GoKawiil
Tech News
Amazfit has pushed firmware version 2.9.0.1 to its Helio Ring, replacing the device's Readiness feature with a new system called HybridCharge that shows all-day energy status graphs in the Zepp app. The update also improves heart rate tracking accuracy and adds automatic stress measurements taken every five minutes.
Google detailed how Fitbit devices measure heart rate variability, using an optical sensor to estimate gaps between heartbeats and applying the RMSSD formula to produce a millisecond-based score. The metric draws on the longest sleep period of at least three hours within the prior 24 hours, and results appear in Google Health under Health > Vitals > Heart rate variability, showing daily and long-term trends plus a personal range from up to 30 days of data.
A teardown of the Galaxy Fit 4 Manager app by SammyGuru has uncovered most of the tracker's planned features, including steps, heart rate, stress, sleep, blood oxygen and cycle tracking. The feature set closely mirrors the 2024 Galaxy Fit 3, with a tile-based interface supporting up to 12 tiles and a slightly taller display expected.
Apple published two new videos on its YouTube channel as part of its ongoing 'True Apple Watch Story' series. One follows Josh, who used Activity Rings to lose weight after weighing about 340 pounds, while the other features Morgan, who says a high heart rate notification led to an early diagnosis of septic shock from a kidney infection.
Starting October 23, Orangetheory Fitness members can pay a one-time $99 fee to connect their personal Apple Watch directly to the gym's proprietary performance-tracking system, called OTconnect for Apple Watch. The feature displays real-time calories burned, heart rate, heart rate zones and Splat Points on the wrist during class, with fuller data available afterward in the OTF app and via email. The fee also includes up to two free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+.
Regulatory filings indicate Suunto is developing a new wearable device that lacks a display, focusing on heart rate monitoring and recovery tracking. The design approach mirrors devices like Whoop, which rely on bands rather than screens to deliver fitness data through a companion app.
The latest Apple Watch Series 12, introduced just weeks ago, is now available at a $49 discount on Amazon, with prices starting at $350 for the 42mm model. The watch features enhanced health sensors, a new Readiness app, and Siri integration, with various configurations and colors on sale. The promotional prices are limited-time and may end soon now that Prime Day has concluded.
Apple has released the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, featuring enhanced performance and health sensors. Users can now add new complications like live heart rate, steps, and readiness score to their watch faces, and enable automatic music recognition with Shazam. The update also brings the Siri Modular watch face with expanded styling choices for compatible devices.
Apple introduced the AirPods Pro 3 last year, featuring significantly improved Active Noise Cancellation and the addition of a heart rate sensor in each earbud. The new model also offers longer music playback time of up to eight hours with ANC active, compared to six hours in the previous version.
Apple recently launched AirPods 5, bringing active noise cancellation down to a lower price point than before. However, AirPods Pro 3 retain several features not found in the cheaper model, including in-ear tip design, built-in heart rate monitoring during workouts, and hearing health tools such as a hearing test, hearing aid function, and hearing protection.
A week of hands-on use with the Apple Watch Series 12 highlights improvements in battery life and charging speed, attributed to the new S11 chip. The reviewer notes the watch now lasts through a full day and night of sleep tracking without needing a mid-day charge, and gains 12 hours of use from just 15 minutes of charging, per Apple. A new step-counter complication was also found exclusive to Series 12 despite step data being available on older models.
Apple's new Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 use a Health Sensing System that samples heart rate every five seconds instead of every five minutes, requiring the optical sensor's green light to flash almost continuously. To avoid that light being visible in dark settings, Theater Mode automatically slows heart rate readings back to five-minute intervals, but a new setting lets users override this and keep continuous measurements.