Latest news with #HMDGlobal
Android Authority
4 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Ever wanted a camera on your Wear OS watch? Well, it's happening.
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR A leaker has revealed that HMD is apparently working on two Wear OS smartwatches. One of these watches is tipped to have a 2MP camera, but there's no word on what this would be used for. The watch could also bring a 400mAh battery with wireless charging, a relatively large screen, and NFC. There are plenty of smartwatches on the market today, covering a variety of price points and use cases. Now, it sounds like HMD Global could launch a Wear OS watch with a unique selling point. Twitter tipster @smashx_60 reports that HMD Global is working on two Wear OS watches, the Rubber 1 and Rubber 1S. There's no word on the specific version of Wear OS, but the Rubber 1 has our attention due to its 2MP camera. There's no word on how this camera would be used, but I remember using the Samsung Galaxy Gear in the mid-2010s. This watch offered an outward-facing camera to take low-quality photos of your surroundings. However, HMD could theoretically opt for a camera in the watch face or bezel to facilitate video calls. Otherwise, the two smartwatches share a number of features. This includes apparent USB-C and wireless charging capabilities, 5ATM water resistance, Wi-Fi, and heart rate/SpO2 tracking. Would you buy a smartwatch with a camera? 0 votes Yes, absolutely NaN % Maybe, I'll wait and see NaN % No, I definitely wouldn't NaN % The Rubber 1 is clearly positioned as the more premium smartwatch, though. It's tipped to offer the aforementioned camera, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, a 400mAh battery, and a 1.85-inch OLED screen. Meanwhile, the Rubber 1S misses NFC but offers Bluetooth 5.0, a 290mAh battery, and a 1.07-inch OLED display. In any event, a camera-equipped smartwatch would certainly be a unique proposition in the Wear OS landscape. So we're definitely keen to hear more about it. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
New smartphone? Mystery over ‘crystal clear iPhone' resolved as viral video sparks buzz on social media
A video of a woman browsing through her phone went viral on social media as some suggested there's something unique about the device she's carrying. In the viral TikTok video, it seems that she is holding what looks to be a crystal clear iPhone. Meanwhile, some users speculated that the object might be a brand-new Nokia phone, which costs well over 30,000 pounds. However, there isn't a phone like that. Nokia, however, hasn't announced any plans for such a phone and its most recent devices, which were manufactured under license from HMD Global and formally introduced in 2025, are much more conventional. Some of these include Nokia 235 4G, the Nokia 2660 Flip, and the Nokia 3210 (2024), a reimagining of the classic 1999 model with 4G, Bluetooth, and longer battery life. The mystery was clarified by the woman herself via a follow-up video, in which she revealed that the gadget she was carrying was a 'methaphone,' which is a piece of acrylic shaped like an iPhone. It has been designed to 'replace the feeling' of owning a phone. 'My friend is actually the inventor and creator of these, and he told me that what he wanted to test was, if we're all so addicted to our phones, then could you potentially curb somebody's addiction by replacing the feeling of having a phone in your pocket with something that feels exactly the same?' she explained. She emphasized the methaphone struck a chord with millions of people because it 'feels like a physical artifact that directly responds to this collective tension we all feel about how our devices, which are meant to make us more connected, are actually having the exact opposite effect.' Cat further stated that she frequently makes remarks about the adverse effects of technology on society. Also Read: Why is TikTok not working? Potential reasons for loading error However, not every viewer was agreed with Cat. 'So this is not a real phone, it's just glass and they're trying to make it sound deeper than what it is,' one person commented. However, another wrote: 'Nobody addicted to holding phones, they're addicted to the apps.' The prevalence of phone addiction continues to increase particularly among youth. Dr. Marianne Trent, a clinical psychologist, previously voiced to Metro her concerns regarding children's usage of technology during a time when their brains and behavioral patterns are still growing. A University of Oxford study is investigating if phones may be a factor in the rising number of children and teenagers receiving treatment for mental health issues.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- The Independent
Teens have an attention span of 14 minutes, could this dumbphone help?
As exam season looms, parents are searching for ways to help their teens stay focused in an age of constant digital distraction. With research showing that smartphone use can significantly impact attention spans and academic performance, could a different kind of device be the answer to boosting a developing brain? A recent study commissioned by sixth-form college group Mander Portman Woodward found that of 1,000 surveyed UK teenagers aged 15 to 18, on average, most said they can only revise for just 14 minutes before being distracted by their phones. The major culprits for distraction are social media apps – predominately Snapchat and TikTok. Alarmingly, 40 per cent admitted to being constantly distracted, and only 10 per cent felt confident about their upcoming exams. This digital distraction isn't just a minor inconvenience, it's a significant barrier to effective studying. Recognising this, some students are turning to a surprising solution: dumbphones. These basic devices are capable of calling and texting but crucially have no or limited access to the internet and very basic app stores. No more social media. They are gaining popularity among Gen Z as a means to reclaim focus and reduce screen time. In the U.S., HMD Global, the maker of Nokia phones, reported selling tens of thousands of feature phones each month in 2022, signalling a resurgence driven by young people seeking simplicity. We've already put the tech to the test, and have found the best dumbphones currently on the market. Finding phones that were easy to set up, great value for money, stylish enough to impress today's teens and above all else, were an effective swap for those scrolling addicts out there. Our tester and parenting expert, Sarah Dawson, found one phone stood out leagues above the rest, the HMD Nokia 3210. 'The Nokia 3210 is the OG of brick phones and offers a real sense of Y2K nostalgia', wrote tester Sarah. The dumb phone was relaunched in 2024, with Sarah noting that it is attractive, user-friendly, and suitable for both children and adults. Setup is straightforward: simply insert the removable battery and charge it using the included USB-C cable. The interface was praised for being intuitive, with calls made easily via the contact list. While it doesn't support messaging apps like WhatsApp, standard SMS is available. Although our younger testers did need a little time to adjust to the old-school multiple-keypress texting method. The device doesn't support wifi, and although mobile data can be used to browse the internet, the process was found to be cumbersome. Sarah wrote: 'To be honest, this is such a faff and so hard to find your way around that our testers didn't even bother, especially as the tiny 2.4in screen makes viewing web pages an annoying experience.' Exactly the kind of limited access required for a teen studying for their exams. The 3210 does feature a 2mp rear camera, which, while underwhelming by modern standards, was still a novelty, despite the lack of a front-facing camera. The phone is not all work and no play, though, as Sarah was pleased to see a familiar face in the app selection: 'The choice of games was still a hit. Snake was especially popular and proved just as addictive as it was 25 years ago.' With bonus tools such as a torch, calculator, FM radio, and up to 10 hours of call time, the Nokia 3210 delivers solid value as a reliable dumb phone option, at a great price.
