TOPIC

Smartwatches

In early 2012, a fundraising by the maker of the Pebble smartwatch became the most successful in Kickstarter history, highlighting the potential of wearable computing devices. In September 2013, Samsung Electronics unveiled its Galaxy Gear smartwatch, while Qualcomm simultaneously revealed its Toq smartwatch.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Huawei

Huawei heats up global smartwatch market with launch of new GT 5 series

Huawei’s latest product launch reflects the US-sanctioned firm’s efforts to boost revenue, as demand for advanced smartwatches rises in 2024.

25 Sep 2024 - 6:07PM

Apple

Apple to halt sales of some smartwatches in the US before Christmas

19 Dec 2023 - 7:01PM

Xiaomi

Xiaomi launches new home-grown OS, as Huawei moves further from Android

30 Oct 2023 - 7:30AM

Smartphones

Google packs AI features into its new smartphones, smartwatch

In addition to the new Pixel 8 and Pixel Watch 2, Google has also announced plans to add generative AI capabilities to its virtual assistant, allowing it to do things like help people plan a trip.

5 Oct 2023 - 10:20AM

The launch of the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones in New York on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Wearables

Review | The Apple Watch 9: powerful new chip, finger-thumb tap feature, faster Siri

The Apple Watch 9 looks like its predecessor, but a powerful new chip improves Siri capability and facilitates a new finger-thumb tap feature. The best features, however, were already present in the Apple Watch 8.

24 Sep 2023 - 5:15PM

China technology

Chinese smartwatch for kids overtakes Apple thanks to remote monitoring features

A Chinese smartwatch aimed at children aged from four to 15 has overtaken Apple Watch to become the second top selling brand in China, thanks to features that allow parents to remotely monitor their kids.

5 Sep 2023 - 11:00PM

Timepieces

Tech bro bling: 9 watch brands that Silicon Valley millionaires love

Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos wear Omega, and Bill Gates goes for Casio, while Silicon Valley CEOs are fans of Cartier, Rolex, Richard Mille – and Apple Watches, of course

10 Aug 2023 - 1:41PM

Silicon Valley watch statements, from Jeff Bezos and Omega to Larry Ellison and Richard Mille. Photos: TNS, Richard Mille, Omega, @OracleCloud/Twitter

Samsung Electronics

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 phones unveiled: here’s what’s new

Samsung revealed its Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Z Fold 5 phones at its 2023 flagship show in Seoul, as well as the Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9 Ultra, and Galaxy Watch 6.

26 Jul 2023 - 7:00PM

Wearables

How new Huawei Watch D beats Apple, Samsung smartwatches on heart health

Unlike the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Watch D by Huawei uses a built-in inflatable strap to measure blood pressure and a health app that can be used across different mobile devices.

6 Jan 2023 - 5:15PM

Coronavirus China

Cool to be fit: China’s Gen Zs discover health’s benefits amid Covid

The country’s millennials are turning to smartwatches that track fitness, and ‘functional foods’ like protein powders as they look to a post-pandemic era free of lockdowns.

26 Dec 2022 - 3:00PMvideocam

As China abandons its zero-Covid policy, many people – particularly young adults – are paying closer attention to their physical and mental well-being. Photo: AFP

Style Edit

STYLE Edit: Inside Hublot’s Big Bang e Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022

Hublot’s striking new Big Bang range gives real-time updates and information on key games and teams in the Fifa World Cup, continuing its relationship with the world’s biggest sporting event

7 Dec 2022 - 10:16AM

The Hublot Big Bang e Fifa World Cup range brings real-time tech to this storied sport. Photo: Hublot

Apple

Which is the best Apple Watch model? The Series 7, SE and Series 3, compared

Between the Apple Watch Series 7, SE and Series 3, which smartwatch ranks the best based on function, design and price point?

29 Aug 2022 - 8:00PM

Apple

Seven Mother’s Day gifts and accessories for tech-savvy mums

A Kindle Paperwhite or a new Apple Watch could be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for your tech-savvy parent, or maybe she’d like a robot vacuum cleaner or ambient lighting system.

2 May 2022 - 7:15PM

Gadgets

Review | Apple Watch 7’s larger screen, faster charging enhances experience

The Apple Watch 7 series’ bigger screen, faster charging, more durable body, new case colours and innovative wellness apps could make it a bestseller.

16 Oct 2021 - 5:12AM

Apple

Apple Watch Series 6 vs Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic with Wear OS

Google partners with Samsung to offer Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch with Wear OS for the first time. However, it cannot work with Google Assistant, whereas the Apple has Siri.

10 Sep 2021 - 10:45AM

Google and Samsung have combined to take on Apple with the Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch (right). Photo: Ben Sin

IPO

Smartphone glass supplier Biel Crystal revives Hong Kong IPO plan

The timing appears to be more fortuitous, as Hong Kong’s first-half bank deposits ballooned by 11.5 per cent to HK$7.87 trillion (US$1.01 trillion), on the heels of two consecutive quarters of economic growth.

31 Jul 2021 - 10:22PM

Timepieces

How Tag Heuer’s CEO Frédéric Arnault aims to take a bite out of Apple

Frédéric Arnault says the luxury watchmaker can successfully compete in the hi-tech world of smartwatches without compromising the legacy and heritage of the brand.

24 Jun 2021 - 12:15PM

Apple

Will Facebook’s new smart device dethrone the Apple Watch?

Critics initially dismissed the smartwatch as a fad – but today more Apple Watches are sold than all Switzerland’s heritage timepiece brands put together

15 Jun 2021 - 8:00PM

Some 31 million Apple Watches were sold in 2019 alone. Photo: AFP

Huawei

Explainer | What HarmonyOS 2 means for the Google and Apple duopoly

Huawei’s HarmonyOS is designed for the Internet-of-Things era, with the ability to run on everything from smartphones and tablets to home appliances as the tech giant tries to overcome US sanctions and move away from Android.

4 Jun 2021 - 2:34PMvideocam

Huawei

Huawei’s Android smartphone rivals keep their distance from HarmonyOS

Unlike smartphone giants Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo, former Huawei subsidiary Honor is leaving its options open on HarmonyOS 2.

4 Jun 2021 - 1:51PM

Apple

Why the Black Unity Apple Watch makes a powerful statement

‘We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world’ said Apple CEO Tim Cook

3 Feb 2021 - 6:00AM

Apple has launched the Black Unity Collection for Black History Month. The collection is made up of three parts: a limited edition Apple Watch Series 6, the Black Unity Sport Band, and a Unity watch face. Photo: Apple

Huawei

Huawei sharpens health care focus of its wearable devices

The latest effort by Huawei continues the company’s push into new growth areas amid its struggles with US trade sanctions.

25 Jan 2021 - 11:35PM

A man tests wearable devices on a sensor-filled treadmill at Huawei Technologies Co’s health research laboratory in Xian, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi province. Photo: Handout

Technology

Hong Kong researchers aim to make self-charging smartwatches a reality

CUHK researchers have created a compact generator that can use human motion to power smartwatches, eliminating the need to charge them.

4 Nov 2020 - 8:15AM

China technology

5G and smart speakers are widening China’s digital divide

China’s rural residents under 18 years old are less likely to have used smartwatches, voice assistants and computers to get online, new study says.

23 Sep 2020 - 11:05AM

Apple

‘Boring’ Apple event has China eagerly awaiting the iPhone 12

Disappointed by iPhone 12’s no-show at Apple’s latest launch event, many in China say new Apple Watch features are old news.

23 Sep 2020 - 6:55PM

Apple

New Apple Watch series can check your blood-oxygen levels

Apple focused on the new Apple Watch Series 6, Watch SE and iPads at its September event instead of the iPhone 12 – one of the 6’s new vaunted features is the ability to track blood-oxygen levels every 15 seconds.

16 Sep 2020 - 9:27PM

Apple

Apple preparing 75 Million 5G iPhones alongside new watches and iPad

The US technology giant plans to launch four new 5G iPhone models in October, featuring a different design and a wider choice of screen sizes.

1 Sep 2020 - 6:10PM

Coronavirus pandemic: All stories

Could Fitbit Sense smartwatch alert you to Covid-19 markers?

The Fitbit Sense tracks your heart and breathing rates, reads your skin temperature and senses how much you sweat. It may give early warning of symptoms of infectious diseases – including Covid-19, Fitbit claims.

28 Aug 2020 - 12:45PM

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