wearable technology Archives

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

News Weekly: Android Show’s I/O edition, Google teases smart glasses, Nothing Phone 3 is on the way, and more

Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

One UI 8 Watch will get a Shortcuts app, and here’s what it does (APK teardown)

Samsung will release the One UI 8 Watch update for Galaxy Watch later this year, featuring a new application called Shortcuts. This app will allow users to place app shortcuts on the smartwatch's home screen in two tile sizes: 2×1 and 2×2. The setup process will include user-friendly prompts like "Select apps" and "Tap to add apps." This feature aims to streamline access to frequently used applications, reducing the time needed to launch them and enhancing the overall user experience.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: LIMBO, Underground Blossom, Rusty Lake Roots, more

- Google Play store has new deals, including a 0 reduction on the 1TB unlocked Pixel 9 Pro smartphone. - Samsung's 2024 The Frame TVs have discounts up to ,600. - Galaxy Watch 7 models are available with direct 0 savings. - Notable apps on sale include LIMBO, Underground Blossom, Rusty Lake: Roots, and Milo and the Magpies.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Heroes of Steel, Romancing SaGa 3, Star Traders, more

This afternoon features deals on Android games and applications, coinciding with price reductions on the Final Fantasy series. Google’s 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is available, and Samsung is offering free 2x storage upgrades on the Galaxy S25 and S25 Ultra. Notable mobile applications include Heroes of Steel, Romancing SaGa 3, and Star Traders: Frontiers. Additional stock of the Switch 2 is expected shortly.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Chloe Puzzle, Aeon’s End, Riptide GP, more

Nintendo has announced a new pre-order date for the Switch 2. The 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 wireless controller is available at a low price. The Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar has a significant price drop. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has savings of up to 0. Featured Android games include Defense Zone 2 HD, Chloe Puzzle Game Pro, Aeon’s End, and Riptide GP. Several free icon packs are also available for download.

AppWizard

April 15, 2025

Gemini on Wear OS should stick to the Assistant status quo, mostly

Google is set to introduce Gemini support to Wear OS smartwatches, replacing the existing Google Assistant. This transition follows Google's plan to fully transition to Gemini, starting with Android phones and expanding to tablets, Android Auto, headphones, Nest speakers, Google TV, and smartwatches. Insights from 9to5Google suggest that Gemini may be a straightforward app enhancement rather than a radical overhaul. The Pixel 9a features a Tensor G4 chip but has limited AI capabilities due to its 8GB of RAM, while the Pixel Watch 3 has 2GB of RAM and older Arm Cortex cores, which may hinder Gemini's performance compared to Assistant. There is potential for improved interaction with applications through Gemini extensions, but true Gemini Live-style conversations on smartwatches may not be feasible without significant battery drain. Future iterations of the Pixel Watch may showcase enhanced Gemini capabilities, especially with a new Wear OS chip expected from Qualcomm, but Google's current focus is on ensuring Gemini operates effectively on existing Android watches.

AppWizard

April 3, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Lichtspeer, SpongeBob, Pumped BMX 3, more

- Switch 2 gameplay highlights are available online. - Galaxy Watch Ultra is discounted. - A flash sale is ongoing for the Diamond 60th Anniversary Edition QuietComfort Ultra Buds. - There are various deals available on Google Play.

Winsage

April 2, 2025

Someone just booted Windows on a Pixel Watch, and it actually (kind of) works

PhD student Gustave Monce has successfully run Windows for Arm on the Pixel Watch 3, utilizing its quad-core Snapdragon processor and 456×456 OLED display. He modified Qualcomm’s UEFI-based XBL bootloader to boot the Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE). Despite challenges from the release of Android 15, which disrupted his code-loading process, Monce adapted the stock kernel image to restore booting into Windows PE with limited functionality. He has achieved basic USB support for mass storage, highlighting the potential of modern mobile hardware.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

Quiet Wear OS 5.1 QoL update brings app icons to Pixel Watch tiles

The Wear OS 5.1 update for Pixel Watch users enhances app visibility by adding a small circular app icon to the top of each tile. This update, part of the March feature drop and based on Android 15, was initially rolled out for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled Pixel Watches and later made available for LTE-capable devices, including Pixel Watch, Pixel Watch 2, and Pixel Watch 3. It includes features like the FDA-approved Loss of Pulse safety function, menstrual cycle tracking, and improved step tracking. However, the update has caused issues such as delayed notifications and battery performance problems, prompting user frustrations and temporary solutions like restarting or factory resetting watches. Google has acknowledged these problems affecting a small subset of users.

AppWizard

November 26, 2024

The Wear OS 5.1 preview is now available — and it’s based on Android 15

Google has released the first developer preview of Wear OS 5.1, based on Android 15, for testing in the Android Studio emulator. Key features include audio playback through smartwatch speakers and the new Credential Manager API. The build number for this preview is AP4A.241205.004.F1. Known issues include difficulties in adding accounts during setup, notifications not opening corresponding apps until the screen is scrolled, and potential failures in initiating exercise sessions with Wear Health Services. The audio feature allows users to listen to music or podcasts from the smartwatch's speaker, while the Credential Manager API supports password management and synchronization across devices.