This innovative smartwatch allows you to manage calls using muscle movements.

      Xiaomi Watch 5 introduces EMG-driven gesture navigation within HyperOS 3, designed for quicker one-handed control without touching the screen.

      Xiaomi is offering a novel approach to smartwatch input with the Xiaomi Watch 5, focusing on an input system that isn’t another screen shortcut. The gesture control mechanism of the Xiaomi Watch 5 employs an EMG sensor to detect electrical impulses in wrist muscles and convert them into commands.

      According to Xiaomi, this method is more precise than gesture controls based on motion, which rely on accelerometers, as it can capture even the slightest muscle movements when your arm is relatively stationary. Currently, the watch is available for purchase in China, with a planned global launch at MWC 2026 in Barcelona.

      EMG gestures without unnecessary movements

      Xiaomi claims you can clench your fist to answer a call or rub your fingers to manage music playback. The objective is to enable quick control when one of your hands is occupied, minimizing the need for exaggerated arm movements or screen touches.

      However, gesture functionalities often struggle when the watch shifts on the wrist or during activities like walking, running, or lifting. While EMG could potentially address this, it will require effective tuning for various wrist sizes and fits to perform efficiently. The Apple Watch features Double Tap gestures, but that is its only offering in this area.

      Large display, premium materials

      The Watch 5 presents itself as a larger device, featuring a 47mm case and a circular 1.54-inch AMOLED display with a brightness of up to 1500 nits. It is constructed with a stainless steel frame and sapphire glass on both the front and back, offering 5 ATM water resistance.

      Despite housing a larger 930 mAh battery, Xiaomi states that its weight is at 56 grams. The watch also incorporates traditional navigation controls through a digital crown and an additional action button, allowing users to navigate in a familiar manner if they prefer not to use gestures.

      Battery life and specifications raise the bar

      In terms of health monitoring, Xiaomi combines EMG with ECG for on-demand heart rhythm analysis and Afib detection, in addition to tracking heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and sleep patterns. Although a body temperature sensor is absent, fitness features include over 150 workout modes, 3D animated gym guidance, and full-color offline maps. Xiaomi estimates battery life to last six days under normal usage and up to 18 days in power-saving mode.

      In China, the starting price is set at CNY 1999, approximately $285. If Xiaomi maintains similar pricing worldwide, initial reviews will hinge on one key aspect: the reliability of EMG control amid everyday movements.

      Your Meta AI glasses can now amplify voices in noisy environments

      The new feature is designed for challenging audio situations such as restaurants, commutes, or live performances, and Meta is initially rolling it out to Early Access users in the US and Canada.

      The v21 update introduces a Conversation Focus mode for Meta AI glasses, aimed at enhancing the ability to hear your conversation partner when background noise is loud. This feature is being launched through the company’s Early Access Program, limited right now to the US and Canada.

      Meta states that the Conversation Focus utilizes the glasses’ open-ear speakers to make the person you’re conversing with sound somewhat louder than the surrounding noise, which can be vital in crowded settings like dinner tables or busy train cars, where voices can easily be lost amidst the commotion.

      OnePlus 15R launches with an enormous battery and a new tablet to compete with the iPad

      OnePlus is concluding the year on a high note with impressive new smartphone and tablet releases.

      After months of teasers, OnePlus has officially unveiled a trio of new products, with the highlight being the OnePlus 15R boasting a massive 7,400mAh battery, which is 100mAh larger than the substantial battery in its flagship counterpart, the OnePlus 15.

      The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is robustly built but now more affordably priced

      The Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular, 49mm] is currently available for $549, down from its original price of $799 (a 31% discount).

      If you've been interested in the Apple Watch Ultra 2 but found the typical $799 price daunting, this sale represents the ideal opportunity. Priced at $549, it provides Apple’s most durable, feature-rich smartwatch, equipped with cellular capabilities, superior fitness tracking, and extended battery life at a significantly reduced cost.