The Verge is covering the rapidly evolving world of wearables. We test everything from smartwatches like the Apple Watch, to smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Bans, to fitness trackers like the Oura Ring to find out which ones deliver on their promises. Follow along to find out whether covering our bodies in screens and sensors can actually make us smarter and healthier.
No reason was given for Strava’s voluntary dismissal, three weeks after it attempted to block sales of Garmin devices due to alleged patent infringement.
[DC Rainmaker]
At $1,799 and with an impressive subscription bundle, Samsung is aggressively taking shots at the Vision Pro.
One agreement is with RingConn, which had been blocked from selling its smart rings in the US after a ruling from the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). The ITC had also blocked Ultrahuman from selling its rings in the US, and it’s still unable to.
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[The Pulse Blog]
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Verge Score
You may look ridiculous, but the feature set is perfect for gadget nerds who love the outdoors.
Earlier this month, the Pebble app returned to iOS and Android with support not just for the new generation of Pebble smartwatches, but also the original wearables. That means those out there still clinging to their old Pebble 2 from 2016 will no longer have to rely on Rebble.
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Verge Score
This very first-gen device raises several questions about where the next chapter of mobile computing is headed.
Plus a sore neck, a peeved spouse, and ethical quandaries.
Another tidbit from Mark Gurman’s Power On newsletter further explores the rumor he’s reported about Apple shifting resources from a Vision Pro follow-up to something more like Meta’s Ray-Ban Display:
The smart glasses are also likely to run the Vision Pro’s operating system, visionOS... A future device could operate the full version of the OS when it’s paired with a Mac, and then switch to a lighter, more mobile-friendly interface when it’s linked to an iPhone, I’m told.
A backpacker’s take on the multisport fitness watch for outdoorsy types.
In the teardown, it got a 9/10 for repairability. Most smartwatches score a 3 or a 4. Where there was glue and heartbreak, there’s now screws and gaskets. This is monumental for the category and a big reason why I wrote this is the Android smartwatch to beat.
I signed up for wearable maximalism, but with each passing day, I feel more cyborg than human.
You can browse it right now at https://apps.repebble.com/. “Enjoy the same apps and faces you loved from before, plus some new ones created since 2016 by the developer community,” Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky says in a blog post. He shared some production updates about the new Pebble watches, too.
[Eric Migicovsky]
It’s been a while since a major software update hit the Pixel Watch 2 and 3, but Google’s October update that’s rolling out now is a big one. The update introduces Wear OS 6, which features the new “youthful” Material 3 Expressive design language, plus other features.
The company has... let’s just say a rep for killing its products off. So I’m going to celebrate the fourth Pixel Watch turning out to be the best Android smartwatch around, and hope Google learns that there are upsides to seeing something through.
Ollieollieollie:
Amazing what happens when you actually stick with a product, isn’t it?
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Verge Score
After lagging behind for so long, it’s been wild to see Google come this far in the smartwatch game.
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Verge Score
Satellite, 5G, and longer battery are great, but aren’t good reasons for most Ultra owners to upgrade.
AI companionship has its supporters, but getting negged by a glowing AirTag on a shoestring isn’t friendship.
If you want to buy the Meta Ray-Ban Display, you must book an appointment for an in-person demo, Meta says. Even then, Meta says that the preferred color and size you want may not be in stock. If that’s the case, you’ll be added to a waitlist.
After first debuting last year, Casio has introduced a new version of its ring watch made from stainless steel with gold ion plating. It’s currently only available in Japan for 22,000 yen, or around $150, and you’ll have to enter a lottery that’s open until October 6th for the chance to buy one.
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Verge Score
Meta’s new glasses have twice the battery life, but they still have the tricky issue of being a camera right on your face.
The fitness company is aiming for a comeback with new bikes, treadmills, AI, and higher prices
It’s a very thin line between helpful monitoring and health paranoia.
