Articles by Chris Wedel

As only the second watch to run the Snapdragon 4100, the TicWatch E3 is one to watch.

For fans of Google’s wearable platform, Wear OS, we’re in a bit of limbo right now — which is why putting together a TicWatch E3 review puts me in a bit of a pickle. While we know that Google and Samsung are partnering to rebuild Wear OS, we don’t know if any existing Wear OS watches will get the update.

Fossil has said that it doesn’t plan to upgrade current watches, and there has been some confusion as to whether one of the best Android smartwatches available will be upgraded or not — see what I mean? It’s a pickle. Traditionally the line of E devices from Mobvoi has been in the realm of entry-level smartwatches due to the barebones design and hardware used to get the price down.

Interestingly though, the TicWatch E3, while still offering a very understated design, is one of two smartwatches on the market that is running the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 processor — the other is the TicWatch P…

Best answer: Yes, the Galaxy Watch 3 has a 5ATM and an IP68 ingress rating. This means the smartwatch will survive a splash or track a swim in the pool and keep on ticking.

How tough is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3?

Sudden rain showers, splashes while washing your hands, or so many other instances all have the same thing in common — moisture. While living life, we are going to come into contact with water, and our accessories need to be able to handle these situations. Will the brand new Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 be able to keep up? Can it go further, maybe coming with you while you swim some laps in the pool?

While Samsung was building its best Android smartwatch and including all of its amazing features, the company decided to put a good level of water resistance into it as well. In fact, the watch received a 5ATM and IP68 water resistance rating, and according to Samsung, these ratings equate to the following protections:

Water-resistant up to 50 meters per ISO standard 22810:…

While the ‘Pro’ in the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is more than just for show.

When considering what makes an excellent Android tablet for kids, things like durability, age-appropriate content, and parental controls are generally at the top of that list. Looking at those qualifications and what Amazon offers, it’s easy to see why the best Amazon Fire Kids tablets on found on that device list. So, to offer parents and kids even more choice when it comes to Fire Kids Tablets, Amazon announced the new Fire HD 10, it also added a new level to its Kids tablets, Kids Pro — and my son is very excited to help me with this Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro review.

One of the other major considerations is price, especially when you are looking at purchasing a tablet for a young child who tends to wreak havoc on electronics. Well, the Fire 10 HD Kids Pro tablet is the best of the best from Amazon, which means it’s also the most expensive. While the Kids Pro version of the tablet shares a lot with t…

With its high price tag and nearly all-glass construction, you’re going to want to get one of the best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 cases around. Even with its unique form factor and build, there are still some ways to add some protection to your device. Here are the best cases available right now.

Best of both worlds

Spigen Ultra Hybrid

Staff Pick

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid case brings two fantastic features together. It provides all-around protection without being too thick. The case offers great protection for your phone’s front and back by utilizing a dual-layer system with a hard outer shell surrounding a shock-absorbing TPU inner layer. There are also raised bezels that help to keep the screen and camera up off of surfaces.

$40 at Amazon

Luxury on luxury

Samsung Leather Case

The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a device with a luxurious price tag and feel, so it should have a case that matches it in every way. Made from high-quality genuine leather, this cover offers an unmatched f…

Wear OS is finally getting a long-overdue refresh, and there’s no better time than the present for Google to bring a kids mode to the platform.

OK, before I get into this, I’m aware that the idea of Google making a kids mode for Wear OS seems like a bit crazy considering the platform has been stale for years now — but with a refresh on the horizon, the idea isn’t as far fetched as it once was. Google has been making a more significant push in building out parental features with Family Link, and gaining new features and adding new products like Kids Space for tablets — so why not continue that expansion into Wear OS?

Last Fall, when Apple announced Family Setup for Apple Watch, I began hoping that Google or Samsung would soon follow suit. If you’re unfamiliar with Family Setup, it makes an Apple Watch with cellular connectivity capable of operating independently from an iPhone, making it an excellent option for families who may not be able to afford an iPhone for their child, or…

Amazon makes some of the best Android tablets that are great for watching your favorite shows and playing games, but the tablets can also help you stay productive, too — especially with the latest update to the Fire HD 10 line-up. Using one of the best Bluetooth keyboards for the Amazon Fire HD 10, you can enjoy both worlds — work and play. There are many choices out there, from traditional styles to compact, but don’t worry; we’ve got you covered to help you find the best for your needs.

Compact reliability

Logitech K380

Staff Pick

The Logitech K380 is the perfect keyboard for anyone who wants a simple keyboard that wants a reliable and comfortable typing experience. This compact keyboard pairs quickly with up to three different devices and allows you to easily switch between those devices with a flip of a switch. Plus, you can get up to two years of use before needing fresh batteries.

$30 at Amazon $30 at Best Buy $30 at B&H

It all adds up

iClever BK10

T…

We may finally be getting the hardware we deserve and the software we want.

Samsung has been making smartwatches since the beginning of time — OK, so not that long, but the company has been at it for the better part of a decade. While not all of the designs have been the most elegant, the watches have stood out and been built very well. In my opinion, the thing that has been holding Samsung back from being a true Apple Watch competitor is its software — and that’s why I’m excited to see a Samsung Wear OS watch.

No, Wear OS (which Google is now calling simply Wear; we’ll be changing our usage of the term over time to folllow suit) is not perfect, but when comparing Tizen vs. Wear OS — it’s the basics that Google’s software nails. The fact that even with the shortcomings that Samsung’s homegrown wearable operating system has had, the company still makes some of the best Android smartwatches right along with excellent Android phones. With Samsung partnering with Google to make W…

Google is overhauling Wear OS looks and making it easier to get things done on your smartwatch.

What you need to know

Google’s Wear platform is getting a recent apps switcher similar to what is on Android now.
Tiles on Wear are being expanded to more developers with better tools
The launcher on Wear looks like it’s getting revamped with new indicators and ongoing activities.

Among all of the announcements at Google I/O, Wear OS had some of the biggest. From the platform being co-developed with Samsung to Samsung announcing it will be making a Wear watch, it was a big day for Google’s wearable platform. In a separate video, Google announced more of what’s new with Wear — and it looks good.

Some visual changes will mimic some of what we see from Android 12, along with changes to how navigating through the operating system will work. You will still be able to press the side button of your watch to access the app drawer, but from what was shown, it might look a bit different than…

The Google Home app is pretty great these days, but it can get better

Some of the best smart speakers on the market are integrated into the Google Home app, and in Google’s quest to control all of your smart home gear — the Home app is key. While Google has made some very beneficial changes to the app since it first launched, it still has a ways to go to be the one app to rule them all. Google Assistant is the platform that I gravitated toward to control my smart home endeavors, and though I’m happy with it, for the most part, I have some thoughts for some Google Home app improvements to make it even better.

Google Home app needs: Alarm and timer controls

While this one may not seem like that much of an issue if you only have one smart speaker in your home, if you have multiple devices or people using them, being able to control timers or alarms from the Home app would be amazing. I have a family of four in my house, including my two young children, who use our smart speakers …

It seems like our lives are getting busier and busier, seemingly making it more difficult to remember things. People have all sorts of ways to help them keep track of their to-dos. From sticky notes to strings on their finger, and while these options may work, there are more digital ways to do the same thing. One tool I use is to use my TicWatch Pro 3, and knowing how to set reminders and alarms on Wear OS can be a lifesaver.

How to set a reminder on Wear OS

Using your smartwatch to set a reminder is quick and easy. This method also keeps you from pulling out your phone when you are on the go.

Press the side button on your watch.
Scroll through the apps and tap on Reminders.
Choose the plus sign next to Add reminder.
Say out loud the subject of the reminder and when to be reminded.

You can also set a reminder as you would on your favorite smart speaker, and that’s by using Google Assistant. You can activate your Google Assistant on your Wear OS watch by either pressing and …