It looks like a toy and maybe that’s the point

When I first saw it, I laughed. The Casio Ring Watch CRW-001-1 is, quite literally, a watch you wear on your finger. It’s tiny, almost absurdly so. You press these little metal buttons on the side and a 7-segment LCD lights up with the time. And yet, despite everything about it screaming impractical, people went for it.

This is Casio’s first ever digital ring watch, and it landed at the tail end of 2024 as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations. It went out of stock quickly. Now it’s back again in the UK and some other countries. I imagine it won’t stay available for long this time either.

What you’re actually getting

The body is made from stainless steel and weighs just 16 grams. It’s small, at 25.2 mm across, but it does fit a standard size 22 ring finger (roughly US 10.5 or EU U). If that’s too loose, you get two plastic spacers in the box to help bring it down to a size 19 or even 16. It’s definitely not something you’d expect to adjust like a proper timepiece, but it seems to work well enough.

Once it’s on your finger, you can switch between time zones, start a stopwatch, check the date or even turn on the hourly flash alert. So its fully functional. The LED backlight is very small but does the job if you’re squinting in the dark. It even comes in a little drawstring pouch, just to underline that this is more collector’s item than everyday tool.

This thing actually sold out

What still surprises me is the demand. When I first saw the images, I figured this would be a niche oddity, something Casio was doing for fun. But people wanted it. It’s not that the features are impressive. I mean, it’s fiddly. The buttons are tiny. Reading the time takes effort. And the price, at around £105 in the UK, is steep for what it is. You can check it out on Casio’s website.

But none of that really matters. This is clearly hitting a nerve with collectors, retro fans or just people who want something weird to wear for a few minutes. I’d never call it practical. But if the goal was to make something that feels nostalgic and a bit ridiculous in the best possible way, Casio nailed it.

If you’re tempted, just keep in mind that it’s still limited to one unit per CASIO ID. That probably says a lot about how quickly they expect it to sell out again. As for me, I’ll stick with the usual suspects like RingConn and the Ultrahuman Ring Air. They might not have the same retro charm, but they actually earn their spot on my finger.

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The post The Casio Ring Watch is tiny weird and somehow popular appeared first on Gadgets & Wearables.

As noted in my full hands-on review, the DW-H5600 keeps things simple with tracking for running, walking, gym workouts, and interval training. That’s only half of what Casio’s more advanced GBD-H2000 offers, but it’s enough for most people who just want to log their workouts.

The biggest compromise is GPS. Unlike dedicated running watches, the DW-H5600 doesn’t have its own GPS chip. Instead, it relies on your phone’s GPS through the Casio app. This connected GPS approach means your tracking is only as good as your phone’s signal. And you need to have your phone with you during the run.

A challenging test

To put it to the test, I took the DW-H5600 for several runs through Central London, an area notorious for GPS interference due to its tall buildings. Surprisingly, it performed well.

The watch connected quickly, held a stable signal, and mapped my runs with solid accuracy. Distance tracking was close to what I got from the Garmin Forerunner 955. For example, over a recent 11km run, the difference was only 30 meters! That nothing.

Heart rate accuracy was another pleasant surprise. The DW-H5600’s optical sensor held up well against my Scosche Rhythm chest strap. Both max and average heart rate numbers were nearly identical, only 1 or 2 beats off.

However, it should be noted that the DW-H5600 doesn’t support external sensors. So you do need to rely on its built-in heart rate monitor. That’s fine for casual use, but serious athletes might prefer a watch that allows chest strap pairing. This sort of thing is useful when it comes to intense exercise, such as HIIT.

Drawbacks

There are some other drawbacks. The four-button layout of the Casio isn’t the most user-friendly, requiring a firm press that can be frustrating mid-run. The MIP display, while power-efficient, is small, making it difficult to read stats on the go. The app experience isn’t great either, with a learning curve that may frustrate some users. And while it syncs with Strava, the smartphone software lacks integration with Apple Health or Google Fit.

The bottom line

Despite these limitations, the DW-H5600 delivers what most casual runners need. It provides reliable GPS tracking when connected to a phone and accurate heart rate readings. It’s not in the same league as a Garmin sports watch, which offers far more detailed performance metrics, better GPS, and more training features. But the DW-H5600 isn’t trying to compete at that level. It’s a tough, stylish, and functional watch that happens to be able to track runs surprisingly well.

Casio fans will appreciate the durability and unique design, and for those who don’t want a full-fledged sports watch, the DW-H5600 hits a nice middle ground. With solid tracking, solar-assisted charging, and a minimalist approach, it’s a great option for someone who wants a reliable everyday watch that can handle the occasional run.

Don’t forget to read my full Casio G-SHock DW-H5600 review. The device can be purchased on Amazon and Sony.

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This is the first G-Shock I’ve reviewed, and I can see why they have such a strong following. It’s a bit like Marmite—some love the toughness and bold design, while others don’t see the appeal. They’re made to handle anything, and while many rely on them for durability, plenty of people wear them purely for the style and simplicity.

The DW-H5600 blends classic G-Shock toughness with modern fitness features, keeping the familiar octagonal look while adding an MIP display and a few extra functions. It’s still like a traditional G-Shock but with enough upgrades to make it more versatile. The one downside for me are the buttons—they’re small and can be difficult to press.

Powered by Polar’s algorithms, the health tracking is solid, particularly heart rate – though sleep tracking can be a bit inconsistent. Sports tracking works well, too. Mind you, there’s no built-in GPS so you need to rely on your phone for that. But it works just fine. The Casio Watches app provides more detailed stats, though it has a bit of a learning curve. Also, the lack of integration with Apple Health or Google Fit is something worth noting.

On the smart side, the watch covers the basics with notifications, automatic time updates, and a phone finder. Battery life holds up well, with solar-assisted charging helping to stretch out time between recharges. It’s not a smartwatch, but it does enough to be useful while keeping the tough, no-fuss G-Shock identity.

If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a sports watch or fully fledged smartwatch and just want something tough, stylish, and functional, the DW-H5600 might hit that sweet spot for you. It’s not perfect and at $299 it is not a cheap watch, but it’s definitely got its charm.

Check Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 price and availability on Amazon, Sony.

Casio G-SHOCK DW-H5600 review: Design, hardware

Look & feel

The G-SHOCK DW-H5600 is the first Sony watch I’m reviewing, which makes this an interesting experience for me. I’ve covered plenty of wearables before, but this one is a bit different. It sticks to the classic G-SHOCK look—octagonal design, rugged, and tough—but with a few modern touches that change how it feels on the wrist.

At 51mm, it’s got some size to it. I wouldn’t call it huge, but it’s definitely noticeable. Having said that, I would not classify it as bulky. The timepiece is actually surprisingly light at 59 grams, and the strap is soft with plenty of adjustment holes, so getting a good fit isn’t an issue.

Casio has also made the case, bezel, and band from bio-based resin, which is supposed to be more eco-friendly. It gives the watch a soft matte feel, which is nice, but it does attract fingerprints and seems prone to light scratches.

There are also versions with metal bezels that give the watch a more premium feel, featuring black or blue ion plating. The standard model still holds its own, especially for those who like the classic G-Shock look. It’s a design that has built a strong following, with a thriving community of fans on social media..

One of the things I liked is the MIP (Memory-in-Pixel) display. It is a transition from the usual G-SHOCK LCDs, making it easy to read in bright sunlight. That’s a plus, but then there are the side buttons, which are recessed to the point of being a bit annoying. Pressing them takes more effort than it should, which isn’t great if you’re in the middle of a run or workout. Sometimes it takes a few goes for the button press to register.

Overall, the DW-H5600 stays true to its roots while trying to be a bit more comfortable and stylish. It’s an interesting mix, and while it looks good, the button design, and wear on the bezel might be things to consider. Since this is my first Sony watch review, I’m still getting a feel for what they bring to the table—but so far, it’s been an intriguing watch to check out. Definitely very different from the Garmin, Fitbits and Amazfit watches I usually test.

Under the hood

The Casio G-SHOCK DW-H5600 packs a surprising amount of tech under its rugged exterior, blending G-SHOCK durability, 200 meter water-resistance with modern smartwatch-like sensors and connectivity. Mind you, this isn’t a full-fledged smartwatch. But it does more than your typical G-Shock when it comes to fitness tracking and data collection.

For starters, it includes an optical heart rate sensor, which allows for continuous heart rate monitoring during workouts and throughout the day. This is a major shift for a G-SHOCK, bringing it closer to dedicated fitness trackers. There’s also a blood oxygen (SpO2) sensor, which can be useful for tracking recovery and general well-being. The accelerometer handles step counting and movement tracking, while the gyroscope helps with activity recognition and more precise motion analysis. These are the core sensors that drive the fitness features, and they provide enough data for general tracking.

In terms of memory and processing, details from Sony (or rather, Casio) are typically vague, but it’s clear that the watch is running a more advanced system than older G-SHOCK models. The MIP display ensures smooth transitions and a responsive interface, suggesting that it has enough onboard storage and processing power to handle workouts, notifications, and fitness tracking without lag.

For connectivity, the watch uses Bluetooth to sync with the Casio Watches app. It transfers workout data, notifications, and settings, but it doesn’t have standalone GPS or Wi-Fi, meaning it needs a phone connection to fully function. That’s a bit of a letdown for those who prefer to leave their phone behind when running or exercising outdoors. There’s also no ANT+ support, so it won’t connect to external heart rate monitors or cycling sensors.

Generally, the Bluetooth connection works well. But I did find on occasion it would require an extra tap to re-establish the connection with the smartphone app before syncing.

Battery life

Battery life on the DW-H5600 is a mix of old-school durability and modern reality. Unlike classic G-Shocks that can last for years on a single coin-cell battery, this one needs to be charged.

It does have solar-assisted charging, which helps stretch out battery life when exposed to sunlight, but it’s not a fully solar-powered watch. Worth noting is that, unlike Garmin, Casio is great at hiding solar cells in watch faces. And here it’s enough to keep the time display running a long time, but if you’re using all the features, you’ll still need to plug it in.

A full charge takes about three hours with the proprietary USB cable and lasts around a week if you use it for about an hour a day. In workout mode with heart rate tracking, it’ll run for about 35 hours, while in basic watch mode (without heart rate) it can last a month. With power saving on, you could get up to 11 months.

How often you’ll need to charge really depends on how much you use the fitness and smart features. If you’re tracking workouts and syncing data often, expect to charge it every few days. I found that about a week is what I am getting, with occasional run tracking.

The solar charging ability is a nice backup, but it won’t save you from needing the cable. Compared to a full smartwatch, the battery life is pretty solid, but if you’re used to a G-Shock that just runs forever, this might take some getting used to.

Casio G-SHOCK DW-H5600: Technical specs comparison

The DW-H5600 takes the classic square G-SHOCK design and slaps on a bunch of modern fitness features. Unlike the old-school models that just focused on being tough, this one throws in heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, and even sleep tracking. It still keeps the rugged, shock-resistant build and excellent water resistance, but now with a carbon core guard structure, making it even more durable while staying lightweight. Casio also switched to bio-based resin for the case and band, so there’s a bit of an eco-friendly touch here too.

Compared to other watches in the G-SHOCK Move Collection, the pricier GBD-H2000 is more of a hardcore sports watch. It’s got GPS, a barometer, compass, and altimeter, making it better for serious outdoor training. On the other hand, the GBX-100-2A is built for surfers, with tide and moon phase tracking, which the DW-H5600 doesn’t have. The GBD-200-9 and GMDB-300-4 are more basic, with step counting and Bluetooth, but no heart rate or fitness tracking.

Which means the DW-H5600 sits somewhere in the middle. It’s not a full-blown sports watch, but it’s got way more health-tracking features than the simpler models. This makes it a solid pick for people who want a mix of toughness and everyday fitness tracking.

Casio G-SHOCK DW-H5600 review: Health & fitness tracking

The DW-H5600 steps up G-Shock’s health and fitness tracking, thanks to its partnership with Polar. This means the watch can track heart rate, blood oxygen levels, sleep, and recovery using Polar’s well-tested algorithms. It’s a collaboration that has recently been announced.

The sleep tracking is pretty detailed, breaking sleep into different stages and even analyzing your autonomic nervous system. There’s also a smart alarm that wakes you up at the best time during a light sleep phase, which isn’t even found on Polar’s own devices. It’s a nice feature, though sleep tracking itself can be a bit hit or miss.

During the day, the watch keeps tabs on steps, calories, and active time. There’s a step reminder if you’ve been inactive for too long, and it uses an algorithm to figure out how much strain your workouts are putting on your body. The life log stores long-term data, including step counts and calories burned, giving you a bigger picture of your activity over time.

One interesting addition is distance correction. It fine-tunes your step count and activity tracking using your phone’s GPS for better accuracy.

The on-watch display shows the basics, but for more detailed stats, you’ll need to check the Casio Watches app. The app itself is a bit clunky and takes some getting used to, but the stats are reasonably accurate once you get past the learning curve. One thing to note is limited third-party app integration. It’s compatible with Strava, but the smartphone software will not connect to Apple Health or Google Fit.

Sports tracking

As far as sports tracking, the DW-H5600 keeps things fairly simple. It supports four activities: running, walking, gym workouts, and interval training. That’s half of what you get on the higher-end GBD-H2000, but still covers the basics for most people.

There’s no built-in GPS, but it does have Connected GPS, which links to your phone’s GPS through the app. I tested this over a few runs in heavily built-up areas of central London, and it worked perfectly fine—quick to connect and surprisingly accurate even with tall buildings around. But then again, the accuracy will depend on the quality of the satellite signal on your smartphone. But in my experience the Connected GPS functions well.

Heart rate tracking is surprisingly decent too. I found that the strap needs to be tightened properly to get reliable readings during a run, but once it was snug, the results were pretty close to what I got from my Scosche Rhythm chest strap connected to my Garmin. Both max and average heart rate numbers lined up well, which is impressive for a wrist-based sensor. That said, the DW-H5600 can’t connect to external chest straps, and it doesn’t support ANT+, so you’re stuck with the built-in sensor.

Here is an example of an 11km run through central London. There was only a 30 meter difference for distance tracking with my Garmin Forerunner 955. As far as heart rate, the average on the Casio was 147bpm and maximum 163bpm. This compares to the 147bpm and 162bpm respectively on the Garmin connected to a heart rate strap. So pretty good accuracy.

In terms of stats, the watch covers the usuals like pace, distance, and heart rate, but also throws in some extras like Running Index, Cardio Load, Cardio Load Status and Energy Sources. It doesn’t go as deep as a dedicated running watch, but it does offer more performance metrics than a basic fitness tracker. If you’re looking for a tough, everyday watch that can handle casual running without the full complexity of a smartwatch, it does the job well.

Those very serious about their outdoor pursuits may want more sports tracking ability. It is also worth noting, while screen visibly of the MIP is very good outdoors – this is a fairly small display which makes it difficult to check on your stats mid-run.

Casio G-SHOCK DW-H5600 review: Smart features

The DW-H5600 isn’t a fully fledged smartwatch, but it does have some handy connected features. With Bluetooth and the Casio Watches app, it automatically adjusts the time, gives you world time for around 300 cities, and makes it easier to tweak settings from your phone. You’ll get notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts, but you can’t reply from the watch. There’s also a phone finder, which is great if you’re always losing your phone.

Outside of the connected features, it’s still very much a G-Shock. You get a stopwatch that runs up to 100 hours, a 60-minute timer, four alarms with snooze, and a smart alarm that wakes you up at the best time during light sleep. The LED light has an option for a 5-second duration, which isn’t something you see on many other G-Shocks, since most max out at 3 or 4 seconds. Unlike some 5000-5600 models, there’s no hourly chime, but at least you can still see the current time while using the stopwatch and timer. It’s not packed with smart features, but it does enough to keep things convenient without losing the tough, no-nonsense G-Shock feel.

Check Casio G-Shock DW-H5600 price and availability on Amazon, Sony.

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A design built for fans

As shared on Weibo, at first glance, this tracker looks like a standard Xiaomi device. However, it is the PlayStation branding is that sets it apart.

The fitness band arrives in a commemorative blue box, with two strap options: one featuring PlayStation’s familiar button symbols and logo, and a plain black one if you’re feeling low-key. The package also includes a commemorative card and a charging cable, rounding out what feels more like a collector’s set than a typical gadget.

The device itself sticks to Xiaomi’s usual sleek and lightweight build. It’s only 8mm thick and weighs just 24.5 grams, so it’s not going to weigh you down. With water resistance up to 5 ATM, it’s swim-friendly, and the 1.74-inch OLED display is bright and crisp, even in sunny conditions.

It’s still a fitness tracker at heart

Under the hood, this is very much a fitness tracker. It does what you’d expect: heart rate monitoring, SpO2 tracking, and sleep analysis, plus menstrual cycle tracking for those who need it. It’s equipped with GPS and supports over 150 sports modes, so you’ll have no trouble logging your workouts. Xiaomi has lots of experience here.

Another thing the device gets right is battery life. It lasts up to 21 days on a single charge, which is always handy if you’re not great at remembering to plug things in.

As mentioned, this is essentially a Smart Band 9 Pro wearing a PlayStation outfit.. You can check out our full hands-on review of the Xiaomi device on this link.

Mostly about the looks

If you’re expecting some big changes or PlayStation-related features on the software side, you’re out of luck. The PlayStation branding here is all in the design—there’s no sign of gaming tie-ins or tweaks to the interface.

Right now, this tracker is only available in China. There’s no word from Sony or Xiaomi about a wider release, so if you’re outside China, you’re either waiting or searching for a reseller.

This collaboration feels more like a collectible for PlayStation fans than anything groundbreaking. It’s a solid fitness tracker with some unique branding. Whether it becomes available globally is anyone’s guess, but for now, it’s a niche product for a specific market.

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This is along the lines of the Wena 3 which was released in late 2020. That one is a band that can turn any traditional watch into a smart one. The clever bits are hidden away in the strap, plus there’s a display at the underside of the band that can fit several lines of text.

Wena 3 Shia Ultraman edition is a traditional looking smartwatch which will be super limited as the Japanese tech giant is only making 1000 pieces to be sold around the globe. The timepiece can already be found on the Sony Japan website, ready to be pre-ordered.

If you want to grab one of these it will cost you a hefty 68,200 yen (around $520). It is also worth knowing that you won’t actually get the watch until November 7th, so its a rather long wait.

The device carries design elements along the lines of the Shia Ultraman film, a reimagining of the popular 1966 Ultraman TV series. To this end it packs a silver-tray barrel-shaped metallic frame. The bezel is reminiscent of Ultramar’s face, while the three hands correspond to the individual elements of Ultraman and Defense Force in Shin Ultraman.

The ripple button motif of “Veta Capsule”, an item used by Shinji Kaminaga, the main character who appears in the film, is attached to the dial and the dragon head. Turn the watch on its back and you’ll notice a replica of Shinji Kaminaga’s dog tag engraved in the case.

Of course, this is a smartwatch so you do get some clever functionality. As this is a Wena 3, the smart bits are concealed in the buckle part of the silicone band. This includes an accelerometer, electrostatic touch sensor, microphone, illuminance sensor and heart rate sensor.

In a sense you get a traditional display coupled with a second 20mm OLED screen on the buckle part. The first doesn’t do anything beyond shows the current time. The latter, however, can display incoming calls, emails, app notifications, schedules, weather, timers, alarms. There’s also support for Alexa and Find Your Smartphone. Furthermore, the buckle spits out info on steps, heart rate, stress, sleep, body energy, calories burned and Vo2Max.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

The watch is 5 ATM rated so you can swim with it. As far as battery life, between charges it should keep going for about a week. About an hour and a half on the charger is enough to go from zero to full.

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You wouldn’t be blamed for thinking the company has given up on the Sony Smartwatch as the third (and last) iteration landed back in 2014. Mind you, there have been other wearable tech products from Sony, but they have been few and far in between in recent years.

A worthy mention is the stylish FES Watch U. Showcased at IFA 2018, this is more of a fashion accessory than a smartwatch. The device has some smart functionality, but its main trick is that it allows you to change the look at the touch of a button – the appearance of both the i-ink display and strap can be customized.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Sony has also dished out a few iterations of the Wena Smart Strap. The gizmo can be used to turn any traditional watch into a smart one. The clever bits are hidden away in the strap, plus there’s a display at the underside of the band that can fit several lines of text. Wena 3 is the lastest iteration. Announced in late 2020 it adds a heart rate monitor and Alexa support to functionality that is available on the predecessor devices.

Possible Xperia Watch or Sony Smartwatch 4?

Now there’s hope Sony’s wearables ambitions have picked up again. A post on Weibo by well known Xperia leaker ZacksBucks (via Notebookcheck), hints that a Sony-branded smartwatch may be in the works. Here’s the machine translation of the post that was written in Chinese.

“One old story is that Sony’s watch-band Wena business was merged into Sony’s mobile communications business in April 2021, and there may be a Xperia × Wena connection in the future. I hope that it will be launched in China.”

What could a Xperia and Wena connection mean? It’s a pretty safe guess most of Sony’s wearable tech knowhow right now is under the Wena roof. A possible linkage with the Xperia smartphone line could imply a first smartwatch under the Xperia moniker. The fact that Xperia is a well-established and well-known brand would help with marketing such a device.

The fact that ZacksBucks says “I hope it will be launched in China” could mean he has intelligence on an actual product. The other option, of course, is that the link simply means deeper integration between the Weba smart band and Xperia smartphones.

A third option could be the Sony Smartwatch 4. In our view this is the least likely possibility. A lot has changed in the wearable tech space since the last timepiece in this line saw the light of day. Competition is much stiffer and there’s very little to separate the players right now. A company would have to have a pretty compelling offering to capture a significant share of the market. Having said that, Sony is a tech giant. If anyone can pull it off, they can.

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Essential reading: Tennis gadgets and trackers to improve your game

While the game is steeped in tradition, tennis was actually one of the first sports to embrace technology. The first grand-slam tournament to implement Hawk-Eye in challenges to line calls was the Australian Open back in the not-too-distant 2007. The system works via six or seven high-performance cameras, normally positioned on the underside of the stadium roof, which track the ball from different angles.

The video from the cameras is triangulated and combined to create a three-dimensional representation of the trajectory of the ball. Each tennis player is allowed 2 incorrect challenges per set and one additional challenge should a tiebreaker be played. The original system was complicated and cost over $3,000. And no, its not any cheaper now. In fact it costs even more!

Technology has become a big part of the game. Some players, for example, have started using data analysis. Outfits such as Tennis Stat and Golden Set Analytics sell packages that cost upwards of $80,000 for an annual subscription. This is certainly not too expensive for the likes of Djokovic, Federer and a few other elite players. They routinely utilise such data to better understand their opponents tactical play and movements. Nadal doesn’t, preferring instead to rely on the analytical mind of his coach Carlos Moya.

But we don’t all have coaches. Luckily, other forms of tennis technology have become accessible not only to professional players but also to aspiring amateurs and hobbyists. If you hear people banging on about “the internet of things” and are not quite sure what this is about, it is referring to the future where everything around us will be connected. Including sports.

The tennis technology landscape is already exploding with new and exciting technology. This is our overview of gadgets and wearables that are changing the face of the game.

Data collecting sensors

First and foremost we have data collecting devices. Babolat was the first to enter this market with its Babolat Pure Drive racket. This was quickly followed by the Sony Tennis Sensor, Zepp Tennis Swing Analyzer, Qlipp tennis sensor and others.

While Zepp and Sony place their sensors on the butt of the racquet, Babolat‘s is built into the grip. Qlipp, on the other hand, sits on your strings and also functions as a vibration dampener. Then there are those like the Babolat Pop and its big brother Babolat and PIQ, which sit on your wrist and quietly collect information.

All of these gadgets focus on gathering information on technique and dish out a plethora of statistics. The accuracy of this data varies, sometimes quite a bit! But does that really matter? The goal of these sensors is to improve your game over time. Unless you’re aspiring to be a professional, as long as you are consistently using the same device you are comparing like with like. Which means your trends over time will show whether you are improving or not.

Intelligent courts

Smart Court systems such as Playsight and Mojjo have already been installed on several hundred venues across the US and Europe. These are systems that involve a number of permanently fixed cameras that record everything that happens during play. While less accurate than Hawk-Eye, they are precise enough to check lines and come at a much lower price.

There are more exciting developments under way. For example, a Swiss startup called Technis has perfected an entirely tactile surface to make the actual tennis court interactive. The technology is directly integrated into the surface of synthetic and resin courts. Every single movement is detected, from the bounces of the ball to the position of the players on the court. The information is displayed in real time on a screen on the edge of the court. The system is yet to see real-world use, but we can hopefully expect to see implementation in the not too distant future.

Another exciting development is a gadget we’ve actually tried out called In/Out (manufacturers website). The $200 GoPro like device can be fastened to any tennis net post in less than a minute to detect in real-time which side of the line the ball lands. It does this thanks to the same algorithms that provide line-detection for self driving cars. You essentially get your own personal ‘Hawkeye’ system.

Video analysis

Match video analysis is no longer accessible only to professional players. A number of services have popped up, such as Tennis Analytics, that allow you to send raw video footage of your match for analysis. You get back an index video/summary of the match, that allows you to search for any moment in the match. You also receive a professional match report (serve %, aces, double faults, return %, winners, errors, differential for both you and your opponent). While the service is accessible to the recreational player, at over $500 for 10 hours of video, you would really need to be passionate about your game to subscribe!

It is inevitable though that the price of these services will come down over time. While you are waiting, why not video your tennis session with your smartphone, and with the help of the Sony or Qlipp tennis sensors, overlay your metrics on top of the video. While not as sophisticated as some of the more professional tools, they still do the job.

Tennis apps and online tools

Then we have the tennis apps and online tools. Companies such as Global Tennis Network, Sportlyzer, and Coachanize are creating a wide variety of software platforms. Some are predominantly aimed at the recreational player and offer a community where you can find opponents, organize ladders or even book courts. Others are aimed more for clubs/coaches and provide a convenient avenue for client management.

Going even further…

How about a relatively inexpensive portable ball machine? Step in Slinger Bag.

The thing is designed to resemble an oversized tennis bag. You can put things in it such as your racket, a water bottle and more. It will even charge your phone. But more importantly, the gizmo hurls tennis balls in your direction. Users can control the launch speed and the launch frequency of the balls at speeds up to 73 kilometres per hour.

The other option is called Proton. It’s slightly more expensive and doesn’t look like a tennis bag, but has better speed and more control options. This one is due to launch in the summer.

But you don’t really want to be bending down picking up tennis balls. Not in 2020. Why not have Tennibot hoover them up for you!

We are very excited where this technology will lead us in the coming years. If this is only the beginning, we can’t wait to see what the future holds in store.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

More of a fashion accessory than a smartwatch, the device sports an e-ink display. This is something similar you would find on a Kindle device. In addition to changing designs at the touch of a buttom, the technology allows the display to extend around the watch face on to the strap itself.

Its a simple concept – you just get the e-paper design and regular timekeeping. Due to its limited internal smarts, the watch does not need to be synced regularly to a smartphone.

The device which launched in Japan last year was limited to 24 black and white designs. This has been bumped up to 100 now. You can also add your own customized look or use the smartphone app to download other people’s designs.

Battery life is pretty good. You’ll be able to keep the device going for up to 3 weeks on a single charge thanks to the low power e ink technology. The accompanying watch stand provides wireless battery charging.

In terms of other design features, the watch comes with glass facing and stainless steel casing that has a IPX5/IPX7 water resistance rating. There are silver, premium black and white versions to choose from. The Premium Black version benefits from a layer of scratch-resistant sapphire glass to protect the display.

But don’t confuse the FES Watch U with a Fitbit, Apple or Garmin smartwatch. Sony’s device is just for telling the time and looking stylish on your wrist.

If you live in Europe you’ll be able to buy the device from mid-September. Start collecting your pennies, though, as this is one for those with deep pockets. The watch will set you back a whopping £529 ($700) and even more (£699) for the premium version. No word yet on US availability but we’ll update this article when we hear more.

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Wearables have made a decent showing in recent years. A number of big and small brands have used the gathering to announce and showcase upcoming fitness trackers and smartwatches. This year was no different.

Enough chit-chat. Let’s dive right in.

Fitbit Charge 3

One of the most recognized names is the world of wearable tech debuted a new addition to its Charge range of fitness trackers. As the leaks predicted, Charge 3 is pretty much a smartwatch disguised as a fitness tracker. It comes with a full-touch screen, water-proofing, 7 days battery life, smart features, an added sensor and more.

The device was proudly displayed at Fitbit’s stand. Holiding it in your hand, it feels strangely familiar. That’s because its not a distant cousin of Charge 2, its a better looking sibling – clearly recognizable, but a shinier and more premium version.

Swipe up on the touchscreen to cycle through daily fitness stats, swipe down to see notifications, swipe right to open up the exercise, relax, timers, alarms and settings screen. Everything feels very responsive and slick. If you’ve ever used a Fitbit device, you’ll feel right at home.

Read more…

Amazon

Samsung Galaxy Watch

Samsung has unveiled the stylish Galaxy Watch, an updated version of its ageing Gear line. It comes with LTE connectivity, comprehensive fitness smarts, GPS, water resistance and a price-tag to match. Few real surprises, though. Nevertheless, the device has an extremely premium feel and looks really, REALLY, great.

This is primarly a fitness focused smartwatch. Its slew of activity tracking sensors consist of an accelerometer, heart rate, gyro and barometre. These work to spit out stats on steps, distance, floors, calories, stress and sleep. The activity tracking also includes keeping tabs on up to 40 different exercises – and swimming thanks to 5 ATM water-resistance.

Read more…

Amazon

Garmin Vivosmart 4

There were one or two surprises, too. One of these was Garmin’s Vivosmart 4. Packed into an extremely narrow body, the next iteration in the Vivosmart series brings all the usual fitness tracking smarts, in addition to a couple of novel features.

First off, the fitness tracker gauges your oxygen saturation levels at night. This will allow you to better understand your sleep quality and potentially use to identify sleep conditions such as apnea. You can take readings on demand during the day as well.

The other novel feature is what Garmin calls Body Battery energy monitoring. This uses a combination of stress, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep and activity data to let you know when to push hard, when to rest.

Read more…

Casio Pro Trek WSD-30

Casio’s PRO TREK Smart series consists of rugged watches designed for outdoor enthusiasts. The WSD-F10 was released back in 2016 and this was followed up last year with the WSD-F20.

This year at IFA, Casio has announced the WSD-F30. The new timepiece boasts an enhanced design along with a number of new features such as the use of offline maps and GPS log recording for up to three consecutive days on a single charge. Great news for folks that love to go trecking outdoors.

Read more…

Skagen Falster 2

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 biggest design tweak 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. There are the usual steps, distance, sleep and activity stats, in addition to heart rate this time around.

GPS has been slapped on as well, something those serious about exercising outdoors will appreciate. And lets not forget NFC for those payments on the go.

Read more…

Diesel On Full Guard 2.5

The other Fossil Group brand to debute a new device at IFA was Diesel. Its Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 device takes all the Fossil Gen 4 features (GPS, NFC, water resistance, etc) and packs it into a body that is scarily big.

And we’re not kidding. The device looks absolutely enormous. You will need some seriously big wrists to strap one of these babies on. Diesel On Full Guard 2.5 has a 56mm stainless steel case and a 1.39 inch screen. If you were wondering whether there is a bigger smartwatch around – no, there isn’t. A watch for real men who like to make a bold statement.

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Bellabeat Leaf Chakra

At the other end of the spectrum, Bellabeat is back at IFA this year with a new leaf-shaped tracker for women. The appropriately named Leaf Chakra is a pendant that can be worn on a necklase or as a clip-on accessory.

The device looks very much like its predecessors and is made from wood composite and stainless steel, but there are some design differences. The biggest is that Leaf Chakra is enhanced with healing crystals.

Outside of that, the gizmo tracks your activity, sleep and menstrual cycle, and combines this into a single metric which lets you know how stressed you are. You can then choose from about 20 different guided mediations and breathing exercises designed to help you chill.

Read more…

Sony FES Watch U

A crowdfunded project, the stylish FES Watch U allows you to change designs at the touch of a button. More of a fashion accessory than a smartwatch, the device sports an e-ink display on both the face and strap so you can seamlessly blend it into your wardrobe.

The device has been selling in Japan for about a year now. Sony has said it will make its way to Europe in mid-September. The European version will come with over 100 pre-loaded designs, and if that’s not enough you can make your own.

Read more…

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Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets for 2017

Wearables are one of the most talked about technologies in the run-up to the gathering. The actual event opens to the public on September 1st, but there will be a string of press conferences starting from August 30th.

We will be on the ground in Berlin to report on all the news. Last year we witnessed a number of launches including the Fitbit Charge 2 and Flex 2, Withings Steel HR, Tom Tom Touch, Samsung Gear S3 Frontier and Asus Zen Watch 2.

Here is a preview of wearables we expect to see this year.

Samsung

Samsung is kicking things of early with a press conference at 18:00 CET on Wednesday the 30th. We now know that its new Gear Fit 2 Pro will make an appearance. The main novelty here is the 5 ATM water resistance and ability to track swim sessions. You’ll also get offline Spotify music playback. The design is slightly tweaked, but its other features are pretty much unchanged from the predecessor device.

The next smartwatch in the Gear series will also make its debut at the IFA trade show. Recent leaks point to the likely launch of the Gear Sport, a hybrid smartwatch that features a round screen, a heart rate sensor and the Tinzen 3.0 operating system onboard.

In an interview with CNBC earlier this week, the president of Samsung’s mobile division DJ Koh commented that the current crop of smartwatches leave a lot to be desired in terms of health sensors.

“If we can put in place properly a smartwatch that can monitor everything for your health and provide the information, then the market will grow. Today’s sensors do not look like enough.” Koh told CNBC.

Lets hope we also see something new on that front. Its been a while since we’ve seen something truly different in terms of sensor technology.

Fitbit

Fitbit has been losing market share over the past year. All eyes are now on Ionic, which is set to launch in October.

James Park, the company’s CEO, will be holding a keynote speech between 17:00 and 17:45 CET September 1st. He will be discussing the evolution of wearables, their long-term potential and highlighting some exciting new areas that Fitbit is exploring.

Essential reading: Fitbit launches Apple Watch rival along with new scale and headphones

Now that we have details of the upcoming smartwatch, the device is likely to make a showing at the event. This is a fully featured timepiece with GPS, contactless payments, on-board storage and much more. It packs 8 sensors inside including a relative SpO2 sensor that measures blood oxygen levels. Will all this be enough to to reverse the company’s flagging fortunes remains to be seen.

Garmin

Garmin has been rather quiet in recent months but we are expecting the successor to the Vivoactive HR to land soon. There is a distinct possibility the company may use the Berlin gathering to launch the wearable. This would certainly make the news and has the potential to be the show-stealer.

Dubbed Vivoactive 3, images show a classy looking device that closely resembles Garmin’s Fenix and Forerunner line. The Vivoactive 3 even sports the same charger and heart rate sensor. The inclusion of only two physical buttons, though, indicates that it may sport a touch screen.

Unfortunately, no details have emerged about actual specs. Its predecessor was a Swiss knife of activity trackers, so its safe to expect Vivoactive 3 will inherit all of this and build with vitals statistics such as VO2 Max and perhaps stress monitoring. It will probably also incorporate some more advanced running metrics.

Fossil

Its a safe bet that Fossil will be showing off new touchscreen and hybrid smartwatch collections at the event. At the start of the year, the company promised an unprecedented 300 new connected devices this year.

This includes hybrid and smartwatches across 14 brands including Misfit, Diesel, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors and Fossil. New Fossil Group brands entering the wearables space in 2017 include DKNY, Marc Jacobs, MICHELE, Relic and Tory Burch. The company has recently revealed its Q Venture and Q Explorist watches.

Misfit, which now falls on the Fossil brand, will also have a display area. Vapor, its first smartwatch, is expected to hit the market soon for $199 so perhaps it may make an appearance. With this watch, the California band outfit has decided to forgo simplicity that its well known for, in favour of a fully souped up gadget.

Others

Many other companies will be showcasing trackers for sports, outdoor activities and sleeping, along with smartwatches, smart clothes, smart helmets and much more.

Philips and Microsoft are holding keynote speeches on September the 1st. We are not expecting much on the wearable front from these two though. Philips has recently launched a suite of connected medical grade devices, while Microsoft seems to have shelved its wearables plans for now.

Acer will be holding a press event at 10:30am CET on Wednesday the 3oth. Its new Leap Ware fitness smartwatch is expected to launch any time now so there is a good possibility we may see it at the event. This is a watch that packs some decent specs and looks classy enough for everyday use, not just fitness activities.

Sony has an event scheduled for 13:00 CET on Thursday the 31st, LG at 17:00 CET on the same day and Huawei at 14:00 CET on Saturday the 2nd. Difficult to say what, if anything new, will be announced on the wearable front from any of these but we will keep a close watch.

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