What's included with the Fitbit Ace Pass subscription?

Fitbit aims to help kids stay healthy with its recently announced Fitbit Ace LTE kids' smartwatch, which has a long list of helpful features. For example, it features Corning Gorilla 3, Bluetooth 5.0, and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, and it's even water resistant to up to 50 meters of water pressure. But kids can get access to all the fun stuff that the smartwatch has to offer with an Ace Pass subscription.

The kids' smartwatch opens the door to hours of fun and games that keep them moving. With an Ace Pass subscription, the wearable gets cellular connectivity, Fitbit Arcade, and more. But those services are only the tip of the iceberg since the subscription gives you access to much more for a monthly or yearly payment.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Arcade

The Ace Pass subscription gives kids access to loads of fun apps and games. They also get access to Fitbit Arcade, which offers various active games. Kids can choose from titles such as Galaxy Rangers, Jelly Jam, Pollo13, Spirit Garden (coming soon), Sproutlings (coming soon), and more. Thanks to the updates, you can look forward to new titles every few months.

Active games motivate kids to move around to activate the next round of gaming. They must run, skip, walk, and bounce to make it all count. To get started, kids only need to tap the play button on the side of their smartwatch and search for their preferred game. At launch, the Fitbit Ace LTE comes with six games kids can play.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Bit Valley

One of the many things kids will enjoy with the Ace Pass subscription is access to Bit Valley, where their eejie lives. In Bit Valley, they can interact with their eejie and keep it happy by earning cool items and meeting Move Goals.

Kids can also change their eejie's outfit or room and complete Daily Quests (an Ace Pass subscription is also needed). In Bit Valley, your kid's eejie can meet up with other eejies and have all sorts of fun.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Calling and messaging services

An Ace Pass subscription is also necessary to unlock the wearables' LTE features. By downloading the Fitbit Ace Pass and the new Fitbit Ace app for Android and iOS, you can see your kid's real-time location (using Google Maps), send messages, make calls, and send voice messages with a supervised Google account. So far, Google has not mentioned a limit on how many messages or calls kids can make with the Ace Pass subscription. The location data gathered is erased after 24 hours.

The Fitbit Ace app is compatible with Android phones running on Android 11 or newer or iOS 15 and above. Parents are the only ones who can set up to 20 trusted contacts who can contact your kids, and a Wi-Fi connection is necessary to set up the location services. For children under the age of 13, a parent and child Google account and the installed Fitbit app are a must. But, older users will only need a Google account and the Fitbit Ace app.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Eejie's and Daily Quests

The list of fun features kids can access with the Ace Pass subscription keeps going, with access to Eejie's and Daily Quests. Eejies are personalized creatures that need kids' daily activities to stay happy and healthy. When a daily activity is completed through a game, kids can earn arcade tickets to change their eejie's look by giving them new outfits (Noodles).

You can get all sorts of items for your eejie with each band since each unlocks different sites, rooms, and styles. For example, if you connect the green band, you have fun with Wally, the Spooky Pug who loves to cosplay.

Eejie Tickets are also essential to the experience since you'll need them to get cool stuff for your eejie at the Bit Valley store. You can also get more stuff to decorate your eejie's room.

With Daily Quests, kids can have fun with challenges that motivate them to move and reach goals with their daily step count. They can also meet their daily active minutes and now use many available games in Fitbit Arcade. Children who finish the daily quests earn badges, virtual points, and different virtual items.

The Daily Quests are brief and achievable challenges ranging from 30 minutes of exercise to 10,000 steps.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Software updates and Tap to Pay

The Tap to Pay feature is not yet available, but it's coming in a couple of months via Google Wallet with an Ace Pass subscription. It'll help kids learn about spending money and can be used with a supported kids' debit card from GoHenry or Greenlight. This feature allows parents to add money to these cards, and then kids can use their Fitbit Ace LTE to pay for things at compatible payment terminals.

Thanks to the Ace Pass subscription, you receive updates every few months with new games and Noodles (eejie outfits) for kids to choose from. The updates also bring new features, bug fixes, and improved performance. Time will tell what other fun stuff a future update will bring.

Fitbit Ace Pass subscription: Pricing

The Ace Pass subscription has a lot to offer, and anyone can enjoy it for a monthly price of $9.99 or a yearly plan of $119.99. But if you get the annual plan before August 31, 2024, you can get a 50% discount on your purchase. So, the yearly price would go from $119 down to $59.98. You save $98.98.

Kid's smartwatches are a great way to keep them active and keep an eye on them. With features such as location services, you'll always know where they are, providing parents with peace of mind. The active games included in the Fitbit Ace Pass subscription empower kids to avoid being indolent.

To go beyond the tech niche into the mainstream, smart rings might need a "killer app" to stand out and justify their high prices. It's unclear which features they need versus the ones added to pad spec sheets or make them sound futuristic.

Smart rings have exploded in 2024, for better or worse. You can barely go a week without some new brand launching a smart ring Kickstarter, each one promising more features than the last. Before the Samsung Galaxy Ring arrives, they're all rushing out rival products with outlandish promises and (mostly) interchangeable features.

In this oversaturated market, brand recognition gives Samsung and Oura an advantage. But the Oura Ring (Gen 3) has a few missing features, and Galaxy Ring leaks suggest its first-generation device won't have as many "smarts" as you might think.

Having reviewed the Ultrahuman Ring Air and consulted my smart ring-loving colleagues, I have a list of potential smart ring features that either haven't been implemented yet or are rare to find but would make this smart jewelry much more likely to boom in popularity. 

Any "Find my lost ring" option

People lose jewelry all the time, but losing a $10 gold band from Target and a $300+ smart ring aren't comparable. And right now, losing a smart ring is pretty much irrevocable. Built-in GPS or a speaker might make a ring too bulky, and no smart rings use a Find My Device network or any sort of method for tracking it down. 

A recent Galaxy Ring leak suggests Samsung will add a "Lost Mode" function that triggers a flashing LED and disables any data sharing if someone else finds it. I don't think this goes far enough, however, since a light won't help if the ring falls into a couch cushion or is left somewhere far away.

What you really need is for a smart ring to use your phone's GPS to save its exact location the moment its wear detection catches you taking it off, so you know generally where to look. Once you're in the immediate area, something like Ultra Wideband (UWB) could be the best option for tracking down a ring that's hard to find — assuming it wouldn't make the ring too heavy.

Subtle, versatile haptics

Many people like smart rings because they're not like smartwatches. You get passive health data without constant notifications buzzing your wrist. That being said, haptics are a common request we've seen in our forum about smart rings. 

People who sleep with smartwatches mention that they use their watch's alarm function to subtly buzz themselves awake. To replace smartwatches for those people, a smart ring will need the same effect. It wouldn't need a strong motor to work at this size to wake you up, either.

Circular is the one ring we know of with a vibration motor. The smart ring uses buzzes not just for alarms but also for notifications, reminders, and breathing exercise cues. Not everyone will want their jewelry buzzing at them all day, but haptics will help make smart rings feel essential to some people.

AFib and other health tricks

Some people prefer wearing smarts-free luxury watches for their style and simplicity; others, like my parents, simply don't like watches, especially bulky and complicated ones. But that tech-averse crowd might wear a smart ring if it gave them enough health data to matter.

Most smart rings have the essentials: resting heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) for stress and energy recovery, blood oxygen (SpO2), skin temperature, breathing rate, and burned calories. A few, like Oura, give you automatic workout detection via the accelerometer. 

Then you have some pretty intense promises. Several 2024 Kickstarter smart rings promise blood pressure monitoring, and electrocardiograms (ECG) for irregular heart rhythm (AFib) warnings are on the horizon. The YogiFi smart ring Kickstarter lists smoking and eating detection as "coming soon," while the Ringo smart ring has body composition analysis for body fat.

Smart rings' popularity will depend on their accuracy, not an exhaustive list of data. Consumers are smart enough to notice the difference between accurate results and vague "wellness" diagnostics you can't trust, and no one should rely on blood pressure or AFib data that's not FDA-approved.

That disclaimer aside, portable blood pressure and passive AFib monitoring would be an industry-shifting feature that would immediately appeal to millions of people above 50 as an early warning system, making smart rings an actual alternative to smartwatches for people who want a stripped-down experience.

The question is which smart ring brand can pull either feature off first. Early Galaxy Ring leaks suggested it would have blood pressure monitoring, but Samsung added BP readings to the Galaxy Watch 4 and has yet to get FDA approval for its use in the United States. That could hold true with its Galaxy Ring, as well. 

NFC tap-to-pay (with authentication)

This should be an easy one. You can buy a cheap ring with NFC functionality on Amazon for much less than a typical smart ring. The problem is the inability to add a PIN or any other method to authenticate a payment, which is probably why most well-known smart rings don't support it. 

I have a potential solution in mind for this: users must enable tap-to-pay in the companion app after they put the ring on, with a PIN code. The moment that the wear detection catches you removing your ring, the NFC function is automatically disabled until you turn it back on. That way, someone can't snatch a ring off your hand or nightstand to go on a shopping spree. 

I don't know if this is possible, but it would let smart rings add contactless payments so that someone would need to physically drag your hand onto an NFC reader to commit fraud.

Touch or gesture controls

Samsung patents show the Galaxy Ring used as a controller for its XR headset. iMore describes an Apple Ring patent with gesture controls like "hand pinching, waving, pointing, and tapping a palm" tracked by the ring to control other Apple devices. Plus, a couple of Kickstarter rings promise touchpads or gesture controls.

If a ring touchpad triggered shortcut actions on your phone with a double tap or long-press, that could be very useful! The same goes for simple gestures like pinching or palm-tapping that you're unlikely to use in real life. On the other hand, I can imagine a tiny touchpad being quite finicky and prone to false positives, or gestures being triggered accidentally. 

That said, Circular also seems to have this covered, to some extent, with a "button" that can be used for things like turning off vibration alarms on the ring.

Anyone with an Android smartwatch or Apple Watch with proper touch controls and screens wouldn't replace their watch with a ring for these substitute tricks. So, I'm not sure if they'd qualify as killer features or if companies are simply trying to justify the "smart" in smart rings. 

A new, distinct style

I'll quickly round out my list with something that's not a "feature" but is more vital than anything else. Most smart rings are thick, spartan, and not especially distinct from one another. However, aesthetics matter, and smart rings need to find a particular look that every day people accept.

Apple Watches have only succeeded because Apple convinced everyone that squircles are stylish and distinct. Android watches mimic classic timepiece designs. Either way, people accept them not just because they're about the same size as a regular watch but because they've grown to accept that trademark style.

That's why companies need to pick their battles, adding enough smart ring features to make them indispensable but not so packed with half-assed tricks that it's ugly and unreliable. I'm excited to see which smart ring is the first to pull off a balanced style that appeals outside of tech circles. It might be Oura or Samsung, but time will tell.

A year after the launch of the original TicWatch Pro 5, the Pro 5 Enduro aims to offer a few improvements, setting its sights on the Galaxy Watch 6 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. But there's quite a bit more to the story than what meets the eye.

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: Price and availability

Coming as little surprise, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is priced exactly the same as its predecessor. It's available now and you can get it from either Mobvoi directly or Amazon, retailing for $349. At the time of release, the only color option for the Pro 5 Enduro is Obsidian. However, we won't be surprised if Mobvoi releases a "Sandstone" color as a mid-cycle release in a few months.

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: Specs and features

For the most part, the TicWatch Pro 5 and Pro 5 Enduro are practically identical. When it comes to the internals, you won't find any differences, as the Pro 5 Enduro is powered by the Snapdragon W5 Plus Gen 1. It also features the same 2GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage to go along with the 628mAh battery. 

We also have the same 1.43-inch OLED display, complete with Mobvoi's excellent Ultra-low-power Display. This combination provides up to 90 hours of battery life in "Smart Mode," and up to 45 days in "Essential Mode." Again, nothing new to see here. 

Mobvoi also continues to rely on the same sensors for both health tracking and connectivity. Sadly, those hoping for a cellular version are out of luck as the Pro 5 Enduro sticks to Wi-Fi only.

The Pro 5 Enduro looks practically the same as its predecessor. This includes the Obsidian colorway, complete with the 24mm case size, and the rotating crown that sports a little red ring for a bit of flair. 

That said, Mobvoi is introducing a couple of notable changes, the first of which is moving from relying on Gorilla Glass in favor of Sapphire Crystal. This is by no means an industry-first, as both Samsung and Apple have already been there and done that. Nevertheless, it's still a nice improvement, especially if you're the outdoorsy type.

Two more changes can be found on the right side of the casing, as the rotating crown and side button have been altered. The rotating crown is now a bit larger, making it less flush with the side casing and easier to scroll. As for the side button, it is also slightly larger but ditches the ridged design in favor of one that's smooth and matches the rest of the outer casing. 

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: What I like

Without burying the lede too much here, I really adore the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, much like I did with the Pro 5. Performance is snappy, while I appreciate the subtle changes to the crown and side button. I'm also not going to re-hash the overall performance too much, as not much has really changed. 

It still breezes through menus, reacts to my interactions, and feeds me notifications without a hitch. I have yet to actually run into an issue where the Pro 5 Enduro froze or anything of the sort. It's really the kind of performance that I would expect on a top-tier Wear OS smartwatch, and I'm happy that the Pro 5 Enduro continues to deliver.

But the best part has nothing to do with performance or how the Pro 5 Enduro looks. It's all about that battery. Oh man, does this thing just last for days.

As someone who recently became a first-time dad, I find it hard enough to keep up with my baby and his schedule. However, this is also one of the reasons why I wear a smartwatch, as I can turn lights on and off and keep track of his feedings and potty times, even if I leave my phone in another room. 

I mention this to say that I've noticed the battery in my Apple Watch Ultra is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth. Thus, there have already been plenty of times when I needed to respond to someone or just check the time to find that the battery was dead. 

Thankfully, that's not something else for me to worry about with the Enduro. It's like the Energizer bunny that just keeps going, and going, and going, and going, and yeah, you get the idea. Part of that is thanks to the SoC and co-processor, along with any refinement Mobvoi has done via software. 

The rest of it comes down to the incredibly awesome Ultra-low-power display. It's been a staple on flagship TicWatch models since the original TicWatch Pro, and I couldn't be happier that it's stayed.

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: What I don't like

Okay, so here's the thing. It really gets under my skin when a company releases a device and then makes me feel like it's been abandoned. In my TicWatch Pro 5 review, I dedicated an entire section to "future update concerns." Unfortunately, Mobvoi has mostly proven me right, and it's only getting worse from here.

Out of the box, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, released just ahead of I/O 2024, is still running Wear OS 3.5. Not Wear OS 4, which debuted at I/O 2023 and was released in August 2023. Now, there's another major update on the horizon, with Wear OS 5 coming to Pixel and Galaxy Watches at some point this year, meaning that this brand-new smartwatch will fall even further behind. 

Besides the principles of supporting a device that people spend money on, I could honestly go without a lot of the various "QoL" improvements from Wear OS 4. However, as someone who changes phones almost as often as their underwear, I need the ability to move the watch from one phone to the next without properly resetting it. Yes, I know backups exist, but they take forever, and it's a problem that Google has already solved, so Mobvoi needs to get it together by supporting quick phone transfers via Wear OS 4.

Funnily enough, it was only in late April that Mobvoi opened a Wear OS 4 beta program for the TicWatch Pro 5. However, it wasn't an open beta, and we haven't heard anything about when it would actually be arriving. If anything, I expected the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro to come with Wear OS 4, but since this is really just the company slapping on a little makeup, I guess I should've seen this coming. 

It's really a shame, too, because, besides some other minor gripes, the Pro 5 Enduro is a great smartwatch. If you're wondering what one of those gripes is, it's that Mobvoi wants you to pay $350 for a smartwatch that may or may not get updates. 

There's nothing inherently wrong with the price, considering what the Enduro delivers. Discounts or deals notwithstanding, that's about $70 less than what Samsung charges for the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. But at least you know that you'll be getting the latest Wear OS updates when they're made available, and relatively quickly.

The last gripe that I have is a small one, to me at least, and that the Pro 5 Enduro is just too big for some. It's the opposite problem that I had with the Pixel Watch 2, which is too small for my wrist, while the Enduro fits like a glove. But that's more subjective, as some people with smaller wrists might prefer a smartwatch that feels like a G-Shock.

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: The competition

Although Fossil recently exited the smartwatch market, the OnePlus Watch 2 arrived in global markets after its predecessor saw a limited release. More importantly, OnePlus opted to go with a dual-OS approach, utilizing both RTOS and Wear OS. The end result is a smartwatch that is capable of lasting for up to three days and sports a "premium design."

From there, the more obvious competition to the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro comes from the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. Samsung gets points for software updates, coming in multiple sizes and colors, and the excellent rotating bezel. Samsung also gains an edge for those who want multiple bands courtesy of the 22mm band size, compared to the 24mm of the Enduro.

Pivoting away from Wear OS options, the Garmin Venu 3 is another competitor to the Enduro. It, too, utilizes an AMOLED display and lasts for up to 14 days on a single charge. When it comes to health and fitness tracking, there's a reason why many opt to go with a Garmin watch over the competition. 

TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You want the best battery life in a Wear OS smartwatch.
• You're looking for a Wear OS smartwatch that doesn't come from Google or Samsung.
• You want a smartwatch with a big screen.

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You want the latest version of Wear OS.
• You have smaller wrists. 
• You need or want a smartwatch with cellular connectivity.
• You already have the TicWatch Pro 5.

In some ways, the release of the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro feels like a kick in the pants. It's an iterative update over the Pro 5 in the truest sense, only bringing minor changes but for the same price. It probably would have made more sense for Mobvoi to wait until its Wear OS 4 update was ready before launching it because now, there are two wearables that are a version behind. However, since everything internally is the same, both the Pro 5 and the Enduro should get the update at the same time.

On the flip side, if you don't already have the TicWatch Pro 5 and are looking for a smartwatch with incredible battery life, then the Enduro should be at the top of your list. While Samsung is rumored to be introducing a new Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra, it's likely still a few months away at the time of writing. Plus, the rumored "squircle" design might not be for everyone, and we don't yet know if Galaxy AI will bog down the software. 

If you don't care about software updates and just want a Wear OS smartwatch that lasts forever, then get the Pro 5 Enduro. It really is a great smartwatch, and is one that I'll continue to wear until something else piques my interest. 

This is Android Central's News Weekly, your go-to source for a concise roundup of the week's most significant tech stories. This is where we delve into the top headlines that provide the latest developments and innovations contributing to the digital landscape. 

This week, Google launched its kid-safe Fitbit Ace LTE watch, some of Google's services suffered a massive outage, six new Chromebooks have arrived, Android dropped its June update, and some of the Samsung Galaxy Ring's features leaked.

Another kid friendly watch arrives

Read more here.

Earlier this week, Google dropped yet another wearable, but this time, for a different audience—kids. The Fitbit Ace LTE arrived, but the hook is it comes with a subscription, like most gadgets these days. While it resembles the Fitbit Versa 4 or Sense 2, the Ace LTE comes with features similar to the  Pixel Watch 2. 

This new wearable is water resistant up to 50 meters, while the screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Regarding connectivity, the watch has 4G LTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and even NFC, which will eventually enable tap-to-pay functionality, likely via Google Wallet.

The watch comes with six games out of the box that will get kids moving. The goal is "at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day," and kids get "awards" for building streaks on the watch. 

When it comes to security, the new Fitbit Ace app allows parents to control and monitor everything their children are doing with the watch. This includes adding up to 20 trusted contacts for your kids to call or text, viewing their location, and more. Parents can set up School Time to keep apps/ notifications on the watch restricted to avoid distractions during school hours.

This new smartwatch, priced at $229.95, will be available from Google and Amazon starting June 5. Additionally, for cellular connectivity, parents must sign up for the "Ace Pass," which costs $9.99 per month or $119.99 per year.

A 'slow news' day at Google

Read more here.

Early Friday morning (May 31), users worldwide started experiencing issues with the Google News service, which compiles news specific to each user. 

The website Downdetector confirmed the outage, which was spotted by Android Central. When users visited the Google News page, it displayed upside-down ice cream cones with an error message: "Uh-oh, something went wrong. Please try again." 

It wasn't just Google News that was down—creating new documents in Google Drive was throwing up errors, too, and our staff wasn't able to get some two-factor authentication dialogs to appear on my phone, which also relies on Google services.

However, after multiple hours of downtime, Google's services began to stabilize. Eventually, the situation was resolved and users were able to get back into their Google services.

Chromebooks galore from Acer, ASUS, and HP

Read more here.

On Tuesday (May 28), Acer, ASUS, and HP announced six new Chromebooks, including five Chromebook Plus models and a ChromeOS tablet. 

Acer is updating two of its offerings, including the Chromebook Plus moniker. The new Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is powered by Intel's Core Ultra 5. It sports a 14-inch touchscreen display, a 1440p QHD webcam, and multiple ports.

Next up is the Chromebook Plus 516 GE—much like its predecessor, the Chromebook 516 GE, it continues to include many of the same design choices and features. This one can be used for cloud gaming due to the 16-inch, 2560x1600, 120Hz display. The Chromebook Plus 516 GE is powered by Intel's 13th Gen. Both of these Chromebooks will be available this month, with prices starting at either $699 or $749.

Asus is introducing two new Chromebooks. The Chromebook Plus CX34 is the company's flagship. It has a traditional 14-inch screen, is powered by the 13th-generation Intel Core i5, and can be configured with or without a touchscreen. 

Meanwhile, the Chromebook CM30 is the first ChromeOS-powered tablet for consumers since Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3. The CM30 is bundled with a magnetic stand cover, keyboard, and a USI stylus, which is great for multitasking and switching between gaming to writing down notes or using the CM30 as a drawing tablet.

HP also refreshed its Chromebook lineup with the Chromebook Plus x360, a 2-in-1 14-inch touchscreen and long battery life. It also unveiled a budget-friendly option, HP Chromebook 14, featuring a 14-inch display, 1080p webcam, and over 12 hours of battery life.

Additionally, Google announced that Chromebooks are getting a slew of GenAI features powered by Gemini and that anyone who buys a new Chromebook Plus model will receive 12 months of Google One AI Premium for free.

Android's June feature drop brings all things fun

Read more here.

Android's June feature drop for Android kicks off with an edit button finally arriving in Google Messages. If you're texting in an RCS-supported thread, users can now long-press and edit the text message within 15 minutes of it being sent. 

A pencil icon (edit) will appear on the top bar of Messages. Tapping it will restructure the writing field to say "edit message," followed by the earlier drafted text. Users can correct mistakes or add to it and then hit the check mark. 

While we are on the topic of texting, this feature update will also bring "Emoji Sticker Combinations," which fuse two of your selected emojis for a unique new creation. For example, the company states users can pick the disco ball and headphones, which creates a glittery new emoji sticker.

Users with Wear OS devices, like the Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2, are receiving an update to better manage their "favorite" smart home devices. A Google Home Favorites tiles and complications will let users easily view and control device functions like unlocking your door, managing the lights, or changing the temperature.

The June update wraps up with a quick tease of the "Instant hotspot" feature that allows users to connect their Android tablets or Chromebooks to their phone's hotspot, which will be "coming soon."

Precious Galaxy ring might never go missing

Read more here.

Unlike Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings," losing your Galaxy Ring will not send you on a hunt for it. 

According to an APK deep dive by Android Authority, the Samsung Find app has a "Lost Mode" for the Galaxy Ring. Certain strings in the code suggest the Galaxy Ring will feature a blinking light on its body so users can find it.

 A few string examples include "Tap start to make the light on your ring blink" and "Ring light is blinking."

Another string will appear if your phone can't reach the Galaxy Ring. The example reads, "couldn't connect to Ring to start blinking."

The publication's APK findings show that users must first enable "Lost Mode" through the Samsung Find app. The ring is also said to have a secure lock feature that will come in handy to safeguard user-specific data on the ring. 

Those are some of the biggest stories from this week. Meanwhile, here are some other stories that are worth catching up on:

• Netflix on Android might grab an HDR toggle, and it could improve things
• Threads desktop app starts to look a lot like Instagram
• Spotify updated its app icon on Android after five years, but it’s not all roses
• Google just made a VR partnership we didn't expect
• MediaTek's 7300 series chip is here, and the Motorola Razr 2024 might grab it
• New Galaxy Z Fold 6 leak reveals bigger bezels and squared corners
• Chrome on Android brings effortless, multitasking Custom Tabs to users
• It's time to bid farewell to Business Profile chat on Google Maps and Search
• Telegram gains AI smarts via Microsoft Copilot for a 'conversational' experience
• YouTube is glitching for Adblock users, but it’s not what you think

Is the Fitbit Ace LTE waterproof?

What to keep in mind when using your Fitbit Ace LTE near water

The Fitbit Ace LTE's 5ATM basic rating means atmospheres and is not waterproof enough to go to the pool's deep end for long periods. Instead, the kid's wearable is water-resistant. This means kids can wear it without worrying about water damage when splashing around in the bathtub, playing in the rain, or helping mom and dad with the dishes.

ATM represents atmosphere, which is the international standard for how much pressure the wearable can withstand. So, the Fitbit Ace LTE can withstand 50 meters of pressure for 10 minutes. If you see a 3ATM rating, that means that the watch can only withstand 30 meters of water pressure. The lowest rating you'll see is 1ATM, and the highest is 20ATM.

These smartwatches are tested in a lab with fresh water sources, not salt or highly chlorinated pool water. To be safe, it is a very good idea to take the smartwatch off before diving into the pool.

What's the difference between waterproof and water-resistant? When something is waterproof, it's impervious and entirely sealed from any damage water can cause. When a device is water-resistant, it can resist the perforation of water up to a certain point. When the Fitbit Ace LTE kid's smartwatch leaves the factory, it comes with a rating of 5ATM under ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standard 22810:2010. Still, that rating can degrade over time due to drops, normal wear and tear, disassembly, or damage. So, it's a good idea to put the Fitbit Ace LTE in a waterproof pouch to keep it safe.

The Fitbit Ace LTE kid's wearable is designed for use in shallow water and does not involve activities with water at high velocity or temperature. If you get some water on the wearable, Fitbit recommends drying the watch and the band for proper care. The smartwatch is not dustproof, so extra care is a must in dusty areas, which will help prolong the device's use for a while.

You won't find an IP rating on the Fitbit Ace LTE, but that doesn't mean you can't tell the amount of water it can be exposed to, thanks to the 5ATM rating. What's the difference between an IP and ATM rating? The IP rating indicates the protection a device has against water and dust. The highest IP rating available is the IP69K.

As noted before, an ATM rating measures the water pressure a device can withstand before suffering water damage, and is more common in wearables. A 20ATM rating is suitable for pressure equal to a depth of 200 meters and can be used in high-speed water sports, snorkeling, diving, and everyday activities such as showering and getting caught in the rain.

The bottom line: It's best to put the smartwatch aside when going to the water park to keep it safe. There are waterproof smartwatches made for diving, but those are not kid smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or a swim-proof smartwatch from the Garmin lineup.

• An APK dive into the Samsung Find app seemingly highlights a "Lost Mode" for the Galaxy Ring.
• Strings in the code suggest users can make the ring produce light from its body for relocation purposes so long as their phone can still reach it.
• Samsung has also seemingly worked in security measures by locking a user's ring to their Samsung account so no one else can use it.

One of Samsung's apps has supposedly spilled some juicy details about its smart ring's rediscoverability if it was misplaced.

According to an APK deep dive by Android Authority, the Samsung Find app seemingly contains information about a "Lost Mode" for the Galaxy Ring. Strings in the code suggest the Galaxy Ring will feature a light on its body, which will blink so users find it. A few string examples include "Tap start to make the light on your ring blink" and "Ring light is blinking."

Another string will appear if your phone can't reach the Galaxy Ring. The example reads, "couldn't connect to Ring to start blinking."

The publication's APK findings show that users must first enable "Lost Mode" through the Samsung Find app. There also appears to be a security feature on the way that locks a user's Samsung account in the app so mischievous individuals can't grab your ring data.

Similarly, there's another security measure for the ring embedded in the code: "this ring will be locked to your Samsung account. No one else will be able to use it."

What's curious about the ring's secure lock to a user's Samsung account is that it seems useful for data protection (presumably) without compromise. The publication reiterates that the Oura ring features "data protection" to an extent, as the device will lock itself down in "Restricted Mode." This activates if the device, like the Gen 3 Ring, is trying to connect to another phone.

Unfortunately, Oura's method of safeguarding your ring's data involves a full data wipe (factory reset) if it senses a new device pair attempt.

With this discovery coming from the Find app, it seems Samsung is continuing to prepare for the Galaxy Ring's launch later this year. We've also heard of a "Lost Mode" before, as Samsung highlighted it during its Galaxy SmartTag launch in October. The mode is also used to relocate a handful of other Galaxy devices.

The Galaxy Ring made its expected debut at the FCC for certification purposes two days ago, and with it came some important details. From its listing, the device was confirmed to arrive in nine different variants (ring size), and the battery capacities for each size were detailed. Additionally, the FCC's database offered a look at the device's charging "cradle." Not much else about it was learned through the lackluster mock-up.

Samsung is preparing for its summer Unpacked event, rumored to take place on July 10 in Paris, France.

There comes a time when kids get older and need some autonomy. When this is the case, you might be mulling over getting them a cell phone. However, many parents prefer not to get their kids cell phones at an early age. The new Fitbit Ace LTE is an interesting in-between device, a kids's smartwatch with, as the name implies, LTE cellular connectivity.

While both the Fitbit Ace LTE vs. Fitbit Ace 3, the brand's last kids' activity tracker, might bear the same name and be for kids of around the same age, they are very different devices.

The Fitbit Ace LTE's subscription-based connectivity could be a viable compromise you want for kids who need more autonomy or parents who want some peace of mind. But do you need it? Let’s examine how these two wrist-worn devices work to help you make the right decision for your little one.

Fitbit Ace LTE vs. Fitbit Ace 3: How they look

First, let’s consider the looks. The Fitbit Ace LTE comes in Spicy Pebble with a Moovin’ Band or Mild Pebble with a Strange Arcade band (other bands are available separately and interchangeable with the originals). Made of plastic, stainless steel, and glass, the device has a square smartwatch-style face that incorporates recycled materials. It is designed to be scratch, bump, and water-resistant. The band is made from recycled polyester yarn while the clasp and lugs are plastic and silicone.

Compatible with most phones running Android 11 or newer as well as iOS 15 or newer, the Fitbit Ace LTE has a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Color OLED screen. It’s water-resistant to 50 meters via the 5ATM rating so kids can wear it underwater, in the bath, while playing outside in the rain, you name it. The watch even comes with a protective bumper case for especially clumsy kids. 

Offering up to 16 hours of battery life, this is mostly affected by cellular connectivity and GPS tracking, which I’ll discuss in more detail in the next section. So, keep in mind that you need to recharge this tracker daily. It does, however, quick charge to 60 percent, or about 11 hours worth of battery life, in just 30 minutes, or to full in just over an hour.

Also designed for kids aged six to seven and older, the Fitbit Ace 3 comes in Black and Sport Red or Cosmic Blue and Astro Green with two buttons on the side. Employing a thin and rectangular activity tracker design, it comes with a silicone band with an adjustable plastic clasp. There are Fitbit branded and third-party band options you can swap in, including Fitbit’s licensed Minions character bands.

I reviewed the Fitbit Ace 3 when it was released and love how easy it is to pop the tracker out of the band and swap it with another. Even if you keep the same band, though, you’ll want to remove it and clean around the underside of the band to prevent skin irritation.

Equipped with a PMOLED touch-sensitive display, it also meets a 5ATM rating for use in and around water. It’s compatible with Android 10 or higher and Apple iOS 15 or higher devices.

Battery life is a big differentiator here since this watch can run for up to eight days per charge, though it takes about two hours to fully charge to 100 percent. This is because the Fitbit Ace 3 doesn’t connect to anything beyond a phone or other device via Bluetooth.

Fitbit Ace LTE vs. Fitbit Ace 3: The specs

Before diving into the core features of these two fitness trackers for kids, let’s see how the specs compare.

As you can see, while the names of these two activity trackers for kids are similar, there is a lot more than meets the eye to the Fitbit Ace LTE.

Fitbit Ace LTE vs. Fitbit Ace 3: What kids can do with them

The Fitbit Ace LTE is not your standard wrist-worn step tracker for kids. It takes the experience much further. It includes built-in 4G LTE cellular connectivity via an included SIM card. This also means there’s a monthly subscription fee. At the time of this writing, it’s $9.99/mo. or $120/yr. and includes the ability for kids to call, message, and share location.

A purchase of the plan (the watch doesn't make much sense without one) also includes an Ace Band, with a new band at every annual renewal period. Six fun bands are available at launch, and there will likely be more down the line. The plan is on for half price through August 31, 2024.

Once set up and activated, your kids can use the Fitbit Ace LTE along with its built-in microphone and speaker to call and message up to 20 contacts. This can include trusted individuals like parents and caregivers, grandparents, close friends, and other family members.

The smartwatch also features GPS location tracking with advanced location technology powered by Google. Keep an eye on where your child is in real-time and ensure they aren’t leaving the school premises, for example, or keep track of older kids as they walk home alone from school or a friend’s house. Google says only parents or caregivers can see the location data, which is automatically deleted after a short time.

Additionally, kids can play interactive 3D games in the Fitbit Arcade that use haptics, sounds, and the accelerometer. Think games that see them racing through space or going fishing; new games will be added every few months. While gaming from the wrist might sound like a distraction, gameplay is intentionally spaced out, rewarding kids only when they participate in active play in the real world. Essentially, the more the child moves in real life, the more game segments they can unlock in a virtual one. The School Time option, meanwhile, limits gameplay during school hours.

Further encouraging physical activity is a Noodle activity ring that appears on the watch’s home screen, recording their movement throughout each day. There’s a fun animation each time they reach a Move Goal, which can be achieved by walking, jumping, or even spinning in circles! The goal is to encourage kids to get at least an hour of physically active time per day, in line with the recommendations from the World Health Organization.

Tying everything together is Eejie, a virtual character who lives in the virtual Bit Valley world on the watch. Fitbit’s reimagining of the Tamagotchi, kids keep Eejie happy by meeting their daily move goals. The more they move, the more items they earn for Eejie, like a ping pong table for its room or a skateboard for it to ride. Kids can connect with their friends’ Eejies to visit them in other parts of Bit Valley as well.

With Tap to Pay coming soon, older kids can leverage the built-in NFC sensor and use the watch to pay for items from compatible terminals, like at the convenience store or fast-food restaurant during lunch at school. All they need is a payment card loaded to the account. It’s a great way to teach older kids about the importance of saving and give them some independence to occasionally spend, too. Parents can set controls and receive real-time notifications whenever a child spends money.

The Fitbit Ace LTE also has basic functions like an alarm clock, daily goals settings, and rewards. Kids get expected activity tracking along with an optical heart rate sensor. One glaring omission, however, is sleep tracking. This is presumably because daily charging and the always-on connectivity mean kids have to recharge overnight. But it’s an important feature that many parents might not be willing to forego.

How does the Fitbit Ace 3 compare? It’s very different. Introduced years ago in March 2021, the Fitbit Ace 3 offers the same reliable sleep tracking you get with other Fitbit devices, advising if your kids are getting enough sleep and good quality sleep, and when they go to bed and rise. Kids (and parents) can use the Fitbit app to schedule bedtime reminders and set silent alarms that wake kids up gently with a light buzzing on their wrists.

Parents can see if kids go to sleep when they say they do, how restless they are at night and their overall sleep patterns. Beyond just satisfying curiosity, this could suggest patterns, like that your child tends to be temperamental on nights when they don’t get good quality sleep or wake up groggy when they go to bed after a certain hour. Since you can see a full history in the app, it’s a useful feature and a shame it isn’t in the Fitbit Ace LTE as well.

The Fitbit Ace 3 activity tracker monitors kids’ daily movements as well with on-wrist reminders to move or for them to get up and stretch if they have been sitting too long. Along with basic steps, it also tracks Active Minutes. This presumably uses the built-in heart rate sensor to measure, though the app does not display heart rate data for kids. Kids can receive messages on the watch (they can’t reply to them) but only when it’s paired with a nearby connected and compatible smartphone.

There’s nothing as interactive as eejie with the Fitbit Ace LTE, but there are virtual badges, animated clock faces with characters like a rocket, bunny, or even Minions, and personalized avatars kids can enjoy. It’s on a much more rudimentary level on the much smaller screen. I do love the celebratory messages, however, when kids achieve goals along with virtual badges they can collect and view them in the app.

Other simple features in the Fitbit Ace 3 include a timer and stopwatch for racing with friends or timing chores. Kids can also see their stats on their wrists as they move throughout the day.

Fitbit Ace LTE vs. Fitbit Ace 3: Which should you buy?

It’s a complicated decision between the Fitbit Ace LTE vs. the Fitbit Ace 3. While the Fitbit Ace LTE offers a compelling proposition, it has a bit of an identity crisis. Some of the features, like NFC and GPS location tracking, are better suited to older kids with more autonomy, like teens and tweens. Other features, meanwhile, like games, are better suited to younger kids. So, who would want this watch?

The Fitbit Ace LTE is ideal for kids in the age 8-13 range who might not yet be old enough for a cell phone but are ready for a bit of independence. Some kids between these ages, for example, are allowed to walk home from school alone, go to the local park, leave school on lunch, or play with friends outside. The Fitbit Ace LTE would provide peace of mind.

But then, why not just get them a cell phone with a plan? There is a cost-benefit: even with a monthly plan, the Fitbit Ace LTE is still nowhere near what even the cheapest phone and plan would cost. Plus, the child doesn’t have to bring along a phone, easily staying in touch from the watch right on their wrist.

For younger kids aged 6-10, the Fitbit Ace 3 is still a good option. It’s ultra-affordable and simple. While it doesn’t have games, per se, there are simple gamification features that young kids will love. They are engaging, not distracting. The battery life of more than a week and the detailed sleep tracking are the two biggest pluses of this tracker.

Bottom line: for older kids who aren’t yet ready for a cell phone, consider the Fitbit Ace LTE. It gives kids autonomy and parents peace of mind. But when you start getting into the teen years, chances are they’ll want something more substantial in a smartwatch, not to mention a phone!

For younger kids, stick with the Fitbit Ace 3. While having LTE connectivity for emergencies is great, the monthly cost adds up. Alternatively, consider placing a Bluetooth device tracker in their backpack or pocket, like the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 or any of the best Bluetooth trackers. You might find that these satisfy your need for GPS location tracking at the very least. If you’re interested in what else is out there beyond these two, see our picks for the best kids’ fitness trackers.

• Google has announced the Fitbit Ace LTE, a kids-only smartwatch aiming to promote a more healthy and active lifestyle.
• Along with various "eejies," "games," and other ways to get kids moving, the Ace LTE also offers calling, messaging, and location sharing.
• In order to take advantage of the cellular connectivity, parents need to sign up for Ace Pass, which costs $9.99 per month or $119.99 per year. 
• This new smartwatch is priced at $229.95 and will be available starting June 5 from Google and Amazon.

It's not very often that we hear about a new kids smartwatch, let alone one that comes directly from Google and Fitbit. That's all changing, as the Fitbit Ace LTE looks to offer a completely different way to keep your kids healthy and motivated to move around.

Besides the bands and included Bumper Cover, the Ace LTE doesn't look too dissimilar from the Fitbit Versa 4 or Sense 2. However, despite the similarities, the Ace LTE actually features the same internals as the Pixel Watch 2, even down to the charger.

This new wearable is water resistant up to 50 meters, while the screen uses Corning Gorilla Glass 3. In terms of connectivity, the Ace LTE is equipped with 4G LTE, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and there's even NFC. The NFC is particularly interesting, as "tap to Pay" will become available "in a couple of months," presumably via Google Wallet.

Along with being water-resistant and quite powerful, battery life should be able to keep up with your little ones. It's rated for up to 16 hours on a single charge, and thanks to fast charging, you can get another 11 hours of juice with just a 30-minute charge. 

As for what the Fitbit Ace LTE keeps track of when it comes to workouts, this smartwatch sports a plethora of sensors. These include an accelerometer, optical heart rate, altimeter, magnetometer, gyroscope, and ambient light sensor. 

As for software, Fitbit built this new interface on top of Wear OS in order to offer a "bespoke experience." This opened the doors for things like "Eejies," the "Noodle," and "interval-based gaming." According to Fitbit, Eejies are "customizable creatures that feed off daily activity." 

Not only are they there to be right beside your kids, providing encouragement, but playing games and earning "arcade tickets" will unlock different customizations. Speaking of games, Google and Fitbit worked with different game studios to create interactive 3D games that can be played right from the watch. 

At launch, the Ace LTE comes with six games, but more are planned to launch every quarter. The goal is to get your kids "at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day," along with incentivizing them by building streaks. This is similar to what the Apple Watch offers by closing rings, but children aren't penalized just for missing a day. 

Instead, children are still rewarded for partial completion, which is a concept we hope is adopted for "adult" smartwatches. That way, there's no guilt to be felt in the event that your little one wasn't feeling great and spent the day resting and recharging. 

Thanks to the new Fitbit Ace app, parents can control and monitor everything that their children are doing with the watch. This includes adding up to 20 trusted contacts for your kids to call or text, along with viewing their location, and more. Do you want to make sure that your child is paying attention in class and not playing games? Set up School Time to keep things locked down while any activities are still monitored and accounted for.

Another benefit is that much like the best Fitbit wearables, the Ace LTE is platform-agnostic. You're able to install the Fitbit Ace app and set everything up, regardless of whether you're using Android or an iPhone. All of this is made possible without needing to give your child a phone of their own.

By now, you might be wondering about how privacy comes into play with all of this. According to Google, the only people who can see your child's location and activity are parents. Additionally, location data is automatically deleted after 24 hours, while activity data remains in the app for a "maximum of 35 days" before it too is automatically deleted.

You also won't find any third-party apps, as your child is only able to access the content that is available out of the box and through subsequent software updates. The same goes for ads, as there aren't any ads being served on this kid's smartwatch. Google also confirmed that none of the data collected will be used for Google Ads. 

Last but not least, is how this smartwatch is capable of offering things such as LTE, voice calls, GPS, and messaging without a dedicated phone. Well, all of that is made possible by signing up for Ace Pass. 

For $9.99 per month or $119.99 per year, Ace Pass includes the LTE data plan, access to the Arcade, and more. Google worked with different carriers to provide the best coverage possible, and the SIM card is already installed in the smartwatch. All you'll need to do is download the Fitbit Ace app, link the smartwatch, and get everything set up from there.

Unfortunately, all of this means that Ace Pass is required to "access most features." This is rather disappointing, as it essentially turns the smartwatch into a paperweight without a subscription unless, of course, you buy into it.

You can preorder the Fitbit Ace LTE starting today for $229.95 from Google, ahead of its June 5 release date. As an added bonus, if you sign up for the yearly subscription of Fitbit Ace Pass between now and August 31, you'll save 50%, along with receiving a free collectible Ace Band. 

• Samsung is "combining Galaxy AI with Samsung Health" with its next update.
• Its "on-device AI" will give the Galaxy Watch access to key features like an energy score, workout routines, racing past routes, and new HR metrics.
• Samsung also promises "enhanced health algorithms" for better health accuracy.
• One UI 6 Watch will add these Galaxy AI tools to Galaxy Watches "later this year," most likely in August. 
• Galaxy AI will be free "until the end of 2025."

Samsung will add Galaxy AI features to both its Samsung Health app and Galaxy Watches this summer. Tailor-made sleep, health, and workout recommendations could help the Galaxy Watch series catch up to its fitness watch rivals — or even surpass them.

Starting this June, a select few One UI 6 Watch beta users will get to test out new personalized sleep and fitness coaching before these features roll out to the Galaxy Watch 4, 5, and 6 "later this year." We assume this will be in late August, shortly after the Galaxy Watch 7 launch.

Samsung's announcement suggests some of these Galaxy AI features will use "powerful on-device AI," while other metrics will rely on Samsung Health data from your phone or the cloud. The company announced features include an Energy Score that analyzes "average sleep time, sleep time consistency, bed/wake time consistency, sleep timing, previous day activity, sleeping heart rate, and heart rate variability" to quantify the user's daily condition.

Fitbit, Garmin, and Oura all have similar Daily Readiness or Body Battery scores that help judge the impact of your sleep, workouts, and stress levels, so we're glad to see Samsung join their ranks. 

Galaxy Watch owners will also get new "sleep indicators" that collect data on movement during sleep, sleep latency, heart rate, and respiratory rate and analyze it to help users "build better habits." 

On that front, Samsung will provide "motivational tips, insights, and guidance" for customized health goals in the Samsung Health app. While we don't have a list of potential Wellness Tips, the sample below shows goals like lowering your body fat, consistent sleep streaks, and lowering your resting heart rate. 

The biggest Galaxy AI changes to Samsung Health relate to fitness. While the One UI 5 Watch update added personalized heart rate zones, this update will add aerobic and anaerobic threshold metrics to analyze performance. 

Essentially, the aerobic threshold indicates the heart rate at which you can train for extended stretches without lactate buildup, burning fat instead of sugar. The anaerobic threshold is your max-effort level, where your body can't inhale oxygen quickly enough to convert it into energy, accumulating lactate in your blood until your muscles are too stiff to move. 

Running watches like Garmin Forerunner 965 and COROS PACE 3 use this data to determine your training load and VO2 Max, guiding your running training. If Samsung's Galaxy AI can bring this kind of tool to a mainstream smartwatch, it would be a real game-changer for the industry. 

In addition, Samsung promises "greater precision and accuracy" for its health metrics thanks to "enhanced health algorithms" based on its AI. 

Beyond that, Samsung promises a new "Workout Routine" that lets you "combine various exercises for a personalized workout and seamlessly transition to the next exercise without stopping." It sounds very similar to Garmin's indoor workouts, which lets you pick from thousands of potential exercises while building your routine. 

While Apple and Google/Fitbit rely on workout videos, Samsung will take a more self-guided approach. We wonder if the Galaxy AI will recommend exercises based on your fitness level or if athletes must build workouts entirely by themselves. 

Lastly, Samsung promises a "Race" mode to "track current and past progress when running or cycling." Racing previous routes is a common feature on fitness watches, and Apple added this option with watchOS 9; we're glad to see Samsung catch up on this front. 

A long-overdue shift in priorities

When I reviewed the Galaxy Watch 6 last year, I found its health sensors could use some accuracy upgrades, and its barebones fitness features could use a revamp. So when Samsung announced Galaxy AI earlier this year, I noted how I was more excited by Galaxy AI than Samsung's upcoming hardware, for its potential to improve on both fronts. 

Wednesday's announcement only bolsters those hopes. Whether you buy the Galaxy Watch 7 or Galaxy Ring — or even if you have an older Galaxy Watch — you should have a much better experience courtesy of the One UI 6 Watch update.

Of course, it's not a certainty. AI enhancements don't magically make everything better. But there is precedent. Fitness brands like Garmin and Fitbit depend on background algorithms to analyze your health metrics and workout data and tell you how tired or fit you are. 

Plus, watches need reliable algorithms to determine heart rate data when the sensors aren't perfectly aligned with your skin. The Fitbit Charge 6 received Google's HR algorithm from the Pixel Watch 2, and both have performed very well in HR accuracy tests. If Samsung truly has "enhanced health algorithms," that'll help it keep up.

Neither Apple nor Samsung has successfully implemented personalized fitness recommendations before now. Both brands have a higher bar to clear than the competition and more "casual" users who might hurt themselves with bad advice. So, for Samsung to beat Apple to the punch is a pretty big deal.

My main question is whether or not you'll have to pay for these insights or not. We've heard rumors that the Galaxy Ring will require a subscription of $10/month or less on top of a $300+ price tag. Samsung has traditionally given users free Samsung Health insights, but if its new smart ring has a subscription, it's no great leap to assume the Galaxy Watches will as well. 

Samsung's press release says, "Galaxy AI features will be provided for free until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy smartphone devices," but that wording could leave the door open for a subscription on Galaxy rings and watches in the meantime—and we don't know how much it'll cost once that grace period ends.

The Pixel Watch 2 already has many of Samsung's promised Galaxy AI insights via Fitbit Premium, but that costs $10/month after a six-month free trial. If Samsung gives that same data for free, it would seriously undercut Google and Fitbit; even if Samsung eventually charges money, Galaxy Watch owners could get over a year of free Wellness Tips and Energy Score data first.

I still have a ton of questions about One UI 6 Watch and how it'll compare to Wear OS 5 for fitness. But today's announcement is undoubtedly a step in the right direction.

• The Galaxy Ring made a pitstop at the FCC, and with it came confirmation about ring sizes, battery capacities, and a charging "cradle."
• The device will hit the market in nine sizes, and its battery capacity ranges from 17mAh to 22.5mAh.
• The FCC listing also spoiled a charging "cradle," though it contains little information besides a photo of its underside.

Samsung's upcoming first-generation smart ring is passing through its certification hoops, but its stop at the FCC spills more than expected.

As spotted by DroidLife, the Galaxy Ring is listed under the FCC ID "A3LSMQ503" within its official report. From the listing, it seems confirmed that the device will hit the market with nine models, each with its respective ring size. Information about eight of the sizes, minus SM-Q503, are as follows:

• SM-Q500 (Size 10)
• SM-Q501 (Size 11)
• SM-Q502 (Size 12)
• SM-Q505 (Size 5)
• SM-Q506 (Size 6)
• SM-Q507 (Size 7)
• SM-Q508 (Size 8)
•  SM-Q509 (Size 9)

The FCC's listing for the Galaxy Ring contained battery information for each device. Ring sizes five through seven will feature a 17mAh battery. Sizes eight through eleven boast 18.5mAh batteries, while the larger size 12 Galaxy Ring sees a 22.5mAh capacity battery.

The listing continues by quickly mentioning a "charging cradle" for the Galaxy Ring. More substantial information about it is unknown, aside from a picture of the cradle's apparent underside to highlight the FCC's marking. The listing reportedly details that Samsung will label each cradle according to whichever model (and ring size) a consumer has purchased.

The publication also picked up official photos of the rings, courtesy of Samsung. The pictures show off the device in various sizes and from different angles. Additionally, it seems the device will connect to devices via Bluetooth LE.

An earlier leak from March suggested that the Galaxy Ring could run for about 10 days. It then dipped into the potential battery sizes of the device, purporting its smallest size could see a 14.5mAh battery while the largest could sit at 21.5mAh. However, with the current FCC listing, those numbers have increased slightly at both ends.

Meanwhile, we've heard rumors about Samsung's potential to bring nine Galaxy Ring sizes to consumers based on American ring sizes. There was speculation that the ninth would either be given an "SM-Q503" or "SM-Q504" model number; we've now seen that it's the former. Still, information about SM-Q503 is unknown. There's a chance this device takes the ring size up to 13, but we'll have to wait and see.

We expect Samsung to debut its Galaxy Ring, among several other devices, during its summer Unpacked event. Rumors state this could happen on July 10 in Paris, France.