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Qualcomm invites us to see its new Wear OS chip on September 10th
Even as wearable devices have become more popular, the hardware backing many Wear OS (formerly known as Android Wear) devices hasn't seen an update since Qualcomm's 2100 SOC arrived in 2016. Now, as promised, a new chip will be unveiled later this year, and this afternoon Qualcomm invited journalists to a reveal event scheduled for September 10th. The invite only had a small smartwatch diagram and the words "It's Time," but Wareable's interview with exec Pankaj Kedia already gave us some ideas about what to expect. The new hardware will be built from the ground up for a wearable device, instead of trying to shrink smartphone technology, and should improve battery life. Plus, it will allow for smaller devices so that everyone can enjoy more stylish options. The big question, of course, is if we'll see the first smartwatches packing Qualcomm's new hardware at the event, like perhaps a Pixel Watch from Google?
The 'dual-screen' Ticwatch Pro costs $250
For years, smartwatch makers have struggled to make batteries that last longer than two days -- whether it's by adding ultra low power modes or using your body heat. AI company Mobvoi's approach is to develop a new type of display that sips energy, so that it can last up to 30 days. The technology debuts in the Ticwatch Pro, which is now available on Amazon's Exclusives program, and only for Prime members through August 15th. For $250, the Ticwatch Pro offers an impressive array of features, including the battery-maximizing screen.
Samsung trademark hints at a future Galaxy Watch
Samsung's upcoming smartwatch, currently referred to as the Gear S4, might be getting a total makeover. A logo registration for a Galaxy Watch has been spotted floating around in South Korea, which has led many to believe the new device will be Android-powered. Or more specifically, Wear OS-powered.
This day in Engadget history: Blockbuster Video tanks in a big way
Engadget has been around for 14 years and counting, which means our archives contain a veritable treasure trove of technology history. From notable reviews and news to the more mundane or ridiculous finds from across the internet, there's a lot to explore here. "This Day in Engadget History" will take you on a historical voyage as we look at what made the headlines in years past. Join us, won't you?
Wear OS watches get (slightly) useful interactive faces
Look at all that space on your smartwatch's face. You could be doing so much more with it. In addition to simply displaying the time, date, current weather and your fitness progress, your watch's canvas could also do things like launch apps, switch modes or even let you play mini games. That is, if you're using an Android Wear, sorry, Wear OS, device. You'll have to install the Facer app and make sure you have the latest version (4.6.0) to get the new interactive faces, which launched today.
Google backtracks on Wear OS' battery-saving features
Smartwatches are struggling, and Google knows it needs to fix the things people dislike about Wear OS. At the top of the list is battery life, so during I/O, Google announced plans to boost that for Android P. While Qualcomm's new smartwatch-dedicated chip will help in that regard, on the software side, Google decided to cut back on what apps could do in the background. However, after previewing the changes in beta with developers, Google has decided to roll back the changes and restore things to how they were.
Marc Jacobs is (un)fashionably late with its first touchscreen watch
At this point in the smartwatch game, it's hard to get excited about yet another Android Wear -- sorry, Wear OS -- device. But that's not stopping Marc Jacobs from showing up fashionably late to the party. The designer's new Riley smartwatch ($295) is its first with a touchscreen display and runs Wear OS. It has a somewhat chunky round case with one button instead of the three that adorned the side of its hybrid sibling released last year, which was based on the company's existing Riley analog timepiece.
AsteroidOS is an open alternative to Wear OS you can install today
When AsteroidOS first started working on a Linux-based smartwatch platform back in 2015, the device category was still fairly new. Now, the first stable version of the OS is finally available for download, providing an Android-compatible alternative to Wear OS. It can display smartphone notifications, weather data, calendar entries, alarms and timers, as well as music playback controls. To encourage developers and those who love tinkering with their devices to create custom applications and watchfaces for the platform, AsteroidOS also released a Software Development Kit along with tutorials.
Google is rumored to be working on a Pixel smartwatch
Google could launch up to three Pixel smartwatches this fall, according to leak-meister Evan Blass and German tech site, Winfuture. The devices would likely use Qualcomm's upcoming wearable-dedicated chip, which it designed in close collaboration with Google. It promises to slim down watch designs, extend battery life and come with built-in features like a GPS, LTE, WiFi and a heart-rate sensor.
Qualcomm is finally releasing a new smartwatch chip
It's been two years since Qualcomm released its latest smartwatch chip, so the company can't blame people for thinking that it already abandoned the market. Apparently, though, that's not the case: Qualcomm's senior director of wearables, Pankaj Kedia, told Wareable that the company is launching a new smartwatch system on a chip (SoC) this fall. Come holiday season, several manufacturers will already have Wear OS smartwatches wielding the power of the new chip available for sale.
LG is readying a new Wear OS smartwatch
Ever since Google rebranded Android Wear as Wear OS, there's been a lingering question: when would there be a new smartwatch to spearhead Google's wearable revival? Apparently, the answer is "soon." An FCC filing has revealed an LG-made Wear OS device that may just tout some unique features. For one, this isn't using the usual Android Wear interface. The usual vertical app list has been replaced by a Samsung Gear-style circular carousel (shown below) with the name of the selected app front and center. There's no cellular access on this model, which suggests that it'd be a spiritual successor to the Watch Style -- and there may be evidence to back up that claim.
Hublot’s first smartwatch will cost over $5,000
Another luxury brand is jumping into the smartwatch game. Hublot has announced that it's making a limited number of its first smartwatch -- an extension of its Big Bang line that's all about the 2018 FIFA World Cup. While World Cup referees will wear the watch, consumers will be able to buy it as well, though the company says it's only making 2,018 of them. The smartwatch will announce World Cup matches 15 minutes before they begin and will update wearers on yellow and red cards, player changes and goals. Game statistics will appear on the watch face while play is ongoing.
Google rebrands Android Wear as Wear OS
Android Wear, Google's big attempt to get into the wearables space, hasn't been the runaway blockbuster hit the company had banked on. In order to give the platform a much-needed shot in the arm, the company has sought to rebrand the software as Wear OS by Google.
Google hints at a rebranding for Android Wear
Android Wear might be on the cusp of a Google Pay-style rebranding. Users exploring the latest Android P Developer Preview have noticed that Google is not only referring to Android Wear as "Wear OS," but has replaced the usual watch-like logo with a distinctive "W." This doesn't necessarily indicate that a formal name change is imminent (9to5Google noted that Play Services betas alluded to Google Pay for months), but it does suggest it could happen by the time Android P is released, if not by the Google I/O conference in May.
Misfit's Vapor Android Wear watch goes on sale October 31st
Nobody can say that Misfit Vapor is vaporware anymore. The smartwatch will finally be available for purchase on October 31st from Misfit's website, though its email subscribers will have the chance to get one earlier than that. We first saw Vapor at CES 2017 back in January when it was still running the company's custom software. A few months later, Misfit changed its tune and switched its proprietary OS with Android Wear 2.0 -- that's the version we're getting on the 31st.
