Enhance your smartwatch experience with Zox Smart Watch Bands. Find the perfect fit and style that complements your lifestyle.

I have had the hardest time finding a comfortable, all-around use watch band for my Apple Watch. I find things that I like about each band type/style, but nothing has ‘clicked’ with me as the best band. A couple of weeks ago, a package of watch band samples from Zox showed up and I honestly don’t know how I survived this long without them.

About the Zox Brand

Admittedly, I didn’t know anything about the brand ‘Zox’ when the watch bands arrived. So, I read up on the company and thought including some of their story here would be relevant to this review.

Zox started out as a creative project designed by Jason Kuipers. A collector of all things — sneakers in particular — Jason got the idea for his first product when he was attempting to accessorize a pair of Nike’s in 2010. He stylized a piece of elastic with paint markers, sewed it together, and started wearing it around. The first Zox band was reversible and Jason would wear it instead of a watch. Upon wearing it home at the end of the year, his family jumped on the project with his mom sewing the wristbands together and his brothers — Brandon and Jordan — spreading the word about their new designer accessory by wearing them in public. Here is an excerpt from their website story.

My mom had a ridiculously hard time sewing the wristbands together as they were so small and intricate, but got all of them done after a few hours of failed attempts. My dad suggested we call our new invention Zox Straps. We all laughed at the time, but he insisted it would catch on so we went with it. He now claims he owns 1% of the company because of this.

The next day, my brothers both wore their newly created wristbands to school for the first time. I remember as I was sitting on the couch when they got back, they ran in the door with excitement, saying that we had to figure out how to make more because all their friends wanted some.

That’s when it hit me – we had just invented a whole new style of wristband.

We sat down to brainstorm, taking notes of what this project meant to us. We wanted it to be collectible, collaborative, philanthropic and a completely epic experience. Each of those things, to this day, is still a pillar of who we are – a brand – that makes me super happy.

One of the most unique things about these bands is all the little touches that the Kuipers put into them. The golden ticket from Willy Wonka, the packaging from a pack of basketball cards (but resealable to keep it fresh!), the nicknames people give sneakers and the VIN numbers on cars — all these elements are part of the Zox band experience. Watch this profile video produced in 2020 to learn more about the Zox Band Story.

Zox Watch Band Main Features

Even though the Zox brand started with a simple wristband, the company now produces a variety of products including clothing, bags, keychains, medical ID bands, and smart watch bands. The Zox Smart Watch Bands are designed to work with nearly every style of smartwatch. The bands feature the signature style of the Zox band and are designed to uplift and encourage. The watch bands are 100% adjustable so they can fit as many wrists as possible.

The Smart Watch Bands are also collectible. Each watch band is individually numbered on both the band and matching collectors card to ensure no two are ever the same. Numbers 0001 – 0100 are stitched in gold and include Gold Cards that can be redeemed for special, limited edition rewards.

Finally, the most extraordinary feature of the Smart Watch Band is that it is made from recycled water bottles. This is elastic used to product the watch bands is made from milled recycled water bottles from Repreve. Each band takes the equivalent of on 8oz water bottle out of the ecosystem.

The Smart Watch Bands are compatible with Apple Watches (38/40/41mm, 42/44/45mm, & Ultra), Android (20mm & 22mm), and adapters can be added so that the bands can be used with FitBit and Google Pixel.

Pricing & Availability

The Zox Smart Watch Bands are all priced between $24.95 and $34.95 — no matter what style you choose! Zox also has an option on their website for customers to buy three and get on free. Zox watch bands are also available on Amazon.

User Experience

One of the first things I noticed was the very simple packaging that the band came in. The band is wrapped around a small card that includes the name of the band style and its unique ID number. The packaging is a plastic sleeve with a zippered closure. It’s a bit of a tight fit and I did have some trouble getting the band out of the sleeve, but overall I liked the approach and thought behind it. Remember, the creators wanted customers to feel as though they were getting something collectible. So the sleeve is meant to mimic the look/feel of a pack of baseball cards. There are a couple of things I think would improve the packaging.

First, it would be great if the actual size of the band was included. I didn’t spot the “S” or “L” on the sleeve at first and thought that the bands were all for a different size watch than I had. So, either including the actual mm size on the label or making the S/L more prominent might be a good idea. Second, having the name of the design on the pouch would also be good. Yes, the front of the sleeve is transparent, but there is some type that makes it a little hard to see exactly what the design is unless you remove it from the pouch. These are extremely minor criticisms and I realize that these pouches are probably mass produced so they can be used with as many versions as possible, but for the user, it would be easier if those elements were included.

Once I figured out the right size for my Apple Watch (I have a 41mm Series 8 body) I chose the design I wanted to wear. I’m a big Starry Night fan so I immediately pulled that one from the pile. the detail of the design is magnificent and honestly, the images on the website don’t do the colors justice. They are vibrant and full of life. I connected the band to my watch body and slipped it on my wrist. I did, of course, have to adjust the band, which I found difficult with the band on my wrist.

So, I slipped the watch back off and tightened the band. Since I first installed the band, I have only had to adjust it one time. I think that says mountains about the durability and flexibility of the material itself. I sleep with my watch on, I workout with it on, and I wear it probably 90% of the day. It doesn’t slip and it hasn’t had any connection issues with my wrist.

This band is seriously the most comfortable one I’ve ever worn. The material is soft and breathable and the adjustment bangle sits in a comfortable spot on my wrist. I love that the band is made from recycled materials. To me, that is a added bonus to an already amazing accessory. In comparison to Apple Watch bands, these are extremely affordable. The sport loop bands that I typically wear retail for $49 each. The Zox bands start at $25 and if you by 3, you get one free. That is an incredible value for this incredible product.

Pros

1. Easy to install
2. Fit the Apple Watch body well.
3. Lots of color styles to choose from.
4. Available for all models of Apple Watch as well as other smart watches.
5. Bands are made from recycled water bottles.
6. Affordable.

Cons

1. A little hard to adjust while it’s on the wrist.
2. The website has a lot of content and it’s a little hard to navigate.
3. The bags the bands come in are not labeled by styles.
4. The sizes on the bags are S, L — don’t match the nomenclature of Apple Watch bodies.

Conclusion

Zox Smart Watch Bands offer a stylish and versatile option for Apple Watch owners. With their unique designs and comfortable fit, these bands stand out from the crowd and allow users to express their individuality. The high-quality materials ensure durability and longevity, making them a worthwhile investment. Whether you’re looking for a band to match your everyday style or want something more fun and playful, Zox has a design for everyone. In my opinion, you won’t find a better value for the quality you get with Zox Smart Watch Bands.

For more information, visit zox.la, Facebook, and Twitter.

Average smartwatch provides elevated style, but needs more efficient operation.

The second generation CZ Smart is designed to be a ‘smarter’ smartwatch. The Citizen CZ Smart Touchscreen Gen-2 Casual Smartwatch features a black stainless steel bracelet and the a style that is inspired by the design of Citizen’s iconic sport technical timepieces. Utilizing AI Models developed with IBM Watson Studio and research pioneered by NASA Ames Research Center, the CZ Smart YouQ software empowers the proprietary YouQ application with advanced capabilities. By analyzing fatigue and alertness patterns, the software provides the user with personalized insights and recommended actions to enhance alertness and cultivate healthier habits, effectively preparing you for any challenges that may arise throughout the day.

Product Details

• Model: MX1005-83X
• Release Date: 2/01/2023
• Band Length (MM): 254
• Case Width (MM): 41
• Lug Width (MM): 22
• Band Type: Bracelet (stainless steel)
• Case Material: Black (stainless steel)
• Crystal: Mineral Crystal (impact and shatter resistant)
• Clasp: Fold Over Clasp with Push Buttons
• Dial: Black

Compatibility and Connections

• iPhone and Android compatible
• Wi-Fi
• Untethered GPS
• Bluetooth Enabled

Tracking

• Calorie Burn
• Sleep Tracking
• Activity Tracking
• SP02 Monitoring
• Heart Rate

Applications

• Citizen Connected
• CZ Smart YouQ
• Google Play
• Google Maps
• Strava
• Amazon Alexa
• Spotify
• YouTube Music

Function and Features

• NFC
• Speaker and Mic
• 1-3 Day Battery Life
• Calls, Texts, and Notifications
• Customizable Watch Dials
• 2-year Warranty

Pricing & Availability

The list price for the Citizen CZ Smart Touchscreen Gen-2 Casual Smartwatch is $415 USD. It is available through citizenwatch.com, BestBuy.com, and Amazon.

User Experience

The watch in itself is beautiful and a great accessory for a formal night out. The touch screen is responsive, I knew when I was receiving notifications and I liked that it was over easy to use, especially coming from a Galaxy watch.

However, that’s all I liked about this watch. Citizens app/software was extremely glitchy- I had trouble updating watch faces to the point I had to restart the watch multiple times. It was like the watch couldn’t keep up with the changes in the app. I found myself getting frustrated with it freezing up just in regular use this is the first smartwatch I have ever had where I have never been able to use it for a full day, meaning once I had too many issues and glitches I would default to my Samsung Galaxy Watch, which the Active 2. That’s like a three-year-old smartwatch…

I did like the look of the display, especially when I would check the weather, calendar, etc.

Using the watch for 6 hours I would usually get down to our close to below 50%, which to me was ridiculous, most smartwatches I’ve used can easily go 2 days before a charge. For the price tag of $400 I couldn’t recommend this to any watch user, I wouldn’t have paid more than $150.

Pros

1. Beautiful watch, designed as I would expect from Citizen
2. The screen is great
3. The metal band is very comfortable
4. Notifications/Sounds
5. Easy-to-use OS

Cons

1. Citizen software is very glitchy via the app and watch
2. Updates to the watch via the app don’t transfer over immediately
3. Watch faces look outdated and it took me multiple times to apply and change them, which was very frustrating
4. Battery life was poor I had to charge it every day

Conclusion

While the elegant design of the watch and responsive touchscreen stand out as great features of the Citizen CZ Smartwatch, they don’t overcome the glitchy nature of the software and basic use of the watch. The battery life was also disappointing and overall, the price doesn’t seem to match the value of this watch.

For more information, visit citizenwatch.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

When I upgraded my watch last summer to the Apple Watch Ultra, I did so to take advantage of the updated, stronger materials used in its construction. This watch was designed with the adventurer in mind and is marketed as the “most rugged and capable Apple Watch ever.” While I really love the unique bands that are designed to work with the Apple Watch Ultra, I wanted something that was a little fancier for professional and social events. That’s what led me to the Sandmarc Titanium Edition – Apple Watch Ultra Band.

About Titanium Edition – Apple Watch Ultra Band

This high-end Apple Watch band was designed to be a luxury piece for users. Sandmarc is in the business of creating products that last a lifetime. With that in mind, creating a durable, memorable, sophisticated companion piece for the Apple Watch Ultra.

The watch band is made from Grade 2 Titanium, which is typically used for oil & gas components, reaction and pressure vessels, tubing or piping systems, heat exchangers, liners, flue-gas desulphurization systems and many other industrial components. The lugs are made from stainless steel 316L. The product designers at Sandmarc want to create a fancy, but functional band that can go anywhere the Apple Watch Ultra is meant to go.

Main Features

• Waterproof, durable & lightweight Titanium material
• Matching color-way with Apple’s Titanium Case
• Wider body to accommodate the larger size
• Designed for Apple Watch Ultra
• Watch Body Material: Titanium Grade 2
• Connector Material: 316L Stainless Steel
• Glass Film Coating for Scratch Resistance
• Size: 49 Case Size
• Includes Adjustable Tool
• Length (Band Only): 190mm
• Total Length (with Apple Watch Ultra): 228mm
• Weight: 2 oz. (57 g)

Pricing & Availability

The Titanium Edition – Apple Watch Ultra Band has a list price of $199.99 USD. Sandmarc products are available on Amazon, but as of writing this article, the watch band is not offered there.

User Experience

Installing the watch band is similar to installing other watch band to the Apple Watch body. First, you have to remove the band that is in place. Then you line up the lugs on the new band with the lug openings on the watch body. They slide into the body and lock in place with a small click. In the case of the Titanium Edition – Apple Watch Ultra Band from Sandmarc, users may have to remove links in order for the band to be a solid fit.

According to Apple, a watch should be snug but comfortable since the Apple Watch needs skin contact for all the sensors to work. The Titanium Edition band comes with a link adjustment tool that takes a little practice to use, but it works just fine. I’ve adjusted bands like this before so I knew what I was getting into.

I think the finish of the Titanium Edition band matches the Apple Watch Ultra really well. It adds a nice touch of class to the watch and is really comfortable to wear. The only issue I ended up having was that the band tends to pull the user’s arm hair a bit. This is why I don’t use it as an ‘everyday’ band. I use it for exclusive events and days when I want to look a little fancier than normal. The band seems to be very durable, but I suppose time will tall with that.

Conclusion

The Sandmarc Titanium-Edition Apple Watch Ultra Band offers a sleek and sophisticated option for Apple Watch Ultra owners looking to elevate their style. The high-quality titanium material not only adds durability but also gives the band a premium feel. The adjustable design ensures a perfect fit for all wrist sizes, while the quick-release mechanism allows for easy swapping of bands. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your wearable technology.

For more information, visit sandmarc.com or Facebook.

I have been a fan of watches since I was in middle school.  My father, a long-time lover of G-Shock watches, gave me my very own watch.  I never fell into the leather wallet/chain trend, into hats, or other accessories.  However, my watch was always on my left wrist.  When we went to the beach to boogie board, to the pool to swim, or to a band concert, the black rubberized strap case was always present. 

I thought it would be a bit of a shift to change over to the Apple Watch, but I was surprised to find the design very similar to the G-Shock.  I loved the ability to change the color, design, and material of the straps.  This added a level of customization that was previously underutilized.  Whether you want a sportier or a fancier strap, a thicker one or a thinner one, or simply a different color, you have several options to enjoy.  

The NOMAD Slim Sport Band arrived in a visually appealing 3 inches wide by 7 3/4 inches tall by 7/8 inches thick hanging style package.  The NOMAD name was printed across the top of the cover panel in a bold black font, which contrasted nicely against the silver backdrop. 

The Slim Sport Band name and Apple Watch Sizes 45mm/44mm/42mm were provided within the lower white informational row, while a photo-quality image of the band dominated the majority of the cover.  The slightly raised, glossy image showcased an Apple Watch with the attached rubberized band.  I loved the display, the tactile feel, and the contrast against the silver backdrop.  

Each side panel provided the NOMAD name atop a silver background with topographic map style accents.  The lower white informational segment listed the strap color, FKM material, and provided a visual color bar.  The rear panel provided two slightly raised images of the band.  Whereas the cover picture showcased the front of the strap plus the attachment to the watch, the rear images provided additional views. 

The upper image of the sport band’s box showcased the free loop, strap, adjustment holes, and buckle prong.  The lower image showed the top/bottom straps, free loop, and rear face of the Metallic Nomad buckle prong.  Nomad did a great job with the imagery, successfully avoiding redundancy.  Like the lions forming Voltron, the images added to more than the sum of the parts. 

Beneath the images, you will find information about the FKM material, the stainless steel closure pin, and the “slim breathable design.”  Lastly, the white lower segment provided the NOMAD name and a helpful “Learn More” QR code. 

The bottom panel provided a small FSC logo, product manufacturing labels, a unique UPC/SKU barcode with a jeep climbing the peaks, and the “Climate Neutral” logo, which should have been bigger, in my opinion.  To add to the allure of the packaging, the play on light and dark, and the quality imaging, NOMAD utilized a nylon mesh hanging loop instead of a common plastic one. 

I gripped the mesh loop and pulled the inner tray up and out of the outer shell to access the strap.  I removed the elastic straps holding the sport band into the tray, separated the prong from the adjustment hole, and evaluated both halves of the band.  

The lower half weighed 0.5 ounces; the segment measured 5 3/8 inches long by 13/16 inches wide at the midpoint and tapered to 9/16 inches at the end.  The strap was 1/16 inches thick and had fifteen evenly spaced adjustment holes. The Apple watch connector measured 1 3/8 inches long and had three watch attachment points.

To attach the strap to the watch, slide the connector into the watch groove, making sure to align the metal prong side facing the bottom of the watch.  Once installed, I heard and felt the satisfying click.  The sportband did not slide to either side and remained affixed until I pressed the lower release button.  The sport band was easy to remove after pressing the button.

The top half of the sport band weighed .5 ounces and measured 3 11/16 inches long.  The strap had a 13/16 inches wide by 1/4 inches tall oval loop cutout located 2 5/16 inches from the watch connector (1 1/8 inches from the end of the strap).  Like the lower segment above, the upper segment provided adjustment holes for the prong. 

However, the upper strap only had five holes to the fifteen on the lower strap.  The strap measured 1 3/8 inches wide at the connector, 13/16 inches wide at the mid/end segments, and 1 1/8 inches wide at the open loop.  At the end of the upper strap, you will find a 1/2 inches wide by 1/4 inches tall metallic base with a 1/4 long by 1/16 inches wide by 3/16 inches tall raised prong.  The prong flared slightly at the ends to create a friction lock when attached to the adjustment holes. 

Interestingly, when I flipped the strap over, the metallic silver oval did not have the NOMAD name like the picture on the outer packaging.  Although this was not ultimately that big of a deal, I found the difference interesting.  Since the flat plate rested flat against my arm, the absence of the etching likely meant less debris to clean out later.  Perhaps the absence was a design enhancement and not a missing feature?

Like with the strap above, I aligned the watch connector and slid it into the watch groove.  The strap clicked into place, and the watch was ready to adorn. Even though I prefer to wear the Apple Watch on my left wrist (nondominant hand) with the crown dial toward the top right, there is really not a “right” way to wear it.

You can wear it on your left wrist, your right wrist, or crown dial top right or bottom left.  When I placed the watch on my wrist, I immediately realized the benefit of the NOMAD design.  The rear surface of the straps were designed with grooves at each of the adjustment holes.  Several strap manufacturers have forgone this core feature and left the strap to rest directly against the surface of the arm. 

Without air movement, you will experience sweating and sometimes an uncomfortable stickiness.  However, this was not true with the NOMAD sport band.  I wrapped the top strap over the top of my wrist, looped the lower strap over the prong, and inserted the prong into the Goldilocks ninth adjustment hole.  I tested the strap with the prong placed into the eighth hole and tenth holes and found it was either too tight or too loose.  Lastly, I slid the free end of the strap into the loop end to complete the process.

The only negative of the sport band that may be considered would be the lack of bezel protection.  As the device is a slim sport band and not a watch case, I did not feel that this was negative for the brand/design.  Some individuals may want protection for the watch itself and can consider an add-on bezel protector.  Luckily, there are several options available for purchase through Amazon and other retailers.  For those interested in elegant, yet rugged simplicity, look to NOMAD.

Learn more about NOMAD gear
Follow NOMAD on Facebook and Twitter.

When the Apple Watch was released, it had a limited number of watchband designs and the original watch body came with the Apple Sport Band. The band was fine at first, but I noticed over time how it started to degrade and how the closure became looser. I just didn’t feel secure wearing it for long periods of time.

I still have those old Sport Bands, but I’ve moved on to other styles. I typically find myself staying with the Apple brand of watch bands, but the Nomad Sport Band caught my eye. I had been wanting a sport-style band but didn’t want to go back to the Apple Sport Band.

DETAILS

The Nomad Sport Band is designed to provide the Apple Watch body with a modern, athletic look for physical activities as well as everyday wear. The band is made with FKM fluoroelastomer rubber and is 100% waterproof. Interior ventilation channels are built into the band and there is a custom aluminum closure pin affixed to the shorter half of the band.

The band is designed for Apple Watch Series 7, 6, SE, and all previous versions of the Apple Watch (Ceramic, Titanium, Steel, Aluminum, Sport, and Nike versions). It is available for both the 44mm/45mm and 40mm/41mm size watch bodies and has five different color options (black, lunar gray, ash green, marine blue, and dune). The band is considered “one size fits most” and is 150mm to 200mm in total length.

USER EXPERIENCE

The Nomad Sport Band comes in a very nice retail package. The front of the box has an image of the Sport Band connected to an Apple Watch body. The box calls the product the “sport strap” rather than the Sport Band, which is what the Nomad website refers to it as. The color of the band is reflected in the image provided on the cover. The side of the box lists the color that should be enclosed as well. I have the Lunar Gray color option for the 44mm/42mm Apple Watch.

The center section of the box lifts out of the outer sleeve to reveal the band resting inside. There is no user manual or instructions that accompany the Nomad Sport Band, but since it can’t be modified (i.e. links can’t be removed, etc.) a user manual is sort of irrelevant. The only thing in the box is the band itself. It’s held in by a couple of elastic bands, which it slips easily out of when you want to remove it from the box.

Something I noticed right off the bat is how the Nomad Sport Band differs from the Apple Sport Band. Apple’s Sport Bands are made with fluoroelastomer and are smooth. It fits flush against the skin and there isn’t much room for the skin to breathe. Many people, my fiancé included, have reported skin irritations when wearing the Apple Sport Band for long periods of time. The main reason is that a rash builds up from lack of ventilation.

The Nomad Sport Band solves this problem because even though it’s also made with fluoroelastomer the band has ventilation chambers built into the band along with notches cut out for the closure pin to latch into. Both of these elements combined help the skin be able to breathe more than the Apple Sport Band.

Another thing I noticed about the Nomad Sport Band is the soft color of it. I would have loved to be able to compare the gray against the other color shades, but it seems as though Nomad has provided a gorgeous color profile for this band that is muted and classy by design. I love the way the Nomad Sport Band fits onto the wrist. It feels much like the Apple Sport Band, but as I noted, the skin can breathe much easier. This makes the band a bit cooler than the Apple band.

Even though there is a bit of a lift where the two halves of the band join, it’s not uncomfortable to work with. I spend most of my days behind a computer screen typing away at a keyboard. Even when my wrist is resting on the desk, I’ve not had any discomfort from the Nomad Sport Band. I also really like that the closure pin makes the Nomad Sport Band feel much more stable than the Apple Sport Band.

CONCLUSION

Even though the Nomad Sport Band is slightly higher priced ($59.95) than the Apple Sport Band ($49), I think the Nomad band is a better investment. It is more secure and more comfortable than the Apple Sport Band. I’m very impressed with the performance of this watch band and would get more of them if the opportunity presented itself.

For more information, visit nomadgoods.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Carbon Fiber Watch Band makes for an elegant edition to the Apple Watch.

One of my favorite cartoons growing up was Inspector Gadget. I loved the computer book and communicator watch that Penny carried around with her. It’s funny to think that in the 30 years since that show was on the air, our technology has developed to the point where we have computer books (tablets) and communicator watches (smartwatches). I was thrilled when I donned my first Apple Watch. The one thing I have struggled with is finding the ideal watch band to suit my lifestyle.

I am right-handed, but I like to wear my watch on my right hand. I know it’s a little backward, but I also golf as if I were left-handed. I’ve always just been more comfortable with wearing accessories on my right wrist than on my left. I also don’t like things moving around much on my wrist. With those preferences taken into account, my options for watch band are limited.

I’ve been using a Sport Loop since I had the Series 4 Apple Watch. It’s been my favorite option thus far, but I decided that I wanted something a little more professional-looking. I used to have a third-party Milanese loop band, but it wore down quite a bit and started catching bits of skin and hair on my arm. That made it quite uncomfortable to wear. When I spotted the Carbon Fiber Watch Band by PITAKA, I thought, “That is what I have been looking for.”

DETAILS

The Carbon Fiber Watch Band is made with 100% carbon fiber links. According to ipitaka.com, the band is ‘crafted from fine-weave 1K carbon fiber.’ The style is meant to be subtle and minimalist in nature. The carbon fiber watch band is black and has some subtle shades of gray woven into the design. The band is compatible with all Apple Watch models (Series 7-1 & SE, 38/40, 42/44 & 41/45mm) and can fit any wrist (with link adjustments).

The Carbon Fiber Watch Band has a magnetic closure clasp that is designed to keep the watch firmly in one place. It locks into place and can be opened by pressing release buttons on either side of the clasp. There are two versions of the band – modern and retro. The modern version covers the connectors between the links while the retro version shows the connector sections completely. The band measures L: 7.3in x W: 0.87in x D: 0.16in. and it can be lengthened to 8.1 inches.

What’s in the Box

• 1 x Carbon Fiber Watch Band 38&40mm – Modern
• 1 x Link Tool
• 2 extra links
• Large and Small watch band lugs

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Carbon Fiber Watch Band comes in a simple PITAKA box. It’s white with an image of the watch band prominently displayed on the front of it. The band style is printed at the bottom of the image so that you know which design is enclosed in the box. The back of the box has the full name of the product and some of the features listed. There is no list on the box of items included inside the box.

When I first opened the box, I found the Carbon Fiber Watch Band beneath the quick start guide. Taped to the quick start guide was the watch link tool, which is around the same size as a SIM card tool. The watch band shipped inside a foam insert and the remaining elements of the package were stored beneath it. I was surprised to find how lightweight the carbon fiber watch band is. I expected it to be light, but it is just as light – if not lighter – than my Sport Band.

INSTALLATION

I was so excited about having a new watch band that I immediately removed my Sport Band from my Apple Watch and started sliding the lug of the Carbon Fiber Watch Band into the body. (Side Note: If you don’t clean your watch regularly, I recommend taking a few moments to wipe your watch body down when you swap out bands.)

I got one side installed and quickly realized that the lug was meant for the larger Apple Watch (I have the 40mm). I was immediately disappointed because I thought I had been wrong about the sizing or ordered the incorrect version. As it turned out, the smaller lug size was included with the band and was part of the extra parts located at the bottom of the box. I breathed a sigh of relief and started working on changing the lugs out.

I don’t have a lot of experience changing watch links so I was trying to follow the quick start guide, which featured illustrations of how to change parts of the band. The one thing that was not included was instructions on how to change the lugs. I was able to fumble through it since the process was very similar to changing the links, I followed those instructions and it worked.

After I swapped out the lugs, I had to remove some links in order for the Carbon Fiber Watch Band to fit snugly on my wrist. This is important in order for the Apple Watch’s sensor to work properly. This was a little bit of a tedious process. It ended up taking me about 30-45 minutes to change out the lugs and remove four links. It’s not exactly hard, but you are working with tiny parts so having patience helps.

COMFORT & STYLE

The feature that is most important to me when selecting a watch band is comfort. Throughout my life, I have not enjoyed having bracelets or watches on my wrists. They end up hitting the wrist bone the wrong way and I immediately take the accessory off. I didn’t want that to be the case when I started wearing an Apple Watch so I’ve been very cautious about the bands I pair with it. Fortunately, the Carbon Fiber Watch Band is very comfortable to wear. Even though it has links that fold into each other, I didn’t experience any pinching with it.

There were a couple of times a hair got pulled, but it was a very minor discomfort and I never felt any real pain due to the band. Since I work behind a computer, being able to type with the Apple Watch on is also important to me. Because the Modern style features flattened links, my wrist was comfortable when it was resting on my desk or laptop.

The style of the Carbon Fiber Watch Band is exactly what I have been looking for. The dark color is a great contrast with my Blue Apple Watch. It looks sleek and sophisticated. It’s honestly just what I wanted as an option to wear during professional outings or more formal occasions. Looking at the difference between the two versions of the Carbon Fiber Watch Band, I much prefer the Modern style because it provides a smoother look than the Retro band does in my opinion.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Carbon Fiber Watch Band is a solid accessory option for the Apple Watch. It is built with strong materials and has a great look to it. It would be really cool if PITAKA developed additional colors for this band, but the black really does go with everything. One of the things I like about this band is that it is a stark difference from anything that Apple is offering. For me, that is why I look to third-party designers. The Carbon Fiber Watch Band is a first-class accessory that doesn’t disappoint.

For more information, visit ipitaka.com, Facebook, and Twitter.  

Cove leaves users wondering if it really has an effect on your health.

When I think about stress, I immediately think about how to avoid it. As much as we might want to, sometimes stress just sneaks up on us and occurs naturally from our day-to-day activities. Many people come up with natural ways to cope with stress like avoiding certain foods or getting proper exercise, but when you work from home, work stress sometimes creeps into your personal life more than you would like it to. For those times, it’s great to have an option that can assist you with stress relief while you are going about your normal activities. This is what Cove was designed to do. 

DETAILS

Cove is a wearable device that is designed to help users reduce the amount of stress they feel and improve their sleeping habits. The hope is that with the reduction of those two mentally draining elements, the user’s brain can function at its highest level. The wearable is designed as a headband of sorts with a set of loops hooking over the back of the ears to hold it in place. Some of the highlights of the features include:

• Stress Reduction: In studies, 90% of daily Cove users experienced a significant drop in stress levels.
• Sleep Improvement: Research shows that Cove helps users fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply.
• Comfort and Convenience: Lightweight and beautifully designed, Cove can be worn anytime, anywhere.
• Empowering Insights: Using the Cove app, you can track your progress and view data from the device’s state-of-the-art sensors.

According to information provided on Cove’s website, 90% of subjects from trial studies reported reduced stress and improved sleep after using Cove. The device is designed to work by strengthening the interoceptive pathways through vibrations. The interoceptive pathway monitors what is happening inside your body and promotes feelings of relaxation. It can become compromised when you are ill, sleep-deprived, or stressed. 

The concept behind the Cove wearable is that it helps to stimulate the pathway and unblock it. Feelmore Labs, the creator of Cove, conducted several clinical studies with 3,500 total participants. Approximately 41% reported decreased stress levels and 50% reported better sleep quality. You can read more about their studies and the science behind Cove on feelcove.com. 

The wearable has a companion app that syncs to the device so that users can monitor their heart rate and motion data. The app also acts as a journal for the user’s perceived stress levels at the time of their session. Cove is rechargeable (built-in 85 mAh capacity battery) and comes with a travel case and charging cable. The wearable has a built-in PPG heart rate sensor and a 3D accelerometer. The device uses Bluetooth 4.2 to pair wirelessly to smartphones.

USER EXPERIENCE

I want to start by stating that this is one of those products that lives in a gray area. Even though there is a clear scientific concept behind how it should be affecting a person’s body, there isn’t a clear test to prove that it is working for a specified individual. Even though heart rate, can be an indicator of stressful situations, it’s not 100% accurate. 

So, while Cove uses that through the built-in PPG and the user’s participation journal of how they feel, as indicators, it’s still very subjective as far as results go. I will also state that I double-checked the PPG’s reading against what my Apple Watch recorded at the same time and it had the same reading. 

Now that I have gotten that out on the table, let’s dig into the device itself. The Cove arrived in a classy black box and was stored inside a travel case. The travel case is quite substantial and I would think it could stand up to a great deal of abuse. The travel case is just a case and there is no option to connect a charging cable to the Cove while it’s being stored. I find this problematic because the Cove seems to lose power quite quickly when it’s not in use. 

When it arrived, there was very little or no charge to the device. I plugged it into my laptop’s dock (USB port features 5V/1.5A power output) and let it charge for several hours before it had a full battery. You cannot use the Cove while it’s being charged – not even to set it up. I did attempt to set up the Cove with the smartphone app before it was done charging and experienced a lot of connectivity problems. 

After it had a full charge, I set it up with the app, and I used it for a few minutes (the app kept disconnecting so I discontinued use during that session), I set the Cove aside until the next day. Since I had barely used the device the night before, I expected to see a mostly full battery in the app, but it was approximately 1/8 drained. 

This brings me to one of the first issues I have with Cove – its battery life. The device does have a relatively small battery – only 85 mAh in capacity. To put that in perspective, the iPhone 13 Pro has a battery capacity of 3,095 mAh. The Cove has a total capacity that is only 2% of the current iPhone’s total capacity. 

While that may not be a completely fair comparison because of the power behind the iPhone, let’s compare it to another wearable. The Series 6 Apple Watch either has a battery capacity of 273 mAh or 334 mAh depending on the body size of the device. This is still moderately larger than the Cove’s battery.

Because of the small capacity of its battery, my Cove’s battery was 1/4 drained after the first full session I completed. The specs do state that a user should be able to get through 4 sessions before needing to charge the device, but it would enhance the user’s experience if a larger battery capacity was utilized or if more/better-charging methods were employed. 

As it is, there is no dock for it to sit on and as I previously mentioned the storage case doesn’t have a charging port or cut-out for the cable to slide through. So, you end up being left with a cable strewn across a desk to charge the Cove when it’s not in use. I’m also not a huge fan of the fact that Micro USB was the charger of choice for the device. It is becoming increasingly outdated as a connection method and it just doesn’t seem practical anymore. 

My second issue with the Cove is that it wasn’t very comfortable for me to wear. I was never a big fan of the sport-style earbuds that had the wrap-around cuffs because they would cause my ears to ache. Well, that’s what the Cove felt like to me. It is lightweight, but for me, the band part of the device was constantly hitting my neck, which made me feel as though I needed to tilt my head a certain way to maintain a connection with the sensor. 

The loops that hook around your ears are flexible but are still on the hard side and after just one 20 minute session, my ears hurt. They hurt to the point where for a long while after I removed the device, it felt as though I was still wearing it (even the next morning). Honestly, the entire device just felt like it was poorly suited to fit my head correctly. Because it was uncomfortable, that added to my personal anxiety and didn’t help with my stress level at all. 

Once I had a full battery charge, the setup of the Cove with the app was an easy process. It’s just a Bluetooth connection between your phone and the device and then the app syncs data from the device into the app. It does seem that the only data it syncs is timing, heart rate, and motion. There is no sensor connection or vibration report to let you know how well the device performed during that time and since there are a lot of factors that can lead to stress or a wearable’s ability to collect information, it would be great if there was more information output from the Cove. 

I did end up having connection issues with the Cove after its initial setup. I expected these types of issues to occur when the battery was low or the phone would go to sleep, but it seemed like every time I navigated away from the app the connection had to be reset between the device and the app. I don’t know if this is part of its design for a reason, but it was a minor inconvenience that did not help with the user experience. 

I did not end up feeling many results after using the Cove. I did use it consistently and as directed for several sessions, but didn’t really reap the benefits. My sleep cycles remained the same according to our Sleep Number bed and my stress level has remained the same. 

CONCLUSION

While I can appreciate what Cove is trying to provide users, I still remain skeptical about how it works and if it actually completes its mission. The fact that no two people and the circumstances around their stress levels and sleep quality vary make this an almost impossible device to test with any degree of certainty. In order to do a study that is fair, impartial, and objective, users would have to have the exact same environments to experience so that you could unequivocally state that Cove was what was making the difference. 

It would be interesting to see how Cove operated with identical twins. That would be the closest scenario possible since identical twins have the exact same DNA and as close as possible physiological similarities that any two humans can have. One twin could wear the Cove as directed while the other does not wear it. Then the twins could be put through a series of stressful tasks. their biological reactions could be tested and monitored over time.

Even though the science behind Cove’s concept seems sound, I don’t know if it actually worked for me and there really is no finite way to tell. Cove has a standard retail price of $490, but at the time of publishing this article, there is a sale price of $349 that is valid until 3/31/22. I think it’s a hefty investment to make when you don’t know if it will work for you. Cove does, however, offer a 45-day money-back guarantee. 

For more information, visit feelcove.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

A conveninent way to take music with you and have shades at the same time.

Not too long ago, I took a short beach vacation. During that vacation, I spent a lot of time reading on the beach or on our deck watching the waves. I found myself rarely without my sunglasses but I almost always left my earbuds in our room. So, wouldn’t it be great if you could grab a pair of sunglasses and have headphones built-in? Fortunately, thanks to Fauna, Audio Glasses are something you can have. 

DETAILS

The Fauna Audio Glasses are designed to allow the user to enjoy music and other audio without needing a separate set of headphones. The glasses have micro-speakers built into them and the glasses are available in various styles/colors. I have the Spiro Transparent Brown set. They come with a charging case.

The sunglasses protect the eyes from UVA and UVB rays and the lenses can be replaced. The glasses use Zeiss DuraVision BlueProtect lenses. They are water and dust-resistant. A charging case, USB-C cable, and cleaning cloth are included in the package with the glasses. The glasses allow you to listen to music as well as answer/place phone calls. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The glasses are shipped in a bright orange box with a sticker showing an image of the glasses on the front. The label states that the lenses are replaceable and outlines the color/style you received. The bottom of the box has another label that calls out the contents of the box and some of the main features such as its weight, app compatibility, and the fact that it uses Bluetooth.

Then the top of the box lifts off the bottom of the carton and then you reveal a packet of information that includes the quick user guide in multiple languages. This was a little confusing at first because there were so many individual booklets. 

Getting the glasses set up is very easy. The first step is to remove the plastic tabs from the stems of the glasses and place them into their charging case. This ensures that they get fully charged before you start using them. There is an LED indicator inside the case which is the glasses status light. This light will illuminate once the glasses are activated.

This means they are put into pairing mode. You can connect to the glasses as a Bluetooth device without having the app, but it is recommended that you download the app in order to get the most from the experience. The app doesn’t seem to have a lot of features for the glasses outside of the features that are built into the glasses themselves. 

The first thing I noticed right away was how comfortable the glasses are. They feel very much like regular sunglasses – just with a little bit more weight. The weight isn’t distracting though. I did notice that the glasses slipped down my nose a couple of times when I was just wearing them while I was sitting at my desk. They didn’t fall off my face completely – just slipped.

As far as the sound quality goes, I would have to rate them as a 6 on a 10-point scale. I could hear things just fine, but they really can’t compete with the quality that most headphones put out these days. The one perk of these glasses is that you could wear these on a walk, hanging out on the patio, or at the beach and not have to take your earbuds with you. They do help to eliminate a device. 

I was actually really impressed with the touch controls. Each stem has a touch-sensitive panel and each side has its own set of controls. To be honest, the controls seem to work better than most touch controls on earbuds/headphones. Another feature I was impressed with was sound isolation. When I tested these out, my fiance, Nick, was sitting across the room from me. He was only about 8 feet away, but even at full volume, he couldn’t hear the sound coming from the glasses. As the wearer, I was pretty happy with the volume around 50%. The volume control comes from the connected device and is not amplified by the glasses. 

CONCLUSION

I’ve tried out other speaker-enhanced glasses before and was not as pleased with their performance as I have been with the Fauna Audio Glasses. They are comfortable and they make it easy for you to enjoy your audio wherever you are. I found these to be a very unique device and very useful in certain environments. The glasses retail for around $200 (depending on the model) from Fauna’s website. 

For more information, visit wearfauna.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

When making purchases, I love to research to find the best deals, the best features, and the best price/cost. Additionally, I love the feeling of obtaining something new. However, I am cursed with a terrible sense of buyer’s remorse. I, like many others, grew up craving opulence but was faced with the reality of too much month and not enough money. Thus, budget/bargain deals became my reality.

As I moved into adulthood, grew a family, and settled into my career, I allowed for some degree of grandeur. I quickly realized the truth behind the phrase “you get what you pay for,” and found more enjoyment in knowing my purchases would endure. When I purchased my first Apple Watch and subsequent generations, I was truly excited about the tech.

However, with each watch came another sport band. Although the bands were not necessarily low quality, I felt like something was missing. I felt that the watch needed a more formal, everyday appearance. Luckily, the NOMAD Stainless Steel Band provided just the solution to my need.

The Nomad Stainless Steel Band Arrived in a 4 5/16 inches wide by 7 3/16 inches tall by 1-inch thick hanging-style retail package. You will find the bold NOMAD name along the top of the grey/white cover panel and the “Stainless Steel Band” 44mm/42mm Graphite Apple Watch name within the lower white rectangular section. Despite the visually appealing steel-grey and white color scheme, the main showcase of the cover was the 5 3/16 inches tall by 3 5/8 inches wide raised, glossy image of the Apple Watch with Nomad Stainless Steel Band.

The dark grey bezel plus the screen of the Apple Watch paired perfectly with the coloration of the Nomad Steel band. The packagings spine and magnetic flaps listed the NOMAD name within the upper gray area and the graphite steel color within the lower white section.  The rear panel provided two lifelike images of the clasp mechanism, a Grade 316 stainless Steel Logo, and four device descriptors: 1. Stainless Steel with Durable DLC Coating. 2. Secure Custom Designed Magnetic Clasp. 3. Link Resizing Tool Included. 4. Works with Apple Watch Series 1-6 & SE. 

At the bottom of the panel, you will find the bold NOMAD name and an educational QR code link.  To access the band, I lifted the magnetic right side flap and unrolled the packaging.  The inner surface provided a topographical map-like design along the bottom edge and a paragraph about the benefits of 316L Stainless Steel.  The packaging promised a durable, premium design, individually carbon-coated links, and a rugged/strong finish.  Yet, they state that the metallic surface was designed to resist scratching other objects (remove the watch when using metallic laptops).  

Despite the attractive features of the outer grey slipcover, the highlight of the experience was the visual appeal of the graphite steel bands resting within the inner black foam cutouts.  I loved the tan brown inner box border and the contrast with the matte black inner foam, the side by side watch bands, and the band resizing tool along the bottom. 

I gripped the cardboard “Metal Band resizing instructions tab, lifted it upward, and removed the instructions from beneath the foam.  On one side of the four-panel instruction booklet, you will find a six-step link removal instruction manual.  This process proved to be easier than initially presented. First, align the included link-removal tool with the link you wish to remove, and then turn the wheel clockwise to push the pin through the slot. 

The instruction manual discouraged removing the three specialized links attached to the lug, as they had integral/unique shapes for the design.  Remove the pin, turn the wheel counterclockwise, and adjust the removal tool to remove as many links as needed. Then, simply follow the three-step link-attachment instruction manual or scan the bonus QR code for additional information to reattach links. 

To reattach the links, insert the small tube into the center link, align the two halves, and then insert the small pin into the tube.  To complete the build, you will need to use the link-tool needle/accessories (hidden under the foam).  Although this may seem daunting, the step-by-step process could not have been easier.  

I removed the 1.1-ounce black/chrome link tool from the foam and then the two metallic bands.  The left-sided larger band measured 4 9/16 inches long, 1 3/8 inches wide at the watch attachment lug, 13/16 inches wide at the middle of the links, and weighed two ounces.  Hidden beneath the band, you will find a small 11/16 inches wide by 1 1/16 inches tall by 5/16 inches thick “Spare parts” box, with a spare tube/pin. 

Within the right-sided cutout, you will find the shorter watch strap with the male magnetic attachment point.  The strap measured 4 inches long, 1 3/8 inches wide at the lug, 13/16 inches wide at the middle of the links, and weighed 1.7 ounces.  Hidden beneath the right strap, you will find another small box with similar dimensions to the box above.  However, instead of an extra pin/tube, the “Tool Accessories box” contained the pin needle for the link tool.  I appreciated the small brown boxes, the white wrapping paper, and the included accessories.  

To install the watch straps onto my Apple Watch, I aligned the lug of the longer strap with a female attachment point with the lower track on my apple watch, and then I slid the lug into the slot until I felt the click.  I repeated the process with the upper strap (with a male attachment buckle) as well.  Combined, the watch/strap weighed five ounces.  I loved that the magnetic closure found and affixed itself and that the added mechanical closure added enhanced retention. 

Initially, I found the straps approximately two links too long on each side out of the box.  I removed the straps, removed the small screw on the link tool, inserted the needle, and followed the above instructions to remove the links. Next, I removed two links from each of the straps, reinserted the lugs, slid the straps back into the locked position, and tried the watch on again.  I found that my 6 1/2 inch diameter wrists were too small for 9 links per side, and I repeated the above steps to remove one more link from each side.

The magic number of links for an appropriate, but not too tight, fit was eight links per side.  I found that fingerprints did adhere to the band while removing links but they were easily wiped away with my t-shirt or microfiber cloth. Lint/debris/dirt did not seem to attract much to the watch band.

The graphite watch straps added a formality to the Apple Watch that was missing with the standard/base casual sport bands. With a typical NOMAD flourish, my Apple Watch was elevated beyond a simple accessory to a talking point.  The durable metal design provided a refreshingly cool feel against my skin, reminding me of the Timex watch given to me in grade school. 

I liked that I was able to wear it while jogging, I could wear it in the shower, or if desired into the pool. The stainless surface should not rust and has not had any blemish or change in the past few weeks. If using weights/gym equipment, I typically remove my watch to avoid any pinching or injury. However, with cardiovascular activity and leisure sports, I typically wear my watch.

I have worn the band daily for the past two weeks and have grown to love the weight on my wrist.  Combined with the breathing function of the Apple Watch, the noticeable weight, and the forced self-reflective pause, added a moment of zen to my hectic day.  Amidst a pandemic, amidst a firestorm of politics, and amidst an uncertain day-to-day dynamic, I want luxury, I want comfort, and I want my NOMAD gear.  I loved the ease of installation, the step-by-step link removal instructions, and the overall design of the packaging and product.  Forget the price tag and experience the splendor of the NOMAD Stainless Steel band.

Learn More about NOMAD Stainless Steel Band.
Follow NOMAD on Facebook and Twitter.

The Cooling Cuff keeps users cool during hot summer days.

I don’t like being hot and I do everything I can to make sure I don’t have to be. I’ve used personal fans and different types of cooling clothing to reduce the amount of heat I feel throughout the day. When I heard about this Cooling Cuff, I thought it might be worth my time to try it. Whenever I get hot, I sweat a lot and just feel gross. So, if this little gadget could help alleviate some of that discomfort, I thought I would give it a shot. 

DETAILS

The Cooling Cuff consists of a silicone band and a medical-grade cooling pack. The cooling pack is designed to lower a person’s body temperature quickly. The device is meant to help a person save energy during exercise and to reduce the amount they sweat. The cuff provides instant relief for hot flashes and heat-based discomfort. The cuff is worn at the wrist to alter a body’s thermoregulation, rapidly lower core body temperature, and quickly restore temperature homeostasis. 

Cooling Cuff includes an entire medical abstract on their website about the science of applying concentrated cooling to the flexor side of the wrist. Here is a summary from Cooling Cuff’s website.

Humans possess complex thermoregulation. The body cools itself when heat is transferred from the blood to the skin, and the heat is then dissipated from skin to the environment, sometimes aided by sweat. The colder blood circulates throughout the body, lowering the body’s temperature. When the brain learns that the body is overheating, and the hypothalamus directs the body to speed up the process: more blood flows to blood vessels near the surface of the skin and sweat glands produce more sweat. As a result, more heat is removed from the body until homeostasis is achieved. 

The flexor side of the wrist is the best location to cool the body. The wrist features non-hairy skin, known as Glabrous skin, which possesses specialized blood vessels that can release considerably more heat as compared to hairy skin. Glabrous skin is only found on the hands, feet, wrist, and ankles. But only the wrist is practical for a wearable, making it the optimal location to augment thermoregulation.

This is why the Cooling Cuff was created — to speed up the cooling process. Cooling packs like the Cooling Cuff can remove heat from the area where the body can best dissipate heat – the wrist. When applied to that area of the wrist, the body can cool down up to 66% faster than when it has nothing on the wrist at all.

USER EXPERIENCE 

Getting the Cooling Cuff set up is very simple. The cooling pack fits just inside the silicone band. The compartment on the band simply wraps around the cooling pack similar to the way a silicone band wraps around a smartwatch body. The cooling pack should be chilled in a freezer before use. Once it’s placed into the band, you just wrap the band around your wrist with the cooling pack facing the underside of your wrist. 

I didn’t have any issues with the band fitting on my wrist and it did seem to cool me down quickly and easily. I tried the Cooling Cuff in a couple of different scenarios. First, I tried it while I was simply sitting at my desk. I wasn’t exerting any energy – I was just working on my computer. The cuff did a good job of helping me maintain my body temperature, but I did have to admit that it seemed to just make my wrist cold since I wasn’t actively doing anything.

I also wore the cuff when I was doing some yard work. The air temperature was probably in the 90s and we had a high humidity rating that day. This type of environment usually makes me sweat buckets, but with the cuff I only experienced moderate sweat and the heat was manageable. 

In addition to my own experience, I asked my fiance to give it a try, too. She wore it around the house while she was doing some basic tasks like laundry. She said that the cuff helped her, too, but since the cooling pack was so cold, it caused her wrist – or rather the skin on her wrist – to start hurting. We figured this had more to do with the fact that she wasn’t being particularly active. 

CONCLUSION

The Cooling Cuff is a unique way to try to keep cool in extreme heat situations. I think it could potentially help people who are prone to heat exhaustion. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to add a layer of fabric between your skin and the cooling pack to make sure your skin doesn’t get irritated, but as long as you are doing some sort of activity, the Cooling Cuff will help you stay cool. This would make a great gift for Father’s Day.

For more information, visit coolingcuff.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Sunglasses that are the perfect gift for the hard-to-shop for techie dad.

My dad is one of the hardest people to shop for. He only has a couple of interests – music, movies, and motorcycles – and he typically gets whatever he wants/needs on his own. So, when it comes to occasions like birthdays or Father’s Day, I have trouble trying to find a good gift for him.

I was recently introduced to the awesome sunglasses from Pixel Eyewear and thought, “Now this might be a great gift for Dad!” Not only are they comfortable and stylish, but the glasses from Pixel also provide a lot of safety features that are not typically included with standard eyeglasses.

DETAILS

Pixel Eyeglasses are special because they all filter out blue light emitted by digital devices. They can filter out up to 95% of all blue light. The lenses are balanced between clarity and function. The lenses have no ‘yellow’ tint to them and the frames are built with cellulose acetate – the same material used by high-end eyewear brands.

Pixel offers a wide range of vintage and classic styles. The lenses also reduce glare as well as incorporate a new coating nanotechnology that keeps the lenses clean and scratch-free. The glasses that I had to try out were the Toro style sunglasses. They come in two different color choices – Greystone or Grey Crystal. The Toro glasses are designed for everyone. They feature a slim rectangular profile and a sharp keyhole bridge. The lenses are polarized and the width is classified as ‘medium’. They come in the size 51-18-142mm. 

USER EXPERIENCE

The Toro Sunglasses make a very good first impression. The glasses are housed in a hardshell case which is sold in an outer box. Both the outer box and case have the Pixel logo engraved into them. I like that the glasses are in their own case inside the box. It ensures that they won’t be damaged when the owner unwraps them for the first time.

To me, this is a BIG deal. So many products are improperly shipped these days. It’s nice to see that Pixel thought about protecting these glasses. I’m sure their other models have the same type of case.

Even though I got these glasses for myself, I think they are suitable for anyone. The description calls them “unisex” and as long as you get the right size, it shouldn’t matter what gender wears them. In my opinion, the style is reminiscent of classic Ray-Ban sunglasses.

The stems are a bit thinner than that style of glasses and the Toro’s wear similarly to a pair of standard prescription eyeglasses. The tint on the lenses is perfect. They aren’t too dark so you could even wear them indoors if you are working in a brightly lit environment; And, they aren’t so lightly tinted that they don’t successfully block out the sun. 

I find the Toro sunglasses to be quite comfortable. In fact, I have considered ordering a pair of the Pixel Prescription Computer Glasses that are the same style because they fit my face so well. I’ve received several compliments on the sunglasses. People have said they look like they were made for me. Pixel actually makes the sizing process pretty easy.

Each pair of glasses has a size listed under their description. Most glasses have a ‘try on’ option, which provides you with a virtual reality experience to test out the glasses. It works really well on a smartphone with a front-facing camera. I used my iPhone 12 Pro and was able to ’try on’ the sunglasses before I ordered them. 

CONCLUSION

I think the Pixel Eyewear sunglasses are a good fit for a Father’s Day gift – or any gift really. They are modestly priced (the Toro Sunglasses retail for $95 – at the time of publishing) for premium sunglasses. Since the glasses feature several different options and they are so comfortable, I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in them again. 

For more information, visit pixeleyewear.com, Facebook, and Twitter. 

When it comes to the Apple Watch, you can never have too many straps/bands.  From professional attire to an evening of activities to a day at the pool/beach, you should be able to find something that piques your interest.  Since its release in April 2015, the Apple Watch has expanded through six generations of upgrades.

There have been several sizes over the past six years, and several new features have been deployed.  Over this time period, companies like CXSBANDS have created a plethora of upgrade/accessory options for our Apple Watches. If you are tired of a bland Apple Band, I invite you to peruse the CXSBAND website. 

The CXSBANDS Oily Leather Band for Apple Watch arrived in an 8 3/4 inches tall by 2 inches wide by 3/4 inches thick display box.  Like the previous reviews of the Nike Style Sport Band and the Leather Link Watch Band, the Oily Leather Band could be directly viewed through a clear plastic window.  The white backing material served as a perfect backdrop for the black-colored leather watchband and the 1/8 inch thick black border around the plastic. 

Similar to the previous watch reviews, the packaging suffered from generic branding.  As an example, you will find “WATCH BAND” as the title on the cover panel, “Made in china” plus product manufacturing icons along the bottom panel, and “High Quality Strap, Designed For You” on both side panels. The top panel had a 1/2 inches wide by 1-inch long nylon pull strap, while the back panel was blank. The only marking present on the back surface was a generic “WATCH BAND,” which was penned onto the outer slipcover. 

To access the 0.7-ounce watch band, I gripped the upper pull tab, and slid the inner tray upward.  As noted above, I felt that the company did a great job at using a black on white color contrast.  I would have loved to see the CXS title or the OILY Leather Band name somewhere on the case, even upon the white backing material. I slipped the band out from the elastic retention straps and examined the two pieces. 

The shorter strap measured 3 7/8 inches long from Apple Watch insert to the buckle and measured 7/8 inches wide throughout the body, 1 inch wide at the buckle, and 1 3/8 inches at the Apple Watch Attachment.  The lower strap had a single buckle tongue attached to the buckle and a free and fixed loop (1 inch wide by 1/4 inches tall).  The longer strap measured 4 7/8 inches long by 7/8 inches wide in the body and 1 3/8 inches at the Apple Watch Attachment. 

The strap had nine buckle adjustment holes spaced approximately 1/8 inches apart.  The outer surfaces of each of the bands had a nice oiled leather appearance and attractive stitching near the attachment points (buckle and watch attachment point).  I turned the straps over and found “GENUINE LEATHER” stamped near the watch attachment point and “22” along the bottom.  There was no inscription on the smaller band.  The undersurface of the straps had a lighter black color and had a more appealing soft suede-like feel.  

Ordinarily, I orient my Apple Watch with the crown dial facing toward the top right, while wearing the watch on my left wrist. Before installing the Oily Leather band, I removed the Leather Link Band from my Gen 6 44mm Apple Watch. I gently placed my watch face down, pressed the band release button, and slid the other bands outward.

Once the strap attachment points were clear, I slid the short strap into the upper watch strap port and then the larger strap into the lower port.  Once the straps were securely inserted, I turned the watch over and placed it onto my wrist.  I slid the longer and into the buckle, found the appropriate adjustment hold, and fitted it into the hole.  I then fed the remainder of the longer strap through the fixed and then free loops. 

I was truly impressed with the lightweight feel of the strap, with the appearance of the Oiled Leather surface, and with the overall design.  Additionally, the bands provided a rich leather smell, one of my favorite parts of owning a leather product.  The straps were easy to attach/remove, were securely affixed to the Apple Watch, and the free/fixed loops ensured the longer strap did not catch on anything.  Although the precut adjustment holes provided less customization than the magnetic closure of the Leather Link strap, this strap was just as comfortable. 

As I discovered with all three of the bands, the installation process was quick and easy.  I enjoyed the color, the fit, the finish, the smell, the texture, and the overall design.  I wish that the packaging was a bit more attuned to the product and a bit less generic.  If the black color does not suit you, you can navigate to their website and purchase the same band in Coffee color. 

I think that I liked the black color better, however. Thanks to the design feature of the Apple Watch, we can easily customize our experience.  Grab a new band, wear it until you get tired of it, then find a new band.  

Learn more about the CXSBands Oily Leather Band.
Follow CXSBANDS on Facebook and Twitter.

As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, I grew attached to my Casio G-Shock Watches. I loved the functions, the utility, the look/appeal but disliked that they did not meet formal etiquette. For more formal venues, I had a silver Timex that my grandmother gave me. However, I disliked the need to wind the watch, I lost several of the Casio functions, and the metallic strap pinched my wrist and pulled out my arm hairs.

Needless to say, I liked the idea of the watch more than the process of wearing it. When Apple released its Apple Watch in April of 2015, I was immediately hooked. With the ability to interchange bands/bezels, you can match your Apple Watch to your wardrobe or add a touch of flair.

The CXSBANDS Leather Link Watch Band arrived in 8 5/8 inches tall by 2 inches wide by 3/4 inches wide watch display box.  Like the Nike Style band reviewed previously, the clear window panel was surrounded by a 1/8 inch thick black border and a generic “WATCH BAND” title.  Each of the side panels displayed “High Quality Strap  Designed For You,” the top panel contained a 7/16 inches wide by 11/8 inches tall nylon pull strap, and the bottom panel provided manufacturing labels and Made In China. 

The unadorned black-colored rear panel could have been more useful had they added the Leather Link Watch Band title instead of a generic “WATCH BAND.”  Like my experience with the Nike Style Sport Band, I could not help but look at the Leather Link case through the clear window of the cover panel.  I enjoyed the ability to directly visualize the strap and appreciated the checkerboard-esque contrasting black-on-white color scheme.  

To access the 0.9-ounce watch band, I gripped the pull tab at the top of the case, slid the inner tray upward, and slipped the device out of the elastic retention straps.  The shorter strap measured 4 3/4 inches long by 7/8 inches wide throughout the body and 1 1/4 inches wide at the watch strap attachment point. 

The strap had sixteen 5/8 inches long by 3/16 inches tall pill-shaped magnetic attachment points along the length of the strap.  The outer black surface had an attractive cracked leather appearance, while the inner surface had a brown leather suede surface.  The longer strap resembled the shorter one but measured slightly longer at 5 1/4 inches long and had 18 of the pill-shaped magnetic attachment points.

Before installing the Leather Link band, you must first remove other watch straps from your Apple Watch.  Gently place the watch face down or into the palm of a hand, press the small release buttons on the back of the watch, and then slide the strap outward.  As a general rule, I orient my watch onto my non-dominant left hand and position the crown bezel facing the top right. 

With the strap attachment points clear, I slid the short strap into the upper watch strap port and then the larger strap into the lower port. When done correctly, there should be a small click to suggest a properly set watchband. Once the bands were securely installed, I placed the watch on my wrist, and then the magnetic straps attached themselves.  I loved how comfortably the straps gripped my wrist and that I could easily adjust the magnetic closure. In fact, the magnetic closure provided more customization than a preset watch loop.  

As I discovered with the Nike Style watch, the installation process for the Leather Link case could not have been easier. I was pleased with the color, the leather texture-feel, and the overall professional look of the CXS Leather Link band. Sleek, Subtle, yet Stylish, I was pleased with the lightweight nature of the straps and felt that they held the watch securely to my wrist. 

With the ingenuity of the Apple Watch design, you can easily mix and match bands to your heart’s content.  If you plan an upcoming event and need your watch to match, navigate to the CXS website and select amongst hundreds of colors/options. The only other accessory that I would consider would be a matching bezel guard. Thanks to companies like CXS, the Apple Watch may become the Highlander of smartwatches. There can be only 1.

Learn more about the CXS Leather Link Watch Band.
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Fashionable accessories have been the norm since antiquity.  People could express their ifashionista with pocket squares/handkerchiefs, pocket watches, canes, bags, hats, glasses, gloves, scarves, etc.  With the Apple Watch release in April 2015, we were provided with another highly customizable accessory.  Thanks to third-party companies like CXS Bands, you no longer need to own several watches. Now, you can match a band plus bezel guard to your desired outfit/situation. 

The CXSBAND NIKE style Sport Band arrived in a 8 5/8 inches tall by 2 inches wide by 3/4 inches wide watch display box.  The main cover panel provided a 1/8 inch thick black border around a centrally located display window; across the top of the panel, you will find a generic “WATCH BAND” title. Both of the black side panels provided the same information: 1. High-Quality Strap. 2. Designed For You, while the bottom panel provided manufacturing and Made In China labels.

The top panel had a 7/16 inches wide by 1 1/8 inches tall nylon pull strap, while the black-colored rear panel was left unadorned.  The clear outer layer did have a “WATCH BAND” etched into the surface.  Returning to the main panel, I could not help but gaze at the Nike-like band.  I loved the clear window, the ability to visualize the strap directly, and the contrasting black on white color scheme.  

To access the product, I gripped the pull tab and lifted the inner tray upward. Once separated from the outer slipcover, I slid the 0.6-ounce watch band out from beneath the elastic retention straps. The shorter band measured 1 1/8 inches wide at the buckle and watch attachment point and measured 3 3/4 inches tall.  The strap had 22 button-sized holes arranged in three offset columns located between the 7/8 inches wide buckle and watch attachment point. 

At the very end of the smaller band, you will find a raised metallic buckle.  The longer strap measured 5 1/2 inches long by 1 5/16 wide at the watch attachment point and 7/8 inches wide at the strap midsection. Like the shorter strap, the longer strap had 43 circular buckle ports arranged into offset columns.  The back surface of the Apple Watch band had an attractive black silicone layer.  When evaluated from the front, the black layer added a visually striking contrast to the clean-white material.  

The installation process could not have been easier.  You will need to start by orienting the watch to your preferred position.  I prefer to wear the watch on my non-dominant hand (left) and with the crown dial at the top right.  If desired, you could wear the device on your right wrist and with the crown dial toward the bottom left.  With the crown dial oriented to the top right, I flipped the Apple Watch face down. 

I then grasped the shorter strap and slid the Apple Watch connector section into the upper connection point.  I repeated the process with the lower larger strap as well.  Although there is no mandated orientation, it is customary to install the shorter strap at the top of the watch.  Once both sections were installed, I placed the 1.9-ounce unit onto my wrist, looped the short section over my wrist, and then the longer section over the shorter section. 

I pressed the metallic buckle into the strap and then slid the excess strap into the buckle port of the shorter strap.  The middle row of circles allowed for a customizable installation process, while the outer two columns of circular cutouts added ventilation.

The sleek and sexy CXS Band provided both a tactile and visual appeal.  Despite being lightweight, the rubberized-silicone straps were comfortable and quite durable.  I loved the breathable air vents and felt that the cutouts lightened the weight of the strap.  I loved the black on white contrasting color palette and the metallic buckle. 

The strap circles appeared to be well aligned and allowed quick orientation to an optimally preferred position.  When desired, turn the Apple Watch face down, press the buckle release button, and slide the straps out of their attachment points.  Thanks to the Apple Watch design, you can change the bands to suit your fancy/ensemble. 

If this band does not interest you, navigate to the CXS Band website and choose from hundreds of watch strap options.  My only complaint was with the packaging. If I was going to design version 2.0, I would add a little more to the outer packaging because it was rather bland and generic.

The only other accessory that may add some protection to the watch would be a Bezel guard.  Consider picking up a few basic colors and expand your Apple Watch Band collection. The Nike Style Sport Band is available in Black/Gray, Black/Green, Silver/Yellow, Silver/White, Blue/White, Purple/Green, Rose/Green, Green/Blue, Black/Yellow, Black/White, Sea Blue/Light Pink, White/Pink, White/Purple, Antique White/Black, Pink/White, Smokey/Mauve, Purple/Pink, Blue Feather Black, Dark Blue Yellow, White Black, Yellow Dark Blue.

Learn more about CXS Bands
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Customize and Enhance your Apple Watch experience with premium flare without breaking the bank.

Gone are the days of needing a sports watch, a hiking watch, a work watch, and a going out watch. Thanks to the versatility of the Apple Watch ecosystem, you can exchange the straps to enjoy a customizable, user-centric experience. If you are going out hiking/camping/backpacking, you can find a strap or bezel guard to match your activity.

Additionally, if you decide to take a trek to the beach, to the pool, or to the lake, perhaps you could add a more waterproof/protective option. Or maybe, you desire something a little more elegant for your dinner date/formal occasion. No matter the activity, you can change out the straps of your watch to suit. If you are on the fence about buying an Apple Watch Series 6, or if you are interested in upgrading your strap collection, look to strapsco, “THE NO. 1 DESTINATION FOR WATCH BANDS AND WATCH ACCESSORIES.”

To access the strapsco collection, navigate to the strapsco.com website. Once there, you can select options for “Shop, Watch Bands, Fitbit Bands, Smartwatch Bands, OEM Bands, Sizes, Parts.” Before selecting anything, the website had a popup for a promo Buy 2 Get 1 Free +Free Shipping email link.

I tapped “Shop” along the top left and found several options: New Arrivals, Best Sellers, Leather Watch Bands, Vintage Leather Watch Bands, Fitbit Bands, Apple Watch Bands, Rubber watch bands, Dassari, Garmin Watch Bands, Samsung Watch Bands, nato, Zulu, metal, suede, rally, pilot bands and aviator watch straps, nylon, thick leather, heavy-duty, waterproof, crocodile and alligator, Women collection watch bands, carbon fiber, extra-long, short, bund/cuff watch straps, canvas straps, mesh, and a variety of color options.

Honestly, I was quite impressed with the variety. I tapped Smartwatch Bands along the top, followed by “Apple Watch.” I loved that I could filter by size (44mm), by color, or by watch model. I perused the options and found the beige-colored Distressed Leather Dassari Vintage Leather Straps to be quite attractive.

The beige-colored watch band arrived within a 4 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches tall plastic bag. The two halves of the beige strap were separated into side-by-side compartments by a heat-sealed line. The translucent upper two-thirds of the packaging provided a clear view of the product, whereas the opaque lower section provided the perfect backdrop for the DASSARI name. I enjoyed the packaging design and presentation.

Flipping the bag over, I found the rear opaque-panel covered in a staggered DASSARI logo design. I lifted the top flap of the bag and slid out both of the watchband pieces. The top half of the Dassari strap weighed 0.31 ounces and measured 3 3/8 inches long from the oval-shaped polished stainless buckle to the strap adaptor for Apple Watch 44mm. The 7/8-inches wide strap contained a similarly colored leather-free loop but did not have a fixed loop.

The stainless buckle tongue matched the color of the buckle and the strap adaptor quite well. I loved the visual contrast between the silver colors and the suede-esque distressed leather look of the strap and free loop. The backside of the strap had a pressed DASSARI logo upon a lighter beige-color. Similar to the front panel, you will find well-spaced, sexy-stitching. I prefer to have my crown dial at the top of my left wrist.

To install the strap onto the Apple Watch, I slid the Apple Watch strap adaptor into the slot along the Apple Watch’s top section. The locking mechanism ensured that the strap remained securely affixed to the watch.

The second half of the Apple Watch strap weighed 0.24-ounces despite being another 1.5-inches longer than the shorter strap. At 5 inches long and 7/8 inches wide, the lower strap only had the Apple Watch strap adaptor. Without the added heft of the buckle, the longer strap weighed less. I was pleased that the strap provided the same rustic feel, the same contrasting stainless steel watch adaptor, and visually appealing white stitching.

Starting 7/8 inches from the end of the strap, you will find eleven evenly-spaced, punched-out adjustment holes. Flipping the strap onto the surface, you will find the same lighter-color underbelly as that of the other strap. Additionally, you will find another hidden punched phrase, “GENUINE LEATHER.” To install the strap onto the Apple Watch, I followed the same steps as above, cautious not to scratch the dark-aluminum shell.

When fully combined, the Apple Watch Series 6 plus Dassari Watch Straps weighed a featherlight 1.90-ounces. I loved the straps’ look and feel and enjoyed a comfortable fit with the tongue securely affixed to the seventh adjustment hole. With the extra strap secured by the free loop, I felt that the strap fit my left wrist very well. It is important to note that this strap will not provide any protection to the watch itself.

There is no bezel protection, nor any screen protection. If you are looking for a nice business-casual strap upgrade, this may be the perfect watch band for you. Inexpensive, comfortable, breathable, adjustable, easy-to-install, what more could you want from a strap? When ready to remove the strap, press the button on the lower section of the Apple Watch, and remove the straps. If you kept the plastic bag that the straps came in, you could return them for easy storage. If you did not save them, perhaps you have a watch storage case or a desk drawer that could keep the Apple Watch accessories.

I have used the strap over the past two weeks and found a few points to discuss. First, the strap is well-constructed, well-stitched, and comfortable. I was able to type on my keyboard, able to slide the watch slightly up and down my wrist for comfort, was able to easily don and doff the watch, and still maintain access to the rear sensor.

However, working in a medical clinic, I missed having a rubberized, easy to clean material. For this reason, this strap was moved from a daily use strap to a special event strap. Using sanitizer regularly, I did not want to discolor the leather on the strap. Thus, a strap like the Super Waffle Rubber Strap with Apple Watch Adaptor worked better for my EDC (everyday-carry) experience (review to follow soon).

When it comes to watch strap design and quality, I would rate this Dassari strap as one of the top ten that I have ever tested. Honestly, it may be in the top five most comfortable straps I have used. The buckle and free loop laid flat and did not press against the nerve in my wrist while typing, and the watch strap did not cause my wrist to sweat.

With the bonuses of the visually appealing leather with the fresh leather smell, I would give this watch strap a resounding 10/10 review. If this strap does not excite you, do not fret! Check out their website for a rather diverse selection.

Learn more about the beige-colored Distressed Leather Dassari Vintage Leather Straps
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After this review was published, Google purchased North and their smart glasses technology. The acquisition was announced on June 30, 2020. At the time, North said they would not be shipping Focals 2.0 and that customer support would be available until the end of 2020. The company also announced that the end of software for the original Focals would end as of July 2020. Customers were given an opportunity to receive a refund.

Focals give you a heads-up access to your digital life. 

Last summer, I was one of the millions of people who went to see Spider-Man: Far From Home in the theater. Spider-Man’s alter ego, Peter Parker is a tech nerd like his mentor Tony Stark (a.k.a Iron Man) and so it was only fitting that the movie featured a really cool piece of tech — glasses that were equipped with artificial intelligence.

The AI was given the nickname E.D.I.T.H., which has access to Stark Industries’ databases. With them, Parker is able to control remote weapons and access unlimited amounts of information from Stark Industries. Like so many superhero and sci-fi movies, I never expect to be able to actually get my hands on the tech right away. Sure, we have the equivalent of Star Trek’s communicators and wireless headsets, but I never thought I would be able to access my digital life through a pair of glasses. Then, I was introduced to North Focals. 

DETAILS

Focals by North are custom-made glasses with a heads-up display built-in. They connect directly to your smartphone to make all your digital information available in a convenient up-front display. They are the world’s first pair of stylish prescription smart glasses. Notifications pop up discreetly and only the user can see them.

The user is then able to reply to notifications with smart replies, emojis, and even snooze delays. Focals are really designed to help people stay on top of their day. With the glasses, you can manage your calendar and tasks, and operate a presentation teleprompter, Slack, Gmail messages, and smartphone notifications.

FEATURES INCLUDE: 

• Messages: Get in touch with the people you care about in an instant. Read messages and quickly respond with smart replies, emojis or voice-to-text.
• Go: Search and navigate to your favorite locations or points of interest with turn-by-turn directions. You can also request an Uber directly from your glasses.
• Calendar, Weather, Reminders: Have the peace of mind that you’re on top of your day without getting lost in your phone. Focals give you access to the time and date, your daily calendar, weather, and select notifications. Or you can turn on Do Not Disturb if you want to put it all on pause and focus on the task at hand.
• Amazon Alexa: Focals make Alexa accessible no matter where you are, with responses that are delivered to Focals’ full-color display or via a small speaker that you can turn on or off. With Alexa, you can add to your to-do list, check the weather, control smart home devices and more.
• Proactive Updates: Focals offer proactive updates for the things that matter most. Whether it’s keeping tabs on directions, seeing your grocery list appear while you’re out shopping, or tracking your Uber’s arrival – it’s all shared with you at just the right moment.

Focals feature full-color holographic projections. They are paired with a Loop, which is a simple, elegant control ring with a four-directional joystick. While the Focals come with clear lenses, you do have the option of adding sun clips to your glasses for outdoor use. Focals come with a hard shell protective case that also charges them. Users have the ability to customize their experience by setting preferences within the Focals companion app. 

Users have the option to use the Focals Showroom app to gather measurements of their face using the same technology as Apple’s FaceID. Because the app uses the iPhone’s TrueDepth camera, this option is limited to those who have an iPhone X or newer. Otherwise, you have to have an in-person fitting completed. 

USER EXPERIENCE

When I found out that I was going to get my very own “E.D.I.T.H.” glasses I was as happy as a little kid on Christmas morning. I was able to get the sizing done through the app option instead of having to visit a North distributor for an in-person fitting. That was a HUGE plus for me because the nearest distributor to me is about 13 hours away.

The process was not difficult, but as it turns out, the first time I went through it, the app incorrectly sized me. I ended up receiving glasses that were too big and a Loop that was too small. No amount of adjusting brought the glasses to where they were supposed to be sitting on my face. 

Fortunately, North has amazing Customer Service. I reached out to them and found them extremely easy to work with. Between North’s Customer Service and the Public Relations Rep I was working with, I was able to get a replacement set of Focals sent to me. The new pair ended up fitting correctly and I was able to start using them right away. 

I found the Focals to be an interesting option for receiving notifications. The glasses work by utilizing a laser to project mirrored information from your phone onto the right lens of the glasses. The display works similarly to the way a heads-up display does in a vehicle — you can see the information, but be able to look through it.

The viewing angle is approximately 15-degrees and it’s about 300×300 pixels in size. The glasses also have a built-in microphone and speaker built into the frame for use with Alexa. Sound can be muted and notifications can also be silenced.

It’s been quite nice for calendars reminders, seeing the time, and being able to use Alexa. On a full charge, the glasses will get up to 18 hours of use so it’s imperative to use their charging case every night to charge them. The frames are made from plastic and they are designed with adjustable nose pads.

They are on the heavy side and even after I got the correct size and tried to use the adjustable nose pads, the glasses continue to slide. I am constantly adjusting the glasses to the correct place since they slide to make sure I can view the screen properly. I actually talked with my eye doctor about the Focals and while he thought the concept was great, he thought the weight/sliding issue could be a problem for people who use them for long periods of time since they are designed to be used with prescription lenses.

Even though I got to use the glasses with a lot of the features, I don’t feel like I am getting the full scope of the product since I’m not a heavy Google user. Some of the features aren’t as useful to me as they probably are to someone in the Google ecosystem.

I also found the texting feature to be a little cumbersome. The Focals use a proprietary system for sending text messages with an iPhone so when you view it on your phone, it shows a message like this: This number is your conversation with XXXXX from Focals. In essence, your messages are being run through a server at North and then it’s pushed back to the glasses.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I’m a fan of the Focals by North and while they aren’t exactly the E.D.I.T.H. glasses I hoped they would be, they are certainly the best version of smart glasses I’ve seen so far. In practice, the Focals function a lot like a smartwatch. I think that once some app development has taken shape for them and the glasses are a bit lighter weight, they will be irresistible.

I have really enjoyed using them and with the exception of a few small issues, I have not had many problems with them. They function well as smart glasses and I can’t wait to see what North has in store for the next version of them. 

For more information, visit bynorth.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

The Polar Vantage is a watch for training – not for utilizing smart functions.

One of the areas of technology that I feel has exploded in the past couple of years is the smartwatch market. I can remember when the Pebble was the only smartwatch available. Soon after its emergence, Android and Apple started releasing their wrist-based devices. One of my first experiences with a smartwatch was actually a Fitbit-style fitness tracker.

At that time, it really only kept track of my steps and my sleeping habits. It wasn’t until I upgraded to my Apple Watch a few years ago that I really started to enjoy the benefits of a ‘real’ smartwatch. Now there are all kinds of different hybrid watches — some that specialize in productivity while others are more tailored towards fitness tracking. The Polar Vantage M combines the best of both worlds while providing a solid option for fitness training. 

DETAILS & FEATURES

The Polar Vantage M is an all-round multisport and running GPS watch. It’s designed for anyone who loves to set new records. It’s slim, lightweight and easy to use. Polar calls it a ‘training companion.’ The Vantage M monitors heart rates using Precision Prime sensor fusion technology. Polar makes it possible for users to customize their look with changeable wristbands provided by Polar. The watch works with Polar Flow, an online tracking system that shows your training, sleep, and activity stats. With it, it’s possible to see all your training data in one place. 

The Polar Vantage M has a lot of features for users to take advantage of including: 

• Advanced wrist-based heart rate
• Nightly Recharge
• Sleep Plus Stages
• Sport Profiles
• Swimming Metrics
• Phone Notifications
• 24/7 Activity Tracking
• Smart Coaching Features (running index, running program, smart calories, etc.)

SPECS

• Measurements: 46 x 46 x 12.5 mm
• Weight: 45 g with wristband, 28 g without wristband
• Materials: Glass fiber reinforced polymer case. Stainless steel bezel, buttons, and buckle.
• Display: Always on color display. Hard-coated PMMA laminated lens. Size 1.2”, resolution 240 x 240.
• Battery: 230 mAh Li-pol battery. Battery life up to 30 h in training mode (GPS and wrist-based heart rate) or up to 5 days in watch mode with continuous heart rate tracking.
• GPS: Integrated GPS & GLONASS. Assisted GPS for fast fix times.
• Connectivity: Bluetooth Low Energy. Custom USB cable for charging and data synchronization.
• Watch: Time & date. Alarm with snooze.
• UI languages: English, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Finnish, Danish, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Indonesian, Czech, Japanese, Chinese (simplified)
• Sensors: Compatible with all standard BLE heart rate sensors, running cadence and power sensors, as well as cycling speed, cadence, and power sensors.
• Water resistance: Water-Resistant (WR30)
• Wristbands: S: wrist circumference 130-175 mm; M/L: wrist circumference 140-210 mm

USER IMPRESSIONS

The Polar Vantage M comes in a well-branded box that includes the watch’s basic detail on the outside. The box has “It’s a good day to set a record” printed on the back emphasizing the purpose of the watch is to provide a training partner for the wearer. The package includes the watch, its charger, and the quick start guide in multiple languages. Out of the box, the watch had no charge to it. I pulled out the charger, plugged it in, and waited for the watch to charge. 

During this process, I discovered both a great feature and my biggest complaint. First, the complaint is that the watch charges with a proprietary charger. It’s unique and specifically designed to work with this watch. I’m not a big fan of this since it means that you can’t ever lose it. I’d much rather have the watch charge using some form of a USB connector. That said, the charger is incredibly efficient.

In less than an hour, the watch was charged more than 50%. The battery level is shown as an icon on the watch face. After approximately 7 hours of continuous wear and basic activities, the watch remains at 100% battery power. You can also see the battery status inside the Polar Flow app. 

I don’t usually wear things on my wrist because they tend to bother me. My Apple Watch was easy to get used to because of its shape, but the Polar Vantage M has a large round watch body and I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to wear it. As it turns out, the watch is actually incredibly comfortable to wear. The band that comes with it is breathable and flexible. I didn’t have any issues wearing the watch. 

As far as performance goes, the watch seems to work as advertised. Throughout my testing period, I monitored my activity chart in the app and noted the differences between the types of activities that are recorded. It seemed to be accurate and tracked with what I had done throughout the day. I did not complete a smart coaching session while I was testing. That said, the Vantage M has a ton of training opportunities for the right user.

The watch doesn’t seem to automatically sync to the app very well. When I first set it up and got connected to my phone, the watch synced quickly, but after that, it was a little spotty when it came to being up-to-date with the app. 

I was disappointed that the watch face was not a touchscreen. Maybe it’s just because I’m used to it with my Apple Watch, but with a price of nearly $300, I expected a touchscreen on the watch face. Without it, navigating the watch is not very user-friendly.

There are two buttons on the left side and three buttons on the right. In order to access the menus, you have to press the bottom left button first and then use the top and bottom buttons on the right sides to move through the options. The center button on the right side is the ‘select item’ button. And the top button on the left side wakes up the display and turns on the backlight. 

To me, it’s basically like navigating through a Casio wristwatch you can buy at any department store. If all of the watch options could be updated via the app, I wouldn’t have such a problem with the navigation system, but since there are settings like date/time that you have to set through the watch itself, I’m just not a big fan of it. 

CONCLUSION

Going into this review, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from this device. It’s obvious that it’s not a ‘smart’ watch or in the same realm as smartwatches. Instead, it’s a fitness tracker with some smart features built-in. I was impressed with the response time the Vantage M gave me when it came to receiving notifications from the phone, but found disappointment in some other basic areas of functionality. This device is really meant for the semi-serious to the serious athlete who is trying to improve on their training regimen. If you are looking for a pure smartwatch, look elsewhere.

For more information, visit polar.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Translator is an advanced system that brings Sci-Fi into our world.

In this ever-evolving multicultural world, it’s good to be prepared for multilingual situations. There are some basic options available like Google Translate, but sometimes that’s not enough. Timekettle, a company dedicated to providing handheld translators with amazing user experiences, has created a new way to communicate with people who speak a language different than you — the WT2 Plus AI Translator Earbuds. 

DETAILS

The WT2 Plus AI Translator Earbuds are designed to provide people with the ability to speak their natural language and still carry on a person-to-person conversation. Each person wears one of the earbuds and can communicate seamlessly. There are three modes to choose from – Simul, Touch, and Speaker.

WT2 Plus supports cross-language conversation for up to 4 people with one single mobile device. The earbuds include dual noise reduction technology, high accuracy, and a translation core. The device supports 36 different languages, 84 accents, and uses 12 data centers to guarantee solid performance. The earbuds can operate for up to 5 hours straight with a charging case that provides 2-3 full battery recharges. 

Description of the Modes

• Simul Mode: Suitable for quiet environments. Each wears an earbud, speaks non-stop, translation plays continuously in the other person’s ear.
• Touch Mode: Suitable for complex environments. Touch and hold the hidden sensor to activate the translator, then say something, release to translate.
• Speaker Mode: Suitable for short conversations with strangers. Wear an earbud yourself, no need to share the other earbud. Translation plays through the speaker of the mobile phone but the translated response still plays in your ear.

USER EXPERIENCE

I really like being able to communicate with people of all backgrounds. So, I’ve had a vested interest in the evolution of personal translators. I was very excited about the prospect of being able to have a fluid conversation using these earbuds, but the reality of the situation was somewhat different. 

Overall, I’ve been impressed with the device itself. The charging case is quite a bit larger than a standard set of wireless earbuds, but it can still fit in a pocket. The earbuds are a little larger, too as they extend outward like older model Bluetooth headsets.

They are comfortable to wear and Timekettle provides different ear gels and wings so that you can get the ‘right’ fit. I haven’t had a problem with them falling out of my ears, but I don’t know if I would advise these being used as one would use ‘active’ earbuds. 

The instructions that are included in the box with the device indicate that you need to download the app (WT2 Plus). The Home screen shows the three different modes you can choose from. If you don’t have the earbuds connected, the only option is the Speaker Mode, which simply plays translations through the speaker of the phone.

This mode is very similar to the way a service like Google Translate works. We attempted to use this function when we were at a Mexican restaurant and it didn’t work too well at picking up spoken word inside a noisy setting. 

The earbuds show up as connected devices in the Device menu. They have to be taken out of their charging case in order to enter pairing mode. It’s important to note here that you pair your phone to the earbuds within the app and not through your phone’s Bluetooth device menu.

Once the earbuds are paired, you have the option to use any of the three modes. In each mode, you will choose the language that each earbud is hearing. For example, Earbud 1 is set to English because that is the language I will be speaking. Earbud 2 is set to Spanish so that our receptionist can speak in her native language. In this mode, the spoken words will appear on the screen along with the translation. The translation will be played through both earbuds.

The Simul Mode is supposed to provide users with a fluid conversation option, but it’s a little buggy from my experience using the earbuds. It does work but doesn’t always pick up the conversation correctly. It’s an odd issue since I tried the same type of phrases on the Simul Mode and Touch Modes.

Touch Mode had no problem hearing me or translating my speech. But, Simul Mode only heard my speech 1 out of 5 times correctly. I’m hoping that firmware and app updates can fix the bugs because the system has the potential to be outstanding.

CONCLUSION

Given that this personal translating system gives you the option to wear a wireless earbud, I think this is my favorite option for carrying on a conversation between languages. It’s more personal and the user experience is wonderful. I think it’s best used between colleagues, friends, or family members since it requires the sharing of earbuds, but Timekettle has a really nice system built for enhancing communications. 

For more information, visit timekettle.co, Facebook, or Twitter.

UAG combined stainless Steel buckles combine, with Hook and Loop closure for a comfortable one-size-fits-all experience.

Before I had an Apple Watch, I sported a Casio G Shock.  I loved the Atomic timekeeping feature, the alarms, the date function, and the solar charging.  In fact, I think I had upgraded my Casio watches about every five years, starting about the age of eleven. 

Despite the upgraded tech features of the watches, the bands were typically rubberized and had adjustment holes, buckle tongues, and a free loop.  I had grown accustomed to the feel of the weight of the watch and the rubberized material upon my left wrist.  Yet, I was never fully satisfied with the adjustment holes because the sizing did not comfortably match my wrist. 

Additionally, the rubberized material lacked adequate ventilation.  Wanting something a little different than the norm, I knew Urban Armor Gear would have what I needed. 

The UAG ACTIVE strap for Apple Watch 44/42mm arrived in an attractive 3 inches wide by 7 5/8 inches tall by 7/8 inches thick retail package.  The clean white background proved to be a wise decision, as it allowed the bold black “UAG” title to drastically contrast against the clean white color. 

Thanks to the contrast, my gaze was immediately drawn to the 1 3/16 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall image of the black watch strap.  More than a static image, the slightly raised, glossy image of the UAG straps assumed a lifelike appearance.  The product name “Active Straps” was conveniently located along the bottom left, along with information that the straps were designed for the 44mm/42mm Apple Watch. 

Each of the side panels displayed “UAG//BUILT TO GO FURTHER” in Black/Orange font, upon a geometric background.  The rear panel provided a large “UAG URBAN ARMOR GEAR” across the top and two attractive black and white images along the middle/bottom of the panel.  Although I appreciated the images of the person photographing the barrel wave and the motorcycle stuntman, they felt gratuitous and provided no information to me as a consumer. 

Looking at the bottom panel, I was forced to shake my head in disbelief.  The company used valuable retail space to inform the user that the device was not included, detailed the Apple/Apple Watch, Made in China, and legal/trademark information.  Lastly, the top panel provided a large black plastic hanging tab. 

Returning to the cover, I lifted the front magnetic flap.  The inner panel provided a close-up labeled diagram of the watch strap and detailed the stainless steel custom hardware/buckles and the secure hook & Loop fasteners.  Diverting my gaze to the right, the UAG Active Strap rested within a black foam cubby.  I gripped the 1.2-ounce strap and lifted it out of the box. 

The upper 2-inch section had a 1 1/16 inches long by 1 1/8 inches wide central strap, a 1 3/8 inches long watch attachment bracket, and a 1 5/8 inches wide by 1-inch tall “UAG” etched buckle.  The lower 7-inches long section had a 4 3/4 inches long by 7/8 inches wide hook section followed by a 1 1/2 inches long by 7/8 inches wide hook section, all upon a nylon mesh backing. 

Contrasting against the black nylon coloration, there was a small red/black nylon tag and a sewed-on “50 Meters ISO 22810 UAG” patch.  To install the straps, slide the apple connector into the slot on the Apple Watch.  I caution you to use care with the step because you may scratch the finish of the side of the Apple Watch.  Make sure that each of the strap connectors is fully seated into the channel before attempting to wear the watch. 

The nylon strap, combined with the Apple Watch 44mm, measured 2.5 ounces total.  I placed the watch onto the dorsal aspect of my left wrist, slid the lower strap into the buckle, wrapped the strap downward and then affixed the hook/loop material.  The large buckle conveniently rested along my ulna (pinky side) and did not place pressure along the ventral aspect of my wrist. 

Many of the straps place pressure onto the lower part of my wrist and some even cause numbness/tingling in my fingertips.  This lightweight strap setup was immensely comfortable and would likely allow for a nearly universal fit.  If you desire to wear the watch a little more loosely, readjust the strap to your desired position. 

If you wanted to wear the watch a little more tightly, you could adjust the strap accordingly. The hook/loop section was quite secure and provided a good Velcro-style connection.  This setup does not add waterproofing, does not add bezel protection, nor does it add screen/front/back watch protection.

As this device was only an Apple Watch strap/band, I guess my earlier statement about the “Device not Included” was a little less shocking than I previously thought.  Despite my criticisms of the packaging, the UAG Active Straps watch strap was the most comfortable strap that I have used thus far.  

While reviewing the watch strap, my wife asked what I was testing.  I showed her the Active Straps, described my experience, and then she made a face.  Since everyone knows the phrase “Happy Wife, Happy Life,” I asked her what the face meant.  She stated that the watch strap was nice, but it gave a juvenile appearance to the expensive appearing Apple Watch. 

I noted that the bands were like clothing accessories and shoes.  You would not wear flip-flops and a bathing suit to a nice dinner, nor would you wear a tuxedo to go play racquetball.  These analogies hold true for the Active Strap sport bands.  For just about every casual experience, this band will work better than most of the rubberized bands. 

You can adjust the fit to your liking and you can enjoy a nylon feel against your skin instead of a rubberized one.  If I desire something a little more formal/waterproof, I may slip into a Catalyst Waterproof case or an Impact Case.  The UAG Active straps do not add to the protection of your watch.  I would still consider purchasing a bumper for your watch, for added protection. I really enjoyed the strap and the secure hook/loop connection.  The weight was ideal, and I was finally able to obtain that Goldilocks fit; it fit my wrist perfectly.

If the black strap color did not suit your fancy, you can also purchase the product in orange and midnight (camouflage).

Learn more about the UAG Active Straps.
Follow UAG on Facebook and Twitter.

Can you think of a more universal childhood activity than riding a bicycle?  It seems that teaching a child to ride a bike is a right of passage as a parent.  Additionally, many of us have fond memories of a trip or of the act of learning to ride.  My wife and I have taught our ten and seven-year-old sons to ride and are currently working on our four-year-old daughter.  Since I have not upgraded from the same ten-year-old Wal-Mart bicycle, I felt I needed something a little newer.  Thriftily, I turned to the Facebook Marketplace and found a great deal on a slightly used Trek bicycle.  With my two boys in tow, we set out for the bike trail at our local park.  I used a generic helmet from Wal-Mart and a pair of earbuds during this activity.  Our bikes had no lights, no flashing signals, nor any place to store my smartphone/accessories.  Many of the above issues were not that big of a deal.  However, I quickly became dissatisfied with the earbuds and the inability to hear my surroundings.  When I heard about the 318 Smart riding helmet, I thought the bone conduction technology would revolutionize our exercise.

The 318 Smart Cycling Helmet arrived in a classy 9 7/8 inches wide by 11 3/4 inches long by 7 3/8 inches tall black retail package.  The front panel provided a 3 7/8 inches wide by 4 1/2 inches tall black panel and had a clear wrap around window on either side of the box.  The central black cardboard island displayed a red “318 KEEP On GOING”, three descriptive white icons detailing the ability to play music, the walkie-talkie feature, the rear lights, an “L” sticker, and a “Cloud” color sticker.  I loved the packaging design and the inclusion of the wrap-around windows.  I appreciated the option to directly visualize the product, rather than learning about it through flat imagery.  The top panel and the left side panel provided “318 KEEP ON GOING” in red font while the right side panel provided the meat of the information.  The right panel provided the same 318 logo but also added ten white integrated feature icons: SOS, Bone Conductor, Noise Reduction, Clear Voice, Rear Lights, Walkie-Talkie, Team Chat, Team Management, Music Play and Wireless Control.  The bottom panel provided a prominent user warning to remind the consumer to only use this for bicycles, pedal cyclists, skateboard and roller-skaters.  Furthermore, it reminded everyone that helmets cannot protect from all impacts, should not be used by users of motor driven vehicles, and should not be modified. 

The inner box easily slid outward from the main shell.  Within the box, I found the stylish white/black Smart Riding helmet, user-defined instruction manual, Wireless Remote Controller BC30E, 40 inches long USB-micro to USB-A cable, and three retention bands for the controller.  Before using the helmet, I decided to peruse the instruction manual and to charge the helmet (1.5 hours).  The LED along the back of the helmet was red while charging and green when fully charged.  The first panel provided the same warning information as the base of the outer packaging. The second panel showed you how to wear the helmet correctly, and how to rotate the back size adjustment knob to loosen (counterclockwise) or tighten (clockwise) the helmet.  With the helmet upon your head, adjust the straps, shell size, chin strap, strap guide, and follow the correct wearing position diagram.  The manual did a great job at demonstrating the proper method to wear and to utilize the features of the helmet.  The 318 helmet six-digit with bone conductive speakers on either side of the helmet.  The adjustable speaker arms were positioned on swivels, which allowed for proper placement against the temples of a variety of head shapes.  Instead of an in-ear option, this system will allow your ears to remain open and aware. 

The large sized 318 helmet proved to fit my 23 1/2 inches circumference calvarium perfectly.  The posterior adjustment knob should adapt the helmet to fit head sizes measuring 23 1/4 inches to 24 3/4 inches.  The medium sized helmet should fit head sizes measuring 21 3/4 inches through 23 1/4 inches.  For more information about helmet sizing, proper fit, and variations in helmet type, I would encourage you to peruse the  https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bicycle-helmet.html website. Based on the shape/design of the 318 helmet, it fits most closely with the road bike style.  The sleek design, the numerous air vents, the lack of a visor and the coverage type all gave it away.  To the contrary, most mountain bike helmets have visors, decreased air vents to protect from sharper hazards, and better protect the sides and back of the head. Apply the helmet and then twist the knob until the fit is snug.  Adjust the straps, adjust the chin buckle and then open your jaw. The top of the helmet should compress against the top of your head.  With the helmet appropriately fit to my head, I turned to the tech component of the gear. 

To power the helmet on/off, press down on the button along the bottom rim of the smart riding function device, just beneath the adjustment knob at the back of the helmet.  A female voice provided vocal cues as to the power on/off status. Adjacent to the power button, you will find the USB charging port.  With the rubberized stopper removed, you can plug the USB-micro cable into the port. The 340mAh battery will charge to full in about 90 minutes and will provide about 6 1/2 hours of music (4-9 hours per manual).  To pair the helmet to your smartphone, long-press the multi-function button for five seconds.  The green LED will flash quickly to let you know that you that the device was ready to pair.  I navigated to settings, then selected Bluetooth, and then chose “LS-BOX”  from the list.  The LED on the helmet changed to a slow green flashing light, alerting me to the paired status.  Pairing could not have been an easier experience.  

With the 318Sports App downloaded, I was able to connect the SH50 helmet and the BC30 remote.  I selected the “To Connect” button next to the BC30 remote and the App took me to another screen.  I followed the instructions, pressed the PTT button on the side of the remote, the volume up and down buttons simultaneously, and then the PTT button again.  When paired, the 318 user-defined button was supposed to play/pause or answer a call.  This did not work within Amazon Prime Music, Pandora, nor Apple Music, but did work within the Music App on my iPhone XS Max.  Apparently, due to iOS restrictions, the wireless remote cannot control previous/last tracks, nor play/pause from the remote.  A single press of the button allowed the volume to increase/decrease, however. From within the App, touch “Team” and then type in a six-digit code. You can join another person’s team by adding the same code, or you can press “Scan” and add a scannable QR code to allow a friend to join your team.  Within the app you can also press “Cycle” to start a map and bicycle trail statistics feature.  From within the Cycle section, you can still use the team press to talk, you can save trails and use the PTT button to hear your speed through the conductive speakers.  

The helmet sends sounds through the bones of the skull (temples) and vibrates the ossicles within your ears (ear bones). The bass was not as full as in-ear or around-ear systems, but it was still remarkably clear and smooth. I was pleased with the upper sounds, the mids, and the lows. This system will not provide bumping bass, but it also will not cause passive noise cancellation.

Summary:

The app needs a little work to fully enjoy this setup.  I loved the free teammate chat capability and free mapping/distance/speed/climb features.  I wish that the remote worked with more of the iOS apps but the fact that it worked with MUSIC was convenient.  Although the helmet was incredibly comfortable, lightweight, well ventilated, and fit my scalp snugly,  I wish that there was a way to attach a visor to this helmet. Despite the limitations, the best part of the helmet was the bone conductive sound system.  Unless I was riding into a strong headwind, or I was traveling at a significant velocity downhill, I was able to enjoy music/audible books without sacrificing my ability to hear my surroundings.  The back flashing warning lights added an amazing safety feature, but my wife thought it was weird that the arrows did not indicate turning direction. Perhaps the 318 helmet version 2.0 will add left/right turning options to the remote.

When considering the comfort, the flashing lights, and the sound features, the helmet earned a 9-9.5/10.  I would have given the helmet a 10/10 if the app was a little more intuitive. Neither the well-constructed instruction manual or the app detailed how to program the button on the remote. If you are looking for a new helmet to cruise in style, look no further than the 318 helmet.  If the white coloration does not suit your fancy, you can also enjoy the helmet in blue,black, or yellow.

Learn more about the FiTech Sports Helmet.
Follow FiTech Sports on Facebook.