Apple may try to reignite your flagging interest in the iPad at a mid-March event.
The company reportedly plans to show off the iPad Air 3 during the week of March 14, 9to5Mac reported Wednesday. A 4-inch iPhone and new Apple Watch models also rumored to appear, the report said, citing unnamed sources.
The iPad Air is due for an upgrade. Last year, Apple debuted the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and refreshed the 7.9-inch iPad Mini. The new iPad Air, with the same 9.7-inch screen size as the original iPad introduced in 2010, will supposedly have a rear-facing LED flash for better low-light photos and new speakers to better match the iPad Pro's audio performance, 9to5Mac reported. Apple may also be testing a version of the iPad Air that works with the Apple Pencil, a stylus designed for the Pro.
Apple's earnings earlier this week showed that iPad sales in the last three months of 2015 slipped significantly compared with a year earlier. Overall, iPad sales dropped 25 percent year over year to 16.1 million. The iPad Air has a more mainstream audience than the business-focused iPad Pro and will be key to any effort to reverse the decline.
By March, the Apple Watch will reach its first birthday. It's possible that Cupertino, California-based company could use an event to try to boost buzz around the product. There will be a new lineup of timepieces, according to 9to5Mac, as well aesthetic updates to existing models.
iPhone launches have taken place solely at a dedicated event held in September for many years, but there are rumors that Apple will introduce in March a 4-inch smartphone, dubbed the iPhone 5se, which though smaller will use the new A9 processor found inside the iPhone 6 and 6s.
Apple is mulling March 14 for the event, according to 9to5Mac, but the Apple generally doesn't send out invitations until a week before the date
More: http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-ipad-air-3-reportedly-slated-for-march-unveiling/
Chances are, you know an Apple fanatic -- someone whose iPhone, Mac or iPad is a prized possession. If you don't know a true fanatic, you probably know a fan -- or barring that, someone who might appreciate an Apple-made gift this holiday season.
To help you cut through the chaff, from one Apple fanatic to... someone else entirely, I've put together a list of the best Apple gifts this holiday season, covering multiple price points.
Of course, we should get this out of the way right now: Most of Apple's price points are pretty high. While an Apple Watch, for example, might fit into a stocking, it's not exactly a gift that comes in at a stocking stuffer price.
In addition, you should know that Apple basically has turned its whole website into a storefront, so going to Apple to browse a traditional online store is just gone. You now browse product pages, and when you think you want to buy, you've got to find the "Buy" button. For a person considering a particular purchase, it's fine, but for a gift giver? Annoying. So here you go.
Under $25
1. Gift Cards -- Seriously, Apple doesn't make hardly anything under US$25. The big gotcha with Apple's gift cards, though, is you have to pick the right one: An Apple Store Gift Card can be redeemed at a brick-and-mortar Apple Store or on the official Apple website, but not at the iTunes Store. You need to give an iTunes Gift Card if you want the recipient to be able to purchase items at the iTunes Store.
Astoundingly stupid, I know, and embarrassing when an Apple fan has to explain why their favorite $233 billion company can't figure this out. I mean really, who expects Grandma to know this?
2. Extra Cables -- Apple does offer a handful of products under $25, but they are basically minor accessories. You can snag the always-needed extra Lightning to USB Cable for $19 (but the long 2 meter one that's great for long reaches is $29).
3. Remote Loop -- OK, Apple sort of has a real accessory under $25 -- the Remote Loop safety lanyard. You use it so you don't accidentally throw your Apple TV Siri Remote while working out or playing a game in front of your Apple TV.
Because this is one of the most infuriating kinds of purchases an Apple-loving fan has to make, it's not a terrible gift. It's actually sort of humorous and ironic because the extra price for this Remote Loop is just mind boggling: $12.99.
Under $50 - and Up
4. Apple Watch Bands -- For $49, you can pick up a differently colored band for Apple Watch Sport users -- or ramp up to the Leather Loop ($149) or Link Bracelet ($449). Lots of sweet options here, actually.
Apple watch bands
5. Apple World Travel Adapter Kit -- Got a world traveler, or someone heading out for an international vacation? Get this kit for $29.
6. Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Dock -- This $79 Apple Watch dock is a simple but nifty dock that lets you charge your Apple Watch flat or sideways, which lets you use it as a nightstand alarm clock.
7. Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic -- Apple's included EarPods are pretty good, never fantastic, but solid enough. Despite getting a new pair with every iPhone purchase, these EarPods get abused and eventually manage to get lost. I never mind having an extra pair to leave in the pickup or by the bed ($29).
Under $100
8. Magic Mouse 2 -- I'm a fan of the Magic Mouse 2, but I'm also old-school that way. The touch surface is handy for navigating my Mac and the precision on a variety of surfaces is fantastic ($79).
9. iPad Smart Covers -- Apple makes some great magnetic iPad covers that are simple yet functional. There are a lot of great third-party covers, but you can't go wrong with Apple's. They are not exactly flashy or inspiring, but they do the job well. Price varies.
Under $300
10. Apple TV -- If your Apple fanatic doesn't already have an Apple TV, this makes an excellent gift -- but make sure you're getting the new Apple TV, the fat little 4th generation model.
It comes in two versions: a 32-GB version good for everyone who watches mostly movies and TV and wants to use some cool apps; and a 64-GB version that's better for gamers who want to play graphic-heavy games on their Apple TV ($149-$199).
11. Magic Trackpad 2 -- The Magic Trackpad 2 is a little spendy at $129, but its pressure-sensitive surface lets you bring the power of Apple's Force Touch to older Macs that don't have it built-in.
12. iPad mini 2 -- Coming in at $269, the lowest-cost iPad is the iPad mini 2. It's a great little tablet, but it's also aging -- get it only if the iPad mini 4, or better yet, iPad Air 2, is just out of your budget range.
13. Beats Powerbeats2 Wireless In-Ear Headphones -- These are a bit spendy at $199, but hey, half the point of buying them is for the style and construction. They're great for active, sports and fitness enthusiasts with their over-the-ear hook to help keep them in place. Inspired by Lebron James, these bad boys are also sweat and water resistant.
14. Beats Solo2 Wireless On-Ear Headphones -- Maybe not the very best sound quality, but the build and overall style is pretty great. Get Beats for Apple fans who just crave all things Apple ($299).
15. Apple AirPort Extreme -- It took me a while to figure this out, but Apple's devices just seem to work a little better when they are connecting to an Apple-made WiFi base station. The price seems high, but when all of your devices get better signals and faster connection speeds, you'll appreciate it.
Of course, it helps to know that the AirPort Extreme base station uses a powerful beamforming antenna array to deliver better performance, which is your excuse for buying it, along with the chance to use the phrase, beamforming antenna array ($299).
Under $500
16. Apple Watch Sport -- It's pretty hard to go wrong with an Apple Watch. This little wrist throwback device probably won't effect a massive change on your Apple fan's life, but there's so many little features packed into it that it's likely they will find a few ways to appreciate it.
The Sport starts at $349 and is the best buy. Should you step up to the stainless steel Apple Watch model for $200 more? I remain unconvinced it's worth it -- snag some extra bands instead.
17. Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones -- A little bigger, a little more expensive, these Beats headphones offer a step up -- with noise cancellation, no less ($379).
18. Mac mini -- The least expensive Mac is also hard to recommend. While you can get into one for $499, it's a bit neglected in terms of overall performance; however, if you have an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse already -- and are willing to cobble together your system with disparate parts -- it's a good way to get into Mac OS X.
Under $1,000
19. iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus -- Starting at $649 and $749, the iPhone is arguably the most important device and experience for Apple fans. Hard to go wrong here.
20. iPad Pro -- Let's get this straight: Not a very large percentage of people truly need the huge new 12-inch iPad Pro, but this iPad is a lust-worthy object. It boasts a sharp and glorious screen, and it weighs just 1.57 pounds. Inside, it uses Apple's crazy-powerful and efficient A9X 64-bit processor, which is 2.5 times as powerful as the A7 version from the iPad Air.
Plus, the iPad Pro works with the new Apple Pencil, which is great for artists, as well as the Apple Smart Keyboard, which is great for letting Apple fans get some real work done. The 32-GB entry-level model costs $799, while the 128-GB version goes for $949.
21. MacBook Air -- There are two decent MacBook Air models available for under $1,000: the 11-incher and the 13-incher. The 11-incher goes for $899, and it's a super mobile unit. Pretty solid, really. The 13-incher is nearly as portable, offers more working space, and includes an SDXC card slot that's handy for photographers.
The downside? No super-sharp Retina display. The upside? Generally better performance than the new 12-inch Retina MacBook, at a lower cost and with a better keyboard. Oh, and one more thing: No new Force Touch trackpad, either. Still the Air is a popular, higher-value Mac option, even today.
Under $1,500
22. MacBook -- At $1,299, the new MacBook with Retina display is a seriously ultralight wonder. What it lacks in overall performance, it makes up with lightness and screen-size balance. Pros and cons: The screen is gorgeous and the size is astoundingly packable, but the new keyboard is slightly annoying. It is best for frequent travelers or Apple fans who are often on the go.
23. 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display -- The 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display offers the best overall bang for your Apple computing dollar. It sports a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor that will give you plenty of oomph for a few years. The 13-inch Retina screen looks fantastic and offers a good blend of portability with workspace. Bottom line? This Mac is a great option for the majority of Apple fans.
24. 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display -- This new Retina iMac is pretty sweet. Coming in at just $1,499, it's priced right and includes a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor.
This would be a knock-out hit if it weren't for one disappointing component -- at $1,499 it comes with an old-school super-slow 5400-rpm hard drive. If it were easily user-upgradable, we could forgive this travesty, but since it's not, this iMac is best for school work or light business use.
Under $2,000
25. iMac 27-inch with Retina 5K display -- Starting at $1,799, this huge and glorious iMac is just amazing.
The only downside is the 7200-rpm hard drive, which means that if you can possibly afford it, you might consider stepping up to the next option at $1,999, which includes a faster Fusion Drive.
Over $2,000
26. 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina Display -- If price is no object, just go straight to Apple and customize a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display.
Load that puppy up with the 2.8 GHz quad-core Intel i7 processor, along with 1 TB of fast Flash Storage... and happily plunk down $3,199. Your enthusiast or professional Apple lover will drool, hug it, and maybe even sleep with it tucked safely under one arm.
27. 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display -- Remember what you just read above this? Do the same thing here: Load up the big iMac with a screaming 4.0 GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, then bump your memory up to 32 GB, get 1 TB of Flash Storage, and snag the AMD Radeon R9 M395X with 4 GB of video memory. Your final price? A cool $4,099. Pure awesomeness, though. Awesomeness.
28. Apple Watch Edition -- For $12,000, if not more, you can buy a gold Apple Watch.
Don't be stupid. Seriously. If you buy this watch, you're probably bad for the world. Get a stainless steel option instead and spend your money on something better, ideally something that will leave the world a better place than how you found it.
Of course, all this is relative. Apple fans know this. You could argue that you ought to shell out for a cheaper Dell PC instead of a MacBook and spend the extra savings on doing good for the world... .
Yet there is a slight difference here. At under $2,000, most Apple products simply produce a higher overall level of lifespan and value -- maybe not for everybody, but this definitely is a fundamental premise acceptable to most Apple fans. Plus, it often plays out in resale value.
But the Apple Watch Edition? Just look away, shake your head softly, and try not to think about it (or the people who buy it).
More: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/82852.html
The S7 also will have a USB Type-C port, which will make for faster charging; a camera optimized for low-light photography; and possibly a retina scanner and an external memory card slot in some versions, the report said. The camera lens will be flush with the back of the phone instead of bulging out as the Galaxy S6's lens does.
As it did with the Galaxy S6, Samsung reportedly will offer two versions of the S7, one a premium curved-screen device to be named the "Galaxy S7 Edge."
"The smartphone market is all about keeping up with the Joneses, and Apple has had its fair share of rule-making features," remarked Ramon Llamas, a research manager at IDC.
"Then again, Samsung did start the phablet craze," he told TechNewsWorld.
The Galaxy S7 series reportedly will be available in the United States in mid-March after being announced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, in late February.
Galloping to Stay Current
Most of the new features to be included in the S7 are widely available in competitors' devices, and one, the microSD card slot, is returning to the Galaxy family after having been dropped in the Galaxy S6 series.
There have been rumors of a USB Type-C port for the S7 since this fall. It's available already on smartphones from some makers, including LG Electronics and Huawei Technologies. It's one of the technologies Apple reportedly is testing for the iPhone 7.
Fujitsu released a smartphone with a retina scanner earlier this year, as did ZTE. Its Grand S3, available in China, also offers retinal scanning.
"No vendor wants to be left out in the cold as one of the few who didn't adopt a new technology," IDC's Llamas said.
Taking on the Competition
Apple is the only maker that's a threat to Samsung at the high end.
"The S7 is really competing head-on with the iPhone," said David McQueen, a research director at ABI Research. "Most other Android vendors -- such as Motorola/Lenovo, Huawei, ZTE, LG and Sony -- have tried and failed to compete at the high end."
The recently launched US$700 BlackBerry Priv is "an obvious exception," he told TechNewsWorld, but "I'm not so sure that's going to fare well against Apple and Samsung at that price point, despite the obvious security benefits and hard keyboard."
Shoring up Samsung Sales
Sales of the Galaxy S6 reportedly have not hit the 70 million units Samsung predicted at launch. Deutsche Bank pegged sales at about 45 million, according to media reports.
Samsung has offered consumers a $100 Google Play credit to trade in their iPhones for an S6.
It offered a $300 gift bundle of accessories to new purchasers of the Galaxy S6 family or the Galaxy Note 5 to boost holiday sales last month.
The new features for the Galaxy S7 aren't likely to increase sales, Llamas predicted, because they "are incremental at best, and by themselves don't represent reasons for a jump-start. What end users want to see is not what these features can do, per se, but what these features can do for them."
While the new features make the Galaxy S7 even more Apple-like, "the problem Samsung and Apple, to some extent, face is how to make the new iteration of their flagship device different enough from last year's version to entice users to upgrade," ABI's McQueen pointed out.
"This is becoming ever harder to achieve," he said. "All [the flagships] look and feel the same, and are packed with very similar features, so it can ... boil down to brand strength, ecosystem and price.
More: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/82877.html
What's the best smartwatch?
The 10 best smartwatches you can buy today - best smartwatch reviews, best wearable tech reviews
Best smartwatch 2015: Why do I need a smartwatch?
There's an interesting theory that smartwatches are to the smartphone what wristwatches were to the pocket watch. Picture the way the average gentlemen used to have to rummage through his pocket for his watch prior to the 20th century - now skip forward 100+ years and the average smartphone user still has to dive into his/her pocket to check their phone. Read: The best smartphones: The best phone you can buy in 2016.
The kicker now is that your smartphone holds far more information than a pocket watch ever did, yet all of which is still locked into your pocket. The theory behind smartwatches is not for you to make calls with and speak into, like Inspector Gadget, but instead they provide a quick and easy way to check what notifications are on your smartphone, so you can decide whether it's worth delving into your pocket or searching around your bag to fetch your smartphone or not.
Best smartwatch 2015: What makes a good smartwatch?
So when testing for what is the best smartwatch, the important factors to consider are how much of your smartphone's functionalities can it perform, and how well does it handle each task, the final attribute is obviously style - it's still bling after all.
You'll also want to make sure it's compatible with your smartphone - some are only for iPhone or Android while others support most phones. Note that Android Wear now has iOS support but the experience is cut down in comparison. Some smartwatches use different software such as the Gear S2 which runs Tizen, Samsung's own OS - it's a legitimate alternative to Android Wear
.
As is stands, you'll need to pick a watch with more limited functionality if you want long battery life while ones which can do all sorts will typically last a couple of days. Fitness fans will want to look for a device with a heart rate monitor and built-in GPS, although the heart rate monitors are often poor.
We consider the important factors of a smartwatch to be level of notification detail, battery life, style, water resistance, compatibility with a range of devices/smartphones, plus additional features such as microphones Wi-Fi support so you don't have to connect to a phone for full functionality.
With very similar, if not identical, hardware on offer with many of the Android Wear smartwatches, a large part of the decision will come down to design and price.
Best smartwatches 2015
10. Samsung Gear 2
The Samsung Gear 2 is a stylish smartwatch packed with features but has limited appeal due to small list of compatible devices. It's still too bulky and many of those features don't work well or are unnecessary. Then there's the high price tag which means unless what the Gear 2 has to offer is genuinely what you want a smartwatch for, you'll be better off elsewhere.
9. Sony SmartWatch 2
Sony SmartWatch 2 is a good value for money smart watch. It improves on the original version in key areas such as design, battery life and showing the time. With plenty of apps to download and use, there's lots of functionality too.
8. LG G Watch
The LG G Watch is the best smartwatch we've reviewed so far, partly due to the affordable price tag and the excellent, albeit not flawless, Android Wear system. You will need a device with Android 4.3 or later, though. The design of the G Watch doesn't wow so check out the Gear Live and the upcoming Moto 360.
7. Apple Watch
We can't help but think that Apple has tried to do too much with this first generation Apple Watch. There are so many ways of interacting with it and so many different features and elements to get used to that the learning curve is surprisingly steep. It takes a lot of getting used to, and at times it feels counter-intuitive, something we're not use to with Apple devices.
That's why we'd struggle to recommend spending the £299 or more it'll cost you to buy this smartwatch. As is often the case, waiting for the second generation of the Apple Watch is likely to be a wise move, because Apple is going to learn a lot from this first generation smartwatch and from the customers and fans that are using it.
6. Microsoft Band 2
It is very difficult to score the Band 2, because it is such a specific product with a unique feature set. But let's unpack it: it is definitely good value, as the combination of sensors and features is much greater than any comparable product at this price. And it is well made if not the last word in elegance, nor with perfect battery life. If you are looking for a GPS runner's or cyclist's watch it is a good one at a good price, and it also offers the productivity and sleep tracking. And if you want a smartwatch you will like what the Band 2 does, but you may hanker after the ability to compose and send messages. Simply, I don't. I like to wear my dumb watch, and I like for my phone to stay in my pocket rather than on my wrist. So for me the Band 2 is a winner.
5. Sony SmartWatch 3
The SmartWatch 3's biggest strength is its built-in GPS, but you'll still need a smartphone for driving directions. It's also great to see a standard USB charging port. The transflective screen is a good idea, but in practice battery life is no better than other smartwatches with better-looking screens. Ultimately, unless you're on a fixed budget, the G Watch R is the better choice. If you can't afford that, wait a few months: the price is bound to drop.
4. Samsung Gear S2
Based on our time with the Samsung Gear S2, we think it's a sleek smartwatch with an attractive design. It offers fairly standard smartwatch features like fitness tracking, but also includes some rather interesting features including a rotating bezel used for navigating the UI and enhanced app capabilities. At £249, it sits itself alongside the likes of the Moto 360 2, and we think the Gear S2 is a great, if not better option for Android users – especially with a custom, intuitive UI.
3. Motorola Moto 360 2
The new 2nd-generation Moto 360 is a decent smartwatch offering excellent build quality and hardware. The value is good if you avoid the extras on the Moto Maker but they are hard to resist. Battery life is fairly good and performance too apart from the odd moment. All of this is leading to a whole hearted recommendation, if only Motorola had made the one change we wanted – removing that flat tyre from the display. As much as we like the Moto 360, it's hard to look past this, as small as it may seem.
2. Huawei Watch
At a lower price, the Huawei Watch would be the best Android Wear smartwatch on the market but it's a little too much for our liking. Although it's absolutely stunning and the build quality is exquisite, the watch lacks GPS, the heart rate monitor doesn't work very well and the charger is fiddly.
1. LG Watch R
Quite rightly, LG has decided to launch a round screen version of its first Android Wear device in the form of the G Watch R. It adds much needed style and class to the smartwatch and has an excellent round screen which doesn't have a section missing. It's a shame that it's more expensive than the Moto 360 but if you're going to spend £200, £25 isn't much extra. As long as you like the design of it over the Moto 360 which is down to personal taste.
Since all the Android Wear smartwatches run the same software, design is an extremely important area when making a buying decision. The advantage of the G Watch R, if you can afford it, is that it's the most normal looking smartwatch around. Whether you personally like the look or not is a personal matter and a watch is a fashion item so this could immediately put you off buying it.
We like the look of the G Watch R and despite appearances, it's actually thinner than the Moto 360 at 11.4 mm compared to 11.9 mm. It doesn't sound like much but a fair bit of that measurement is simply the bezel around the edge which is pointy.
The watch is also pretty light at 61 g which is less that it looks and like rivals it is IP67 rated so is completely protected from dust and water resistant for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of one metre.
Build quality is good with a stainless steel body – we can only find the black model although there was a silver one on show at IFA 2014 which is where we first saw the device. Included is a leather strap and you can switch it for any standard 22mm alternative if you want which is good. It's plain black and although LG had various on display in Berlin we can't find them for sale anywhere.
The main disadvantage to the design is that it's quite large, like others, meaning that females are likely to find it huge. LG only has one image of a woman wearing the G Watch R on its site and we know why. The firm along with others, are probably kicking themselves after Apple announced two different sizes of the Apple Watch.
LG G WATCH HANDS-ON REVIEW: HARDWARE AND SPECS
We're seeing almost identical specs across all the Android Wear smartwatches with a few little differences here and there. The core hardware is a familiar Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 1.2 GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. We've had no problems with performance on any Android Wear smartwatches.
A battery size of 410 mAh is pretty typical and there's the usual array of sensors including a gyro, compass, accelerometer. An additional feature which you don't always find is the heart rate monitor which sits on the back and a barometer for altitude. Unfortunately the heart rate monitor tends to take a good while to record a measurement and often fails.
See also: Samsung Gear S hands-on review.
Unlike the Moto 360, it will only take a reading when you ask it to which helps with battery life. While the Motorola only lasted us a day, the LG has made its way through 3-4 days on average although this will drop to a couple if you have the screen set to always on and you use it a lot.
Matching the original G Watch, this smartwatch charges via a magnetic dock. It works fine but we'd rather have the wireless charging of the Moto 360 which also shows the time and progress while docked.
The 1.3in screen might sound small but looks great in circular form and easy to use with Android Wear. The display itself is P-OLED and has a resolution of 320 x 320. In regular watch mode, you'd be forgiven for thinking the moving hands were real.
Important in the fight with the Moto 360, the G Watch R doesn't have the bottom part of the screen cut off or the slightly annoying moiré effect around the edge since there's no bevelled edge to the glass. LG points out, and quite rightly so, that it's 'full circle'.
LG G WATCH HANDS-ON REVIEW: SOFTWARE
If you've got this far in the review, you'll know that the G Watch R comes with Android Wear. You can use Google's wearable OS with any Android device running version 4.3 or later by connecting it over Bluetooth. You'll get essentially the same experience as other smartwatches with Android Wear – the main difference is the circular screen rather than square.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/lg-g-watch-r-review-3543856/
HUAWEI WATCH: SPECS
- Android Wear OS
- 1.4in screen 400x400
- 1.2GHz processor, 512MB RAM
- 4GB storage
- Heart rate monitor
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- IP67
- 11.3mm
HUAWEI WATCH REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
We got a good fondle with the silver model but the Huawei Watch will also be available in a nice looking black model and a shiny gold one for those after a more bling finish. There are also two straps to choose from, either leather or stainless steel. Interestingly, Huawei has places the physical button at 2 o'clock rather than 3 and this seems to make sense meaning you don't need to twist your wrist as much to push it (the wrist not wearing the device).
Like many smartwatches, the Huawei Watch is big so you've got to be prepared for this. It seems only some vendors are following Apple's lead of producing two sizes for those with smaller wrist which is a shame.
The stainless steel case and sapphire crystal front look great, even if the device is a bit chunky at 11.3 mm. We're used to some Huawei devices being cheap and made from plastic but this couldn't be further the other way.
Huawei Watch review design and build
It's easily one of the most premium and desirable Android Wear wearables around, in fact smartwatches in general – it can pass a stylish regular wrist watch. Those tiny bezels play a big part in the wow factor and the Huawei Watch is definitely a head-turner.
As well as looking great, the Huawei Watch has an IP67 rating so is dust-proof and will survive being dunked in up to 1m of water for a maximum of 30 minutes.
With specs matching other Android Wear watches, the design is hugely important in differentiating from rivals.
HUAWEI WATCH REVIEW: HARDWARE, SPECS AND BATTERY LIFE
Talking of specs, the Huawei Watch fits in with the standard set of hardware for Android Wear devices. This means it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 4 GB of internal storage, 512 MB of RAM and Bluetooth 4.1. It also has various sensors like an accelerometer, barometer and heart rate monitor.
The screen, however, is a little larger than rivals such as the LG G Watch R at 1.4in but this is smaller than the Motorola Moto 360 so it's not the biggest around. What's notable is the resolution of 400x400 means it's has the highest pixel density of any Android Wear device at 286ppi.
Round screens are quickly becoming the norm for smartwatches with a few exceptions like the Sony SmartWatch 3. Huawei's is fully round so doesn't have the 'flat tire' effect found on Motorola's which is still a sticking point even with the new 2015 version.
It looks great with plenty of brightness on offer should you need it and it's also nice and responsive. The issue is that how you choose to use the screen has a big impact on battery life.
By default, the screen is set to always on – although it will dim and change the watch face to a stripped back version – and like this it will last you roughly one and half to two days which is what Huawei claims. However, switch the screen to switch off and you'll get double or more the battery life.
Leaving it set to always on wouldn't be so bad if the charger was easy to use, but it's not. It's not a stand and although it attaches magnetically, the metal contacts don't always sit properly so occasionally we though the watch was charging when it wasn't.
Huawei Watch review heart rate monitor
Moving onto fitness tracking and the Huawei Watch comes pre-loaded with Google Fit as you'd expect but also the firm's own offering, Daily Tracking. This does the same job but with a nicer interface.
As mentioned there is a heart rate monitor and like pretty much every watch with one of these, it's hit and miss as to whether it can take a reading successfully. We often found we had to push the watch into our wrist to achieve success. You'll want a dedicated fitness watch if this is important.
That's a shame but perhaps not as much as the fact it doesn't have GPS so those wanting proper tracking for running will need to look elsewhere. However, the Huawei Watch is compatible with Jawbone Up bands if you don't mind wearing a second device.
HUAWEI WATCH REVIEW: SOFTWARE
As we mention in all Android Wear watch reviews, the experience is essentially the same across them all. It's not like skins which get added to Android phones so you get pure Android Wear no matter which one you pick.
Huawei Watch review software
Price, hardware and design are all important when it comes to choosing then but it's worth pointing out that the Huawei Watch comes with the latest version of the software. This means you get Wi-Fi support to use the device without a companion phone and the new layout which provides a proper app launcher and contacts list.
You can also do things like draw emojis if that's your kind of thing (it actually works really well if you can think of what to draw) but more important is support for iOS compatibility. That's right, you can use the Huawei Watch with your iPhone - just bear in mind that it's by no means the same experience compared with using it with an Android phone.
Other than the usual Google Now card style system of notifications, the Huawei Watch comes with a huge range of watch faces built-in and of course you can download more as well as the apps you want to use.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/huawei-watch-review-3600487/
MOTO 360 2: SPECS
- Android Wear (Android 4.3 or later) and (iPhone 5 onwards, with iOS 8.2 or later)
- 1.37in, 360x325, 263ppi (42mm)
- 1.56in, 360x330, 233ppi (46mm)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 with 1.2 GHz quad-core CPU
- Adreno 305, 450MHz GPU
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB internal storage
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- Accelerometer
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Gyroscope
- Vibration/Haptics engine
- Optical heart rate monitor (PPG)
- Dual digital mics
- Wireless charging with included dock
- IP67 dust and water resistant
- 300mAh (42mm)
- 400mAh (46mm)
We loved the original Moto 360 when it launched early last year as one of the first Android Wear smartwatches, not least because of its circular display that helps it look more like a traditional smartwatch rather than a lump of tech strapped to your wrist.
But the biggest complaint we had about it (as did many, many others) is that there's a portion of that circular display dedicated to the ambient light sensor and therefore doesn't have pixels. This results in an irritating 'flat tyre' effect. That's why we're so disappointed to see that it's still there! If you want to use a circular design as your clock face, you'll find that the bottom of it is cut off in an ugly and truly frustrating fashion. It might seem like a small thing but it makes a really big difference.
Motorola has put some time and thought into the rest of the design, though. There are now two sizes available. We're not keen on the way Motorola has labelled these sizes as men's and women's, but in the 'Men's' collection there's a black, silver or gold option, and in the 'Women's' collection there's silver, gold and rose gold.
When it comes to the size options, Motorola has included the 46mm and 42mm models in the Men's collection, but the Women's collection only features the smaller 42mm design -awkward.
The smartwatch has a stainless steel body, and has been slimmed down significantly helping it look sleek and in some cases quite elegant with the leather straps. The physical button on the side of the watch has been moved up slightly, too, to the 2 o'clock position. This makes it a lot easier to use.
As mentioned, the Moto 360 is available to customise through Moto Maker, meaning you can choose exactly the strap, colour and size combination you like. This isn't new, but the previous Moto 360 had very limited options, whereas this year's model offers lots of choice. You can even choose to have a different colour bezel around the watch face, for example, and Motorola doesn't charge extra for that.
You do have to pay extra for 'micro etch' for Women and 'micro knurl' for Men though which is an additional £20. Tiny lines are cut into the metal to add these effects.
In terms of durability, the Gorilla Glass display combined with IP67 dust and water resistance should keep it safe in most conditions, but you won't want to take it with you if you plan on going swimming or taking a bath. This is the same as the original.
MOTO 360 2 REVIEW: HARDWARE & SPECS
We've talked about how the Moto 360 looks, but what can it actually do? Each model comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chip inside, with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor. This new chip brings the Moto 360 in line with premium smartwatches like LG's Watch Urbane and the Huawei Watch (which you can find out more about in our hands-on review here).
Performance is generally very good but we have found the new Moto 360 to occasionally freeze, mostly when dismissing a notification or card. This is a shame since it's not something we've really experienced on rival Android Wear devices. It can also take a second or two to load some apps.
That Snapdragon chip is paired with Adreno 350 graphics, and there's 512MB of RAM and 4GB of on-board storage should you want to download songs and listen to them while you're out and about without your smartphone.
Which brings us on to the next point, which is that the Moto 360 itself can connect to Wi-Fi, which means you can use lots of its internet-requiring features without your smartphone should you wish to, as long as you're able to connect to Wi-Fi.
We've talked a bit about the screen size, but taking a closer look at the resolution you'll find that the 42mm model is 360 x 325 pixels at a pixel density of 263ppi, while the bigger watch offers 360 x 330 pixels at 233 ppi. Both are clear,crisp and an improvement on the original in this respect. However, as mentioned, that flat tyre is a real sticking point.
There's still a heart rate monitor on the spec sheet and this is on the backside of the watch once again. This, if it is of much use to you, works better than most we've seen on smartwatches and genuinely gives a reading without needing to push the watch into your skin. We're not convinced it's always accurate though, providing a reading of 100 bpm while sitting a desk writing this review.
There's no GPS so like rivals, the Moto 360 2 isn't a great choice for those looking for great fitness features. You'll want to look out for the Moto 360 Sport when that arrives.
Moto 360 2 heart rate monitor
Depending on which model you buy, the Moto 360 2 either has a smaller or larger battery than the original. The 42mm has a 300mAh battery while the 46mm is 400mAh. Our review sample had the larger and we found that with default screen settings (always on), it lasted a couple of days with fairly light usage – heavier users will likely need to charge every night.
Charging can be a faff with smartwatches but Motorola makes things much easier with the wireless charging dock. This means that you can simply take your watch off at night, leave it on the dock while you sleep and it will be topped up when you put it back on, no matter how much you've used it. The problem comes when you find yourself away from the dock for whatever reason since you can't just plug in your smartphone charger.
MOTO 360 2 REVIEW: SOFTWARE
The new Moto 360 runs Google's Android Wear OS for smartwatches, which means its fully compatible with most Android devices, and interestingly also with the iPhone now that Google has released an Android War app for iOS. iPhone users won't get the full range of features, though.
Moto Body is Motorola's fitness app, which uses the sensors in the Moto 360 to track steps, calories and heart-rate, and can also be used to track specific workout activities. Motorola has announced a new Sport model of the Moto 360, but that was only in prototype form at IFA and there's no word on when that'll be available to buy just yet.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/moto-360-2-review-3624796/
SAMSUNG GEAR S2: SPECS
- 42.3 x 49.8 x 11.4 mm
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC connectivity
- Circular watch face
- 1.2in 360x360 AMOLED display
- Heart rate monitor
- 1GHz Exynos 3250
- 512MB RAM
- 4GB storage
- 250mAh battery
- IP68 resistance rating
- Circular UI
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
The Samsung Gear S2 comes in two editions, the standard Gear S2, and one for those of us that love the classic wrist watch look, the Gear S2 Classic. Samsung says the smartwatch is designed for those who prefer a more timeless design, and we think they’ve hit the mark. We got our hands on the standard Gear S2, which comes in both silver and a slightly darker grey.
On the wrist, the Gear S2 feels pretty lightweight and comfortable to wear. Though it measures in at 42.3x49.8x11.4mm compared to the 11.5mm width of the first generation Moto 360 which people say is quite bulky, the Gear S2 doesn’t feel like a bulky watch. In fact, its weight and general build make it feel solid and premium, an issue that (in our opinion) Samsung has had with its past smartwatches.
The real beauty of the design of the Gear S2 comes not with the circular display itself, but with the bezel of the watch. Instead of directly interacting with the screen of the Gear S2, users have the option of using the rotating watch bezel to scroll through the various menus and apps of the smartwatch.
When you turn the bezel, you’ll feel a gentle click which Samsung says will allow for muscle memory to eventually kick in and enable you to select apps without needing to look at the screen, although after using the watch for two weeks we still couldn’t manage it. It’s not a click generated by a vibration motor either, it’s mechanical. This means that there’s no battery life drain for those of you (and believe us, there will be a few) that just love the sensation of turning the bezel. It is pretty satisfying, we can’t lie.
Of course, users have the freedom of freely tapping and swiping directly on the watch face, but this isn’t how Samsung intends the device to be used. Although with this being said, we found using the bezel a little confusing when navigating the new circular UX, especially at first – but we’ll come to that below. Although with this being said, early adopters of the Apple Watch had the same issue and we don't hear many complaints about it months down the line, do we?
Samsung included Android-style back and home buttons on the side of the smartwatch to make using it an easier process, though we found it to be a bit of a fiddly process and we kept confusing the buttons as there is no real indication of which is which just by looking at it.
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: HARDWARE AND SPECS
Let’s talk spec; the Samsung Gear S2 boasts a 1.2in AMOLED screen with a resolution of 360x360, which would sound nicer if Huawei hadn’t announced the Huawei Classic Watch, which features a 400x400 resolution, and is only £30 more expensive than Samsung’s offering. Although with this being said the Gear S2 has a fairly decent pixel density of 301ppi, so it’s far from a low-res display. It’s protected by Gorilla Glass 3 too, which is fairly standard for current smartwatches and should help protect your wearable from scratches and general damage.
The Samsung Gear S2 features a 1GHz Exynos 3250 processor coupled with 512MB of RAM along with 4GB of on-board storage, which provides a fairly responsive experience, and we didn’t encounter any lag during our time with the watch. It also has an IP68 rating, which means its dust and water resistant to a certain extent and will definitely survive being caught in the rain.
The Gear S2 also features not only Bluetooth, but NFC and Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi connectivity is especially impressive as it allows users to use the smartwatch when not connected to your phone when at home, work, or anywhere else with Wi-Fi.
Samsung has included a host of sensors to allow the Gear S2 to track your activity throughout the day and present it to you in a watch-style layout. Instead of just measuring calories (it still does, don’t worry!) it’ll measure the amount of activity you’ve done throughout the day and present it to you in blocks - green areas were areas where you were quite active (and the watch will motivate you when it detects this), yellow areas where you’ve taken it easy, and grey areas for when you’ve not moved at all.
It’s a good way to motivate yourself to get fit, but we found that it wasn’t very accurate at times. There were a handful of occasions where we’d be sat at our desks working, and the watch would count it as ‘light activity’. Although with this being said, we love the circular layout and when you haven’t been active for a while, you’ll get a little nudge to encourage you to get moving. You can also monitor your exercises with only a few taps, and we found it to be more accurate than its general tracking abilities.
In terms of battery life, the Gear S2 boasts a 250mAh battery that Samsung claims should last around 2-3 days on a single charge, with the use of Samsung’s built in battery saving mode. Without the battery saving mode on, you can expect a similar battery life to the Apple Watch, which gets you through the day and night without issue, but will usually run out of power at some point during the second day.
SAMSUNG GEAR S2 REVIEW: SOFTWARE
Samsung is using its own custom circular UX with the Gear S2, which works well with the hardware and overall design. The watch is easy to use, although it does require a bit of a learning curve to learn what all the buttons do, and which way to turn the bezel. Turning the bezel clockwise will scroll through your widgets, which can easily be customised to suit your needs – we have ours set up so we can easily initiate a run, track our daily activity and log our caffeine and water intake. Turning the bezel anticlockwise will display your notifications, and pressing one of the buttons on the side will display all installed apps on the watch. Simple, but as we say, it took a while to get used to.
The initial setup process is fairly straight forward, though you don’t just need to install the Samsung Gear app on your Android device – once installed, you’re prompted to install two more apps from Google Play in order for the phone to be able to communicate with the watch. But once you’ve gone through the setup process, the Gear app is the central command for everything to do with the Gear S2.
The Gear app is where you can customise the layout of apps on your watch, customise the watch face itself, along with a number of other settings. It’s also where you can browse for apps to install on the watch, although we noticed almost every app we installed required a full phone app to be installed to operate properly. While this isn’t any different from the likes of the Apple Watch and its companion apps, it’s frustrating having to download the app twice instead of having it all bundled together like Apple’s offering.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/wearable-tech/samsung-gear-s2-smartwatch-review-uk-3624670/
SONY SMARTWATCH 3: SPECS
- Android Wear OS
- 1.6in Transflective LCD touchscreen display 320x320 pixels
- 4GB internal storage (approx 2.6GB available)
- 512 MB RAM
- Quad-core ARM V7 1.2GHz processor
- Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- microphone
- gyro, accelerometer, compass, ambient light sensor
- GPS receiver
- NFC
- 420mAh battery
- microUSB charging
- IP68 dust and water resistant
- Core unit 45g
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW
Android Wear is Google's operating system for wearables, and most new smartwatches including the SmartWatch 3 have adopted it rather than use their own system. In our Sony SmartWatch 3 review we'll look at how this Android Wear device compares to its rivals, including the excellent - but expensive - LG G Watch R.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: DESIGN AND BUILD
It may not be quite as stylish as some circular smartwatches, but the SmartWatch 3 has a certain charm about it. There's no big SONY logo or anything to draw your eye away from the 1.6in square colour screen. The only button is to the right, but you'll rarely need it as the display lights up when you raise your arm or tap on the screen.
They're made from sturdy rubber and have an equally sturdy buckle mechanism like you'd find on a metal-strapped gents watch. It's easy to adjust the strap for size without cutting.
We found the rubber uncomfortable to wear when hot - sweat is trapped under it, so it's best to take it off regularly, and certainly at night.
Instead of wireless charging, Sony has opted for a standard microUSB port. That's great news in some ways as you can charge it practically anywhere; there's a good chance that any given office or home will have a microUSB cable and charger.
The USB port is covered by a captive rubber bung - the watch has an IP68 rating, so it's dust and water resistant. We wouldn't advise swimming with it, but you'll be ok in the shower or going for a run in the rain.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: SCREEN AND BATTERY LIFE
We found the 420mAh battery lasted exactly two days, which is slightly disappointing given then unusual screen technology. Instead of AMOLED or IPS, Sony has gone for transflective which means the display is still readable - given sufficient ambient light - without the backlight. It's the same technology used in many outdoor GPS devices.
You can choose whether or not to keep the screen on all the time. If you turn it off, you'll have to wake it up just to check the time, but if you leave it on permanently, you can merely glance at your wrist without having to tap or lift your arm.
Sony has also included an ambient light sensor so brightness can be adjusted automatically, but it doesn't appear to yield any extra battery life.
The 320x320 display has a few more pixels than the circular watches we've seen but there's no real difference in the amount of information shown. The disadvantage of using a transflective display is that while colours look ok square-on, viewing angles are terrible by today's standards.
If battery life were more like 4-5 days we'd forgive this, but LG's G Watch R also lasts two days between charges. Recharge time is roughly an hour.
SONY SMARTWATCH 3 REVIEW: FEATURES
Storage remains the same as the Sony SmartWatch 2 and rival Android Wear devices at 4GB eMMC flash memory. This can be used to store music which can be played without a companion smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth.
The SmartWatch 3 does have one ace, though: built-in GPS. With an on-board receiver, there's no need to take your smartphone with you on a run, hike or bike ride. The GPS can record your route and feed the data back to the Sony Lifelog app.
There's also NFC, a gyro, compass, accelerometer and Bluetooth. The latter isn't merely useful for connection to a smartphone for Android notifications: you can pair the SmartWatch 3 with some headphones and listen to music stored on the watch (there's 2.6GB of usable storage) when you're exercising.
What it doesn't have is a heart-rate monitor, although that doesn't mean the G Watch R is the best choice for fitness enthusiasts. The LG has a heart-rate sensor, which takes on-demand readings rather than monitoring heart rate over time. If you need that, consider one of the new Fitbit trackers: the Charge HR or Surge.
Also, unlike those activity trackers and Sony's own SmartBand Talk, the SmartWatch 3 has no barometer to detect floors climbed and neither does it track your sleep.
You can install apps on Android Wear, though, which add functions and features which could be even more useful. Right now the selection is rather thin on the ground, but it's sure to improve over time.
More: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/smart-watches/sony-smartwatch-3-review-3543048/
