Wearables
Apple Watch 2.0 going the distance with round face, GPS and Waterproof body
The Apple Watch was quite the sensation this year, but ultimately, after initial numbers were in and analysts ready with their estimates, the device itself was more of a flop for the company. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a success for the industry, as thanks to the Apple Watch, wearables have become much more popular over the last few months since its official launch. But Tim Cook and co. are not discouraged by bad media as an insider tipped us that they’re already working on a new Apple Watch, the Apple Watch 2.0.
The Apple Watch 2.0 is a mystery and although our tipster is reliable, they can’t guarantee that the information is 100 % correct. As such, I advise you to take this information with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, the things they said about the new Apple Watch to be released next year are juicy to say the least. As Motorola, Asus, Huawei and LG work their way up the wearable ladder at IFA Berlin this year, Apple is silently working on their own surprise.
According to an insider that is supposedly involved in the engineering process of the Apple Watch, next year’s big thing will be the Apple Watch 2.0. The new wearable from Apple is supposedly going to reinvent the wheel and the people working on the device, including Jony Ive, are more open about innovation this time around. The features of the new watch will be open to third-party developers and access is going to be made much easier with a new development community.
At the same time, the Apple Watch 2.0 is going to improve on the aspects that it failed at, such as design, versatility and battery life, as well as features. The first thing that we learned would be implemented in the new Apple Watch is IP68 certification, making the watch dust- and waterproof. There are few waterproof smart watches out there so releasing an Apple one would definitely tag a big crowd.
Besides waterproof certification, the Apple Watch 2.0 will also feature its own GPS, thus fitness tracking, driving, biking and mapping routes will be possible without an iPhone, and that’s spectacular. According to our insider, Tim Cook wants the Apple Watch to act alone, too, not just tied into the iPhone. Although the initial marketing strategy of the company involved convincing more and more people to get iPhones in order to experience the Apple Watch, it seems like Tim saw the fault in that and is positioning the new generation of the Apple Watch differently.
Instead of making the Apple Watch 2.0 even more premium with diamonds or whatnot, it is said that Apple will divide it into three variants once again. This time, the Apple Watch 2.0 Sport will actually be made with athletes in mind and will feature waterproof certification, GPS and an improved heart rate monitor that’s actually not optical – thus not interfering with tattoos. The standard version of the Apple Watch will also feature GPS, but it won’t have waterproof certification and the third variant will be the premium variant, and it will even feature biometric security – although we’re unsure whether using a fingerprint sensor, eye-tracking technology or something else.
What’s more is that the Apple Watch 2.0 will actually feature a round display, similar to a small post-modern piece of art. The display will be curved and it will include new features, not just Force Touch. Input is going to be different and the crown will be redesigned so that it’s easier to use. The rounded shape of the display is very interesting and our source tells us it has a very special purpose. But they weren’t willing to give us a hint as to what that purpose will be. Alas.
In any case, if these tips are true, the Apple Watch 2.0 might have a good shot at turning wearables into must-haves, rather than gimmicky toys, as they are perceived right now. Apple is famous for being able to turn lame into trendy, so that’s what’s bound to happen with their next wearable, as long as they actually listen to what people want.
Samsung’s Galaxy Buds Live may be the better option if earbuds with a stem design, like Apple’s AirPods, feel unpleasant or frequently fall out of your ears. These bean-shaped true wireless earbuds are among our top picks because of their cutting-edge design and excellent sound, which we found to be even better than the original AirPods Pro. And right now, Best Buy has the opportunity to get them for less than half the regular cost. Only today, you can save $70 and get a pair of Galaxy Buds Live for just $80, which matches the lowest price we’ve seen thus far.
One of the most affordable pairs of earbuds you’ll find in this price range is the Galaxy Buds Live, which retail for about $80. They have three microphones for active noise-cancellation, as well as a 12mm speaker that has been adjusted and improved for bass for rich, immersive sound. Although they still let in a good bit of background noise because of their open-ear design.
The Buds Live feature an IPX2 water-resistance rating, making them safe to use during workouts and resistant to sweat and splashing, but you shouldn’t use them in the rain. They can operate for up to 29 hours on a single charge, including top-ups from the charging case, which doubles as a wireless charger for your phone. There are smaller reductions on other colors as well, but this offer is only valid on the white and black color options.
Read more in the 2020 Galaxy Buds Live review by David Carnoy. He gave them an 8.2 out of 10 and stated, “They’re quite unique-looking, inconspicuous, and not only do they fit securely, but they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time.”
Sony is not just using environmentally friendly materials to upgrade its wireless earbuds. Now, the business claims that multipoint audio functionality will be added to its LinkBuds, LinkBuds S, and WF-1000XM4 models this fall. This allows you to switch between the audio on two Bluetooth devices, just as other competing earbuds. For instance, while watching a video on your tablet, you can switch to a call on your phone.
Sony’s Headphones Connect app offers fresh firmware that is necessary for the enhancement. The multipoint update for the LinkBuds family should be available by November, while the WF-1000XM4 should follow suit this winter.
The WF-1000XM4 upgrade is fairly unexpected, as The Verge noted. Midway through 2021, when Sony first began to market that device, it had not even hinted at a multipoint update. The news won’t help you much if you have cheap headphones like the WF-C500, but at least you won’t feel left out if you spent a lot on wireless audio last year.
Sony now has a competitive advantage over some of its rivals, at least. While competitors like Apple’s AirPods offer smooth audio switching, you’re typically constrained to a single brand’s environment. If you don’t want to be restricted to specific platforms or goods merely to avoid slogging through Bluetooth device menus, Sony’s multipoint functionality might make more sense.
If you’ve had your eye on the brand-new Galaxy Watch 5 from Samsung but were awaiting a discount, one is now available. The 40mm model in three hues (Grey, Pink Gold, and Silver) is available for $250 on Amazon’s Woot site, saving you $30 or 11% off the list price.
In our previous review, the Galaxy Watch 5 received a strong 85 points, and we once again dubbed it “the greatest non-Apple smartwatch.” Over the Watch 4, Samsung concentrated more on improving it, giving it a longer battery life (up to 80 hours), stronger Sapphire Crystal glass, and an inactive temperature sensor.
The design and features are otherwise unchanged, which is a good thing. With a touch-sensitive ring surrounding the screen and a snappy 5-nanometer Exynos processor, it runs Wear OS and employs Samsung’s bezel-based navigation. This offers you access to a variety of apps, sleep tracking and coaching, health and fitness tracking, and countless other features. The body-impedance analysis tool allows you to take ECG scans, reply to messages, control music playing, and more. It also allows you to acquire a reading of your body composition.
The sensors are kept in contact with your wrist by the slightly curved underside, which is rated IP68, 5ATM, and MIL-STD-810H for durability (water, dust and pressure resistance). The biggest drawback is that, in comparison to the Apple Watch 7, battery life is significantly reduced with the always-on display. Even so, it’s the greatest Android smartwatch currently on the market, and discounts on such a brand-new product are uncommon. Remember that Woot’s offers have a shorter expiration date and a different return policy than its parent company, Amazon.
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