Rumours and rumblings from the week in wearable tech
Welcome to And Finally where we bring you all the stories that haven’t quite been big enough, or you know factual enough, to get their own news story on Wareable. We’re talking rumoured devices, wacky launches from around the world and smaller items and updates.
Come in, nose around the rumours, we’re here all week.
Sony SmartBand 2 accidentally leaked
The app for the SmartBand 2 appeared on Google Play this week, before the device has even been announced by Sony. Whoops.
The new fitness band will feature a heart rate monitor and pulse-training workouts, as seen in screens of the new app downloaded by Android Police. There’s also a ‘smart wake up’ alarm and features around recovery after working out to look forward to.
Read this: Sony SmartBand Talk review
The design of the band looks similarly lightweight and practical with a new clasp. No price or release date yet but it shouldn’t be too long until we get official details from Sony.
The Pebble Time iOS app is live
From a small mistake to victory for the little people. OK, OK so the Pebble Time app wasn’t in Apple approval limbo for that long in the end but all that social media begging, pleading and moaning from Pebble Time owners worked.
The iPhone app is now live and approved as is an update to the original Pebble iPhone app.
Read this: Hands on Pebble Time review
Here’s what Pebble had to say on its Kickstarter page: “Credit where it’s due. It’s thanks to you, the one-million-and-growing community of Pebble users, developers, and fans that Pebble Time Watch is on the AppStore today. You carried this torch across the finish line. If only we could dish out a million-plus high fives to all of you.”
TicWatch is a $60 Chinese smartwatch
Google services are pretty much banned in China so anyone looking to buy a smartwatch that’s not a cheap knock-off only has one option – the expensive Apple Watch.
Not so any longer as the South China Morning Post reports the launch of the TicWatch, a round, Chinese smartwatch made by Beijing startup Mobvoi and designed by frog.
Read this: Frog boss – wearables are a fad and we want to change that
The TicWatch has already smashed its target on crowdfunding site JD.com. Features include voice controls in Mandarin, smart home integration and early partnerships with mapping, e-commerce and car parking apps.
It also has wireless charging and includes a Touch Strip along the edge of the smartwatch for pressing and swiping around the interface – we presume this means some sort of touch sensitive bezel. The TicWatch is just $60, it will go up for pre-order on 18 June and runs a proprietary operating system named TicWear, based on Android.
Why 10,000 steps?
So it turns out 10,000 steps a day, as recommended by various medical bodies as well as being the default daily goal on fitness trackers including Fitbit and Jawbone, might not be enough. Wuuuht.
According to an interview in New York magazine, the 10,000 number comes from a pedometer launched in Japan in 1965 – it came with the slogan manpoeki which translates to 10,000 step counter.
Read this: 10,000 steps to failure – how to set fitness goals and stick to them
Theodore Bestor, a Hardvard professor in Japanese studies, says the number was probably chosen for marketing purposes but because it sounds large and is nice and round, it’s stuck around for the last 50 years.
A lot has changed since then – more calories, more cars etc so it might be time for a rethink. Then again experts have told Wareable that 5,000 steps a day is enough to get you burning calories.
