Huawei launches Watch GT 2 smartwatch

Huawei also unveiled a fitness-focused smartwatch in the Watch GT 2. Just like the new Mate 30 phones, the Watch GT 2 ships with Huawei's LiteOS instead of Google's Wear OS. Both run on Kirin A1 chipset with Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, as well as optical heart rate sensors and others you would need for fitness tracking and stress monitoring. 

This smartwatch comes in two sizes: 46mm and 42mm. The former comes with a 1.39-inch OLED display with a 454 x 454 resolution and 22mm strap, while the latter has a 1.2-inch OLED display with 390 x 390 resolution and 20mm strap. There is an always-on mode available, but The Verge points out that this doesn't look to be enabled by default.

Click to read more ...

Report claims Facebook partners with Ray-Ban to develop smart glasses

Engadget

Where its competition has failed, Facebook is trying its luck. The social media company has reportedly partnered with Luxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, to help with the development of its augmented reality glasses.  CNBC reported that the smart specs have been in development for years over at the Facebook Reality Labs in Redmond, Washington. But project Orion, as it's called, has faced a bunch of roadblocks. One of the problems is fitting the hardware into a device consumers would want to wear. And that is where Luxottica can help them.

Just like other AR glasses, these glasses will serve as an alternative to constantly checking on your mobile phone. It shows information like notifications and text messages on a small display in the lens. It could work with the voice assistant Facebook is developing. And it might be safe to assume Facebook would integrate some key features to access its site easily through these glasses. The earliest these glasses could hit consumers would be 2023. As for whether you would want one is an entirely different discussion altogether.

Source: Gizmodo

Apple TV+ previews new children's shows: 'Ghostwriter' & 'Helpsters'

We haven't heard much about Apple's offerings for kids on its upcoming TV+ streaming service. Now, we know there are a couple of shows coming when the service launches on November 1st. Apple posted trailers for the shows Ghostwriter and Helpsters. The former is a remake of the original 1992 series where a ghost haunts a bookstore and brings storybook characters to life. So, four kids team up to try and solve this mystery. The Helpsters, on the other hand, is a show that uses friendly and helpful monsters (thus the name) to teach children problem-solving skills. Apple TV+ will cost $5.99 a month when it launches.

The Google-less Huawei Mate 30 series is here

The Huawei's Mate 30 series is here, and it's the first device from the Chinese company affected by the US's decision to put it on the entity list. This ban prevents any US company from working with Huawei, making this is the first Huawei phone that doesn't ship with Google's apps and services (including the Play Store). 

In its place, Huawei is using its ecosystem of apps, which will be available through the Huawei AppGallery. And it'll ship with the Huawei Mobile Services core instead of Google's services. Huawei claims they have integrated over 45,000 apps with plans to invest US$1 billion into its software ecosystem. What that will mean for users and the company and their relationship with Google is something we will see as time goes by. 

Click to read more ...