wearable Archives

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra at IFA 2026, featuring a Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 1.5-inch pOLED display with 2,700 nits peak brightness, up to two days of battery life, Wear OS 6, and LTE eSIM support.

BetaBeacon

September 5, 2026

Motorola is back in the Wear OS game with the Moto Watch Ultra

Motorola has launched the Moto Watch Ultra, a smartwatch with flagship-tier health tracking, Wear OS, LTE eSIM support, and 5ATM underwater protection. It is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1 platform, has a 1.5-inch pOLED display, and features Google Play apps, Google Wallet payments, and Google Gemini. The watch also includes Polar's health-tracking algorithms, a 550mAh battery, and will be available for 9.99 starting on September 10.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Google Assistant shutting down on Android and Wear OS in September

Google will discontinue Google Assistant on Android devices effective September 4, 2026, replacing it with Gemini, a new AI-powered assistant. The phased removal of Google Assistant will take several weeks to implement across all devices, including mobile phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, headphones, and vehicles using Android Auto. However, Google Assistant will continue to function in vehicles equipped with Google built-in beyond the September 2026 deadline. Gemini will also be available on Google TV devices, Google Home speakers, and smart displays, though the rollout timeline for the Pixel Tablet is uncertain. The decision to phase out Google Assistant was initially planned for the end of 2025 but has been extended to 2026. Users currently have the option to switch to Google Assistant within the Gemini app, but this will soon become obsolete.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

The biggest flaw with the Galaxy Watch 9 has nothing to do with the watch itself

Purchasing a Samsung Galaxy Watch does not grant access to all its features unless paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, despite owning a new Android device. The Samsung Health Monitor app, which includes critical health monitoring features like blood pressure, ECG, irregular heart rhythm, and sleep apnea monitoring, is only officially supported on Samsung smartphones. This app has been available since 2020 and is essential for detecting significant health indicators. Samsung's limitation on the app appears to be financially motivated, as it encourages users to buy Samsung smartphones. Other manufacturers do not impose similar restrictions, allowing their devices' full health features to work across different smartphone brands. Samsung could integrate Health Monitor features into the main Samsung Health app or make it available on the Play Store to increase accessibility, but it has not done so. Users of non-Samsung Android phones are unable to access these health features, which are critical for many individuals.

AppWizard

July 29, 2026

Pixel Watch 5 shows up again before launch, this time in one of Google’s own apps

The Pixel Watch 5 has appeared in Google's official Google Health app, indicating its imminent launch and suggesting that pairing support has been integrated. The setup screens still show artwork from the Pixel Watch 4, as Google has not updated the visuals for the new model. A user on Telegram shared a screenshot showing the Pixel Watch 5 at the top of the device list while pairing a new wearable, further confirming its readiness for integration. The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to be an iterative upgrade with a slightly higher price than its predecessor.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Pixel Watch 5 shows up early in an official Google app

The Pixel Watch 5 has been spotted in the Google Health app, indicating an upcoming launch. It appears as a selectable device and prompts users to connect it to their Google Health account. The visuals for the Pixel Watch 5 are similar to those of the Pixel Watch 4, suggesting a shared design. Google is set to hold a hardware event on August 12, where the Pixel Watch 5 will be featured alongside the Pixel 11 series. The smartwatch is expected to come in 41mm and 45mm sizes with Wi-Fi and LTE options. A listing on the Google Play Console suggests an upgrade in RAM from 2GB to 3GB, while the CPU and GPU configurations will remain the same as previous models.

AppWizard

July 28, 2026

Google Play services update brings seamless wrist payments and a revamped storefront feed

Google has released Play services v26.29 and Play Store v52.5, which include several enhancements for the Android ecosystem. The new Play services version features upgraded Maps APIs for various devices, new utilities APIs for Wear OS, and unspecified improvements to system management and diagnostics. The "Connected apps" section has been rebranded to "Linked apps," and Gboard has been optimized for messaging applications on Pixel devices. The Play Store update focuses on content discovery and user engagement, with a refined Play Games Sidekick dashboard and expanded Play Shorts offerings that include comic book previews. Additionally, the Engage SDK has been updated to help third-party travel applications display previous searches, aiding trip planning.

AppWizard

July 24, 2026

Fitbit Air’s newest update brings nothing new except invisible bug fixes

Google has begun rolling out firmware version 253.2 for the Fitbit Air, focusing on reliability and minor bug fixes without introducing new features. This is the second firmware release for the device, following an update last month. The update will be gradually available over the next few days. Users must ensure their Fitbit Air is charged or connected to its charger with at least 50% battery life and maintain a Bluetooth connection with a phone or tablet that has the latest version of the Google Health app for installation. Google recommends updating during the day or evening to avoid inaccuracies in daily step counts. The installation process takes about 10 minutes and involves using the Google Health app to initiate the update.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Minecraft Summer Sale Features 300+ Marketplace Items at Up to 33% Off

Minecraft is hosting its annual Summer Sale, offering over 300 Marketplace items at discounts of up to 33%, running until July 28 at 10 a.m. PT. The sale features various add-ons and packs, including: - Fainting Goats Add-On: 328 Minecoins (was 490) - HorrorCraft Add-On 1.1: 807 Minecoins (was 1340) - 3D Weapons Texture Pack: 442 Minecoins (was 660) - Dinosaur Biomes: 663 Minecoins (was 990) - Craftable Mob Houses Add-On: 442 Minecoins (was 660) - Black X Shadow Megapack: 207 Minecoins (was 310) - Fur Craft Add-On 3.0: 663 Minecoins (was 990) - Backpack Add-On: 442 Minecoins (was 660) - Ultimate Trading Add-On: 556 Minecoins (was 830) - Planes Pro 2.0 Add-On: 783 Minecoins (was 1170)

AppWizard

July 16, 2026

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: MEGA MAN X, Little Big Workshop, Ace Attorney Trilogy, more

A selection of Android games and apps are available at discounts, including MEGA MAN X for (reg. ), Little Big Workshop for .25 (reg. ), Ace Attorney Trilogy for (reg. ), GHOST TRICK for (reg. ), LEGO Bricktales for (reg. ), and Neighbours from Hell 1 Premium for (reg. ). The Google Pixel Flex Dual Port 67W USB-C Fast Charger is now priced at , reflecting a 25% discount. The Google Nest Doorbell is available for (reg. 0). The most affordable unlocked Pixel 10 is up to 8 off, while Pro models are reduced by up to 4. The Google Pixel Watch 4 is currently 2 off.