If you're one of the Spotify faithful and you own a Wear OS smartwatch, then today you're getting another option when it comes to controlling your music. Spotify has announced a standalone app for Wear OS, which means that you no longer need to rely on your phone when it comes to listening to your Spotify library. For those that use a smartwatch regularly, this will likely be a welcome launch.
Huawei doesn't just have the new Mate 20 Pro today, it also has a pair of wearables that promise maximum fitness tracking flexibility without compromising on battery life. The new Huawei Watch GT and Huawei Band 3 Pro are two different aesthetic answers to a similar problem: what do you do if you want full GPS tracking for your workouts, but also want a wearable that lasts longer than a couple of hours?
With a brand like Montblanc, it's really no surprise that the Summit 2, which follows from last year's model, is just as expensive as its predecessor. But, at the same time, for the smartwatch market's first Snapdragon Wear 3100 wearable, you'd expect, maybe even wish, it to be something most people can afford. But reality quickly sinks in and you are faced with the harsh reality that if you want the latest Wear OS smartwatch, you'll have to spend as much as a new premium smartphone.
Huawei’s event isn’t until next week but it seems at least one part of the company’s big day has leaked early. And it’s not exactly all good news. The Huawei Watch GT, both in name and in form, is pretty much official as its product listing has gone online. And while it has all the makings of a modern smartwatch, Huawei has made changes that might mean it will be compatible only with its own smartphones and very little else.
Garmin is a name probably most associated with in-vehicle navigation systems but it has dipped its hand into anything and everything you can put a GPS in. And, yes, that includes wearables naturally. It has, in fact, a line of smartwatches and fitness trackers and there are no signs of it slowing down. In fact, it has just launched the Garmin Instinct, a rugged smartwatch that’s built like a tank and looks the part as well.
It now seems that LG is the last OEM standing when it comes to sticking to Google’s wearable platform. The electronics giant just recently announced the LG Watch W7 which, despite its use of mechanical hands, still managed to run the Android-based Wear OS. Huawei’s upcoming Watch GT is all digital but, if the latest leak is to be believed, then it will not be you typical smartwatch and, worse, won’t run Wear OS by Google as initially expected and hoped.
Daylight saving time, lovingly referred to as DST, is famous for throwing many a human into confusion. But if you think you’ve had it bad, computers may have it worse. At least we don’t get stuck in an endless reboot loop until our batteries run dry. Which, unfortunately, seems to be the case for the Apple Watch Series 4 down under. Australian owners are reporting the latest Apple Watch getting stuck on rebooting over and over again. And according to those who successfully, survived the ordeal, it’s all due to DST and Apple’s updated Infograph complications.
The Apple Watch Series 4 was released two weeks ago now, but athletes and fans of the Nike brand now have the option of picking up the new Nike+ version of the smartwatch. As of Friday, October 5th the Apple Watch Nike+ Series 4 is now shipping for online orders and available at Apple Stores, although in limited quantities. While the branding and name might suggest a significantly different Apple Watch, like previous models the Nike+ Series 4 is almost identical to the regular aluminum version of the new Watch Series 4.
LG doesn't just have the new V40 ThinQ smartphone today, it also has a brand new wearable, the LG Watch W7, which pairs physical hands with a touchscreen display. It's the first Wear OS by Google smartwatch to have a full screen along with mechanical hands, with LG promising the digital functionality you expect but with the look and reliability of a traditional timepiece.
Huawei will undoubtedly put the focus of its October 16th even on the Mate 20 and especially the Mate 20 Pro. Those, however, are unlikely to be its only star. Thanks to some last minute leaks, we're getting a dose of Huawei wearables, including a much-anticipated successor to the Huawei Watch 2. And that smartwatch, allegedly codenamed "Fortuna", might promise something very few touch-enabled smartwatches can promise: week-long battery life.
Samsung has launched a new smartwatch designed specifically for golfers, the Galaxy Watch Golf Edition. The watch itself is the same as the Galaxy Watch; the big difference lies in the software, which includes a Smart Caddie app to help golfers keep track of their record and shots, learn about the green, and more.
Today Wear OS was updated for all Android devices able to run the software. With this newest version of Wear OS, the wearable (mostly watch-based) software becomes more proactive - quite literally with a feature Google calls "proactive and personalized help". It's also the most health-conscious version of Wear OS, as it provides insight into your activities with Google Fit.