Tag: lte

Garmin wins five CES 2026 Innovation Awards

Garmin has announced it has been honoured with five CES 2026 Innovation Awards for groundbreaking achievements in technology across various categories. The CES Innovation Awards program, presented annually by the Consumer Technology Associations (CTA), recognised several Garmin smartwatches – the fēnix 8 Pro -MicroLED, Venu® 4 and Forerunner® 970 – along with the Blaze™ Equine Wellness System and the Descent™ S1 Diver Communication Buoy ahead of CES 2026. 

“These honours highlight Garmin’s ongoing commitment to redefine what is possible for consumers around the globe. From introducing the world’s first MicroLED smartwatch display to pioneering advancements in equine and dive technology and creating next-generation wellness and running smartwatches with innovative health and fitness features, Garmin continues to set the standard for innovation in consumer technology.”  

–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing   

The award-winning Garmin products and their respective categories include: 

fēnix 8 Pro – MicroLED – Fashion Tech 

The brightest smartwatch ever, this multisport GPS smartwatch has a first-of-its-kind MicroLED display, plus it was the first smartwatch with inReach® technology for satellite and LTE connectivity1. 

Venu 4 – Digital Health 

To support overall well-being, this advanced smartwatch includes innovative features like health status, lifestyle logging and more to help users track trends and see how lifestyle choices affect their health. 

Forerunner 970 – Sports & Fitness 

This premium GPS running and triathlon smartwatch features a bright AMOLED display, built-in LED flashlight and enhanced navigation plus advanced training and recovery features. 

Blaze Equine Wellness System – Pet & Animal Tech 

Designed specifically for horses, this easy-to-use tail wrap and sensor gives riders and trainers real-time insights and data, including heart rate, into their horse’s health and fitness.

Descent S1 Buoy – Sports & Fitness 

Track, monitor and communicate with those above and below the surface with the revolutionary Descent S1 buoy that helps strengthen diver communication and advances dive safety technology.  

CES 2026 will take place Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Garmin will showcase these products and much more in booth #3453 in the LVCC West Hall.

Google Pixel Watch 4 45mm Smartwatch Review

The Google Pixel Watch 4 is arguably the most significant update yet in the Pixel wearable line and coming from the Pixel Watch 3 45 mm I was looking forward to testing this one out and seeing how much it has improved there is some sublte differences and to look at both head on you might find it hard to notice..

The most noticeable improvement is the Actua 360 display, which is now 10% larger with noticeably slimmer bezels and a dazzling 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it easy to read even in direct sunlight. Performance is snappy thanks to the new Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chip, but the real software star is the deeply integrated Gemini AI, which can be instantly activated with a simple “Raise to Talk” wrist gesture—a genuine game-changer for on-the-go queries and commands. IN short the watch can replace your phone with Gemini AI for anyhting and with that said the watch for me keeps me off my phone and now it helps even more which is a good thing in my book but I still love my Pixel 10 pro.

Crucially, the Watch 4 substantially boosts battery life (up to 40 hours on the 45mm model) and introduces super-fast charging, hitting 50% battery in just 15 minutes via a redesigned, convenient side-charging dock. For the health-conscious, dual-frequency GPS provides exceptional outdoor tracking accuracy. For me I would get a day and a half due to how much I have going to the watch but the fast charging helps and I do not wear a watch to bed however for those that do you will notice the faster charging and the new doc is excellent and welcome.

The Pixel Watch 4 also has fitness in mind with Fitbit inlcuded at a cost after your sub runs out and is now integrated into the Watch app I do take note of my fitness but no a fully fledged fitness freak but there is more than enough here for the fitness and health gurus especially with all the safety and medical alerts now on board.

The Pixel Watch app itself is simple to use and works well letting you customize to your requirements and it is a simple UI to use and navigate making it a comfortable experience all round you can see the screenshots below for exactly what you get and also in the video review.

Overall I am a fan of the watch as I was last years and the display really stands out,notifcations are clear and so are calls and the speaker is also better this time round letting you hear what is being said or for taking calls it is at the higher end with the price point but if like me and have a Google Ecosystem it all just works well and is seamless and if you have and Google cameras at home it is even better and notifications are rich and as you would find on your Pixel phone.

Pixel Watch App

 

FitBit 

 

Features

  • Innovative design all the way around. A leap forward in precision craftsmanship, with a first-of-its-kind Actua 360 domed display and powerful health and fitness sensors.
  • Iconic Actua 360 display. See it all and do the most with a 10% larger Active display that’s 50% brighter and as durable as ever with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass.
  • The best watch for Gemini. Just ask questions and your ultra capable AI assistant will deliver quick response for personalised help.
  • Longest lasting. Fastest charging. With 25% faster charging and Google’s longest battery life yet, the Pixel Watch 4 is ready when you are.
  • AI text suggestions that sound like you. Stay connected with AI-powered quick replies when you’re texting – they’re personalised with your style and hyper-relevant to your conversation.
  • A leading approach to better health. The Pixel Watch 4 helps you to understand your health with Google’s most accurate heart rate tracking, sleep insights, Health Metrics and more.
  • Training smarter starts with the Pixel Watch 4. It connects the dots between your activity and recovery, so you can make informed decisions about your workouts and optimise your performance.
  • Detects loss of pulse, then calls for help. Loss of Pulse Detection can detect a loss of pulse event and prompt a call to emergency services for potentially lifesaving help.
  • SOS satellite communications. Get help even if you’re in a remote location – the Pixel Watch 4 can connect you to emergency services through geo-stationary satellites.
  • Get help if you need it. If you’re in a situation where you feel unsafe, the Pixel Watch 4 can alert trusted contacts or 999 with Emergency SOS.

BUY

Other Google Reviews

Video Review

emporia TOUCHsmart.3 Review

The emporia TOUCHsmart.3 is not a flagship smartphone, nor is it a basic “talk and text” feature phone. It carves out a unique and necessary niche: a clamshell (flip) phone that combines the simplicity and tactile feel of a physical keyboard with the modern connectivity required today, primarily instant messaging and flip phones are back with a bang and this one looks nice and is well built only the front display could have had some use but not this time.

It is clearly targeted at the senior market or those seeking a “dumbphone” experience who still need essential smart features like WhatsApp which is like other massaging apps more commonly used now and a growing trend with senior users of smartphones.

The TOUCHsmart.3 is built around a “best-of-both-worlds” design philosophy, blending hardware and software elements for maximum accessibility.

The most distinguishing factor is the flip design coupled with dual input:

  1. Physical Keypad: Features large, clearly labeled keys that are easy to press, making dialing and basic texting straightforward.
  2. Touchscreen: The internal 3.47-inch display is a full touchscreen, allowing users to navigate apps like WhatsApp and maps just like a small smartphone, you would be forgiven to forget it is actually a touch screen which I forgot several times but its cool and you should avail of it.

This combination addresses the common frustration of needing a full keyboard for dialing but a touchscreen for modern app interaction. Flipping open the phone also automatically answers a call like the good oul days with flip phones.

Unlike many basic feature phones, the TOUCHsmart.3 supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. Crucially, it runs on a simplified Android OS, giving it the power to run essential modern communication apps.

Emporia highlights the dedicated shortcut key for messaging (WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram), recognizing that staying in touch often means more than just SMS and voice calls.

Yays

  • Ease of Use: The large buttons and the charging cradle are highly praised by the target audience (seniors).
  • SOS Function: The dedicated emergency button offers peace of mind by contacting up to five designated contacts instantly which is a key USP with emporia devices all round
  • Build Quality: It has an IP44 rating and generally feels sturdy and well-built.
  • Accessibility: Hearing aid compatibility (M4/T4) is a thoughtful inclusion.

Nays

  • Performance: The hardware (2GB RAM, MediaTek P35) can lead to some lagging especially when using complex apps or trying to multitask but this device is not targetted at such a user but tested anyway.
  • Battery Life: The 1,400 mAh battery capacity is relatively small for an Android-based device, possibly needing to charge it daily, particularly if using messaging apps frequently.
  • Limited Customization: Being an adapted Android device, it can be restrictive in accessing deeper settings or using alternative launchers.
  • Internal Storage: The 16GB internal memory is limited, although it is expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD.
  • Camera Quality: The 8 MP main camera is functional but delivers only basic photo quality, which is typical for a device in this segment but perfoms well in daytime scenarios.

The emporia TOUCHsmart.3 is an excellent choice for a very specific user: someone who values the tangible simplicity of a flip phone and physical buttons but cannot live without a key messaging app like WhatsApp to stay connected with family.

It’s the ultimate compromise phone—less complex than a full smartphone, but far more connected than a standard feature phone.

If your priority is simplicity, ease of calling/texting, safety, and a dedicated WhatsApp button, the TOUCHsmart.3 is a highly recommendable device.

However, if you require a phone for heavy internet browsing, demanding apps, long-lasting battery life without daily charging, or taking high-quality photos, you might find the performance and battery limitations frustrating but previous flip phone users of old will feel comfortable as they where the same before and again aimed at a targt demographic.

 

Image and Video samples day and night front and rear cameras

 

Features

  • Simple and Convenient: With pre-installed WhatsApp, you can easily chat with family and friends, share photos or send voice messages – without any complicated settings. Stay in touch with your loved ones with ease.
  • Your Everyday Smart Companion: Large physical keys, a bright color touchscreen, and intuitive navigation make it extremely easy to use – perfect for those looking for a hassle-free mobile experience.
  • One-Touch Security: The built-in emergency button allows up to five contacts to be alerted with a single press – for quick and efficient assistance when needed.
  • Exceptional Sound Quality: Extra-loud ringtone, loud speakers, and hearing aid compatibility ensure you won’t miss a call and hear every conversation clearly.
  • Convenient Charging – No More Bulky Cables: The included charging dock makes charging a breeze – just put the phone on its stand, and it charges automatically. No more fiddling with cables.

BUY

Unboxing and walkthrough

Other emporia reviews 

 

Transatel announces private LTE/5G extension solution enabling connected devices to seamlessly switch between private and public cellular networks, worldwide

At the occasion of the Mobile World Congress 2022, Transatel (subsidiary of NTT Ltd.) unveils a major evolution of its SIM technology that enables any devices to securely connect to both private networks as well as public cellular networks across the globe. A brand-new feature that becomes critical given the massive adoptions of private 5G in factories and campuses expected in the next few years. A technology breakthrough that was recently recognized as the “Most ambitious project” by the IoT Awards at IoT Solutions and M2M Congress in Paris.

 Smart manufacturing is on the rise so as private mobile networks

Recent report from NTT and the Economist shows that over half of the companies surveyed plan to deploy a private 5G network within the next 6-24 months. A trend fueled by the rapid adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), automation, machine-to-machine communications and the Internet of Things (IoT); All increasingly data-driven application flourishing in sectors such as industrial manufacturing, logistics, automotive and healthcare to name a few. Private 5G networks can provide coverage in strategic locations, both indoors or outdoors, such as at manufacturing plants or ports and offer substantial benefits in terms of speed, productivity and security compared with Wi-Fi. It is then no surprise that 4G and 5G private networks markets will respectively reach $66.88 billion and $47.5 billion for a total exceeding $109 billion in 2030, according to ABI Research.

Industries need secure and reliable connectivity beyond their own private networks

By design, private cellular networks are not interconnected to mobile operators’ public radio networks which may limit their full potential. Today, organizations expect full control over their connectivity and independence from mobile carriers. They look for secure, fail-safe, globally scalable solutions that can enable any mobility use case beyond borders, at a reasonable cost. According to OMDIA’s latest Private LTE and 5G Network Enterprise Survey Insight, 75% of enterprises want hybrid public-private 5G solutions.

Options to expand a private cellular network beyond its perimeter exist but they imply multiple roaming agreements and the creation of multiple interconnections with public networks. Such an approach tends to quickly become costly and time-consuming and complexifies projects implementation while putting the network security at risk.

Based on its proven cellular technology expertise, Transatel developed a unique set of APIs enabling its SIM to seamlessly switch between private and public cellular networks, worldwide.

“We have developed a natively secure solution, enabling our SIM to seamlessly switch between private and any public cellular networks. Our clients can now choose how and when their SIM switch from their own private to public networks. This automatic or manual network switch set up can be based on SIM location, NFC detection, vocal command, use of a specific application on the connected device or even depending on the hour of the day.” says Romain Durand, R&D and Innovation programs Director at Transatel.

With this innovative solution, Transatel addresses a native limitation of Private cellular networks as well as basic needs of SIM providers. From factories to campuses, harbors and airports, this breakthrough feature will ensure critical operations continuity as moving devices such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots, ACPCs (Always Connected PCs) or push to talk applications for field personnel require uninterrupted connectivity, even at the edge where the private network may be unavailable or out of reach.

By offering a single interconnection between private networks and its core network infrastructure and thus providing extended global coverage across 180+ destinations, Transatel Private LTE/5G Networks Extension solution removes complexity and frees private network owners from establishing complex roaming agreements with numerous national mobile carriers,” adds Christian Regnier, co-founder and chairman of EUWENA (European Users Wireless Enterprise Network Association), and founder and chairman of PRIVINNET.

To learn more about Transatel Private networks Extension solution, please visit https://www.transatel.com/iot/private-cellular-networks/ or meet us on our booth 5J50 (Hall 5) at MWC’22 in Barcelona, from February 28th to March 3rd.