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The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 has a lot of limitations you should know about – Android Authority

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Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

TL;DR

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  • Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 and 4 Classic don’t support iOS.
  • Only Samsung smartphone users can access some health data.
  • Google Assistant is MIA.

Last week, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, marking the debut of the new Wear OS, Google’s operating system co-developed with Samsung. These watches boast a boatload of impressive features, but a closer look shows exclusivity that will leave some shoppers out to dry. Samsung’s latest flagship smartwatches pack a few disappointing limitations, including compatibility limits and missing features.

The devices aren’t compatible with iPhones

This is a bit of a departure for Samsung. In the past, Galaxy Watches worked with iPhones, as did previous Wear OS watches. And while most iPhone users will probably buy Apple Watches, the lack of iOS support eliminates these watches as an alternative. It also raises the question of whether future Wear OS 3.0 watches will work with iPhones or if it is just Samsung’s watches (with the Samsung One UI overlay) that aren’t compatible. What’s more, these watches won’t work with smartphones that don’t have GMS. This means most recent Huawei phones are also out of luck.

Unfortunately, the limitations don’t end with non-Android phones.

Read more: The best smartwatches you can buy

Android users also face Galaxy Watch 4 limitations

Unless you own a Samsung phone, or you’re tossing a Galaxy S21 into your shopping cart, you might want to pump the breaks. Not all of the Galaxy Watch 4 health tracking offerings will be available to every Android user.

In our Galaxy Watch 4 guide, we hype Samsung’s BioActive sensor combining an optical heart rate sensor (PPG), electrocardiogram (ECG), and a bioelectrical impedance (BIA) sensor. However, some of these health tracking features only work if the watch is paired with a Samsung smartphone. Other Android users will not have access to measurements, including the ECG, which requires the Samsung Health Monitor app. Blood pressure measurements are also exclusive to Samsung smartphones and are currently extremely restricted.

Some of the most anticipated health features will, in fact, be available on all Android phones. The new BIA sensor, a device highlight, offers users the ability to determine body composition metrics (including basal metabolic rate (BMR), water retention, skeletal muscle, and body fat percentage). These measurements, as well as SpO2 and VO2 max, are available to all Android users.

Google Assistant is not available on Galaxy Watch 4 (yet)

While the Galaxy Watch 4 is a product of the Google/Samsung dream team, it seems Google wasn’t made an immediate priority. Early reports call out a lack of preloaded Google apps and features. Users will find Google Maps and Google Play Store, but Google Assistant has yet to make an appearance. This leaves us with Samsung’s default assistant, Bixby. Bixby has yet to gain traction like other voice assistants and can’t compete with Google Assistant in terms of popularity. Samsung says it is working closely with Google to onboard Google Assistant and other popular Google services. Google Assistant will be available later on, but we don’t know when.

Still an exciting pick for Samsung phones, and probably other Androids too

If you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch 4 is a no-brainer. For iPhone users, it’s not even an option. For other Android users, minor annoyances may add up. Whether the Galaxy Watch 4 limitations above combine to call the device’s price tag into question is up to your budget. For now, it seems two companies combined forces to create an Apple Watch competitor, and the result is rather impressive. It’s just not as accessible as we may have hoped.

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BikeRadar Podcast | Sea Otter 2024 mountain bike round-up | BikeRadar – BikeRadar

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In this episode of the BikeRadar Podcast, George Scott and Jack Luke look back over the best MTB tech they sniffed out at Sea Otter 2024.

Neko Mulally’s bonded DH frame is discussed, alongside the much anticipated Maxxis Aspen ST tyres, which have been teased by professional riders over the past couple of years.

George and Jack also share their thoughts on Atherton’s new S-Range alloy bikes, with the S.170 making its trade show debut after being released in February.

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We’ve also put together an article on all the new and oh-so-shiny MTB tech from the show, so be sure to check that out.

How to subscribe to the BikeRadar Podcast

The BikeRadar Podcast takes you to the heart of the issues that matter for bike riders, whether you’re a roadie, mountain biker, gravel rider or commuter.

From the latest tech news, reviews and debates, to interviews with the biggest and most interesting personalities in cycling, the podcast is your direct line into the BikeRadar team.

To make sure you don’t miss a future episode, you can subscribe via AppleSpotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Apple's FineWoven cases rumored to get one final release – AppleInsider

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Apple’s range of FineWoven cases



Apple has probably stopped production of its poorly-received FineWoven cases for the iPhone, but a new report from the same herald of its death says there is one last set of seasonal colorways coming.

Now according to leaker Kosutami, who first reported the cancellation, there could still be one more push for the FineWoven cases.

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Pressed on the rumor, Kosutami emphasizes later in the same thread that if this is correct, it will be for only one more season. It’s now almost eight months since the launch of the iPhone 15 range, so it’s unlikely that there is to be a new mid-cycle color of the iPhone, but perhaps there can yet be new colors for the FineWoven cases.

Consequently, this rumor can at best be said to be possible, especially if Apple had already committed resources to the new colors. However, since FineWoven has proven to be startlingly poor at stain resistance or even just durability, it’s more believable that it is gone for good than it is that FineWoven will get a last hoorah.

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Meta Expands VR Operating System to Third-Party Hardware Makers – MacRumors

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Facebook parent company Meta today announced the upcoming expansion of Meta Horizon OS, a virtual and augmented reality operating system that will be available to third-party hardware manufacturers that want to design their own headsets.


Right now, Meta sells the Quest line of headsets, but the company wants to provide the software for third-party VR and AR products in the future, much like Microsoft offers Windows for all manner of third-party PCs.

Meta Horizon OS is the mixed reality operating system that Meta created for its own Quest headsets, and it has support for eye, face, hand, and body tracking along with passthrough, spatial anchors, scene understanding, and other features. There is a “social layer” that will allow the identities, avatars, and friends of users to move between virtual spaces on different devices.

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According to Meta, multiple companies are working on devices that will use Meta Horizon OS. ASUS ROG is developing a performance gaming headset and Lenovo is working on mixed reality devices for productivity, learning, and entertainment. Meta says that it is also creating a limited edition version of Meta Quest in partnership with Xbox.

With the expansion of Meta Horizon OS to third-party hardware manufacturers, Meta is making it easier for any developer to ship VR software on the platform by removing barriers between the Horizon Store and App Lab.

By creating an operating system that can be used by other hardware manufacturers, Meta is inserting itself into the growing AR/VR ecosystem and creating opportunities for it to outpace Apple in mixed reality development. Apple launched the Vision Pro headset earlier this year, but software is lacking given the high price and limited distribution of the device.

According to a report from earlier today, interest in the Vision Pro is already waning at Apple’s retail locations with fewer people requesting demos.

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