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EFF Report: Only Apple and Google Publish Transparency Reports Among Major Wearable Brands
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has published a report revealing that most smart watch, ring, and fitness band makers lack basic transparency reports and key privacy features. Only Apple and Google (including Fitbit) currently publish transparency reports. Only Apple, Google, and Whoop promise to notify users of law enforcement data requests. Oura says it is 'actively evaluating' publishing a transparency report after updating its privacy policy in June 2026.
Apple Publishes 74-Page Controller Specification for Vision Pro — Two Years After Saying It Didn't Need Them
Apple has published a detailed 74-page technical specification for building third-party motion controllers for Vision Pro, covering IR LED patterns, IMU requirements, Bluetooth protocols, and reference hardware layouts. The reversal comes two years after Apple launched the headset insisting hands and eyes were sufficient input. Controllers will work via visionOS 27 this fall, tracking at up to 120Hz.
Apple Releases AirPods Public Beta Firmware With iOS 27 Custom EQ, Adaptive Mode Slider, and GymKit Sync
Apple released AirPods public beta firmware (build 9A5314b) on July 14, one day after the iOS 27 public beta dropped. The firmware adds custom EQ controls, an Adaptive Noise Control slider, and GymKit heart-rate syncing for AirPods Pro 3. It supports AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max 2.
Garmin Fenix 8 Beta Adds Quick Workout Suggestions but Disables Diving and ECG — Climbing Crash Bug Reported
Garmin's latest beta firmware for the Fenix 8 series adds quick workout suggestions for impromptu runs, dive computer settings sharing, and tap-to-rotate map views. However, the beta disables diving features and ECG recording entirely, and introduces a new crash bug during indoor climbing activities. The update covers the Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Enduro 3, Tactix 8, and Quatix 8.
Ultrahuman Ring Pro Pushes General Shipping to August Over Quality Control Issues
Ultrahuman has pushed Ring Pro retail shipments from July to mid-August, citing ongoing quality control issues from the manufacturing line. Kickstarter backers who received early units report the 15-day battery claim holds up, but the broader rollout is delayed. Ultrahuman's own store now shows shipping from August 10 onward.
Oura Fixes Bug That Blanked Sleep and Readiness Scores for Ring 4 and Ring 5 iPhone Users
Oura has resolved a bug that left Ring 4 and Ring 5 owners on iPhone with blank Sleep and Readiness scores despite the ring collecting heart-rate data overnight. The fix is included in iOS app version 7.18.2. A related firmware issue that could also remove Readiness information has been marked resolved.
Galaxy Watch 8 Begins One UI 9 Watch Testing: Wear OS 7 Update Moves Closer to Release
Samsung has started internal beta testing of One UI 9 Watch on the Galaxy Watch 8, bringing the Wear OS 7-based platform update closer to its public release. One UI 9 Watch will debut on the Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2 at Unpacked on July 22, and is expected to roll out to the Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 7 in Q3–Q4 2026. The update brings redesigned widgets, Live Updates, and deeper Gemini AI integration.
Samsung Rolls Out July 2026 Security Patch Across Entire Galaxy Watch Lineup — Watch 8 and 7 First
Samsung has begun rolling out the July 2026 security patch to its entire Galaxy Watch lineup. The Galaxy Watch 8 and Watch 7 received the update first, followed by the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 6 series. The patch addresses stability improvements and security vulnerabilities, making Galaxy Watches the first Samsung devices to receive the July 2026 update — ahead of even smartphones.
New York Becomes First US State to Ban Smart Glasses from All 1,240 Courthouses — Effective July 20
The New York State Unified Court System has issued a statewide ban on smart glasses and any camera-equipped eyewear from all 1,240 state, county, city, town, and village courts, effective July 20. Visitors must surrender glasses to court officers or bring regular eyewear instead. The ban follows an incident where Zuckerberg's team wore Meta Ray-Bans inside a courtroom during his February testimony.
Galaxy Watch 9 Classic Confirmed Dead: Samsung Ends the Rotating Bezel After FCC and CMIIT Show No Classic Model
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 9 Classic is not coming. No Classic model number has appeared in FCC or CMIIT regulatory databases, and the Galaxy Wearable app references only Galaxy Watch 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The rotating physical bezel — a Galaxy Watch Classic signature since 2018 — disappears from Samsung's 2026 lineup entirely.
Samsung Galaxy Glasses Will Work with iPhones — Google Confirms Android XR Cross-Platform Support
Google confirmed at I/O 2026 that Samsung Galaxy Glasses running Android XR will pair with iPhones as well as Android phones, significantly broadening the addressable market. With Unpacked on July 22 approaching, this cross-platform commitment positions Galaxy Glasses as a direct Meta Ray-Ban competitor across both ecosystems.
Even Realities Raises $150M, Hits $1 Billion Valuation — Camera-Free Smart Glasses Go Mainstream
Smart glasses startup Even Realities closed a $150 million pre-Series B round led by Meituan and Tencent, reaching a $1 billion unicorn valuation. The company's G2 glasses feature a heads-up display, no camera, and average 8-10 hours of daily wear — massively outperforming category benchmarks.
Meta Rolls Out Mandatory Update That Kills the Camera If the Privacy Light Is Tampered With
Meta's v26 firmware update, now rolling out to all Ray-Ban Meta, Meta Oakley, and Meta Glasses, permanently disables the camera if the white capture LED is destroyed or removed. The move closes a loophole where users drilled out the LED to record secretly, and Meta says it is actively removing ads for LED-tampering services.
Oura Partners with Eli Lilly to Track GLP-1 Drug Users' Health — Smart Rings Enter the Pharma Ecosystem
Oura has partnered with Eli Lilly's LillyDirect platform to provide GLP-1 weight-loss drug users with continuous health monitoring via smart ring. The deal positions Oura Ring as a clinical companion device, tracking sleep, heart rate, body temperature, and activity metrics relevant to medication efficacy.
Oura Files ITC Complaint Against Samsung, Reebok, Zepp Health, and Nexxbase — Smart Ring Patent War Escalates
Oura has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission seeking to block imports of smart rings from Samsung, Reebok, Zepp Health (Amazfit), and Nexxbase (Luna). The action targets patents covering the ring form factor, internal component layout, and manufacturing methods.
Garmin Rolls Out 'OK, Garmin' Voice Control in Beta 18.12 for Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and More
Garmin is testing voice commands with an 'OK, Garmin' wake phrase in beta firmware 18.12. The feature works on Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Tactix 8 watches, allowing hands-free control for starting activities, setting timers, and checking stats.
Samsung Quietly Removes Vascular Load Feature From US Galaxy Watches via Software Update
Samsung has removed the Vascular Load health metric from Galaxy Watch devices in the United States through a recent software update. The feature, which estimated arterial stiffness, was pulled without advance notice. It remains available in other markets.
Instagram Launches 'Spin View' for Meta Ray-Ban: 360-Degree Photo Sharing From Smart Glasses
Instagram is rolling out Spin View, a new photo format that stitches multiple Meta Ray-Ban captures into a 360-degree interactive image. The feature launched July 2 and requires the latest Meta View app update.
Discord Launches Native App on Meta Quest — Voice Chat, Video Calls, and Game Streaming in VR
Discord officially launched a native app on Meta Quest headsets (Quest 2 and later). Users can pin Discord in their VR playspace, join voice and video calls with Meta Avatars, and stream Quest gameplay directly to Discord servers. A free month of Nitro is included through September.
Meta Puts Conversation Focus Behind $20/Month Paywall — Backlash Grows Over On-Device Feature Lock
Meta is capping its Conversation Focus audio-isolation feature at 3 hours per month for free users. A $19.99/month Meta One Premium subscription extends usage to 15 hours. The backlash is intense because Conversation Focus runs entirely on-device via beamforming microphones — no cloud processing required.
Oura Rolls Out Ring 5 Features to Gen 3 and Gen 4: Health Radar, Live Activity Tracking, Lab Uploads, and Connected Care
Oura has begun rolling out its biggest feature bundle to Ring Gen 3 and Gen 4 owners, bringing Health Radar with blood pressure signals, real-time live activity tracking, PDF lab result uploads, and Connected Care telehealth via Counsel Health in 43 US states. The rollout started July 1 and continues through July 7. An active Oura Membership ($5.99/month) is required.
Oura Health Radar with Blood Pressure Signals Expanding Through July 2026 to US, UAE, and India
Oura's Health Radar feature — which tracks blood pressure trends, nighttime breathing patterns, and proactive health alerts — is expanding through July 2026 to Oura Members in the US, UAE, and India with Ring Gen3 or newer. The feature uses nighttime PPG data across 30-day assessment periods to surface cardiovascular patterns and also supports manual cuff measurement logging.
Meta Ray-Ban Update 126 Rolls Out: Muse Spark AI, Dynamic Photos, Live Location Sharing, and Meta One Subscription
Meta is rolling out Update 126 to Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses, introducing Muse Spark AI with enhanced contextual understanding and visual recognition, Dynamic Photos for burst shots, hands-free WhatsApp Voice Chats, Live Location Sharing, Battery Saver Mode, and the new Meta One premium subscription. Live Translation adds 14 new languages.
Oura Ring Lab Uploads Goes Live Today: Import Blood Work Results Alongside Ring Data Starting June 30
Oura's Lab Uploads feature is now live globally in English as of June 30, 2026. Members with Oura Ring Gen3 or newer can import laboratory blood work results — cholesterol, blood glucose, thyroid panels, and more — directly into the Oura app, placing clinical biomarkers alongside continuous wearable data in a single longitudinal view.
Apple Raises Vision Pro Price to $3,699 Amid Global Memory Crisis — $200 Increase as Company Pivots to Smart Glasses
Apple has raised the Vision Pro price by $200 across all tiers: the base 256GB model now costs $3,699 (up from $3,499), 512GB is $3,899, and 1TB is $4,199. Tim Cook blamed the global memory crisis, calling it unlike anything he's ever seen. DRAM prices rose 98% in Q1 2026 as AI data centers consumed available supply. The increase comes as Apple shifts focus from Vision Pro successors to smart glasses.
OpenAI Hires Apple's Vision Pro and Smart Glasses Chief Paul Meade — Apple Loses Key Engineer as Smart Glasses Deadline Looms
Paul Meade, the Apple VP who led Vision Pro hardware engineering for seven years and was spearheading Apple's smart glasses push, is leaving for OpenAI's hardware team. The departure follows a leadership shake-up under incoming CEO John Ternus and new hardware chief Johny Srouji. Apple's smart glasses, expected in 2027, lose their most senior hardware architect.
Post-Prime Day 2026: Wearable Prices Have Stabilized — Here's What Every Category Costs Now and When to Buy Next
Three days after Prime Day 2026 ended, wearable prices have largely returned to pre-sale levels. Apple Watch Series 11 is back to $299 (from $299 Prime Day), AirPods Pro 3 at $199, Oura Ring 4 at $349. With Samsung Unpacked on July 22 and Apple's September event ahead, we break down what every major wearable costs today and whether to buy now or wait for the next wave of deals.
Meta Holds 69% of Smart Glasses Market in Q1 2026 as AI Glasses Shipments Surge 167% Year-Over-Year
New market data shows Meta controlled 69.2% of the AI smart glasses market in Q1 2026. Smart glasses without displays grew 167% year-over-year, and AI glasses shipments reached 8.7 million units in 2025 — up 322%. With Samsung Galaxy Glasses and Google's Android XR partners arriving this summer, the market is entering its most competitive phase yet.
AirPods Get Custom EQ, Redesigned Settings Menu, and GymKit Heart Rate in iOS 27 Beta
Apple's iOS 27 beta brings the biggest AirPods software update in years. A new three-band custom EQ lets you tune lows, mids, and highs on AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, AirPods 4, and Max 2. The settings menu has been completely redesigned with organized categories. AirPods Pro 3 also gain GymKit heart rate syncing to treadmills and bikes.
Oura Ring Launches Lab Uploads June 30 and Rolls Out Health Radar With Blood Pressure Signals Across US
Oura is rolling out two major features this week: Health Radar — which adds blood pressure signals and nighttime breathing monitoring designed by 40+ in-house MDs and PhDs — is going live for Gen3+ users in the US, UAE, and India. Lab Uploads, letting members import blood work results into the Oura app alongside ring data, launches globally June 30.
Pixel Watch Gets Wear OS 7 in June 2026 Update: Improved Gemini, Fitbit Branding Fully Removed
Google is rolling out the June 2026 update to Pixel Watch 2, 3, and 4, bringing Wear OS 7 with an improved Gemini Raise to Talk gesture, Remote Media Routing from the wrist, a Material 3 Contacts redesign, and the complete removal of Fitbit branding in favor of Google Health. The ECG app also gets a new red-themed icon.
visionOS 27 Beta Rolls Out: Visual Siri, Spatial Panoramas, and M5-Exclusive Features for Apple Vision Pro
Apple released the visionOS 27 developer beta on June 19, bringing the biggest Vision Pro software update yet. Key features include a redesigned 3D Siri sphere with Visual Intelligence that can identify objects you look at, panoramic photos as immersive environments, curved windows, and two M5-exclusive features. The public release is expected this fall alongside iOS 27.
Smart Ring Shipments Projected to Jump 49% in 2026 as Oura Extends Market Lead
IDC data shows smart ring shipments are on track for 49% year-over-year growth in 2026 — far outpacing the 6% growth projected for smartwatches. Oura leads the category with the Ring 5 launch, while Samsung's Galaxy Ring 2 delay leaves a gap. The smart ring market is projected to reach $518 million in 2026 and could exceed $3.7 billion by 2034.
Snap Specs Hit Mainstream: NPR Asks 'Are $2,195 Smart Glasses the Next Big Thing in Tech?'
NPR's coverage on June 19 marks Snap Specs crossing from tech press into mainstream media. The report frames Specs alongside Meta, Apple, and Google as companies betting that AR glasses could replace smartphones. With preorders open at $2,195 and a $200 refundable deposit, mainstream attention could accelerate consumer interest — or highlight the price barrier for everyday buyers.
Garmin Q2 2026 Software Update Rolling Out: Recovery Mode, Premium Golf, and Health Status History
Garmin has begun rolling out its Q2 2026 software update to smartwatches and cycling computers. The update adds Recovery Mode (automatic device rescue if your watch fails to power on), Premium Golf Features for Venu 4 and vivoactive 6 owners with a Garmin Golf Membership, Health Status History tracking, and expanded Instinct 3 features. Six new watch features and two new Edge features are included.
AWE 2026: Smart Glasses Now Split Into Three Distinct Tiers as Privacy Debate Intensifies
The Augmented World Expo 2026 floor reveals smart glasses are no longer a single product category. Hardware now splits into three clear tiers — AI camera eyewear ($300–$500), tethered AR displays ($400–$800), and standalone AR computers ($2,000+) — each with different capabilities and privacy implications. The European Data Protection Board has commissioned a formal report on whether camera glasses are 'socially acceptable.'
Meta Strips Facial Recognition Code from Ray-Ban Smart Glasses App After 70+ Rights Groups Demand Action
Meta quietly removed the 'NameTag' facial recognition system from its Ray-Ban smart glasses companion app on June 5 — less than 24 hours after WIRED publicly revealed the dormant code. The EFF called it a 'victory' after more than 70 advocacy organizations, including the ACLU, demanded Meta abandon the biometric feature that could identify strangers in real time.
AWE 2026 Opens in Long Beach: Snap Specs Keynote Tomorrow, 300+ Exhibitors, and the Biggest AR Event in History
Augmented World Expo 2026 kicks off June 15–18 in Long Beach under the theme 'I, Spatial: Humans Empowered by Spatial AI.' With Snap CEO Evan Spiegel keynoting tomorrow at 9:30 AM PT to reveal consumer Specs AR glasses details, plus 300+ enterprise exhibitors and neural interface demos from Wearable Devices, AWE 2026 is shaping up as the most consequential XR event ever.
Meta Quest 3 Heading to the International Space Station for Astronaut Spacewalk Training
Two Meta Quest 3 headsets will be sent to the International Space Station as part of a six-year collaboration between Meta and the European Space Agency. Astronauts will use the headsets to rehearse spacewalks in microgravity, with Meta's Travel Mode adapted to work without gravity-dependent sensors.
IDC: Global Smartwatch Shipments Hit 37 Million Units in Q1 2026 as Fitness Wristbands Decline
IDC's Q1 2026 Wearable Device Market Report shows smartwatch shipments reached 37.03 million units — up 4.8% year-over-year — while fitness wristbands fell 6.1% to 10.02 million units. Analysts say the budget tracker is losing ground to smartwatches that now pack the same sensors at competitive prices.
Apple's $1B Google Gemini Deal Will Reshape Siri on Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro
Apple's $1 billion/year partnership with Google brings a custom 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini model to power a rebuilt Siri across all Apple devices. For wearable users, this means dramatically smarter voice interactions on Apple Watch and AirPods, with all processing routed through Apple's Private Cloud Compute for privacy.
Samsung Health AI Update Goes Live June 8: Energy Score, Heart Health Score, and Redesigned Dashboard
Samsung's major Samsung Health app overhaul is now rolling out on June 8, bringing AI-powered Energy Score, Heart Health Score, Vitals overnight monitoring, and a redesigned five-pillar dashboard. The update transforms Galaxy Watch from passive tracker to proactive health coach.
WWDC 2026 Keynote Today: Gemini-Powered Siri and watchOS 27 Officially Previewed for Apple Watch
Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote kicks off June 8 at 10 AM PT with the long-awaited Siri overhaul powered by Google Gemini, plus watchOS 27 featuring improved heart rate tracking, new Modular Ultra-style watch faces, and health refinements ahead of Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 this fall.
Garmin Rolls Out Q2 2026 Software Update: Recovery Mode, Mobility Workouts, and Premium Golf for More Watches
Garmin's Q2 2026 software update began rolling out June 2, bringing Recovery Mode, structured Mobility Activity sessions, and Premium Golf Features to the Venu 4, vivoactive 6, and D2 Air X15. The update continues Garmin's strategy of adding value through software.
Smart Ring Shipments Surged 49% in 2025, IDC Reports — Oura, Samsung, and RingConn Drive Mainstream Adoption
IDC data shows smart ring shipments jumped 49% in 2025, far outpacing smartwatches' 6% growth. With Oura Ring 5, RingConn Gen 3, and Ultrahuman Ring Pro all launching in 2026, the category is entering its mainstream era.
Samsung Galaxy XR Gets PC Connect, Travel Mode, and 5-Year Enterprise Support in Major Android XR Update
Samsung and Google have rolled out a major Android XR update for Galaxy XR, adding PC Connect for multi-monitor productivity, Travel Mode for stable use on the go, Android Enterprise support, and a 5-year software update commitment.
No Vision Pro 2 at WWDC 2026: visionOS 27 to Focus on Bug Fixes as Apple Pivots to Smart Glasses
With WWDC on June 8 approaching, Apple has confirmed there will be no new Vision Pro hardware. visionOS 27 will be a maintenance release focused on performance, stability, and interoperability while the company redirects resources toward lightweight AI smart glasses for 2027.
Apple Previews AI-Powered Accessibility Features for Apple Watch, AirPods, and Vision Pro
Apple has unveiled new accessibility updates powered by Apple Intelligence, including smarter VoiceOver image descriptions, natural language Voice Control, AI-generated subtitles, and eye-controlled wheelchair navigation for Vision Pro. Features are coming later this year.
Even Realities G2 Smart Glasses Debut as In-Game Gadget in 007 First Light
Even Realities, IO Interactive, and Amazon MGM Studios have partnered to integrate the G2 smart glasses as a playable gadget inside the new James Bond game 007 First Light, which launched May 27. The tie-in marks the first time a real smart glasses product appears as functional equipment in a AAA game.
Bloomberg: Apple Watch 'Needs a Shake-Up' as Fitbit Air, Oura, and WHOOP Pressure Grows
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman argues the Apple Watch is overdue for a strategic rethink as screenless trackers like Fitbit Air ($99), smart rings, and WHOOP 5 erode its health-tracking moat. watchOS 27 and AirPods updates are also previewed.
Audio-First Smart Glasses Dominate 91% of 2026 Shipments as Industry Picks Restraint Over Displays
A new analysis shows 91% of smart glasses shipped in 2026 will be audio-focused models without displays. The design strategy reflects an industry consensus: lead with lightweight, affordable frames first, then add displays once adoption is established.
Samsung Smart Glasses Forecast to Ship 2 Million Units in 2026, Capture 18% Market Share
Smart Analytics Global projects Samsung and Google's Android XR smart glasses will ship over 2 million units in 2026, instantly vaulting Samsung to the #2 position behind Meta. The total smart glasses market is expected to surpass 15 million units.
Oura Partners with ResMed to Connect Sleep Apnea Symptoms to Clinical Care
Oura Ring members who show elevated nighttime breathing disturbances can now access ResMed's sleep apnea education tools, assessments, and provider referrals directly from the Oura app. The partnership bridges consumer wearables and clinical sleep medicine.
AI Smart Glasses Shipments Soared 322% in 2025 to 8.7 Million Units
AI-powered smart glasses shipped 8.7 million units in 2025 — a 322% surge driven by Ray-Ban Meta dominance. EssilorLuxottica alone sold 7 million+ pairs. With Samsung, Google, and Apple entering in 2026, the market is set to triple again.
Meta Opens Ray-Ban Display to Third-Party Developers with New Wearables Toolkit
Meta has launched a Wearables Toolkit SDK allowing third-party developers to build apps for Ray-Ban Display glasses. Neural Handwriting — which lets users write on any surface to compose messages — is also rolling out globally.
Apple Expands AirPods Pro Hearing Health Features to 21 New Countries
Apple has rolled out its clinical-grade Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, and Hearing Protection features to 21 additional countries in May 2026, alongside a new firmware update that makes hearing aid voices sound more natural.
Android XR Update Brings Hand Occlusion, Auto-3D, and 5-Year Support to Galaxy XR
The latest Android XR update for Samsung Galaxy XR adds hand occlusion, auto-spatialization for turning 2D apps into 3D, window pinning to real walls, and a commitment to five years of software updates.
Oura Files for IPO at $11 Billion Valuation as Smart Ring Sales Surge
Finnish smart ring maker Oura has confidentially filed a Form S-1 with the SEC, preparing to go public later in 2026. The company has sold 5.5 million rings and projects $1.5 billion in revenue this year.
Smart Ring Shipments Projected to Surge 49% in 2026 as Oura Maintains 74% Market Share
Counterpoint Research data shows smart ring shipments jumped 49% while smartwatches grew just 6%. Oura leads with 74% market share, followed by Ultrahuman (9%), Samsung (9%), and RingConn (5%). The wearables market could hit $1 trillion by 2032.
Wear OS 7 Announced at Google I/O 2026: Gemini AI, Wear Widgets, and 10% Better Battery
Google unveils Wear OS 7 with Gemini Intelligence for smartwatches, a new Wear Widgets system, Live Updates for real-time notifications, and up to 10% battery improvement. Only new 2026 watches will qualify for Gemini features.
Samsung Galaxy XR Gets Major Update: PC Connect, Likeness Avatars, and Enhanced Travel Mode
Samsung and Google roll out a major Android XR update for Galaxy XR with three headline features: PC Connect for wireless desktop streaming, face-tracked Likeness avatars for video calls, and an enhanced Travel Mode for in-flight use.
Google I/O 2026 Smart Glasses Face Privacy Reckoning as May 19 Showcase Approaches
Three days before Google I/O 2026 opens, the smart glasses industry faces mounting privacy scrutiny. Google will preview Android XR glasses from Samsung, XREAL, Warby Parker, and Gentle Monster — but a UK ICO investigation into Meta's camera glasses looms over the entire category.
Mosaic SoC Raises $3.8M to Build Low-Power Perception Chips for Smart Glasses
Swiss startup Mosaic SoC has closed a $3.8M pre-seed round led by Founderful to develop spatial intelligence chips that could make AR smart glasses as light and power-efficient as regular eyeglasses.
Valve Steam Frame VR Headset Marked 'Coming Soon' on Steam, Still on Track for 2026
Valve has updated the Steam Frame listing to 'Coming Soon,' confirming the standalone VR headset remains on schedule for 2026 despite RAM shortage delays. Specs include 2160×2160 per eye, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and wireless PC streaming.
Oura Ring Adds Hormonal Birth Control Support and Menopause Insights in Major Health Update
Oura is rolling out two new hormonal health features globally: Birth Control Support in Cycle Insights and Menopause Insights with a research-backed Menopause Impact Scale. Available now on Ring Gen3 and Ring 4.
Smart Ring Shipments Projected to Surge 49% in 2026 as Category Goes Mainstream
The smart ring market is on track for a 49% jump in shipments in 2026, far outpacing the 6% growth forecast for smartwatches. Oura leads the market, but Samsung, RingConn, Ultrahuman, and Dreame are rapidly expanding the category.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Blood Pressure Monitoring Finally Arrives in the US
Samsung has rolled out blood pressure monitoring to Galaxy Watch users in the United States via a Samsung Health Monitor update. The feature, long available only in South Korea, now works on Galaxy Watch 7, Watch Ultra, and Watch 8 series in the US.
Apple Releases AirPods Pro 3 Firmware 8B40 with Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Apple pushed firmware version 8B40 for AirPods Pro 3, up from 8B39. The update focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements, particularly for the hearing aid and hearing test features.
Meta and EssilorLuxottica Target 20 Million Ray-Ban Smart Glasses in 2026 as Demand Outstrips Supply
Meta and EssilorLuxottica are in talks to double Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses production to 20 million units annually, up from 10 million, after unprecedented demand forced the delay of international expansion. US waitlists now extend well into 2026.
Garmin Posts Record Q1 Revenue of $1.75B as Fitness Wearable Sales Surge 42%
Garmin's Q1 2026 earnings smashed expectations with $1.75 billion in revenue — a new first-quarter record. The fitness segment led with a staggering 42% year-over-year jump to $547 million, driven by wearable market share gains ahead of the anticipated Fenix 9 launch.
Even Realities G2 Gets Terminal Mode for AI Coding Agents in v2.2.0 Update
Even Realities rolls out v2.2.0 for G2 smart glasses with Terminal Mode — a HUD overlay that lets developers monitor and interact with AI coding agents hands-free using the Even R1 companion ring.
Oura Ring Named Official Wearable of US Soccer Across All 27 National Teams Ahead of 2026 World Cup
US Soccer and Oura announce a long-term partnership making Oura Ring the official wearable across all 27 national teams — men's, women's, youth, and disability squads. Oura also becomes a founding partner of the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center.
Garmin Releases Beta 22.26 for Fenix 8 Pro and Enduro 3: Nine Bug Fixes for Stability
Garmin pushes beta System Software 22.26 to Fenix 8 Pro, Fenix 8 AMOLED, Fenix 8 Solar, Enduro 3, Fenix E, and Tactix 8 with nine bug fixes targeting LiveTrack crashes, notification issues, and rock climbing controls.
Zepp Health Fires Back: Sues Oura Over Six Patents Covering Sleep, Activity, and Health Scoring
Zepp Health has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Oura in Texas, claiming the Oura Ring Gen 3, Gen 4, and Oura app infringe six of its patents. The counter-suit escalates the smart ring patent war to a new level.
Meta Ray-Ban Spring 2026 Update: Nutrition Tracking, WhatsApp Summaries, and Neural Handwriting
Meta is rolling out major AI features to Ray-Ban Meta glasses this spring: hands-free nutrition logging, WhatsApp message summaries, neural handwriting for messaging, and display recording for social sharing.
Oura Overhauls Activity Tracking: New ML-Based Step Counting and 7-Day Edit History
Oura has rolled out a major activity tracking update with a new machine learning step-counting model that reduces inflated counts by 20%, plus the ability to edit activities up to 7 days back.
Cornell's WatchHand Turns Any Smartwatch Into a Hand-Tracking Controller Using Sonar
Researchers at Cornell and KAIST built WatchHand — an AI-powered system that uses built-in smartwatch speakers and microphones to track hand movements via inaudible sonar, requiring no additional hardware.
Garmin Rolls Out Biggest 2026 Software Update: Sleep Alignment, Cycling Radar, and Dozens More Features
Garmin has released its largest software update of 2026 across Fenix 8, Enduro 3, Venu X1, Forerunner 570/970, and more — adding sleep alignment tracking, behavior logging for caffeine and alcohol, cycling Varia radar alerts, and accessibility improvements.
Samsung's Lawsuit Against Oura Dismissed — Galaxy Ring 2 Remains in Limbo
A federal judge has thrown out Samsung's declaratory judgment action against Oura, weakening Samsung's legal position in the smart ring patent war. Galaxy Ring 2 still has no confirmed launch date as the ITC investigation continues.
Oura Ring Named Official Wearable of Team USA and LA28 Olympics
Oura has been named the exclusive official wearable of Team USA and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games — the first smart ring to earn an Olympic partnership and a massive validation for the category.
Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S Prices Just Went Up — Here's What You'll Pay Now
Starting April 19, the Meta Quest 3 jumped $100 to $599.99 and the Quest 3S rose $50 to $349.99. Meta blames a global AI-driven RAM shortage that has sent DRAM prices soaring 45–50% in Q2 2026.
Security Researcher Uses Meta Ray-Bans to Identify Strangers in Real Time at RSAC 2026
At the RSA Conference 2026 in San Francisco, cybersecurity researcher Jake Moore paired consumer Meta Ray-Ban glasses with commercial facial recognition software and identified conference attendees in real time — no hacking required.
75+ Rights Groups Demand Meta Cancel Ray-Ban Facial Recognition Feature
A coalition of over 75 civil rights organizations — led by the ACLU, EPIC, and Fight for the Future — sent an open letter to Mark Zuckerberg demanding Meta permanently abandon its planned 'Name Tag' facial recognition feature for Ray-Ban smart glasses.
Samsung Galaxy XR Gets Major April 2026 Update: Auto-Spatialization, Enterprise Support, Hand Tracking
Google and Samsung have begun rolling out a major Android XR update to Galaxy XR owners — adding auto-spatialization for 2D content, wall-pinned apps, Android Enterprise support, and improved accessibility features.
Samsung Galaxy XR Headset Coming to UK, Canada, Germany & France in 2026
Samsung's $1,799 Galaxy XR headset — currently available only in the US and South Korea — is confirmed to expand to four major new markets this year.
US Senators Demand Meta Explain Facial Recognition Plans for Smart Glasses
Senators Markey, Wyden, and Merkley sent Meta a letter demanding transparency on 'Name Tag' facial recognition, with a response deadline of April 6. Over 60 civil society groups co-signed.
Bose Removes Key Features in QC Ultra Headphones 2 Firmware Update — Users Furious
Bose's firmware 8.2.20 quietly removed battery announcements, device-switching shortcuts, and volume strip features from the QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen. The company says it won't restore them.
EFF: Think Twice Before Buying Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
The Electronic Frontier Foundation issued a sharp warning urging consumers to reconsider Meta Ray-Ban purchases over serious privacy risks, including footage review and potential facial recognition.
Samsung Galaxy Ring 2 Future Uncertain as Oura Patent War Escalates
Oura has filed an ITC complaint against Samsung and other smart ring makers. Analysts now expect Galaxy Ring 2 to be delayed until late 2026 or 2027.
Meta & EssilorLuxottica Plan to Double Smart Glasses Production
With Ray-Ban Meta demand surging, Meta and its manufacturing partner are weighing a major capacity expansion to meet supply needs.
Meta Sued Over Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: Workers Reviewed Private Footage
A class-action lawsuit alleges Meta subcontractors in Kenya viewed sensitive user footage from Ray-Ban smart glasses, raising major privacy concerns.
Smart Ring Market Explodes: Shipments Jump 49% as Category Goes Mainstream
Smart rings are the fastest-growing wearable category in 2026, with shipments up 49% driven by Oura, Samsung, and new entrants.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Gets Hearing Aid Feature Update
Apple rolls out clinical-grade hearing aid functionality to AirPods Pro 3 with the latest firmware update.
Sony WF-1000XM6 Firmware Update Improves ANC by 15%
Sony pushes a major firmware update to the WF-1000XM6 that significantly boosts noise cancellation performance.
Apple Vision Pro Gets visionOS 3.0 With Spatial Personas
visionOS 3.0 brings spatial personas, Mac Virtual Display 2.0, and over 2,000 native spatial apps.
Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Get Multimodal AI Upgrade
Meta pushes a major AI update to Ray-Ban smart glasses with real-time object identification and translation.
XREAL Air 2 Ultra Gets 50+ AR Games in New Update
XREAL's premium AR glasses now support a growing library of spatial games and productivity apps.