Reports started appearing today, that Google’s music app is finally available for the Fenix 9 and Fenix 9 Pro. It’s a small update, admittedly, but a welcome one for anyone who uses YouTube Music as their main listening service.

The news surfaced in a discussion among Garmin owners, where one user confirmed that the app could now be installed on the Fenix 9. They subsequently clarified that support had also been added for the Fenix 9 Pro, which previously wasn’t compatible.

The funny thing is, YouTube Music has been available on Garmin watches since June 2024. So people with older models like the Fenix 7 and Epix have been happily using it for over two years, while those who splashed out on Garmin’s latest and most expensive watches were left waiting. Nothing quite like spending a small fortune on a new watch only to find out your mate’s three-year-old Garmin can do something yours can’t!

What Fenix 9 owners can now do

The YouTube Music app allows users to download playlists and podcasts directly to their watch over Wi-Fi. Once downloaded, they can listen through Bluetooth headphones without carrying their phone.

You’ll need a YouTube Music Premium or YouTube Premium subscription for music downloads. And this is offline playback rather than streaming, so you’ll need to download your favourite tracks before heading out.

Garmin doubled internal storage to 64GB with this latest generation. That provides plenty of room for maps and music, with Garmin quoting capacity for around 7,000 songs.

Not everyone appears to have access just yet. One owner in Germany reports that the app still isn’t appearing in Connect IQ, so availability might not be identical across all regions and watch configurations.

What’s particularly annoying is that this isn’t the first time. YouTube Music support was also late arriving on the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro. Google seems to have made a habit of playing catch-up whenever Garmin releases a new flagship watch, which isn’t exactly ideal for people upgrading on launch day.

And the delay has had some real consequences. In earlier discussions, several Fenix 9 buyers said they’d temporarily signed up for Spotify Premium just to get music onto their watches. One owner even reported returning their Fenix 9 and going back to an older Epix. That’s quite a price to pay for something as basic as app compatibility!

The post Garmin Fenix 9 owners finally get YouTube Music after nearly two months appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

9.3

Design9.0/10

Functionality9.5/10

Ease of use9.5/10

Value for money9.0/10

Pros

• Compact, lightweight and well built
• Quiet operation
• Good massage power for its size
• Useful heated attachment
• Fast USB-C charging

Cons

• Limited massage depth compared with larger models
• Heated attachment needs separate charging

Design, build quality and attachments

If you’ve used the original Bob and Brad Q2 Mini, you’ll feel right at home with the Ultra. It looks almost identical, and I’m glad Bob and Brad haven’t messed around with the design too much. I’ve actually been using the original Q2 for four years now, and it’s still going strong. That says quite a bit about the quality and durability of Bob and Brad products. I really liked the original, particularly its compact size and solid build quality,

The Q2 Ultra weighs around 430 grams, which is pretty light for a massage gun. Most of the body is made from ABS plastic, with a soft silicone grip. The rounded shape also helps when you’re trying to reach different parts of your body. Nothing about it feels cheap or flimsy.

The controls couldn’t be much simpler. You have a button for switching the device on and adjusting the intensity, and that’s about it. Just switch it on, pick your speed and get on with your massage.

You also get a nice little carrying case, with room for the massage gun and all five attachments. There’s a ball head for larger muscles, a fork, a bullet for targeting specific spots and a softer head when you want something gentler. The fifth is the new heated attachment with red and infrared light therapy. That is the main addition here.

And just like the original, the Ultra is really easy to take with you. The whole case fits into a gym bag or suitcase without taking up much room. Or you can just throw the massage gun itself into your bag if you’re travelling light.

Massage performance and noise

So what’s it like using it?

Well, for such a small device, the Q2 Ultra packs a decent punch. You get to choose between five intensity settings, ranging from 1,800 to 3,000 percussions per minute. That’s the same range as the original Q2 Mini, so don’t expect a difference in massage power if you’re thinking of upgrading from the older model. The basic mechanism is much the same.

The 7mm amplitude is also unchanged. This refers to how far the massage head travels back and forth with each movement. It’s relatively modest compared with larger massage guns, some of which offer 12mm or 16mm of travel. But that for everyday muscle soreness, warming up before exercise or loosening things up afterwards – that is more than enough.

Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun

Compact massage gun with five speeds and five attachments, including a heated head with red and infrared light therapy. USB-C charging and a travel case included.

View on Amazon View on Bob and Brad

The five speeds give you a reasonable amount of flexibility. The lower settings are better suited to sensitive areas or when you just want a gentler massage, while the higher settings provide a more vigorous treatment. The relatively short stroke does mean you’re getting more of a rapid tapping sensation than the deeper, heavier percussion of a full-sized massage gun. That’s worth keeping in mind if you mainly want something for large muscle groups or particularly stubborn knots.

The Q2 Ultra is also really quiet. Bob and Brad says it can operate at just 40dB, although it’ll get a bit louder as you increase the speed. I liked how quiet the original Q2 was, so you get that same experience here. You can use it while watching TV, chatting to someone or relaxing on the sofa without the constant buzzing getting on everyone’s nerves.

Heating and red/infrared light therapy

As mentioned, the novelty here is the special attachment that combines heat with red and infrared light therapy. It’s the biggest difference compared with the original, and the main reason you’d consider spending extra on the Ultra.

The attachment has two heat settings, 40°C and 45°C (104°F and 113°F). So it gives a warm, rather than hot sensation. There are also 18 LEDs that produce red light at 660nm and near-infrared light at 850nm.

You can switch the heat and light on separately, or use them together while the massage gun is running. So there’s actually quite a bit of flexibility here.

Of the two features, I think the heating is the more useful one. There’s something quite nice about adding a bit of warmth to a massage, particularly when your shoulders are feeling stiff or your legs are aching after exercise.

The red and infrared light is a different story. There’s research suggesting these wavelengths may help with muscle recovery, inflammation and tissue repair.

But whether the Q2 Ultra actually delivers enough light to make much of a difference is another question. It’s not something you can really judge just by using the device for a few weeks. The light therapy is a nice extra, but I’d be reluctant to pay a significant premium for that feature alone without better evidence supporting its benefits.

Battery life and charging

Battery life is another area where the Q2 Ultra keeps things pretty straightforward. The runtime is up to three hours on a full charge, although that will vary depending on the speed you’re using and how much pressure you’re applying. Considering most massage sessions only last a few minutes, that should be enough to get you through quite a few uses before needing to plug it in again.

Charging is done through a USB-C port on the bottom of the device. Bob and Brad says a full recharge takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. That’s a welcome improvement over the original Q2 Mini, where the relatively slow charging was one of my few complaints. You can also use a regular USB charger or power bank, although charging may take longer.

One thing to be aware of is that the attachment has its own battery. Yes, that’s another thing you need to charge, separately from the massage gun itself. Thankfully, it uses USB-C, so at least you don’t need another type of cable.

Price and competition

The non-discounted price of Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini is $109.99 in the US. Which is not very expensive for a massage gun like this. There’s the heated attachment with red and infrared light therapy, five massage heads and faster USB-C charging. Bob and Brad also runs discounts fairly regularly, so it’s worth checking whether you can pick it up for less.

Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini Massage Gun

Compact massage gun with five speeds and five attachments, including a heated head with red and infrared light therapy. USB-C charging and a travel case included.

View on Amazon View on Bob and Brad

I’ve reviewed quite a few Bob and Brad products over the years, and some of the best alternatives come from the company’s own range. The original Q2 Mini is still a perfectly good option if you just want a small, reliable massage gun without the extras. There’s also the Q2 Pro, which I reviewed in 2024. That one takes a slightly different approach by offering both heating and cooling. Personally, I think that’s a pretty useful combination, particularly if you’re using it before and after exercise.

Then there’s the Brad, another one I’ve spent time testing. It’s bigger and heavier, but its 10mm amplitude delivers a deeper massage than the Q2 Ultra’s 7mm. If you’re mainly interested in massage power rather than portability, that’s probably the more sensible direction to go. I’ve also tried the company’s Lite Foot Massager and EyeOasis 2, although those are obviously aimed at different types of massage.

So there are plenty of options, even before looking at alternatives. I think the Q2 Ultra makes the most sense if you want something small and portable with the added benefit of heat.

The post Bob and Brad Q2 Ultra Mini review: A familiar favourite gets an upgrade appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

I reviewed the Lumistar Tero a while ago and came away pretty impressed. I liked how simple it is to use, the voice control, the fact that the device is very easy to transport around. But there’s more to this machine. Lumistar also sells an AI Vision Module that adds two cameras and a bunch of extra training features. I’ve now got my hands on one, along with the new ball bag, and have been trying it out on the court.

Now it’s worth noting – these additions effectively turn a regular Tero into the Tero Pro, which you can also buy as a complete package. Or you can just add them to your existing Tero, like I did.

There’s no point going over everything I covered in my original review. This time I’m concentrating on what the cameras add and how well the new features work.

Design & setup

I like how simple the Lumistar Tero is to use. So I was hoping that adding the cameras wouldn’t make things unnecessarily complicated.

And thankfully, it doesn’t. Fitting the Vision Module is about as easy as it gets. It’s a small attachment with two 4K cameras that clips onto the Tero’s handle. You line it up, push it into place and you’re done. No messing around with cables, tripods or extra equipment.

The module gets its power straight from the Tero, so there’s no separate battery to charge either. It also adds very little bulk to the machine. I like that there’s nothing extra to carry around or set up once you get to the court. It’s all very straightforward, which is exactly how I want it.

I also got to try Lumistar’s alternative Ball Storage Bag this time around. Instead of the original folding hopper, this is a soft-sided bag that holds more than 80 balls. It has a transparent window, a mesh cover and a carrying strap, so you can take it off the machine.

I can see why some people might prefer this arrangement. But having used both, I actually prefer the original hopper. It folds away much more neatly, which makes the whole thing easier to pack up and take home. The newer bag is perfectly usable and it looks better. But it’s a bit less convenient when you’re trying to keep everything compact. Fortunately, the bag is optional, so you can stick with the original hopper if you prefer.

Here are images of the standard Lumistar Tero – and what it looks with the AI Vision Module installed and the new ball hopper.

Apart from that, it’s the same Tero I tested previously. The wheels, battery, wristband controller and ball-launching mechanism are all unchanged. As mentioned, I’ve covered those in detail in my original Lumistar Tero review.

There is one extra thing to think about once you get to the court, though. With the regular Tero, you mainly worry about where the machine is pointing and where the balls are going to land. With the Tero Pro, you also need to make sure the cameras have a clear view of the court. After all, the whole point of this upgrade is that the machine can see what’s happening on the other side of the net.

I also like that Lumistar hasn’t forced existing owners to buy another machine. You can simply add the Vision Module to the Tero you already have, and take it off whenever you want. As far as the physical upgrade goes, it’s all very straightforward. The more complicated part, of course, is what those two cameras actually do once you start hitting balls.

How the vision system works

A limitation of the regular Tero is that it doesn’t actually see the balls you hit back. It can track your position using the wristband and adjust its feeds, but it doesn’t know where your shots are going. The Pro version changes that.

The two 4K cameras track your returns, work out their direction and estimate where they’re going to land. That information then feeds into the machine’s decision about what ball to send next.

This makes the training a bit more interactive. Instead of simply working through a sequence of shots, Tero can respond to what you’re doing on the other side of the net. Hit a return deep or send it towards a corner, and the system can take that into account when planning the next feed. What’s more, I didn’t notice any mechanical delay while the machine adjusts its position. It all feels natural – close to a real-world rally.

Lumistar claims the system can analyse a shot and plan a response in just 0.1 seconds. That’s impressively quick. Especially when you take into consideration that the cameras need to identify the ball against different backgrounds and deal with changes in lighting.

Lumistar Tero Pro

AI tennis ball machine with dual 4K cameras, ball tracking, interactive training modes and video recording. Available as a complete package or by adding the AI Vision Module and ball bag to the original Tero.

View on Lumistar

Get 10% off at checkout using our link.

There’s quite a bit happening behind the scenes, but you don’t really need to think about any of it while playing. You’re still hitting against the same machine and that’s a good thing. The difference is that now your returns can influence the session.

Training modes and AI features

The regular Tero already had more than enough training options for me. There are several dozen preset drills, different difficulty levels and the option to create your own sequences. With Vision, Lumistar takes things a bit further.

Rally Mode is probably the easiest one to understand. The idea is to have a hitting partner that adjusts to your level, keeping the ball in play but gradually throwing in more challenging shots. So it’s like playing against an opponent, who is slightly better than you.

AI Match takes a different approach. Rather than simply keeping the rally going, it’s designed to identify the areas where you’re struggling and send more balls your way that expose those weaknesses. So if your backhand is letting you down, the idea is that you end up having to deal with more of them.

Then there’s Rank Up, which adds a bit of a gaming element to training. You enter your NTRP rating, and Tero challenges you at a level 0.5 higher. Do well enough and you move up to the next level.

Random Mode is more straightforward. Instead of repeating a programmed sequence, the machine varies the shots so you have no idea what’s coming next. What makes this particularly challenging – with a real-world opponent you can read their body language when they prepare their shot. Here you can’t. So you really need to stay on your toes.

And finally, there’s All-star Game. It attempts to recreate the playing patterns of professional tennis players.

As mentioned, you still have all the regular training options, including the ability to adjust speed, spin, placement and feed intervals. If I’m working on my backhand, for example, I might just want 50 balls delivered to roughly the same spot. The regular Tero was already very good at that, and there’s no reason to abandon those simpler drills.

And you still get the wrist module control. Simply speak into it and the ball machine reacts instantly. It’s many times easier than fiddling around with the app – which, of course, remains another option. As do gesture controls.

App, video recording and training analysis

The Lumistar app is familiar territory for me by now. I’ve been using it since I started using the regular Tero, and for the most part, it works well enough. The interface is fairly easy to get around. The Pro version brings a few more options into the mix.

My favourite is being able to record my tennis sessions without messing around with a phone or separate camera. The Vision Module takes care of that, and a little LED light on the camera turns from white to red when it starts recording.

It’s particularly handy for seeing how you’re actually playing. Although, fair warning, watching yourself on video can be a humbling experience. In my head, I’m playing like Novak Djokovic. On camera, not so much.

Getting the videos onto your phone takes a little figuring out, though. You need to open the Vision section of the app, connect to Lumistar’s Wi-Fi network and download the recordings from there.

Once you know how it works, it’s straightforward enough. I just wish Lumistar explained some of these things better. The instructions are pretty limited, and you sometimes have to explore the menus yourself to work out where everything is.

The videos themselves are decent. The recording is in 4K. There’s no audio, and the picture moves slightly whenever the machine fires a ball. No surprise there, as the camera is sitting on the machine. Still, having a recording of your practice session is useful, particularly if you want to check your positioning, footwork or technique afterwards.

And recording is easy. Just speak into the wrist module and say “Start Recording”, “Stop Recording”. It’s as simple as that.

Beyond the limited instructions, the app could also do with a bit more polishing. Some of the English translations aren’t great, and bits of Chinese appears in places. These are small issues that could easily be rectified, and I’m sure they will in time.

Lumistar Tero Pro

AI tennis ball machine with dual 4K cameras, ball tracking, interactive training modes and video recording. Available as a complete package or by adding the AI Vision Module and ball bag to the original Tero.

View on Lumistar

Get 10% off at checkout using our link.

Another improvement with the Pro version is improved shot analysis. Tero can now collect more precise information about your returns. That gives you a better idea of what you’re doing with the ball, rather than just how the machine is feeding it to you.

The original Tero already kept track of things like session duration, movement distance, swing counts and estimated calories. I found those reports a bit basic.

With the cameras, Lumistar can now collect information about your actual shots, including their speed and placement. Which is much more relevant if you’re trying to improve your tennis.

There’s also a more advanced AI coaching feature in development, which is supposed to analyse your sessions and suggest areas to work on. That’s not fully available yet, so there’s more to come on the software side.

Battery life and reliability

Battery life was excellent on the original Tero, and that’s something I really appreciated. During a typical 90-minute session, I use only about 20% of the battery, although that does include breaks to collect balls. Lumistar quotes up to four hours, so there’s plenty of juice for a decent afternoon on the court.

As mentioned, the Vision Module doesn’t have its own battery. It gets all its power from the Tero, which is handy because there’s nothing extra to charge.

Of course, running two cameras and processing all that footage uses additional power. But I haven’t really noticed a big drain on the battery. Maybe a few percentage points above what I usually get in a typical session.

As for the machine itself, reliability has been very good throughout my testing. I’ve yet to experience a single ball jam in the several months of testing. The only issue I’ve encountered previously was with firmware updates, which initially needed a couple of attempts to install. But this seems to have been fixed now.

All in all, Tero has been a pretty dependable bit of kit. A no-fuss ball machine that simply works.

Price and value, Tero Pro vs Tero

The regular Lumistar Tero currently sells for $1,099, while the Vision Module costs another $699. So if you’re starting from scratch, buying both separately will set you back $1,798. Alternatively, you can go straight for the Tero Pro at $1,899, which comes with the cameras already included. You can also get an extra 10% off at checkout using our buying links, which helps bring the cost down a bit.

For existing Tero owners, it’s still a fairly substantial extra investment. And if you’re happy working through preset drills and practising individual shots, there’s really no need to upgrade. The regular Tero already does that job very well.

Lumistar Tero Pro

AI tennis ball machine with dual 4K cameras, ball tracking, interactive training modes and video recording. Available as a complete package or by adding the AI Vision Module and ball bag to the original Tero.

View on Lumistar

Get 10% off at checkout using our link.

The Vision Module makes more sense if you want more variety in your training, particularly the interactive modes and video recording. I like that Lumistar gives existing owners the option to upgrade rather than forcing them to replace the whole machine.

FAQ

Can I add the Vision Module to my existing Lumistar Tero?

Yes. You don’t need to replace your machine, just purchase the $699 Vision Module and attach it to your existing Tero.

Is the upgraded Tero the same as the Tero Pro?

Yes. According to Lumistar, adding the Vision Module and new ball bag turns the regular Tero into the Tero Pro. You can also buy the Pro as a complete package.

Does the Vision Module need its own battery?

No, it gets its power directly from the Tero. That’s one less thing to charge, although running the cameras will use some of the machine’s battery.

Can I still use all the regular training drills?

Absolutely. All the usual drills, custom settings and ball-launching features are still there, so you can switch between traditional practice and the newer Vision features whenever you like.

Can I record my tennis sessions with the Vision Module?

Yes, and it’s one of the more useful additions. The recordings are stored on the module, and you can transfer them to your phone through the Lumistar app using the machine’s Wi-Fi connection.

Does the Vision Module make the Tero hit faster balls?

No, the actual ball-launching hardware hasn’t changed. You still get the same maximum speed of 87mph (140km/h), with Vision adding camera tracking and more interactive training options.

The post Lumistar Tero Pro review: I upgraded my Tero with AI Vision appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

Berhanu crossed the finish line on Sunday, October 18, in 2:03:33, missing the Amsterdam course record by just three seconds. Kenya’s Nicholas Kipkorir finished second in 2:03:39, while Patrick Mosin took third in 2:03:58. It was a remarkably close finish, particularly given the wet conditions on the day.

The 32-year old made his decisive move in Vondelpark, dropping Kipkorir in the closing kilometres before running into the Olympic Stadium for the victory. It was also the fastest marathon of his career, and the first time Amsterdam’s top three men had all finished under 2:04.

A four-year-old Garmin on the winner’s wrist

What makes Berhanu’s choice rather surprising is the age of the watch. Garmin introduced the Forerunner 255 back in June 2022, and several newer generations of running watches have arrived since then. Yet here is one of the world’s fastest marathon runners still using it to compete at the highest level.

The Forerunner 255 was originally priced at $349.99 in the US. It weighs just 48 grams, has a traditional memory-in-pixel display and uses five physical buttons rather than a touchscreen. It also offers multi-band GPS, wrist-based heart rate tracking, running power, HRV status and Garmin’s training metrics.

Battery life is another strong point. Garmin quotes up to 30 hours in GPS-only mode and up to 16 hours with multi-band positioning enabled, far more than anyone needs for a marathon. The screen also remains easy to read in daylight without needing to wake an AMOLED display.

Of course, Garmin has moved on quite a bit since 2022. The Forerunner 265 brought an AMOLED screen and additional training features, while the newer Forerunner 570 and 970 introduced further hardware and software improvements. But there is very little on those more expensive models that would make a substantial difference when running a marathon.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen this

Berhanu is hardly alone in sticking with an older Garmin. Earlier this year, we looked at the watches worn at the 2026 London Marathon and found that women’s winner Tigst Assefa was also wearing a Forerunner 255. Garmin’s relatively affordable running watches continue to appear on the wrists of athletes producing extraordinary performances.

And only a week ago, Eliud Kipchoge won the Melbourne Marathon wearing what we identified as the Huawei Watch GT Runner 2. That is a much newer device, developed with input from Kipchoge and his running team. Berhanu’s choice is almost the opposite, a watch that has been around for years and doesn’t offer many of the headline features found on newer models.

For anyone wondering whether their older Garmin is still good enough, this is a useful reminder. The Forerunner 255 may no longer be among Garmin’s newest running watches, but it still offers accurate GPS tracking, reliable pace information and more training data than most runners will ever use. And now it has another major marathon victory to its name.

The post Amsterdam Marathon winner wore a four-year-old Garmin watch appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

8.1

Design and portability 9.0/10

ECG recording 9.0/10

Ease of use 8.0/10

Kardia app 7.5/10

Value for money 7.0/10

Pros

• – Compact and extremely lightweight
• – Six-lead ECG provides more detailed recordings
• – Simple setup and operation
• – No charging required
• – Basic ECG features and PDF export are free

Cons

• – Six-lead positioning can be fiddly
• – Advanced analysis requires a subscription

Design and ease of use

I’ve been using the KardiaMobile 6L for the past few weeks, and this isn’t my first experience with AliveCor. I previously reviewed the KardiaMobile Card, the company’s credit card-sized ECG monitor. I’ve also followed its newer products, including the KardiaMobile 6L Max. So I was curious to see how the standard 6L would hold up in everyday use.

The first thing you notice is just how small and simple it is. We’re talking about a little plastic rectangle with two flat metal contacts on top and another one underneath. That’s pretty much the entire design. At just 24 grams, it barely weighs anything, and it’s small enough to slip into your pocket without noticing it’s there. You could probably even squeeze it into some wallets.

Despite its size, the whole thing feels sturdy and nicely put together. There are no buttons, no screen and not even a charging port. Instead, it runs on a small CR2016 battery that should last around a year before you need to replace it.

I actually prefer this arrangement for something like this. It’s not a device you’re going to use all day, so having to charge it would just be another thing to remember. And a replacement battery only costs a few dollars. You just need a small screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the bottom electrode in place. It’s a little fiddly, but you shouldn’t need to do it very often.

Getting started is also pretty painless. Download the Kardia app, create an account and follow the instructions to connect the device over Bluetooth. You don’t even need to turn it on. Just touch the two upper electrodes and it wakes up. The whole pairing process was straightforward in my testing, and the connection has been reliable.

One thing worth mentioning is that you need your phone every time you want to take a reading. So it’s not quite as convenient as using a smartwatch that’s already on your wrist. On the other hand, it’s a tiny device that does one specific job, and there really isn’t much to figure out once you’ve got the hang of positioning it.

ECG recording and performance

For a basic ECG, you just place two fingers from each hand on the metal contacts and sit still for 30 seconds. Or you can simply hold the device with your thumbs resting on the contacts.

One thing to watch out for is holding the device the right way around. I got this wrong a few times and had to start the recording again. The AliveCor logo in the middle should look like an A, not an upside-down V. It’s an easy mistake to make.

Once the 30 seconds are up, the app gives you a result and your heart rate. You don’t need to know how to read an ECG to make sense of it. But if you’re curious, you can always have a closer look at those squiggly lines yourself.

The six-lead reading takes a bit more effort. But not much.

You still keep your fingers or thumbs on the two upper contacts. But this time you also need to rest the bottom of the device against your bare left knee or the inside of your left ankle.

And yes, it has to be the left leg. That’s because the heart’s electrical signal normally travels downwards and towards the left, so that’s the leg ECGs have traditionally used to measure it. The right leg is normally used to help reduce electrical interference. It’s simply how ECG measurements were standardised, and the KardiaMobile 6L follows that same setup.

This time you get data that is a bit more detailed.

Of course, things don’t always go perfectly. You need to stay still and maintain good contact with the electrodes, otherwise the recording can get messy. Even something as simple as dry skin can cause problems. If the app struggles to pick up a decent signal, you might need to adjust your position and try again. And finally, you’ll want to keep it away from other phones, computers and laptops, as these can sometimes interfere with the signal.

Check out this video I recorded how to take both types of measurements.

Now, about those six leads. A normal smartwatch ECG looks at your heart’s electrical activity from one direction. The KardiaMobile 6L looks at it from six. You end up with six separate waveforms, which might not mean much to the average person, but they can tell a cardiologist quite a bit more about what’s happening.

AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L

Portable six-lead ECG monitor with Bluetooth connectivity. Works with compatible iOS and Android devices. No subscription required for basic ECG recordings.

View on AliveCor Check Amazon

And that’s really where the extra leads come into their own. The app doesn’t suddenly become six times better at spotting problems just because it has more information. In fact, AliveCor’s published documentation says its automatic rhythm analysis uses Lead I, even when you take a six-lead recording. So the additional waveforms are mainly useful when someone with medical training looks at them.

There is some good research behind this, too. One study involving 220 patients compared KardiaMobile 6L with ECG-equipped smartwatches. All of them were pretty good at spotting atrial fibrillation automatically. But when cardiologists looked at the recordings themselves, the six-lead device gave them an edge.

Kardia app and subscription features

The Kardia app does the basics well enough, but I think AliveCor could do quite a bit more with it. After each reading, you get your heart rate and a classification such as normal sinus rhythm, possible AFib, bradycardia or tachycardia. Sometimes you’ll get an unclassified result, which doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. It just means the app can’t figure out what to make of the recording. It could be interference or you moved during the reading.

You can also look back through your ECG history, add notes about symptoms and export recordings as PDFs to send to your doctor. All of that is free, including the six-lead ECG recordings.

There’s even an option for a one-off ECG review without subscribing. In the UK, that costs £9.99 and a cardiac technician checks your recording. In the US, it’s $39, but there you’re getting a review from a board-certified cardiologist. So they’re not quite the same service.

But here’s what I don’t particularly like. You’ve got a device capable of recording six ECG leads, yet the app doesn’t really let you do much with all that information. There’s no proper way to dig into the underlying data. You get the waveforms and a fairly basic interpretation, and that’s about it.

For more features, AliveCor wants you to sign up for KardiaCare. That costs $11.99 per month or $99 per year in the US, and £10.99 per month or £79.99 per year in the UK.

The premium service adds three more rhythm classifications, including PVCs, supraventricular ectopy and wide QRS complexes. There’s also KardiaAlert for spotting changes against your usual ECG, monthly reports, trend insights, medication reminders, cloud storage and up to four cardiologist ECG reviews each year.

I can see why the subscription model rubs people the wrong way. You’ve already paid for the hardware, yet quite a few of the more useful software features require another payment. And the app isn’t particularly shy about reminding you that KardiaCare exists. It feels a little too focused on getting you to upgrade.

Having said that, I wouldn’t bother with the subscription unless I had a specific reason to use those extra features. Being able to take a six-lead ECG and send the recording to a doctor is the main attraction here, and thankfully that doesn’t cost anything extra.

KardiaMobile 6L vs smartwatch ECG

If you already own an Apple Watch or another smartwatch with ECG functionality, you might be wondering whether there’s any point buying the KardiaMobile 6L. After all, both can take a 30-second ECG and check for signs of atrial fibrillation.

The main difference is those six leads. Most smartwatches only record a single lead, while the KardiaMobile 6L captures six different views of your heart’s electrical activity. That gives a cardiologist more information to work with, particularly when looking at rhythm problems that aren’t always easy to identify from a single recording.

AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L

Portable six-lead ECG monitor with Bluetooth connectivity. Works with compatible iOS and Android devices. No subscription required for basic ECG recordings.

View on AliveCor Check Amazon

But smartwatches have a pretty big advantage when it comes to convenience. They’re already on your wrist, you don’t need to get your phone out, and some can check for irregular heart rhythms in the background. With the KardiaMobile 6L, you have to carry a separate device and take each reading manually.

So which makes more sense? For occasional ECG checks, a smartwatch will probably do the job for most people. But if you’re dealing with recurring heart rhythm issues, or your doctor wants more detailed recordings, the KardiaMobile 6L has a much stronger case.

Key specifications

FAQ

Does AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L require a subscription?

No, the standard KardiaMobile 6L works without a subscription. You can record single-lead and six-lead ECGs, receive basic rhythm classifications and share recordings without paying for KardiaCare. A subscription unlocks additional rhythm classifications and analysis features.

How accurate is the KardiaMobile 6L?

The KardiaMobile 6L is an FDA-cleared, clinically validated ECG device. Studies have demonstrated good accuracy in detecting atrial fibrillation, although results depend on recording quality and the type of rhythm abnormality. It cannot identify every heart condition, and its automatic classifications are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis.

What is the difference between a six-lead and a 12-lead ECG?

A six-lead ECG records six electrical views of the heart using electrodes connected to the limbs. A conventional 12-lead ECG adds six chest leads, providing additional information about electrical activity across different regions of the heart. The KardiaMobile 6L offers more information than a single-lead ECG, but it cannot replace a full clinical 12-lead examination.

Can KardiaMobile 6L detect irregular heartbeats?

Yes, the device can identify possible atrial fibrillation, bradycardia and tachycardia. With KardiaCare, additional classifications include sinus rhythm with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), supraventricular ectopy (SVE) and wide QRS complexes. However, not every irregular heartbeat will receive a specific classification.

Does KardiaMobile 6L work with iPhone and Android?

Yes, the device works with compatible iPhones and Android smartphones through the Kardia app. It connects via Bluetooth and requires a supported phone or tablet to record and display an ECG. AliveCor maintains a compability list, so it is worth checking your particular phone before purchasing.

Can KardiaMobile 6L detect a heart attack?

No, the KardiaMobile 6L is not designed to detect or rule out heart attacks. It primarily records electrical activity to help identify certain heart rhythm abnormalities. A normal reading does not rule out a serious cardiac problem.

Can I share KardiaMobile 6L recordings with my doctor?

Yes, the Kardia app allows users to export ECG recordings as PDF files that can be emailed or shared with a healthcare professional. Six-lead recordings include all six waveforms, giving a clinician more information to examine than a conventional single-lead recording.

How long does the KardiaMobile 6L battery last?

The device uses a replaceable CR2016 coin-cell battery rather than a rechargeable battery. AliveCor estimates approximately one to two years of normal use, depending on how frequently recordings are taken. Replacing the battery requires removing the bottom electrode with a small screwdriver.

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The situation has become frustrating enough that developers are openly questioning how Garmin manages its app store. Some are also pointing towards the growing number of mass-produced and potentially AI-generated watch faces, although Garmin hasn’t confirmed that AI is responsible for the sudden increase.

Garmin confirms the backlog

The complaints have been building throughout October. Developers who previously received approval within a day or two are now finding their submissions stuck in review for a week or longer.

In one Garmin developer forum discussion, several users describe waiting between seven and 13 days. The delays affect new watch faces, apps and updates to existing products.

Garmin has acknowledged the situation. On October 16, Brandon from the Connect IQ team explained that the company has experienced an enormous influx of app submissions over the past month, with no indication that the volume is slowing down.

According to Garmin, this isn’t a software bug. The review team is simply dealing with more submissions than usual, and the company hasn’t provided a timeframe for returning to normal approval times.

The delays are particularly troublesome for developers selling watch faces. Some report missing potential sales while their products remain unavailable, despite paying Garmin’s $100 annual merchant account fee. There are also complaints about merchant accounts unexpectedly returning to review status.

Are AI-generated watch faces making things worse?

Is this due to vibe coding and AI? Perhaps that has made the situation worse. But developers have been complaining about the sheer number of similar-looking watch faces in Connect IQ for some time, well before the current approval delays.

An earlier discussion on Garmin’s forums raised concerns about developers releasing large numbers of nearly identical products. Some differed little beyond their background images, making it harder for more original designs and useful applications to get noticed.

Those complaints have resurfaced during the current backlog. Developers are questioning whether mass-produced watch faces are overwhelming the approval process.

There is a plausible explanation here. AI tools and watch-face generators make it easier to produce numerous designs without building everything from scratch. Developers can create multiple variations relatively quickly, potentially submitting dozens of products in the time previously needed to develop just a few.

That doesn’t automatically make those watch faces poor quality. But it does create a problem if submission volumes grow much faster than Garmin’s ability to review them.

Importantly, Garmin hasn’t released figures showing how many submissions come from AI-assisted tools, or whether these are responsible for October’s increase. For now, the connection remains a theory raised by developers rather than an established explanation.

Some developers are suggesting submission limits, including restricting accounts to one new app per week. Others want Garmin to do more about repetitive watch faces and improve communication when reviews take longer than expected.

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The feature arrived through Garmin’s September software updates, bringing hands-free voice activation to the Fenix 8, Forerunner 570 and 970, Venu 4 and several other models. Instead of pressing a button, users can simply say “OK Garmin” to activate voice commands.

But that convenience appears to come at a surprisingly high drawback.

Battery estimates dropping sharply

Reports across Garmin’s support forums suggest that enabling the feature can reduce estimated battery life by roughly 35% to 50%. The complaints involve multiple models.

In Forerunner 970 discussions, for example, users describe battery estimates falling from around 15 days to nine. Similar experiences have appeared in the Fenix 8 forums, where estimated runtimes have reportedly dropped from around two weeks to just seven or eight days.

The pattern is fairly consistent. Users are finding that turning off “OK Garmin” restores much of the estimated battery life, sometimes immediately. In certain cases, they have also needed to disable the separate Phone Assistant wake-word setting to return to their previous estimates.

Garmin says reduced battery life is expected

Garmin actually warns about this in its official documentation. Enabling the voice wake word reduces battery life, although the company doesn’t specify how much users should expect to lose.

The explanation is straightforward. The watch needs to monitor its microphone for the wake phrase throughout the day, even when voice commands aren’t being used. That requires additional power compared with activating the feature manually.

What many people don’t realise is that after installing these latest updates, the feature is automatically enabled. So they need to go into the settings to disable if they do not plan to use it.

It’s also worth noting that some Fenix 8 owners have experienced battery problems unrelated to voice activation. Not every complaint following the September firmware updates necessarily has the same cause.

For anyone noticing shorter battery life, disabling “OK Garmin” is a sensible first step. The setting can be found under the watch’s voice settings, and it’s worth checking whether the separate Phone Assistant wake word is also enabled.

Turning off hands-free activation doesn’t remove voice commands. Users can still activate them manually through the watch’s controls, without keeping the microphone listening throughout the day.

That’s probably the better arrangement for anyone who only occasionally uses voice commands. Giving up several days of estimated battery life simply to avoid pressing a button seems like a rather expensive trade-off.

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That immediately brings back a possibility we raised previously, when we looked at whether Suunto could eventually move into Whoop-style tracking. About a year ago, the company ran a survey where they explored something described as a “heart rate band worn on the upper arm or bicep”. At the time, Suunto was evaluating whether it could double as a wrist-based device for sleep and recovery tracking.

HR264 is the first piece of hardware we have seen that makes that idea look genuinely plausible. A Whoop-style gadget.

What the filings actually tell us

HR264 has actually been showing up in regulatory databases since late September. A Suunto heart-rate monitor first appeared at Singapore’s IMDA on September 30, followed by HR264 itself at South Korea’s RRA on October 2. The Korean entry identified it simply as a heart-rate monitor.

The UAE followed on October 12, where the TDRA approved HR264 under reference ER66304/26. We have also added that filing to our wearable regulatory tracker.

Until the photos surfaced, that was about as far as we could go. “Heart-rate monitor” seems like a fairly standard description.

This does not look like a normal heart-rate monitor

The new regulatory images show a small rectangular Suunto module with rounded corners and no display. From the ruler alongside it, the body looks to be roughly 4 cm by 3 cm, so we are talking about a genuinely compact piece of hardware.

Flip it over and there is what appears to be an optical heart-rate sensor in the centre, together with four metal contacts. Other certification material also shows a dedicated charging attachment, so this is a rechargeable device rather than the type of coin-cell heart-rate strap Suunto already sells. 

Then there are the straps. The photos show separate black and grey fabric sections in different lengths, with adjustable hardware rather than a conventional watch buckle.

Multiple fabric strap lengths would make plenty of sense for something designed around different wearing positions. That is only an interpretation of the photos, but it fits the earlier information surprisingly well.

The Whoop comparison is getting difficult to avoid

None of this proves that HR264 will be a Whoop competitor. There is still a simpler possibility. HR264 could be an optical workout sensor intended for the upper arm, giving runners and cyclists an alternative to wearing a chest strap.

But the hardware leaves the door open to quite a bit more than that. A small rechargeable optical module, comfortable fabric straps and no screen are exactly the ingredients you would use for a wearable designed to stay on for long periods.

The timing is also worth watching. Suunto has just launched the Race 3S alongside Suunto AI Coach, which draws on training, sleep, HRV, recovery and activity data when giving users guidance. Suunto says the service will expand to compatible watches from early 2027.

A lightweight device that keeps feeding that system when someone does not want to wear a sports watch would make obvious sense. That is speculation for now, but it shows why HR264 could potentially be more useful to Suunto than simply launching another exercise heart-rate sensor.

The screenless category has also changed quickly. Whoop now sits alongside products such as Garmin CIRQA, Fitbit Air and other display-free trackers, so Suunto would not be entering some strange niche by going down this road.

In fact, it could fit Suunto particularly well. Someone could wear a proper Suunto watch for training, maps and outdoor use, then switch to something much smaller for sleep, recovery and the rest of the day.

via: Wearable Fans

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We’ve been following the Race 3S⁠ for quite a while now, and most of the leaked details have turned out to be accurate. The October 15 launch date was also spot on. So let’s delve into what is new.

A familiar design with quite a few upgrades

The Race 3S keeps the general appearance of the Race S, with its circular display, digital crown and two additional buttons. It measures 46 x 46 x 11.4mm and weighs 56 grams including the strap. That’s slightly larger and heavier than the titanium Race S, which comes in at 45mm and 53 grams.

Suunto has gone with a titanium bezel and case back, along with sapphire crystal instead of the Gorilla Glass used on its predecessor. There are three colours to choose from, Titanium Orchid, Titanium Feather and Titanium Black. Water resistance remains at 5 ATM.

The display is still a 1.32-inch AMOLED panel with 466 x 466 resolution. However, maximum brightness increases from 600 to 2,000 nits, which should make maps and workout information easier to see in strong sunlight.

Inside, Suunto has switched from the Apollo 4 Plus processor to Apollo 510. The company says this improves responsiveness when moving through menus and loading maps. There’s also an upgraded optical heart rate sensor with six LEDs and four photodiodes, compared with four LEDs and two photodiodes on the Race S.

Storage doubles from 32GB to 64GB. That’s useful for downloadable maps, but it also gives Suunto room to introduce something that has been missing from its more expensive Race watches, offline music playback.

Battery life improves, but not quite as much as leaked

One of the bigger changes is the move to a silicon-carbon battery. This technology allows more energy to fit into a relatively compact space, and Suunto says the Race 3S has 46% more battery capacity than the Race S.

The official figures are slightly different from those in the earlier leaks. Suunto quotes up to 38 hours of dual-band GPS tracking, compared with 30 hours on the Race S. That’s an eight-hour improvement, rather than the 45 hours of dual-band GPS suggested by the leaked marketing material.

Even with the revised figures, the battery improvement is substantial for a watch that has barely changed in size. Whether that translates into noticeably better endurance with always-on display, mapping and navigation enabled remains to be seen.

AI coaching and new race planning tools

Suunto is also making a bigger push into personalised training. The Race 3S introduces a new version of Suunto AI Coach, which uses information about training load, recovery, sleep, HRV and fitness goals to provide recommendations.

Rather than simply presenting training statistics, users can ask the coach questions about their progress and get answers based on their data. It can also help create structured workouts, running plans and routes that can be saved in the Suunto app and transferred to the watch.

This is a different approach from the more basic AI coaching already available in Suunto’s ecosystem. The new service launches first with Race 3S, with support for compatible existing watches planned for early 2027.

There’s a subscription element, though. Buyers who activate their Race 3S before December 31, 2026 receive three months of Suunto AI Coach at no charge. Continued use after the trial requires a paid subscription, although the regular training analysis and existing Suunto app features remain available without one.

Another addition is Suunto Race Planner. It combines a course’s elevation profile, expected weather and the runner’s goal to work out a pacing strategy. During a race, the watch will show whether you’re ahead of or behind the planned pace, making it particularly relevant for trail events with substantial elevation changes.

Race Planner isn’t ready at launch, however. Suunto says it will arrive through a future app and firmware update, with no firm date announced.

The same applies to offline music. The Race 3S will support locally stored MP3 and WAV files played through Bluetooth headphones, removing the need to bring a phone for music. But that capability also requires a post-launch software update.

Other familiar features remain, including free worldwide offline maps, dual-band GNSS, Climb Guidance, ZoneSense, recovery tracking and more than 120 sports modes. Those are already central to the Suunto experience, as we found in our Suunto Race 2 review⁠.

Price and availability

The pricing is set at $599. You can check out availability in your region on Suunto’s website.

For anyone choosing between the Race S and Race 3S, the decision largely comes down to the display, battery life and upgraded materials. The older model still offers dual-band GPS, offline maps and most of Suunto’s core training features, so it hasn’t suddenly become outdated.

The additions that could make the biggest difference are the upgraded heart rate sensor and new training software. Offline music is also a nice addition, particularly after its absence from the Race 2⁠.

What’s missing from today’s launch is Suunto Race 3. That device has also been leaked and we expect a official release in the weeks ahead.

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The new Brain Age feature starts rolling out on October 19 for Muse 2, Muse S and Muse S Athena. It delivers weekly readings, allowing users to track changes over time.

How Muse Brain Age works

The concept is fairly simple. Muse uses four EEG sensors positioned around the forehead and behind the ears to record electrical activity in the brain. An AI model then compares those patterns with age-related changes observed in other users.

The result appears as a difference in years rather than an absolute brain age. You might see that your brain is tracking three years younger than your actual age, for example, or two years older.

There are two parts to the calculation. Alongside regular EEG recordings, Muse uses four short cognitive tests covering processing speed, spatial memory, impulse control and selective attention. The app shows how each component contributes to the overall estimate.

Getting your first result takes some patience. You’ll need at least ten minutes of qualifying daytime EEG sessions on seven separate days, plus all four cognitive tests. Sleep recordings don’t count, despite Muse’s longstanding focus on sleep tracking.

After that, three qualifying EEG days per week are enough to maintain the estimate. Updated Brain Age scores arrive every Monday.

How accurate is it?

So is this a gimmick or is it accurate? That is the obvious question.

The company says it has been working on brain age estimation for some time. We covered its plans to introduce the feature earlier this year, following research involving thousands of at-home EEG recordings.

Muse says its system can estimate a person’s age from brainwave readings with an average error of 3.8 years. So if you’re 50, the estimate could be several years higher or lower. That’s a reasonable result for consumer EEG technology.

Worth mentioning is that there’s a bit of fluctuation in the results. Muse says your estimated brain age can vary by around 1.9 years from one week to the next. That’s why the company recommends looking at how the readings develop over several months, rather than focusing too much on any single week. The feature is also not designed to detect dementia or cognitive decline.

Available on existing headbands

Existing Muse owners won’t need new hardware. The feature supports Muse 2, Muse S and Muse S Athena, all three of which we’ve reviewed over the years. Athena already offers detailed cognitive tracking, so Brain Age fits well alongside its existing measurements.

Everyone gets their first reading free. However, continued weekly monitoring requires Muse Premium.

For Muse, this is another way to put the EEG data collected by its headbands to use. And for existing owners, it’s a new feature they can try without buying another device.

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