Wearables | Gear Diary

Garmin Introduces the VivoSmart HR: Fitness Tracker with SmartWatch Aspirations

I never finished my review of the Garmin VivoSmart, partly because the VivoActive arrived and I ran to that, but partly because it took a few firmware updates for everything to stabilize with the Bluetooth functionality. But I really loved the VivoSmart, and if I didn’t prefer GPS to smartwatch capabilities, I’d probably still use it today. So when I got a message about the new VivoSmart HR I was intrigued. At first glance you might think this is something new in the VivoFit line, as the appearance is much different than the original VivoSmart and closer to the VivoFit…

Editorials, Health and Fitness, News & Features

It’s Wednesday, So It Must Be Time for New Garmin GPS Watches?!?

Doesn’t it feel like I was just writing about the Garmin Forerunner 225 announcement? While it has actually been 5 months since the FR 225 reveal, since then they also added the FR 25 entry level GPS watch and each slowly trickled into availability. This year has been all about big new launches and slow product roll-outs that have left me scratching my head wondering what is happening with Garmin. Today Garmin announced three new watches that should have me excited, but instead resulted in a cynical eye-roll and vague interest in when they might hit stores – but why…

Crowdfunding, News & Features

The NFC Ring: Unlock Your World with a Piece of Jewelry

When I think of wearables, my thoughts lean toward smartwatches, advanced fitness trackers, and devices like Google Glass. More recently that category hast been expanded to include smartrings, and the NFC Ring might be the most practical smartring yet.

Reviews

The LUNATIK EPIK Turns Your 42mm Apple Watch into a Tank!

I’ve got an Apple Watch, and from normal wear the stainless steel has a light patina of little scratches. I don’t worry about that, but I do sometimes worry about whacking my watch or breaking its crystal; I’m paranoid like that. If you’re worried that your lifestyle might be too active for your watch, then you need the LUNATIK EPIK.

News & Features

Pebble Rounds Out Their Lineup with the New Pebble Time Round!

Pebble is having a very busy year! They ran a record-breaking Kickstarter for the Pebble Time/Pebble Time Steel, and now they’ve surprised everyone by rolling out another new watch, the Pebble Time Round. Yes, a ROUND smartwatch, with the guts of a Pebble and the style of a normal watch!

Reviews

The Kisai Katana Watch By TokyoJapan Is a Distinguished Take on the Smartwatch

One thing you can be certain when you get a product from Tokyoflash is that you are getting something original, and you’ll probably need instructions to figure out exactly what you’re dealing with. That’s no different with the Kisai Katana watch that I received to review.

News & Features

Now You Can Walk Out of Your Local Sprint Store with an Apple Watch

Mobile service provider Sprint announced today that it will begin selling the Apple Watch in their stores starting this Friday, September 25.

Events, News & Features

Huawei Impresses IFA Crowd with the New Mate S and Huawei Watch

Remember how Steve Jobs used to always have “one more thing” that he would mention when presenting a keynote? That’s how the IFA Huawei press conference seemed to go as they introduced their new Mate S and solidified details and pricing on the Huawei Watch.

News & Features

The Best Feature of My Original Pebble

We’ve hit a point in technology where everything needs to be charged. When I go to bed I do a rundown of my needs — phone plugged in, iPad plugged in, Kindle Fire (son’s “games and videos tablet”) plugged in, etc. Heck, I even have a hat that needs to be charged sometimes! The madness never ends, and the other night I forgot to charge my Pebble when it was down to 20%.

Health and Fitness, News & Features

Polar Announces the Polar Loop 2

Polar is well-known for being the gold standard in athletic heart rate monitors, and in the last few years they’ve expanded into activity trackers as well. Their first pure activity tracker, the Polar Loop, was well received, and now they’re building on that with the Polar Loop 2, adding new colors and smart notifications to the mix.

Editorials

We Each Bought an Apple Watch, and Here’s What We Think About Them

Did you order an Apple Watch? Or did you decide that it was all-hype and probably an unnecessary accessory to your iPhone? Greg, Wayne, Perry, and I all bought Apple Watches; these are our thoughts on the latest Apple device.

News & Features

Misfit for Android Now Syncs With Pebble!

Great news for fans of the Pebble smartwatch who are Android users-Misfit, one of the big fitness tracking apps available for the Pebble, now syncs with their companion app! This means you can easily export and sync your data to MyFitnessPal, and enjoy all the social features of sharing your activity with other Misfit users.

Reviews

Basis Peak Review: Fitness Tracking with a Twist!

I jumped on the wearable train early on by using both a Pebble watch as well as the original FitBit. After tiring of wearing two devices, I looked for something different. Luckily I recently had the chance to try out the Basis Peak $199.99. The fitness tracker is also a watch with some smart functions. Let’s take a look!

Crowdfunding, News & Features

Tyia is a Techy, Yet Luxury Smart Bracelet Designed For Women

If you’re not a fan of Apple’s variation of the smart watch, but would still like to receive notifications from your wrist, there might be hope for you yet! Created by well-known company Viawear, the Tyia is a smart bracelet that, although looks a bit like a mood bracelet at first glance, is much, much more. The luxury smart bracelet is a stylish way to look at your notifications, via a glow, or vibrations, or both. Now you will never have to worry about missing that special text from your spouse while in the middle of a meeting. The Tyia…

Reviews

My Week with the Apple Watch

“He used his Apple Watch as a boarding pass!” the TSA agent shouted to his buddy. I was geeking out too, but to be honest, it was pretty awkward finding a good way to position my arm so the watch was face-down on the scanner. That pretty much sums up my impressions so far: The Apple Watch is exciting, but…

News & Features

How to Get a $12,000 Gold Apple Watch Edition for Only $400

Let’s be honest. Not all of us have $12,000 to purchase a gold Apple Watch, and to be quite honest with you, spray painting it faux gold doesn’t make it look any more luxurious. But thanks to a company named WatchPlate, you can have yourself a Gold Apple Watch for $400.

Crowdfunding, News & Features

The Rufus Cuff Is a SmartWatch That Requires More of Your Wrist

Smartwatches seem to be “the” thing these days. Every company has one, and although some have been flops, it’s a business that seems to be building up and getting better as time goes on. And then there’s the Rufus Cuff.

Health and Fitness, Reviews

5 Reasons I Love the Garmin VivoActive SmartWatch & 3 Reasons I Don’t

Just as Apple Watch opened for pre-orders, the Garmin VivoActive arrived in stores and the hands of runners and athletes everywhere. I had written up announcement at CES, so I was thrilled to get one in my hands to play around with. Now after a week, I want to check in with my initial likes and dislikes of the VivoActive.

Health and Fitness

5 Reasons Why Pebble Makes a Fantastic “Jack of all Trades” Fitness Device

I adore my Pebble Smartwatch. When I take it off for a few hours to charge my wrist feels lonely! It’s quickly become an integral part of my daily life, and a big part of that is how I use it to keep myself accountable to fitness goals. It’s not perfect, but what it does do, it does quite well!

Crowdfunding, News & Features

The AmpStrip Is a Comfortable All-Day Monitoring Wearable

I’m not the greatest at keeping tabs on the things I do at the gym, and I’m even worse at tracking my performance. Even on the treadmill, grasping the monitor grips while running full speed is pretty dangerous. Luckily Fitlinxx’s AmpStrip is one of those products that might stop me from injuring myself.

News & Features

The Withings Activité Pop Is Available in the US, and I Love Mine!

During CES 2015, Judie was part of an interview with the CEO of Withings. She loves the brown Withings Activité watch she bought (she has also since purchased it in black) and was good enough to get me a review sample of the smaller, less expensive Activité Pop.