Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Review: Smartwatch + Fitness Watch = a Good Mix

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Review: Smartwatch + Fitness Watch = a Good Mix

There's a lot to like about the $450 Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Not only does it have all the trimmings of a smartwatch, but it adds extra sports functions that athletes may want -- and for almost half the price of some other outdoor watches with similar construction like the $900 Garmin Epix 2. 

It also has a tougher design and bigger battery than the regular Galaxy Watch 5. Just don't expect it to be a true outdoor watch that you can take on multi-day adventures, because the battery life isn't as strong as the competition.

Both the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are Samsung's second-gen Galaxy watches running Wear OS 3. Until we see the new Pixel Watch and a range of long-promised watches also on the new platform, they're the best Android watches you can get.

But the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro only comes in one 45-millimeter case size, which might be too big for smaller wrists. Note that even though this is an Android watch, some of Samsung's key health features require a Samsung phone to use. 

Tough design with a bulky fit on the wrist

The Watch 5 Pro is more durable than the regular Galaxy Watch 5. It has a raised rim around the screen, titanium construction and stronger sapphire crystal glass on the screen. With an IP68 rating, it's also dust- and water-resistant. While I haven't deliberately dropped it or tried to scratch it, I've taken it on a dusty bike ride, scuffed it in sand at the beach and lifted weights that banged up against the watch. It still looks brand new, but only time will tell how it might stand up in tougher environments such as construction sites. 

Lexy Savvides/CNET

It only comes in one 45mm size, which makes it more difficult for those with smaller wrists to wear, unlike the 40mm and 44mm options on the regular watch. I've worn larger watches before -- the Garmin Epix 2 comes to mind, with its hefty 47mm frame. But for people with even smaller wrists than mine, it will probably be too big and possibly too heavy at 76 grams (2.6 ounces) with the included magnetic buckle strap. I'm disappointed that the watch's bulky design will inherently limit its appeal. But the 1.4-inch AMOLED screen is bright, sharp and shows Wear OS (and Samsung's One UI interface) in the best light.

Instead of a physical rotating bezel, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro comes with a touch bezel that lets you navigate menus alongside the touchscreen and side buttons. It's easier to use on the Watch 5 Pro compared to the regular Watch 5 because of the Pro's raised edge. You can almost rest your finger against it as you "turn" the bezel. It's still not as precise as having a physical bezel that clicks into place, especially if you have wet or sweaty hands -- which seems inevitable if you're really using this watch for its sports capabilities. 

I can see why Samsung opted to remove the physical rotating bezel, given it's another moving part that could potentially get damaged or jammed if you're using this watch in tough environments. But I still miss having that option and feel Samsung could have made other compromises instead. For example, I could imagine using the inner rim of the raised edge as a small rotating bezel instead.

Thickness comparison between the Galaxy Watch 5 (left) and Pro (right).

Lexy Savvides/CNET

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro uses the same processor as last year's Galaxy Watch 4, rather than the new Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 chip. Performance is snappy for the most part and the watch loads apps quickly, though there were a few occasions when the raise-to-wake was a little sluggish compared to the regular Galaxy Watch 5. There's an LTE variant available that costs $499, though I haven't tested that model.

It shares the exact same Wear OS platform and user interface as the regular Galaxy Watch 5, which uses Google apps alongside Samsung services like Samsung Health. You can read more about apps and functionality in my full review of the Galaxy Watch 5.

Galaxy Watch 5 Pro track back and sports modes

Both Galaxy Watch 5 versions can track more than 90 exercise types and can auto-detect certain workouts like running, swimming and elliptical after 10 minutes of activity. But the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has a few more sports features. Do they warrant this watch's "Pro" title? Maybe.

The first is track back. This works with hikes and outdoor cycling, helping route you back to your start point on the same path. Just swipe over to the settings cog, find track back and the watch will show a map on screen with your current location, turn-by-turn guidance and distances. The path you traveled to arrive at your current location is shown in blue, and it's overlayed in green as you start navigating back. It's easy to use, with the watch either buzzing or providing audible notifications when you need to make your next turn. It routed me back home on exactly the same path I hiked in on when I tried it out on a trail I've never taken before. Maybe a future software update could bring this to other outdoor GPS workout types like runs and walks, as it's a helpful feature.

A route displayed on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro screen.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

You can also import routes to the watch and get turn-by-turn navigation. It only works with hikes and bike rides at the moment, but it's really easy to import a GPX file. I exported a previous ride from Strava and uploaded it to the Watch 5 Pro in seconds from the Samsung Health app. Like track back, the map (which uses Google Maps) looks great on the screen and it's easy to view. You can also export routes you've done on the watch from the Samsung Health app, too.

The Samsung Health app only provides two suggested routes for cycling and hiking, just in case you don't have any routes of your own saved yet, but they're based in New York and London, so not super helpful if you don't live in either of those cities. But I don't mind because the mapping interface is cleaner and easier to read than some other sports watches I've used thanks to Google Maps. The watch also offers turn-by-turn navigation, which can guide you through a route with voice, vibrations and on-screen alerts.

Some of the track back and mapping features on this watch aren't new to the world of dedicated running watches -- even watches that cost half as much. But it doesn't really feel like Samsung is trying to position this watch to be a replacement or direct competitor with the likes of higher-end Garmin watches anyway. If you're a serious athlete, you'd want more in-depth analysis and features than what the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro can provide with its first-party workout apps.

Also, the always-on display is pretty dim when you're in direct sunlight. I had to squint in a couple situations to see elapsed time or my pace, which prompted me to stop and tap the screen to wake it up to check my stats. Fortunately, I didn't have any issues with visibility indoors or in shaded conditions.

Track back on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

Sensor accuracy is great for workouts, but temperature is TBD

I tested the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro's optical heart rate sensor against a chest strap to see how it would fare through a range of cardio workouts.

For an outdoor bike ride, which involves extra variables like bumps in the road and more arm movement that you wouldn't get on a stationary bike, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro did a good job keeping close to the readings from the chest strap. There were only two small intervals during the almost 2-hour workout where it deviated slightly from the control sensor, as you can see in the chart below. For a more steady cardio walkout like a regular walk, the watch also did a good job of sticking close to the heart rate monitor. Unlike some other running watches, you can't pair an external heart-rate monitor with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. 

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro (purple line) compared to a chest strap (blue line).

Lexy Savvides/CNET

GPS accuracy is really good on both Galaxy Watch 5 models. I had no issues locking on to a signal within 5 seconds in San Francisco, either with or without a phone in range.

The infrared sensor is what sets the Watch 5 series apart from last year's models. But it's not active yet and we don't have an ETA on when it will get switched on via software update. Samsung says it will be used nightly while sleeping. Competitors like Fitbit and Oura use the infrared sensors on their devices for skin temperature tracking during sleep. It gives more insights into whether or not you may be running a fever, or to give insight into menstrual cycles. 

This isn't the first time a wearable has been launched without a key feature or sensor active. Fitbit's Charge 5 launched without its key daily readiness score active, and the ECG on Samsung's earlier Galaxy Watch 3 was unlocked about a month after launch once it received FDA clearance. I'm disappointed that we don't have too much extra detail about how Samsung or third-party developers could use this temperature sensor yet, because it's the main new feature of both Galaxy Watches. I hope at the very least when it does launch that it shows nightly sleep temperature trends like those other wearables I mentioned.

Most of the other health features and sensors remain largely unchanged from the Galaxy Watch 4. You still get that bioimpedance sensor to measure body composition, plus a blood oxygen sensor and ECG. But to use the ECG and blood pressure sensor (only available in select countries), you will need to pair with a Samsung Galaxy phone.

The Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro need a Samsung phone to use the ECG. This is what you'll see if you pair with any other Android phone.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

I've had mixed results from the blood oxygen sensor, which tends to read a little lower than both a pulse oximeter and other wearables, especially at night. At times, I've had both the Galaxy Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro say my lowest blood oxygen level was anywhere from 80 to 87% which is particularly low and could indicate signs of sleep conditions like sleep apnea. No other wearable has ever given me such low readings, especially when I charted the same night's sleep with both the Fitbit Charge 5 and Oura ring. Blood oxygen sensors are generally not medically cleared, so take their readings with a grain of salt and always consult a medical professional for proper guidance. I've reached out to Samsung about the mysteriously low readings and will update this review when I hear back.

Recovery metrics are the missing piece of the puzzle

One of the biggest advantages of wearing a smartwatch in recent years is learning more about how your body recovers after a workout or from illness. There are limited recovery metrics available in Samsung Health and on the watch itself, including a sleep score and stress readings that don't really tell you much beyond a scale of high, average or low. What does that mean? It's up to you to work that out.

You can also track sweat loss after an outdoor run, plus recovery heart rate when you set body composition targets. But again, the onus is really on you to interpret this data, and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro doesn't go as far as the competition in making all this easy to understand.

Garmin offers the Body Battery, which takes into account heart rate variability, sleep and activity levels to determine if you can push yourself to do another workout or should take it easy. Similarly, Fitbit has the Daily Readiness Score that also gives you suggested workouts to do based on your score. Even if the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro had a recovery time metric to let you know how long your body needs between workouts, that would be better than nothing.

The biggest battery on a Galaxy Watch, but I want even more

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro has the biggest battery from the 2022 range at 590 mAh. Samsung claims it can last up to 80 hours in total with regular use, or 20 hours with GPS. I did a 2-hour hike with airplane mode active to ensure I was using GPS-only, and the battery dropped by just 10% even with the always-on display active. That's promising performance, and under those conditions the watch would meet the 20-hour claim with GPS alone. (I wasn't quite ready to do a 20-hour hike to test continuous drain.)

With regular usage, including phone notifications, always-on display, sleep tracking, continuous heart rate monitoring and a 1-hour GPS workout every day, the Watch 5 Pro lasted for 2.5 full days, or a little over 58 hours. That's better than last year's Galaxy Watch 4 range, but nowhere near similarly priced competitors like the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, which can reach a week or more between charges. Samsung claims a maximum of 80 hours of use under normal conditions, which you might meet if you do fewer outdoor workouts and turn the always-on display off.

Fortunately, both the regular Watch 5 and Watch 5 Pro support faster charging and can reach 45% charge in 30 minutes. I tested this with the Watch 5 Pro and recharged from flat to 42% full in half an hour. It takes a little over 2 hours for the watch to fully juice up from flat. But you need a 25-watt USB-C charger to take advantage of this faster charge speed and, just like the Apple Watch, there's no charging brick included in the box.

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro can also take advantage of reverse wireless charging if you have a Samsung phone, but it's tricky to get the watch to lie flat with the magnetic buckle strap, so I usually end up relying on the included charging puck.

Lexy Savvides/CNET

Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: 'Pro' in name, almost enough in practice

Samsung has a legacy in sports watches, including the Gear range. But it feels like the company could have gone one step further in making this a true fitness watch with even more sports features. That said, this is a really strong smartwatch with a durable construction to suit casual athletes or anyone who needs a tougher wearable.

So it's easy to recommend the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro if you're looking for an Android watch that skews more to being a true smartwatch with a few sports features thrown in, rather than a fitness watch. I'd also pick this over the regular Galaxy Watch 5 simply because it has better battery life. 

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You Need to Watch the Most Underrated Superhero Show on HBO Max

You Need to Watch the Most Underrated Superhero Show on HBO Max

Superman has never been an easy character to relate to. He is, essentially, a perfect being. Because he's the most powerful and morally pure character in the DC universe, there's not a lot of drama or internal conflict to mine from the Man of Steel. Contrast this with Batman, whose dark and flawed character makes him a fan favorite.

Of course, in the Marvel universe you have complex characters like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki and the current run of She-Hulk, who headline their respective hit shows on Disney Plus. In comparison, Superman & Lois, which aired on The CW network and is now streaming both of its seasons on HBO Max, has flown under the radar. But it may be more impressive because it achieved a seemingly impossible goal: create a version of Superman that retains his Boy Scout personality but still makes him relatable. 

The show does so by focusing on the theme of family, breathing new life into the franchise. 

As a result, Superman & Lois may be the best iteration of Superman in TV or film. And this is coming from someone who watched Christopher Reeve's pitch-perfect performance at just the right age for it to leave a permanent impression.

The Reeve portrayal is one to be placed on a pedestal. But this new version speaks to me to an almost frighteningly personal degree. The new version of Clark Kent, played by Tyler Hoechlin, has been married to Lois for a while, and has two teenage boys. I'm also a father of two young boys. As amazing as Superman is at averting nuclear meltdowns or fending off rogue Kryptonians, he struggles to be a good father and makes bad decisions with the best of intentions. I can relate. (To the fatherhood bits anyway.) 

That's not to say you need to be a father of two to appreciate the show. While it's technically part of the CW's "Arrowverse" universe of DC comic shows like The Flash and Supergirl (sort of... you get more indications at the end of the second season), it stands apart and feels different from everything that's come before it. The budget and production values are markedly higher, and the show is structured differently. 

Where The Flash and Supergirl feature a group of do-gooders fighting off a threat of the week, Superman & Lois is a fascinating mashup of a typical comic book show and something grounded, like Friday Night Lights. There's a healthy amount of time spent on developing characters, who act like they're real people and not figures in some drama. 

Hoechlin's Superman (or Kent) isn't the only character to root for in this show. Bitsie Tulloch is a force of nature as Lois Lane, showing her strength not just as a hard-nosed investigative journalist but as a protective mother. A large chunk of season 1 sees Lois working with local reporter Chrissy Beppo (Sofia Hasmik) to investigate a story, with discussions of actual journalism work, which again hits near and dear to my heart. Hitting upon the family theme further, season 2 has Lois working to free her sister from the clutches of a cult leader who's more than she seems. 

Perhaps the most surprising elements are Lois and Clark's teenage sons, Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alex Garfin). These characters could've easily been annoying or gotten wrapped up in the kind of melodrama that typical TV teenagers get into. The show airs on the CW, after all. And at first blush, Jonathan, a quarterback, and Jordan, an awkward brooder, fall into the usual cliches.

But instead, the link between these two brothers, one of whom -- light spoilers! -- develops superpowers, serves as a centerpiece of the show. Yes, they get into conflicts, and there are misunderstandings. There's jealousy and teenage gripes. But at the end of the day, the two talk like actual people and display an enduring level of support for each other.

The core family, flanked by a host of supporting characters who refuse to be typecast or go the obvious route, make for a show that's as enjoyable when they're hanging out at a local cafe as it is when Superman takes on an Iron Man-esque armored adversary. Emmanuelle Chriqui is a Lana Lang who's more world-weary than we remember, while Adam Rayner is deliciously devious as villain Morgan Edge, who gets a more complex arc in the second half that again ties into the idea of family. Wolé Parks, who plays the mysterious "Stranger" (who's definitely more than he seems) has one of the most satisfying character arcs in the show. 

That's not to say there isn't loads of action. Superman & Lois takes its time with setting up its plot points, but that expanded budget ensured there are a number of set pieces that displayed the Man of Steel's power. From the cinematography to the special effects, the show is a big step up from the standard CW show and rightfully belongs on HBO Max.

The first season starts slow, but the arcs pick up the pace near the end, with twists and epic battles between superpowered figures, and all the stakes of any major comic book franchise. Plot points and clues buried early in the season pay off with almost overwhelming speed, and you're left with a satisfied conclusion. 

It's telling that the final scene of the first season, which created a huge cliffhanger for the following season, isn't about some world-ending threat or new villain. It's about how the dynamics of the Kent family will change in interesting and even awkward ways.

Without any spoilers, the second season takes things up a notch, putting a disturbing mirror to the show and its characters that open up a ton of storytelling opportunities. 

Superman & Lois has been green-lit for a third season. So you're safe knowing that your commitment to this first season will get some payoff.

Even for die-hard Marvel fan, this is a refreshing take on the superhero genre that's worth your time.

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How To Set Up Ring's Halloween-themed Chimes And Quick Replies — CNET

How to set up Ring's Halloween-themed chimes and quick replies — CNET

How to set up Ring's Halloween-themed chimes and quick replies — CNET

Halloween is right around the corner. That means it's time to cue up the Netflix Halloween flicks, and dress up your fur buddies and kids (some Disney costumes are on sale now). Sure, you can always hang plastic spiders and drape cotton-ball cobwebs around the house to spice up your Halloween decor, but if you really want to get into the spooky spirit, try these new features from Amazon.

This year, you can use your Amazon and Ring devices to greet guests with creepy or nostalgic Hocus Pocus quick replies. Or play spooky sounds from your Echo-enabled device. You can even add a few hardware accessories to your video doorbell or Echo Show. 

We'll show you how to enable Halloween-themed Alexa skills and other spooky tricks. Here are the latest Amazon features that were announced just in time for the holidays. Plus, you may be able to save on a new Echo Show or Ring Video Doorbell with Amazon's Black Friday-worthy deals. This story was recently updated. 

Update your doorbell's Quick Replies 

With Ring's Quick Reply feature, you can select an automated response to greet your guest if you can't answer. Your doorbell can say, "We can't answer the door right now, but if you'd like to leave a message, you can do it now," and "Please leave the package outside. If you'd like to leave a message, you can do it now." There are four other regular replies to choose from. 

With all Quick Replies, you can watch your visitor leave a message in Live View or in your event history if you're a Ring Protect subscriber. But for Halloween, you can add quick replies from Hocus Pocus or other spooktacular replies. Here are a few we like:

• "Tell us what brings you here... or we'll put a spell on you!"
• "Boo! Leave us a message if you dare [evil laugh]."
• "Just a minute! Feel free to park your broom."
• "Please leave the package (and any hocus pocus) outside."

Here's how to set up Quick Replies and add Halloween ones: 

• Open the Ring app.
• Tap the three lines on the top left.
• Tap Devices.
• Select the doorbell that you want to set up.
• Tap the Smart Assistant tile below the doorbell image.
• Tap Quick Replies.
• Tap the blue Enable Autoreply button on the bottom of the screen.
• Select your preferred default message from the list.
• Set your message delay time from Right away to 20 seconds.
• Tap Got It! to complete the setup.

Add Halloween chimes to your Ring doorbell 

For Halloween, you can choose from a new set of holiday chimes. Options include bats, ghosts, howl, scream, spooky organ tones, a creepy laugh, a screeching cat and a creaky door.

To change your Ring Chime Tone: 

• Open the Ring app.
• Tap the three lines on the top left.
• Tap Devices.
• Select the doorbell that you want to set up.
• Tap the Device Settings.
• Tap Notification Settings.
• Tap App Alert Tones.

Ring can help take your spooky porch decor to the next level.

Ring

Give your doorbell a spooky faceplate

If you're really in the Halloween spirit, you can put a holiday faceplate on your Ring doorbell. 

A bat design and a spiderweb design are available for the Ring Video Doorbell 2.

There are also faceplate options for the Video Doorbell 3, Video Doorbell 3 Plus, and Video Doorbell 4. Faceplates for all models cost $15 on Ring's website. There are even a few for the holiday season. 

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Galaxy Watch 4: Samsung is coming for Apple Watch's crown with Wear OS 3

Galaxy Watch 4: Samsung is coming for Apple Watch's crown with Wear OS 3

There's one clear go-to smartwatch for iOS: the Apple Watch. But for Android, there hasn't been a singular option. Will the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 finally be that watch? At Samsung's newest folding-phone-focused Unpacked announcement  where the latest Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 phones were unveiled, the company also announced the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic -- which can be preordered now and go on sale Aug. 27. I've already started to wear them and test them: here's the full review. They're the first Samsung watches to have the Google co-designed Wear OS 3, which isn't coming to other smartwatches until next year. Following the already-excellent Watch Active 3, will the Galaxy Watch 4 be even better? It certainly looks like it.

Much like previous Samsung watches, there are two designs: a sleeker, less expensive Watch 4 and a more traditional-looking Watch 4 Classic. The latter brings back Samsung's physically rotating outer bezel and has more traditional watch-like looks and straps. The prices ramp up based on either design ($250 for the aluminum 40mm Watch 4, $350 for the stainless steel 42mm Watch 4 Classic), size (the larger 44mm Watch 4/46mm Watch 4 Classic cost an extra $30) or LTE data compatibility (an extra $50 on top of that). In the UK, the Watch 4 starts at £249, and the Classic at £349. Australian prices are TBD.

Samsung's watches have always been good. Then there's also been Fitbit and even Google Wear OS. But Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 is looking to tie it all together and reboot the Android watch landscape by finally not having a weird split between Samsung's watch experience and Google's. 

Promises of better watch-phone connection

The Watch 4's new Google- and Samsung-developed OS will eventually show up on other smartwatches. But for Samsung's newest watches, it should mean a more Android-fluid connected experience. Notifications, calls, controlling your phone, syncing with your phone settings: Samsung promises that the Watch 4 will do all this better than previous watches. Samsung's also promising better battery life and speedier performance. That battery life may still only be about two days, but it'll be enough to go to bed with and track sleep overnight. Samsung also renamed its watch: The Watch Active name is gone. (Welcome back, Galaxy Watch.)

The Galaxy Watch 4 is only made for Android phones, with no plans for iOS compatibility right now. While previous Wear OS and Samsung watches could pair with iPhones, the Watch 4 is clearly made to be a seamlessly connecting watch for Android (and specifically Samsung) phones. Samsung's "One UI" philosophy is about syncing wallpapers, designs and settings across phone and watch. Will the watch feel like a seamless extension of the phone? We'll see when we test-drive one.

The new rear sensor array includes electrical bioimpedance, which promises scale-like body fat/BMI estimates.

Drew Evans/CNET

Health tech: Snore detection and bioimpedance-based body analysis

There are several new health features on the Watch 4 on top of the ones that carried over from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3. Besides heart rate, blood oxygen and electrocardiogram (and stress-sensing/blood pressure testing that requires calibration with a blood pressure cuff), Samsung is adding a few extras to sleep tracking. Snore detection works using the paired Android phone's microphone, and the blood oxygen checks now run continuously once a minute overnight (or as a spot-check during the day).

Samsung also added a new sensor to its rear array: an electrical bioimpedance sensor for full-body analysis using a weak electrical current to measure how conductive you are -- and therefore showing what you're made of. This type of sensor tech hasn't been on recent smartwatches; the last wearable I remember promising bioimpedance was the Jawbone Up 3. 

When using the body analysis feature, there will be readouts on your BMI, muscle mass and body water along with body fat percentages, much like some scales. I'm not sure how I feel about that! Samsung Health will use this readout to calculate a range of where your health is compared to optimal levels. 

New sensor tech is always a toss-up: Will it work? Will it be useful? We don't know yet. Samsung is aiming for this to be a comprehensive body analysis tool, which sounds awfully ambitious. Last year, the Fitbit Sense also introduced new electrodermal stress-detection sensors, but I never found them meaningful in my everyday life. Jury's still out on the bioimpedance features, too.

Samsung Health remains the fitness and health platform default for the Galaxy Watch 4, despite the OS change. But a shift to Google Play for apps and new support for watch face complications should mean a lot of fitness apps make the shift, too. (Complications are basically those little watch-face widgets that show data from other apps, and they're pretty helpful.) Samsung's already announced that Strava, Calm and Adidas Running are supported. Spotify's also supported for on-watch music playback.

See that rotating bezel? It's back.

Drew Evans/CNET

Boosted specs

The Watch 4's new processor should be faster than the last Watch 3 (20% faster CPU and 50% faster GPU, according to Samsung) and there's more RAM (1.5GB) and storage (16GB) than before. That should make animations and app-launching speedier. The Super AMOLED display is sharper: the 1.2-inch 42 and 40mm models have a 396x396-pixel resolution, while the 1.4-inch 44 and 46mm models are 450x450. The watches can also quick charge, gaining 10 hours of battery life on a 30-minute charge.

The rotating bezel is back

Both the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic lean heavily on touching the outer rim of the watch to "spin" and navigate: the Watch 4 has a touch-sensitive rim, while the Classic has a physical rotating bezel. Samsung's also putting touch controls into these watches to allow swipe navigation, much like Wear OS watches. You can choose how to interact.

A few other buttons on the side of the watch control moving back and forth in the interface and can be reprogrammed. One can be pressed and held for Samsung's Bixby assistant; the other for Samsung Pay. But you can make Google Assistant and Google Pay the go-to apps instead.

Some of the Google apps on the Galaxy Watch 4 have a familiar Google look.

Google

Google apps onboard

Google's Wear OS 3 being on the Galaxy Watch 4 means it'll hook into Google Play, but it's also getting some revamped Google apps. Google's already committed to new YouTube, Google Maps, Google Pay and Messages apps, which have new designs for Wear OS 3. There are also third-party updates with new Tiles: Calm, Komoot, MyFitnessPal, Period Tracker, Sleep Cycle, Spotify and Strava are among the first to get updates. Google is committing to rolling out more updates over time, meaning that both Samsung and Google should be keeping this watch full of apps.

But you're stuck with Bixby for now. Samsung's voice assistant is still the default on the watch, which comes up when pressing and holding the top button. Google Assistant isn't available at the moment, which is frustrating -- that's one of the top things I'd want to access on a Google-connected watch.

Could this be the best Android watch?

The Galaxy Watch 4 looks like the ultimate fusion of a Samsung watch with Google watches -- and that could be a winning formula for using Google Maps, connected phone features and third-party fitness apps on Google Play, which is the Galaxy Watch 4's default app store. It should be the hardware-boosted Google watch that we've been waiting years for. The software interface seems exactly like what you'd expect: part Samsung, part Google. But is it worth waiting to see how it works out, or should you just go for this first model? Hard to tell, since it's the first of its kind.

It's not surprising that Samsung's new health features and its new OS aren't coming to older Samsung watches for now. Some of them might, but expect this to largely be a clean break and a reboot. And we also don't really know how many of the Galaxy Watch 4's features will carry over to the rest of Google's future Wear OS 3 watch lineup, which will include watches from Mobvoi, Fossil and eventually Fitbit.

Those Wear OS 3 watch updates won't come to those other watches until 2022, which makes the Galaxy Watch 4 the only new Google-connected Wear OS 3 watch this year. For that reason alone, it could very well be the best Android watch of the moment. As to how it actually feels and works? We'll have full hands-on impressions and a review in the days ahead... but the Galaxy Watch 4 looks extremely promising for any Android phone owner who wants a much more hooked-in watch.

§

Google's new Samsung-codesigned version of Wear OS is officially called Wear OS 3, and it'll be on Samsung's next-gen Galaxy Watch soon. But for many watch owners it won't arrive until 2022. Or, you won't be able to get the new software at all.

The latest news comes from a new update from Google, which will make watches eligible for the next version of Wear OS. According to Google, which shared the information with CNET, Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3 GPS, TicWatch Pro 3 cellular, and TicWatch E3 will get the upgrade, along with Fossil's next-gen smartwatches, which are coming this fall. But that software update won't be coming in 2021. Instead, it'll be in the middle of next year.

Fossil shared news of its next-gen smartwatches with CNET earlier this year, but now it looks like Fossil's watches (and Mobvoi's) won't have Wear OS 3 to start, instead they'll come with an option to upgrade the OS in the "mid to second half of 2022."

Google also cautions that the OS update involves a complete reboot to factory settings, and that for some watches the "user experiences will be impacted," suggesting some people could choose to keep the previous version of Wear OS. Google wouldn't clarify what those "impacted" experiences will be, but told CNET via email that it will "share more at the time of upgrade so users can make an informed decision."

Other Wear OS watches won't get Wear OS 3, as Google had indicated before, but some future software features are still expected, with security updates for at least "two years from device launch."

Samsung is expected to announce its newest Galaxy Watch on Aug. 11 during its summer Unpacked event. That watch will have Google's Wear OS 3, making it the only Wear OS 3 watch that's confirmed for 2021. Google wouldn't confirm whether other Wear OS 3 watches are expected this year or not, but for now it looks like Samsung may have an exclusive window on its Wear OS partnership.

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Samsung tab s8 ultra reviews samsung s8 ultra tab samsung ultra tab s8 samsung galaxy tab s8 ultra samsung galaxy tab s8 ultra price samsung galaxy tablet samsung s galaxy tab s8 ultra samsung s galaxy tab a8 samsung s21 fe samsung smart switch

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra should have been a Chromebook

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra should have been a Chromebook

Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra looks like it's going to be amazing if your tablet is feeling a little too small these days. Announced at Samsung's Unpacked event on Wednesday with its new Galaxy S22 phones, the Tab S8 Ultra is a gigantic 14.6-inch premium tablet with a full-size detachable backlit keyboard that includes a touchpad and support for an updated S Pen stylus for improved pen-on-paper feel on the display. It also has some killer specs including dual, front-facing 12-megapixel cameras, Wi-Fi 6E and 4K video capture.

The tablet, which is available for preorder now and ships later this month, certainly looks like it'll be worthy competition for Apple's 12.9-inch iPad Pro (and it has some advantages Apple should consider adding). Both tablets are made for entertainment, creative work and productivity. The iPad Pro can do those first two things no problem, and it'll likely be the same for the Tab S8 Ultra. But iPadOS and Android are still behind when it comes to productivity. 

That's why it would have made more sense to skip Android for this device and make what could've been the best Chromebook detachable two-in-one to date. Chrome OS's Play store integration combined with web apps and general flexibility for work and entertainment makes it a better choice. Here's why.

DeX is great, but still a workaround

DeX, Samsung's desktop-experience interface for its Android devices, is key to the Tab S8 Ultra's appeal as a productivity machine. It essentially gives the tablet an interface that looks more like Windows or MacOS and allows Android greater usability for work and school, including keyboard, mouse and external monitor support. And it also lets you use windowed versions of your apps for easier multitasking with them side-by-side or overlapping. 

I haven't used the latest version of DeX that will be on the S8 Ultra, but I have used previous versions of it, going back to when it first arrived on a Galaxy Tab with the S4. It has always felt like a work in progress. Not all apps work in DeX mode, and even those that do aren't always supported 100%. 

Chromebooks have desktop and tablet modes

It's pretty clear the Tab S8 Ultra is designed to be equal parts tablet and laptop, so why not give it an OS that can better handle switching between the two? Chromebooks can do just that. Models like Lenovo's Chromebook Duet and HP's Chromebook x2 11 have the same two-in-one detachable keyboard design as the Ultra. 

Used as a laptop, these Chromebooks have a traditional desktop OS experience. But remove the keyboard and Chrome OS can switch to a more touch-friendly interface, complete with multitouch gestures to help with navigation. They're pen-enabled, too, so using Samsung's excellent S Pen for writing or drawing is still an option. 

A Google Meet superstar 

Samsung worked with Google to make the Tab S8 series better for video calling and live sharing using Google Duo. You'll be able to do things like co-watch videos on YouTube or collaborate using Google's whiteboard app, Jamboard. It also has two high-resolution cameras in front and software that can automatically reframe the picture to stay focused on you and others on camera. 

The thing is, when it comes to videoconferencing, it's Meet, Zoom and Teams most people care about, which Chromebooks can handle no problem, all while other apps are running in the background for multitasking. 

Gaming would still be great, too

The biggest appeal of the Ultra for many will be for gaming. On an OLED screen that size, the best Android games will no doubt pop, and combined with its quad speakers, it'll likely deliver an amazing, immersive experience. 

However, switching to Chrome OS doesn't change any of that, since it would still have access to the Play Store for loading up Android games on this tablet. Plus, cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming and Google Stadia are all accessible on a Chromebook, too. And with the Tab S8's Wi-Fi 6E, it'll have plenty of wireless speed for a smooth streaming experience. 

The biggest hurdle for a Tab S8 Ultra as a Chromebook would likely be the price. The Ultra starts at $1,100 and I wouldn't expect that price to come down much with a switch from Android to Chrome OS. A lot of people still think of Chromebooks as cheap with limited capabilities, and paying for a premium one is out of the question. But again, Chrome offers greater flexibility than Android with devices like this, and that's what I would certainly want at this price. 

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Animal Crossing Fireworks Guide: How Long Do Fireworks Last and More

Animal Crossing Fireworks Guide: How Long Do Fireworks Last and More

August is here, which means it's time for a summer Animal Crossing tradition: fireworks! New Horizons players can drop by their island and watch a stunning fireworks display every weekend this month, with a few exclusive items to earn as well. Here's everything you need to know about the fireworks show.

How long do fireworks last?

The fireworks show takes place every Sunday night in August. This year's fireworks fall on the following dates:

• Aug. 7
• Aug. 14
• Aug. 21
• Aug. 28

Each fireworks show begins at 7 p.m. and runs until midnight.

What to do during fireworks

Naturally, the main attraction of the fireworks show is the fireworks. You'll see them lighting up the night sky every few seconds until the show ends at midnight. You can even submit your own designs and have them turned into custom fireworks by speaking to Isabelle, who'll be stationed outside the Resident Services building.

That's not all that Isabelle will do. Speak to her and she'll also gift you a bopper to wear. There are four possible boppers you can receive:

• Bulb bopper
• Flower bopper
• Heart bopper
• Star bopper

Redd's raffle

Redd will also make an appearance during the fireworks show. The shifty fox will have a stall set up in the plaza outside the Resident Services building. For 500 bells, Redd will let you enter his raffle. Each pull will win some kind of prize, from balloons and pinwheels to treats like boba and cotton candy.

Here's the full list of items you can win from Redd's raffle:

1. Red Sparkler
2. Blue Sparkler
3. Fountain Firework
4. Bubble Blower
5. Uchiwa Fan
6. Pinwheel
7. Tweeter
8. Blue Balloon
9. Red Balloon
10. Yellow Balloon
11. Green Balloon
12. Pink Balloon
13. Ramune-Soda Frozen Treat
14. Orange Frozen Treat
15. Chocolate Frozen Treat
16. Plain Cotton Candy
17. Melon Cotton Candy
18. Ramune-Soda Cotton Candy
19. Strawberry Cotton Candy
20. Boba Milk Tea
21. Boba Coffee
22. Boba Strawberry Tea
23. Boba Mango Tea
24. Boba Green Tea

As mentioned, the fireworks show only happens during August, so you won't want to miss it. There are plenty of other in-game events to look forward to soon, though, including Halloween in October and Turkey Day in November.

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Your Phone's Lock Screen Is Getting a Big Revamp

Your Phone's Lock Screen Is Getting a Big Revamp

What's happening

Between the launch of iOS 16, lock screen content company Glance's upcoming expansion in the US and updates to Google's Pixel phone widgets, it's clear the lock screen is about to change.

Why it matters

The lock screen is the first thing most people see when they pick up their phones. These updates suggest companies are trying to make better use of that space.

What's next

Apple's iOS 16 update officially launches in the fall and just arrived in public beta on Monday. Glance has not provided a timeline for its US debut.

What's the first thing you see on your phone each day? It's most likely your lock screen, filled with recent notifications and your lock screen wallpaper. Maybe that wallpaper is a photo of your pet, a picture of a beautiful sunset from a recent vacation or just a cool piece of artwork. That could all change very soon.

The lock screen has long been considered an intimate space reserved for personal photos, important notifications and tools like the flashlight. But companies are increasingly looking to do more with that valuable real estate, as evidenced by Apple's iOS 16 update and other changes reportedly coming to Android phones.

Apple's iOS 16 update, which launched in public beta on Monday, will bring more customization options and new widgets to the iPhone's lock screen when it arrives this fall. You'll be able to see more information quickly and apply stylistic effects to lock screen photos similar to the iPhone's Portrait Mode photography feature.

Glance, a Google-backed subsidiary of mobile ad tech company InMobi, also reiterated its plans to bring its lock screen platform to the US. And Google is reportedly planning to incorporate more bits of information into its own lock screen widget for Pixel phones. 

Taken together, changes like these suggest we might not want to swipe past our lock screens so quickly in the future. 

The widget gallery for the iPhone's lock screen in iOS 16.

Apple/Screenshot by CNET

The iPhone's lock screen is getting a big revamp

One of the biggest features coming in iOS 16 is the new lock screen. Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, called it "the biggest update ever" when he introduced the update at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in June. You'll be able to customize font styles and colors for the date and time in addition to giving your background photo a magazine cover-like aesthetic. 

As I wrote previously, it's really the new widgets that will bring more utility to the iPhone's lock screen. The iPhone already lets you place widgets on your lock screen's secondary Today View screen, which you can access by swiping to the right. 

But iOS 16 adds widgets to the main lock screen for showing bits of information at a glance, like the temperature, Activity Rings from the Apple Watch and upcoming calendar appointments. Android phones have offered this type of functionality for years, and it's nice to see the iPhone follow suit. You can even create multiple lock screens and cycle through them, much like Apple Watch faces.

Since you can add widgets from apps like Spotify, Google Maps and Outlook to the iPhone's Today View, I wouldn't be surprised to see widgets from third parties available for the new lock screen too. If you watch Apple's WWDC demo closely, you can even see an option for a Nike widget. That means developers may soon have another way to reach iPhone owners and prevent their apps from getting buried deep within a user's app library. 

It's impossible to know how useful this new lock screen will be without spending a significant amount of time with iOS 16. But as I've written before, it sounds like iOS 16's new widgets will make your iPhone feel more similar to the Apple Watch, which seems like an upgrade. Like the Apple Watch, the new lock screen should make it easier to see crucial pieces of information without having to dig into apps or even unlock your phone.   

A screenshot from Glance's website showing what its lock screen platform looks like. 

Glance/Screenshot by CNET

Android phone owners may have new lock screen options soon

Glance, which offers entertainment and other digital content on the lock screens of certain Android devices in India and Southeast Asia, is in talks with wireless carriers to launch in the US over the next two months, according to TechCrunch. While the company hasn't revealed its US launch timing or other details, it did provide a glimpse at its US lock screen offering on Monday. 

Glance's lock screen will appear in the form of what it calls "spaces," which are essentially curated lock screens designed to fit specific themes. A fitness-oriented lock screen, for example, would show statistics such as calories burned and exercise goals alongside a music player. A news "space" would show headlines and the weather, while a music version could surface live concerts. It reminds me of how the iPhone's new lock screen in iOS 16 can be tied to different "focuses," like work or personal mode. 

The TechCrunch report about Glance's US arrival sparked concerns that advertisements would be coming to the lock screen, too. Glance's business page shows examples of advertisers that have used its platform to reach potential customers on the very first screen they see when picking up their phone. Intel, Zomato and Garnier are among the listed case studies. 

But Rohan Choudhary, vice president and general manager of the Glance feed, told CNET the US version would be ad-free. 

"We are very clear that in the US, we will not have ads on the lock screen at all," he said. 

The company also published a press release on Monday saying it, "has no intentions to show ads on the lock screen surface." Still, Glance will have to prove that its lock screen offerings provide more value than the many widgets and other options that are already available to Android users. It will also have to strike the right balance of showing information that's useful without being too distracting. 

The company says it plans to monetize its service through news subscriptions and commerce links from shopping platforms that are surfaced through Glance. But those picks will have to be useful and relevant, or they might end up feeling just as intrusive as ads. The company says it has a 60% retention rate and can be found on 400 million phones in the markets where it currently operates. 

When Glance launches in the US, it will focus its lock screen options around specific themes it calls "spaces." The screenshots above are an example of a fitness-oriented space. 

Glance/Screenshots by CNET

Google, meanwhile, has its own means of making the lock screen more helpful. The company's At a Glance feature for Pixel phones shows relevant information on the lock screen when applicable, just as the name implies. A recent report from 9to5Google suggests new tidbits may be visible in this widget soon. Ride sharing updates from apps like Lyft and Uber could be among the new alerts available in At a Glance, possibly making it even easier to see urgent notifications from the lock screen. 

Regardless of the implementation, these expected changes prove the lock screen is in need of an update. As our phones have evolved into hubs for accessing information, controlling home appliances and ordering everything from a taxi to full grocery orders, the lock screen has taken on an important new role. Just showing timely alerts isn't enough. 

Whether it's the new widgets in iOS 16, updates to the Pixel's At a Glance feature or lock screen "spaces" from Glance, the goal appears to be the same: to make our lock screens better at organizing the flurry of notifications and updates bombarding our phones each day. What remains to be seen is how successful these attempts will be.

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