Category Archives: Health

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More Apple Than Ever: Apple is Preparing to Launch More Products Beyond WWDC 2022!

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Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2022 was a big success. We saw the Apple M2 chip being introduced to the world. We also saw the new MacBook Air that is no longer a wedge-shaped laptop. There is also new MacBook Pro with M2 chip in it, obviously.

According to Mark Gurman, the Apple guy at Bloomberg, who has also been a highly reliable source for all things Apple, WWDC 2022 is really a pre-cursor to what Apple has planned out for the rest of 2022. In that case, 2022 looks rather busy for Apple.

We know that Apple’s next new iPhone will be coming somewhere in September, and it will come with a new proprietary Apple chip. The new Apple iPhone models, four of them, will also be the most powerful iPhone devices you can get your hands on. That is also a given, and a known fact.

According to Gurman, the new iOS 16 that was announced at WWDC 2022 is a good indication of what is to come with the next-generation iPhone. The revamped lock screen points to an always-on display feature on the new Pro models of the iPhone. At the same time, the lock screen could display a lot more information than just the clock. It could tell you the weather, your calendar, stocks, activities, and other information. For the sake of privacy, you can also control how much of the information gets displayed on the always-on display.

While the EU has made regulation changes and enforces that every electronics manufacturer, including Apple, to start transitioning to USB Type-C standards in the coming years, the new Apple iPhone 2022 will not sport USB Type-C just yet. It will still feature Apple’s proprietary Lightning port for now. You can expect USB Type-C iPhones to come in 2023 though.

Then there will be the new iPads. Apple did not release the M2 for nothing. Like the M1 chip in the iPad Pro, you can expect the new iPad Pro launching later in the year to feature the M2 chip. In that sense, there will be new 11-inch and 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro models coming at the end of the year with M2 chips. The M2 chips should be able to take advantage of the new iPadOS 16’s Stage Manager multitasking functions too. There is also a chance, according to Gurman, that Apple will launch larger form factor Apple iPad Pro models. He expects Apple to launch 14 and 15-inch variations of the Apple iPad Pro.

Unlike how Apple took their time with M1 chips spreading across Apple’s range of products. The M2 might spread more like wildfire this time. Gurman expects Apple to start launching even more products equipped with the M2 chip. There is an M2 Mac mini, M2 Pro chips on the Mac Mini and MacBook Pro models. There could be the M2 Max, M2 Ultra, and M2 Extreme chips coming too, since Apple already has the knowhow on building even more powerful chips based on their original SoC design.

The HomePod is also something that Apple might be looking to upgrade in the coming months. Apple might be looking to update the new HomePod with new processing chips, like the new Apple Watches. There is also supposed to be some new optimization made to the smart speaker in terms of size and audio performance. There are also rumours about multi-touch functions. Gurman also expects new AirPods Pro to be launched with new updated processing chips and higher quality audio.

Remember that all these things are just speculations. There are no straight up confirmations from Apple that they will be launching these new products immediately or in their regular September launch. Until they do make their official announcements, we can only wait and watch.

Source: Bloomberg

Accessories, Computers, Health, Lifestyle, News

BenQ Introduces their 2022 Line-Up of Products with HDRi and Eye Care

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Choosing the right display for your set-up is rather important. You do not want to be spending a lot of money on your tower and forget buying other peripherals. While you can cheap out a little on audio peripherals in most cases, you do not really want to cheap out on your display. Your display is technically the window to your PC, and it is the thing that meets your eye every time you turn on your PC.

The MOBIUZ EX2710U and EX3210U 4K Gaming Monitors with HDRi and Eye Care Technology

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    Source: BenQ
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If you want to get the best of the bets gaming displays, you want something with 4K resolution. At that, you also want a rather fast display. The new MOBIUZ EX series for 2022 are two 4K gaming monitors with up to 144Hz in refresh rate. The IPS panel used on the displays also boast up to 98% in DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage.

Both displays come with HDMI 2.1 support, you want that especially when you want to push 4K 144Hz to your display. As per the title, the MOBIOUS EX2710U and EX3210U also features BenQ’s patented HDRi technology for better colour reproduction and contrasts. At the same time, there is the Brightness Intelligence technology that adjusts the screen’s brightness according to ambient lighting conditions to protect your eyes, especially in low-light gaming conditions.

On top of all of that though the MOBIUZ EX monitors also feature 2.1 channel audio system they call the TreVolo Speaker system. This also means that you might not need to buy a secondary speaker at all to get decent audio. To really differentiate itself from other older models, it even comes in white colour. The only difference between the two models is their screen sizes at 27-inch and 32-inch respectively. Of course, price differs too.

BenQ Eye Care GW2485TC and GWS2785TC Productivity Monitors

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    Source: BenQ
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You might already have a home office with a proper work-from-home corner. Since the pandemic hit early in 2020, most of us had to shift our work patterns and get used to working from home. We must have a proper work from home set-up going. But that was nearly two years ago now. You would have to grab whatever you can get your hands on and put together a working set-up. It is 2022 and you might be due for an upgrade.

In that case you need something that can ultimately protect your eyes in extended working condition. The BenQ GW2485TC and GW2785TC monitors do not boast 4K resolutions. They boast a rather humble Full HD 1080p resolution. Full HD 1080p is still more than enough to enjoy the likes of Netflix though.

What makes these monitors perfect for your work-from-home set-up though is BenQ’s clever Brightness Intelligence technology. The technology uses an ambient light sensor to adjust what you see on the monitor. It does not only detect the brightness level of your room or work area. It also detects the contrast levels of the images to be displayed on the display. The display will automatically and cleverly reduce or increase overall brightness and even optimise dark parts so that you can see enough details on it without compromising the brightness levels of the entire display.

The clever display also has a flicker-free technology that reduces or eliminates flicker across all brightness levels available to the display. Of course, to ensure that you can keep working on the displays in extended periods, the displays are made with lower than regular blue light emissions. The downside to that is the slight warm tinge you might find on the display.

Other features that should boost your productivity levels is the Daisy Chain feature that allows you to create a multi-screen set-up with just a single USB Type-C connection from your PC. Once you plug in the USB Type-C cable too, your thin-and-light notebook can also simultaneously be charged at 60W PD from the monitors. It is also designed with ease of use and flexibility in mind, so you can tilt the display into any orientation for your convenience. There is also a built-in mic paired with two 2W speakers on both the display models for you to work with in a video call environment.

Of course, as per their name, they come in different sizes. The GW2485TC comes with a 24-inch IPS panel with 75Hz refresh rate. The GW2785TC also comes in an IPS panel that measures in at 27-inch instead of a measly 24-inch. It also refreshes at 75Hz.

Price and Availability

The BenQ MOBIUZ EX2710U will be available a little later in the year. There is no official pricing for the 27-incher currently too. The BenQ MOBIUZ EX3210U is now available on BenQ’s official Shoppe or Lazada stores at MYR 4,868. The new BenQ GW2485TC is now available also on their official store on Shopee and Lazada at MYR 1,149. For another MYR 100, you can get your hands on the larger GW2785TC monitor at MYR 1,249 on both Shopee and Lazada. For more information on the recently launched BenQ monitors, you can go to their website.

Accessories, Health, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

Garmin Updates the Forerunner 200 Series – The Forerunner 255 is Finally Announced

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If you want to get a fitness tracker, and you have a good budget to work with, we will always put Garmin on the top of your list. They are, undoubtedly, the kings of fitness trackers at this point. They have the fēnix series, a multipurpose and extreme activity tracker at a premium price point. They also make the vívosmart series that is meant to be an entry-level fuss free fitness tracker.

They also make rather focused fitness trackers too, specific to different sport functions. One of the most popular models in their line-up is the Forerunner series. It is hardly surprising though, the Garmin Forerunner series is made specifically for running, one of the simplest activities you can do to start getting in shape. It is also probably something you have been doing for a while now.

Garmin introduced their Forerunner 245 about two years ago. The Forerunner 245 is made for the intermediate runners, or people who are already quite familiar with running. It packs all sorts of tech that a runner might want. You get GPS, an adaptive training plan feature, specific sensors to track your stride lengths, ground contact time, balance, and whatever you need to know about your running posture. Of course, there is a heart-rate sensor built into the watch.

That was two years ago, it is 2022 and the Forerunner 200 series needs a successor, a modern refresh of some sorts. Welcome to the Forerunner 255, the new and improved mid-range Forerunner.

Better in Every Way

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    Source: Garmin
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Very much like the Forerunner 245 it replaces; it is made for the enthusiast runners. It is better though, with longer battery life – 14 days on a single charge. It has an accurate GPS as well, in GPS tracking mode, it will last up to 30 hours.

It is also lighter at just below 50g. It is so light; you are not going to feel any resistance or weight in your arms as you go for your run. Of course, you might want to wear it to sleep as well, which means the lack of weight will not affect your sleep at all.

They made it to be more durable too. The entire body is made to be as rugged as a runner’s watch can be. Its included silicon band is made to last a long time and to withstand plenty of sweat without disintegrating.

Of course, the Forerunner 255 also retains all its exercise tracking functions to not just track your running, but to improve your lifestyle as well. it features more than 30+ exercise modes including a triathlon mode to make the Forerunner 255 even more versatile than before. Its advanced sleep tracking function not only measure your sleep patterns and heart rate. It also gives you suggestions to improve your sleep and to get through your day.

If you are going for a race, the watch can also be your coach in recommending programs for you to hit your goals. It helps you understand your body a little better too with a recovery time recommendation and performance condition tracking. At the same time, the watch tracks your training history and intensity to optimise your trainings and fitness regimes. In a race, it can even predict your training’s impact and estimates your finishing time.

Of course, to keep track of everything, you do not need to just rely on the small watch face you get on the Forerunner 255. Despite the brilliant 1.3-inch display protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, you still want to see all your efforts in a report on a larger display. That is where the Garmin Connect app compatibility comes in. It also supports Garmin Pay, in case you need to quickly pop-by for coffee or any other things.

Price and Availability

The Garmin Forerunner 255 is now available in the North American region. The most basic Forerunner 255 is retailing for US$ 349 (MYR 1,532*) onward. There is also a music variant that allows your Garmin Forerunner to connect to your wireless earbuds and play music directly from the smartwatch itself for US$ 399 (MYR 1,751*) onward. You can get your Forerunner 255 in either 41mm or 46mm watch face sizes. There are no announcements yet on its availability in other regions, including Malaysia. Of course, we expect to see Garmin launching their Forerunner 255 in Malaysia in the coming months.

*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.39 as of 06/01/2022 on xe.com

Accessories, Health, Lifestyle, News

Garmin vívosmart 5 is Here for MYR730 – Garmin is Not Just Big and Bulky

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When you think of a Garmin, you tend to think of a modern smartwatch with bulky and sturdy exteriors. You think of a round watch face that tells you everything you need to know about the time of day, weather, and much more. You think of a premium fitness tracker that will keep up with you and tell you whatever you need to know in a single glance.

One thing that you hardly think about, when you think Garmin is a regular fitness tracker band that looks nothing like the smartwatches you know today. But Garmin does stellar basic fitness bands in the vívosmart fitness band.

They have just introduced their 5th generation fitness band, the vívosmart 5 and it is better than before. It looks better too, more fashionable in some sense. At the same time, it is as simple to work with as before.

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The Do Everything, Go Everywhere Band

It is a Garmin smart wear, which means you can expect it to be quite the powerhouse of a fitness tracker. Packing Garmin’s famous GPS algorithm, the Garmin vívosmart 5 tracks your location for distance travelled, pace, and speed through a myriad of activities including cycling.

It is also your protector when you are out and about. Not really a protector, that’s overselling it. It has some safety features that allows you to send out emergency alerts to designated contacts with your tracking information. That way, your emergency contact can find you wherever you are.

Watching You Sleep

That might have sounded a little creepier than we intended it to be. The Garmin fitness band is cleverer than before in monitoring your sleep than before though. They call it the advanced sleep features that scores your sleep and helps you understand your sleep patterns better. Of course, the tracker allows you to understand not just your sleep patterns, the understanding of your sleep patterns is the first step in helping you sleep better.

The vívosmart 5 understands your sleep patterns by detecting your body movements in your sleep. It breaks down your sleep state in hours and scores them based on their durations against your total sleep time. It is pretty much the same as any other fitness tracker you can find, to be fair.

What is different is that Garmin uses these data to formulate insights about your body for the day and even recommend practices to help improve your sleep. Garmin also has something they call the Body Battery feature that tracks your heartbeat changes from one moment to another. This allows the fitness band to understand your stress levels and recovery states at night.

24/7 Monitoring + Long Battery Life

On top of all of that, Garmin’s latest fitness band tracks your heart rate in real-time. Instead of a second-by-second update, the fitness band samples your heart rate multiple times every second for 24 hours for an even more accurate heart rate reading. It detects high and low heart rates and informs its users on these abnormal occurrences to ensure that you can seek for help quickly. It does that for seven continuous days too on a single charge.

Fashionably Stealthy

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    Source: Garmin
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Garmin’s latest vívosmart 5 is designed with lifestyle in mind too. It must look good, fashionable. The larger and brighter display ensures that operations on the Garmin vívosmart 5 is much more intuitive and simpler than before. It comes in three attractive colours too to match your outfits. You can choose between Mint Green, Morning White, and Midnight Black.

Price and Availability

Garmin’s latest vívosmart 5 is available via Garmin’s official stores on Shopee, Lazada, AECO e-store, and Garmin’s brand stores and authorised retailers across the nation. It will set you back MYR 730 and as we mentioned, it comes in three colour options – Mint Green, Morning White, and Midnight black. More information on the Garmin vívosmart 5 can be found on their website.

Accessories, Android, Health, Lifestyle, Mobile, News

TAG Heuer Introduces New Generation Connected Calibre E4 Smartwatch Ready for Wear OS 3

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Smartwatch and luxury watch rarely grace the same sentence. They are hardly related or relatable to each other too. A luxury watch enthusiast might not even regard a smartwatch a watch at all. It is more a ‘digital display on your wrist’.

While that is a fair observation, the smartwatch has come a long way since its inception many years ago. A smartwatch today can easily outsell any regular watch you might find in the market. That is not only because of its more accessible than ever pricing. It is choke full of features, making it a better value buy than a regular watch.

Luxury watch on the other hand, has an appeal of its own. Luxury watch pieces are usually highly exclusive pieces made with limited quantity in mind. The build process of the timepiece is also considered when it comes to luxury watches. At the same time, a luxury watch is supposed to last forever, while a smartwatch’s relevance is limited by their software.

What if you can merge the two together though? Impossible? TAG Heuer does not think so with their first Connected Watch launched back in 2015. They have not launched any new versions of their premium smartwatch since then, but then again, there has not been any interesting developments on Google’s Wear OS since then. The TAG Heuer Connected was, in its day, the most expensive Wear OS device money can buy.

Their silence in the smartwatch market does not mean that they are not interested in the smartwatch game anymore though. They confirmed that by releasing this, the new TAG Heuer Connected. They call it the Calibre E4.

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Source: TAG Heuer

The new Connected Calibre E4 comes in two variants this time. Instead of just sticking to a large 45mm diameter body, it now comes in a smaller 42mm case. The 42mm, as per TAG Heuer, is made to be more appealing to the larger market. It is also designed to be a little more elegant with thin bezels and thinner case than the regular 45mm. Smaller also means that it is sportier.

Then there is the 35mm TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4. It is the largest modern Wear OS smartwatch you can find to date. Its impressive size is not just for show though. TAG Heuer ensures that the Connected Calibre E4 can withstand all sorts of scuffs and bumps with ceramic bezel surrounding the Sapphire crystal glass protecting the touch display. You can opt for a titanium case for your TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 too.

Of course, a watch is nothing without its straps and bracelets. The strap is also the only way for your watch to stand out, in a traditional sense anyway. For that, TAG Heuer offers a library of straps and bracelet for you to work with.

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Source: TAG Heuer

For a smartwatch, you can easily stand out just by changing your watch face. The Calibre E4 is a Wear OS device, which also means that you will have access to the large watch face library from the Google Play Store. TAG Heuer also made some new exclusive watch faces for the Connected Calibre E4 though, which will help you stand out among the sea of Google Wear OS devices out there.

Within the svelte cases, both the 42mm and 45mm variants are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4100+ for wearables. While it is not running on Wear OS 3 on launch, you can upgrade it to Wear OS 3 as soon as the Operating System (OS) is ready. Both smartwatches offer Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi connectivity for more stable connection with your smartphones.

The difference in size allows the 45mm variant to come with a 430mAh built in battery compared to 330mAh on the 42mm. They also claimed that the 45mm offers a 30% increase in battery life compared to the older Connected. In golf function, the watch will last five hours continuously. The 45mm also offers a larger display experience compared to the 42mm, obviously at 1.39-inch of OLED goodness (454 x 454 pixels) compared to 1.28-inch (416 x 416 pixels).

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Price and Availability

The TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 is set to start shipping and be available in stores starting March 2022. Price? This is going to hurt your wallet a little bit. If you are looking to find a budget smartwatch, this will not be it, turn away now. It will set you back US$ 1,800 (MYR 7,541*) at launch. For more information on the TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 you can visit their website.

*Based on approximate exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.19 as of 11/02/2022 on xe.com

Health, Lifestyle, News

Dual Screen, Wear OS-powered Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X Arrives in China

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Mobvoi has created a name for itself producing some of the better Wear OS-powered smartwatches out there. It looks like the company isn’t slowing down yet. It’s introduced it’s latest offering the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X in China. The new smartwatch isn’t revolutionary but it packs specifications and features that many smartwatch users are looking for.

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The TicWatch Pro X is running on the Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The smartwatch will be using Wear OS as its operating system. However, if you’re looking for Wear OS 3, you might have to wait for an update from Mobvoi.

That aside, the TicWatch Pro X seems to share a lot with the TicWatch 3 until you take a closer look. The Pro X may look like a run-of-the-mill smartwatch but it comes with what is essentially two displays. It has an AMOLED screen and also an FSTN display. The FSTN display allows the TicWatch Pro X to have an even longer battery life. The 1.39-inch AMOLED screen serves as the main display where you’ll be able interact with Wear OS and all its features. The FSTN screen will kick in when you’re not actively interacting showing you all the data you want without draining the battery.

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The watch comes with a 595maAh battery. In Smart mode, the watch will be able to run for 4 days on a single charge. However, if you kick it into “durable” mode, the watch will be able to last for a whopping 45-days.

Aside from that, the TicWatch Pro X is able to track over 20 sports routines. This includes yoga, walking, running, mountain climbing, cycling and more. It also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance which means you can take full advantage of its ability to track swimming as well. In addition, the Pro X comes with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor and even reminds you to get moving if you’re too sedentary.

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It comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and also supports 4G LTE. It’s equipped with eSIM support, so you will also be able to take calls directly on the watch. The smartwatch also touts VoLTE support.

Pricing & Availability

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X is available for pre-order in China on JD.com (Jingdong) for ¥1,999 (MYR1,296.28). After pre-order, it will be priced at ¥2,399 (MYR1,555.32).

There is no word yet if the smartwatch will be available in more markets. However, do keep an eye on Shopee and Lazada.

Health, Lifestyle, News

Withings ScanWatch Horizon Detects Sleep Apnea & Atrial Fibrillation

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When it comes to wearables and health tracking, Withings isn’t necessarily the first name you would think of. However, the company is no stranger to health technology; in fact, they were once known as Nokia Health. They aren’t actually a brand new company and have a legacy in making clinically approved health technologies having launched their first smartwatch, the Withings Activite in 2014. This time around, Withings is flexing their prowess in making good looking, accurate and functional health technologies with their latest smartwatch the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.

Sophisticated Design with More than Meets the Eye

You wouldn’t know the watch was a smart watch if you saw it out in the wild. It’s a chic, well crafted piece of jewellery that looks nothing like a typical smartwatch. In fact, the watch looks like your regular luxury timepiece. At a glance, it could be mistaken for a diver watch from one of the larger luxury watch brands. It comes with a stainless steel rotating bezel with laser engraved markings; the analogue face design comes emblazoned with Luminova watch hands while the sapphire-glass casing adds the last touches for a luxurious feel.

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However, when you take a closer look, you will see the technology that Withings has baked into the watch. The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is equipped with some of the latest health monitoring technology available in the market. It comes with with a multi-wavelength photoplethysmogram (PPG). This sensor allows it to detect heart rate and blood oxygenation (SpO2) using specific wavelengths of light. The ScanWatch Horizon is also equipped with three electrodes which allow it to take on demand electrocardiograms (ECGs/EKGs). Of course, it is also able to detect sleep and exercise activities as well.

Pushing the Horizon of Health Tracking

The Horizon does have an edge when it comes to monitoring though. The smartwatch is able to detect anomalies in heart rhythm – known as AFib or Atrial Fibrillation. This anomaly can be a sign of other more severe conditions and is often left undiagnosed. This is accomplished through proactive heart rate monitoring. The ScanWatch Horizon is able to monitor the heart rate of the user via its embedded PPG. If it detects an anomalous reading, it will prompt the user to do an ECG.

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In addition to heart monitoring, the ScanWatch Horizon is also able to detect sleep disturbances – a common warning sign of sleep apnoea. Using an exclusive algorithm, the ScanWatch is able to use data from its embedded accelerometer and optical sensors to determine sleep disturbances. It will use blood oxygen levels, heart rate, movement and breathing frequency data as parameters in determining sleep disturbances. It can also monitor and analyse sleep patterns as well as wake its user up during the best time of their sleep cycle.

The ScanWatch also does what all smartwatches do. It is able to recognise 30 exercises automatically and also track steps, calories, elevation and workout routes. Workout routes and elevation are detected through the GPS on the user’s phone. However, it does take things a step further by estimating VO2 Max. This reading is an indication of the efficiency in which the body is able to utilize oxygen during exercise.

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Like many other smartwatches, the ScanWatch Horizon doesn’t work alone. It pairs with the Withings Health Mate app where users are able to get insights and analyses of the data that is being collected. It also allows users to schedule activity reminders, set goals and manage achievements. The Health Mate app also plays nice with other health apps in the market. It is compatible with over 100 third-party applications including Apple Health, Google Fit, Strava and MyFitnessPal.

Pricing & Availability

The Withings ScanWatch Horizon is available starting from September 29, 2021. It is priced at €499.95 (MYR2,426.78) or £499.95 (MYR2,816.39).

It is available in Blue or Green with 43mm watch face. The ScanWatch comes with a 5 year guarantee. Users will have a stainless steel wristband and an FKM Strap in the box when purchasing a Withings ScanWatch Horizon.

Health, Lifestyle, News

Fitbit Charge 5 Officially on Sale while Premium Gets More Features

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Fitbit’s fitness band is getting a big upgrade with its latest iteration – the Charge 5. Initially announced about a month ago, the Fitbit Charge 5 is one of the biggest updates that the lineup has seen since it was first introduce. Not only is it bringing features that put it on par with the likes of the Versa 3 and Sense, it’s also the first Fitbit the company is announcing after Google’s big Wear OS announcement. That said, the Charge 5 continues to run on Fitbit’s own OS.

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Source: Fitbit

The Charge 5 continues to share the same form factor as its predecessors. It’s a slim elongated design which ergnomically wraps around the wrist. However, its now comes with a 1.04-inch colour display which has always on display functionality. It’s gained a full metal chassis as well. The new metal chassis also brings ECG tracking features which were, until now, a Sense exclusive feature.

Other than that, the Fitbit Charge 5 is more of the same. It comes with sensors for blood oxygenation (SpO2), and skin temperature in addition to heart rate and built-in GPS. It also has 7-day battery life and enough memory to store 7 days of motion data.

Fitbit Premium Gets Calm-er

Fitbit’s announcement of the Charge 5’s availability comes together with announcements for new Premium features. Fitbit’s premium tier, which costs MYR38.90 a month or 329.90 a year, will now feature content from Calm. Content from the meditation, relaxation and sleep app will now be available from within the Fitbit app. Premium users will have access to 30 curated pieces of sleep and stress-reducing Calm content.

Fitbit Charge 5
Source: Fitbit

In addition to this, Fitbit Premium will also be enable snore tracking. The new feature will use the built-in mics in the Versa 3, and Sense to detect snores. The new tracking adds a new dimension to sleep tracking. We’ve actually covered it indepth in our coverage of the feature’s announcement.

Pricing & Availability

The Fitbit Charge 5 is now available in Malaysia for MYR878 from fitbit.com and their retail partners. It is also available globally for USD$179.

Health, Lifestyle, News

Fitbit Introduces Snore Detection for the Fitbit Sense & Versa 3

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Fitbit’s dominance as a fitness band and platform is becoming more and more apparent as the company continues to bolster its offerings. While the company hasn’t yet released a Wear OS-powered wearable, they are extending the functionality of two of their smartwatches. The latest feature that is making its way to the Fitbit Versa 3 and the Fitbit Sense is noise and snore detection.

The new feature will take advantage of the microphones in the Sense and Versa 3 to detect snoring and ambient noises during sleep. It will also be measuring the intensity or loudness of snoring. The data will be collected and compiled into a “Snore report” which is accessible on the Fitbit app. However, detection will not be able to discern between the user and any other person in proximity. So, if you have a partner who does snore, it will be reflected in your snore report as well.

Fitbit noted that the feature will more battery intensive than others. It is recommended that the Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense be charged to 40% when using the feature. This is most likely due to the activation of the mic every few seconds. This will happen once the Fitbit detects that you’ve fallen asleep.

Stock Image Snoring
Source: Adobe Stock

The feature could very well be one of the most important features that Fitbit has introduced in the past year; aside from the ECG that is. It will allow doctors and users to detect the early signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea but it can also occur simply cause of fatigue. In cases related to OSA, it could indicate a more serious problem that should be dealt with. With the condition becoming more common, the feature will be a welcomed addition to a doctor’s toolkit.

The new snore detection feature is accessible through the Fitbit app’s sleep tracking function. However, the feature isn’t included in the basic subscription which comes when you purchase a tracker. Instead, it’s been bundled in Fitbit’s Premium subscription which will set you back MYR34.99 a month.

Health, Lifestyle, News

Apple Ups the Ante with New Apple Watch & Fitness+ Expansion

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The Apple Watch has become one of the most popular fitness wearables since its launch. This year, we’re seeing Apple bring some of the most requested features to the smartwatch as well as expanding its fitness offerings with Fitness+.

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The Apple Watch Series 7 drops all the vanities for functional upgrades this year. Unlike the version circulating in rumors, the Series 7 continues to have its familiar design with one big difference. It now sports even slimmer bezels and a larger display. Coming at a minute 1.7mm, the bezels on the Apple Watch Series 7 are the slimmest to date – 40% slimmer than the Series 6. The always-on display is also 70% brighter than the series 6 making it easier to see without waking the screen.

To take advantage of the larger display space, Apple is also enabling a full QWERTY keyboard on the Apple Watch. To ease typing the keyboard will take advantage of QuickPath which will allow input by swiping with a single finger. There are also two additional larger font sizes.

In addition, the Apple Watch Series 7 is also coming with new enhancements that are not only more environmentally kind but also more durable. Cupertino is claiming that this is their most durable watch yet. The front of the watch is now made of thicker crystal with, what they say is, a stronger more robust geometry and is 50% thicker than the series 6. It’s more crack-resistant as well. It’s also IP6X dust resistant and maintains its WR50 water resistance rating.

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The Apple Watch Series 7 marks a milestone in watch OS as it brings new software features. This time, watch OS 8 brings features that enhanced features that take advantage of the new, hardier build. Apple has enhanced its watch OS algorithms to make tracking cycling more reliable. Using the GPS, heart rate, accelerometer and gyroscope the Apple watch is now able to detect when you start, stop and even have a tumble while cycling. It is also able to detect pedal assist on e-bikes.

Apple Fitness+ Gets More Interactive and Expanded Availability

Together with the new Apple Watch Series 7, Apple is also expanding the availability of their Apple Watch-centered fitness service: Fitness+. Apple Fitness+ will be making its way to 15 new countries including Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, and Mexico among others.

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In addition to the expanded availability, Apple Fitness+ will be introducing even more activities to get you moving. Joining the arsenal of fitness activities is guided meditation and pilates. Users can now get guided meditation sessions to help with mindfulness and stress as well as work on their core and body conditioning with trained experts on Fitness+.

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You don’t have to do kick off your fitness journey alone either. Apple Fitness+ is bringing group workouts. You’ll be able to work out with your friends and family thanks to SharePlay. Simply text or FaceTime to set up the session and work out together remotely. You will be able to see your friends’ milestones to celebrate together in group workouts. It will also contribute to your own progress as you work to close that ring!

Pricing & Availability

The Apple Watch Series 7 will be available in 42mm and 45mm versions later this fall. It will be available in five new aluminum case colors: midnight, starlight, green, and a new blue and (PRODUCT)RED. It will also be available in standard stainless steel as well. Prices start at USD$399 (MYR1,659.13).

Apple Fitness+will be available later this year priced at USD$9.99 (MYR41.54) per month or $79.99 (MYR332.63) per year. It’s also included as part of the Apple One Premier Plan which is available for USD$29.95 (MYR124.54). The Apple One Premier subscription also includes Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and 2TB of iCloud storage.