TechCapsules

Google released a Stephen Curry‑branded Pixel Watch 5, available only in a 45 mm case with LTE connectivity. The edition adds a custom watch face and an upgraded woven sports strap that wicks moisture, stretches, and breathes during workouts. The model carries a $50 premium over the standard 45 mm LTE version. This is the second collaboration between Google and the NBA star, following a similar partnership with Fitbit Air that added a $30 price tag for a comparable sports loop. The [...]

Apple released the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 on Friday, and early owners report subtle design shifts from the Series 11. The new health‑sensing system required a larger rear sensor area, prompting a 1 mm increase in case thickness that translates into visibly wider bezels when the display is viewed head‑on. Reviewers also note that the Digital Crown protrudes slightly more, a change some attribute to the altered case curvature. The active display size remains unchanged, so [...]

Snap’s SPECS AR glasses, priced at $2,195, launch as a standalone wearable that merges dual waveguide displays with a 51° field of view and a 90 Hz refresh rate. They feature hand tracking, built‑in cellular connectivity, and AI‑driven functions such as real‑time voice translation and navigation guidance. The 132–136 g frames support custom diopter inserts and include speakers, microphones, and magnetic charging. However, the device’s 3–4 hour battery life and larger form factor signal its current role as a [...]

Snap Inc. unveiled its first‑generation smart glasses, called Specs, at a Los Angeles event on Wednesday. Priced at £2,000, the device integrates a full computer and augmented‑reality lenses directly into the frames, allowing text and graphics to appear in the wearer’s line of sight without a tethered smartphone. Weighing 132 g (136 g for the larger size) and featuring an internal battery, the glasses are lighter than competing headsets such as Apple’s Vision Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XR, yet bulkier [...]

Reviewers have begun evaluating Apple’s September‑release wearables, the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4, noting notable health‑sensor upgrades and extended battery life. Both models incorporate the new S11 chip, more frequent heart‑rate and HRV measurements, and redesigned health sensors that deliver readings within two beats per minute of chest‑strap monitors. The Series 12 starts at $399, adds features such as Readiness, Sound Recognition, Live Rewind, and Siri Recap—most of which rely on Apple’s contested Audio Intelligence—but many [...]

Apple unveiled the Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4, keeping their familiar looks while introducing a new Health Sensing System that captures heart‑rate data every five seconds, regardless of activity. The Series 12 offers updated finishes—aluminum (Dark Bronze, Light Gold, Black, Space Gray), titanium (Radiant Gold, Natural) and ceramic (Night Blue, Pearl White)—and a slightly wider case with a 2% smaller display area. The Ultra 4 retains its titanium finishes (Natural, Black) and shares the same advanced sensing hardware. Both models [...]

Lumus, the Israeli augmented‑reality optics maker, announced a strategic partnership with China‑based Crystal‑Optech to secure components for its next‑generation AR displays. Under the agreement, Crystal‑Optech will manufacture high‑precision waveguides and diffractive elements in its Shenzhen facility, while Lumus will provide optical designs and quality‑control protocols. The collaboration aims to reduce lead times, diversify sourcing away from European suppliers, and support Lumus’s planned expansion of production capacity for its “Lightfield” glasses slated for launch in 2025. Both companies [...]

Meta is reportedly preparing a version of its upcoming AI‑enabled smart glasses that omits built‑in cameras, offering a privacy‑focused alternative to the standard model. The glasses will retain Ray‑Ban‑style frames, support phone calls, and integrate Meta’s conversational AI chatbot, but will lack the video‑capture hardware that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. Sources familiar with the product roadmap say the camera‑free option aims to address concerns that wearers could inadvertently record bystanders, a controversy that has intensified [...]