The future where you speak into a wrist communicator is getting closer. While many smartwatches allow you to dictate texts on your wrist, Google says it’s rolling out voice memos on the Wear OS Messages app over the next few weeks. As noted by 9to5 Google, it’s not clear whether you’ll be able to play back any messages on the wrist.
There are a few more minor Wear OS updates as well, which you can check out here.
One of the best things about Garmin is it often brings newer features to older models for free. Starting today, owners of the second-gen Epix, Fenix 7 series, Forerunner series, and Venu series can get some of the cool stuff introduced earlier this spring on the Epix Pro and Fenix 7 Pro. That includes the new Endurance and Hill Scores, muscle maps, weather map overlays, and... a fish forecast. You can check out the full list at the link below.
Personally, I don’t need a Hill Score to tell me I stink at uphill running but hey, it might be more helpful for you!
A new Bloomberg report says Apple is tinkering with 3D printing for the stainless steel version of the Apple Watch Series 9. The main goal is to purportedly streamline production, and if things go well, Apple may consider using 3D printing for its other products.
The report claims that Apple’s been secretly developing this tech for three years, but it’s not a given that the first Series 9 shipments will actually feature the tech. Earlier in June, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that some of the Ultra 2’s titanium parts would also be manufactured via 3D printing. (Bloomberg says this won’t happen until 2024, however.)
Ultimately this would be a small number of Apple Watches sold. Most people opt for the less expensive aluminum models, with stainless steel making up roughly 10 percent of total units.
Google did it again. For a hot second, the Pixel 8 Pro and what appears to be the Pixel Watch 2 popped up on a Google Store page. While it’s pretty clear this is the Pixel 8 Pro, it’s hard to definitively say this is the Pixel Watch 2 because of the angle. I’ve been holding up my Pixel Watch next to this picture for a good while and it does appear thinner and flatter than the current watch.
It probably is! It’d make sense since we already got an FCC filing. And while this isn’t the best angle, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a few more leaks before Google makes everything official.
Wear OS 2 users have started getting notifications that Google Assistant support is ending soon. At first, we didn’t have any concrete timing but Google spokesperson Ivy Chen tells The Verge that “The last day Google Assistant on Wear OS 2 devices will work is August 31, 2023.”
You can read more about it in my writeup from yesterday, but I feel for Mobvoi TicWatch owners who are either waiting for the Wear OS 3 upgrade to roll out or for Assistant support to arrive on the latest TicWatch Pro 5.
Since we got into the specs in our hands-on video for the Galaxy Watch 6, we took a different approach with our review video. Basically, we wanted to see what’s actually new, how well the watch works when paired to a non-Samsung phone, and whether battery life has improved.
And as always, if you want more in-depth dive you can read my written review and my experience with the Galaxy Watch 6’s new Thermo Check app.
Samsung focuses on refining a tried-and-true formula, but how much longer can it afford to coast?
Accessory manufacturers have until August 31, 2023 to submit product plans that include the original C162 slow-charging module to Apple for approval. But September 30, 2023 is the final date to order that version and afterwards, all new accessories then will be forced to use the updated C962 Fast Charge module.
I wonder if this will apply to Apple’s MagSafe Duo?
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The Fenix lineup feels a bit superfluous now that the Epix Pro is here. The flashlight still rocks, though.
That’s because it’s basically Apple’s nylon Sport Loop. I know, because I tried one on last week. It’s also got a one-click button mechanism which makes it much much much easier to swap out straps. Plus, they’re backward compatible with older Galaxy Watches.
Apple’s Sport Loop is my go-to recommendation for Apple Watch buyers and I’m pretty sure this fabric band will be my go-to rec for Samsung Galaxy Watch users too.
The Classic’s rotating bezel is back — and the display bezels are a lot thinner all around. Oh, and here comes Wear OS 4.
