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OnePlus Watch 2R Review

Andrew Allen
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OnePlus Watch 2R Review

OnePlus hit us with a new and super solid variant different from any other Wear OS watch with the OnePlus Watch 2 last year. The company is back this year with a refresh of this model that shares the same dual system on a chip but brings a few compromises on cost-effective hardware components.

So, how does it match up? In short, the OnePlus Watch 2R is the Wear OS to buy for your wrist in 2024 thus far.

Design 

Cosmetically, you could easily mistake the 2R for the OnePlus Watch 2 of last year. As you start to inspect, you’ll find that the stainless steel casing has been swapped for aluminum. The same is true for the sapphire glass with Gorilla Glass. However, I don’t see these as much of a negative.

Other than making the watch slightly lighter, I’d guess most consumers would be hard-pressed to notice the differences. You have the same two button system of controls to the right side of the facing. Here, matched with the touchscreen, you get the basic navigation of the Watch 2R.

Overall, OnePlus has kept similar vibes to the Watch 2. It’s a mix of modern concepts wrapped in a traditional timepiece look and feel. The balance here is thoughtful, and I’ve really enjoyed the design language of the 46mm watch.

Wear OS and dual chipset

The top button will take you home throughout the menus. If already on the home screen, pressing the same button will take you to your app grid of installed applications. The bottom button can be set for a few shortcuts, but the default is for quick access to workouts. 

These buttons can also use secondary functions. Pressing the top button twice will rotate through the most recent apps you’ve opened. If you hold down the same button, it will activate your default phone assistant. The same combinations on the bottom button will launch Google Wallet and power menu.

Let’s talk about Wear OS and the way it functions on the OnePlus Watch 2R’s dual architecture hardware. Just like on the Watch 2, you have Wear OS running the underlying software and apps. The Snapdragon W5 handles all calls to the overall OS, while the power-sipping BES2700 chip handles idles pings to reduce battery usage.

All your favorite apps are here and should be available. However, just like I mentioned on the Watch 2 review, it might be jarring for previous Wear OS users that the Wear OS app on your phone doesn’t really do much. Everything from watch faces to settings is handled from the OHealth application and is required to use the watch from setup on forward.

Health tracking and workouts

As mentioned, OHealth is your all encompassing portal to the OnePlus Watch 2R on your phone. This houses your settings, customization of the watch face, and general health tracking. Here, OnePlus is heavily borrowing from the layout and menus found in the Apple Watch app, but that’s not a bad thing. 

The layout is sleek and clean in the interface. The bottom has tabs for Health, Fitness, and Devices. This basically sorts to general health metrics like heart rate, stress, and sleep in the Health screen. Fitness is exactly like it sounds and specifically houses workout data. Devices are where your customization and settings live.

OnePlus does a decent job at all of this data and presentation. Especially, for what equates to just the second go using Wear OS. Heart rate and GPS is very similar to the industry standard of Garmin devices. The same is true of workout tracking and activities. 

The one place that OnePlus can grow to me is what to do with this data. It’s one thing to store it for you to view, the company needs to provide some updates for Watch 2R users that showcase things like training load and effects your previous day had on your body. 

Both Garmin and Samsung provide similar metrics with Body Battery and Energy Score. Taking your training load, stress levels, heart rate variability, and sleep to give you an overall “score” of how recovered you are. As a practitioner of functional fitness, and Garmin user, I’ve grown very dependent on Body Battery, and it generally reflects how I actually feel at the start of my day.

Battery life

If you value battery life and have to have a Wear OS watch, the OnePlus Watch 2R is your best option for the money. Hard stop. It’s the one. I’ve consistently gotten over three full days of usage out of each charge. Short of my Garmin and some Fitbit devices, that’s the best battery life I’ve seen in any smartwatch.

Again, the dual architecture lends to this, with only calling up the full OS when needed. It’s an engineering feat that should be credited more with the OnePlus Watch 2 iterations. Lastly, much like its predecessor, you have VOOC quick charging when you do need to power back up. This is also handled by the same modular POGO pin charging puck powered by USB-C.

The VOOC charger is capable of up to 7.5W of total output. This makes it one of the fastest charging smartwatches on the market by any brand. You can fully recharge the OnePlus Watch 2R from zero to 100 percent in about an hour. I have found that I like throwing it on the charger about every two days while getting a shower and dressed. This allows a full recharge without it every going completely dead.

Final thoughts

Pinnacle Selection represents our highest honor, one reserved for products that stand out in design, performance, and overall value.

Products earning this distinction exemplify excellence across the board, delivering an experience that truly rises above the rest.

When you see the badge, you’re looking at the best of what’s available in its category.

OnePlus has always challenged what Android devices and accessories can give consumers at a fantastic value. With the outstanding performance, large screen, Wear OS, and truly market leading battery life, the OnePlus Watch 2R is the best value for anyone looking to purchase a Wear OS watch.

The OnePlus Watch 2R is available in both the United States and Canada at the time of this publishing. Pricing starts at $230 in the US and $300 CAD. You can purchase the OnePlus Watch 2R from OnePlus directly with the link below in two colors: Forest Green and Gunmetal Gray. At this pricing, it’s a steal for those looking for a Wear OS device.

Purchase the OnePlus Watch 2R from OnePlus

Tineco Intros New GO and GO H2O Series

Scott Webster
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Tineco Intros New GO and GO H2O Series

Tineco has rolled out its latest innovations in home cleaning with the Tineco GO and Tineco GO H2O Series. Known for making home chores less of a hassle, Tineco brings fresh options for both vacuuming and mopping that aim to help keep your floors spotless with minimal effort.

The Tineco GO Series: Lightweight Cleaning with Power

The Tineco GO Series includes a range of cordless stick and handheld vacuums. At the top of the list is the Tineco GO, a cordless stick vacuum designed for everyday cleaning. With an enlarged dustbin and up to 40 minutes of runtime, it’s ready to tackle daily dust-ups. Pricing starts at $199.99 USD or $299.99 CAD.

For pet owners, Tineco has something a bit more specific: the Tineco GO Pet Series. This model promises powerful suction, pet hair no longer clogging your vacuum, and built-in sensors that automatically adjust suction as needed. The LED light even changes color when the floor is clean, so no more guessing if that furball in the corner is really gone. It’s available for $249.99 USD or $349.99 CAD.

Need something more compact? The Tineco GO Mini Series might be the way to go. These models are small yet powerful, perfect for on-the-go cleaning or quick touch-ups around the house. Starting at $99.99 USD or $129.99 CAD, they’re designed to make small messes disappear fast. The GO Mini Pet version even throws in a mini-power brush, making it a solid choice for furniture, stairs, or the car.

Tineco GO H2O Series: Vacuum and Mop at the Same Time

If you’re tired of vacuuming and then mopping, the Tineco GO H2O Series has your back. These floor washers vacuum and mop in one pass, saving time and getting floors clean without much fuss. The Tineco GO H2O Floor Washer, available at $249.99 USD or $349.99 CAD, offers edge cleaning for corners and walls, and LED indicators keep you informed on battery life and operating status.

For a bit more tech, the Tineco GO H2O Sense is your go-to. Smart sensors adjust suction and water flow automatically, while an interactive LED screen keeps you in the loop with real-time feedback. It’s priced at $299.99 USD or $449.99 CAD, and it’s smart enough to handle whatever your floor throws at it.

Need to clean larger areas? The Tineco GO H2O XL features bigger water tanks, so you can keep cleaning longer without stopping for refills. This model is available at $299.99 USD or $399.99 CAD, ready for your marathon cleaning sessions.

Available Now at Major Retailers

Tineco’s GO and GO H2O Series are now available at retailers like Best Buy, Costco, Canadian Tire, Target, Walmart, and other online platforms.

SwitchBot’s Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro: Big Cleaning Power in a Pint-Sized Package

Scott Webster
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SwitchBot’s Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro: Big Cleaning Power in a Pint-Sized Package

SwitchBot on Wednesday introduced the Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro. This little powerhouse comes packed with a boosted suction of 3000Pa, a new Anti-Tangle Rubber Brush, and a souped-up Position Sensitive Detector (PSD) sensor. And yes, it’s still billed as the world’s smallest robot vacuum; big things come in small packages, right?

Corner and Edge Cleaning? No Problem

The SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro is like the ninja of vacuum cleaners, slipping into places where others fear to tread. With a dainty diameter of 24.8 cm and a height of 9.2 cm, it can squeeze under sofas, tables, and those tricky spots where dust bunnies gather in secret. The upgraded PSD sensor, combined with an edge brush that spins at 200 reps/min, means this vacuum isn’t just cleaning—it’s on a mission to find every last crumb hiding in corners and edges.

Smart Navigation for a Smarter Clean

Thanks to its LiDAR and PSD sensors, the K10+ Pro is no bumping-around-in-the-dark kind of vacuum. It knows where it’s going and avoids obstacles like a pro. Those sensors also keep it from taking any unwanted tumbles down the stairs, which is always a plus.

Shhh… It’s Cleaning Quietly

Ever wish your vacuum would stop competing with your TV for attention? The K10+ Pro’s SilenTech™ technology brings noise levels down to a whispery 45dB, making it quieter than your local library. And with its Do Not Disturb mode, you can go about your day without ever knowing it’s there—except, you know, for the fact that your floors are now spotless.

Small but Mighty Cleaning Power

Don’t let its size fool you—this vacuum packs a punch. It follows a four-stage cleaning process that tackles dust and hair from every angle, and with 150 minutes of cleaning time on a single charge, it’s not tapping out early. Plus, the 4L dust bag in its mini base station means you only have to think about emptying it every three months or so. Set it, forget it, and enjoy your clean home.

Feature-Packed and Ready to Roll

When paired with the SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, the K10+ Pro plays nice with Matter, integrating seamlessly into the SwitchBot ecosystem. It’s got carpet cleaning down to a science, avoiding long-haired carpets like the plague and ramping up power for the short-haired ones. It even comes with updated voice packs, multi-speed cleaning, obstacle clearance up to 20mm, and a Child Lock, just in case little fingers get curious.

Pricing and Availability

The SwitchBot Mini Robot Vacuum K10+ Pro is available now. In the U.S., it’s listed at $599.99 but can be snagged for $419.99 with a $180.00 coupon on SwitchBot’s Amazon page. In the UK, it’s priced at £599.00, with a £180.00 discount bringing it down to £419.00. You can also pick one up directly from SwitchBot’s official website.

Motorola announced a new smartwatch, and it’s cheaper than you think

Abhinav Fating
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Motorola announced a new smartwatch, and it’s cheaper than you think

Motorola also offers a budget-friendly Moto Watch lineup that might be worth considering. Wait, what? Yes, you read right. Well, the Lenovo-owned company Motorola doesn’t make the smartwatches. Instead, a company called CE Brands produces affordable smartwatches for them. PhoneArena rightly notes that CE Brands doesn’t have a strong social media presence and has silently announced the Moto Watch 120 on Motorola’s website. 

The Moto Watch 120 is a direct successor to the Moto Watch 100 and comes with impressive features and an incredibly low price point. The Moto Watch 120 features a 1.43-inch circular-shaped always-on AMOLED display. It has IP68 water and dust ingress protection, protecting it from normal water splashes and dust. 

The smartwatch comes with some advanced health-monitoring capabilities including SpO2, heart rate monitoring, sleep, and stress tracking. You get 100+ sports modes support on the Moto Watch 120. In addition, there is also an automatic sports detection feature. The Zinc-alloy construction makes it sturdy a smartwatch. In terms of dimensions, the watch weighs just 55 grams and measures 11mm thick. 

It runs on Moto Watch OS out of the box. The device boasts a 300mAh battery cell that offers up to 10 days of battery on a single charge. The rest of the highlights of the Moto Watch 120 include a built-in GPS, Bluetooth v 5.3, Google Fit integration, and more. 

Starting at $130, the Moto Watch 120 is an appealing option for anyone who wants an affordable smartwatch with solid build quality and a range of impressive features. However, this smartwatch is obviously not designed to take on the Apple Watch Series 9 and the latest Galaxy Watch 7 but the impressive list of specs and capabilities it brings is truly impressive. 

Available in Rose Gold, Silver, and Phantom Black color variants, you can snag the Moto Watch 120 directly from Amazon. 

Anker’s new SOLIX power stations are the most portable yet

Andrew Allen
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Anker’s new SOLIX power stations are the most portable yet

Anker SOLIX, a global leader in power delivery and storage solutions, has introduced its latest portable power stations, the Anker SOLIX C300 DC and Anker SOLIX C300. These new models are designed to provide flexible power access for both outdoor activities and home backup scenarios, combining compactness with high performance.

Anker SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station: The Anker SOLIX C300 DC redefines portability, being 30% smaller than the industry average and weighing just 6.18 lbs. Its vertical design, built-in handle, and optional shoulder strap make it ideal for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, and camping. Despite its small size, the C300 DC delivers up to 300W of power and features a 288Wh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery, which translates to 90,000 mAh. It offers seven outlets, including two USB-A ports, four USB-C ports (two with 140W Input/Output), and one 120W auxiliary power outlet, ensuring that users can power essential devices on the go.

The C300 DC also serves as a reliable backup power source for home use, keeping essential devices like phones, tablets, and USB-C powered laptops running during power outages. The device supports three recharging modes, including dual 140W USB-C charging, which allows it to recharge fully in just 70 minutes. It also supports 100W solar panels and can be charged through an auxiliary power outlet. Additionally, the C300 DC features a unique pop-up light with various brightness levels, making it suitable for different scenarios, from camping to backyard gatherings.

Anker SOLIX C300 Portable Power Station: For users who prefer the C300 DC’s form factor but require an AC outlet, the Anker SOLIX C300 is a versatile alternative. It offers up to 600W of power output via SurgePad and features a 288Wh LiFePO4 battery. The C300 is equipped with eight outlets, including three USB-C ports (two with 140W high-output), one USB-A port, three standard AC outlets, and a 120W DC auxiliary power outlet, providing ample connectivity options.

The C300 can be recharged through four modes, including a standard wall outlet that charges it fully in 70 minutes, solar panels that achieve full charge in three hours, auxiliary power outlet, and a USB-C PD port. Weighing 15% less than the industry average, its compact vertical design makes it easy to carry. It is ideal for various activities, from camping to road trips, and serves as an effective backup power source for essential household devices during power outages.

In summary, the Anker SOLIX C300 and C300 DC are powerful, compact, and versatile portable power stations designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners alike. The SOLIX C300 DC and the C300 will be available for purchase via Anker.com and Amazon beginning on August 28th for $199.99 and $249.99 respectively. Starting today, August 14th you can pre-order the units as early bird pricing of $149.99 and d$189.99 each.

Sharp unveils its new 4K TVs with TiVo OS

Abhinav Fating
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Sharp unveils its new 4K TVs with TiVo OS

Sharp has unveiled two new 4K TVs in its portfolio – the GM6000 Series and GK4000 series. Coming at extremely aggressive pricing, Sharp’s new 4K TVs boast frameless design and an impressive set of features. Let’s take a look at the detailed specs and pricing. 

For the first time, Sharp’s latest GM6000 and GK4000 series come with TiVo OS. The TiVo is a popular media platform and recently launched its new operating system earlier this year. TiVo’s new OS is competing against the likes of Google TV, Fire TV, Roku TV, and Android TV. 

The GM6000 series 4K TVs come in three screen size options: 43, 50, and 55 inches, and are priced at £299, £389, and £449, respectively. Sharp incorporated a Quantum Dot tech into the GM6000 series TV, delivering crisp and vibrant picture quality with a more accurate color gamut. The GM model has an integrated two-way sound system tuned by the popular audio brand Harmon Kardon which takes your watching experience to the next level. In addition, the GM6000 series also gets TiVo’s voice recognition system support.

The Sharp GM6000 series has a striking frameless design with an ultra-thin 4K screen. Unfortunately, there is no 4K/120Hz gaming support here, instead the panel has a standard 60Hz refresh rate support. In terms of connectivity, the GM models come with three HDMI 2.1 ports.

The panel is HDR and Dolby Vision certified, which means you can expect a great picture quality experience. The company claims that the GM6000 series models can deliver deeper black levels than the cheaper GK4000 series models. 

Coming to the GK4000 series models, the GK4000 series has almost similar specs as the GM6000 series except the Quantum Dots and Harman Kardon tuned audio system. The GK models will be available in four screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, and 70-inches, priced at £279, £349, £389, and £649 respectively. 

OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Review

Andrew Allen
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OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro Review

OnePlus has made a living off of challenging the price of items in the mobile market. Value is a real element of OnePlus and its ethos. The company started this journey with smartphones, but continues to also do this in the accessories division as well. I’ve spent a few weeks now with the new OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro, and I think the company builds on that legacy with these earbuds.

Design and comfort

Out of the box, the OP Nord Buds 3 Pro headphones are easily mistaken for any other earbuds. This isn’t a bad thing, as after testing numerous earbuds, the stemmed-style design is the best for most people. Is it a little boring at this point? Sure, but OnePlus makes sure it works well here.

The teardrop earpiece has a silicone covering that fits firm, but comfortable inside the ear and lends to environmental noise cancellation to go along with the hardware filtering. The top of the earpiece houses a proximity sensor that allows the Nord Buds 3 Pros to pause audio automatically when you remove them from your ears.

Finally, on the outside of the stems, you have the capacitive area for controls. I found the strip easy to access when needed and rarely hit this accidentally. OnePlus did a great job of balancing this function of not activating while repositioning the earbuds, but still making it accessible when needed.

App controls

Moving further into the capacitive area, these controls can be customized via the Hey Melody app on all non-OnePlus devices, including Android and iPhones. The same menus can be found inside the Settings on OnePlus phones, furthering the ecosystem integration.

Controls that can be dictated via these methods include changing the defaults for single, double, and long-pressing the capacitive strip on each Nord Buds 3 Pro earbuds. Here you can set options to each of these combinations for things like play/pause, forward/skip, or even volume levels. All of this flexibility is well done, and you are greeted with an easy tutorial when you first launch the Settings or Hey Melody.

Another feature you’ll find in the same software stacks are firmware updates. OnePlus regularly pushes bug fixes and stability changes to its devices, and the Nord Buds 3 Plus are no different. I’ve received two new updates in my testing period alone to help improve call quality and some general connection bugs.

Sound

I’ll admit that OnePlus usually has some of the best sounding earbuds on the market. The OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro buds are just as good as previous models. The overall sound is excellent and balanced, but where they stand out is with the bass.

Bass is punchy and forces its way through the mids and highs when needed. It doesn’t drown out the other tuning when it’s not needed, either. OnePlus has found a nice default EQ setting out of the box with the Nord Buds 3 Pros.

Active noise cancellation is also superb. Many times you cant’ tell much rotating through the profiles on wireless earbuds. This is not the case with the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pros at all. You can tell that outside noise takes a dive once you turn on ANC.

The one knock might be call microphones. I had some callers tell me I sounded muffled or echoed when in longer conversations. It could have been isolated instances of bad connections as well, but I haven’t had the issue with other options, so it’s worth a mention.

Battery life

Another knock of the ANC features is battery life is good, but not industry leading by any means. OnePlus rates the Nord Buds 3 Pros to perform around 5.5 hours per charge at around fifty percent volume. I’ve found this to be accurate. I think for $80 price of entry, most should be around seven hours plus. 

Even with this slight negative, for comparison, the Pixel Buds get similar battery life. The good news is you can increase this to around 12 hours per charge if you turn off the active noise cancellation. You also get quick charge that can increase the capacity by four hours with just ten minutes on the charger.

I do wish these earbuds supported wireless charging. While it’s not a deal-breaker, much of the competition at this price tag offer this. OnePlus seems to actively avoid Qi charging on most of its devices. The company has its reasons, but when much smaller manufacturers offer this on a regular basis it looks somewhat tone deaf.

Awarded to products with an average rating of 3.75 stars or higher, the AndroidGuys Smart Pick recognizes a balance of quality, performance, and value.

Products with this distinction deserve to be on your short list of purchase candidates.

Final thoughts

OnePlus is slowly building an ecosystem that truly rivals the likes of Apple and Samsung. The new Nord Buds 3 Pro earbuds add to this lineup, offering superb audio, ANC, and decent battery life for wireless listening. If you are an Android user, the quick pair and Find My makes these well worth consideration. 

You can snag this latest OnePlus creation via the company’s website for $80 full retail. These earbuds are sporting two color options of Starry Black and Soft Jade. At this time of this post, we don’t have a valid Amazon sale page, but you have to think that’s coming in the future as well.

Purchase the OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro from OnePlus.com

Meet the AGON PRO AG276QZD2 – The Gaming Monitor That Means Business

Scott Webster
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Meet the AGON PRO AG276QZD2 – The Gaming Monitor That Means Business

AGON by AOC has rolled out the red carpet for its latest gaming monitor, the AGON PRO AG276QZD2, making its grand entrance in North America. This 26.5-inch stunner from the AGON PRO series has a lot going for it.

Gamers, especially those who crave performance, will appreciate the QD-OLED panel, a 240 Hz refresh rate that keeps things smooth, and a zippy 0.03 ms GtG response time. With NVIDIA G-Sync onboard, you can wave goodbye to screen tearing and stuttering—no one likes those interruptions, after all.

The real magic here lies in the QD-OLED panel. For those not fluent in tech lingo, think of it as the marriage of OLED’s perfect blacks with quantum dot technology’s vibrant colors and higher brightness. The result? You get a visual feast with wider color gamuts and more accurate color reproduction. Dark scenes look deeper, bright scenes pop, and everything in between just looks right, no matter where you’re sitting.

The design isn’t just for show, either. The black anodized metal finish and space grey stand give it a sharp, modern look that wouldn’t be out of place in a high-end studio—or your gaming cave. It’s got some handy features, too, like a quick-release mechanism and a handle for easy transport. Perfect for lugging it to your next LAN party or just repositioning it without pulling a muscle. The base is compact, freeing up space for your mouse and keyboard, and a rubber cable management clip keeps the clutter in check.

Let’s not forget the HDR400 support, which means you’re getting improved color accuracy and detail whether you’re gaming, watching a movie, or even getting some work done (we won’t judge). It’s a monitor that’s ready to handle whatever you throw at it.

As if that wasn’t enough, AGON by AOC has thrown in their Re-Spawned Warranty, which is pretty sweet. You’re looking at a 4-year advance replacement, a 4-year zero dead pixel guarantee, and 1 year of accidental damage coverage. That’s some solid peace of mind.

The AGON PRO AG276QZD2 is now available on Amazon for $599.99. If you’re in the market for a monitor that can keep up with your gaming and look good doing it, this one’s worth checking out.

Pixel Buds Pro 2: Fit Like a Glove, Sound Like a Dream

Scott Webster
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Pixel Buds Pro 2: Fit Like a Glove, Sound Like a Dream

Google is turning up the volume with the launch of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the latest earbuds in the Pixel family. These buds come packed with a custom-designed Tensor A1 chip that promises top-tier audio performance, smarter Google AI features, and enhanced noise cancellation.

Alongside these tech improvements, the earbuds have been redesigned for maximum comfort and security. Let’s dive into what makes these earbuds stand out.

A New Era of Comfort and Fit

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are lighter and smaller than ever, with a 24% reduction in weight and a 27% reduction in size compared to the previous model. Google has left no ear unturned, analyzing 45 million ear scans and conducting real-world tests to create earbuds that fit snugly and comfortably.

A new twist-to-adjust stabilizer ensures the buds stay put, whether you’re running a marathon or just dodging commuters on your way to work. With four different sizes of ear tips included, finding the perfect fit should be a breeze, even for those with particularly picky ears.

Twice the Noise Cancellation, Thanks to Tensor A1

The Tensor A1 chip brings ultra-low latency audio processing to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, adapting to environmental sounds up to three million times per second. This results in Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that’s twice as powerful as the previous generation. Whether it’s the chaos of city traffic or the chatter in a coffee shop, these buds aim to keep unwanted noise at bay.

With Tensor A1’s multipath processing, music gets its own dedicated “highway lane” for uninterrupted sound quality, a rarity even among premium earbuds. The result is an accurate, detailed, and immersive audio experience that brings your playlist to life.

Battery life sees a boost too, with up to 8 hours of listening time on the buds and 30 hours with the case, even with ANC on. A quick 5-minute charge in the case can provide an extra 1.5 hours of listening, perfect for those on-the-go moments.

Welcome to the Gemini Era

Beyond music, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are your entry into the Gemini era, offering a hands-free, eyes-free virtual assistant experience. Gemini can provide walking directions, remind you of appointments, or suggest new music, even when your phone is locked. With Gemini Live, you can have extended conversations with your AI assistant, turning your earbuds into a pocket-sized sidekick ready to help with brainstorming sessions or interview practice.

Features You’ll Love and More

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 aren’t just about cutting-edge tech; they also bring a suite of useful features to the table. The Find My Device Network makes locating misplaced earbuds easier than ever, thanks to a ringing speaker built into the case.

Clear Calling ensures your phone conversations are crystal clear, cutting through background noise so your voice comes through loud and clear. Conversation Detection automatically pauses noise cancellation when you start speaking, allowing you to switch smoothly between listening to music and chatting with those around you.

For movie and show enthusiasts, spatial audio with head tracking makes every scene sound as immersive as being in the theater. And if you frequently juggle devices, seamless switching between them ensures your audio experience remains uninterrupted.

Pre-order and Availability

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are available in four eye-catching colors—Porcelain, Hazel, Peony, and Wintergreen—that perfectly complement your Pixel devices. Priced at $229, pre-orders start today, with availability at the Google Store and other retailers on September 26. Head to the Google Store for more details and sign up for product updates to stay in the loop.

With the Pixel Buds Pro 2, Google delivers a listening experience that’s lighter, smarter, and more personalized than ever. Whether you’re a music lover, a podcast addict, or someone who simply appreciates a good AI sidekick, these earbuds are ready to accompany you on your daily adventures.

Pixel Watch 3: Bigger, Brighter Timekeeper to Track Your Pulse and Pace

Scott Webster
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Pixel Watch 3: Bigger, Brighter Timekeeper to Track Your Pulse and Pace

Google has just unveiled the Pixel Watch 3, bringing a breath of fresh air to its smartwatch lineup. Available in two sizes, including a new 45mm option for those who believe bigger is indeed better, this watch combines stylish design with enhanced functionality.

This model integrates Google’s technology with Pixel for improved performance, offering comprehensive fitness and recovery tools alongside convenient on-the-go assistance—because who has time to sit still?

Bigger and Brighter Displays

The Pixel Watch 3 sports advanced Actua displays, available in both 41mm and 45mm sizes. These screens boast a dazzling peak brightness of 2,000 nits, so you can check your stats mid-stride, even on the sunniest of days. When you’re at the movies trying to sneak a glance at your watch, the display dims to a more discreet 1 nit.

The 45mm version offers a screen 40% larger than its predecessor, while the 41mm model is 10% more spacious. These displays are more power-efficient, supporting refresh rates from a speedy 60Hz down to a sluggish 1Hz in always-on-display mode—just like my cat when he’s pretending to care.

Thanks to Wear OS 5 and a hybrid architecture, the Pixel Watch 3 promises dependable all-day battery life. It features machine learning for automatic sleep detection and a Bedtime Mode that disables notifications and the always-on display, so you can finally catch some z’s without interruption.

For those who dread the red battery icon, a new Battery Saver Mode stretches battery life up to 36 hours without sacrificing health tracking or safety features. The 45mm model boasts a 35% larger battery, while the 41mm version charges 20% faster—perfect for those who can’t stand waiting.

Fitness Insights and Recovery Tools

Pixel Watch 3 introduces three new fitness tools: Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, and Target Load. Daily Readiness analyzes recovery biometrics such as resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep patterns, offering a detailed view of your body’s readiness for exercise. Cardio Load monitors heart exertion during workouts, tracking intensity and trends over time. Target Load provides personalized training goals based on recent activity and readiness, assisting users in balancing fitness and recovery.

These features are integrated into the Fitbit Morning Brief, a daily digest delivered to your wrist. It offers insights into your sleep, readiness, target cardio load, weekly exercise goals, and more, helping you plan your day effectively.

Matte Black and Obsidian
Polished Silver and Rose Quartz
Polished Silver and Porcelain
Champagne Gold and Hazel

Enhanced Running Tools

The Pixel Watch 3 comes equipped with tools for runners: plan, execute, and reflect on runs like never before. With the new Workout Builder, users can create custom runs with goals for distance, time, pace, or heart rate zone—because sometimes your pace needs a little push from your wrist. With haptic feedback and audio guidance, the watch will let you know when you’re off pace, over your heart rate target, or simply daydreaming instead of running.

Heart-rate tracking has improved, ensuring more accurate monitoring during runs, even in challenging conditions like trying to dodge puddles on a rainy day. After each run, users can access a detailed analysis of their form, cadence, stride, and contact time, perfect for impressing your friends with your newfound running stats.

Fitbit Premium offers additional perks, including personalized daily run recommendations powered by Google AI. Premium members can also enjoy a variety of Peloton workout classes for variety in their training routines. The Pixel Watch 3 comes with a six-month Fitbit Premium membership to help you channel your inner athlete—or at least try to.

Loss of Pulse Detection

A groundbreaking feature of the Pixel Watch 3 is Loss of Pulse Detection, designed to detect when the heart stops beating. This feature can automatically contact emergency services, providing critical context and location details. Initially available in Europe, Google plans to expand this feature to other regions pending regulatory approval.

Seamless Google Integration

The Pixel Watch 3 offers deeper integration with Google’s ecosystem, enhancing its utility. It functions as a remote for Google TV, allows viewing live camera feeds through the Google Home app, and features the Pixel Recorder app for voice notes and transcriptions. Call Assist uses Google AI to screen and manage calls, and a new Ultra-Wideband chip enables the watch to unlock Pixel phones and serve as a digital car key for BMW and MINI.

Customization and Pricing

The Pixel Watch 3 offers a range of customization options with various case and band colors. The 41mm version is available in Matte Obsidian, Porcelain, and Hazel, with an additional Rose Quartz band option. The 45mm model includes Obsidian, Porcelain, and a new matte Hazel Aluminum case with a matching band. Accessory bands are available in leather, metal, and woven materials.

Pre-orders for the Pixel Watch 3 start today. The 41mm model is priced at $349.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $449.99 for LTE. The 45mm version is available at $399.99 for Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and $499.99 for LTE. The watches will be available from the Google Store, Fitbit.com, and select retailers worldwide on September 10, 2024.

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