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Wearable

Fitbit by Google is now just Google Fitbit.

Three years after completing its $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit, Google has taken another step towards integrating the fitness-tracking company into its hardware lineup with some updated branding.

Recent changes on the Fitbit website, first spotted by 9to5Google, include an updated wordmark that uses capitalized Google Sans font and ditches the dotted arrow logo, which is still featured on the brand's favicon.


A screengrab of the Fitbit website showing updated Google branding.

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Here’s the updated “Google Fitbit” branding on the top left of the website homepage.
Image: Google
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Looks like Samsung thinks you’ll put a ring on it.

Rumor has it that Samsung will start mass production on the Galaxy Ring in May to the tune of 400,000 units. Of course, that’s just an estimate and could tweaked down the line. But if true, it hints that Samsung’s feeling confident about its forthcoming smart ring. Like I said, 2024 is really shaping up to be the year of the smart ring.


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Hey Meta, what’s that building?

This is the sort of thing Zuck’s hoping you’ll ask the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. The company’s finally rolled out landmark recognition for its multimodal AI beta. You can watch it (and a few other demos) in Zuck’s latest Instagram post. Though, unlike Zuck, I don’t recommend asking AI to rate your onesies collection.


The best fitness trackers to buy right now

From simple fitness bands and rugged sports watches to rings, these are the best trackers you can get.

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Withings ScanWatch 2 and Light review: simple vibes for the tech-fatigued

These watches hit a nice balance between style and function without bombarding you with information.

Oh look, the Oura Ring’s on Amazon now.

Prime members can get free shipping, and Oura’s Amazon store will sell six finishes of the Oura Ring Horizon and four finishes for the Oura Ring Heritage. Sizing kits and extra chargers are also available for $10 and $59 a pop.

This makes a lot of sense. Last year, Oura partnered with Best Buy to bring its rings to its retail stores. This feels like a natural continuation.


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Health data migration is coming to the OnePlus Watch 2.

Currently, OnePlus Watch 2 owners can’t pair the device with a new phone without their existing OHealth app data being completely wiped. But an update provided to Android Central reveals that’s about to change:

“We will be introducing a data migration feature in a future OHealth app update that will allow users to locally migrate their health data by scanning a QR code. This way, users will have control over their data and can securely transfer it to their desired location. We are planning to have this feature on the OHealth app by the end of March.”

This doesn’t address the separate nuisance of having to reset the OnePlus Watch 2 before pairing it with a new device, but the company says it may release a watch transfer feature to address that in a future update.


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Dexcom just got FDA clearance for an OTC glucose sensor.

Usually, the health tech I see at CES is vaporware, but good news! Dexcom’s Stelo continuous glucose biosensor just got FDA clearance, making it the first ever to not require a prescription. Stelo is meant to help folks with Type 2 diabetes who don’t use insulin better manage their condition.

It’ll be available starting this summer. We still don’t know pricing, but when I spoke with Dexcom in January they said it was meant to be an affordable.


An old Pixel Watch can learn new tricks.

On top of public transit directions (which are also available on any Wear OS 3 watch or later), as part of the March Pixel Feature Drop, the original Pixel Watch is getting the ability to auto track certain workouts, set goal paces within exercises, and heart rate zone training. It’s also getting the Relax app, which guides you through breathing exercises.

Most of these were already available on the Pixel Watch 2, but it's nice to see Google give the first-gen watch some love.


Seems like a MicroLED Apple Watch is probably at least delayed.

Apple supplier AMS-Osram said a key project was cancelled — aka a MicroLED Apple Watch Ultra. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says on X that means the whole project is cancelled, citing Osram as Apple’s sole MicroLED supplier. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also said on X that nah, AMS-Osram was but one of several suppliers Apple is working with.

Only Apple knows the truth, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a MicroLED Ultra is delayed.


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Oppo just busted out AI smart glasses at MWC.

Oppo’s Air Glass 3 look like an ordinary pair of glasses, but it connects to Oppo smartphones to access the company’s AndesGPT LLM. Like other smart glasses, you tap the sides for controls and it can play music, display information, and take voice calls.

So far, it sounds similar to what Meta is trying to do with the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, where you can ask an AI assistant to deliver more context about the things you actually see. The catch is it won’t be available outside of China — and this is only a prototype in any case.


Render of the Oppo Air Glass 3
Image: Oppo
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Here’s nine new Android productivity features from Google.

Some useful updates are rolling out to Android devices that aim to make life a little easier — including new casting controls for Spotify, and support for Google Wallet passes on Wear OS smartwatches. Google is also launching a beta that allows you to access Gemini via Google Messages on Android phones.


Xiaomi’s new Watch S3 has a bezel you can swap as easily as a strap.

The bezels attach and detach with a simple twist, and you also get a choice of over 180 watch faces to further customize the watch’s look. The watch’s features include the ability to track winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, and curling, and there are also some Apple Watch-style one-handed gesture controls for good measure. It’s joined by a new Wear OS smartwatch, the Xiaomi Watch 2. Prices start at €149 for the S3, and €199 for the Watch 2.


Man holds removed bezel next to S3 smartwatch.

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With a simple twist, the Watch S3’s bezel can be removed and replaced. Its strap also has a quick-release system.
Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge
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Withings finally adds cycle tracking to its app.

Withings users can access the feature by pressing the “+” icon in the app’s Home tab and entering some basic questions about their period. You can also add tags for symptoms, and receive trends based on your last three cycles.

Withings is late to the game. Most major wearables started adding period tracking in 2018. That said, the timing makes sense as it recently launched its ScanWatch 2, which has temperature sensors and lets you add cycle data straight from the wrist. Ah well, better late than never.


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The Pixel Watch 2 might get a new way to tell time.

According to 9to5 Google, you’ll soon be able to tap the Pixel Watch 2 and it’ll tell you the time through vibrations. There are two modes — one that tells you the hour and minutes via varying vibration lengths, and another that rounds the current time to the nearest quarter hour.

I’m eager to try it whenever it officially rolls out. It could be helpful for folks with low-vision, and it’s always good to have discreet ways to tell time without being rude.


Comfort isn’t just a Vision Pro problem — it’s a wearable one

You won’t use a wearable that’s not comfortable, but it’s hard to make comfy wearables at scale. Plus, what’s comfortable for me may not be for you.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 could be a great budget running watch

It costs $200 less than the Forerunner 265, but you only give up EKGs and dual-frequency GPS.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Ring could arrive in July.

That’s according to Etnews, which claims that the recently teased wearable will be available in eight sizes and is expected to track sleep and health via blood flow and ECG functions, support wireless payments, and act as a remote control for some devices.

Late July is when Samsung held its last summer Unpacked event, but we’re still hoping for a stealthy glimpse at MWC in the week ahead.


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Don’t mess with Peloton fans — GymKit is here to stay.

A few days ago, Peloton announced it was getting rid of GymKit support for the Apple Watch on its Bike Plus. Technically, Peloton had already introduced a separate Apple Watch integration two years ago. But GymKit was originally a selling point for the more expensive bike, and removing it ticked off the company’s loyal users. Now, Peloton says that they heard the feedback “loud and clear.” GymKit ain’t going anywhere.


Apple fans are starting to return their Vision Pros

Comfort, headache, and eye strain are among the top reasons people say they’re returning their Vision Pro headsets.

Meta’s big vision for face computers might be better than Apple’s

Meta’s more accessible approach to face computers is more about what you can do now. Apple’s is more about what you’ll be able to do later.