smartwatch

Smartwatches, augmented reality glasses, fitness trackers –any compact extension to your smartphone or tablet– is firmly in Google’s sights with the announcement of Android Wear. What is Android Wear? It’s a push to extend Android to those smartwatches and wearable devices, using a standard API and developer tools so Android apps for smartphones and tablets can be ported to, or seamlessly integrated with those wearables. Google is working with developers and hardware partners like Samsung, Fossil and LG on the Android Wear Initiative. And you’ll see two Android Wear-powered smartwatches at Best Buy Later this year: the Moto 360 and LG’s G Watch.  

Samsung brings back its signature smartwatch for another go round with the Galaxy Watch3, and the familiarity delivers as expected.

The Pebble watch pairs with your smartphone to run apps right from your wrist. See that important email or text or who is is calling without having to pull your phone out.      

The Withings Steel HR is a fitness watch that looks like a traditional time piece, but with continuous heart rate, step, calorie, and distance monitoring, it's the perfect blend of all worlds.

A smartwatch’s purpose is to both induce informed activity and keep you connected, but the Fitbit Versa 4 forces you to make lasting choices.

If there was any doubt that this would be the year that smartwatches and other wearable technology hits the mainstream, look no further than Best Buy, where you’ll find best-sellers like the Pebble smartwatch alongside the latest generation of Samsung’s wearable tech –the Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo. Soon some new entries will be joining these: the Cookoo and Cogito. Choice is good and these new models offer a new take on the traditional smartwatch form factor as well as a more affordable option for those who want to take the plunge into wearable technology without a large investment. I just spent a week with a Cookoo smartwatch and you can read my review here.  

 2016 is going to be the most exciting year for the wearable yet. We’ve already seen brands like Fitbit improving their brand by putting all of their new features forward. We’re going to have wearables that help us de-stress by encouraging better breathing and then there’s Microsoft Band 2. The Microsoft Band 2 looks to go above and beyond its competition by offering features that nobody else does. In addition to the usual run of notifications and trackers, Band 2 is the first wearable that flexes to offer help with your sleep, on the golf course and in the gym in the same package. Find out more about my experiences with Band by reading onward.

Samsung went back to a very familiar design with the Galaxy Watch6 Classic by bringing in the excellent physical rotating bezel.

Not all smartwatches are the same, and within the category, hybrid ones differ on the technology inside and the look and feel on the outside.

Discover why Black Friday is the ideal time to purchase an Apple Watch. Dive into holiday gift options and gear up for New Year resolutions with great discounts!