Latest news with #smartwatch


The Verge
2 hours ago
- The Verge
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is stuck in a familiar orbit
If last year's Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 was tried and true, this year's Galaxy Watch 8 is a bit more like tried and fine. This isn't overtly bad. Most smartwatch newbies will be delighted by the $349.99 Galaxy Watch 8 — provided they can stomach the new squircle design. It's more that if you've been a fan of Samsung smartwatches, it feels like Samsung has more or less been retreading safe, dependable ground with incremental tweaks since the Galaxy Watch 5. Aside from Gemini, there's not much here that moves Android smartwatches forward. Truly, on the hardware side of things, the squircle is the Galaxy Watch 8's main talking point. 7 Verge Score Let me just get this out of the way. Yes, I've read all your screeds in the comments about how the squircle is an aesthetic sin. When I first saw photo renders of the Galaxy Watch 8, I, too, internally screamed and called it 'a watchface only a mother could love.' While I always aspire to Kendrick Lamar levels of haterade, I must regretfully tell you that the Galaxy Watch 8's squircle is barely noticeable on the wrist. Maybe it's the silver-and-white combo of my review unit creating an optical illusion or maybe Samsung hired a warlock to cast a high-level Stockholm syndrome spell on my eyeballs. I don't hate the squircle on this watch, and I suspect you won't either. As for why Samsung did this, I'm sorry, but its reasons have functional credit. The watch is thinner, sits flatter against your skin, and is more comfortable. Spec-wise, you're not getting anything the Galaxy Watch 7 doesn't already have. The processor is the same, as is the BioActive sensor. The battery is a skosh bigger in the Galaxy Watch 8, but we're talking 325mAh compared to last year's 300mAh for the 40mm model. (The larger 44mm watch gets an even smaller battery bump; 435mAh compared to 425mAh.) That means battery life is also relatively unchanged. You still need to charge daily, but anecdotally, the Galaxy Watch 8 is reliable at getting you through the day and then some, even with the always-on display enabled. The screen is also brighter with a maximum 3,000 nits to 2,000 nits, but I didn't see a major difference, even under direct sunlight. I largely agree with my colleague Allison Johnson's initial impressions of Gemini on the wrist. It can be a lifesaver when your hands are full or you don't want to whip out your phone. I'm less interested in Gemini answering low-stakes queries. The draw for me is that Gemini can handle more complex, sequential tasks and prompts. But as with all AI, the more complex the task, the more trial and error you need to endure. While shooting these photos, I asked Gemini to 'look up nearby coffee shops and send them to Amelia on Slack.' It gave me two suggestions 40 blocks away and then told me it wasn't integrated with Slack yet so I couldn't send that message. Oops. A prompt to create a 'K-pop-inspired running playlist for a 30-minute run' was decent, even if it included a few songs that weren't K-pop. I prompted Gemini to tell me to carry an umbrella anytime it rains in my current location. That was less successful. Gemini could save in its memory that I don't like rain. It's adept at telling me the forecast if I ask. But it has yet to set reminders to carry an umbrella when I ask if it's going to rain. This will obviously require more experimenting on my part to see if this is even possible. Gemini is promising if you're patient enough to experiment. Sometimes, I sit watching Gemini do its thing and think, 'It'd be much faster if I just did this.' My hunch is that people who 'get' AI will enjoy experimenting. Everyone else might end up using it just like Assistant or ignoring it after a few failed attempts. Meanwhile, the new health features are a mixed bag. There's an Antioxidant Index that gauges whether you're eating enough fruits and veggies by detecting the carotenoid levels in your skin. I wrote a deeper dive into that, but the short of it is I fooled it with a Cheez-It, a piece of broccoli, and a blackberry that exploded, irrevocably staining parts of this watch purple. Did I increase my fruit and veggie intake in the pursuit of testing this feature? Yes, absolutely. It could be useful for level-setting when you start a new diet, but I suspect most people will forget to use this once the novelty wears off. Also, do you need a smartwatch to tell you to eat more fruits and veg? Probably not. Another new feature is Vascular Load. It's fine. The idea is to monitor how stressed your vascular system (aka your veins) is when you sleep and compare it to certain factors like sleep duration or exercise. This is a nebulous metric. A stressed vascular system may indicate… worse health? A higher likelihood of chronic illness? Samsung is vague here because it falls under the wide umbrella of wellness features. A good or bad score isn't meant to tell you anything other than 'check what your recent lifestyle choices have been.' I liked the Running Coach program the most. You start with a 12-minute test run, and it grades you on a level of one through 10. I was miffed when it deemed me, a runner with a decade of experience, at a dismal level three. In fairness, this is a test that heavily weights pace. It's hot as balls out here, and I'm keeping things slow and steady after a few recent injuries. After deflating my ego, I'd say this was a fair assessment of where I'm at right now, based on the program it generated for me. I'm currently in the middle of an injury recovery program, but after perusing my plan and the various levels, I found the workouts were well-structured. Despite the hit-or-miss health features, I maintain this is a great smartwatch, even if I don't like the $50 price hike. It's more that this mix of upgrades doesn't feel compelling. The telling thing is Samsung's most significant wearable innovation in recent memory was last year's Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring. Even then, the former felt like it copied Apple's homework. The latter was a clear ecosystem play. I found the Galaxy Watch FE underwhelming, but at least Samsung was shaking things up. Against that chaos, it was easier to appreciate the Galaxy Watch 7 sticking to its guns. In a year where a squircle design you introduced last year and an AI assistant made by another company are your big updates, sticking to your guns feels more like stagnation. When I wrote my Galaxy Watch 6 review two years ago, I asked how long Samsung could continue to coast. It's a bummer to be sitting here, two years later, pondering the same question. Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It's impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit 'agree' to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don't read and definitely can't negotiate. To use the Galaxy Watch 8, you must pair it with an Android phone. That includes whatever terms of service or privacy policies that phone requires. As for Samsung and Wear OS 6, you'll have five mandatory agreements. There are also several optional permissions for features that may use voice, location, or camera. If you download a third-party app, like Strava or Calm, you'll have to agree to their terms and share your health data with them, as well. You may also have to agree to the Samsung Pay terms of service and privacy policies if you opt to use that service. You may also have to grant additional permissions if you choose to download the Samsung Health Monitor for EKG readings. Final tally: six mandatory agreements and numerous optional permissions and from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Victoria Song Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Fitness Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Fitness Tracker Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smartwatch Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Smartwatch Reviews Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Wearable


CNET
4 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Save a Massive $149 Off the Rugged Apple Watch Ultra 2 With This Limited-Time Deal
There are plenty of options on the market when you're shopping for a new wearable. But if you're keen to get the best smartwatch money can buy, you need not look too much further than the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The only catch is the price -- but this deal is here to help. A limited-time Amazon deal has slashed the Apple Watch Ultra 2 down to the low price of $650. That's a $149 discount on the usual asking price, but we're not expecting this deal to last very long -- if you want it, make sure you pick it up quickly. This price is available on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in a few different configurations, but not all. We suggest choosing the one you like best and then making sure that your favorite is part of the deal before checking out. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. No matter which band you choose, you'll get the same Apple Watch Ultra 2, which means a large-yet-comfortable 49mm size and a gorgeous display that's easy to read even in direct sunlight. Its size also means that it has the longest-lasting battery of any Apple Watch, so you can go longer between charges. There's even the option to enable a low power mode to eke every last bit of juice out of it if the need arises. Each Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with cellular connectivity, so you can leave your iPhone at home while the corrosion-resistant titanium case is joined by a sapphire front crystal that makes it more resistant to scratches. Like all Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 supports the same health and fitness features that have made these wearables so popular. You can track workouts, including heart rate zones and training load, among other things. All of that and more make this the go-to smartwatch for people who live an active life and want their wearable to keep up, no matter what they get up to. Why this deal matters The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is often discounted, but prices can often be particularly volatile. This isn't quite the best price we've seen this model sell for, but it isn't far off. If you're looking for a new smartwatch right now, then this $149 discount is perfect.


Android Authority
a day ago
- Android Authority
I sideloaded Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, and here's why I'm keeping them
Ryan Haines / Android Authority I won't lie — I haven't touched my Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in a while. I liked it when I reviewed it and thought it was worth buying (it's since been replaced by the Galaxy Watch 8), but it had a few omissions that made me long for the Galaxy Watch Ultra, squircle design and all. One of those major misses was that Samsung saved a few of its best, most complicated watch faces for its top model, leaving me behind with others that were just fine. Now, though, the tables have turned. I finally have the Galaxy Watch Ultra faces that I always wanted on my Galaxy Watch 7, and it's breathed new life into this solid, stylish smartwatch. Here's how I upgraded and why you should do the same. What's so great about a Galaxy Watch Ultra face? Ryan Haines / Android Authority Like I just said, I don't think watch faces should be reserved for certain models. Sure, the Galaxy Watch Ultra has other advantages, like a tougher bezel, bigger battery, and a whole set of special watch bands — I'm cool with all that. However, when it's running the same version of Wear OS that the Galaxy Watch 7 runs, I don't see why there should be any difference in the faces it supports. Maybe I wouldn't feel so strongly about the Galaxy Watch Ultra's faces if they were just ho-hum, run-of-the-mill options that added a new color or a pop of style, but they're more than that. They have carefully designed hands that are more visible when the AOD is active, and they automatically swap to an all-red color profile when you toggle night mode on your Galaxy Watch. Maybe that red shift is a shameless pull from what Garmin, but I don't mind — it's better than the blinding brightness of pulling up my watch in the middle of the night. Samsung's Galaxy Watch Ultra faces add more than just a pop of color — they've become fast favorites. I also think the watch faces — or at least Simple Ultra, which I've taken a shine to — do a great job of applying complications. To me, some of Samsung's Rugged faces look like they're trying too hard to be adventurous, while some of its Informative faces are just plain cluttered, so for Simple Ultra to give me my heart rate, the weather, and my current direction is all I could ask for. It lets me glance at the important stuff, but doesn't pull me out of my adventure. Samsung's Ultra Analog is a bit more complicated, with a couple more metrics around the bezel, but it's still cleaner than many default faces. Maybe the secret to success is that Samsung stuck to a relatively simple black, white, and orange color profile, but whatever it is, it's working for me. I've only had to rework a few of the complications to make specific data fields easier to read, but that's easy enough to navigate on my Galaxy Watch 7. Here's how I sideloaded my fancy new watch faces Ryan Haines / Android Authority I know — it's easy to hear about the luxurious Galaxy Watch Ultra faces, but it's another thing to try them yourself. After all, I've probably made it sound like the process involves nothing more than a trip to the Wearables app and a quick download. Oh, if it were only that simple. Unfortunately, it's a bit more involved, but I promise the whole process only takes about 10 minutes if done right. I had some help from my colleague, Aamir, to put together these steps, so here's what to do: Download the Simple Ultra and/or Ultra Analog APK to your Android phone. You may have to enable developer options and give your phone permission to install apps from Chrome, but if you're here, there's a good chance this isn't your first sideloading rodeo. Install Bugjaeger Mobile ADB – USB OTG to your phone, which will allow you to connect your watch to your phone via ADB. Activate developer options on your Galaxy Watch. On your watch, go to Settings, About watch, Software information, and then tap Software version seven times. You should see a confirmation message after the seventh tap. Open the Developer options menu. Toggle ADB Debugging and open the Wireless debugging menu. Tap the Pair new device button to view your IP address and port number. Open Bugjaeger and begin the pairing process. Tap the add device button, which looks like an outlet plug with a plus sign next to it. Select the Pair option. Type in your IP address, port number, and the Wi-Fi pairing code from the Wireless debugging menu. Navigate to the Packages tab within Bugjaeger to install the downloaded watch faces. Select the Install New APK button (a circle with a plus sign inside) and choose Select from Installed Apps. Choose Simple Ultra and Ultra Analog from the list and tap Install. Simple, right? Admittedly, it took me a minute or two to figure out the Packages tab within Bugjaeger, but everything else felt like smooth sailing. Once you install your watch faces, you can toggle between them just as easily as if you'd picked up a new face from the Google Play Store. Would I sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces again? Absolutely Ryan Haines / Android Authority When I first saw that I could finally load Galaxy Watch Ultra faces to my Galaxy Watch 7, I was excited. I'm always down to try something new, and I figured this was a better idea than trying to make Galaxy Watch Ultra bands fit with a completely different connection. After all, I'm all for software parity while still believing that some hardware perks can be reserved for the more premium models. Then, about halfway through the process — right around the time I was struggling with Bugjaeger — I was ready to declare the whole idea dumb. I was having trouble figuring out how to pair my watch to my phone via ADB and finding the APKs to send to my watch. As it turns out, I wasn't looking for the right buttons, as our initial steps were pretty bare bones. But once I got back on track, everything became smooth sailing. Sideloading to a Galaxy Watch takes a little learning, but I'd do it over and over again. Now that I have a pretty good grasp on what it takes to sideload watch faces onto my Galaxy Watch 7, I might be hooked. I'm even more willing to add more faces and search the farthest reaches of APKMirror to see what might be out there, whether it's a clone of an Apple Watch Ultra face or simply a clever take on a Samsung classic. Before you rush out to do the same, just be careful — sideloading can be tricky. Make sure you trust where your downloads are coming from, and don't be afraid to ditch an APK if it's causing problems. Who knows, if enough users sideload Galaxy Watch Ultra faces onto older wearables, it will push Samsung to open up its library. I know I'm keeping the cool new faces, and I hope you do the same. Follow


CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
The Google Pixel 3 Is Our Favorite Android Smartwatch and It's Now $80 Off
If you've been on the fence about picking up a new smartwatch to monitor your health and fitness, now is a great time to take the plunge. It just so happens that our favorite Android smartwatch -- the Google Pixel Watch 3 -- is available with a solid $80 discount, but you'll need to be quick. Limited-time deals like this don't hang around for long. Right now, you can score the 41mm watch for just $270 in your choice of four different colors. The 45mm watch is $115 off, and you can grab that for just $320. While neither of these prices quite match Amazon's lowest, they're still noteworthy savings. The Google Pixel Watch 3 is our top choice Android smartwatch because of its attractive design, large screen and speedy charging. It also no longer requires a Fitbit Premium membership to access your readiness score. And it has plenty of tools that are great for runners. It's important to keep in mind that, although the watch comes with Google Assistant, it does not include Gemini, Google's AI. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Lisa Eadicicco, former tech senior editor, said in her review, "The Pixel Watch 3's upgrades are enough to keep it as my top pick for a general-purpose Android smartwatch. If you're anything like me and consider yourself a casual runner in need of a general-purpose Android watch that's sleek and comfortable, the Pixel Watch 3 won't disappoint." If this isn't the Pixel watch for you, take a look at our full roundup on the best Pixel watch deals going on right now. Why this deal matters Google Watches don't go on sale often, and especially not the newest model in the Google Watch lineup, the Google Pixel Watch 3. Keep in mind that we expect Google to announce the Pixel Watch 4 next month, but if you want a great watch at a great price right now, this is the deal for you.


Phone Arena
a day ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
The Galaxy Watch 8: perfect companion to your Galaxy phone, perfect guide for your lifestyle
This story is sponsored by Samsung. PhoneArena's opinions in this article have not been affected in any way! Disclaimer The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 launched with a surprising amount of upgrades and new features. Through smart design updates and integration of helpful AI features, Samsung made the new digital timepieces sleeker, prettier, and more useful than ever before. Galaxy Watch 8 Galaxy Watch 8 Classic The Galaxy Watch 8 has been designed to be the perfect mix between a timepiece and a fitness tracker. It's slim and light, for a barely-there feel when working out. However, it still has a rather large screen and tons of features for a full smartwatch functionality that complements and expands on what your Galaxy phone can already if you want a classy timepiece to accessorize your outfit with — the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic delivers just that, with a stainless steel case and actual rotating bezel. With a choice of multiple bands, the Watch 8 and Watch 8 Classic can be just the right touch for your casual or formal outfit. When synced with your phone, the Galaxy Watch 8 makes it easier to stay in the loop and even communicate. It will mirror notifications from your phone, it will allow you to reply, you can make phone calls through it — Bluetooth models need to be in range with your phone, but the LTE models are autonomous! Even further, it can work in sync with specific apps on your phone. You can use the Galaxy Watch 8 as a remote camera shutter — preview the viewfinder right on your wrist and tap to take a perfect group photo, with the phone propped up somewhere away from you. Trade-in $149 99 $349 99 $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $179 99 $379 99 $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung Trade-in $249 99 $499 99 $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung And, of course, it heavily expands on the features of the free Samsung Health app: Even if you are not at all interested in picking up a sport, but would still like to keep up with some healthy life habits — the Galaxy Watch 8 can help. Combining readings from its proprietary BioActive sensor and AI analysis, the Galaxy Watch 8 can give you an Energy Score. It's based off of sleep quality, breathing rate, O2 levels, heart rate and a lot more. With that information, the Galaxy Watch 8 and the Samsung Health app can suggest and gently nudge you towards better decisions — from going to bed earlier, to getting up and moving from time to time, to dietary choices. If you do wish to pick up an activity, but have no idea where to start — the Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect companion. The Running Coach feature will walk you through a 12-minute fitness test. After that, based on your performance and readings, the Watch 8 will assign you a fitness level and generate a custom 4-6 week training plan, so now you actually have some guidance! Fitness enthusiasts that are further along in their fitness journey can use the Galaxy Watch 8 to maximise and improve their performance, too. Aerobic Threshold (AT) / Anaerobic Threshold (AnT) Heart Rate Zone metrics help you get the most out of every workout and get over those plateaus faster. Cyclists can calculate Functional Threshold Power (FTP) metrics in just 10 minutes (cycling power meter required). The Galaxy Watch 8 launches with Wear OS 6, dressed in the custom Samsung interface called One UI 8 interface itself is focused on quick access and even multitasking with its Multi-Info tiles that offer at-a-glance information and instant access to favorite apps. And a Now Bar for live notifications, just like we have on the new Galaxy can talk to Gemini on your watch and ask it to start one of your custom workout routines, text a friend, or ask it about your results. You can even string together multiple commands, such as 'start workout, play my workout playlist'.Or just use Gemini to quickly look up information on anything and everything you are currently curious about. Ask it anything and you get that conversational Google LLM reply — much better than the old Assistant. And for all of that, you don't even need your phone, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection or the LTE model of the Galaxy Watch 8 with a data plan. As always, Samsung is celebrating the new launch with enhanced trade-in offers, store credit, and lots more. If you are already eyeing a Galaxy phone , there's very little reason to not pair it with an excellent Galaxy Watch 8 ! $200 off (57%) The smaller 40mm Galaxy Watch 8 is a hot pick, especially with Samsung's ongoing pre-order promo. Right now, you can secure a model for up to $200 off with eligible trade-ins. Pre-order at Samsung $200 off (53%) The Galaxy Watch 8 is the perfect mix between functional smartwatch and advanced fitness tracker. Right now, you can pre-order the 44mm variant for up to $200 off with eligible device trade-ins at the official store. Pre-order at Samsung $250 off (50%) The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is available for pre-order for up to $250 off with eligible device trade-ins. With its 46mm case with a tactile rotating bezel, and multiple AI, health, and wellness features, it's a solid pick for Samsung fans. Pre-order at Samsung