Xiaomi Watch S1 confirmed to launch alongside the Xiaomi 12 series
Xiaomi is all set to unveil its latest flagship lineup, Xiaomi 12, in a launch event on December 28. But turns out the Chinese smartphone maker has more in store for us than just the new smartphone hardware; At tomorrow’s launch event, the company will also be launching a brand new smartwatch called the Xiaomi Watch S1.
In a teaser released earlier today (via XiaomiUI), Xiaomi confirmed that the Xiaomi Watch S1 will launch alongside the Xiaomi 12 series on December 28. The teaser shows the smartwatch sporting a round dial and two buttons on the right frame. We can also see a flat display and a glimpse of the back which likely houses an array of sensors.
From XDA
Your next mouse might come with an SSD inside
Gaming peripherals company XPG has unveiled an eccentric solution to one of the oldest challenges in PC gaming: transporting games outside the confines of the home.
As reported by Digital Trends, the company is taking the humble gaming mouse and transforming it into a portable solid state drive. The result of this experiment is a device called the XPG Vault.
The new mouse is expected to be showcased at CES 2022, which is set to take place in early January. It’s described as a wired USB-C mouse that gives you “your gaming library in the palm of your hand”, and the current prototype has a capacity of 1TB.
From Techradar
Tecno will bring Spark 8 Pro on December 29 with 33W fast charging
Tecno Spark 8 arrived back in August, and now the brand revealed a Pro sibling is on its way. The Tecno Spark 8 Pro will be launched on December 29 and will charge at 33W, the fastest ever in the Spark portfolio.
The Twitter account of Tecno India posted the teaser, suggesting the “super-fast charger” will fill the battery from 0 to 85% in just one hour, which is a massive improvement over the 18W standard in the Spark 6 (quickest one so far) and 10W disappointment in the regular Spark 8.
We don’t know much about specs, but we can assume the screen will be LCD from the image, given the fingerprint scanner positioning on the side, doubling as a power key. The selfie camera will be positioned centrally behind a punch hole and a flat panel. We can also notice a slight gradient from Orange/Pink to Blue/Green, but details on the paint jobs are expected during the launch in two days.
From Gsmarena
Some iPhone 14 models might not even need a SIM card, rumors say
Apple is planning a big change for the iPhone 14 series, according to a recurring rumor. The iPhone 14 Pro models will feature a hole-punch display, while the cheaper iPhone 14 versions will retain the notch design that Apple used since the iPhone X. But that might not be the only significant upgrade for the 2022 iPhone series. A couple of distinct reports say that Apple is already developing an iPhone that will lack a physical SIM slot, with one implying it might happen as soon as next year’s iPhone 14. The other says the iPhone 15 series will lack a physical SIM slot — that’s the phone that Apple would unveil in 2023.
From BGR
Smart glasses could arrive in 2022, but will still need a lot of work
I think, why most purveyors of aspiring metaverse worlds are starting with experiences where no headsets are needed. Everyday glasses just aren’t here yet, and most AR glasses don’t even work with my prescription vision. While I’m an extreme case as far as my myopia, what does it mean for accommodating people in general, and working with all faces and all eyes? The answer is: there’s no answer yet. It’s a frustrating work in progress.
VR, at least, is something I can put my glasses-wearing face into… sometimes. Except for my current glasses, which are so wide that I now need a second pair of narrower glasses to use with VR. It’s exhausting. And it’s hardly something I’ll be able to use everywhere. The metaverse won’t stand for such limiting types of tech. And while this hardware is still being baked throughout 2022, it means that more advanced VR headsets will probably be how the future of the metaverse, and even mixed reality, is defined for now.
From Cnet
Google Fit now allows you to measure your heart rate using your iPhone’s camera
Earlier this year, Google introduced the ability to measure your respiratory and heart rates on some Android phones. The feature allows users to take advantage of their phone’s cameras to make the measurements — without needing a smartwatch. These very welcome additions have finally made it to the Google Fit app on iOS. iPhone users can now measure their respiratory and heart rates without needing an Apple Watch.
As per a 9to5Google report, Google has rolled out these new features to iPhone users. On the main Home tab of the Fit app, you will find two new buttons to initiate either of the processes. The company warns you, though, that you shouldn’t use these readings for medical purposes. If you believe you might have a heart condition, you must consult a medical doctor immediately.
To measure your heart rate, the app prompts you to place your finger on the rear camera of your iPhone and apply some pressure. You must sit in a well-lit area for more accurate readings. Alternatively, you can use the flashlight toggle included on that screen. The process takes about half a minute, and you should remain still during it. It’s worth noting that this feature works even if you’re offline.
For a respiratory rate measurement, the Google Fit app asks you to place your phone on a stable surface and sit in front of it. It will then use your front camera to detect movements of your face and chest. You must remain still and breathe as you would normally do for a more accurate result.
Both of these features can be used if your app is up to date. If you don’t see the new buttons in the Home section, try force quitting the app. If you still don’t see them, you could try reinstalling the Google Fit app. It’s available for free on the App Store, and it supports Apple’s HealthKit to sync data between the two services.
From XDA
Galaxy S23 series could be the first to feature Samsung’s 200MP camera
We’ve been hearing plenty of leaks and rumors concerning the Samsung Galaxy S22 in recent months, but right now we’re going to briefly turn our attention to the flagship phone series of 2023 – the Galaxy S23.
According to renowned leak source @UniverseIce – who usually provides accurate information – the Galaxy S23 Ultra model is going to come rocking a 200MP main sensor in its camera, which will be “optimized for several years”.
We’re expecting the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra to bring with it a quad-lens rear camera, led by a 108MP main sensor that’s joined with two 12MP telephoto cameras and a 12MP ultra-wide camera for an impressive overall package.
From Techradar
Next Motorola Razr will be more powerful and have a better design
The Motorola Razr 5G, which debuted last year, will finally have its successor in 2022. This was confirmed by Chen Jin, an IT manager at Motorola’s parent company Lenovo, through his Weibo profile.
Motorola’s third-generation Razr will be a major upgrade over its predecessor (via Android Authority). According to Chen, the upcoming Razr 3 will have a more advanced processor. He didn’t specify the chipset in question, but it could be something more powerful than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, which fuels the Razr 5G.
In light of the latest revelation, it’s difficult to rule out the possibility that Motorola will use a Snapdragon 8 series processor for its next foldable phone. Aside from that, the Motorola Edge X30 is powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, so a foldable Motorola device powered by the same high-end chipset won’t come as a surprise.
The phone will also have a redesigned interface and an improved design, indicating that Motorola will address the previous generation’s numerous software issues. Other than that, little is known about the Razr 3’s specifications as of this time.
From Android Central
Xiaomi 12 design, features and specifications leaked ahead of the official launch
Xiaomi is all set to unveil its next flagship lineup, Xiaomi 12, tomorrow. We already know the new series will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest flagship SoC, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and come running MIUI 13, the latest version of Xiaomi’s custom skin. Now ahead of the official reveal, a series of leaks have spilled the beans on the specifications and design of the Xiaomi 12 lineup.
Prolific tipster Evan Blass AKA @evleaks has leaked official renders of the Xiaomi 12. While Xiaomi did share a teaser of the Xiaomi 12 last week, it only showed the front of the phone. The renders shared by evleaks give us our best look at the Xiaomi 12’s design yet. As can be seen in the images attached below, the Xiaomi 12 features a rectangular camera module on the back housing three cameras, and an LED flash. We can also see the Xiaomi logo at the bottom perpendicular to the camera bump.
From XDA
This ambitious smart ring hopes to one day monitor chronic illnesses
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The Oura Ring isn’t the only smart ring on the block anymore. For CES 2022, health tech company Movano is announcing the Movano Ring, a wearable that aims to help people affordably monitor chronic illnesses and better understand their data.
The Movano Ring will measure all the basic metrics, including heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), sleep, respiration, temperature, blood oxygen levels, steps, and calories burned. However, instead of a raw data dump, Movano says it’ll distill how your metrics relate to each other “take a more proactive approach to mitigating the risks of chronic disease.” For example, the Movano app might tell you how your exercise habits impact your sleeping patterns or HRV over time.
From The Verge
