Welcome to And finally, a quick-fire look at the week’s smaller stories and rumours. At Wareable we’re committed to bringing you the best quality news every day, covering the moments that matter in the world of wearable tech. But on Sunday we bring you the smaller, tidbits and news in briefs all in one place.
This week we have news on Microsoft HoloLens powering US Army super soldiers, ups and downs for Apple and the launch of a wearable smartphone.
US Army shows off ‘Call of Duty’ Hololens technology
The US military’s adoption of the Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality caused a revolt among Microsoft’s staff when the partnership was announced earlier this year – so we wonder what they make of the results.
CNBC has been given a preview of the experience by the US Army, and described it as a “almost like a real-life game of Call Of Duty." Scary stuff.
CNBC tried the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVNS) HoloLens setup – which can display digital maps showing other allied units, a virtual compass, waypoints and even the reticule of a weapon, placed on top of the real world view, all on the HoloLens.
And it's not just augmented reality. The IVNS system also uses white phosphorus night vision – which doesn't produce a giveaway green glow like the type you see in the movies. The battle-hardened HoloLens can even add user biometric data of solders to the heads up display, which can improve marksmanship and shooting accuracy, making soldiers even more deadly.
It’s pretty dystopian super soldier stuff, that seems more from a computer game or Aliens movie than the real world. We’d highly recommend reading (and watching) CNBC’s report.
Nubia Alpha wearable phone launches 8 April
The Nubia Alpha wearable smartphone is set to launch on 8 April, after making its debut at MWC 2019. In a show that was quite bereft of wearables, the Nubia Alpha really captured imaginations.
However, it’s only going on sale in China first – although it’s set to hit US and European shores later in the year. The Bluetooth only version will cost €449 (which works out around $510).
Check out our full Nubia Alpha review – and our round up of the best smartwatches.
Apple faces action over alleged Apple Watch defect
Bad news for Apple this week as the company faces a class action lawsuit over an alleged Apple Watch Series 4 battery issue. MacRumours reports that swelling batteries have been obliterating Apple Watches from within, with scary looking pictures of the screen being prised out of its holding (above).
MacRumours states that Apple has offered free repairs for any defects from swollen batteries, but “the plaintiff believes that Apple either knew or should have known that the Apple Watch models were defective before selling them, adding that they pose "a significant safety hazard to consumers" – a "number" of which have suffered "cuts and burns" as a result of the scratched, shattered, or detached screens.” However, it's uncertain whether it will ever come to trial.
Apple Watch ECG saves life in Europe
It’s not been all bad news for Apple this week. Less than a month after the ECG feature was released in Europe, Slashgear reports that it’s already saved a life this side of the pond.
A German user was, allegedly, alerted to an afib heart rate, which checked out when he had a full ECG assessment done by his doctor.
The Apple Watch afib feature was the subject of a recent scientific study, which found a good correlation between users that received two afib results on the Apple Watch and presence of the heart condition.
Afib is one of the leading causes of strokes in the US – check out our explainer feature on atrial fibrillation and our complete guide to the Apple heart rate monitor.
How we test
James is the co-founder of Wareable, and he has been a technology journalist for 15 years.
He started his career at Future Publishing, James became the features editor of T3 Magazine and T3.com and was a regular contributor to TechRadar – before leaving Future Publishing to found Wareable in 2014.
James has been at the helm of Wareable since 2014 and has become one of the leading experts in wearable technologies globally. He has reviewed, tested, and covered pretty much every wearable on the market, and is passionate about the evolving industry, and wearables helping people achieve healthier and happier lives.