I bought the knock-off Pixel Watch and Fitbit Air bands, and it’s crazy how good they are [Gallery]

9to5google.com Nov 7, 2026

I bought the knock-off Pixel Watch and Fitbit Air bands, and it’s crazy how good they are [Gallery]

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The article reviews inexpensive third‑party bands for Google’s Pixel Watch 5 and Fitbit Air, noting that recent knock‑offs match or exceed official options in quality and fit. The author highlights a six‑pack silicone band that slots perfectly into the Pixel Watch 5, offering colors absent from Google’s lineup. Similar $9 Fitbit Air bands replicate the look and feel of the official Stephen Curry edition, minus the badge. The piece questions whether Google’s pricing is justified and underscores the growing viability of affordable alternatives.

💡 Why It Matters

· Affordable, high‑quality accessories can shift consumer expectations and pressure manufacturers to adjust pricing or expand official offerings.

Read full article on 9to5google.com

Galaxy SmartTag 3 hits Samsung online store as single tracker or four-pack

Samsung released the Galaxy SmartTag 3, a compact item tracker available in white and black for $29 each or a four‑pack bundle for $99. The new model features a uniform shape, 550‑day battery life, and IP67 water and dust resistance. It operates exclusively on Samsung’s Find network and the iOS app, but not Google’s Find My Device network. Key functions include routine activation, leave‑behind alerts, and location history, enhancing tracking for Galaxy and iPhone users.

💡 The SmartTag 3’s exclusive integration with Samsung’s ecosystem limits cross‑platform use, reshaping how consumers choose tracking solutions. Its long battery life and new alert features set a higher standard for personal item trackers.

9to5google.com · Nov 7

Android XR glasses officially get a December release date [Video]

Google’s Android XR ecosystem is moving toward market entry as its second design partner, fashion brand Gentle Monster, announced a December 2026 launch for its first “Intelligent Eyewear” glasses. The announcement follows Warby Parker’s pre‑order start on November 12 and its own “Intelligent Eyewear” branding. Gentle Monster teased the release with a short film starring Joaquin Phoenix, directed by Jonathan Glazer, slated for mid‑November, and confirmed the glasses will ship in December. The devices represent the inaugural batch of Android‑based extended‑reality spectacles, built on Google’s XR platform and positioned alongside Samsung’s similar efforts. The rollout marks the first consumer‑ready hardware for Google’s XR vision, expanding the ecosystem beyond smartphones to wearable mixed‑reality experiences.

💡 The December debut puts Android XR glasses in consumers’ hands before rival platforms, giving Google a first‑mover edge in the emerging wearable AR market.

9to5google.com · Nov 7

Google Health 5.12 rolling out with manual blood pressure & pregnancy logging,…

Google Health released version 5.12 for Android and iOS, adding manual blood‑pressure logging and optional sync via Apple Health or Health Connect. Users can log readings by tapping the +Log button or through a chat with a Premium Health Coach. The update introduces a glucose graph overlay that displays exercise, sleep, and nutrition events, and allows event logging directly on the graph. Pregnancy tracking is now available through Cycle Health settings or coach chat, pausing period alerts and showing pregnancy weeks. Premium subscribers receive personalized coach interactions and insights.

💡 By integrating manual and synced blood‑pressure data with contextual lifestyle events, Google Health deepens its role in personalized health monitoring, offering users a more holistic view of their well‑being.

androidcentral.com · Nov 6

Early details? Vivo’s ‘wide fold’ may launch in 2027 with a more…

Vivo is reportedly advancing a wide‑foldable smartphone that could launch in 2027, according to tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo. The device would break from the current trend of large inner screens by using a display under 6.5 inches, making it notably more compact than Samsung’s 7.6‑inch Galaxy Z Fold 8 or Apple’s iPhone Duo. DCS said most hardware components have been finalized, suggesting the design is near production. Industry observers note the move could differentiate Vivo in a market dominated by oversized folds, while Chinese consumers appear receptive to a smaller form factor. Comparable rumors place Honor and OPPO on the 7.6‑inch side, underscoring Vivo’s unique sizing strategy. Analysts predict the smaller chassis could improve ergonomics and appeal among users.

💡 A sub‑6.5‑inch fold could prove that bigger isn’t always better, forcing rivals to rethink size‑centric roadmaps.

9to5google.com · Nov 6

Pixelated 124: Is it time for a Nest Hub comeback?

Motorola unveiled its Signature 27, a $1,600 non‑foldable flagship slated for a North American release, marking the company’s first premium handset in the region in years. Analysts note the price reflects rising component costs, raising questions about market viability. At the same time, Apple is set to launch its HomeView smart display next week, intensifying competition in the home‑assistant space. Google currently has no comparable modern display, prompting the Pixelated podcast hosts to debate whether a refreshed Nest Hub could fill the gap, especially with a potential 2027 relaunch in mind. The episode also highlights the show's members‑only bonus content and a sponsorship deal with Proton Unlimited offering listeners a discount on privacy services for enhanced online security and anonymity.

💡 A high‑priced, non‑foldable flagship tests consumer appetite for premium Android devices amid tightening supply chains, while Apple’s new display underscores Google’s urgent need for a competitive home‑assistant offering.

9to5google.com · Nov 6

Samsung’s next cheap phone will have a much bigger battery than the…

Samsung is set to launch the Galaxy A38, a mid‑range handset that will house a 6,000 mAh battery, according to GalaxyClub. The capacity represents a 20 percent increase over the 5,000 mAh cells that have powered recent Galaxy A series models and also exceeds the battery size of the current flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra by the same margin. While competitors such as Honor have already introduced phones with 10,000 mAh packs, the upgrade marks Samsung’s first major step toward larger batteries in its mainstream lineup. The move follows the company’s recent adoption of silicon‑carbon technology in foldable devices, suggesting a broader strategy to improve endurance. The A38 is expected to arrive in early 2027, with the Galaxy S27 rumored to receive modest battery enhancements.

💡 By equipping a budget device with flagship‑level endurance, Samsung aims to reshape consumer expectations for mid‑range phones and leverage battery size as a differentiator in a crowded market.