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Smartwatch Archive

Archives for October 2022

Dan Seifert
Dan Seifert
A shiny, polished Apple Watch Ultra is a thing you can have now.

If you were eyeing the Apple Watch Ultra but didn’t like its matte titanium finish and orange action button, well now you can get one polished to a shine thanks to a jeweler based in Arizona.

That shine will cost you: it’s about $1,500, or nearly twice the cost of a dull Apple Watch Ultra. But you’ll likely be the only one at the company retreat with a shiny Ultra, while all those basic bros have the same matte finish one.

Apple Watch Ultra with polished titanium finish? This jeweler is offering it for everyone

[9to5Mac]

Jon Porter
Jon Porter
Wear OS 3 has started rolling out for Fossil’s Gen 6 watches.

After announcing its first smartwatch running the latest version of Google’s wearable operating system last week, 9to5Google is reporting that the software is now out for Fossil Gen 6 watches with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4100 Plus processor. The update reportedly delivers redesigned Alarm, Stopwatch, and Timer apps, among other improvements.

Fossil starts rolling out Wear OS 3 on Gen 6 with Pixel Watch-like UI

[9to5Google]

Dan Seifert
Dan Seifert
The Pixel Watch can take standard straps if you want it bad enough.

Google’s Pixel Watch uses a proprietary strap mounting system that prevents standard straps from attaching to it. But if you happen to buy one of Google’s $79.99 Crafted Leather Bands, you can wedge a strap pin tool between its lugs and pop the strap off Google’s special mount. Then you can fit whatever 20mm strap you want in its place.

Here’s a brown leather strap that I bought for a Samsung watch a couple years ago fitting just fine. I don’t understand why Google isn’t selling a brown strap for the Pixel Watch, so I took matters into my own hands.

The Pixel Watch doesn’t offically support wireless charging for a reasonThe Pixel Watch doesn’t offically support wireless charging for a reason
Dan Seifert
Dan Seifert
We broke the Pixel Watch in less than a week.

The Pixel Watch has an extremely domed glass surface that’s not supported by any border or framing. It’s begging to be cracked, and despite its Gorilla Glass surface, one of our review units cracked in less than a week. I would not be surprised if this is a common occurrence for Pixel Watch owners once they get into more hands. Check out Victoria Song’s review for more.

A photo of a small thin crack on the right side of Google’s Pixel Watch display glass.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Fossil’s first Wear OS 3 watch is a wellness-focused Gen 6Fossil’s first Wear OS 3 watch is a wellness-focused Gen 6
Dan Seifert
Dan Seifert
Smartwatches are cool again.

This year’s mobile device releases have been clear: friendship ended with phones, smartwatches are new best friend now.

Apple, Google, and Samsung all released some of the most iterative updates to their flagship phones we’ve seen in years, but all three of them have rolled out new, interesting takes on the smartwatch. It’s the first time in over half a decade we’ve seen this much attention showered on the wrist computer and I’m here for it.

Smartwatches, not phones, are where the action is at this year

Dan Seifert
Smartwatches, not phones, are where the action is at this yearSmartwatches, not phones, are where the action is at this year
The best smartwatch and fitness tracker deals for Amazon Prime DayThe best smartwatch and fitness tracker deals for Amazon Prime Day
1Password 8 is now on the Apple Watch1Password 8 is now on the Apple Watch
Victoria Song
Google Pixel Watch review: it’s a smarter Fitbit

The Pixel Watch is a fair attempt at a first-gen smartwatch, but Google has quite a few growing pains to address

Victoria Song
Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Garmin’s new Marq collection starts at $1,900.

Garmin makes dozens of smart watches with minor differences. At the top sits the new 46mm Gen 2 Marq “luxury modern tool.” It’s basically a Forerunner 945 underneath a titanium case, sapphire lens, and touchscreen OLED. If you’ve got the cash, then you need to decide if you identify as a Marq Athlete, Adventurer, Golfer, Captain, or Aviator because these things matter in Garminworld.

Nathan Edwards
Nathan Edwards
Can you use standard watch bands with the fake lugs on the Pixel Watch’s leather strap?

The Pixel Watch uses a proprietary strap system, but this photo of the leather strap, from Vee Song’s hands-on, makes me wonder if there are standard spring bars holding the band to the lugs. And if not, why not?

Pixel Watch with leather straps
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Pixel Watch hands-on: Google’s taking a page from ApplePixel Watch hands-on: Google’s taking a page from Apple
Play
Dan Seifert
Dan Seifert
The Pixel Watch is the star of Google’s announcements.

Google’s event just wrapped where it provided final details on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro and showed us more about the Pixel Tablet that’s coming next year.

But I’m most interested in the Pixel Watch, which is Google’s first real effort at making its own wearable. David talked to Google’s Rick Osterloh ahead of today’s event all about the Pixel Watch strategy:

Google thinks smartwatches are the future again — are you buying it?

David Pierce

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