Smartwatches

It wasn't so long ago that the calculator watch was the pinnacle of wrist-worn technology. These days smartwatches are essentially wearable computers with the ability to run apps, play music, monitor health, browse the internet – oh, and tell the time. With many having previously ditched their watch to rely on their smartphone for time-keeping, the development of the smartwatch has made the wristwatch relevant again.

Smartwatches Audio available

Solar energy and your body heat is all the PowerWatch 2 smartwatch needs to run

David Nield January 7, 2019

Back in 2016, Matrix brought us the PowerWatch, a smartwatch powered only by body heat. Since then the company has launched the PowerWatch X, and has now unveiled the PowerWatch 2 with a number of upgrades – including the additional of a solar panel.

The PowerWatch 2 adds a solar cell and a color display to the original PowerWatch design

Smartwatches

The best smartwatches of 2018

David Nield December 3, 2018

While we've not seen any dramatic innovations in the world of smartwatches during 2018, we have seen some steady progress: more features, better battery life, slimmer designs. If you're in the market for a new smartwatch before 2018 ends, these are the models from the last year to put on your radar.

2018 was a strong year for new smartwatches, including the Fitbit Versa

Smartwatches Audio available

Fossil Sport boasts Qualcomm's newest wearable chip and plenty of sensors

David Nield November 8, 2018

The Fossil Sport is the latest smartwatch from Fossil, and as well as carrying an impressive number of onboard sensors, it also has the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip inside – the processor that is set to power the next generation of wearables running Google's Wear OS.

The Fossil Sport comes with a choice of six colors and 28 straps

Smartwatches

Samsung Unpacked 2018: the Galaxy Watch, the Galaxy Home speaker, and a smarter Bixby

David Nield August 9, 2018

Samsung had much more to show off at its Unpacked hardware event today besides the Galaxy Note 9: upgrades for its Bixby digital assistant, a Galaxy Home smart speaker with Bixby inside, and a new Galaxy Watch wearable. Here are the details you need to know about Samsung's new products.

The Galaxy Watch is Samsung's newest wearable, available in two sizes

Smartwatches

Fitbit debuts the Versa, its smartwatch for everyone

David Nield March 13, 2018

Following up on the Ionic smartwatch we saw last August, we now have the Fitbit Versa, a cheaper, sleeker wearable that Fitbit says is "a smartwatch for all"—and yes it does look a lot like a watch made by Pebble, the company Fitbit acquired in 2016.

The Fitbit Versa comes in a choice of colors with a selection of bands

Smartwatches

Blocks modular smartwatch is finally going on sale

David Nield January 10, 2018

It's taken a long while for the Blocks modular smartwatch to reach the masses, but at CES 2018 the team behind the device announced that Kickstarter orders are finally shipping, and anyone can buy the wearable right now, for the ultimate in smartwatch flexibility.

The Blocks smartwatch can now be yours, starting from $259

Smartwatches

mVoice G2 smartwatch mixes old-school mechanical hands with an OLED display

Rich Haridy November 28, 2017

For several years now, California-based Martian has produced stylish smartwatches that hark back to more traditional designs. Its latest smartwatch, the mVoice G2, is the biggest blend of old and new yet, combining mechanical watch hands with a full round OLED display.

The mVoice G2 smartwatch blends the old and the new

Smartwatches

The best smartwatches of 2017

David Nield November 19, 2017

While it's fair to say smartwatches have yet to become a must-have accessory for the masses, these wrist-based mini computers are making solid strides forward with each passing year. In 2017 we've seen some compelling new products appear and here are our picks for the best smartwatches of the year.

In the market for a smartwatch? These are the best of the year

Smartwatches

Transparent solar panel enables first solar-powered smartwatch

Nick Lavars September 28, 2017

Solar-powered watches are nothing new, but being more power-hungry beasts, solar-powered smartwatches are a different story. A San Francisco-based startup called LunaR now claims to have bridged the divide by developing a smartwatch that draws all the energy it needs from the sun.

The LunaR watch is said to be waterproof up to 50 m (164 ft)

Smartwatches

Fitbit's Ionic to offer glucose monitoring for diabetics

Nick Lavars September 7, 2017

Launched late last month, Fitbit's Ionic is the company's attempt at claiming some territory from smartwatch heavyweights like Apple and Garmin. Now the feature-packed wearable is set to gain a handy new piece of functionality, with the ability to display glucose levels on the user's wrist.

The Fitbit Ionic starts shipping in October