And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

All the lighter stories you may have missed this week
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Welcome to And finally, the only place to find out what's been happening in the wearable tech world.

In the headlines this week, news that the Apple Watch is set to become a better fit for diabetics while watchOS 6 will bring a nice new feature to Watch owners later this year. Sleep scientists have said sleep trackers could be giving us a bad night's sleep, plus we spotted a sweet Fitbit Charge 3 deal if you're after a new fitness tracker.

The story so far: Glucose monitoring and wearables

We've saved up a few lighter stories for you to tuck into if you need that extra hit of wearable goodness.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

It looks like we have more evidence that the next generation Samsung Galaxy Watch is on the way. The folks at Sammobile have been told that the upcoming smartwatch has been given the codename Renaissance, a word that means revival or renewed interest. As far as giving away what we can expect from the Watch 2, it's not really saying a lot.

The codename reveal follows details of model numbers that were recently detailed, which appear to relate to new Samsung wearables and follow the same number convention used for previous Samsung smartwatches. The last Galaxy Watch launched alongside Samsung's Note 9 smartphone in August last year and its phone successor, the Note 10, is tipped for a reveal around the same time in 2019. Could a Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 join it? The evidence is starting to mount that it will.

Looking for a connected timepiece to buy before then? Check out our best smartwatches to buy now.

Apple rolls out Beddit beta program

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

The Apple owned sleep tracker company has announced it's launching a beta program that will allow users to test new features before they are released to the public.

To participate and influence what features land on future Beddit devices, you'll need to own the newest Beddit sleep monitor, which launched in December last year. You'll also need to be living in the US and be aged between 22-75. If you're interested, you can enrol in the program here.

Apple bought the Finnish sleep tracking company Beddit in 2017 and the Beddit 3.5 Sleep Monitor was the first device to launch since that acquisition.

Want to track sleep from your Apple Watch? Here's our pick of the best Apple Watch sleep tracker apps.

New Fossil smartwatches set to drop in 2019

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

It looks like we can expect a bunch of new Wear OS smartwatches from the Fossil Group, after a series of listings on the FCC were spotted revealing that new Michael Kors, Emporio Armani and Diesel watches are on the way.

The documents show off Google's Wear OS app drawer and model numbers appear to be consistent with model numbers the Fossil Group uses for its wearables. Some detective work from Droid Life suggests there will be new Fossil, Michael Kors, Emporio Armani and Diesel Wear watches.

After launching its Gen 4 watches in 2018, it's perhaps no surprise to hear that Fossil's Gen 5 models will likely drop this year, especially with the company seeing success with its smartwatch business.

Have a read of our in-depth Michael Kors Access Sofie Heart Rate review to get a feel for what the Fossil smartwatch 2019 collection has to offer.

Wearable gets seal of approval

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

We've heard about wearables for dogs, cats and even cows. Now seals are getting the connected treatment.

Researchers at the University of St Andrews have devised a wearable that is used to analyse how diving seals manage their oxygen supply before diving into the depths of the ocean.

The device, which is based near-infrared spectroscopy technology, has been dubbed the PortaSeal and can be attached to the animal's fur on either the head or the shoulder. The non-invasive technology is enabling the researchers to study the behaviour of seals in a more detailed way, including the ability to understand how seals can dive for long periods with exceptionally low heart rates.

A wearable pioneer passes away

And finally: Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 codename revealed

We end this week's And finally on a sad note with the news that Gary Burrell, co-founder of Garmin, has died aged 81.

Burrell founded the company in 1989 with Dr Min H Kao, with the company providing GPS devices for fitness, aviation, automotive and marine industries for the last 30 years. He passed away at the age of 81 and while he retired in 2002, Burrell continued to serve as a Garmin's co-chairman until 2004.

"His vision, values, engineering skills and commitment to serving our customers have been the foundation for the growth of our company. It has been both a great privilege and a blessing to have known this amazing man and I know his legacy will live on," said Kao on his friend, mentor and partner for over 30 years.

Have a read of our latest Garmin reviews as we put the Forerunner 945, Forerunner 245 Music and Forerunner 45 through their paces.




How we test



Michael Sawh

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Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.

He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.

Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech. 

Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.


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