In time for the holiday season, Fitbit is updating a whole bunch of software and services in the hopes of getting everyone excited and resolved for a healthier 2020 — just as it hopes Google ownership will improve its stance in the fitness tech marketplace. Fitbit OS 4.1 will be rolling out some features originally exclusive to the Versa 2 to other smartwatches while Fitbit Premium will be adopting more special routines to inspire some better habits.
Read MoreGoogle acquires Fitbit for $2.1 billion, hints at future own-brand wearable
A report from a few days ago suggested that Google's parent company Alphabet was in talks to purchase fitness tracker manufacturer Fitbit, and sure enough, an official announcement has just confirmed that the deal is going ahead at a cost of $2.1 billion. With confidence in Wear OS seemingly at an all-time low, this latest news could signal that Google's wearable ambitions have some life in them yet.
Read MoreNew Moto360 coming in December for $350, but it won't be made by Motorola
Of all the things we expected to come out of Lenovo's Motorola this year — mediocre modular phones, a flank of mid-rangers, and a foldable to behold — we did not think a new Wear OS smartwatch would be one. That said, we do have a 3rd-gen Moto360 (no space, as styled) to wait for, but it doesn't look to have been manufactured by Motorola.
Read MoreFossil Sport Gen 4 on sale at a new low of $104 ($45 off)
For as much shade Wear OS gets — either through its half-baked implementations or Google's perceived attrition — you can't deny it has some value points. Namely, it's got a decent interface you'd want to use on a smartwatch with a price floor way down from those Apple Watches. Today, that floor's been lowered further with the help of Fossil, where you can grab a 4th-gen Fossil Sport for nearly 60% off MSRP.
Read MorePopular
The best smartwatches, fitness trackers, and wearables for Android (Fall 2019)
Not everyone needs or wants a screen on their wrist, but for those of us who like tracking workouts and responding to notifications without reaching for a phone, smartwatches and fitness trackers can be fantastic tools. They can give us enhanced insight into our health, or simply give us easier access to tools and controls without pulling a phone out.
Read MoreThe Movado Connect 2.0 is a premium Wear OS watch, available for pre-order starting at $500
Google's Wear OS platform isn't in the best shape these days, but there are still ample choices if you want to have Google on your wrist. You can even spend an obscene amount of money on a Google-powered smartwatch like the new Movado Connect 2.0. It starts at $495 (slightly cheaper than the first-gen), but Movado is notable for being one of the few non-Fossil companies still working with Wear OS.
Read MoreOpinion: The Apple Watch Series 5 embarrasses Wear OS yet again — it's time for changes
Apple just announced its fifth-generation Apple Watch, and no surprise, it puts Google's Wear OS ecosystem to shame. Even with a headstart on wearables, Google has made such slow progress that Apple easily dominates the market. With the Series 5, Apple has adopted one of the last features that set Wear OS apart. We've waited years for Wear OS to click, and it's simply not happening. It's time for Google to rethink its approach to Wear OS before it slides completely into irrelevance.
Read MorePuma, Michael Kors, Armani, and Diesel all introduced Snapdragon Wear 3100 smartwatches at IFA
IFA is all about consumer electronics, so of course, the trade show also features the release of new Wear OS hardware. In particular, Fossil sub-brands Puma, Michael Kors, Armani, and Diesel will be offering new wearables in the coming weeks. Other than the welcome addition of the Snapdragon Wear 3100, you won't find revolutionary technology in them, but if you enjoy smartwatches as fashion accessories and basic fitness trackers, you could find a device to your liking among them.
Read MoreGarmin announces Fēnix 6-series smartwatches with optional solar power display
Most smartwatch makers that arent' Apple are shooting for the $200-300 price bracket, but Garmin occupies a very specific niche. Its Fēnix smartwatches are more expensive and aimed squarely at outdoor enthusiasts. The company just announced a new generation of the sport-oriented watches: the Fēnix 6-series. They have larger 1.3-1.4-inch displays, enhanced run tracking, and even an optional solar panel.
Read MoreNorth American smartwatch shipments up 38% this year, and Samsung's market share is growing
Smartwatches didn't exactly explode out of the gate like smartphones, but sales are growing steadily. A new report from Canalys shows a sizeable 38% increase in year-over-year North American shipments last quarter. Almost everyone is moving more wearables, but Samsung is seeing the largest proportional improvement.
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