Google Enlists 10,000 Pixel Watch Users for Hypertension Research

In the sphere of wearable tech, Fitbit Labs has launched two captivating studies aimed at deepening our comprehension of long-term health patterns: the “Unusual Trend Detection” and the “Hypertension Study Lab.” However, not everyone can join these studies, as certain eligibility requirements must be satisfied.

Fitbit’s initiative forms part of a larger movement to utilize wearable technology for health observation and academic investigation. The Hypertension Study Lab, in particular, is tailored for owners of the Pixel Watch 3. This study seeks to detect indicators of elevated blood pressure, with some participants being rewarded with gift cards. Conversely, the Unusual Trend Detection study emphasizes spotting shifts in health metrics, asking participants to record potential causes and symptoms for additional research.

Google is on the lookout for as many as 10,000 qualified participants to wear their Pixel Watch 3 for a span of 180 days. The aim is to compile data that could ultimately assist users in taking proactive measures towards improved heart health. This study is exclusively available to Pixel Watch 3 owners, excluding individuals with the Pixel Watch 4 or earlier versions. Participants are required to be at least 22 years old, live in the United States, and complete an eligibility questionnaire in English.

The Unusual Trend Detection study alerts participants if their health metrics differ from the standard, motivating them to document potential causes and symptoms. This data gathering is intended to create a detailed database of physiological responses, which might be critical for future health insights.

To join these studies, users can go to the Fitbit app, click on their profile icon, and consent to the utilization of their data for research and development. Eligible participants in the Hypertension Study may be provided with a blood pressure cuff to use alongside their smartwatch, with some receiving a $25 gift card as a reward.

It is crucial to emphasize that although these studies aim to push forward health research, participants will not receive medical advice or insights regarding their data. Instead, the data amassed will contribute to a wider understanding of health trends and may inform upcoming advancements in wearable health technology.

In summary, Fitbit Labs’ studies signify a notable advancement in merging wearable technology with health research. By taking part, individuals can aid in essential research that could eventually lead to enhanced health monitoring and preventative care strategies.

OnePlus 12 Gets Planned Android 16 Update with Open Foldable Launch

OnePlus has effectively followed its intended timeline for the release of the OxygenOS 16 update, representing a significant achievement for both the company and its users. This update, rooted in Android 16, has commenced its distribution, beginning with the OnePlus 12 series and the OnePlus Open foldable in India. The update is considerable, guaranteeing a more seamless operating system experience, enhanced graphics, app enhancements, and the incorporation of AI functionalities.

The rollout is poised to widen to additional regions, such as the U.S. and Europe, in the upcoming weeks. The update unveils the Trinity Engine, which fine-tunes workload and resources to ensure fluid performance across a variety of applications, including videos, gaming, and camera functions. Moreover, the Mind Space feature has received improvements, providing quicker access to saved materials, and the camera now supports motion photos and superior portrait modes.

Other noteworthy features encompass a visual refresh for the Photos app, newly designed Home screen icons, and an optimized grid layout for a tidier interface. This update forms part of a larger strategy by OnePlus to offer a more tailored and intuitive user experience, with additional rollouts scheduled for other devices in the upcoming months.

Enhanced Facial Recognition Anticipated in Samsung Galaxy S27

**Initial Speculations Suggest Potential Security Enhancements for the S27 Ultra**

As the technology sector keenly awaits the launch of the Galaxy S26, chatter surrounding the Galaxy S27 Ultra is already causing a stir. Preliminary speculations indicate that Samsung is aiming for notable security improvements in its forthcoming flagship, possibly establishing a new benchmark in mobile security.

**Essential Information**

– **Comprehensive Facial Biometric System**: Samsung may unveil a new “comprehensive facial” biometric system for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. This enhancement is anticipated to significantly diminish unlocking delays and improve “spoof-resistance,” providing users with a more secure and effective unlocking method.

– **Polar ID v1.0**: The speculated security upgrades are thought to be part of a framework referred to as “Polar ID v1.0,” which allegedly employs polarized-light verification. This could signify a major advancement in biometric security technology.

– **ISOCELL Vizion Sensor**: To facilitate these improvements, Samsung is rumored to be creating a new “ISOCELL Vizion” camera sensor. This sensor may be vital for enabling the comprehensive facial authentication capability.

**Looking Forward to 2027**

While the Galaxy S25 remains in the limelight, and the Galaxy S26 approaches with its own rumored privacy features, the tech community is already conjecturing about the developments the Galaxy S27 Ultra might introduce. The emphasis on security enhancements highlights an increasing trend in the industry toward prioritizing user privacy and data safeguarding.

As we await official confirmations, these preliminary speculations offer an enticing preview into the future of smartphone innovation. Whether these capabilities will become reality is yet to be determined, but they certainly raise high hopes for Samsung’s upcoming offerings.

YouTuber Wraps Up 2-Year Research on Fast Charging’s Effects on 40 Smartphone Batteries

Does rapid charging genuinely damage battery health? Based on these evaluations, no.

Key points to consider:
– A YouTuber conducted a series of three trials over 2 years using 40 smartphones to examine the variations in battery health resulting from different charging practices.
– The evaluations involved comparing rapid and gradual charging, limiting phone charges to 80%, and more.
– The outcome is that rapid charging does not harm battery health, but maintaining a phone charge between 30-80% may enhance long-term battery longevity.

For years, the discussion around the impact of rapid charging on battery health has been ongoing. Ultra-fast charging devices, such as the OnePlus 13, support up to 100W charging with the power adapter included, while most devices from Google and Samsung typically don’t exceed 45W charging for longer than a few minutes, even with a specialized charger.

This has led many to assume that Apple, Google, and Samsung have opted for slower charging to extend battery life over time. A YouTuber, tired of the unfounded arguments, decided to subject 40 phones to a series of three evaluations over two years, ultimately arriving at a single conclusion: “charge however you prefer.”

Watch the video for detailed statistics, but in summary: rapid charging does not adversely affect battery longevity in any significant manner. The automated testing setup he developed charged the phones and then discharged them for over 500 cycles. The main evaluation took more than 6 months to reach the 500 cycle count for all phones, while the other two trials were largely inconclusive due to testing complications.

HTX discovered that Android phones using 120W charging exhibited an average difference of only 0.3% in battery health compared to 18W charging by the end of this 500 cycle evaluation. In other words, it’s much more practical to quickly charge your phone than to stress over a small percentage of battery health decline over time.

A follow-up series of evaluations sought to determine whether keeping your phone between 30-80% could enhance battery health over time. The findings indicated a 2.5% difference in battery health between devices regularly charged to 100% and drained to 0% compared to those maintained in the 30-80% range, providing the latter with the advantage.

Naturally, deliberately restricting your phone’s battery capacity to 50% does not seem entirely logical if you are only benefiting from a 2.5% improvement in battery health over two years. Once again, HTX’s assertion holds true: simply use your phone as you wish. It really doesn’t make much of a difference.