You can already use hand gestures on your Apple Watch: Heres how

During the 'Wonderlust' event on September 12, Apple unveiled not only the most awaited smartphone series of the year, the iPhone 15 series, but also introduced the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The new Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 come with significant upgrades. Notably, Apple introduced a double tap gesture feature that enables a truly hands-free experience, utilising both the index finger and thumb. It’s worth noting that this feature is already available in older Apple Watch models -- sort of.

According to ZDNET, to use hand gestures, you need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra, or newer running on the latest version of WatchOS. 

Also read: Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2: India price and new features

How to enable hand gestures in Apple Watch?

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

Step 2: Find the Accessibility option by scrolling down and tap on it.

Step 3: After that tap on AssistiveTouch and enable it. 

Step 4: Then select the Hand Gestures option and enable it to turn on the feature.

Now, you will see a list of four hand gestures on the screen that the Apple Watch recognises. The four hand gestures that the AssistiveTouch capability recognises are: Pinch, Double-pinch, Clench and Double clench.

At Digit, we tested out these hand gestures on Watch Series 8, and they worked well.

Also read: Apple iPhone 15 Series: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

How is AssistiveTouch different from the new double-tap gesture feature?

AssistiveTouch originally emerged as an accessibility feature, designed to empower individuals who face challenges in physically interacting with their Apple Watch's touchscreen. This feature enables users to operate their wearable device using the same hand they are wearing it on. It extends its functionality beyond mere double-tapping, incorporating various hand gestures like a single tap using the pointer finger and thumb, and fist clenching once or twice.

Meanwhile, the double-tap feature on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 serves as a versatile control mechanism. This double-tap gesture allows users to manage the primary button in an app so it can be used to stop a timer, play and pause music, or snooze an alarm. The gesture can be used to answer and end a phone call, and even to take a photo with the Camera Remote on Apple Watch. This double tap gesture is enabled by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm.

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Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2: India price and new features

During the 'Wonderlust' event on September 12, Apple unveiled not only the most awaited smartphone series of the year, the iPhone 15 series, but also introduced the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The new Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 come with significant upgrades. Notably, Apple introduced a double tap gesture feature that enables a truly hands-free experience, utilising both the index finger and thumb. Here are the prices, features and more of the new watches.

Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2: Price in India & availability

Apple Watch Series 9 has launched in India at a starting price of ₹41,900. Whereas, Apple Watch Ultra costs ₹89,900.

Customers can order these new smartwatches from apple.com/store, with availability in stores beginning September 22.

Apple Watch Series 9 is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available in 49mm.

Also read: Apple iPhone 15 series: Price in India, specs, availability related FAQs answered

Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2: Features

The new smartwatches come with a new double tap gesture. This feature allows users to easily control their smartwatches using just one hand and without touching the display. Users can tap the index finger and thumb of their watch hand together twice to quickly perform the most common actions.

Both Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 run watchOS 10, featuring redesigned apps, a new Smart Stack, new watch faces, improved Night Mode, and much more.

Also, For the first time on Apple Watch, Siri requests can be processed on device, according to Apple. For requests that do not require information from the internet, such as starting a workout or setting a timer, Siri does not rely on Wi-Fi or cellular networks, resulting in quicker and more reliable responses. 

Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2: Display

Apple Watch Series 9’s display offers up to 2000 nits of peak brightness, double that of Series 8. Also, for dark rooms or early mornings, the display can also lower to just one nit so it does not disturb people nearby.

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, making it the brightest display Apple has ever designed. Similar to Watch Series 9, this smartwatch can also lower to just one nit for dark rooms or early mornings.

Also read: iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro price in India: Here's why some models are more expensive

Apple Watch Series 9 & Apple Watch Ultra 2: Performance

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 are powered by custom S9 SiP. The new watches also have a new 4-core Neural Engine that can process machine learning tasks faster.

Apple Watch Series 9 is said to provide 18 hours of battery life. On the other hand, Apple Watch Ultra 2 is said to offer 36-hour battery life with regular use and up to 72 hours in Low Power Mode.

Apple Watch SE

Apple also unveiled the new Apple Watch SE which offers Activity tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, Fall Detection, Emergency SOS, Crash Detection, and watchOS 10. The Watch SE starts at ₹29,900 and is available in 40mm and 44mm aluminium cases.

Customers can order the Apple Watch SE from apple.com/store, with availability in stores beginning September 22.

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Google Pixel Smartwatch 2 launch in India on October 5: More details announced

Some days ago, Google confirmed the Pixel 8 series which could include the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. However, the tech giant now has also confirmed one more device which will be launching along with the Pixel 8 series in India. Google has confirmed the launch of Pixel Watch 2 in India. Google India has posted the smartwatch teaser on X (formerly Twitter), which revealed the design as well. Not just that, the availability of the Pixel Watch 2 has also been revealed. 

Last year, Google didn’t bring its smartwatch to India, but luckily this year the brand will roll out its smartwatch. The tech giant posted a video of the Pixel Smartwatch 2 on X, revealing the design, launch date, and availability as well. The Pixel Smartwatch 2 will arrive in India on October 5 and it will be exclusively available on Flipkart. The pre-order booking of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will also start on October 5 as well. However, there is no information on the pre-order date of the Pixel Smartwatch 2. 

Also read: Google Pixel 8 series: Tipped to launch in four colours at higher price

Worth every minute of the wait Meet the all-new #PixelWatch 2 on 5th October . Available exclusively on @Flipkart pic.twitter.com/PB5rUXi0WY

— Google India (@GoogleIndia) September 8, 2023

Talking about its design, the Pixel smartwatch 2 is very similar to its predecessor. It will come with a bezel-less round dial with a curved display, which doesn’t seem to be a very safe option to me. The microphone is placed right next to the crown and there is also a button, which could help in operating the smartwatch. Google showcased its upcoming smartwatch in Porcelain colour that is also used for Google Pixel 8. 

Also read: Google Pixel Watch 2 leak reveals 5 new features that will be an improvement over the original

Speaking of the specifications, we don’t know much about the smartwatch except, the smartwatch might be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 processor. It could also feature a UWB chip, which gives us access to features like tracking or finding devices, calling nearby devices, making payments, and more.

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Realme Narzo 60X 5G and Buds T300 launching on September 6: All you need to know

Realme has confirmed the launch of a new Narzo 60 smartphone, the Narzo 60X 5G. Along with the smartphone, the Chinese brand will also launch the Realme Buds T300. The Realme Narzo 60X 5G will succeed the Realme Narzo 60 5G and Narzo 60 Pro 5G, which launched in July this year. Realme confirmed the launch of the Narzo 60X through a promotional poster, which revealed the minty green appearance of the smartphone and a dual camera setup on the back integrated in a big circular camera module. Later, the company posted the launch of the Buds T300 on X (formerly Twitter). 

The story doesn’t end here, the specifications of both of these devices have also been tipped ahead of the launch. A publication, Appuals, has tipped what the Realme Narzo 60X 5G could pack. The Realme Narzo 60X 5G might feature a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with 2400 x 1080 pixels of resolution. The display is also tipped to support up to 120Hz refresh rate and 680 nits on peak brightness. The Android 13 operating system based Realme UI 4.0 could be running the Realme Narzo 60X 5G.

Also read: Realme's Bazul Kochar on everything you need to know about Realme Narzo 60 series

Moving to the performance, the Realme Narzo 60X 5G might be powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ processor coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 inbuilt storage. It will most likely be packed with a 5000mAh battery with 33-watt SUPERVOOC fast charging support.

The camera of the smartphone is tipped to have a 64-megapixel sensor as a primary camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. Along with that, there could be an 8-megapixel selfie camera. 

Also read: Realme Buds Air 5 series will offer 7 hours of music playback in 10 mins of charging

Talking about the Realme Buds T300, a report by 91mobiles has suggested some details. It says the earbuds could offer up to seven hours of playback time in only 10 minutes of charging. Furthermore, it also suggested a 12.4mm audio driver in the Realme Buds T300.

Source 1: Appuals Source 2: 91mobiles

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Nothing CMF Watch Pro, CMF Buds Pro, CMF 65W GaN charger leaked: specs, price and launch date

Carl Pei, the CEO of Nothing, caught the tech world's attention earlier this month by introducing CMF, a sub-brand set to delve into the realm of affordable tech products. In line with this revelation, Pei revealed that a smartwatch and earbuds under the CMF umbrella are poised for a debut later this year, with further specifics yet to be disclosed. 

Also read: Nothing Phone 2 Review: Something special

However, fresh leaks from the Telegram channel @Alchimist_1 have now given us a sneak peek into the internal marketing materials detailing CMF's first offerings: the CMF Watch Pro, CMF Buds Pro, and the CMF 65W GaN charger. Let's dive into the uncovered details.

CMF Watch Pro specifications

The CMF Watch Pro will reportedly boast a vivid 1.96-inch AMOLED display capable of 600 nits of brightness, flaunting a 50 fps refresh rate and an Always-on Display feature. The watch will offer over a 100 watch faces and is powered by a 330mAh battery that is poised to reportedly keep the device running for 13 days.

Additionally, the CMF Watch Pro will come with 100 sports modes and health tracking sensors that include heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, stress analysis, sleep tracking, and even a breath monitor. For connectivity you have Bluetooth 5.3 and multi-system GPS. The watch will reportedly come with an IP68 rating and a sleek aluminium alloy case measuring just 11.4mm thick and weighing in at 31.1 grams.

CMF Buds Pro specifications

The CMF Buds Pro will reportedly come with 45dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). 10mm dynamic audio drivers and intelligent dynamic bass features will reportedbly be present to further boost audio quality. Each bud has three HD microphones for calls, complemented by algorithms, and anti-wind noise reduction. 

Also read: Nothing Ear (2) Review: An incremental update in a competitive space

The CMF Buds Pro will reportedly offer 11 hours of music playback on a single charge, which extends to 37 hours with the charging case. Quick charging support will also be present, granting a commendable 3.5 hours of playback time with ANC deactivated. The CMF Buds Pro will also come with IP54 water resistance.

CMF Power 65W GaN Charger specifications

The CMF Power 65W GaN charger will feature a trifecta of ports – one USB-A and two USB-C. It's built to accommodate various devices. Supporting fast charging protocols like PD 3.0, QC 4.0+/3.0/2.0, SC, FCP, PPS, AFC, Apple 2.4A, Samsung 9V2A, and DCP, it caters to a wide range of gadgets. Multiple protective features, including short circuit, over-temperature, over-current, over-voltage, over-power, anti-interference, and under-voltage protection are reportedly available with this.

Price points and release date

According to the leaked information, the CMF Watch Pro is anticipated to retail for Rs 4,499 ($69), while the CMF Buds Pro is priced at Rs 3,499. Additionally, the 65W GaN charger might enjoy a promotional price of Rs 2,499 initially, later rising to Rs 2,999 during its general sale period. Mark your calendars for September 26, as both the CMF Watch Pro and Buds Pro are set to make their grand entrance on that day. While details regarding the charger's launch remain uncertain, the leaks have certainly set the stage for an exciting tech unveiling event

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Boat Smart Ring specifications tipped: Would you buy a Smarting over Smartwatch

Boat confirmed its new category of products a while back, which is Smart Ring. The Smart Ring is exactly what it sounds like. Just like smartwatches, it can be used to track your health status. You can also wear it to gear up your fashion game, and some people prefer to wear rings and not wrist watches, so this could be a great thing for them. Additionally, you can use it daily as it comes with 5 ATM water and sweat resistance.

Mukul Sharma, a known tipster, has provided some details of the boAt Smart Ring on X (formerly Twitter). The pictures in the tweet described its specifications. As I mentioned above, the Smart Ring is set to incorporate multiple health sensors commonly seen on smartwatches. It features a heart rate sensor, SpO2 sensor, sleep tracker, and even a period tracker. Intriguingly, there's a possibility that it might also offer compatibility with a body temperature monitoring feature.

Also read: Boat reveals Smart Ring wearable device, will it rule the market?

A few days back, Boat confirmed the Smart Ring and along with that, the brand also revealed some specifications. The Boat Smart Ring will come with a ceramic and metal body. It will also feature Smart Touch Controls that allows you to use the smartring single-handedly. You can pair your Boat Smart Ring with the Boat Ring App to get all the basic analytics and information of your body. 

Also read: Boat Wanderer Smart is a new kids' smartwatch with 5 features that keep children safe and connected

The Boat Smart Ring will be available for grab on the leading e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, and on Boat’s official website as well. The price information of Boat Smart Ring is still unannounced. We are expecting that to be revealed soon as well. Stay tuned for more updates and let us know in the comments how you like this ‘Smart Ring’ concept.

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5 discounted smartwatches selling under 5000 in Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2023

Amazon is hosting its Great Freedom Festival 2023 sale to celebrate India’s Independence Day. It started on August 4 and will continue until August 8. During the sale, Amazon is offering great discounts on various electronics and gadgets including smartwatches. If you're in the market for a budget-friendly smartwatch, now is the perfect time. Check out these 5 top smartwatch picks you shouldn't miss considering during the Amazon Freedom Day Sale.

Fire-Boltt Ninja Call Pro Plus

The Fire-Boltt Ninja Call Pro Plus was launched in India at a price of ₹1,398. Now it is available for ₹1,297. 

It comes with a 1.87-inch HD display. It can run up to 8 days on a single charge, Fire-Boltt claimed. It comes with such features like SpO2 tracker, heart rate tracker, notifications from social media platforms, call notifications and sports tracking. 

Buy the Fire-Boltt Ninja Call Pro Plus

Also read: 5 gaming laptops starting at ₹53,000 in Amazon Great Freedom Festival 2023 sale

  Noise ColorFit Vivid Call

The Noise ColorFit Vivid Call is available on Amazon at a price of ₹1,199. It can be bought from the sale with a steal of ₹200. However, the MRP listed on Amazon is ₹4,999. 

It features a 1.69-inch display. The smartwatch comes with features like bluetooth calling, Blood oxygen monitor, Sleep monitor & 24x7 heart rate monitor, AI voice assistant. It is packed with a 260mAh battery which can be charged in two hours. 

Buy the Noise ColorFit Vivid Call

Boat Wave Leap Call

Boat Wave Leap Call can be purchased with a discount of ₹200. It was launched at a price of ₹1,499 but available on Amazon at just ₹1,200. 

It is equipped with a 1.83-inch HD Display. The smartwatch features an oxygen tracker, heart rate monitor, bluetooth calling and dial pad.

Buy the Boat Wave Leap Call

AmazFit Bip U Pro

The AmazFit Bip U Pro is available at a discounted price of ₹3,799. The smartwatch was launched in India at a price of ₹4,999. So you are getting a good ₹1,200 steal on this smartwatch. 

It has a 1.43-inch display and apart from that it comes with SpO2, Built-in GPS, Built-in Alexa, Sleep and Stress Monitor. 

Buy the AmazFit Bip U Pro

Also read: Amazon Great Freedom Festival Sale 2023: Save the most on these TV offers

Boat Xtend

The Boat Xtend is listed on Amazon at a discounted price of ₹1,797. The original price of this smartwatch is ₹3,499. 

It comes with a 1.69-inch HD display and features Stress Monitor, Heart & SpO2 monitoring, 14 sports modes, Sleep Monitor and up to 7 days of battery life on a single charge.

Buy the Boat Xtend

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Reliance Jio AGM 2023: JioPhone 5G expected to launch on August 28

Reliance has announced the date of its Annual General Meeting. The meeting, Reliance AGM 2023 will be held later this month and it is the 46th meeting of the company. This year’s General Meeting is also expected to be live-streamed on Youtube. It is rumoured that Reliance might unveil the Jio Phone 5G in the AGM 2023. 

In the AGM 2023, the CEO, Mukesh Ambani is expected to announce the growth of the company. Along with that, he could also announce new 5G plans for Jio users, and as I mentioned above, there are chances that Mukesh Ambani might also announce the Jio Phone 5G. 

Also read: Jio Phone 5G expected to be the cheapest 5G phone in India: Here's how much it could cost

Back in 2020, Mukesh Ambani had announced a collaboration with Google to introduce affordable 5G smartphones in India under the Jio brand. Now there are strong speculations that the Jio 5G smartphone could be launched in the AGM 2023. The device was previously spotted on Geekbench. The reports revealed the Snapdragon 480+ chipset Android 12 OS in the Jio Phone 5G. Recently some new renders have also been leaked which indicates imminent launch.

Next in line is the Jio 5G plans. Jio 5G connectivity has already been implemented in various cities. However, the 5G plans have not been announced yet, and users have been accessing 5G services from existing 4G plans. The AGM 2023 might finally unveil the 5G plans, which are expected to be priced similarly to current 4G plans.

Also read: Reliance AGM 2022 is slated for August 29: Jio 5G and Jio Phone 5G expected

Another product that Jio had announced previously is the Jio AirFiber 5G hotspot device. The 2023 AGM is expected to reveal the device's price and availability. The Jio AirFiber is designed to provide ultra-high-speed 5G connectivity, similar to a wireless fibre connection, for home or office use.

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Samsung Galaxy S24+ appears more powerful than its precursor as per alleged Geekbench scores

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Geekbench scores have seemingly leaked and this suggests the phone could be powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The Galaxy S24+ Geekbench scores are also ahead of its precursor. This suggests the upcoming phone could be more powerful. Here is what we know about it for now.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus Geekbench scores

It is the US variant of the Galaxy S24 Plus that has reportedly surfaced on the Geekbench website. The listing shows the device model number to be SM-S926U which is said to be the Galaxy S24+.

This appears to be powered by a Qualcomm processor codenamed Pineapple. This is believed to be Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. The chip in question is shown to be running with a prime core at 3.30GHz, three performance cores at 3.15GHz, two performance cores at 2.96GHz, and two efficiency cores at 2.27GHz.

Also Read: Samsung foldables will get more affordable, and this is good news for everyone

From the Geekbench appearance, we also see that the phone is having Android 14 software and 8GB of RAM. It could also come in up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage SKU.

The Geekbench scores are 2233 in single-core performance and 6661 in multi-core performance. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S23+ scores are about 1866 in single-core and 4945 in multi-core performance.

That’s about all we learn from this Geekbench listing.

Samsung Galaxy S24 series: What we know so far

22 pic.twitter.com/L8GIdSBeR6

— ICE UNIVERSE (@UniverseIce) July 30, 2023

Like clockwork, Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S24 series in Q1 2024 and we already have some hints about the device that we shall share here. 

Just the other day, a chronic Samsung tipster Ice Universe implied the S24 series to get Titanium chassis. 

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Good bang for your buck

He claims the S24+ would bring a 6.65-inch screen and Android 14 software with One UI 6.0 skin.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile could come with a 144Hz display, a new EV charging technology and a 200MP camera with better zooming capabilities.

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Boult Striker Pro looks striking in metal, but what are its pro features

Boult Striker Pro brings a metallic build under ₹2,500. For the price, you also get Bluetooth calling, 750 nits of brightness, a blood pressure tracker, a SpO2 sensor, and 120+ sports modes. Here are the complete details.

Boult Striker Pro specs and features

Boult has outfitted a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen on the front. This has 750 nits of brightness, 466×466 pixels resolution, and a 60Hz refresh rate. You can customize the watch faces with 150+ options, many of which you will have to download from the cloud.

Also Read: Noise launched Luna smart ring in India

On the base, there are health monitoring sensors to track 24x7 heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen count. Female users can also keep track of their menstrual health with this watch. 

Besides the health features, you get to measure 120+ sports activities.

You also get Bluetooth calling support, access AI assistants, get weather stats, sedentary reminders, and smart notifications from the phone. 

Among other features, there is IP67 dust and water resistance too.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 launched: 6 things beyond specs that are worth knowing

Boult Striker Pro price and availability

Boult Striker Pro’s black metallic strap variant is priced at ₹2,499. You can also grab the watch’s silicone strap model in blue and grey colours. You can buy the watch from Flipkart as well as Boultaudio.com. You can grab the watch at an introductory price of ₹2,499 from July 27 at 12 PM.

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We used Llama 2 to ask it how its different from ChatGPT: Heres the answer

Llama 2 is the new LLM in the market. Meta launched it today and you can try it now. We have used the AI chatbot and asked it how it compares to ChatGPT. Let’s see what the new ChatGPT rival has to say.

First, let’s see how you can try it out.

Steps to use Llama 2

1. Go to the Llama 2 demo page on the Huggingface website. 

2. Scroll down till you see the Demo section and click on the “in this space” hyperlink. This will take you to the Llama2 70B Chatbot. Or else, you can chat within the small chat box in the Demo section.

Also Read: Google Bard gets a desi touch: 2 new features Indians will find useful

3. Enter your query or prompt and hit Submit button (or enter button on your keyboard). It can even solve HTML codes.

4. You can click on Retry, Undo, or Clear the prompt/query.  

It takes some time to respond. Perhaps, with time, it will improve both in speed and quality of responses.

For now, it looks very basic. But it is fine as it is a demo only. 

Still, we decided to take it out for a spin.

We asked what it thinks of ChatGPT and here’s its answer

Before we start, know that Llama 2 doesn’t have personal opinions or beliefs, and if it doesn’t know the answer to any of the questions, it says it will tell you “where you might be able to find the answer”.

Whence asked about ChatGPT, it praised the potential of an LLM-powered chatbot like this and also warns the ethical implications.

Also Read: Google Bard should address these 5 concerns against generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT

It suggests ChatGPT has a wider scope and is capable of “generating coherent and contextually relevant text, especially when given a prompt that requires a creative or imaginative response”. 

However, as a smaller model, it claims to be “able to respond faster and can handle more conversational dialogue”. It says it can be more “empathetic and emotive” in its responses.

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Top smartwatch deals on Amazon Prime Day Sale 2023

Amazon’s Prime Day Sale is just round the corner and will go live on July 15th and it extends till July 16th. As we excitedly await the sale to go live, it is also the best time to buy smartwatches. Amazon is offering some crazy deals on the smartwatches and you should look out for them. So, here are some unmissable deals that you can grab during the sale.

Fire-Boltt Infinity Luxe smartwatch:       

You can grab the Fire-Boltt Infinity Luxe smartwatch at just ₹3,499 during the said sale. The watch features a 1.6-inch round HD display offering 600 nits of peak brightness. It even has 300+ sports mode for all your moods and comes along with bluetooth calling and voice assistant. You’ll even get a 3.7V to 5V adapter.

Also read: Check out the deals on 4 TVs in the upcoming Amazon Prime Day 2023 Sale

boAt Wave Call 2:

During the sale, you can get your hands on the boAt Wave Call 2 starting at just ₹1,499 along with certain bank offers. Not just this, you can pre book this smartwatch for just ₹1 before 15th July. The watch runs on Crest+ OS and comes with a DIY watch face studio. It has 700+ active modes and comes with bluetooth calling. It has great health tracking algorithms.

 NoiseFit Halo Plus Elite Edition:   

The NoiseFit Halo Plus Elite Edition will be available starting at ₹4,499. This comes with bank offers and you can pre-book for just ₹1 before the sale goes live. The watch will feature a 1.46” super AMOLED display and also a drain less steel finish metallic straps. It has a 4-stage sleep tracker too. 

Also read: 5 attractive smartphone deals of Amazon Prime Day 2023

beatXP Unbound nova:  

The beatXP Unbound Nova can be bagged at a price range starting at ₹2,499 along with bank offers. This can be pre-booked too at ₹1. Speaking of the watch, it has a 1.96” AMOLED display and comes with over 100 in-built sports modes. It will have bluetooth calling and promises an uninterrupted battery life of 7 days.

These are some great smartwatches that are being presented at great prices during the sale. Be on time so that you don’t end up missing the deals. The Amazon Prime Day sale is available for prime users between 15 and 16th July.

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Passkeys wont replace passwords because of key implementation flaws

I remember the first email account I had created back in 1997 or 1998. Hotmail was the hottest service, albeit with a rather quirky name, and everyone who had the privilege of accessing the Internet wanted to have a mail account for themselves. My brother had an account and I wanted one too, even though there was barely anyone I knew whom I could send emails to. When the time came to create the password, I was told to make it as hard as possible to guess. Being a smart cookie, I cooked up an alphanumeric pattern-based password which was easy to remember and was nine characters long. That password served me well for a decade, until I started refreshing passwords on a cyclic basis.

Computers were getting more powerful and breaking passwords was getting easier. And users had to think of unique passwords for each service and refresh them regularly. For the internet-savvy, it is a task unto itself. Last year, we saw a lot of news around passkeys and how tech companies around the world were scampering to quickly implement passkeys.

Passkeys were intended to replace passwords and provide a single, standardised method of authentication across various browsers and operating systems. Users would no longer need to remember and manage multiple passwords or rely on weak, easily compromised SMS or app-based one-time passwords. Instead, they could use biometric sensors, PINs, or patterns for secure and convenient access to apps and websites.

The introduction of passkeys as an alternative to traditional passwords is a move that has gained significant attention, with proponents arguing that it is a safer and more convenient solution for user authentication. However, the recent implementation of passkeys by major tech companies has demonstrated that they are not being standardised across different operating systems, resulting in a disappointing vendor lock-in scenario and an unsatisfactory user experience. In fact, rather than solving problems, passkeys may be creating new ones.

Regrettably, the way passkeys are being rolled out does not align with this vision. Major tech companies have opted to implement passkeys in a manner that ensures seamless functionality with their own ecosystems. And using passkeys across different ecosystems requires the use of QR codes or some other work around. This approach creates a vendor lock-in system, where users are limited to using passkeys only on devices with the same operating system. For example, a Windows-based passkey will only work on other Windows devices, while an Apple-based passkey will only function seamlessly across other Apple devices. You can use the passkey across ecosystems but it will be a pain. 

Such a twisted implementation is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it runs contrary to the idea of standardisation, as users still have to rely on different authentication methods depending on the device they are using. This defeats the original purpose of passkeys, which was to simplify and streamline the authentication process across all devices and platforms.

Secondly, vendor lock-in can lead to a negative user experience, as it restricts users' freedom of choice when it comes to their devices and software. For instance, a user with a Windows-based passkey may find it difficult to switch to an Apple device, as their passkey will not work seamlessly across the two operating systems. This limitation discourages users from exploring different platforms and products, ultimately hindering competition and innovation in the tech industry.

Furthermore, the current implementation of passkeys is not going to replace passwords anytime soon. The widespread adoption of passkeys will take years, if not decades, to become a reality. Until then, users will still have to rely on traditional passwords, negating the supposed benefits of passkeys. This slow transition could potentially create confusion and increase security risks, as users juggle between passwords and passkeys.

It is worth noting that the concept of passkeys is not inherently flawed. If implemented correctly, it could provide a more secure and convenient authentication solution than passwords. However, the current approach taken by major tech companies is detrimental to both the user experience and the broader technology ecosystem.

To truly reap the benefits of passkeys, it is crucial for tech companies to work together and establish a standardised implementation that is compatible across different operating systems and devices. This would allow users to enjoy a seamless and secure authentication experience, regardless of their choice of device or platform. By prioritising collaboration and interoperability over competition, the tech industry can create a more inclusive and innovative digital landscape.

This column was originally published in Digit magazine's May 2023 edition

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NoiseFit Crew Pro smartwatch launched at 2199: Is it specced to heat up the competition

Noise has launched the NoiseFit Crew Pro smartwatch in India. It is priced currently at ₹2,199 which is a hotly contested segment. So, what does this watch offer besides the obvious round dial, metallic finish, and leather strap? 

NoiseFit Crew Pro: Specs and features

1. Noise has equipped the watch with a 1.4-inch round display with 240x240 resolution and 550-nits of brightness. In this price range, we have smartwatches with 1.7-inch (Fire Boltt Ring), 1.83-inch (Fire Boltt Jaguar) and even 1.91-inch (BoAt Xtend Call Plus) screens. But, 1.4-inches would be a good place to start.

As for brightness, it is outsmarted by the Maxima Nitro with 600 nits of brightness. But, even 550 nits should be legible enough for most environments and is far more than 220 nits on the Fire Boltt Ring.

In the renders, the bezels don’t appear that thick either. You also have 100+ watch faces to customize the screen appearance.

2. The screen is engulfed by a polycarbonate case/bezel with a metallic finish. There are watches like the ​Zebronics Zeb-Fit7220CH in this segment which offer both metallic case and strap, just so you know.

You can pick the Crew Pro in several colours. The silver bezel of the Brown variant looks more glossy in the promo images. Some may prefer the subdued demeanour of the black variants.

Another assuring feature to talk about in the design department is the presence of an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

3. Coming to performance, it claims to track 120+ sports activities, which is several modes more than its main rivals.

You are also being promised 7-day endurance out of this thing. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge up.

4. This is Bluetooth calling smartwatch backed by the brand’s TruSync tech which is another name for single-chip BT calling.

This should be good for battery life and a smoother calling experience.

5. The list of health features includes 24x7 heart rate tracking, SpO2 monitoring, stress measurement, sleep monitoring, breath practice, and female cycle tracking.

You can buy the NoiseFit Crew Pro on Flipkart and gonoise.com at ₹2,199. 

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Twitter reacts with laughs to Apples Vision Pro headset shown at WWDC23

Tim Cook and Apple revealed the Vision Pro AR headset, what they’re calling as the world’s first spatial computing device. The futuristic Apple headset is nothing short of revolutionary, boasting of over 5,000 patented technologies among other things. 

While the mixed reality headset sounds amazing from the features that are disclosed the Twitteratis have shown their response in an interesting way. Let’s see what the people have to say about the brand’s new technology priced at $3499.

Also read: Apple Vision Pro is superior to Meta Quest 3 but is that a reason to spend on it?

People are going crazy over the reaction the crowd had when the headsets were released. The crowd stayed silent while the “redefining” technology was announced and Twittratis are not getting enough of it.  

Crowd’s reaction to the Vision Pro price reveal pic.twitter.com/N20Fi8s3tH

— Moeqawama  (@Docta_Moe) June 5, 2023

While many have been talking about how the technology will revolutionise the future of augmented reality gadgets, some twitter users have great reactions with a meme trail. 

User @_TonyCabrera shares a GIF stating “Me using the Apple Vision pro to go to Bora Bora after a long day of work”

Me using the Apple Vision pro to go to Bora Bora after a long day of work pic.twitter.com/7Lw4vSqdDF

— Tony Cabrera-Steele (@_TonyCabrera) June 5, 2023

Another Twitter user @DennisN mentions “After buying the Apple Vision Pro” sharing a meme

After buying the Apple Vision Pro pic.twitter.com/F9SNZFV7bF

— Dennis N (@DennisN) June 5, 2023

Also read: WWDC 2023: 5 watchOS 10 features that will supercharge the Apple Watch

User @haiiderrrx took to the platform to compare the headset experience with a ‘Marvel’lous twist saying “Me when Apple Vision Pro drops”  

Me when Apple Vision Pro drops pic.twitter.com/E0H54ZJBm5

— haider

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WWDC 2023: 5 watchOS 10 features that will supercharge the Apple Watch

The most anticipated tech event of the year is here to leave you overwhelmed with the new improvements and announcements in the Apple hardware and software lineups. The Apple Annual Conference WWDC 2023 is to take place today at 10:30pm where CEO Cook will be inaugurating the event. 

The event is expected to release multifolds of announcements with new MacBook models, iOS 17, macOS 14, tvOS 17, watchOS 10 and the highly anticipated first ever augmented reality headset for the brand along with xrOS. 

The Apple watchOS 10 is anticipated to reset a lot of settings with multi facet improvements in the Apple watch system. It is claimed that the system will see the biggest upgrades in a long time and would not just be a refreshed version of the previous system. Let’s take a look at what new features the new watchOS system has to offer.

Also read: WWDC 2023: What time and how to watch Apple’s event tonight?

Expected upgrades on watchOS10 1) Multiple Device Pairing 

Uptil now the Apple watch with watchOS 9 could only be paired with an iPhone, however with the arrival of watchOS 10 the watch is now anticipated to be connected with iPad, Mac, and of course, iPhones as always. 

2) Centralised Health Updates 

The tech giant is taking the baton forward with AI incorporation in the devices where an AI coach will be linked with the Apple watch and the Health App on the iPhone giving suggestions to the user based on the collected data. The project is apparently named ‘Quartz’. The initiative is primarily built in for wellness and health support and is anticipated to operate efficiently on the iPhone as well as the Apple watch.  

3) User Interface

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg suggested that the tech giant is narrowing the focus down on the Apple Watch Series 9 as there are very few anticipated hardware releases this WWDC and having said that the brand wants to have notable changes in the user interface for the series. The brand is primarily working on widgets for activity tracking, weather, stock tickers, calendar among others. 

Also read: Apple WWDC AR teaser hints at the Reality Pro announcement: Here’s how to try it

4) Digital Crown

The apple watchOS may also bring in new features for the Digital Crown, where watchOS 9 used the setting for taking the system back to the home screen, the new upgrade might use the function for accessing the new widgets in the system. It can be said that the feature is similar to Apple watch’s ‘Glance’ feature. 

5) Journaling App Connection iOS17 and watchOS10

There have been speculations that the iOS17 might get a new journaling app, the features are still under the veil. However, there are reports that this app can be linked with the Apple watchOS 10 and clearly this app was not available for watchOS 9. These were the changes that can be expected for the watchOS 10 compared to watchOS 9 however, the information is to be validated at the WWDC conference and should be, just for a few hours now, taken with a grain of salt. What announcements are you excited about let us know at editor@digit.in.

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TicWatch Pro 5 is high-end and up-to-date in specs, but for how long is the concern

Mobvoi has launched the TicWatch Pro 5 in India. It has a round dial, an AMOLED screen, up to 80 hours of battery life, and claims to offer “the latest version of Wear OS”. However, we are still concerned. Here is why.

TicWatch Pro 5 Wear OS update situation

TicWatch Pro 5 boots Wear OS 3.5 and claims to have the latest Wear OS by Google. Well, Google recently launched the Wear OS 4 at the IO 2023 event. 

Previous TicWatch owners know the company hasn’t been timely regarding software updates. For instance, here’s what Mobvoi said recently about the software situation for TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, TicWatch Pro 3 and TicWatch E3:

Mobvoi note from Wear OS update by u/kevyn124 in WearOS

So, our concern is whether because of a similar “proprietary architectural setup,” the TicWatch Pro 5 would also suffer a slow update schedule. 

What else TicWatch Pro 5 brings to your wrist?

Go beyond the limits with the @Mobvoi_Official TicWatch Pro 5! - Powered with #WearOS & #Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 - Rotating Crown - Compass, Barometer and Multi-GNSS - 80hrs Battery Life & Fast Charge#TicWatch Pro 5 is powerful, inside and out.https://t.co/snFxmjc4sA pic.twitter.com/uno54o4kTM

— Wear OS by Google (@WearOSbyGoogle) May 25, 2023

TicWatch Pro 5 runs on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 chipset coupled with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. There is a 628mAh battery that is rated to run for 80 hours (standby time) between charges. You get fast charging support that claims to fill 65 percent in 30 minutes. 

On the front, it has a 1.43-inch AMOLED screen with 466x466 pixel resolution, an always-on mode, an ultra-low-power mode, and Gorilla Glass protection. The watch comes with a silicone strap.

The world's first and leading smartwatch combines Snapdragon® W5+ Gen1 wearable platform and Wear OS by Google. The next-level processing power enables seamless connectivity, lightning-fast responsiveness and extreme power efficiency. pic.twitter.com/4kTShAGruA

— Mobvoi_Official (@Mobvoi_Official) May 25, 2023

If you are concerned about its durability, know that there is support for 5ATM water resistance and it has a MIL-STD-810H endurance rating.

As for health and fitness features, you are getting a PPG heart rate sensor, SpO2 reader, sleep tracking, skin temperature sensor, and a single-tap check of 5 health metrics. Among other things, the watch also brings a rotating crown, barometer, more than 100 sports modes, etc.

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Garmin Instinct 2X Solar launched to lure Apple fans and heres why it may be successful

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar and Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Edition are now available in India. These are incremental upgrades to the Instinct 2 Solar models that launched last year. However, people are likely to appreciate them. Even Apple fans!

Let’s see what are these new features of the Instinct 2X Solar series:

What are the new features of Garmin Instinct 2X Solar?

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar has a bigger 1.1-inch screen with a 176x176 pixel resolution. The display has a “two-window design” that includes 2 non-touch, monochrome, memory-in-pixel (MIP) layers.  The on-screen elements should appear clearer. 

The screen sits in an apparently more durable case since the watch is MIL-STD-810-rated for "thermal, shock and water resistance."

The Instinct 2X Solar must be more accurate in navigational tracking since it supports the ability to lock into multiple satellite systems at a time. So, even if there are some form of signal jammers or barriers, it should be able to catch a GPS frequency more quickly.

There is also a gyroscope in the mix that promises "improved swim feature performance, improved rep counting (gym activities), and improved distance and direction calculations when GPS is off (when using UltraTrac mode)."

The onboard storage is also up to 64 gigs while the predecessor has only 32GB.

Garmin Instinct 2X Solar features

Unleash the explorer within and experience a level of excitement like never before! Time to unleash your inner explorer and soar to new heights with #Instinct2X. For More info, visit: https://t.co/ah6V0zPmua . .#Garmin #GarminIndia #BeatYesterdayIndia #TrustYourInstinct pic.twitter.com/hgjrP65ycj

— Garmin India (@Garmin_India) May 26, 2023

Well, solar-based charging support is the key highlight of this watch. It’s given in the name, after all. 

You also get 10ATM water resistance, up to 40-day battery life in smartwatch mode or up to 60 hours in GPS mode, real-time notifications from the connected phone, built-in GPS connectivity, JumpMaster mode for skydivers, and trackers for heart rate, pulse oximeter, sleep, and women's health.

Now, hardcore fitness enthusiasts would know the credibility that Garmin offers. If you expect the same, then these new features are likely to attract you, even if you are from the Apple club.

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Boat Wanderer Smart is a new kids smartwatch with 5 features that keep children safe and connected

Boat has launched a new smartwatch for kids named Wanderer Smart. It is priced at ₹5000 and for that price, it brings a host of specially curated features like built-in calling support, parental controls, and a location tracking facility to ensure your child stays safe and connected. Let’s have a look at all of this Boat watch’s features.

Boat Wanderer Smart features: What makes it wanderer-friendly and smart?

1. Boat Wanderer Smart has got in-built 4G Sim connectivity, a mic, and a speaker setup. This means your kid can make voice calls and text messages over the LTE network. 

2. As part of its parental controls, you can block calls from unknown numbers on the watch. There is even an option to enable auto-answering and hear background noises and voices. These features should let you quickly talk to them and know their whereabouts.  

3. Thanks to cellular connectivity and built-in GPS, you can triangulate the child’s real-time location. You can set geofencing boundaries, and crossing which sends a notification to the Boat Wanderer app. The same app lets you locate the watch using GPS tracking. 

Also Read: 5 best smartwatches for kids in 2023

4. In case of emergency situations, kids can press a dedicated SOS button on the watch to alert selected contacts. Kids can also make video calls to you through the 2MP camera on the watch.

5. All of these comes packed in a rugged build that’s IP68 water and dust resistant. The watch claims to run for up to 2 days on its 650mAh battery. It is rated to last 68 Hrs on standby.

Among other things, the Boat smartwatch also sports a 1.4-inch touchscreen, a step-tracking feature and a multi-purpose clock.

Boat Wanderer Smart price and availability

You can buy the Boat Wanderer Smart watch from Amazon or the official Boat website at an introductory price of ₹5,000. The smartwatch is available in Aqua and Coral colours.

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Women in gaming face frequent online abuse and a lot harder glass ceiling

You could guess that eSports is a male-dominated space but you surely don’t know the extent of it. The glass ceiling is present in the new-gen eSports industry and female players may find it hard to break through. For instance, according to a recent Lumikai report, male players get 100 times bigger prizes than their female counterparts.

State of female esports players in India 

The number of women gamers is lagging behind men players by a 60:40 ratio. That is only 40% of players in India are women. Not only that, a more assuring finding is that women have been spending more time playing online and also contribute to 43 percent of the player base in the smartphone gaming space.

Jio’s disruption of the telecom industry, the resulting economical rates of phone plans, and the pandemic must have been a driving force behind this cultural shift. It is also reassuring to see the acceptance of gaming as a livelihood in general and that a lot of women are pursuing gaming as a serious career. 

Also Read: More Indian Women Are Choosing Gaming As A Serious Career Option

Another stat by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry states that female participants in competitive esports have soared to 22 percent in 2022 compared to 12 percent in 2020 (Ref: 2021 Women Mobile Gaming Report).

So, the number of pursuant seems to be ticking up. What’s concerning is the pay gap existing between them and their male counterparts. As per the Esports Federation of India, this difference is as big as 100 times.  

An even bigger issue is the rampant harassment that women face online. Local Circles in a 2023 report revealed about 86 percent of urban women gamers suffer online abuse in the form of sleazy comments, trolls, and cybercrimes.

Also Read: Women In Gaming Speak About Gaming In India, Their Challenges And Opportunities

The underrepresentation of women in leading positions in the gaming industry is also a matter of concern. 

The long and short of it is that the gaming industry needs to promote more diversity and inclusion. And we hope to find a crack in the aforesaid glass ceiling. We urge game publishers, tournament organizers and other stakeholders to develop a safe and empowering environment for female players. This could involve a working complaint and feedback system to record and report foul incidents. They should be able to keep their identity private to whatever extent possible. There should be a block option, if required. Family and friends should be there to hear out their problems and offer support and advice. Finally, women gamers reading this, we encourage you to seek professional help at times of emotional distress. 

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