Engineered by HP program yields first crop of wearable devices

HP developed the hardware modules, software and user interface, and is providing HP cloud services for all of the brand smartwatches. HP also designed the app that allows users to configure and connect the watch to the cloud.

HP has always done its own thing when it came to wearables and smart watches. Last year, they collaborated with designer Michael Bastien for the Chronowing timepiece, which was more watch that received push notifications, than a full blown smartwatch. The Engineered by HP program now has new model, the Movado Bold Motion smartwatch ($889.99 from HP) features a sleeker take on the notification watch and promises a 7-day battery life. Ideal for fashion forward users who don't want apps on their watch and are happy with a more back-to-basics take on wearable functionality.

Foursquare now also feeds business data to Apple Maps

Since its inception, Apple has promised they would collect data from varied sources to help develop its Maps application. Sticking to their word, Apple has added Foursquare to its “business listing data.” It’s almost been a month though since they’ve added Foursquare to its Acknowledgements page and so you’ve probably been unwittingly using Foursquare information when you use Apple’s Maps app. Some of the other sources for business listings include Booking.com, Trip Advisor, Yelp, and Yellow Pages. Hopefully the addition will help boost accuracy of the information further.

Source: Cult of Mac

ASUS ZenFone 2 to get Android Marshmallow

Great news for ASUS ZenFone 2 users, your affordable smartphone will be getting Android’s latest operating system. The Android 6.0 Marshmallow update will be coming to the ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML) but there is no specific timeline for it yet. Even better news is ASUS is bringing it to a number of its newer devices, too. These include the PadFone S (PF500KL), ZenFone 2 Deluxe / Special Edition (ZE551ML), ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE500KG / ZE500KL / ZE550KL / ZE600KL / ZE601KL), and ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL).

Source: ASUS

Sony’s FES e-paper watch to hit Japanese retail stores this month

Remember that e-paper-toting watch Sony backed? Developed by Sony subsidiary Fashion Entertainments, it first made its appearance on Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake and has made its appearance on Sony’s crowdfunding portal First Flight. Now, it’ll be making its way to a few (and we mean few) stores. MoMA Design Store in Omotesando will carry the FES Watch starting Saturday, while Isetan in Shinjuku (which was also where Apple launched the Apple Watch) will start selling it on December 1^st.

Evident by the retailers it’ll be available in, Fashion Entertainments is targeting the design and fashion market with the FES Watch. If you want to get it online, it’s also sold on the Japanese MoMA online store and through First Flight. Shipping will start on Saturday. Sony won’t say which stores will carry the product but they do plan to bring the FES Watch to other stores. It retails for a tax inclusive price of ¥29,700 or around US$242.

Source: Sony | Via: The Verge