HUAWEI yesterday presented the HUAWEI Watch 2 at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 in Barcelona. The Smartwatch is designed specifically for fitness fans. It is designed to combine the functions of a sophisticated fitness tracker, the connectivity of a smartphone, as well as practical apps of a premium Smartwatch. According to the LG Watch Sport and Style, it is the next Smartwatch with Android Wear 2.0.
Independent connectivity
The HUAWEI Watch 2 is compatible with Android and iOS. If you want to use the clock without a smartphone with a large range of functions, you can buy a 4G version instead of the Bluetooth version. Thanks to independent mobile connectivity through the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8909W and a built-in GPS chip, users can even make calls, send messages, and access apps with their smartwatch phone. Thanks to the VoLTE support and two microphones with noise reduction, the watch is to provide a trouble-free, noise-free telephoning. The Bluetooth version as well as a planned Classic version are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8DD9W.
Mobile partner for health and endurance
The Smartwatch has several sensors with advanced algorithms. These evaluate data about the user behavior, such as distance, speed, number of steps, heart rate, calorie consumption or route. Modes such as "Fat Burning Run" or "Cardio Run" can be called up immediately by a quick start function. Athletes should be given real-time information on the distance traveled, the state of the training goal, or the warnings of a too fast pulse. Through personally defined training plans, the Smartwatch takes you step by step through an effective run. Thus, for example, the rotor is informed of when it should increase or throttle its speed.
Fitness and health tracking
Using an integrated GPS and heart rate monitor, the watch analyzes the maximum oxygen intake (VO2max) after each run. In addition, a run report is generated automatically after each run, which includes information about the recommended time and the training effect. Anyone who likes to listen to music during sports can access tracks from a local library or a streaming service.
The new Daily Tracking app is designed to help the wearer not only during training, but also to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The app reliably measures the daily number of users or the record times for sports activities. This is intended to motivate a more active everyday life. The function of continuous heart rate measurement is also available.
High quality materials and chronograph design
According to the manufacturer, HUAWEI Watch 2 exclusively uses high-quality materials. In addition to the chronograph design, the watch features a high-quality ceramic veneer and is designed to offer a high wearing comfort. With interchangeable wristbands and various watch surfaces, the watch is designed to adapt to the wearer's personal style.
Smart assistant for everyday life
The Smartwatch is to become a personal assistant, thanks to the Android operating system and the intuitive control. A combination of touch control and voice control is designed to simplify the interaction with the clock and to answer messages. The open ecosystem of Android Wear 2.0 benefits both iOS and Android users from numerous compatible applications. The improved battery of the Huawei Watch 2 ensures a longer running time. In normal use, this holds up to two days, ten hours in "training fashion" and three weeks in "watch fashion".
Prices and availabilities
The HUAWEI Watch 2 in the Bluetooth version will be available from the end of March in the colors Carbon Black with Carbon Black sports strap and Concrete Gray with Concrete Gray sports strap for the price of 329 EUR in Germany. The 4G version comes from mid-April for 379 EUR in the colors Carbon Black with Carbon Black sports strap and Dynamic Orange with Dynamic Orange sports strap. At the beginning of May, the classic version comes in the colors Titanium Gray with Black leather bracelet at a price of 399 EUR.
HUAWEI's presentation at the MWC also presented a Porsche Design version. This is to be equipped with a bezel that remembers a tachometer. All further technical details as well as the foreseeable price of the luxury variant are not yet known. The Berlin Bicycle Show took place in Berlin last weekend. At some corners again, a connection between bicycle and smartphone was shown.
The Berlin bike scene met at the weekend for the Berlin Bicycle Show. Many booths featured retro bicycles, racing bicycles, bikes and special constructions - mostly without, but more and more with an electric motor. Smart bikes played only a small role, but the stands of the few exhibitors were quite well attended.
More safety
The smartphone holder Track Phone from Hessian company Sminno promises more security when cycling. It is supposed to keep smartphones with displays between 3 and 6 inches secure and above all provide improved acoustics - for example, to listen to music or to make a call while driving. A short test in the loud exhibition hall revealed a much higher volume, the conversation partner was quite understandable. Above all, your own voice should be transmitted better. This is achieved by the shielding of the microphone in front of the vehicle; Wind noise should not occur. The bracket is inserted into a standard mount of Klickfix adapter manufacturer Rixen & Kaul; It allows the operation of the smartphone in portrait and landscape mode. In the summer the company wants to publish an app for Android and iOS, which reads incoming messages via voice output and also allows the voice control of the phone app. The look of the approximately 60 euro expensive mount is not for everyone.
The Bluetooth lock ILockIt automatically closes the bike when you get close to your smartphone.
Image: Lutz Labs
On the other hand, the Bluetooth lock of iLockIt is quite unobtrusive (see test in c't 20/15). The frame lock closes itself, if one with its Smartphone from the wheel away, alternatively one can lock the lock with a push button itself. To connect the wheel to a post, an optional chain or steel cable with loop is used; The end piece is inserted into a receptacle in the lock. The project was financed by kickstarter. The castle is to be available at the end of May at the price of 120 euros; A steel cable will cost 25 euros, chain 35.
The Smart-Bike Electrified S from the Dutch manufacturer VanMoof, which was presented at the Berlin bicycle show last year, is now available under the brand name Smart without the need for electrical support. The functions remain the same: the smart also contains a GPS receiver and a GSM transmitter, which informs about the position of the bicycle in case of theft. According to the company, the company will find about 70 percent of the stolen bicycles within two weeks. What is special about this is the company's insurance to deliver a new wheel to the best one if the stolen is not recoverable. The Smart is available with 3- and 8-speed shifting and available from 1800 Euros.
E-Bike by kickstarter
Still in the financing phase is the e-bike "Volta" of Purecycles. The American company has been producing bicycles for a long time, but the first electric bike still leaves a bit to come. The project was presented only a few days ago according to company details, the necessary sum of US $ 75,000 has already been significantly exceeded. 65 kilometers range PureCycles promises, smart functions such as security and activity tracker and a smart mode. The Volta, however, does not meet the requirements for an unrestricted pedelec: the manufacturer promises a top speed of 32 km / h.
Bicycle center
Also co-funded by Kickstarter was the Cobi, a smart center for the bicycle (see c't 22/16). Cobi combines a smartphone holder, a USB charger, lighting, fitness record and navigation at a price starting at 250 euros. The company's own smartphone is the centerpiece of the system. The company presented the further development of the system at the Berlin Bicycle Show. A new software version will be released at the end of March, which uploads the data of the straight route to Strava or Komoot for the first time. In addition, Cobi is offering improved navigation.
A new hardware version is also available: The lighting is now StVZO-compliant. The system was announced with the possibility to charge the integrated battery via Nabendynamo during the trip. The connections for this are available, at the moment the developer team checks whether there is a possibility to retrofit existing devices. ( http://www.gpsphone-tracker.net/why-should-i-use-a-phone-tracker-app/)
Third parties can also participate in the further development of the Cobi: The company plans to provide an SDK in the summer, through which developers can add further functions. In the context of a Hackaton with a beta version of the development kit had an En Twickler already programmed a function, which shows in the Cobi app whether a train of the German train is still reachable or whether the driver should drive somewhat faster. The app also relied on data from the railway.
