It’s about 80% cheaper than Apple’s Watch SE, but has all the features you’d expect from a good budget smartwatch.
Pretty much following exactly what the leaked images said, Nothing’s sub-brand CMF has announced its first three products, the Buds Pro TWS earbuds, the Power 65W GaN charger, and the Watch Pro, an affordable but mighty smartwatch that hopes to bring the Nothing experience to even more users with its pocket-friendly price tag. At just Rs. 4,499 INR (or $54 USD converted), the Watch Pro shouldn’t really come with any expectations, but it exceeds whatever I have with a feature-packed design. It sports a “mighty” 1.96-inch AMOLED always-on display accompanied by a single hardware button. The watch lets you answer calls via Bluetooth (with an AI noise reduction algorithm), tracks as many as 110 sports/activities, has a comprehensive heart monitor, a built-in GPS, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a whopping 13-day battery life. Did I mention it costs just $54 bucks?
What immediately stands out with the Watch Pro is the fact that it’s nothing like Nothing. There’s no transparency, no fanfare, not even as much as an online event or even a video. The reason lies in Nothing’s underlying strategy to pretty much conquer the budget market with well-made gadgets that are recognizable, but don’t affect Nothing’s own brand positioning. The CMF devices aren’t transparent because that’s the Nothing visual DNA. Instead, they come with opaque designs that are punctuated by the use of a bright orange, either in the hardware, or in the software. The name CMF stands for Color, Material, Finish – a reference to the abbreviated term used by designers and engineers.
While the design isn’t overtly revolutionary or innovative, the watch does deliver quite the bang for its buck. On the hardware front, there’s a whole lot to write home about. The watch obviously tells the time, lets you monitor the weather, has GPS tracking, and even has Bluetooth support so you can answer phone calls without taking your phone out. The folks at Nothing say their AI noise reduction algorithm was trained on over 100,000 noise models, allowing it to work remarkably well at isolating your voice when you’re in a crowded or noisy space.
It even supports up to 110 sports modes, letting you track all your sports and activities right on the watch, with a comprehensive breakdown of your reps duration, calories, heart rate, pace, steps, and distance. The comprehensive health monitor tracks your heart rate, blood SpO2, sleep, stress levels, etc. to enhance your health journey. There’s even a water reminder thrown in there so that the Watch Pro constantly ensures you stay hydrated.
What really does set the Watch Pro apart from any other smartwatch we’ve seen, however, is the OS. Most smartwatches distil down their respective smartphone OS or rely entirely on Android Wear to power their experience, but the Watch Pro is an entirely different experience. The smartwatch’s UI quite literally uses just a combination of 4 colors – black, white, grey, and orange, but achieves so much with its limited palette. The interface is this minimalist Bauhaus-inspired work of art that practically uplifts every screen, from the multiple watch faces to the functions/features within the watch. It might be a $54 smartwatch, but it feels nothing like one, with a kind of cleanliness that’s only reserved for flagships.
The Watch Pro comes with a respectable 13 days of battery life with moderate use, going down to 11 days with heavy use. This includes the fact that the Watch Pro has an always-on display that’s ever ready to give you the time of the day, the date, the weather forecast, or any notification you may need to see. Partnering with your smartphone, the Watch Pro has Find My features to help locate both your phone as well as your watch. There’s also a built-in Voice AI as well as music control for playback on your phone or your TWS earbuds.
For now, the Watch Pro along with other CMF products are just limited to an India launch. It makes sense, given Nothing’s flagship production center is in India too, as is a majority of its audience.
Just last November Amazon admitted that ‘Alexa’ wasn’t all they tried to build it to be. Dubbing it as a $10 billion loss for the company seemed like quite a reputation hit, but Amazon isn’t done surrendering the voice assistant. The ‘everything company’ has now launched a set of smart glasses with the beloved voice AI built into it. Now in its third-gen, the Echo Frames come in 5 different styles sporting a cool acetate look that’s 15% slimmer and lighter than previous versions (with support for prescription lenses, obviously). Redesigned audio drivers within the temple stems deliver much richer audio too, entirely eliminating the need to wear TWS earbuds with your spectacles. Just slip the Echo Frames on and you can listen to music, answer calls, and summon Alexa right through your specs. The Echo Frames, which start at $269, also boast an all-day battery life, a find-my feature, and an incredibly cool nightstand that lets you charge your eyewear overnight.
The primary goal of the Echo Frames is to blend right into your sense of style. Quite like Facebook and Ray-Ban’s ill-fated “Stories” glasses, the Echo Frames are styled to look exactly like the kind of eyewear you’d normally wear every day. However, while Facebook’s gadget helps you spy on others with covertly hidden cameras, the Echo Frames doesn’t… or at least it doesn’t have cameras. It still has an always-active microphone, although the mic can be muted and Amazon specifies that it does not ‘sell your data’ to third parties. You have full control of all the recordings and can listen to them at any time or even choose to delete them.
Hidden within those slick temple stems is the Echo Frame’s redesigned audio architecture that provides 3x higher bass than previous models, making listening to music, podcasts, and calls much more comfortable and balanced. The spectacles’ open-ear framework lets it beam-form audio directly into your ears so that nobody around you can hear what you’re hearing. The personalized audio experience also eliminates the need to wear TWS earbuds, freeing up your ears so you can hear the world around you… like Transparency Mode, but in real life.
The Echo Frames’ highlight has to be the fact that it’s powered by Amazon’s voice AI. With Alexa available just a tap away, you can summon the assistant to ask it questions, play music, or even control your smart home like checking to see if your door’s locked, or turning on/off the thermostat remotely. Moreover, app compatibility also lets you locate your spectacles remotely, a feature that should really help people with terrible vision like me!
The Echo Frames are rated IPx4, making them perfect to wear in the outdoors, even if there’s a light drizzle going on. The frames offer 6 full hours of continuous use on a full charge, or 14 hours with moderate usage. The frames are also accompanied by a smart charging stand that lets you juice your smart glasses’ battery simply by docking them in place. The Echo Frames 3rd Gen starts at $269.99 and comes in a selection of 5 different frame styles and colors. You can even directly add prescription lenses to your order on Amazon during checkout.
In a world where our trusty smartphones have evolved into pocket-sized powerhouses, it’s natural to wonder if our everyday backpacks could use a tech-savvy upgrade. Well, wonder no more, because Microsoft has just unveiled an ingenious wearable that promises to revolutionize the way we perceive and interact with our surroundings.
Imagine this: a smart backpack, not just any backpack, but one powered by the remarkable capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI). It’s not science fiction; it’s a reality that has recently received the green light from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Let’s delve into the exciting world of this innovative invention and see what all the buzz is about.
At its core, Microsoft’s smart backpack acts as your extra set of eyes. It’s equipped with the remarkable ability to identify objects in your immediate surroundings. Picture walking down a bustling street, and your backpack can provide you with real-time information about your environment – it’s like having your personal guide right there with you.
yanko design images to size – Microsoft_AI_backpack_03
Beyond object recognition, this intelligent companion can handle tasks for you. Need to set a reminder? Just ask your backpack. Want to add an event to your calendar? Your backpack is on it. It can even assist you in determining the price of an item at the grocery store. Think of it as your reliable sidekick, always ready to assist you on your adventures.
Thanks to its cloud connectivity, this smart backpack is a veritable treasure trove of information. It can fetch data from the internet in the blink of an eye, keeping you informed and up-to-date, no matter where you find yourself. Imagine having Google’s vast knowledge right at your disposal, all from the convenience of your backpack. The phrase “Are you stupid?” is on the verge of extinction! But of course, AI does not aid with common sense yet, right?!
Coming back, the magic doesn’t stop there. This backpack effortlessly syncs with your other tech gadgets, creating a harmonious tech ecosystem that simplifies your life. It’s like having all your devices working together seamlessly, sharing information and enhancing your daily experiences.
Beyond convenience, this backpack could be a game-changer for the visually impaired. With its built-in camera, microphone, speaker, network connection, processor, and storage space, it becomes an invaluable tool, offering crucial information and assistance in navigating the world.
While the potential applications of this smart backpack are vast, there’s a critical aspect that must not be overlooked: ergonomics. Designing the backpack to be ergonomic is key to making it a staple in our daily lives. Just think back to the early days of computing when computers were massive and cumbersome. Now we have lightweight laptops like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 and MacBook Air. Similarly, ensuring that this smart backpack is easy to carry and lightweight would make it accessible to people of all ages and strengths, much like a smartphone.
Furthermore, this innovative backpack could be a lifeline for the elderly, helping them navigate the modern tech world without feeling left out. Its intuitive design and AI-powered features could bridge the gap between generations and empower individuals to stay connected and informed.
While the release date and availability of this futuristic backpack remain a mystery, there’s no denying that it represents a significant leap forward in wearable technology. In a world where technology continues to reshape our lives, this AI-powered backpack could be the next big thing, seamlessly integrating digital intelligence into our daily experiences. So, stay tuned for updates, because the future of backpacks might just be smarter than we ever imagined, and it could change the way we all interact with the world around us.
The highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 9 has been released alongside the new Apple Watch Ultra 2. Both watches offer similar features in terms of hardware and software. However, the question on everyone’s mind is whether the Series 9 justifies an upgrade.
Under the Hood: Performance & Display
The Series 9 boasts impressive hardware upgrades that set it apart from its predecessors. The most notable of these upgrades is the new Apple Silicon S9 chipset, which boasts a staggering 5.6 billion transistors – a 60% increase from the previous Series 8 model. This translates into a significant boost in performance, with the upgraded GPU providing a 30% speed increase that results in faster rendering and smoother graphics. Moreover, the 4-core neural engine has doubled the speed for those interested in machine learning, making it a compelling option for those who require powerful computational capabilities.
Another standout feature of the Series 9 is its brighter 2,000-nit display, which represents a significant improvement over the Series 8’s maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. This increase in brightness is a welcome development, resulting in a more vivid and lifelike viewing experience, particularly in outdoor settings where glare and sunlight can be issues. Additionally, the Series 9 has a low brightness level of just one nit, which helps optimize battery consumption, especially when using the always-on display feature. This feature is especially useful for those who rely on their devices heavily throughout the day, as it allows them to conserve battery life without sacrificing performance or functionality. Overall, the Series 9 represents a significant leap forward in terms of hardware and features, making it an excellent choice for those needing a high-performance device that can handle a wide range of tasks.
Connectivity & Design Updates
Including the UWB 2 (Ultrawideband) chip is a significant step up. It promises better accuracy when locating devices, like your misplaced iPhone, giving exact distance and direction. Moreover, there’s a deeper integration with Apple’s Homepod.
Apple has introduced an array of new watch bands, all with a significant emphasis on sustainability. The Series 9’s case is fashioned from 95% recycled aluminum. But what truly stands out is Apple’s shift away from leather straps in favor of eco-friendly alternatives.
A Game-Changer: The Double Tap
Apple Watch has always pushed the boundaries of intuitive interactions, and the Series 9 is no exception. The double tap gesture catches everyone’s attention among the array of new features. Here’s my deep dive into this new addition:
The Intuitive Touch of Double Tap
The Apple Watch has always been a leader in wearable technology, thanks to its innovative features like the Digital Crown and Taptic Engine. The new double tap gesture takes ease of use to the next level. Users can now control their watch without even touching the screen – just tap your index finger and thumb together twice to unlock a variety of actions and features. This latest addition promises to deliver a seamless and intuitive user experience, making the Apple Watch Series 9 an even more impressive device.
Effortless Control in a Snap
The beauty of the double tap lies in its simplicity and versatility. Need to pause your workout playlist or play the next track? Double tap. Want to halt that ongoing timer or snooze the morning alarm? Again, just double-tap. The gesture even extends to phone functions, allowing users to answer or end calls seamlessly. And for those picture-perfect moments, the Camera Remote on the Apple Watch can be activated with this gesture, ensuring users never miss capturing a memory.
On the watch face, a double tap swiftly opens the Smart Stack of widgets. Do you wish to sift through these widgets? Another round of double-tapping lets you browse through them with ease.
The Science Behind the Gesture
I’m extremely impressed with the innovative feature that Apple has introduced in their latest Apple Watch Series 9. The watch boasts a Neural Engine that powers this remarkable creation. It gathers data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor, and uses a unique machine-learning algorithm to interpret the data.
What makes this feature truly remarkable is its detailed detection process. The algorithm is designed to identify the wrist’s specific micro-movements and the subtle changes in blood flow that occur when a user taps their index and thumb together. This level of precision is critical to ensure that the gesture is recognized accurately and quickly, resulting in a natural and seamless interaction experience.
Coming Soon to Wrists Everywhere
There’s a wait for those eager to test out the double tap gesture. Apple plans to roll out this feature in an upcoming software update next month. Given the potential of this gesture, it’s set to redefine how we interact with our smartwatches.
The Apple Watch Series 9 continues Apple’s legacy of innovation. Its latest addition, the double tap gesture, demonstrates the company’s dedication to creating smooth, intuitive, and futuristic user experiences. Having personally tried out this feature, I can confirm its ability to revolutionize how we interact with our smart wearables. Stay tuned for future reviews where I’ll delve deeper into other Apple Watch Series 9 features.
Apple’s FineWoven Straps: Where Luxury Meets Sustainability
It is worth noting the remarkable commitment Apple has made to sustainability with the Series 9. The brand has taken significant steps towards eco-friendliness by using recycled materials for the watch’s straps and striving for carbon neutrality. This aligns with other brands’ similar initiatives. However, Apple has not disclosed the expected lifespan of the Series 9 watch.
Moreover, not only is Apple advancing technology, but they are also pioneering sustainability with their latest creation, the “FineWoven” straps. The recent unveiling at the Wonderlust event was a pleasant surprise that exhibited not only the capabilities of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 but also the future of eco-friendly fashion in technology.
The FineWoven straps resemble suede but are made from tightly woven fibers instead
Goodbye Leather, Hello FineWoven
During the recent event, Lisa Jackson, who is Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, made a bold announcement regarding the company’s environmental stance. Apple is bidding farewell to the use of leather and is committed to reducing its carbon footprint.
The replacement for leather is a material called FineWoven, which exudes an understated yet elegant satin finish. The aesthetic appeal is only one aspect of FineWoven; it is also composed of over 60% recycled material. This fabric speaks volumes about Apple’s dedication to not just design but also to purpose. The use of FineWoven is a significant step towards achieving Apple’s environmental goals.
Hues and Tints: A Palette for Every Mood
Apple has introduced modern buckle and magnetic loop bands as the latest addition to their collection of bands for the Apple Watch. These bands come in a variety of stunning colors that are sure to appeal to anyone’s taste, allowing for a personalized and expressive fashion statement. Each hue has its own unique story to tell, offering a shade for every mood and occasion. The FineWoven straps offer a choice between serene midnight blue and bold sunburst orange, among other colors. These bands not only provide functionality but also style, allowing you to accessorize your Apple Watch.
Hermes: A Fashionable Partnership Renewed
Apple has made the decision to discontinue using leather in its product offerings. However, this change does not mean the end of their partnership with fashion giant Hermes. Instead, the two companies have joined forces to redefine their collaboration. Hermes has introduced a range of three new woven bands and a rugged silicone variant, designed to provide both durability and style. These new products cater to the ever-changing demands of today’s consumers.
The Hermes collection features new FineWoven straps and a redesigned watch face
Software Enhancements
Besides new hardware, WatchOS 10 offers various software features such as topographic maps, support for cycling power meters, and a redesigned user interface. These features were previewed at WWDC, Apple’s developer conference.
Final Thoughts
The Apple Watch Series 9 has undergone significant updates, particularly with the doubled display brightness, setting it apart from the Ultra 2. While some of these upgrades may appear subtle, the watch’s focus on sustainability is commendable. The new hardware and software features are noteworthy, but the ultimate test of success will be its performance in daily use. Stay tuned for our in-depth review of the Apple Watch Series 9 in the coming weeks.
As Apple revealed the latest fleet of the Apple Watch collection, one feature stood out as the most remarkable as well as the most intriguing. The Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 both boasted of a new gesture input – being able to tap your fingers twice to register a button press. This would work remarkably well if your hands were occupied or dirty, letting you answer/end calls, snooze alarms, play/pause music, and even trigger your iPhone shutter simply by tapping your index finger and thumb together… without touching your Apple Watch at all. Sounds impressive, but also sounds extremely familiar, doesn’t it? Because tapping your fingers is exactly how the Apple Vision Pro registers click inputs too.
When Apple debuted the Vision Pro at WWDC in June, their biggest claim was that the Vision Pro was an entirely controller-free AR/VR headset, letting you manipulate virtual objects using just your hands. However, news emerged that Apple was, indeed, figuring out a traditional controller substitute that would be much more reliable than just human hands. It seems like the Apple Watch could be that perfect alternative.
The Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra Series 2 were unveiled this year, with a few standout upgrades. Both watches now come with 2000 Nits peak brightness, doubling last year’s capabilities. They both also rely on the new S9 SiP (the watch’s dedicated chipset) which now runs Siri locally on the device, without relying on the internet. The watches are also accompanied by new bands, including the FineWoven fabric that now replaces all leather accessories in Apple’s catalog… but more importantly, both the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra Series 2 accept the new finger-tapping gesture that does what the home button on both watches would do. The feature’s due to roll out next month as Apple calibrates how it works… but the implications of the feature go beyond just the watch. In fact, the Watch could be the secret controller the Vision Pro truly needs to enhance its Spatial Computing Experience.
Sure, the Vision Pro has multiple cameras that track your environment, also keeping an eye on your hands to see where you’re pointing, tapping, and pinching. The big caveat, however, is any situation where the Vision Pro CAN’T see your hands. If you’ve got your hands under a table, in your pocket, or behind your back, the Vision Pro potentially wouldn’t be able to recognize your fingers clicking away… and that’s a pretty massive drawback for the $3500 device. Potentially though, the Apple Watch helps solve that problem by being able to detect finger taps… although only on one hand.
The way the ‘Double Tap’ feature works on the watch is by relying on the S9 SiP. The chipset uses machine learning to interpret data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor to detect when you tap your fingers twice. The feature only works with the hand that’s wearing the Watch (you can’t tap your right-hand fingers while the Watch is on your left hand), but even that’s enough to solve the Vision Pro’s big problem. Moreover, the new Ultra Wide Band chip on the watch can help with spatial tracking, letting your Vision Pro when your hands are in sight and when they aren’t. While Apple hasn’t formally announced compatibility between the Watch and the Vision Pro, we can expect more details when Apple’s spatial-computing headset formally launches next year. The Vision Pro could get its own dedicated keynote event, or even be clubbed along with the new iPad/MacBook announcements that often happen at the beginning of the calendar year.
Fashion has always been a powerful means of self-expression, allowing us to convey our moods, emotions, and individuality to the world. But what if fashion could go beyond mere aesthetics and help us communicate the complex state of our minds? Anouk Wipprecht, a visionary Dutch designer, has embarked on an intriguing journey to merge fashion and technology, resulting in an innovative creation known as the ScreenDress. This avant-garde white dress adorned with peculiar “eyeballs” promises to revolutionize how we express and perceive our cognitive load throughout the day.
The concept of “cognitive load” refers to the mental effort required for processing information and managing tasks at any given moment. In our modern lives, we are bombarded with a ceaseless stream of distractions, from smartphone notifications to background chatter, creating a constant mental juggling act. This overload of information often leads to stress, fatigue, and frustration, and yet, many of us remain blissfully unaware of our cognitive loads.
Wipprecht recognized this prevalent issue and saw an opportunity for fashion to provide a solution. As she puts it, “Fashion can help the wearer communicate with other people about what is going on inside their own bodies.” The ScreenDress is her groundbreaking attempt to make this idea a reality.
The ScreenDress is not your average piece of clothing. It features a striking neckpiece adorned with six round displays that resemble eyes, complete with an iris and a pupil. This neckpiece is intricately connected to a headband worn by the user, which, astonishingly, tracks brain waves. Developed by technology firm G.Tec, this headband uses brainwave data to estimate the wearer’s cognitive load, and this information is then visually conveyed on the displays.
The innovation lies in how the dress visually represents cognitive load. As the wearer’s mental burden increases, the pupils in the eye-like displays dilate wider and wider. Conversely, when cognitive load lessens, the pupils constrict. This visual metaphor is not only creative but also incredibly intuitive. Humans instinctively look at one another’s eyes to gauge their emotions, making this choice of representation particularly effective.4
Wipprecht’s ambition didn’t stop at creating a fashion statement; she employed cutting-edge technology in the dress’s construction as well. Collaborating with HP, the gown was 3D printed using a specialized form of nylon. This material, while lightweight, possesses the strength necessary to support the embedded electronic components, ensuring that the dress is not just visually impressive but also functional.
As of now, the ScreenDress remains a conceptual creation and a form of performance art. However, Wipprecht’s vision extends beyond the realm of avant-garde fashion. She envisions a world where fashion can play a role in helping us navigate the stresses of everyday life. If our garments could reflect our cognitive load to those around us, it might foster better understanding and empathy.
Imagine your partner recognizing your heavy mental workload and choosing to defer a difficult conversation to a more suitable time. Picture your colleagues at work discerning your overload and deciding to wait for a more opportune moment to share their experiences. In a world grappling with a mental health crisis, Wipprecht’s innovation challenges us to rethink how we deal with stress. Rather than hiding it, what if we could express it, allowing the world to adapt to our mental states?
The ScreenDress is poised to address those all-too-familiar moments when we’re drained and someone asks, “Are you okay?” This innovative creation has the potential to act as a preemptive buffer against emotional breakdowns, offering a new way to bridge the gap between our inner worlds and external interactions.
In a society where mental health awareness is more critical than ever, Anouk Wipprecht’s ScreenDress reminds us that fashion is not just about looking good; it can also be a powerful medium for understanding, empathy, and, ultimately, a more harmonious coexistence. The future of fashion may well be one where our clothes speak not just of our style but of our minds.
While Apple fans are eagerly waiting for the next suite of products from the Cupertino giant, Android users have also got the premium Pixel launches to look up to at the Made By Google event in October. Apple’s event is happening next week, and Google obviously wants to build anticipation of its flagship phone and smartwatch to spice up things.
To the same accord, Google has given a sneak peek of its second-generation smartwatch almost a month ahead of the official launch on October 4, which is kind of strange but most probably triggered by Apple’s upcoming event. In a short video released by Google, the Pixel Watch 2 looks eerily similar to its predecessor with some little differences.
Some of these variations include a new crown design, the inclusion of an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, and a radical-looking sensor array. If you already own the Pixel Watch, playing the video a couple of times will reveal the rectangular optical sensors inside the pill-shaped array, compared to the EKG electrodes housing on the original smartwatch that came last year.
The second generation Pixel Watch has a more contoured form factor with a bit smaller LEDs. If we take into consideration all the rumors and leaks that have surrounded the upcoming Pixel line-up, then the sensors mentioned above should be the Sense 2 continuous electrodermal activity sensor. That should explain the circular design of the watch. Also, if we go by the leaks, then the EDA sensor for stress monitoring should be a certainty.
Coming on to the crown, it is now more coherent with the display screen, compared to the Pixel Watch which had a clear distinction in the form of a cut-out. What will come loaded on the inside is anybody’s guess at this point in time but the smartwatch is expected to come with the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Plus mated to the Samsung’s Exynos chipset.
If the Pixel Watch 2 teaser already tickles your fancy then the New York event followed by pre-orders for the smartwatch should be marked on your calendar already!
Around 70 million Americans are reported to have one form of sleeping disorder or another, and a whopping 30% of adults are suffering from insomnia. We can probably blame part of this on a culture that glorified activity and busyness at the expense of sleep, but now people have become painfully aware of the need for restful slumber to actually keep their productivity up, not to mention live healthy lives. Unfortunately, many quick-fix solutions involve artificial methods like pills or herbal concoctions to force our bodies to shut down, leading to unbalanced lifestyles and dependence on these substances. Fortunately, there are more natural methods with longer-lasting effects, and this advanced sleep mask harnesses the power of sounds and light not only to let you sleep deeply but also to wake up more peacefully and naturally, ready to face the day ahead.
Pills, teas, and other sleeping aids use external substances to help lull the body and mind to sleep. They might not be harmful as far as their ingredients go, but they don’t instill good habits and rely on external factors to induce sleep. They also don’t address the problem of waking up properly from this deep slumber, something that can only really be done with the right kind and amount of light. Fortunately, our bodies can actually be trained to this healthier sleeping pattern, which is what the Aura Smart Sleep Mask brings to the table, or the bed rather, utilizing immersive sounds and light therapy to get you sleeping and waking up in the best ways possible.
Step 1: Pair with Aura app & tailor your Dreamscape.
Step 2: Put on Aura.
Step 3: Enjoy your relaxation sessions with the optional light therapy.
Step 4: Experience total blackout & enter sleep nirvana.
Using the Aura Smart Sleep Mask is as easy as pairing it with the mobile app, selecting your preferred Dreamscape, putting it on, and enjoying the soothing sounds and gentle lights that will put you to sleep like a gentle lullaby. Dreamscape fuses the best of audio experiences, from meditation to ASMR to the melodies of nature, in order to bring your mind and body to a peaceful state. You can even have guided meditation if that’s your cup of proverbial tea. And when it comes for you to finally rouse from slumber, the mask emulates the light of the rising sun to wake you up more naturally compared to the harmful shock of an alarm.
In addition to the sound and light therapy, the Aura Smart Sleep Mask also creates a total blackout in order to let you create your personal sleep sanctuary wherever you are. The Hug 3D memory foam creates a leak-free seal around your eyes without putting any pressure on them, allowing you to blink freely and even keep them open until you finally fall asleep. Comfort, after all, is a critical element in a peaceful slumber, and every inch of the Aura Smart Sleep Mask is designed to be gentle on your head. Even better, this cushion attaches magnetically so it can be removed easily and washed by hand or in a machine.
Whether you’re trying to reclaim your sleep schedule or trying to get some shut-eye in an unfamiliar place, this innovative and comfortable smart wearable will help you get the best sleep and the most peaceful rising each and every time. Say goodbye to those costly pills, put away the inconvenient teas, and harness the power of soothing sounds and therapeutic lights to rediscover the power of rest with the Aura Smart Sleep Mask.
Earlier this year, Nothing teased a sub-brand by the name of CMF with nothing more than just a logo reveal. Today, leaked images obtained by Twitter-user @techleakszone show three CMF products in the works. We upscaled these low-res images to get a clearer picture of the three products – a smartwatch, a pair of TWS earbuds, and a 65W GaN charging brick, all scheduled for an end-September release in India. All products have one thing in common – the use of a vibrant orange that draws instant attention to them, in a way contrasting Nothing’s transparent approach to design rather wonderfully!
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The most prominent of the products is the smartwatch, which is priced at a budget-friendly ₹4499 ($54.48 USD) and comes with a 1.96″ AMOLED always-on display. Styled to somewhat lock horns with other budget watches/wearables like the Fitbit, the CMF smartwatch comes with an aluminum alloy case and a silicone band. A 330mAh battery gives it up to 13 days of use on a single charge, and the wearable works as a comprehensive fitness/sports tracker with support for 110 sports, along with features like heart-rate monitoring, blood-oxygen monitoring, stress monitoring, sleep tracking, etc. The spec sheet below compares the watch with other budget smartwatches on the Indian market, comparing features along with an incredibly competitive price tag.
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The second product (code-named Corsola) is a ₹3499 ($42.3 USD) pair of TWS earbuds designed to compete with other brands in the low-budget segment. CMF’s earbuds are significantly different in appearance from the Nothing Ear (2) earbuds. They aren’t transparent, and they come in a circular case instead of a square one. The earbuds have up to 45dB of active noise cancellation and an impressive 37-hour battery life with the charging case. Just like the Ear (2), they are IP54-rated as well, although at half the price.
This is an AI-upscaled Image (Ignore warped graphics on product)
The third is probably the most interesting product of the lot – a GaN charger designed to compete in the accessories market and probably bring in the green for CMF by selling to both Android and iOS users alike. In a world where phone makers are increasingly deciding to ditch the idea of packaging chargers along with their phones, CMF’s 65W GaN charger makes quite an impact. With three ports (two USB-C and one USB-A), the charger can simultaneously power three devices, giving you a multifunctional power brick that takes care of your phone, tablet, and earbuds or power bank. The GaN semiconductor keeps the charging brick’s size extremely compact, and that bright orange color means you’ll never misplace it! The charging brick is expected to have a ₹2499 ($30.2 USD) price tag at launch a month from now.
I’m not saying that the OPPO Watch 4 Pro can entirely replace the Apple Watch Ultra… but just on looks alone, that curved display is enough to make one’s heart go aflutter. The curved profile integrates wonderfully with the curve of your wrist, creating a watch that has mass but doesn’t look like it does. The Watch Ultra, on the other hand, feels like a titanium box attached to your wrist. Moreover, the OPPO Watch 4 Pro comes with a few impressive tricks up its sleeve.
Announced alongside the Find N3 Flip smartphone, the Watch 4 Pro is OPPO’s latest flagship wearable. It features a 1.91-inch LTPO curved AMOLED screen embedded within a stainless steel case and a ceramic baseplate below. Running on the inside, the watch’s OS offers more than 200 practical widgets, has support for GPS, tracks over 100 sports, and has a comprehensive health-tracking setup that measures ECG, heart rate, blood oxygen, wrist temperature, blood vessel age, sleep patterns, and stress levels. Moreover, the smartwatch can reportedly also monitor your blood sugar level in real-time using non-invasive tracking – a game-changing feature that, if done right, can radically alter the landscape of wearables. All this and the Watch 4 Pro still reportedly has a battery life of nearly 14 days with light usage (or that’s what Oppo has us believe) and comes with support for devices running on Android 8 and higher or iOS 13 or above.
Keen observers will notice a slight difference in the Watch 4 Pro’s design – namely in the form of flatter sides and a more pronounced button and crown on the side (and even visible lugs on the top and bottom). The highlight of the watch, however, remains its “Micro-Arc” curved display that cascades across your wrist, creating a sleek appearance that’s just a pleasure to look at and interact with. The AMOLED display offers 378 x 496 resolution (326 PPI) and boasts an always-on feature.
Two chipsets power the watch – a Snapdragon W5 SoC for heavier tasks, and a BES 2700 chip for less intensive tasks. This clever balance between the two chips helps the Watch 4 Pro boast of its wild two-week battery life (which charges in just 65 minutes). You’ve also got built-in Bluetooth 5.0, eSIM support, NFC, and Gesture control… although there seems to be a deliberate exclusion of WiFi as a feature.
The Watch 4 Pro’s standout feature remains its reported ability to measure blood glucose levels in real-time. Designed to perform it non-invasively, this feature could render ‘pin-prick’ blood sugar tests completely obsolete, helping over 400 million people who suffer from diabetes. The Watch 4 Pro combines this with blood oxygen measurements (SpO2), heart rate metrics, ECG, sleep quality analysis, and stress-gauging to give you a comprehensive look at your health and lifestyle. Alongside these features, the Watch 4 Pro also provides users with access to over 100 sports modes (with professional-level tracking for pro users).
The Oppo Watch 4 Pro will be available in Polar Night Black (Silicon) and Dawn Brown (Leather) variants, with a China-only release for now. Enthusiasts can pre-order their Watch 4 Pro at a discounted 2,199 Yuan ($302) for the silicon variant and 2,399 Yuan ($329) for the leather variant on Oppo’s website for a limited time.
