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Fitbit watches get their first free update of the year, and even better is to come

Fitbit watches get their first free update of the year, and even better is to come

Yahoo22-02-2025

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Quick Summary
Fitbit has released an update to its fitness trackers and smartwatches that will display status indicators as soon as you turn on the screen.
And there's another even bigger feature reportedly coming that's great for sleep too.
We love a software update – whether it's to our phones, tablets or smartwatches – they generally bring a few extra features that make the overall experience better. There's little to complain about there.
The latest devices to get an update worth talking about are Fitbit's Charge 6, Inspire 3, Sense 2 and Versa 4. With the update, the fitness trackers and smartwatches will all display status indicators when you turn on their screens, allowing you to quickly see various details immediately.
The status indicators include a battery icon when your Fitbit device is critically low, a phone with a line through it when your Fitbit device isn't connected to your phone, a moon when sleep mode is activated on your Fitbit devices and an icon to show when do not disturb mode is on.
The update also brings new Bluetooth security features, as reported by 9to5Google. It's said that the Fitbit app will prompt you to forget your tracker and reconnect to benefit from the improvements.
That's not all that's coming to Fitbit devices in the future, though. In a separate report, 9to5Google also revealed that Fitbit Labs is preparing to offer a new "Sleep Need" feature that will give you your "ideal bedtime and wake up times".
The feature was discovered through an APK Insight, and so isn't confirmed by Fitbit as yet. But if it does arrive, it looks like the Google-owned brand will attempt to offer a personalised sleep schedule.
Also according to the report, the new function will incorporate three aspects, which will include you answering a few questions during the day about how you feel at different times. It is then said to use your responses and data to detail how much sleep you need every night. As 9to5Google says: "You'll get a personalised bedtime and wake time recommendation to help you get the sleep you need."
It's said there will be morning, midday and evening surveys, with the midday option asking about your energy levels. The feature will then apparently tell you how much sleep you need, detail your sleep debt and give an explanation on how it came to the calculation.
You will need to wear your Fitbit device for five days to get more accurate data, and once your bedtime and wake up time is calculated, the app will recommend changing your alarm to reflect what has been suggested.
As mentioned, there is no word on when this feature might appear as yet. It is claimed to have been found in version 4.37 of Fitbit for Android, but it's not currently live in the app, so fingers crossed for this one.

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That's quite rare in UK business schools, and it naturally supports the human-centered identity we're building. Our current mix is about 70% regional, 30% international. In the current climate where UK higher education is facing challenges with international student numbers, we're in a stronger position than many other institutions. That said, our postgraduate programs are where we see most of our international enrollment. We have a strong contingent from South Asia, and we also receive European students through our partnership with BI Norwegian Business School. Our MBA in particular has seen a big uptick in international interest. In the current MBA cohort, out of 35 students, 70% were from South Asia. But here's the surprising part: the second-largest group was from the United States. When I asked them why they chose Kingston, many mentioned wanting the UK and London experience. But they also did their research. A lot of the decision came down to word-of-mouth recommendations, which was encouraging to hear. So while we continue to serve a strong regional student base, especially at the undergraduate level, we're definitely building momentum internationally, particularly in our postgraduate and MBA offerings. At the institutional level, Kingston has a broader strategy for embedding AI across teaching and assessment. But within the business school specifically, we've developed a structured approach to how AI is integrated both in terms of policy and practice. We're using a three-level framework to guide how AI can be used in assessments: Level 1, AI not allowed. For example, live presentations where students must demonstrate their own thinking. Level 2, AI-assisted work is allowed. Students might use ChatGPT or Grammarly but must disclose it. Level 3, AI use is required. Students may have to build models or chatbots as part of the brief. This tiered model helps us stay consistent and intentional. It gives faculty the tools to design assignments that either exclude, allow, or mandate AI use, depending on the learning objectives. And because it's embedded into modules across subjects, we're able to build students' digital fluency in a clear and structured way. So it's not just about offering one AI course or launching a degree; We're taking a much broader, integrated approach that aligns with our human-centered philosophy. We're asking: how can AI augment learning while still developing the critical thinking, creativity, and ethical awareness that make human contributions valuable? On top of that, we're also developing a new program specifically designed to build AI skills for non-technical learners, particularly for future business leaders. 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It's about knowledge creation, critical thinking, intellectual debate, and the human touch – the philosophical and behavioral side of business. That's where our strength lies: in helping students question, evaluate, and apply knowledge with purpose. Especially with the rise of AI, we need to ensure that students still understand the fundamentals. You need the depth to be able to assess whether AI is giving you the right answer. You can't do that without understanding the foundation behind it. But we also have to keep pace with how businesses are operating right now. That's the real tension: staying academically rigorous while also remaining industry-relevant. Businesses are using tools and technologies at a pace that's hard to match in education, and we have to make sure our teaching and our programs reflect that. For example, in one of our Future Skills surveys, we asked businesses whether they thought graduates were fit for roles involving AI. Fewer than 30% said yes. 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That's something we need to continue reflecting on as educators: how to keep students ready for the world as it is, not just the world as we wish it would be. One more thing I think is really important is the role of place. Business schools shouldn't operate in a bubble, and one thing I learned from my previous role was how deeply a school can engage with its local community. At Bradford, for example, it's a city with high levels of deprivation, very different from London. We did programs to support social mobility, rehabilitation projects for prisoners, support for Ukrainian refugees, and training initiatives for people who had never had access to higher education. We worked with local government and played a role in the city's cultural and economic development. Now at Kingston, the context is different, but the responsibility is the same. Kingston is known as a safe and prosperous borough in London. We have Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common right next to us. But even here, we have students who come from less privileged backgrounds. Just because it's a wealthy area doesn't mean every student has had the same opportunities. We're already working with large organizations – Unilever's headquarters is here, for example – but the question is, how do we make sure all of our students, regardless of background, have access to those opportunities? We're partnering with the local council, the Kingston Chamber of Commerce, running Future of Work summits, mock assessments, and leadership events—not as optional extras, but as built-in parts of the student experience. We want our students to be the first choice, not the insurance choice. That means developing their skills, yes, but also giving them high-value experiences and networks. And by doing that, we also give back to our community. That's how I think business schools should operate: Not just as institutions of learning, but as civic partners helping shape the places they're in. DON'T MISS: LONDON BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN SERGEI GURIEV AND IVEY DEAN JULIAN BIRKINSHAW HAS GLOBAL AMBITIONS FOR ELITE CANADIAN B-SCHOOL The post The P&Q Interview: Kingston's Human-Centered, Future-Skills Approach To Business appeared first on Poets&Quants. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

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