Mobile phone ownership continues to increase across the world. According to a Statista report, there will be five billion mobile phones globally by 2019. The majority of these mobiles will be smartphones. Australia has one of the highest smartphone penetration of about 77% , and is second only to technology hub South Korea. However, there is a new generation of tech devices which could unseat the mobile phone as king of the gadgets: could wearables be about to take over from smart cell phones?

• Smart watches
• Fitness trackers
• Health monitors
• Mobile and gaming headsets
• Attachable cameras

Many of these devices include biometric sensors, so they can monitor the wearer’s heart rate, temperature, breathing rate and more - providing data in real time for fitness or medical purposes. Fitness gadgets like the Fitbit are linked to satellites for navigation purposes, while the Apple Watch can be used to check into hotels and make contact-less payments during purchases. Other wearables are designed to make hands-free call answering, and there are also devices to record your activities.

One of the most important features users are requesting in their smart watches and headsets is the ability to answer calls and messages on the go. Currently, there are a lot of Bluetooth connected devices which can enable hands-free phone use - such as earpieces for taking calls while driving, or watches which can pick up and send SMS messages. The best example would be Samsung's Gear series of smartwatches. While current smart gadgets tend to act as the middleman between the user and the phone, there is a new wave of smart wearables which misses out the phone entirely and offers all of its features directly.

• Using social media
• Taking and editing photographs
• Sending instant messages and SMS messages
• Watching video clips and movies
• Playing games
• Browsing the internet
• Using retail apps

Tags : Wearables

Taiwanese brand Asus has launched its ZenWatch 3 in India. Announced at IFA 2016 Berlin, Asus' third generation smartwatch is quite a looker. Unlike most square smartwatches in the market, the ZenWatch has a round dial. Despite compromising on the looks, Asus has managed to make it water and dust resistant.



The ZenWatch 3 features a 1.39-inch AMOLED screen with 400x400 pixels. It is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset. This SoC (System on Chip) is specially made for wearables. The watch comes with 512 MB RAM and 4 GB internal storage. Other specs include Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, and 340 mAh battery. The Taiwanese company claims that its HyperCharge technology can charge up to 60 percent of battery in only 15 minutes.



Asus' watch runs Android Wear OS. It plays nice with both the Android and iOS devices. Like most brands Asus offers interchangeable straps. The ZenWatch 3''s base model with a cheap rubberised strap is pegged at Rs 17,599. You can go with the one with leather strap by shelling out Rs 18,999.

TAGS: Asus

Showcased at the IFA 2016, Samsung's Gear S3 is launching today starting from its home country South Korea. This will be followed by release in Australia, Dubai, France, Germany, Singapore, U.K., and U.S. As smartwatch aficionados would already know, the Gear S3 comes in two variants: the elegant Gear 3 Classic and rugged Gear S3 Frontier. You have to give it to the Koreans for designing a smartwatch that actually looks like a watch. So far, most brands including Apple have rolled out terrible looking digital timepieces.



The Gear S3 features a circular bezel. The Tizen based smartwatch lets you customise the watch face and of course comes with plenty of apps. The Gear S3 comes with IP68 certified, which means that it offers complete protection against dust and can withstand water immersion for indefinite time. The smartwatch comes with a built-in GPS, altimeter, and barometer. Samsung claims that the watch can last for up to four days on a single charge.



In countries such as South Korea and US, Samsung will introduce LTE support on the Gear S3 Frontier variant. With wireless network connectivity, users will be able to receive texts, emails, and alerts even when their is phone is not nearby. The Gear S3 features Samsung Pay and is the first wearable with MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) payment capabilities. This means that users in the US, Australia, and MSingapore, will be able to tap or swipe their credit or debit card and complete the transaction using their Gear S3.

TAGS: Samsung

How do you find out if a person is working out? Well, he will make it point to tell you by showing off his fitness band. Soon, such wannabe fitness freaks won't have to try hard to show-off as the wearable brand Moov has unveiled a fitness headband. Dubbed as Moov HR, the gadget comes with an in-built heart-rate sensor.



The American brand claims that according to its research, the best location for accurate pulse reading is the head. The Moov HR comes with a companion app that guides you through the workouts move-by-move. While encouraging you for the exercise, it also makes sure you remain in the ideal heart rate zone. Of course, it also comes with different training modes to choose from. The gadget packs-in a built-in rechargeable battery that can last for weeks on a single charge. The Moov HR is available in Sweat and Swim variants. The former is meant for your regular workout, running, and cycling. On the other hand, the Moov Swim, as its name suggests, comes with a rugged and durable swim band.



Both the Moov HR Sweat and Moov HR Swim are priced at $60, which roughly translates to Rs 4000. The manufacturer's official website is offering a $20 discount if you order two devices. The company offers delivery in India, for which you will be charged additional $20.

TAGS: Wearables, Fitness Trackers

One of the pioneers of the wearable technology, Pebble has launched a latest iteration of its smartwatch. Dubbed as the Pebble 2, this new wearable goes beyond the essential smartwatch features to venture into the fitness tracking territory. The Pebble 2 is thinner and lighter than the original Pebble, yet it is water-resistant. The smartwatch comes with a heart rate sensor that keeps a tab on your pulse all the times. Of course, it also monitors steps, calories burned, and naps.

Pebble's smartphone companion app can even turn all this data into more meaningful graphs. It also plays nice with Google Fit or Apple’s HealthKit. In addition to the fitness features, the Pebble 2 delivers notifications for texts, calls, and events. Running the latest Pebble 4.0+ software, the smartwatch lets you respond quickly with custom templates or voice replies. Pebble remains the only non-Apple wearable that can send text and voice replies to incoming iOS Messages.



The Pebble 2 comes with an always on ePaper display. Unlike the LCD panels found on other smartwatches, the ePaper does not strain your eyes. Moreover, it goes easy on the battery, which is why the Pebble 2 can last up to seven days on a single charge. The gadget is water resistant up to 30 meters.



The Pebble 2 is priced at $130, which roughly translates to Rs 8700. The watch is up for pre-order on the official website and will come in five colours to choose from. Along with this one, the company has launched a watered-down Pebble 2 SE, which does away with the heart beat sensor. The SE variant is priced at $100 (approx Rs 6700).

TAGS: Wearables, Smartwatches, Pebble

The Samsung VR headset users just got themselves a bonanza, with Microsoft lending support for the XBox Wireless Controller to the device. During lengthy gaming sessions especially, fans of the Minecraft game have trouble performing due to the lack of integration for wireless support, making handling rather tough during engaging gaming sessions. Though the Gear VR, powered by Facebook’s Occulus, has its own D-Pad, but does not add up to much without the controller.

Microsoft published a note on the blog, “Today, we’re excited to announce that the new Xbox Wireless Controller, will soon be compatible with controller-enabled games on Samsung Gear VR starting with Minecraft: Gear VR Edition. In addition, broader support across all Gear VR controller-enabled titles like Herobound, Spirit Champion, Omega Agent, and End Space will be available in the coming months.”

Image via inquisitr

Microsoft also mentioned to the audience, “right inside the world of Minecraft and build, explore and battle mobs – all with a fresh perspective.” Come this October, and Microsoft will be lending the gaming support for Android devices, which will ensure that the wireless controller will work directly with the Gear VR device. But before this updates, the users will need to download the update for the controller, following which the connection via bluetooth can be setup.

For gaming fans in general, there is valid reason to cheer for Microsoft, as the company is working on making it compatible with controller supported Gear-VR games and some future games too. Some of the listed phones from the Samsung stable are as follows; Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy s6 edge+, Galaxy S6, or Galaxy S6 edge. 

TAGS: Samsung, Galaxy Gear, Microsoft, Gaming, Xbox

Budget fitness freaks rejoice as Xiaomi has launched Mi Band 2 in India. Ever since the launch of its first iteration the Mi Band series has sold over 20 million units. The Mi Band 2 comes with an OLED to display time, steps counter, heart rate, and battery indicator. The screen wakes up as you lift your wrist. Or you can even use the capacitive button to light up the screen. Using the Mi Fit App on your phone, you can even customize the data that show up on the Band 2's screen.

Like most fitness bands, the Mi Band 2 monitors your physical activity and nudges lazy people to perform some physical activity. Hopefully, the improved "pedometer" algorithm in Mi Band 2 knows how to differentiate between running and riding a bike. Those who own the previous version of the band will know what I'm hinting at. The creepy Mi Band 2 can also monitor your sleep. It can tell you whether it was a light sleep or deep sleep. The Mi Ban 2 can also unlock smartphone. It comes with a Bluetooth 4.0 to connect with your phone. You can set to vibrate when you receive a call, SMS, or an alarm. The Mi Band 2 comes with a 70 mAh battery, which offers standby time of 20 days. Just like the previous versions of Mi Band, Mi Band 2 is water and dirt resistant.



The Xiaomi Mi Band 2 costs Rs 2000. Starting September 27th, the fitness band will be available for purchase from company's official website.

TAGS: Xiaomi

The iPhone 7 is a compact phone with a 4.7-inch screen. Apart from a beefy A10 Fusion processor, the handset comes with a 12-megapixel camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation). For more details, check out this article.

For those with fat fingers, Apple has the iPhone 7 Plus. it sports a 5.5-inch Full HD screen. This is the first iPhone to feature a dual-camera setup. It comprises of a 12-megapixel OIS snapper coupled with a depth sensor. Such setup enables you to alter the depth-of-focus of a photograph. To find out more information, follow this link.

The Cupertino-based company also announced the next iteration of its smartwatch to go with the new iPhones. Dubbed as the Watch Series 2, the newly launched line-up is square and has the signature crown for scrolling and zooming. While it looks like the predecessor, the biggest upgrade comes in the form of a waterproof shell that can work 50 metres under water. Click here, for more information.

Watergate?
As the dust settles, details from Apple's iPhone 7 launch are beginning to surface. The most important thing you need to know at this hour is Apple's warranty guidelines for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. According to the fine-print, the Cupertino-based company refuses to cover liquid damage for its waterproof iPhone under warranty. For more details, head over to this story.

 

 

TAGS: Apple

When the Cupertino-based tech giant launched the Apple Watch exactly a year and one day ago, the response was tepid. Fans of the company were excited but not exactly gushing while detractors barely managed to stifle a yawn. And, the only ones who were drooling were Tim Cook and his band of designers.

The reasons were not far to see. Apple’s earlier offerings – right from the MacBook range to the iPhones and the iPads, the company had shifted the market paradigm each time, often making naysayers eat humble pie.

A year on, how does the market feel? Opinion remains divided – but that is true for all Apple products, isn’t it? Remember the binary system (0,1) that we keep harping on at Techtree?

A report published in Digital Trends suggests that sales of the Apple Watch in the first 365 days after its launch have actually exceeded that of the first iPhone. The new device sold twice as many units in a year compared to the iPhone, the device that made touchscreen the norm, during 2007-2008.

The report suggests that the Apple Watch sells around 12 to 13 million units, putting it second behind the record-breaking 19.5 million units of iPads sold in its first year. If one were to compare this with the 6.1 million iPhones shipped in the first year, the fan boys have a reason to smile. (Read the full story)

Of course, there are those who say that the price cut for Apple Watches caused this turnaround. A report published in Apple Insider quotes metrics from Slice Intelligence to suggest that the USD 50 cut in entry-level watches caused average daily sales to jump 250 per cent sequentially.

Be that as it may, the Apple Watch remains a critical component when the markets assess Tim Cook’s tenure as successor to Steve Jobs. Apart from being the first product released in Cook’s tenure, the watch launch coincided with an expected softening of sales of iPads and iPhones.

Of course, there are hurdles to overcome, as this video of Wall Street Journal suggests.

At Techtree, we decided to do a quick check of how the digital world reacted to the first anniversary of the Apple Watch:

What’s not worked for Apple Watch?

• The obvious complaints are – it is slow; it has an underpowered processor that gets throttled further to enhance battery life; it lacks mobile and GPS connectivity etc.
• At an ephemeral level, analysts are not quite clear about defining its purpose. While it is smart in some aspects, such as activity tracking, mobile payments and notifications, it needs an iPhone to work.
• On another front, the Apple ecosystem has not really fallen for the product in terms of building apps. Barring a few from travel and hospitality industry, there is nothing to boast of.

What works for Apple Watch?

• Half a decade from now, people are going to feel weird at not having a smart watch, says Adam Grossman, creator Dark Sky, the popular weather app for the iPhone. He feels that the Apple Watch will find its own niche.
• The fact that the product comes from the Apple stables makes people (at least the fan boys as well as fence sitters) want to give it more time. They hark back to the early iPhone and iPod experience and what it eventually turned out to be in the smartphone and smart music markets.
• For many of the users, the Apple Watch has become the one wearable that they use to track appointments, view and respond to text messages and deal with any number of notifications that they receive.

What Users Expect in Year Two?

• A definitive improvement in speed so that interactions are quick and stops users from getting exasperated and reaching out for their iPhones from the trouser pocket
• The Siri feature appears rather under-used on the watch and Apple would do well to allow it to command any app on the phone with the user’s voice, not just a handful of programs that it allows now.
• Most importantly, Apple should look to ways to delink the watch from the smartphone. A report published in Engadget suggests that the next edition could include cellular access and have a faster processor.

While the company has not officially commented on the future of the Apple Watch, there was a mandate from the company to all apps should be native to the watch and not extensions of the iPhone apps.

So, what can we look forward over the next twelve months? Rumors abound. And competition is active – be it Samsung or LG – their products are lined up and even at this point they offer 3G and 4G coverage.

At the end of the day, Apple would have to come up with that one killer feature or app that defines the future. Of course, there is also a question of how this product ties up with the enterprise segment of the industry?

Of course, a company that earns USD 6 billion a year from the product would definitely seek to enhance its revenues.

Meanwhile, here is what a regular Apple Watch user thinks of the device…

Tags : Apple, Apple Watch

Panasonic has recently launched its wearable camera dubbed as the HX-A1 which is pretty much popular among the extreme sports enthusiasts.

While being priced at Rs 19,900 in India, the waterproof HX-A1 is pretty much light in weight and comes at nearly half the price of the GoPro Hero 4.

The HX-A1 is waterproof upto 1.5 metres without any extra housing while also being dustproof.

Interestingly, Panasonic has made the wearable camera even freezeproof upto minus 10 degrees C.

The HX-A1 also features a 0 Lux Night Mode and an IR filter allowing users to capture video even in full darkness.

Speaking about the technical specifications of the camera, it comes with a 3.54 MP MOS sensor with f/2.8 aperture which is capable of capturing video up to full HD resolution.

The camera is also said to be pretty good in slow motion videos as it can shot at 60 fps at 720p or even 120 fps at 480p.

The camera comes with a Multi Mount which allows users to mount in anywhere, from on to goggles to shoulder bags or helmets or even a tripod.

Interestingly, the HX-A1 comes with the WiFi connectivity and thus users can easily transfer every video footage immediately on to their laptops or other devices.

TAGS: Panasonic HX-A1

Honor Band Z1 is finally available for purchase exclusively on Flipkart with a price tag of Rs 5,499.

To recall, the Honor Band Z1 was launched in India back in October alongsiode the Honor 7 smartphone.

While named as Honor Band Z1, the device is not just a band, but also acts as a smartwatch with soft-lit touchscreen and real time tracker.

The Band Z1 is available in 3 color options on Flipkart - White, Cream and Black.

Speaking about the features of the band, it comes with Activity Monitoring: Step and Calorie Counting, Sleep Quality Monitoring and Caller Display.

The band comes with a pretty good battery life which offers 3 days of working time and 14 days of standby time.

The Honor Band Z1 also comes with an OLED touch screen and polished metal bezel along with personalized multiple home screen.

The band is also dustproof and waterproof with IP68 certification.

TAGS: Honor Band Z1

Xiaomi has certainly made its mark in the wearables business in India, with both Android and iOS users flocking to buy the company’s affordable fitness tracker, the Mi Band.

And after that success, Xiaomi has now announced a new Mi Band called the 1S, that is built of the same stuff as the previous model, but adds a handy heart-rate monitor at a similar price tag.

The fitness tracker for now has only been announced for the Chinese market, but we are pretty sure, that this one will be headed to Indian shores soon.

The heart-rate monitor comes in the form of a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor, which is similar to what the previous rumours had pointed out. The sensor will give detailed heart-rate measurements without the need to strap on any other accessories.

But what was not expected is a drop in the standby time. While the previous Mi Band saw up to 30 days of standby, the Mi Band 1S will be to deliver only 20. This is in part due to the heart rate monitor that does take up quite a bit of power from that 45 mAh Li-po battery.

You still get the usual fitness tracking and sleep monitoring features and the vibration alerts, all packaged into a case that is IP 67 dust and water resistant.

More important, is the price that remains at 99 Yuan or Rs 1030.

Xiaomi also announced a bigger Mi Power Bank (just when you thought that could not get any bigger) with a 20,000 mAh capacity. The new Power Bank comes with the usual features, but is surprisingly lighter than the 16,000 mAh one at 338 grams. Xiaomi confirmed that this is because they have used different materials allowing them to make the entire package lighter. The higher capacity Power Bank is expected to cost around Rs 2000.

TAGS: Xiaomi Mi Band 1S, Xiaomi Mi Power Bank, Xiaomi, Fitness Trackers, wearable

While Apple iPhone 6s made it to the news more for its ridiculous pricing instead of its features, Apple seems to be pulling off a similar stunt with the Apple Watch as well.

The Cupertino giant has finally launched its Apple Watch for the Indian market. And as with every Apple product, the prices are indeed the most talked about “feature”. The Apple Watch’s pricing starts from a competitive Rs 30,900 for the basic Sport models, while the pricier Watch Edition models starting from Rs 8.2 lakh, all the way up to Rs 14.2 lakh.

To begin with, the Apple Watch is available in two case sizes a smaller 38 mm one and a larger 42 mm one for those with big wrists. The next adjustment or customisation can be made with the Watch straps that can also be purchased in stores separately.

Coming down to the pricing break down, we have:

Apple Watch Sport that comes with rubberised straps and an aluminium case

38 mm : Starts from Rs 30,900
42 mm: Starts from Rs 34,900

Apple Watch which is the regular (but pricier) version comes with a stainless steel case

38 mm: Starts from Rs 48,900
42 mm: Starts from Rs 52,900 - Rs 95,900

Apple Watch Edition is the most expensive range from Apple with an 18-carat solid gold case with a variety of strap options.

38 mm: Starts from Rs 8,20,000
42 mm: Starts from Rs 9,90,000 - Rs 14,20,000

The good bit about the above mentioned range from Apple will have a number of customisation options thanks to large variety of officially available straps. Those looking for the pricey Hermes edition Watch will be disappointed as it did not make it to India.

[Also Read: Three Reasons Why You Should Not Buy An Apple Watch]

The Apple Watch is on sale in India at authorised stores today and packs in watchOS 2.0 out of the box. While Android smartwatches have been seeing moderate sales in India, Apple may shake up things considering that its products usually sit in the premium segment in India. Moreover, Apple also has about 1300 native apps and more than 13,000 watchOS ready apps available in its Watch App Store so it is a polished and complete ecosystem. And while the app numbers do speak enough, Apple did manage to sell more smartwatches in a few months compared to what Android accomplished with a head-start of more than a year.

Still then, the rumour mill is cooking up more rumours about the next edition tagged as the Apple Watch 2, so many may refrain from buying the current model as it is already a year late to India.

TAGS: Apple Watch, Apple Watch India, wearable, smartwatch

Feeling really generous this festive season? Or are you looking to gift your spouse something really unique and worthwhile? Or may be you’re in for some self-gifting this festive season? Well, we have compiled a list of some really expensive gadgets that are worthy of their large price tags.

And while these selections may not be for everyone, the gifts will make a lot of sense as they will be craved for by many but received by a lucky few.

Still then, that does not mean that we simply picked the most expensive items and put them on our list, everything out here is worth its price tag.

1.iPhone 6s: Starts from Rs 62,000

Apple’s most talked about iPhone yet. While its high asking price is a controversial topic, those who have acquired one will also tell you, that it was worth the price tag. I mean this is an Apple smartphone that beats the octa-core Android flagships in benchmarks. Pair that with Apple’s per device optimisations with apps and games and you have a really powerful smartphone that does everything the way it was meant to be.

And the same can also be said about developer support as many developers have already added support for 3D Touch, letting you Peek and Pop, getting to where you want to be, faster. In short, Apple’s biggest leap in performance (since the iPhone 5) should be enough to convince many to peg the iPhone 6s as the complete smartphone experience, from hardware down to 3rd party app support.

2.Sony RX 100 IV: Starts from Rs 66,990

Clearly the Sony RX 100 IV is special in more ways than one. It is the most compact camera for video recording buffs with its High Frame Rate recording that delivers 1000 fps 40 X slow motion recordings. It even shoots 4K at 100 Mbps bit rate. And while its 1.0 inch type sensor may sound like too little for the price tag, the RX 100 series has seen positive reviews from a number photography blogs. In short it is pricey, but the lucky owner will find it well worth it provided he/she knows what it is famous for.

3. Apple Watch: Starts from Rs 30,990 (launch 6th of November)

While most of our opinions of the Apple Watch are mostly negative, it is indeed the best smartwatch experience currently available. Nowhere else will you get third-party app support this robust and nowhere else will you find an OS this polished. So if your “giftee” is an iPhone owner, this smartwatch will easily take the crown as the coolest gift anyone has ever given them, because it works and it is rare as well.

4.Dell XPS 13: Starts from Rs 68,090 (non Touchscreen version)

Looking for an Ultrabook selection? Then look no further than the Dell XPS 13. This hard to find laptop goes big on specs and performance. And then there is that infinity display that packs in all those pixels with a really thin bezel. At 13 inches, nothing comes close. Oh yes, it is hard to find, as most of the Dell XPS 13 units go out of stock pretty quickly.

5.PlayStation 4 1TB: Rs 37,990

Spouse craving for a gaming console? Well the a PlayStation 4 seems to be the apt one with a no nonsense interface and straightforward gaming experience. While the 1 TB of storage space may sound excessive, if your relative is into a lot of games, this makes for a great way to hold a lot of them at once. This is considering that the 8 GB of RAM is capable to pulling off some great textures, leading to games growing bigger in size with every release. Else you could always go in for the cheaper 500 GB version and get a HDD to upgrade.

6. Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III: Rs 22,388

The Bose SoundLink Bluetooth Speaker III is clearly the best that Bose has on offer at an equally expensive price. While it is not all that compact, it is quite a looker and looks like Porsche Design had a shot at it. But its design is durable as well. If you haven’t tried one out just yet, we suggest you head to your nearest Bose Store and give it a shot as it is both loud and clear for both indoor and outdoor use unlike many portable Bluetooth offerings that usually go heavy on bass notes.

Tags : Diwali Tech Deals, Diwali Gift Guide

Apple has been struggling with its Watch ever since it was unveiled back in September 2014. Back then, Apple had other problems that not every manufacturer has these days, an actual working demo unit. Yes, the Apple Watch announcement by Tim Cook, saw some big cheers from the audience, but it was a bit odd for Apple, a company who seems to have mastered production and marketing to not have an actual unit up for the media for a demo. And this led to plenty of speculation. From the battery life, to problems in manufacturing like defective Taptic Units and the of course, the price.

So in short, it does seem like Apple’s most troubled launch till date, but we will have to give it to them, since it was the company’s first go at wearables.

But it has been a year now and we also have WatchOS 2.0 with a host of improvements. But the same old problems still persist. They could be something as annoying as flicking your wrist to check the time, to slow loading glance views. So yes. In short, Apple’s first Watch is not perfect and will not be, until the next one comes out (remember Apple started with computers and not iPhones, so it seems to take its own sweet time to perfect its products).

So a year later, we do know that the Apple Watch is a bit too late to the Indian market. But that is not going to be the problem for Apple fans in India. Those who choose to stay away from Tim Cook’s baby will do so for a few reasons and I have listed the same below:

Price:

It is expensive. But like with every Android Vs iOS or Google Vs Apple comparison, Apple is selling you a year old Watch for a price tag that is still costs a bomb. Come on Apple! Your smartwatch is a year old and will in all probability see a few discounts in a month or two (come Christmas in the US). So paying Rs 30,900 for the base model, seems crazier than paying Rs 62,000 for the pricey iPhone 6s (16 GB).

Elsewhere in the US, Apple fans can get their hands on the basic 38 mm Watch Sport for Rs 22,000, which is almost Rs 8900 extra. And this somehow does not make sense since you are still getting a base model Apple Watch Sport (Aluminium) as compared to a shiny and more watch-like LG Watch Urbane. Clearly, Apple has to work on its pricing.

Design:

While everyone knows that a smartwatch is not exactly a watch, but more of a device, the Apple Watch does have some similarities with the iPhone 6. But as a watch that you could wear to an event, you would look like an ”Apple Evangelist” and nothing else. That is because it stands out for all the wrong reasons.

Just take LG’s Watch Urbane for example. It looks like a watch, and many will not mistake it for anything else. The Apple Watch has a design that makes it look like a well-crafted iDevice, and not a watch. Also you don’t want to be seen in a meeting flicking your wrist every time you want check the clock.

And even though the most expensive ones, (that are also expected to be sold in India) will come in a gold casing, it still wont beat the show of a Swiss Watch with its mechanical movements that you can glance at all day, without worrying about battery life.

Outdated:

Like I have said before, it is more than a year old, since it was announced. Meaning that Apple being Apple has probably, already readied the hardware design of its Watch 2 or the upcoming Apple Watch.

Spend about Rs 40,000 and buy good looking Apple Watch today, and it will be another iDevice tomorrow once Apple launches the next one (again, it is a year old). More importantly, Apple is expected to give the upcoming Apple Watch 2, a battery life boost with a bigger battery and a thinner display, meaning that it could get slimmer as well.

While speculations point to an Apple Watch 2 launch late next year, Apple will work with better chips, and hopefully a new design (with varying styles) making it faster and appealing to many more.

Buying one in India will give it a short shelf life, and knowing Apple and the already lacking hardware requirements of the Apple Watch and WatchOS 2.0, Apple’s next Watch will not be an “s” leap but a drastic one.

[Related: The Apple Watch’s Sketchy Future In India]

Tags : Apple Watch, Apple Watch India, Apple, smartwatch, wearable

Yes, you can actually, get an Apple Watch shipped to India right now, before it goes official. Grabmore.in will sell you an Apple Watch, shipped directly from the US, minus that US pricing.

The website has listed the base Sport model (42 mm case) starting from Rs 42,199 while the 38 mm case starts from Rs 36,999.

Sadly though, while those looking for an officially sold Apple Watch will flock to buy one, you must keep in mind that your smartwatch will take about 7-15 business days to arrive.

So yes, the waiting period seems a bit too long, especially now that Apple will be selling the same starting from the 6th of November in India. Gadgets360 did manage to get the official prices, and while they are still higher compared to the US prices, they do seem a bit reasonable with a starting price of Rs 30,900 (38 mm case) for the Sport. This is considering that LG sells its shiny LG Watch Urbane for Rs 24,599 in India.

Either ways, Apple fans in India are probably used to these prices by now. And while the iPhone 6 did become popular in India, the iPhone 6s this year took the prices sky high making it exclusive once again. So if you are paying Rs 62,000 for a base iPhone 6s, shelling out Rs 30,900 should not be much of a problem now would it?

Source

TAGS: Apple Watch, Apple, wearable, smartwatch

It’s here, it is finally here. But is anyone even excited? Yes, the Apple Watch has finally got a launch date in India. As per the company’s website, it has been scheduled for the 6th of November.

As far as we know, those who were interested in the Apple Watch are probably wearing one on their wrists right now.

Clearly, Apple has taken it’s own sweet time and while the launch of the Apple Watch has been a slow one, we aren’t too sure about how much attention the Watch will get considering that iPhone 6s did not see a positive response this year.

While the iPhone 6s’ problems do lie in its unreasonable prices (16 GB version starts at Rs 62,000) the Apple Watch due to its late arrival and higher price tags may also see the same fate.

Apple will have to get its pricing right (base model to expected to retail from Rs 22,000) for Tim Cook’s product to take off. Don’t get us wrong, the Apple Watch with Watch OS 2.0 (now out) is a great product, and it comes with thousands of apps, but really, it is more than a year old and this is a smartwatch, not a timepiece.

More importantly, rumours about the Apple Watch 2 getting launched soon are getting warmer, so it seems like a case of “too little, too late” for Apple indeed.

However, the aspect of this story that really interests us, is how Apple will showcase or display them in India, as Apple Stores (who tied up with Chroma Retail) have not arrived in India just yet. As per a previous report, Apple Stores in Chroma retail outlets were expected by Diwali this year, in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

[Related: The Apple Watch’s Sketchy Future In India]

TAGS: Apple Watch, Apple Watch India, Apple, wearable, smartwatch

Microsoft today announced a number of new devices at its Microsoft Devices Event held in the USA. The devices come from different segments and Microsoft’s Panos Panay took his own sweet time to show off how Microsoft has not given up on hardware just yet.

Clearly it was all about the little details that showed off Microsoft’s dedication to bringing innovation via hardware to its Windows 10 business; and it did so with aplomb.

In all, Microsoft unveiled the the new Band, Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL (flagships), Lumia 550 (budget), the Surface Pro 4 and the newest member of the Microsoft family, the Surface Book.

Microsoft Band

While everyone was pretty much used to the tried and tested Microsoft Band, the new Microsoft Band (or the Microsoft Band 2) focusses on making things simpler to access with an improved UI and real-time fitness tracking with new software and sensors.

The new Microsoft Band will let you take it wherever you want to, by not needing to tag your smartphone along (like the Apple Watch). There is an improved curved OLED display, and an eleventh sensor in the form of a barometer that will let the new Microsoft Health app measure elevation among other things.

The band will also be able to calculate your golf swings and Microsoft hopes that all of its sensors find better applications in other sporting activities as well.

The Microsoft Band will be available in the US from the 30th of October for Rs 16,243 (approx.) and can be pre-ordered today.

Microsoft Lumia

While no one expected much from the Lumia announcement, Microsoft got its fair share of attention while unveiling the new Lumia 950 and the bigger Lumia 950 XL. Both smartphones come with impressive hardware specs that bring them shoulder to shoulder with their Android counter parts. The Lumia 950 packs in a Snapdragon 808 chipset with 3 GB of RAM while the Lumia 950 XL is the ultimate Windows 10 smartphone with a Snapdragon 810 and 3 GB of RAM. Both smartphones showcase the a 20 MP PureView camera module with a triple LED flash.

Among the impressive hardware, Panos Panay also mentioned that the smartphones sport two antennas to provide better reception and also pack in liquid cooling to help the  deliver unbeatable performance when needed. This has more to do with Continuum than anything else.

Continuum

Apart from Microsoft Hello that was demonstrated on stage for the first time (on a mobile device), we also got a glimpse of Microsoft’s much-talked about Continuum feature that saw a grin on everyone’s faces.

The demonstration focussed on how easy it was to connect a surface smartphone via the new Microsoft Dock that lets you connect not just and keyboard, mouse and display, but a flash drive as well. The demonstration involved live editing on a desktop like interface with files being imported from the flash drive to the smartphone on to the PPT. Truly amazing stuff that literally defines the pocket PC in its true sense.

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL will be available in October for Rs 35,794 and Rs 42,314. The affordable Lumia 550 was also announced for Rs 9062 (all approximate prices in Rupees).

Microsoft Surface

While everyone had their fair share of innovations with pocket PC demo, there was still a lot more to show off with Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4. The new Surface Pro 4 is a powerhouse with its 12.3 inch PixelTouch display (2736 x 1824 (267 PPI), i7 chipset, 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal storage (6th Gen Intel Core M3/i5/i7, 4, 8,16 GB RAM, ). Putting things into perspective, the new Surface Pro 4 is 50% faster than the Apple Mac Book Air. Microsoft also introduced the new Surface Pen and an improved Surface Cover with glass track pad that was 40% larger than the previous one.

The biggest surprise at the Microsoft event was clearly the last one, where Surface VP Panoz Panay revealed a new product of the Microsoft devices family called the Surface Book.

He called its the most powerful 13 inch laptop ever built, one that trumps any 13 inch laptop by massive leap. While the new hinge and PixelTouch display (also available on the Surface Pro 4) did impress, what was more impressive was that the world’s most powerful (and perfect) laptop was in fact a 2-in-1, even with its all-metal build. All that power comes from the 6th Gen Intel Core i5 or i7 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce Graphics Processor that sits inside the base (keyboard) of the device.

Microsoft demoed its powerful capabilities on stage, by showing off how well it did when it came to gaming, video editing even day to day computing but it also showed off how well the Microsoft’s Xbox team had worked in sync with the Surface team for its GPU capabilities.

The Microsoft Surface Pro will be available on the 26th of October starting from Rs 58,619 9 (approx.) in the US. As for the bigger Surface Book, it will also be available for sale on the same date starting from Rs 97,743 (approx.), which fits the bill for a high-end ultraportable laptop.

Strangely, among the hullabaloo off devices there was no mention of Windows 10 Mobile’s availability like many had expected.

Update: Microsoft's FAQs page has now revealed that Windows 10 for mobile phones will arrive in December for current owners.

TAGS: Microsoft Band, Microsoft Lumia 950, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, Microsoft Lumia 550, Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Microsoft Surface Book

Samsung and Oculus have finally announced their new version its portable VR headset for consumers called the called the Gear VR. The VR headset works with a hand-picked selection of Samsung smartphones and will go up for sale in the US by November for Rs 6546 (approx) and globally shortly thereafter.

While 4K is the future of PC gaming, VR or Virtual Reality is surely going to be a part of that future. And while Virtual Reality is already that next big step in PC gaming, the same has become big for smartphones as well. Thanks to the availability of affordable Google Cardboard alternatives.

But for those who want to develop and take advantage of VR gaming on mobile, the Samsung Gear VR is clearly the next best thing.

Developers are already building titles for mobile (with the help of the previous Gear VR developer version) that somehow plug into the stories of bigger PC and console titles. CCP, the creators of EVE the MMORPG, have already announced plans to deliver Gunjack (their new title) as soon as the new Samsung Gear VR goes on sale.

[Also Read: Creators Of EVE Unveil Gunjack, An Arcade Shooter For Samsung Gear VR]

Coming to new Gear VR, it is 22 percent lighter than the previous headset and comes with a comfortable foam padding.

So far the Gear VR will only work with the Samsung Galaxy Note5, S6 edge+, S6 and S6 edge.

Samsung also has plans to bring services like Netflix and Twitch streaming to Gear VR with more VR-friendly content.

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TAGS: Gear VR, Samsung, virtual reality

Windows Phone fans rejoice! As Microsoft has finally set a date for the launch of their Cityman, Talkman smartphones and more. The event takes place in New York City, USA at 730 PM IST.

Seems like Windows 10 Mobile may also see a launch on the same day (or soon after it) as announcing new smartphones without a new OS makes little sense.

Indeed, this is more so in Microsoft’s case who is now focussed on software more than hardware.

It has been a long time since some worthy Windows Phone flagship devices were launched. The last we saw coming out of Microsoft’s stable was the Lumia 930 and the low-cost flagship, the Lumia 830.

Windows Phone fans who are currently running hardware that is two to three generations old will finally get respite with the expected Lumia 950 and 950 XL flagship smartphones.

While they clearly don’t look the part (no, we are not complaining about the plastic bits) they could have come up with some better designs indeed. Some may find them hideous while others beautiful. In short, there is nothing iconic about them, like the Lumia 1020.

The bottom line is, that they come with updated hardware (Snapdragon 810 and the 808) and hopefully the best camera bits Microsoft can offer. With the updated hardware comes support for Windows 10 features like Continuum and more.

Also expected is the Surface 4 Pro with the latest Intel Skylake chips and the Microsoft Band 2.

Windows fans have waited a long time for this, so there better be something good on the other side. Clearly, it is Windows 10 Mobile at stake out here.

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TAGS: Microsoft, Windows 10, Microsoft Lumia 950, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL

Xiaomi may be geared up to announce not just the Mi Band 1S, but a Mi Band 2 as well. This is thanks to a blurry image that has surfaced online, revealing a rounded fitness tracker that may be a pricier option to the Mi Band 1S.

The image shows off a rounded device instead of the usual pill-like design on the original Mi Band. While we have seen images of the Mi Band 1S in the past, the company seems to have simply added a heart-rate monitor to the bottom in that one.

As for the Mi Band 2, it is expected to pack in a lot more when it is unveiled at Xiaomi’s announcement on the 16th of September. Also expected is Amazfit, that seems to be a service by the Chinese company.

So we could see the new Mi Band 1S and the round Mi Band 2 work with the new service, that may deliver more in-depth recommendations for those who take their fitness seriously.

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TAGS: Xiaomi Mi Band, Xiaomi

If the rumour mills are to be believed, Apple would be bringing its Apple Watch into the Indian market by next week.

According to Economic Times, Apple has recently hinted in a closed-door meeting that it would be advancing the launch of Apple Watch to as early as next week.

Along with India, MacRumors also suggests Apple Watch to be available in countries like Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Malaysia, Norway, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in September.

[Also Read: Apple To Open More Than 500 Stores With Authorised Mobility Resellers]

These reports hinting the early entry of the Apple Watch in India definitely come in as a happy news for the Apple fans in the country. Apple may be targeting to triple the sales during the festive season from October - December.

The entry-level Apple Watch Sport is likely to be priced at Rs 24,999 in India.

While the Apple Watch was unveiled back in March last year along with Apple iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, it was not launched in India for almost an year even though the company claims India to be one of its prominent markets.

However, there is still no official announcement about this by the Cupertino-based tech giant and we may have to wait to further confirm the existing speculations.

[Related: The Apple Watch’s Sketchy Future In India]

TAGS: Apple Watch, Apple India, Apple Watch India

After Fitbit announced it new range of smartbands and activity trackers for the Indian market, California-based Jawbone is next in line. Jawbone has announced 3 fitness tracking smartbands for the Indian market that it plans to sell via Amazon.

Fitbit too had taken the Amazon route but Jawbone seems to have done its research pretty well. The company wants to hook in younger audiences with its trendy UP range that consists of the UP2, UP3 and the UP MOVE.

The range is priced from Rs 4,999, all the way up to Rs 14,999.

The UP2 and the UP MOVE comes with an activity tracker, sleep tracking, food logging and the Smart Coach, while the UP3 takes things further with heart rate monitoring and health.

While the activity tracker keeps an eye on what’s happening with the user’s body, it is the UP fitness app that will guide you on your path to good health.

The app itself has won numerous awards for its simple yet easy to use interface. It keeps track of the user’s activity, sleep habits and food habits (user needs to punch that in) and its Smart Coach delivers the necessary motivation to get you up and running.

The fitness bands are now up for pre-order on Amazon India and will go on sale starting from the 14th of September.

While it is nice to see so many smartbands and fitness tracking companies set food on Indian soil, the competition comes mainly from the Chinese with the Xiaomi-made Mi Band.

TAGS: Jawbone UP2, Jawbone UP3, Jawbone UP MOVE, Jawbone

American premium wearable devices maker Misfit has launched three new wearables in India in an exclusive partnership with e-commerce giant Snapdeal.

Dubbed as the Shine, Flash and the Link, the prices of the Misfit wearables starts from Rs 1,999 and all the devices are water resistant and use a companion app to communicate with your smartphone.

Misfit Link

Price: Rs 1,999

The Misfit Flash Link is the cheapest among the three wearables and comes with features like fitness and sleep tracking. The wearable also comes with a smart button which can actually click selfies, control music and also change slides at the tap of your wrist.

Misfit Flash

Price: Rs 2,499

The Misfit Flash is a bracelet which tracks the number of steps taken, calories burnt and sleep pattern while it notifies users their progress via LED lights. This bracelet can also be used as a smart button for functions like clicking selfies, controlling music, etc.

Misfit Shine

Price: Rs 5,499

The Misfit Shine comes with a spectacular design while its functions are much similar to the Misfit Flash - measure the number of steps taken, calories burnt and sleep pattern. However, the Misfit Shine also comes with a luxe leather band or a polished necklace.

[Also Read: Xiaomi Mi Band Becomes World's Second Most Shipped Wearable Gadget]

Speaking about the company, Misfit was co-founded by former Apple CEO John Sculley in 2011 and the USP of Misfit is that the wearables appear to be designed as a part of one's apparel instead of just a fitness tracking band.

Also, it is worth noting that the wearables market in India is seeing a consistent growth with many companies including Fitbit, Xiaomi, Goqii and Garmin selling their fitness trackers and devices in the country lately.

To recall, Jawbone has also recently announced that it would be entering the Indian market in an exclusive partnership with Amazon to sell its range of fitness accessories.

TAGS: Misfit Wearables, Fitness Trackers, Misfit Shine, Misfit Flash, Misfit Link

Among the wireless connections, bluetooth earphones have been there in the market from quite a long time with Nokia being one of the early makers of bluetooth earphones.

However, times have changed. The over-the-head Around-ear and On-ear headphones are also available in the wireless segment. But, there are speculations that wireless headphones may not sound as good as the wired counterparts.

Yet, there are some really good wireless headphones out there.

Here is a list of 5 best wireless headphones we would recommend.

1. Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Headphones

Price: 21,150

This is the latest and one of the best wireless headphones available in the Indian market with an immersive sound quality. The headphone's cushioned around-ear fit is designed for comfortable listening and weighs at just 150 grams. The headphones also come with built-in microphone and also allows you to connect with two devices at a time while you can easily switch between them. Also, the headphones come with exclusive TriPort technology giving you a full range sound with clear highs and full lows. You can grab one of these here.

2. Sennheiser MM 400-X

Price: 17,499

The Sennheiser MM 400-X is a very light weight over-the-head wireless headphone with just 105 grams. The Sennheiser MM 400-X too can be folded up and packed for easy carrying. The headphones come with an integrated microphone and also comes with a micro USB cable which can be used to recharge the headphones. Once fully charged, the headphones can run upto 10 hours. Along with this, the headphones audio quality is near CD Quality giving a gentle and smooth treble sound. You can grab one of these here.

3. Sony MDR-10RBT

Price: 12,990

The Sony MDR-10RBT headphones come with the noise isolation feature which is pretty impressive considering the price point and comparing with other pricey counterparts. The headphones provide a comfortable wear and also a decent quality with full bass. The headphones also come with NFC which enables to connect with your mobile phone swiftly. However, the flipside is that, unlike the Bose SoundLink headphones, the Sony MDR-10RBT does not connect with two devices at the same time. However, considering the price and audio quality, it would definitely be a decent bet for audio enthusiasts. You can grab one of these here.

4. Sennheiser RS 120-8 II

Price: 6,689

This headphone is a decent pick if you looking on a slightly lower price range and also the best in the range audio quality. The Sennheiser RS 120-8 II comes with the Auto Turn Off feature which turns off the headset when you actually mute the television or music player. While these headphones may not provide full range sound like the Sennheiser M 400-X, but they do come with strong bass response and are also comfortable to wear. You can grab one of these here.

5. Harman/Kardon Soho Wireless Headphone

Price: 14,990

These headphones come with a unique fold flat function along with 30 mm drivers and neo-transducers which deliver a refined sound quality. The headphones come with ear-cup mounted sensors which provides you simplified control and total convenience. Along with bluetooth, the headphones also come with NFC technology and can be connected to multiple devices and easily switched between. However, these headphones are comparatively little heavier with around 200 grams in weight. They also lack from microphone. But, if you are person who prefers great audio quality and ultra portability, these headphones might turn out to be your safest bet. You can grab one of these here.

PS: While we recommend these five wireless headphones, we would like see which one would you recommend in the comment section below.

Tags : Wireless Headphones, Bluetooth, NFC, Top 5, Top 5 Wireless Headphones

Bose, an American company best known for its audio equipments has launched the new SoundLink around-ear wireless headphones in India on Friday.

The wireless headphones which come with a price tag Rs 21,150 is claimed by the company to be very comfortable and can run up-to 15 hours once fully charged.

The SoundLink wireless headphones II also come with NFC connectivity which helps users to easily switch between calls and music.

Speaking more about the technical aspects of the new headphones, the Bose SoundLink headphones II feature impact resistant materials, glass filled nylon and corrosion resistant stainless steel.

The Bose SoundLink Wireless headphones II also adjusts call volume based on speech levels and changing environments.

[Also Read: Top Earphones Under Rs 1000]

The new headphones come equipped with features like active equalization, advanced microphone system and high definition voice.

Along with this, the headphones come with voice prompts which inform us as to who is calling, what device we are connected to and also the battery life remaining in the headphones.

Another important feature of the new wireless headphones is that they can be folded flat which means that you can easily carry them where ever you go.

Also, the headphones come in two color variants: black and white and are available for purchase via authorized dealers, retail stores and online.

TAGS: Bose SoundLink Around-Ear Headphones, Bose, Bose Headphones, Wireless Headphones

It looks like Sony launches are not yet done at the ongoing IFA 2015 tech expo. The company has come up with a few more launches.

Sony has launched two portable music Walkman devices dubbed the NW-A20 and NW-ZX100HN which are capable of playing the low bit-rate audio files in a near high-res quality.

Speaking about the technical details of the new walkman devices, they do lack the WiFi connectivity feature. However, this feature seems to have been compromised by Bluetooth and NFC connectivity.

[Also Read: Sony Delivers The World’s First True 4K Smartphone]

Adding more on the specifications front of the two walkman devices, let us first start with the NW-A20. The NW-A20 Walkman comes with digital noise cancellation, LDAC Bluetooth streaming and features a 2.2 inch QVGA TFT display with White LED Backlight. Also, the device comes in two variant; one with 16 GB internal storage and the other with 64 GB.

Coming to the battery life of the new walkman model, the company claims it to deliver up to 50 hours of battery life with mp3 files and 30 hours when listening to Hi-Res Audio files.

On the other hand, the NW-ZX100HN Walkman device comes with a 3 inch TFT colour LCD Display with QVGA (400x240) resolution which can withstand upto 45 hours of non stop audio playing when fully charged.

Also, it is worth noting that both the new walkman device come with Hi-Res noise cancelling headphones.

[Also Read: Top Earphones Under Rs 1000]

However, there is still no details available pertaining to the price of the two devices.

Along with these new Walkman devices, Sony has also launched its 4K Ultra HD X90C Android TVs which were unveiled first at the CES 2015 event.

The new Android TVs come in three screen sizes - 55 inch, 65 inch and 75 inch and are said to be packed with the Triluminos display technology, Motionflow XR and other Android TV features like access to Google Play, Google Case, Google Voice Search, HDMI and Screen Mirroring.

Also, Sony has unveiled its latest H.ear foldable headphones which are capable of playing Sony's 24 bit Hi-Res audio . The new headphones feature low impedance of 24 Ohm and come with tangle free flat-designed cables.

TAGS: Sony Walkman, Portable Music Player, Hi-Res Audio, Android TV

The IFA or the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (International Radio Exhibition) this year will be host to a number of announcements like it always does.

But it will certainly be the the ultimate arena for smartphone brands like Sony and Samsung who will apart from their long list of consumer electronics, also showcase some mobile devices that everyone is eager to get their hands on.

But apart from the Japanese and the Koreans, we can also expect the Chinese to make an appearance. This will come from brands like Huawei and Lenovo with the Taiwanese taking over with ASUS.

Sony

Sony as we have just seen today will be showcasing its new Xperia Z5 line up. Sony is expected to announce three models in all at its pre-IFA event, the Z5, Z5 Compact and the Z5 Premium. But the smartphone that everyone will have their eyes on is the Z5 Premium. If Sony unveils the Z5 Premium, we could be looking at the world’s first smartphone sporting a 4K display. This will work for Sony and in a big way.

Moreover, it comes at a time where Android really has nothing substantial to offer in terms of features so manufacturers land up going big on show value like Samsung’s dual-edge curved Galaxy S6 edge and the edge+.

Huawei

Side by side we will see some action taking place on Huawei’s stage as well. Huawei is expected to announce its Ascend Mate S. This smartphone not only packs a now standard fingerprint scanner on the back, but also Force Touch display on the front. While this is similar to what many may expect from Apple, everyone will be interested to know how Huawei plans to implement the Force Touch-like technology.

Also expected to be announced is the new Huawei Watch.

Samsung

Indeed, there will be plenty showcasing Android Wear powered smartwatches on the IFA floor, but Samsung is expecting to break the monotony by announcing its Tizen-powered beauty, the Gear S2. From the rotating bezel to the home and back button down to the two design options, we think Samsung has got it right. But will the apps follow?
ASUS

The Taiwanese computer brand has been doing well and the launch of a number of new Zenfones is proof of this. Expected at the IFA will be the Zenfone Zoom with a 3X optical zoom and the Max, that will go big on the battery.

Also expected is a new Asus ZenWatch, one that will hopefully deliver something good-looking, but with the same old Android Wear-recommended internals.

Lenovo

Next up we have Lenovo with its Vibe series of smartphones. Lenovo made quite a killing with its A9000 and the Vibe X2 in India. So it will be interesting to see what Lenovo brings to the table with its revamped Vibe series.

LG

Last but not the least, there’s LG with its G Pad II. The G Pad II was already announced officially a few weeks ago. Its Snapdragon 800 innards and Full HD display will make sense. But what is more important is the price. If LG could price this tablet right, it could breathe some life into the tablet market in India.

Tags : IFA 2015, Mobile Phones, Tablets, smartwatch

Samsung just announced its Gear S2 smartwatch today and the media will be able to get their hands on it come the 3rd of September. Samsung fans will be drooling all over its design and the rotating bezel, but is it a recipe that will work? Will consumers buy one?

What is worrisome is the fact that Samsung took so long and so may iterations to get it right.

It has taken so long, that even those who expected the wearables space to boom two years ago, somehow seem to have lost faith in those devices. Or may today, in India be awaiting the arrival of the Apple Watch as the last resort to get a piece of technology on their wrists.

The Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch looks great, and what may work in Samsung’s favour is the rotating bezel for selection and the home and back buttons. While this may sound gimmicky at first, it clearly makes for mechanical interaction and learning, meaning that users may simply enjoy interacting with this device thanks to its UI.

But then comes this tiny little bit about apps, something that Samsung in its press release today, refused to reveal.

Apps will make a difference, more so because as of today, we have no clue about how Samsung’s newest offering will communicate with an Android or iOS smartphone. Will it simply relay app notifications, or will it host apps on that 4 GB of internal storage? More importantly does it have the apps in place for its launch?

The whole problem seems to come from the fact that Samsung’s independent smartwatch runs Tizen based wearable platform. Samsung chose to switch to its own Tizen simply because it offered more benefits over Android Wear like a lighter, battery friendly UI. May be Samsung knows that Android Wear does not stand a chance next to iOS.

The Apple Watch did in fact sell more in one day at launch, than Android did in a year since its existence, a clear indicator that many are looking for smartwatch with an ecosystem, that just works.

So far, the Apple Watch has been able to pull it off, and with Watch OS 2.0 things are expected to be improved even further with apps residing on the smartwatch.

Samsung’s situation is a bit shaky. It does not have a native ecosystem, nor does it have the apps in place. It is expected to work independently unlike most of the smartwatches today, but we clearly don’t see ourselves making calls from our smartwatches, because you will always have a smartphone around that can do a lot more.

Smartwatches are good for notifications, but responding to them is quite a pain and a smartphone still offers better flexibility for that.

Samsung should have worked on a flawless activity tracker instead, this would have been effective, cheaper and would be a product that would merge with existing ecosystems better. Unless of course Samsung plans to launch the S2 at a sub Rs 15,000, which it clearly will not.

Tags : Samsung Gear S2, Samsung

Seems that Google is really interested in Apple’s iPhone users as the Android Wear app for iOS is finally rolling out. The app allows owners of Android Wear smartwatches to connect to an iPhone and will allow you to use a basic, limited set of features for now.

While those hooked up to multiple mobile ecosystems will be more than happy, there are a few problems. Firstly, the Android Wear app for iOS only supports the pricey, LG Watch Urbane for now. So if you have been using another model powered by Android Wear you will have to wait until support arrives via an update.

Secondly, and as was expected, it supports a limited number of features compared to what you get from an Android smartphone.

What you do get are access to notifications (from iOS apps), and Google Now’s contextual information (weather, traffic alerts etc.). Also included is the ability to change those watch faces on your Android Wear device.

While Google claims that it only works on the LG Watch Urbane, a few have been able to pair it with a Moto 360 as well. Also on the smartphone side of things, you will need an iPhone 5 or any newer model and iOS 8.2 or newer installed.

Indeed, what most do not notice, is that the Android Wear smartwatch makes it easier to for users to use Google Now. This for now, seems to be the search giant’s sole objective of this exercise.

[Related: Samsung Gear S2 Goes Official With Standard And Classic Models]

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TAGS: Android Wear, iOS