Google teases big Wear OS update to be announced at I/O 2021

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Google hasn't made any upgrades to its Wear OS since 2018. But the company is ready to update the smartwatch platform with announcements at this week's Google I/O Developer Conference. The company sent out a tweet from the official Wear OS Twitter account, teasing updates to be announced this Tuesday. Google has also hinted at featuring an entirely new version of Wear OS on the I/O Adventure page, a "virtual sandbox" for trying out Google products announced at the conference.

There are rumours that Google might have some new hardware to share, with Samsung reportedly dropping Tizen OS to release a Wear OS watch. If that's true, we might hear more about it this Tuesday.

Source: The Verge

Apple Music's Lossless feature needs wired headphones, AirPods to only get Spatial Audio

Apple has clarified and shared more details on its new Lossless and Spatial Audio offerings. You can enable Lossless with any pair of headphones, but it will not work over Bluetooth, so none of the AirPods will support the feature. Even the AirPods Max with its Lightning-to-3.5mm connector for wired use won't get the Lossless option. You'll need wired headphones to get the better sound quality option. And for the even higher Apple Music Hi Res Lossless, you'll need an external DAC to get it to work.

As for Spatial Audio, the AirPods will get support for the feature; the same goes for Beats models with Apple's H1 or W1 chip. If you're wondering about the HomePod or HomePod mini, these won't get the Lossless feature either. Spatial Audio will be coming to the HomePod, but we don't know if the HomePod mini will get it. Compatible Mac machines will get Spatial Audio as well.

Source: 9to5Mac + MacRumors

Apple releases Pride Edition straps for the Apple Watch Braided Solo Loop, Nike Sport Loop

The Apple Watch gets a couple of new straps in a new "Pride Edition" design along with a new Pride watch face. The Braided Solo Loop design weaves together the original rainbow colours from the different Pride flags, while the Nike Sport Loop showcases six colours of the original rainbow. 

The Braided Solo Loop's material is the same as the others, with a stretchable recycled yarn interwoven with silicone threads designed for ultra-comfort without clasps or buckles. It comes in 12 sizes. As for the Nike Sport Loop, it also features reflective yarn to help with visibility at night. Its design is more focused on durability and adjustability.

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Amazon Music HD is now a free upgrade for Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers

Following in Apple's footsteps, Amazon just announced its lossless music streaming service, Amazon Music HD, will be available to all eligible Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers at no extra cost. It was first launched in the fall of 2019 and now has over 70 million songs in its HD catalogue and around seven million Ultra HD tracks. 

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