Google Assistant is a highly versatile feature. It allows users to perform a variety of tasks such as setting reminders, sending texts, making calls, and even controlling smart home devices, all through simple voice commands. This hands-free control brings about an enhanced level of convenience and functionality for smartwatch users.

Google Assistant makes a comeback

This latest update is automatic and will roll out to all Gen 6 devices powered with Wear OS 3 that are paired with phones running the latest version of Android. Along with the smartwatch, there is another software refresh for the Fossil companion app, which users should update to v5.1.6 through the Google Play Store​​. This is a staged rollout so may take a while to reach all regions.

After updating the Fossil Smartwatches app, users will find a new “Default assistant” menu option in the My Preferences section. This allows customisation of the AI assistant features. So long as the Gen 6 Fossil watch has been updated, the app will allow you to select Google Assistant (if it’s not already selected) for use​.

Here’s what Fossil had to say on the subject.

It’s not just the Fossil Smartwatches app that’s receiving good news. The Skagen Smartwatches app has also begun updating to reintroduce Google Assistant availability to its variant. This update also includes some “critical bug fixes” and brings the watches up to the May 2023 security patch​. To remind, Skagen falls under the umbrella of the Fossil Group.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

The lack of Google Assistant has been a common complaint among users of many Wear OS 3 smartwatches. Excluding, of course, the Pixel Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series which have had this ability since their respective launches.

“Our priority with Wear OS is to deliver a high performing platform for our partners and users, and we are taking the time to ensure our apps and services deliver a quality experience.” Google said last year in a statement to How-To-Geek when questioned about the missing Google Assistant.

“We have nothing more to share at this time”

This development could potentially signify a positive shift for users as they anticipate the release of Wear OS 4 later this year. The next version of the operating system is due to land in the months ahead.

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Skagen is a Danish watch, jewelry, and leather goods company owned by the Fossil Group, an American fashion conglomerate. Henrik and Charlotte Jorst founded the company in 1989, and it was purchased by the Fossil Group in 2012. Skagen has been a part of the Fossil Group’s portfolio of brands since then, alongside Fossil, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade.

Since October, a number of Fossil watches have received Wear OS 3. So it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that Skanen Falster Gen 6 joins this list.

wearOS 3 comes with some limitations

There are lots of comments on Reddit about the new software. Most of them are positive, and the update is smooth and works well.

The new software appears to be faster, allowing for a more responsive experience. There is no discernible difference in battery life, and connectivity is said to have improved. Other benefits include a dedicated recent apps button, additional tiles, and everything else that comes as part of the upgraded operating system.

There are, however, some limitations. The boot-up time seems to be longer, and only eight Skagen watch faces are available. Google Assistant is currently only compatible with Wear OS 3 watches powered by Samsung’s Exynos chipsets, so the Falster does not have access to it. However, Amazon’s Alexa is available.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

A user noted that the flashlight no longer works as well. There are fewer max brightness pixels as the borders are darker. Having said that, the flashlight was never particularly good to begin with.

There was also some talk that Google Fit did not work. But that turned out not to be correct. Lots of Falster Watch users prefer to use that app over Fossil’s Wellness app due to its limited workouts. Google Fit can be installed, it is just no longer a built-in app.

Beneficial update

Despite these limitations and a few missing features, wearOS 3 compatibility is beneficial. With its sleek and stylish design, the Skagen Falster Gen 6 smartwatch has been in high demand. This update improves the device’s overall functionality and revamps the user interface.

Before installing the new software on your Skagen Falster Gen 6, keep in mind that all user data on the wearable will be erased, and you’ll need to re-register the watch with the Skagen companion app. This can be a pain, but the improved performance and new features provided by the Wear OS 3 update are worth it.

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Fossil has enabled a few of its watches to work with the latest version of Google’s operating system. The latest to join the club is the Diesel Gen 6 Griffed. All watches packing the Qualcomm 4100+ processor are eligible for the upgrade.

However, we are yet to see a Skagen timepiece with wearOS 3 compatibility. This is a problem as certain apps such as Komoot, Strava and Wikiloc do not appear on the Play Store any more. Google has dropped legacy support for them. Which means if you delete them from your device, you cannot re-install them from the Play Store.

wearOS 3 coming to Skagen watches

The wait for a Skagen watch with wearOS 3 might soon be over. So if you have a Falster Gen 6, you may be about to get the new version.

As first spotted on Reddit, an iOS update for the Skagen smartwatches app adds support for wearOS 3. Previously the app only supported hybrids.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Now we just need to wait for the watches to be updated to run the software. A user on Reddit has tried adding his Folster Gen 6 but with no luck. Until the watch gets the needed OS.3 firmware update it will not play nice with the app.

On the other hand, it could be the case the company is planning to release a new Skagen timepiece that runs on wearOS 3. CES 2023 is just around the corner. It represents a great launching pad for new devices.

Here’s the full change-log of software version 5.1.2. It started rolling out on iOS two days ago.

• Manage your Skagen hybrid and touchscreen smartwatches in one place: the app now supports all Skagen smartwatches, including those powered by the latest Wear OS by Google TM.
• Easier personalization
• Customizing your touchscreen or hybrid smartwatch’s dial, tiles, and more is easier than ever with this streamlined app.
• Easy-to-access assistance
• With in-app FAQs, you can learn more about your watch at any time or quickly troubleshoot issues.

This is now starting to roll-out on Android, too. You can view it on APK mirror. The change-log is exactly the same as for the iOS app. Anything above Android 7.0 supports the software.

It is good that Skagen is making progress with their WearOS 3 companion app. There should be further news on this front soon.

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Not too long ago, activity trackers started off as chunky and unattractive devices aimed at fitness freaks and techno-buffs. Thankfully, those days are long behind us and the tech community has grasped the importance of designing products that are both functional and attractive.

Now, we are almost spoiled for choice. Whatever your style, you are bound to find something to your liking. Plus, most fitness tracker and smartwatches these days come with a plethora of customisation choices. This makes it all the more easier to make the device your own. For example you can switch a watch-face for one you like more. Or swap the band for one that is a better fit for the occasion.

Essential reading: Best fitness tracker and health gadgets

If you’re wondering which smartwatch or fitness tracker is best for ladies, we’re here to help. For devices in this article practicality and functionality are certainly key – but not at the sacrifice of fashion. These are wearables that are designed to sit on your wrist and keep track of activity and sleep. So they should not be confused with safety wearables, i.e. devices which make it easy to call for help in case of emergency. Although some of them do have certain SOS functionality.

Jump to

What are the best smartwatches for women?

• Fitbit Versa 4 & Sense 2 (best fitness watch for women)
• Apple Watch Series 8 /Apple Watch SE 2022 (best smartwatch for women)
• Garmin Vivoactive 4 / Venu 2
• Amazfit Bip 3
• Skagen Falster 3
• Garmin Lily
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

What are the best fitness bands for women?

• Fitbit Charge 5 (best activity band for women)
• Bellabeat
• Garmin Vivosmart 5
• Fitbit Luxe
• Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (best low cost activity tracker for women)

What are the best smartwatches for women?

Fitbit Versa 4 & Sense 2 (best fitness watch for women)

Anyone with even a passing interest in this topic will have heard of Fitbit, one of the pioneers of the wearable tech market. The king of fitness trackers also has a few smartwatches under its belt. One of these is Versa, which is now on its fourth generation. There also the Sense range.

When it comes to 24/7 activity monitoring these devices tick most boxes. Step count, distance, calories, floor count, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep – they are all there. Plus you get Fitbit’s simple to use ecosystem which includes the iOS and Android app, along with the web dashboard.

The water-resistant gizmo comes with an attractive 1.58 inch AMOLED display and Fitbit says its the lightest metal smartwatch sold in the US. You’ll also get Fitbit’s female health tracking feature to track your menstrual cycle, along with on-board storage for music, NFC payments (selected models), support for app notifications and more. You can even access Google Assistant on the wrist as well as Amazon Alexa. 

With a battery life of around 6 days on a single charge, this are stylish devices which represent a great compromise between a fully fledged smartwatch and fitness tracker. If you can do with a slightly smaller display (1.39 inches) and don’t need onboard GPS, Fitbit Versa 2 also represents a good choice.

For those that want a smartwatch and everything Fitbit has on offer, Sense 2 offers more. It comes with everything that you’ll find on Versa 4 and 3, but with some extras such as the ability to take ECG measurements and take more precise stress readings via the electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor.

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Apple Watch Series 8/SE 2022 (best smartwatch for women)

If you are in the market for the best smartwatch experience, look no further than the Apple Watch. It has a great operating system, lots of third party apps, optional cellular connectivity and much more. With each iteration, the device is getting better at tracking your health and fitness, too.

The Series 8 takes across everything from its predecessors and slaps on some new things. The upgrades were not that big this year as compared to some of the earlier years. The most important change is an addition of a temperature sensor. Other than that, you also get improved cycle tracking and Crash Detection.

The main sticking point of the Apple Watch is the fact that you need to charge it pretty much every day. But if you don’t mind doing this, it is as good as it gets. The company has introduced this year a Low Power mode which can keep things going for a bit longer.

The device dishes out pretty accurate fitness tracking stats, and can identify and send out alerts if you fall or trip. Something that will no doubt be of use to the older generation. Series 8 also intermittently analyses heart rhythms and sends alerts for atrial fibrillation.

For a long time the device did not have sleep tracking. But now is has that ability so covers all the bases. You no longer need to rely on third party software for this.

And let’s not forget its FDA-approved ECG sensor. This provides a full report that lets you know if your heart rhythm is normal or there are issues.

For those that do not want to spend as much, they can opt for an earlier version of the Apple Watch. Another good choice is Apple Watch SE 2022. It replaces the Series 3 at the bottom of the Apple Watch line.

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Garmin Vivoactive 4/4s/Venu 2

Vivoactive 4 is a Swiss knife of activity trackers. But one that has been designed to appeal to both men and women. The fourth generation brings a couple of size options to choose from (45mm and 40mm).

You’ll find everything you need to track your activity and sleep around the clock, including pulse oxygen readings and estimated respiration. There’s also the Body Battery function, abnormal heart rate alerts, tracking of heart rate under water, Yoga workouts, Pilates workouts and on-screen exercise animations. All of these make the watch a great all-round fitness companion.

But it goes beyond aesthetics, built-in GPS and tracking everything under the sun. The timepiece also comes with some smartwatch features such as Garmin Pay and built-in storage for music. All of this works with Garmin Connect on your iPhone or Android phone, an app that impresses with its depth.

For those that want something more fancy, there’s Venu 2. It has a more premium design and a higher price tag but largely the same specs. Instead of two physical buttons that one only has one. The more important difference, though is to do with the display. Venu 2 comes with a high-res AMOLED, so a big upgrade over the transflective memory-in-pixel display. Other changes including the latest generation heart rate sensor and more storage space for music.

View on Amazon | Garmin*

Amazfit Bip 3

Amazfit Bip 3 comes packed with a 1.69 inch TFT-LCD, heart rate and blood oxgyen sensor. In addition to keeping tabs on your activity 24/7 the timepiece provides tracking of your runs, cycling and other sports with mapped routes, detailed stats and heart rate zones. Mind you there’s no built-in GPS so you’ll need to rely on your smartphone for that.

But the claim to faim of the Bip range is excellent, and that’s with an always on colour touch-screen! We’re happy to report Bip 3 continues in this tradition with 2 weeks of battery juice between charges.

In terms of looks, this is a cheerful-looking smartwatch. Most would equate it to a blend between Pebble Time and a simplified version of the Apple Watch.

Is it perfect? No. It doesn’t have an altimeter for counting floors climbed and the non-fitness features pretty much end with notification support.

But if you’re after a simple wearable that keeps tabs on your fitness, tracks your running and cycling with GPS and you don’t want to be bothered with charging often, the Bip makes a strong case for itself. You’ll struggle to find a smartwatch that delivers anywhere near the same level of features for the price.

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Skagen Falster 3

Launched earlier this year, Skagen Falster 3 comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor, a speaker and the rest of the Fossil Gen 5 smarts. This means you’ll get everything you need to track your fitness around the clock, built-in GPS, water-resistance and more.

At around 24 hours, battery life remains a sticking point. But there are less power intensive Extended Battery Modes which will give it a few more days of life.

The timepiece comes in a few design options. These include a choice between Black Silicone, Blue Silicone, Gun Metal Steel Mesh and Leather – Silicone based straps. A limited edition design from a collaboration with Norwegian DJ Kygo will also be available soon. That’s an award-winning Norwegian DJ, songwriter and producer in case you were wondering. The watch has the two pushers and crown in the middle.

As you’d expect Falster 3 has the ability to display notifications and alerts from your smartphone, as well as calendar and third-party app information. To keep you connected on the go you are able to take smartphone calls from the watch and interact with Google Assistant.

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Garmin Lily

It has been a long time coming. Lily is Garmin’s first smartwatch specifically designed for women. Launched in early 2021, it comes with the standard Garmin technology but packed away in something that looks nice and feminine.

The watch has a 34.5mm face so is smaller than the Garmin Vivoactive 4s and Fenix 6s. As far as weight it’s a similar story. Lilly comes in at a mere 24 grams, Vivoactive at 40 grams and the Fenix at 58 grams.

There’s a 1 inch (25.4mm) TFT LCD panel on-board. This is not color. Rather, it can display 16 shades of grey on a multicolored background. The combination makes the screen stand out beautifully. Lily doesn’t have any physical buttons so you interact with it purely via the touch display.

Under the hood you get the usuals which include an accelerometer, heart rate sensor and SpO2, but no built-in GPS or altimeter. Battery life is around 5 days.

A useful add-on is an emergency help function. If in need, it allows you to transmit your location to pre-defined contacts.

If you are after something feminine on your wrist and are not too bothered about detailed performance metrics, Lily is the Garmin to go for. It provides all the activity tracking basics and has some smartwatch features sprinkled in.

View on Amazon | Garmin*

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Galaxy Watch 5 represents the latest and greatest offering from Samsung. Unlike some other smartwatches under its belt, this one does not run on Tizen. Instead, Samsung has teamed up with Google and is running Android Wear 3.0 with a OneUI Watch 3.5 overlay.

You could probably say, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is Apple Watch’s greatest opponent. The duo is fighting for pretty much the same space – folks who want are not satisfied with just a fitness watch. Both devices are fully fledged smartwatches so come with lots of functionality as well as the ability to install third party apps.

Apple prefers a sportier look whereas Samsung favors a more sophisticated design. The Galaxy Watch oozes style and resembles a traditional timepiece. It has a circular face, a choice of high quality straps, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Two size choices are available – 40mm and 44mm.

You could say this edition is an evolution in the Galaxy Watch lineup rather than a revolution. The sensors inside are from before. Upgraded, of course, with latest generation tech. So heart rate, Spo2, ECG and more are all there, in the guise of a single 3-in1 sensor dubbed BioActive. The one important new addition is a temperature sensor.

We suggest going for this watch if you own a Samsung phone. It is probably the best choice. Some of the watch’s functionality is not available to those who own iPhones or Android phones. So those people might be better off looking at other options mentioned in this article.

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What are the best fitness bands for women?

Fitbit Charge 5 (best activity band for women)

Charge 5 is a new and improved version of Fitbit’s best selling Charge 4 fitness tracker. The device comes with some important upgrades – one of these is a AMOLED touch display. The predecessor has a TFT, Grayscale. The edges are more rounded for a stylish look, and the physical button has been dropped.

There is some new sensor technology on-board, too. Similar to Fitbit Sense, Charge 5 comes with an ECG and EDA sensor. In that sense it can do everything that the company’s most high-spec smartwatch can do. At least in terms of fitness and health tracking. Some of the functionality does require a Fitbit Premium subscription, so that is something to keep in mind.

The built-in GPS is still there. It is something avid runners or cyclists will appreciate, as it means they can leave their smartphone behind when exercising. The functionality helps make Charge a viable alternative to fully fledged sports watches.

There is some smart functionality sprinkled in, as well. In addition to notifications support, this includes NFC for contactless payments on all versions of the device, the ability to operate Spotify and more.

All in all, this is a sleek looking device which comes with everything an average person needs to keep tabs on their activity 24/7. Its predecessor, the Charge 4, remains a viable alternative. Particularly now that its price has come down. You will miss out on the fancy design, but most of the important functionality is there.

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Xiaomi Mi Band 7 (best low-cost fitness band for women)

If you’re out to purchase a budget fitness band – look no further than the Xiaomi Mi Band 7. The Chinese-based outfit sells what is considered to be the most popular low cost activity tracker in the world. Sure, with some shopping around you will find a cheaper device. But the Mi Band 7 has both good hardware and software. Other low cost options are likely to be lacking in at least one of those two aspects.

The seventh generation of Mi Band comes with some useful upgrades over its predecessor. The main news this time around is the even larger display with an always-on option for some watch-faces. Other additions include an improved SpO2 sensor which can now track blood oxygen 24/7, along with many more sports modes. Plus you get the benefit of a bunch of performance metrics.

The excellent battery life, water proofing, fitness sensors, Connected GPS and everything else from the predecessor generation is all there. If you want something with built-in GPS you can opt for its big brother, Mi Band 7 Pro.

As before, the device packs a rubberised, practical look. So if you’re after something fancy that will turn heads, look elsewhere. But if you are something perfectly functional that will have you covered around the clock, Mi Band 7 presents itself as a low risk investment.

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Bellabeat Leaf & Urban

Founded in 2014, Bellabeat is a wellness-oriented outfit dedicated to creating attractive connected wearables for women. This smart piece of jewellery is designed to track your health. Wear it as a necklace or bracelet with accessories or items you already own – or clip it to any clothing item as a stylish accent.

The tracker learns about you and provides insights and improvements to your daily routine to help you feel your best. The wearable tracks your breathing, sleep, activity and monthly cycles through the smartphone app. If you are feeling stressed, you can follow one of its breathing routines to try and calm yourself down. Its advanced technology is hidden inside the wood housing, giving it a soft natural appeal.

No need to worry about charging. The tracker is powered by a replaceable battery that lasts up to 6 months. There is also 14 days worth of built-in memory, so you only need to sync it every couple of weeks.

Right are a few versions to choose from including Leaf and Urban. Slightly smaller in design, Urban has advanced features to help you deal with stress. The feature analyzes different lifestyle habits to help you not only manage this silent killer, but also prevent it by determining the triggers that cause it.

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Garmin Vivosmart 5

Although slightly bulkier than its predecessor, Vivosmart 5 is one of the smallest Garmin fitness bands you can buy. The casual user will find pretty much all the essentials for around the clock activity monitoring. Plus, you can have confidence in the quality of data as Garmin has lots of experience in building such products.

The tracker is well suited for women which a choice between a large and small size. Nevertheless, the thing is clearly meant for fitness buffs rather than fashion freaks. Vivosmart 5 is sporty looking with its silicone strap, aluminum bezel and polycarbonate lens. 

The ability to read blood oxygen levels is there as are other fitness tracking basics. And there’s the Body Battery metric which works well and adds an insight into your recovery.

If are happy with a small display, the Vivosmart 5 is a decent option – something for those that like the Garmin ecosystem. Those very serious about running, though, may want something something with built-in GPS and a larger screen – as it can be difficult to read stats on the go.

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Fitbit Luxe

Fitbit Luxe is the smartest looking activity band from the San Francisco based wearables manufacturer. The device is a lot more aesthetically pleasing than most other Fitbit products. No company’ logo below the display, gone are the hard angles in favour of rounded edges.

Best of all you get a gorgeous AMOLED (124 x 206 pixel) display. You will need to use its touch capabilities to interact with the thing as there are no physical buttons.

In terms of build, Luxe has a metal housing made of polished stainless steel. This can be paired with various straps including some special edition ones. The band that you get by default is made of silicone and fastens with an anodised metal buckle and tang.

Below the surface are the usual fitness tracking goodies and sensors. This includes an optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer, SpO2, temperature sensor, vibration motor and ambient light sensor. No built-in GPS, though, only Connected GPS.

Battery life is fairly decent which is impressive considering the small physical size. Luxe will go for around 5 days.

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IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. The first show debuted back in 1924. From then on it was held annually until 1950 when it transitioned into a biannual format until 2005. This is when it went back to an annual format.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Unfortunately, it has been a couple of years since we were last in Berlin attending the show. As you’ve probably guessed, the coronavirus situation turned things upside down. In 2020 IFA was predominantly a virtual event with some limited in-person gatherings. Things were no better in 2021. In fact, in that year the organizers decided to entirely cancel the event.

But things are slowly returning back to normal and IFA 2022 is back in its usual format. The event started on Friday and concludes on Tuesday, September 6th. This will be the 59th IFA. The last in-person IFA in 2019 attracted nearly a quarter of a million visitors. All indicators are we are getting more of the same in 2022. It is quite crowded here.

Wearable technology typically makes a strong showing in Berlin and this year is no different. It’s a big deal for wearable manufacturers as the timing for product announcements is great – early September, a couple of months ahead of the all-important holiday shopping period. Most of the big players are here debuting their latest gear, including Fitbit, Garmin, Withings, Zepp Health, Huawei and Samsung.

The one obvious omission is Apple. But no surprise there as the company prefers to organize its own launch events. Xiaomi is another name missing from the list of exibitors.

Wearable tech making headlines

Fitbit

For starters, Fitbit is showcasing Sense 2, Versa 4 and Luxe 2 at the event. The trio officially launched in August. The devices are available for pre-order but they will not ship until well into September.

The company has used the Berlin platform as a launch ground for its wearables many times in the past years. All three of these devices come with iterative upgrades over their predecessors so no huge surprises there. Inspire 3 got a snazzy new AMOLED display, Versa some more sports modes and Sense 2 has the ability to capture continuously electrodermal activity.

Garmin

Garmin is another big name that is is here. This year, however, it only has one new watch on display – the Venu Sq 2. Its screen has received an upgrade as compared to the original. You now get something with a 1.41 inch display and respectable 360 x 360 pixels resolution. The device also gets GNSS support, nearly double the battery life (11 days in smartwatch mode), Sleep Score & Insights, Health Snapshot and more sports modes.

Other Garmin devices that we are expecting after IFA include Instinct Analog, Vivomove Trend and a mystery device called Austin. These names come from a list published by a local Garmin distributor so remains unconfirmed. Another possibility is a smart blood pressure monitor called Index BPM. The company has recently added the ability of Garmin Connect to write blood pressure measurements to Apple Health.

Samsung

Samsung is, of course, here once again. It always makes a big splash at IFA with a large hall dedicated to its products. Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro were made official about a month ago and the company is proudly displaying their abilities.

The Pro version is not fundamentally different from the non-Pro. But it has a titanium housing rather than aluminium, along with a larger battery and an improved Sapphire display.

You could say this edition is an evolution in the Galaxy Watch lineup rather than a revolution. The sensors inside the watches are unchanged. So heart rate, Spo2, ECG and more are all there, in the guise of a single 3-in1 sensor dubbed BioActive. The one important new addition is a temperature sensor.

Amazfit

Then we have the Amazfit brand. Zepp Health timed the announcement of the GT4 line in time for IFA 2022. Actually, the first device in this range had dropped earlier in the guise of the GTS 4 Mini.

A couple of days ago GTR 4 and GTS 4 were added to the list. They come with a bunch of nice upgrades as compared to their predecessors. This includes some design enhancements, along with Huami’s latest BioTracker 4.0 PPG optical sensor, around-the-clock SpO2 monitoring, improved sports features, dual-band circularly-polarised GPS antenna technology and on-board storage for music.

The watch that has particularly impressed us is the GTR 4. Absolutely beautiful in design it appears very premium. Look out for our review of the timepiece to drop in the weeks ahead.

Withings

Withings has a display in Berlin. Little has dropped from the French outfit in terms of new devices this year. Our hope was that we would see its Body Scan scale. And it is here. The device will be available for sale in the EU in November. Wider availability is expected early next year. For reminder, this is by far the smartest scale in existance. It has the ability to assess nerve activity, detect ECG and Afib as well as monitor segmental body composition thanks to a retracteable sensor-packed handle.

A surprise announcement was the Withings Body Comp scale. It also comes with some novel functionality such as Vascular Age and a Nerve Health Score. The latter is monitored by analyzing the sweat glands in the feet.

No sign yet of the urine analysis device we are expecting. It will likely be called Bio-Screener, and the French company has filed a few patents for this so it will likely debut at some stage.

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The American designer and manufacturer of accessories has a slew of smartwatches under its belt. However, over the past year it only released a handful of Gen 6 watches. The reasons for the rather slow 12 months are no different to difficulties that are hitting other smartwatch brands – namely the pandemic, energy shortages in certain Asian countries and chip shortages. It has not been an easy year for smartwatch makers.

Essential reading: Best fitness trackers and health gadgets

Fossil is making an appearance at CES 2022 and we were expecting a few new product announcements. One of these is news about a watch the company has conjured up with RAZER. For those not in the know, RAZER is considered to be the leading brand for gaming hardware in the US, Europe and China. Established in 2005, it now has 18 offices worldwide. The other news is of a Gen 6 edition of the Skagen Falster.

A Fossil x RAZER smartwatch for gaming and fitness

A Fossil x RAZER smartwatch for gaming and fitness is likely to generate much interest. RAZER has a slew of products for gamers such as laptops, tablets and PC peripherals. It even has a smart watch and smart bracelet, but these have not gone down well. Perhaps this is why the company has opted to join forces with a well established player in this market space.

As far as specs, the Fossil x RAZER is a Gen 6 WearOS watch. Which means it has the fast 4100+ Qualcomm processor, support for Bluetooth 5.0, more accurate heart rate tracking than Fossil Gen 5 watches, SpO2 sensor and fast charging.

The timepiece is pretty much a branding exercise and design revamp of the existing product range. There is no mention of software enhancements on the device to support gaming. But you do get some unique design elements including three exclusive Razer watch features like analog, Team Razer and Chroma, three watch faces and interchangeable straps which include Razer’s iconic black and green.

The limited-edition watch will be available for purchase from January 10th for $329. Only 1,337 units will be made available for so make sure you get in early. There’s a holding page on Fossil’s website where you can register interest.

Skagen Falster Gen 6 smartwatch

We also received news today of the Gen 6 Skagen Falster. The Danish brand’s flagship smartwatch gets a tech overhaul which includes the above mentioned Gen 6 specs (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, altimeter, PPG heart rate, SpO2, off-body IR and ambient light).

The upgraded health and wellness sensors should make fitness tracking a more pleasurable experience. Skagen Falster also comes with quicker battery charging and smart battery modes.

The 3 ATM-rated device has retained its design so the upgrades are mostly to do with the internals. Out of the box the watch comes with WearOS 2.0, but it will be eligible for the 3.0 upgrade when the new version launches later this year. The 8GB of storage and 1GB of RAM should hopefully keep the operating system running smoothly.

Falster Gen 6 is available for purchase from today for $295. It comes in five distinct styles in a 41mm case holding a 1.28 inch color touchscreen display. You can choose from silver-tone, charcoal and black case options, coupled with the brand’s stainless steel mesh, silicone and leather straps. All of these have a rotating home button and two configurable push buttons.

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An analogue or hybrid smartwatch is a classic looking timepiece that combine the look and functionality of a traditional watch with abilities that are evident in today’s smartwatches. Discreetly housed in the casing of these devices is technology that keeps tabs on your daily activity and sleep metrics. Some even display smartphone notifications.

A large proportion of future wearables growth will be driven by a rise in smart analogue watches. Existing manufacturers are expected to broaden their product offering, while traditional watchmakers will enter this space as they try to cling on to their share of the global market.

If you are in the market for a wearable right now but prefer the classic look of an analog timepiece, a hybrid smartwatch may be for you. This is our pick of the best hybrid watches 2019.

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Withings Scanwatch | Garmin Vivomove 3 series| Withings Steel HR Sport | Misfit Command | Fossil Hybrid HR | Skagen Connected | Kate Spade Metro Grand | Withings Move ECG

Hybrid watches to look forward to

Withings Scanwatch

 Stylish look, keeps tabs on AFib, Sleep Apnea, pulse oxygen, can take ECG, Connected GPS, sub-dial monitors progress towards goal
 Not out yet!

The Withings Scanwatch is the one to look forward to. The device has secured CE certification and is expected to hit the European market in September. Those in the US will probably need to wait for this fall.

Unveiled at CES 2020, the hybrid is some two year in the making. Its headline feature is the ability to spot AFib. This is a serious form of irregular heart rhythm that can lead to heart failure and is a major risk for stroke.

Scanwatch’s other big feature is sleep apnea detection. The disorder is characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. The device has a pulse oxygen sensor onboard which allows it to do this.

Other than that you get the ability to take ECG, along with the usual crop of fitness tracking sensors and Connected GPS. If you’re looking for a stylish health and fitness hybrid, the Scanwatch will soon be one of the best options out there.

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The best hybrid watches you can buy right now

Garmin Vivomove 3 series

 Beautiful design, stunning OLED display, tracks all important activity metrics, Connected GPS, multiple design options, supports notifications, swim-proof
 Battery life up to 5 days

Apart from being beautiful, this is a one of the most feature packed and best hybrids out there. Such devices typically try and keep things simple, but Vivomove 3 is different.

The timepiece that comes in a number of different variants. This includes the Vívomove 3/3S (to denote two case sizes – 44mm and 39mm), Vívomove Style and Vívomove Luxe.

When the display is off, there is no way of telling that this is anything but a sleek looking traditional watch. Tap firmly on the thing or quickly turn your wrist and the display magically appears.

Notifications are shown on the beautiful 8.9 mm x 18.3 mm OLED display on 3/3s (24.1 mm x 18.7 mm on Style/Luxe). You can even send quick replies. The watch hands move out of the way when you swipe through your messages, heart rate and more for unobstructed reading.

In terms of fitness tracking, you’ll get info on steps, sleep, distance, calories, floors climbed, heart rate, intensity minutes and even oxygen levels in the blood. The heart rate sensor will keep tabs on your resting heart rate, and you can use it to monitor which zone you are in when you heart rate zone train. There is also Garmin Move IQ which can recognize and log movements for certain activities.

In addition to this, you’ll find Connected GPS and some more advanced features such as VO2 max and fitness age. In case you are aspiring towards a more tranquil existence, Vivomove 3 lets you know whether you are having a calm, balanced or hectic day. You can then use the relaxation timer to work through deep breathing exercises, and lower your stress.

Battery life is up to 5 days in smartwatch mode and a further 7 days in with limited functionality.

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Amazon | Garmin*

Withings Steel HR Sport

 Beautiful design, long battery life, tracks all important activity metrics including heart rate and VO2Max, comfortable strap, Connected GPS, swim-proof
 OLED screen is small, limited notifications

If you want smart tracking along with self-expression, look no further than the Withings Steel HR Sport.

This is the second generation of the device. The upgraded version comes with the addition of Connected GPS, a Fitness Level assessment via VO2 Max estimation and better watch straps. You still get basic fitness stats and heart rate monitoring.

Real-time heart rate info is displayed on the watch during exercise, and more detailed info including time spent in heart rate zones can be seen in the app afterwards. The device also tracks resting heart rate, one of the most important metrics to assess overall health over time. Its swim-proof, too.

The rechargeable battery will keep Steel HR Sport going for up to 25 days, the best battery life for a heart monitoring activity tracker available. After that, it will keep plodding along for another 20 days with limited functionality in power save mode.

If you are looking for a classy smart device with discreet activity tracking features, the Withings Steel HR Sport is another great hybrid smartwatch.

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Amazon | Withings*

Misfit Command

 Modern and unobtrusive look, build-quality, supports notifications, nifty sub-dial, swim-proof, 1 year battery life
 Basic activity tracking, no heart rate sensor or altimeter

Command, is Misfit’s second stab at something that promises to track your fitness while looking appropriate at a formal dinner. It has a clean, modern and unobtrusive look on the outside, and latest high tech smarts on the inside.

With a built-in accelerometer, you’ll just get info on your steps, distance, calories and sleep. But don’t look for a heart rate monitor, its not there.

There is also some smartwatch functionality. This includes notifications for messages, reminders, calendar appointments, a smart button function which can be set up through the Link App and more. Command has a small sub-dial with little icons letting you know what you are looking at.

The hybrid comes with a non-charging battery that lasts up to one year, the longest battery life on a Misfit device to date. Its swim-proof up to 50 meters, too, so you don’t have to worry about taking it off in the water.

The watch comes with a stainless steel case with matte finishing. To customize it to your taste, there is a wide range of 20mm strap options to choose from.

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Amazon*

Fossil Hybrid HR

 Always-on e-ink display, long battery life, beautiful design
Basic activity tracking

Created in collaboration with Google, these watches offer a power-efficient, always-on e-ink display. This sits behind mechanical hands to show heart rate, steps, weather, notifications and more. All of this runs on a proprietary operating system linked with Fossil’s smartwatch app.

There are five iterations in total, three for men’s Collider range and two for women’s Charter range. The only difference between them is in design.

Under the hood the watches have all the basic fitness sensors including a heart rate monitor. They’ll count steps, distance and calories burned, along with keeping tabs on sleep.

Battery life is excellent thanks to the low power e-ink technology. The watches are able to run over two weeks on a single charge. You won’t have to take your hybrid off for long seeing as you can get it up to 80% in one hour with rapid charging.

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Fossil*

Skagen Connected

 Sleek minimalistic design, various styles, supports notifications, 3-6 month battery life
 Basic activity tracking, no heart rate sensor or altimeter

You are going to struggle to find a hybrid smartwatch more beautiful than one of the devices in the Skagen Connected range. This includes the Signature, Hald, Jorn and Haggen Connected. Coupled with a price which comes below much of its direct competition, this is a very good option if you are looking for a classic looking timepiece which elegantly adds in the smarts.

Features include automatic time and date adjustment, basic activity and goal tracking, sleep tracking, filtered email and text notifications, dual-time function and alarm. You can also snap a photo remotely, control music and more.

This smart analogue timepiece is compatible with both Android phones and iPhone and runs on a standard coin-cell battery with a four to six-month battery life. The quick-release-pin construction makes it easy to interchange the leather band with other 20mm leather, steel-mesh, silicone or nylon straps.

Amazon | Skagen*

Kate Spade Metro Grand

 Beautiful option for women, 6 month battery life, supports notifications, 3 small sub-dials
 Basic activity tracking, no heart rate sensor or altimeter

Lets face it. It was only a matter of time before your favourite activity tracker got a major fashionista-friendly makeover. We are talking about fashion here, so don’t get overly excited about functionality. But you will get the basics.

Essential reading: Activity trackers for women

The Kate Spade Metro Grand tracks your steps, calories, distance and sleep and will spit out smartphone notifications. It also sports controls that allow you turn up your workout playlist and take a post-run selfie right from the tracker. You can set personal goals and this is one less device you will need to charge as it operates on replaceable a coin cell battery.

The hybrid smartwatch comes in black and rose gold, grey and silver tone, vachetta and gold tone, and as a gift set with two tone bracelet and a black-quilted leather strap.

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Amazon | Kate Spade*

Withings Move ECG

 First hybrid that monitors ECG, tracks all other important activity metrics including heart rate and VO2Max, supports notifications, Connected-GPS, sub-dial monitors progress towards goal
 Focuses more on functions than style

Apple kicked off the trend and the French outfit is continuing it. Introduced at CES 2019 in January, Move ECG is the first hybrid smartwatch capable of producing an electro diagram.

The device comes with three electrodes discreetly integrated inside the main body and stainless steel bezel. To take a reading, users will need to touch and hold both sides of the bezel for around 30 seconds.

Furthermore you’ll get all the other important fitness tracking info including heart rate and floors climbed. The step count progress is shown on the watch’s sub-dial.

Withings says the watch can keep going up to a year on a single coin-cell battery. Water resistance is up to 50 meters and the thing has auto-recognition for swimming, walking, and running. There’s no built-in GPS but there is connected-GPS.

Move ECG is scheduled for release sometime in Q2 this year. There may be a delay, though, as the company recently revealed it is yet to secure FDA approval to release the device.

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Withings*

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Fossil Group is an American designer and manufacturer of accessories makes watches for brands such as Adidas, Emporio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Burberry, DKNY, Diesel, Armani Exchange and others. Since 2012, Danish-based Skagen is also amongst its brands.

The Falster 2 was released slightly over a year ago. It came with some hefty upgrades including heart rate tracking, GPS, NFC payments, rapid charging, swim-proofing and more. There were also some subtle design changes such as a slightly smaller case, new minimalist watch dials and two customizable push buttons.

We knew the third generation of the watch was in the works due to a leak a few days ago on Amazon. So what’s new with Skagen Falster 3?

The watch is getting the Fossil Group Gen 5 makeover. This includes the new Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor instead of the 2100 platform, a built-in speaker, smart battery modes and increased storage capacity (1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage). There’s also NFC for payments-on-the-go, built-in GPS, a microphone and the usual fitness sensors.

The timepiece comes in a few design options. These include a choice between Black Silicone, Blue Silicone, Gun Metal Steel Mesh and Leather – Silicone based straps.  Later in the spring, a limited edition design from a collaboration with Norwegian DJ Kygo will also be available. That’s an award-winning Norwegian DJ, songwriter and producer in case you didn’t know.

Other than that, the watch is very much along the lines of the Falster 2, retaining the two pushers and crown in the middle. It is, however 2mm bigger measuring 42mm (with a 1.3-inch OLED display).

As you’d expect, the device spits out notifications and alerts from your smartphone, you can manage your calendar, download third party apps and customize your watch-face. Skagen says you are able to take smartphone calls from the watch using our proprietary phone app, talk and listen to Google Assistant and more. Users will even be able to play music directly on the watch.

Battery life is about a day with normal use. This can be extended to a few more days by choosing one of the less power intensive Extended Battery Modes.

Pricing for the Skagen Falster 3 is identical for all iterations starting at $295. The watches are available on Skagen’s website now, with wider retail availability expected soon.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

“The Falster 2 represents everything Skagen stands for: beautiful, design-focused products that are functional for the way people live,” says Frederik Thrane, creative director for Skagen.

“An appreciation of simplicity and a thoughtful approach to how your time is spent are key elements in the Danish way of life—and we capture them in our smartwatches through minimalist execution and customizable function.”

Just 9 months after the debut of its predecessor, Falster 2 is inheriting Fossil Group’s 4th Generation technology. We’ve already seen similar upgrades on Fossil’s Q Explorist HR, Q Venture HR, as well as the Michael Kors Access Runway.

The design tweaks mean the watch diameter has shrunk by 2mm to 40mm. There are new minimalist watch dials and two customizable push buttons. These can be programmed to perform tasks such as providing quick access to often used apps.

The biggest design tweak, however, is the water-resistant casing. You’ll be able to use Falster 2 come rain or shine and it will track your swim sessions, too.

The Wear OS device is also inheriting some serious fitness smarts. In addition to tracking your steps, distance, sleep and activity, Skagen’s new smartwatch will keep tabs on your heart rate. There is built-in GPS as well, something those serious about exercising outdoors will appreciate.

Finally, the watch also comes with NFC technology. This will allow users to make on-the-go payments via Google Pay.

Unfortunately, Folster 2 comes with the ageing Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 platform. Now some two years old, we are expecting its successor in the next month or two.

The bump in specs means that battery life is only about 24 hours on a single charge. The good news is the gizmo has rapid charging functionality. Plugging it in for an hour will get the battery back to full capacity.

Falster 2 starts at $275. It starts shipping on September 12th.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Baselworld 2018 kicked off last Thursday and concludes tomorrow. This is an event organised each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland which attracts top watchmakers and jewellery makers from around the world. It will host some 700 exhibitors and more than 100,000 visitors this year.

Last year we ran a piece on the top 25 smartwatches and hybrids of Baselworld. This year, we couldn’t round up even 10! There is definitely much less smartwatch activity compared to last year which goes against the rise in their popularity. With the recent arrival of Wear OS, perhaps manufacturers are gearing up to launch new devices in the second half of the year.

Whatever the case, here is a gallery and brief description of the smartwatches and hybrids we did manage to round up.

Hublot Big Bang Referee

Hublot showed off the official smartwatch of Fifa World Cup 2018. Called The Big Bang Referee, this is a limited edition timepiece that runs Wear OS and comes with an assortment of World Cup-themed goodies.

In the run-up to the tournament, the watch displays a countdown to the competition. During live matches, it will show the score, the number of cards, names of goal-scorers, player substitutions and time left before the final whistle. The Big Bang Referee will even vibrate and show the word GOAL whenever someone scores.

A special non-commercial version of the timepiece is going to be worn by referees at the tournament. In addition to all the above functionality, it will have the ability to interface with goal-line technology.

A rather hefty $5,200 price tag comes attached to the watch. The Swiss company is releasing a limited run of 2018 pieces, starting on May 1st. If you miss out, don’t fret. You could probably use that money and buy yourself a ticket to Russia and watch the games live!

Skagen Holst

Holst is Skagen’s third analogue watch. This is a minimalist timepiece with a clean design that features a 40mm case size and comes in two separate models. As shown in the image above, one comes with a dark grey watch face and metal strap, the other with a dark blue face and leather strap. What they have in common is that they are both made of titanium, so are very slim and super lightweight.

Essential reading: Top hybrid watches, the best of both worlds

This watch is more about elegance and style rather than fitness tracking, but you do get some activity stats. The watch is capable of letting you know when someone calls or texts by vibrating and using the dial to point to pre-defined numbers for different contacts.

Skagen has not revealed the full specs yet or the exact release date, but we are expecting for it to land in the summer. As for the price, the leather strap version will cost $175, with the metal version set to retail for $20 more.

Alpina Alpiner X

A hugely successful Kickstarter backed project, this rugged, smartwatch represents a blend of Alpina heritage and modernism.

The gizmo is packed full of outdoors features thanks to multiple sensors including: UV, temperature, altitude, pressure, meteo, motion and direction. The functions are measured in real time by the watch and displayed on the digital display. The watch will keep tabs on your activity 24/7, regardless whether you are on ski slopes, deep in the woods or climbing a mountain. And it will do this with style.

If you are an outdoorsy person who appreciates the aesthetics and the craftsmanship at the heart of Swiss watchmaking, this sporty watch might float your boat. The timepiece is set to ship to its Kickstarter backers in May, with retail availability to follow shortly after. Its price starts at $450.

Mondaine Helvetica Regular

We’ve seen a follow up to the Mondaine Helvetica 1. Released back in 2015, the original is a stylish Swiss made hybrid which offers some basic fitness tracking. The company has followed this up with an updated version which finally adds notifications.

If you receive a message or telephone call, the hour hand will point to letters on the dial. This will help you understand what type of alert you received. Not groundbreaking functionality, but progress nevertheless.

The watch is 40mm in diameter, so 4mm smaller and its based on the Helvetica Bold font rather than Regular font. Battery life is still an awesome 2 years.

The watch was announced last year but is only ready to ship now. Look for it to land in the coming weeks for $660.

Casio WSD-F20SC

A new special edition of the Casio WSD-F20 debuted at Baselworld. With the addition of a sapphire crystal display, it features an even more rugged and durable design than the original. The actual features are exactly the same, so don’t look for something new – you won’t find it.

This is a limited edition product and only 700 will be made available in late June. The original version of this watch costs $500, so expect this to retail slightly above this price.

Kronaby

Swedish smartwatch creator Kronaby has recently updated its Apex collection. The new timepiece comes with two sub-dials, along with more customisation options. Its features now include the option to have a 24-hour GMT second timezone, show weekday, date and step/activity goal percentage. The company is also rolling out seven new watches in its Sekel collection and one new one in its Nord range.

Kronaby has also announced a partnership with bPay, a contactless payment system. The company announced it will look to integrate contactless payments into its watches in select markets from May.

All of the new hybrids will be put out on sale in mid-April.

Larsson & Jennings Connect

For the first time ever, the fashion brand Larsson & Jennings made an appearance at Baselworld. One of its devices on show is a hybrid smartwatch, another first for the company.

The Larsson & Jennings Connect is a super-thin, stylish hybrid. For now the company is only showing prototypes. When it comes out later this year, there will be a 42mm and 38mm case to choose from.

The work is still very much in progress but expect the final product to be more about fashion than super-sophisticated functionality. The minimalist device will feature notifications via a single flashing light, some basic fitness tracking functionality and possibly even UV levels.

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