Mostly because he got his mitts on this rad KDDI Infobar Apple Watch case. Turning the KDDI Infobar’s iconic design into a nostalgic Apple Watch accessory? Chef’s kiss. I miss that era of Japanese feature phones so friggin’ much.
You can read more about it in Sam’s review, but how’s that for ‘replacing’ your phone with a smartwatch?
Starting June 10th, a Google support page says the digital wallet app will start requiring Android 9 or higher and Wear OS 2 or higher to work, as earlier versions no longer get security updates.
As 9to5Google notes, it only required Android 5.2 when it fully rolled out in 2022.
Its limitations made it fall short in daily life but ended up being a plus while trying to disconnect from the world.
The company says it stopped accepting new sign-ups for API access and that developers will have until June 30th, 2025 to migrate from Google Fit to Android Health.
For now, the Google Fit app still works as it always has; just know that it seems bound for the Google graveyard next year.
[Android Developers Blog]
Underneath your Home and Work address shortcuts, the Google Maps widget now has a shortcut that lets you launch a map of your current location. This is neat, considering that, unlike Garmins, most Wear OS watches don’t have native compasses or maps preloaded.
***If you fill out a questionnaire beforehand that includes a non-disclosure agreement and get accepted into the beta test program. Enrollment will last through April 30th, and lucky users will get notified about a week later.
So, not exactly the Wear OS 4 rollout Mobvoi fans have probably been hoping for, but a sign of progress!
That’s because rumor has it the thing will pack a 600mAh battery. On the one hand, that probably means multiday battery life. We love that! But it also means the Pro will likely be a behemoth. Don’t love that. I get the design challenge, but on behalf of petite-wristed folks, smartwatches can’t keep getting bigger to solve the battery issue.
The change log for the beta version 17.10 for Garmin watches (including the Fenix 7s Pro, Epix and Epix Pro, and Enduro 2) adds phone-finding “during an activity with GPS.”
If you aren’t part of Garmin’s public beta program, here are the sign-up instructions. (The company notes that public beta testers can’t get this update on the Marq Aviator Gen 2, unfortunately.)
The tradeoffs are well worth the savings over the slightly more advanced Forerunner 265.
First adopters are ambassadors for the future. Glassholes need not apply.
Three years after completing its $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit, Google has taken another step towards integrating the fitness-tracking company into its hardware lineup with some updated branding.
Recent changes on the Fitbit website, first spotted by 9to5Google, include an updated wordmark that uses capitalized Google Sans font and ditches the dotted arrow logo, which is still featured on the brand’s favicon.
Currently, OnePlus Watch 2 owners can’t pair the device with a new phone without their existing OHealth app data being completely wiped. But an update provided to Android Central reveals that’s about to change:
“We will be introducing a data migration feature in a future OHealth app update that will allow users to locally migrate their health data by scanning a QR code. This way, users will have control over their data and can securely transfer it to their desired location. We are planning to have this feature on the OHealth app by the end of March.”
This doesn’t address the separate nuisance of having to reset the OnePlus Watch 2 before pairing it with a new device, but the company says it may release a watch transfer feature to address that in a future update.
On top of public transit directions (which are also available on any Wear OS 3 watch or later), as part of the March Pixel Feature Drop, the original Pixel Watch is getting the ability to auto track certain workouts, set goal paces within exercises, and heart rate zone training. It’s also getting the Relax app, which guides you through breathing exercises.
Most of these were already available on the Pixel Watch 2, but it’s nice to see Google give the first-gen watch some love.
Apple supplier AMS-Osram said a key project was cancelled — aka a MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says on X that means the whole project is cancelled, citing Osram as Apple’s sole MicroLED supplier. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said on X that nah, AMS-Osram was but one of several suppliers Apple is working with.
Only Apple knows the truth, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a MicroLED Ultra is delayed.
