screen. To facilitate the folding and unfolding, a rotating mechanism is used on the device. While the company has been granted these patents, it is unknown as of now if it will release devices corresponding to them in the near future.

May 9, 2019
Top Tech: Truly Wireless Earphones Under Rs 2,500 Available In India, May 2019

As an increasing number of Smartphone OEMs eliminate the 3.5mm headphone jack from their devices, the demand for wireless headsets has risen subsequently. However, a pair of Bluetooth enabled wireless headset is comparatively expensive than its wired counterpart. If you are on the hunt for a pair of affordable truly wireless earphones, we have made the choice easier for you. Here are the best truly wireless earphones available in India under Rs. 2,500.

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X1T Wireless Earbuds

The X1T truly wireless earbuds are available from a range of different manufacturers, each at a different price. The package contains two earbuds which don’t ship with a charging case and instead use an old Nokia style charging port. There is a different version with a charging case available, but it is slightly expensive. If you’re ready to overlook this negative, the pairing mechanism is quick and easy. There are additional eartips inside the box which should make them comfortable to wear for most people. The manufacturer claims a battery life of around 5 hours but in our testing, the music playback time was found to be around 2.5 hours. The sound quality of the earphones is surprisingly good, with balanced sound output and not so punchy bass.

Noise Shots

Noise is a renowned Indian company that makes affordable wearable products. The Noise Shots are the company’s most affordable truly wireless earphones. They ship with a metal charging case that can charge the earphones by connecting magnetically. Each earbud is well built, with metal and plastic design. Noise claims a battery life of 2.5 hours on continuous use of the Shots with an additional 10 hours with the charging case. The earbuds are also IPX4 rated, which makes them a good companion for fitness enthusiasts as they are sweat proof. Additional eartips are provided in the box to maximise comfort while wearing the headsets. Talking about the sound quality, the Noise Shots can push out extremely loud volumes, bass and treble. The clarity is also quite impressive for the price.

Pebble Wireless Earbuds

Next up on our list are the Pebble Wireless Earbuds. Each earbud features a glossy design and is lightweight. Unique in the price range, the Pebble Truly Wireless Earphones have touch controls on each earbud which can be used to control music and calls. The earbuds ship with a charging case which can provide around seven full charges to the headsets. There are interchangeable eartips inside the box adjusting the fit accordingly. In terms of sound quality, the Pebble wireless earphones have a balanced sound output and can get pretty loud at maximum volumes.

Boult Tru5ive

The Boult Tru5ive is a great option for anyone looking to buy truly wireless earphones under Rs. 2,500 for many reasons. They are the only ones on the list to feature Bluetooth 5.0, which should provide better range and connectivity. For a better and comfortable fit, the earbuds have a lot of earhooks, wing tips and eartips in the box. The user can easily maximise the comfort by attaching the size which fits them the best. Due to a good fit and sweat resistance, the Tru5ive truly wireless earphones are a great buy for fitness enthusiasts. In terms of battery, the headsets last about 5 hours on music playback with an additional 3 charges that can be provided with the bundled charging case. In terms of sound quality, the Tru5ive has a good amount of bass and treble.

May 6, 2019
Apple Watch Leads The Smartwatch Market As It Grows By 48% In Q1 2019

Smartwatches, since their introduction has become an important part of people’s lives. The devices function as fitness trackers, show notifications and in some cases, like the Nubia Alpha, also help make calls and click pictures. According to known research organization Counterpoint, the global market for smartwatches has seen steady growth. Since the first quarter of last year, the sales of the wearable product has grown around 48 percent Year on Year (YoY). And the Apple Watch is the most sold smartwatch in the time period.

Results Of The Research

In a result published on its website on the 2nd of May, Counterpoint claims the smartwatch industry has grown by 48 percent YoY as mentioned above. Apple, whose Apple Watch is a really popular product in the segment, led the pack by clocking in the most sales in the first quarter of 2019. According to the research organization, its demand grew by 49 percent compared to the first quarter last year. It also claims that because of such unprecedented growth, one of every three smartwatches sold in the time period belonged to Apple. In the second place is Samsung, witnessing an exponential growth of 127 percent; which is accredited to the strong sales of its latest Galaxy smartwatches. Also in the list are companies from the likes of Fitbit, Amazfit, Huawei and Fossil. All these brands are a known name in the smartwatch market.

Apple Watch Series 4

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The growth of the Apple Watch in the ever-increasing market of smartwatches is not surprising according to Counterpoint. According to it, the ECG and the fall detection feature on the current generation Apple Watch Series 4 are the most desirable worldwide. The device has been claimed to have saved numerous lives due to the aforementioned features. While these functionalities are available in a limited number of countries worldwide as of now; Apple is also said to be bringing the ECG feature to 20 more countries after seeking necessary approvals for the same.

May 4, 2019
Microsoft Launches The HoloLens 2 Developers Edition

Microsoft has unveiled the developer edition of its HoloLens 2 Mixed Reality (MR) Headset on the 2nd of May. It is the successor to the HoloLens headset that was launched in the year 2016. To recall, the company first showcased the product at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 in Barcelona in the month of February. It is touted to bring about major changes to its predecessor, especially in terms of design, comfort and processing power.

What Is Mixed Reality?

Microsoft HoloLens

The Mixed Reality or MR platform was popularised by Microsoft with the original Hololens which offers a unique amalgamation of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. This signifies that the technology uses the camera attached to the headset which is worn by the user. With the camera used for augmented reality, the Virtual effect rendered inside the headset creates isolation from the real world. Noteworthy, Mixed Reality is anticipated to take off exponentially in a few years.

The real world case of Mixed Reality is expected to be more elaborate than both AR and VR, which are mostly used for gaming as of now. For instance, the technology can be used to train industry workers and medical professionals in a virtual environment. This can help in driving down costs and boosting productivity. However, in its current stage, the technology is deemed significantly expensive which has limited its adaptation.

Microsoft HoloLens 2: What’s New?

As mentioned above, the HoloLens 2 Mixed Reality Headset boasts of major changes over the original HoloLens. The company claims to have fixed major gripes that were reported by the users of the first generation device. According to Microsoft, the customers mainly faced issues with the resolution of the two displays which have now been bumped up to 2K resolution panels resorting the complaints. Another issue that Microsoft has fixed with the HoloLens 2 is related to the Field of View (FoV). The FoV in the first generation was found to be its biggest weakness. Microsoft claims to have fixed it with a wider FoV on the latest device. It is also said to be three times more comfortable than the previous generation and uses a knob at the back for adjusting the grip of the headset.

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The Developer Kit of the HoloLens 2 includes Azure Credits alongside Unity Pro and Unity PiXYZ Plugin. While the former is a cloud service by Microsoft, the latter two are used for developing software for the headset. The company has also revealed the Unreal Engine 3 will be supported for the HoloLens 2 by the end of May. In terms of pricing, the MR headset is available for developers at a price of US $3500 (Rs. 2,42,553). It is expected to be available commercially and to businesses later this year at a slightly more price than the developer edition.

May 3, 2019
Sony WH XB700 Wireless Headphones Review
The WH-XB700 are the latest addition to Sony’s wireless headphones family. For audiophiles, the Sony WH-XB700 provide a good set of features at a competitive price. One of the highlighting features of these headphones is Extra Bass, and that is an aspect most “regular” headphone users are willing to bet their money on. Let’s deduce where the Sony WH-XB700 delivers and where it could’ve done better.

Inside The Box
- Sony WH-XB700 Headphones
- Instruction Manual and Warranty/Safety Guide
- 3.5mm AUX cable
- USB Type-C cable
Build Quality And Design

The Sony WH-XB700 are fabricated from high grade plastic with a smooth matte finish. The framework of the headphones is made of metal though. More metal would have been appreciated in the build of the WH-XB700. The ear cups have a swivel design, implying that the Earcups can rotate around the pivot. This will make it convenient for users to slip these headphones inside their backpacks . Weighing at just around 195 grams, these may be one of the lightest headphones in this segment

The Sony Logo is neatly embossed above both the earcups. The headphones look good enough to make a style statement. The headphones have an on-the-ear, or supra-aural design, implying that they rest on the ears rather over them.

The earcup’s pads, as well as the headband’s cushioning, are made out of memory foam. This material feels very premium and comfortable even when used for longer periods of time. The extending strips along with the framework are designed out of metal, which allows for considerable freedom of movement. Even upon stretching the ear cups apart, they seemed to retain their original shape upon restoring. Noteworthy, owing to the light weight of the Sony WH-XB700, they tend to sway “dangerously” when you move around while wearing these, so you might want to be careful when you take them out for a run.

The left earcup houses the power button (which also doubles up as the pairing button). In addition, it accommodates the 3.5mm audio jack, USB Type-C port, the notification LED and a “Custom” button, which will be discussed in detail later. On the other hand, the right earcup houses the volume rockers and the play/pause/answer calls button.

Audio Quality

The primary defining feature of any headphones is its audio quality. The Sony WH-XB700 operate within a frequency range of 20-20,000 Hz with 44.1 kHz Sampling and have an impedance of 37 ? (ohms). The headphones are quite loud, clocking in at a loudness level of 103 decibels. The 30mm Neodymium driver churns out evenly distributed frequencies, but it’s really the lows where the headphones excel. At higher volumes, negligible distortion in the sound is present. Even though Sony has laid emphasis on the lower frequencies here, there is a profound focus on the highs as well, which make them a pleasure to listen to.

The headphones are advertised with “Extra-Bass”, and they live up to their name. The ample amount of bass goes easy on the ears, delivering a rich experience. Plus, the headphones sport the “Vocal Clarity” feature, which enhances the experience if you are listening to a podcast or watching a lecture. Noise isolation is not that great, but that is expected considering the supra-aural design of the headphones.

Audio is captured via the microphone present on the right earcup, and in the course of usage, the microphone quality is mediocre when it comes to answering calls indoors. Furthermore, the audio doesn’t bleed a lot when you have the headphones on. Advanced tweaking of the sound quality and bass levels can be done via the Smart Headphone Connect app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. Firmware updates are also pushed to the WH-XB700 via the same app.

Connectivity Options

In terms of connectivity, the Sony WH-XB700 features Bluetooth v4.2, NFC (Near Field Communication), a USB Type-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack for those times where you run out of battery. To pair the headphones with your smartphone via Bluetooth, the user needs to simply hold down the power button and the headphones will pop-up on your smartphone’s Bluetooth devices list. Like other headphones in this range, the Sony WH-XB700 cannot be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. They have to be disconnected from one device in order to connect to another one.

The WH-XB700 also supports one-touch NFC pairing, where users can just stream music to their headphones by touching their NFC-enabled devices with the headphones. One thing to note is that there is a significant loss in audio quality when the headphones are connected via the 3.5mm AUX cable. Similarly, all the buttons present on the headphones stop functioning when the headphones are connected passively.

Battery Life And Additional Features

The Sony WH-XB700 features a Li-ion battery, which promises a battery life of 30 hours, and we tested that out. Interestingly, on the maximum value and bass levels, the headphones were able to churn out the aforementioned time with ease. The headphones can be charged via the USB-Type C port which is mounted on the left earcup. They also provide a 90-minute playback time after a 10-minute charge time, which can be helpful for users who are on-the-go. Overall, the headphones take a bit more than 4 hours to attain maximum charging capacity. And if you do manage to run out of battery, you always have the option to use them with the 3.5mm AUX cable.

As previously mentioned, the Sony WH-XB700 headphones have a “Custom” button on the left earcup which can be mapped to either Alexa or Google Assistant dependent on user preferences. We noticed that the button was very responsive, as it immediately launched Google Assistant on our device in all instances. However, as mentioned previously, the Custom button only works in wireless mode. Nonetheless, we found the custom Assistant button very convenient and is welcoming addition.

Conclusion

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In a nutshell, the Sony WH-XB700 is a pretty good deal considering it checks most of the boxes in the list. Rich and punchy bass, low distortion levels, rich highs and lows, and that’s just the audio quality. The headphones have a good battery life, support a host of connectivity options and look good on the ears.

The only drawbacks that are worth mentioning are some aspects of the build quality, such as the lack of any metal accents. The fact that the headphones tend not to be very stable while wearing them might be a bit pesky for those who like to listen to music while running. Noteworthy, the Sony WH-XB700 don’t ship with a carrying pouch or hard case in-the-box. Although not a deal breaker it is worth taking into consideration.

Another worthy option in the same segment is the JBL Tune 600, which provides passive noise cancellation and deep, punchy bass. For almost INR 1,500 less, you can also try out the Sennheiser HD 4.40 Bluetooth headphones, which are a good buy considering its price. The Sony WH-XB700 is a pair of good sounding headphones, and audiophiles who want a set of portable cans should definitely go for them.
May 2, 2019
OnePlus Bullets 2 And Warp 30 Car Charger Leak Ahead Of Official Launch

OnePlus is set to launch successors of the OnePlus 6T on the 14th of May. Going by the leaks and teasers, the upcoming smartphones will be a worthy upgrade over the current flagship and carry the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro moniker. As we move closer to the official launch date, more details surrounding the devices are surfacing the internet. Lately, the Pro variant was spotted on popular benchmarking website, Geekbench with 12 GB of RAM. Further contributing to the launch specifics, the retail box of the flagship has leaked on Twitter. Even though the original Tweet has now been taken down, netizens were able to grab hold of the images shared.

The images exhibit a conventional OnePlus box with Never Settle printed on top which reportedly belongs to the OnePlus 7 Pro. Noteworthy, the box contains unannounced OnePlus accessories which include the Bullets 2 wireless earphones and the Warp 30 car charger. However, it is not yet clear whether the aforementioned accessories will be provided complimentary to the device buyers or sold separately. The leaked Bullets 2 wireless earphones will succeed the original Bullets earphones which were launched last year. Even though the source did not reveal any features of the upcoming headphones it is expected to have the following features:

OnePlus Bullets 2 Expected Features

Like its successor, the OnePlus Bullets 2 have an around the neckband style form factor. They also feature an in-line remote for controlling audio with a magnetic back that automatically pauses and resumes the track.

Improved Sound Quality- The original OnePlus Bullets wireless earphones have an excellent sound quality and the upcoming OnePlus Bullets 2 are assumed to follow suit. The company is expected to further tune and optimise the new pair of headphones which will deliver even better sound output.

Bluetooth 5.0 and Longer Battery Backup- The original OnePlus Bullets have remarkable battery backup which also charges speedily. However, the current gen wireless earphones incorporate 4.1 and the upcoming OnePlus Bullets 2 is expected to have Bluetooth 5.0 LE (Low Energy) which will provide them with even longer battery backup.

Original OnePlus Bullets

Redesigned Earbuds- The image quality of the leaked OnePlus Bullets 2 is not high resolution to reveal its design fully. Though, it is visible that the upcoming pair of wireless earbuds have a different design in contrast to its predecessor.

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Talking about the OnePlus Warp Car charger, it will be able to charge a device with 30 w of power which is the same as what a conventional OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro wall charger would. Finally, the price and detailed specifications of the upcoming accessories and flagship smartphones will be revealed at the official launch which is nearing fast.

May 1, 2019
Xiaomi Mi Band 4 Certified By NCC In Taiwan, Launch Imminent

Over the past few years, the market for smart wearables has been growing at a rapid pace. Chinese conglomerate, Xiaomi was one of the first companies to encash on the booming industry. The company launched its first activity tracker, the Mi Band in the year 2014 which was warmly welcomed by the consumers. After the success of the aforementioned device, the company launched two more fitness bands, the Mi Band 2 and the Mi Band 3 in the year 2016 and 2018 respectively. For quite some time, the company has been rumoured to launch yet another fitness band in the form of Mi Band 4. The former was previously certified on the mandatory Bluetooth SIG website which strengthened the claims of its presence.

The existence of the Mi Band 4 is now verified accrediting to its NCC Taiwan certification. The listing is sufficiently detailed to reveal the looks the features of the upcoming fitness band. Notably, in terms of looks, the device is not significantly different than its predecessor. However, the innards of the Mi Band 4 seem worthy of attention.

The fitness tracker looks like an elongated capsule with plastic on the front and bottom. The top of the device accommodates a small display and control button while its rear is occupied by charging pins and a heart rate sensor. The cross section of the Mi Band 4 exhibits the heart rate sensor in all its glory which is an appreciable feature considering it will be aggressively priced.

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In terms of features, the Mi Band 4 will support Bluetooth 5.0 LE (Low Energy) which is assumed to provide a longer battery backup. Furthermore, the images also reveal the support for NFC connectivity. Though, reports claim that this feature will only be limited to the Chinese variant of the fitness tracker. All in all, the Mi Band 4 seems to be a worthy upgrade which going by the number of leaks and certifications will launch soon.

April 30, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Fit e Spotted on Albanian Website Ahead Of Launch

At Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event held in February 2019, the company announced a multitude of devices, which included the Galaxy S10 series, Galaxy Fold, the Galaxy Watch Active and last but not least, a fitness band which will cater to the entry-level budget segment. Called the Galaxy Fit-e, the band is a very basic fitness tracker that is available at a very low cost as compared to similar products by the company. However the fitness band contains no “smartwatch features”, and was recently spotted on an Albanian Website.

As per reports, the Samsung Galaxy Fit-e was previously supposed to be launched on May 21 in the United States, hence the fitness tracking suddenly appearing on Samsung’s Albanian website is probably a mistake. Moreover, the fact that the buying links on the website are not functioning at all gives a confirmation of sorts that this page may not be intended after all.

Features And Specifications

Nonetheless, the listed specifications of the Galaxy Fit-e informs that the fitness band runs on the FreeRTOS operating system. It features a monochrome PMOLED display panel, which is expected out of an aggressively priced fitness band. It sports Bluetooth v5.0, and packs a 70 mAh battery which enables the Fit-e to last an entire week, the company claims. It measures at 40.2 x 16 mm and weighs 15 grams.

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Additional features of the Fit-e include the ability to analyze sleep patterns, detection of the sport being pursued and collecting related data. Also, the band detects the pulse rate and relays the corresponding data to the connected smartphone via the health application. Moreover, the fitness band can inform the user regarding any incoming calls or messages on the smartphone. It does so haptically or via an optic notification that pops up on the monochrome display. The Galaxy Fit-e is available in two colours on the Albanian website, Black and Yellow. As per the same website, the band is priced at a price equivalent to US$ 35, which will help it to go up against other fitness trackers like the Mi Band.

April 27, 2019
Apple Expected To Unveil Two New AirPods Models In 2019

Since the AirPods were launched in the latter half of the year 2016, they have been widely regarded as one of the best performing wireless earphones in the market. Although facing some serious competition from the Galaxy Buds and the Jabra Elite True Wireless Earbuds, the AirPods have stood their ground. Beats Audio, a subsidiary of Apple recently released the PowerBeats Pro Truly wireless earphones to compete with the AirPods. In the month of March 2019, Apple also unveiled the upgraded version of the AirPods (with the H1 chip) alongside a wireless charging case. As per reports, Apple will bring two more models of the same into the market by the end of the year 2019.

Apple AirPods

Sources reveal that one of the two aforementioned models will have an entirely revamped design and form-factor, and will be placed at a higher price point than the current AirPods. On the other hand, the second variant will be a lot more similar to already existing AirPods in terms of design and price. Moreover, reports state that the company will soon transition to the SiP (Systematic Investment Plan) design in order to boost assembly yields and cut costs in production.

Expected Features Of New AirPods

The new alleged AirPods are expected to feature noise cancellation. Earlier this month, Momentum True Wireless Earbuds from Sennheiser were launched in India, which featured active noise cancellation. However, they are one of the most expensive True Wireless Earbuds in the market, and reports state that Apple’s new AirPods will be priced a bit lower than the same. The American technology company is planning to work on the mechanical design of the earphones so as to achieve noise cancellation with the forward feedback microphone. Furthermore, Apple is also speculated to incorporate a power-preserving feature, since the addition of a feature like active noise cancellation will consequently lead to higher power consumption.

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The AirPods 2 were unveiled in March and are priced at INR 14,900, whereas the same earphones bundled with the Wireless Charging Case are priced at INR 18,900. At the time of launch, the upcoming AirPods are expected to be priced somewhere around INR 20,000.

April 25, 2019
Best Wired Headphones In India Under Rs. 1,000 For April 2019

Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus models in the year 2017. Since then, many more smartphone OEMs like Huawei, HTC and Sony have expelled the ill-fated headphone jack from their devices. But, the option of listening to music from wired headphones still remains very popular today. Buying the perfect pair can be a daunting task because of the sheer number of options available today. To make the choice easier, we have combined the five best headphones available in the market today for under Rs 1,000.

Boat Rockers 900

Boat is a well-known brand when it is about audio products and the Rockers 900 are no different. Featuring a lightweight and compact design, the headphones are very comfortable to wear and easy to carry which make them an ideal choice for frequent travellers. The in-line microphone and controls are intuitive and provide easy command over the music and calls over the headset. In terms of sound quality, the headphones have a punchy bass, which is common for the company’s products and have decent mids and lows.

Sony MDR-ZX110A Wired Headphones

Sony products are generally known for their great audio performance and the MDR-ZX110A continue the legacy. The ridiculous name aside, the fit and finish of the headphones are comfortable and snug. A major downside of them is the lack of any microphone or any inline control of any sort. The sound output of the headphones is typical Sony, with balanced audio with a focus on trebles and the lack of any overpowering bass. Their association with a renowned brand, along with a good audio output make them one of the best choices under Rs. 1,000.

Phillips SHP1900/10

The Phillips wired headphones are a big set of headsets. They feature unusually large earcups, which make sure they provide good noise isolation. The headsets also have a comfortable fit, which makes them easy to wear for a longer period of time. The sound quality of the headphones is great for the price, with a punchy treble and lows. All the above points make them one of the best choices for people looking to buy a headset under Rs. 1,000.

Leaf Rock Wired Headphones

Leaf has quickly become a brand to watch out for in quality audio products. The Leaf Rock wired headphones are arguably one of the best looking ones in the price range. Along with the looks, they have a comfortable fit which lets them be worn for a longer period of time. The sound quality is great for the price, with great bass, quality treble and lows.

Panasonic RP-HF100M-K

Available in four eye-popping colours, the wired headphones by Panasonic are also a great looking pair of headsets. They feature a comfortable fit, which can be folded for easy portability. The sound quality of the headphones is good for the price, with great clarity, good midrange and trebles. Although the bass is not as punchy as some people would like, the more balanced approach should be fine for most users. The plethora of features offered by the headphones makes it one of the best deals under Rs. 1,000.

Check out Panasonic RP-HF100M-K on Amazon

April 24, 2019
Microsoft May Launch Surface Buds To Take On Apple AirPods

When Microsoft first launched its wireless Surface headphones, they received positive reviews globally. The headphones have a minimalistic design and offer best-in-class gesture controls. As per the latest reports, Microsoft is working on a pair of Truly Wireless Earbuds, which will supposedly go up against the hugely popular Apple AirPods. The aforementioned earbuds from Apple were first released in December 2016 and have since become the gold standard for wireless earbuds.

Microsoft Surface Headphones

As per sources, the Truly Wireless Earbuds from Microsoft are codenamed “Morrisson”. Reports say that Microsoft is planning to expand its wearables lineup from the Surface headphones to the in-ear Truly Wireless Earbuds, which are speculated to feature passive noise-cancellation. Moreover, they are expected to sport a minimalistic design to the aforementioned Surface headphones.

Apple AirPods

Sources also reveal that the American technology company will aim towards integrating gestures with the Surface buds, which will greatly improve any form of interactions between the smartphone and the earbuds, such as reading content on the handset. Furthermore, just like Apple’s AirPods Siri Integration and Galaxy Buds‘ Bixby assistant, the Microsoft Truly Wireless Earbuds are expected to be equipped with Cortana, Microsoft’s Voice Assistant.

Also Read: Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL Price Leaked, Launch Imminent

Competition And Availability

Samsung Galaxy Buds

As previously reported, Amazon is also expected to release its own version of Truly Wireless Earbuds in the upcoming months, which will be equipped with the Alexa voice assistant. Considering Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri are the most popular voice assistant in the market right now, Cortana-based Surface buds may have to face some serious competition from the same. Some exceptional features may be able to turn the tide when Microsoft’s Cortana TWS earbuds hit the market by the end of the year 2019.

April 16, 2019
Best Fitness Trackers Available In India Under Rs. 3,000

Fitness has become an important factor for most people in today’s day and age. Because of this, the trend of fitness trackers has increased drastically over the past few years. If you’re in the market to buy a good smart wearable for tracking your fitness needs, the existing options can be daunting, to say the least. To make the choice easier, we have compiled a list of best fitness trackers that are available in India under the Rs. 3,000 price bracket.

Mi Band 3

Xiaomi is undoubtedly one of the most well-known brands when it is about affordable electronics. The Mi Band 3 is one of the best fitness trackers for the price. It has an 0.78-inch OLED touchscreen, a heart rate sensor and pedometer on board. Furthermore, the smart band has 5ATM water resistance, support notifications from a smartphone and has a claimed battery life of up to 20 days. With all the above features, the Mi Band 3 is available at a very competitive price, which makes it a very viable option.

Lenovo HW01

The Lenovo HW01 smart band is a great option for anyone looking for a good fitness wearable under Rs. 3,000. It has a heart rate sensor, step counter and an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. The smart band is for people who are looking for bare essentials and has a claimed battery life of 10 days on a single charge.

Noise ColorFit Pro

The ColorFit Pro is one of the best looking smart wearables in the price range. Retailing for just under Rs, 3,000, it has a 1.22 inch LCD display and the body is built out of metal. While having the looks of a traditional smartwatch, it has the features of a smart band too. These include a heart rate sensor, blood oxygen levels and a sleep tracker. The company claims a battery life of 3 days with normal usage. Furthermore, there is support for notifications and a remote camera button. With a plethora of features and bigger than usual display, the Noise Colorfit Pro is one of the best fitness trackers for the price.

Honor Band 4

Honor Band 4 is another great option for people looking to buy a fitness band under Rs. 3,000. It has a 0.95 inch AMOLED display which also supports touch input. Like many traditional wearables, it has a heart rate monitor, a sleep tracker and 5ATM rating for water resistance. The smart band also supports intense sports activity tracking. These include running, cycling, pool swim and training. With the swarm of features, Honor Band 4 is a great option for people who take fitness seriously.

Fastrack Reflex 2.0

Also read: Apple Watch Saves Another 23-Year Old’s Life

Fastrack is a known brand in making affordable products for the younger generation. The Reflex 2.0 is an example of the company’s efforts in the smart wearable segment. It features a display with a touch button which allows you to scroll between the different menus. For fitness tracking, there is support for step tracking and the band measures the calories burned. What’s more, the wearable has a battery life of up to 10 days on a single charge. The Fastrack Reflex 2.0 is thus one of the best options for people looking for a good smart band under Rs. 3,000.

April 8, 2019
Nubia Alpha Foldable Smartwatch Launched In China

Chinese smartphone maker Nubia announced its Alpha wearable at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona in the month of February. It is the world’s first foldable smart wearable and was first shown off at the IFA last year. The company has freshly made the Nubia Alpha official in its home country, China.

Nubia Alpha

In terms of specifications, the Nubia Alpha has a 4 inch flexible OLED display which is produced in collaboration with Visionox; a known maker of OLED displays. The screen has a resolution of 960 x 192 px and a pixel density of 245 ppi. According to the company, the display has been tested for durability and should be good for at least 1,00,000 bends. The device is made out of stainless steel and has two buttons on the right side and the sensors housed up front. Unlike most smartwatches, it has a camera built-in. There is a 5MP f/2.2 sensor for taking selfies and making video calls from the device.

Under the hood, the Nubia Alpha has been kitted with a 28nm Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC. The chipset has a Quad-core CPU and Adreno 304 GPU. Notably, the processor was released in 2016 and since has been succeeded by the new Snapdragon Wear 3100. The device features 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. It also has an IP67 rating for protection against water and dust.

The Nubia Alpha is powered by a 500mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to two days depending on its usage. It has features like fitness tracking, mobile payments, and voice calls either through its built-in speaker or a connected Bluetooth headset. The smartwatch also has gesture controls. These will allow the user to scroll the content on the display in all four directions by waving a finger over the front-facing camera.

Pricing & Availability

Also read: Lenovo Z6 Pro To Be Launched With The Snapdragon 855 Chipset

The Nubia Alpha will be exclusive to the Chinese market for the time being. While it will be announced in certain other European and Asian markets, the Chinese market will be the only one which will get the eSIM variant. The version with eSIM support is priced at CNY 3499 (Rs. 36,300). There is also a variant with 18K Gold with a price of CNY 4499 (Rs. 46,600). It will be available starting the 10th of April in China.

April 8, 2019