LOOK: Apple, Nike collaborate for limited-edition Apple Watch 2

Following the worldwide release of the first ever Apple Watch Nike+ last September, the two colossal brands have again collaborated for the limited-edition Apple Watch Series 2 collection.

The slick new sports band, as per Nike News, boasts a a Space Gray Apple Watch casing with a “Light Bone/Black” strap.

Specs-wise, the new colorway will retain its predecessor’s most endearing features including exclusive Siri commands, GPS (Global Positioning System) a brighter display and water-resistance trademark.

But unlike the first edition, the new limited-run collection device will only be available for purchase at  nike.com,  NikeLab stores and Apple’s pop-up store in Isetan in Japan.

The release marks he first time an Apple Watch won’t be available directly from Apple, the report said.

As of this writing, pricing details of the Apple Watch Series 2 have yet to be revealed, but Nike disclosed that the product would be available starting April 27.  Khristian Ibarrola /ra

source: technology.inquirer.net

Is Samsung's smartwatch ditching Android for Tizen?

Google may no longer have a stranglehold on Samsung's "Gear" wearable gadgets in the same way it dominated the Korean firm's smartphones and tablets.

A report on USA Today said the next generation of "Gear" smartwatches will run on the open-source Tizen instead of Google's Android operating system.

Citing at least three people familiar with the situation, the report said Samsung will unveil the updated Gear watch and a new HTML5 version of Tizen at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The first version of the Gear smartwatch ran on Android.

Tizen is a software platform for smartphones and other connected devices, but had a rough start last year as some members dropped out.

"Replacing Android with Tizen for the new version of the Gear gadget suggests that Samsung is not giving up on Tizen despite recent setbacks," the report said.

With the HTML5 version of Tizen, the report said Samsung "may be able to attract more Web developers to develop new apps for its smartwatch."

"But it is also a risk because, in the past, HTML5 apps have not performed as well as so-called native apps that run on more traditional mobile platforms such as Android and Apple's iOS, one of the people said," it added.

Too much power

The report said the move indicates Samsung is trying to avoid giving Google too much power. Google itself is developing the Glass wearable tech.

"Samsung is trying to protect its own long-term interests, not fortifying Google's Android camp while building their own camp around Tizen," said Stuart Richens, vice president of digital media at Network Communications.

Network Communications owns Apartment Finder, a mobile app that helps people track down the best places to live.

A separate report on CNET said Samsung initially planned to launch a high-end, Tizen-powered handset by September 2013, but delayed the release.  — TJD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com