The Ultimate Guide to Wearables
A curated Kiwi edition of TechDay news, analysis, interviews, reviews, job moves, and related resources for Wearables.
What to know about Wearables
Wearables encompass a diverse range of technology devices designed to be worn on the body, seamlessly integrating with our daily lives to enhance health, fitness, communication, and productivity. This dynamic field includes smartwatches, fitness trackers, hearables, smart glasses, and even smart clothing, which are transforming industries from healthcare to enterprise operations.
Exploring this tag will immerse readers in the evolving landscape of wearable technology, highlighting innovations that track vital signs, facilitate remote healthcare monitoring, and boost workplace efficiency. The stories showcase how major tech companies and emerging startups alike are shaping the future of wearables, with advancements in sensors, connectivity, and AI-powered features.
Readers interested in understanding the impact of wearables on lifestyle, business, and wellbeing will find valuable insights here—covering product launches, market trends, expert analyses, and thoughtful reviews. Whether it's the latest smartwatch, breakthroughs in medical-grade wearables, or the challenges of security and adoption, these stories offer a comprehensive view of how wearable technology is increasingly woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Kiwi Wearables News
Regional stories with direct local relevance
Apple debuts $3,400 passport-shaped foldable phone, called Duo
Shares slipped as Apple bet its first foldable iPhone on productivity buyers, pricing the passport-sized Duo at USD $1,999.
2degrees launches Ring Ring to nudge Kiwis to call
Nearly six in 10 New Zealanders wish they called someone more often, prompting 2degrees to trial a low-tech nudge to swap scrolling for conversation.
Exclusive: Emily Choi on Samsung's AI companion push
Samsung is recasting AI as an invisible, trusted home companion, using CES 2026 to unveil proactive, privacy-focused smart living.
Safety tech saves lives and spurs workplace Innovation
Nearly two-thirds of employers are now weighing safety tech as fatigue, heavy equipment and thermal stress drive serious injuries.
How to navigate AI and OSH
Evidence on AI and other new workplace tech is patchy, leaving employers unclear on which tools improve safety and which add risk.
OPPO unveils Watch X2 Mini in New Zealand from NZD $499
OPPO launches its compact Watch X2 Mini smartwatch in New Zealand from NZD $499, blending style, health tracking and smart features in a sleek design.
Analyst Insights
Research and market analysis connected to Wearables
Reviews
Hands-on review: Google Fitbit Air
Hands-on review: Apple AirPods Max 2 refined upgrade
Hands-on review: OPPO Watch S smartwatch
Hands-on Review: Apple Watch SE 3 the sleek, stylish and irresistible option
Hands-on Review: Narwal Flow
Hands-on Review: Apple Watch Series 11 GPS + Cellular
Expert Columns
Interviews
Interviews and video coverage from the network
Recent Wearables News
Catapult uses AI agents to speed up support worldwide
Support response times have fallen as the sports technology company lets AI triage routine queries for teams across 139 countries.
Apple Watch Series 12 adds readiness score & AI audio
Health-tracking rivals face pressure as the new model adds a daily readiness score, more frequent sensing and AI-powered audio tools.
Apple Watch Ultra 4 adds health tracking & battery life
Users can expect earlier alerts on heart and recovery changes, as Apple's latest rugged watch adds a readiness score and longer battery life.
Zywave reports say AI reshapes insurance & HR markets
Insurers and employers are tightening AI oversight as new risks, compliance demands and workplace changes reshape underwriting, benefits and HR planning.
Wearables set for USD $1 trillion revenue boom by 2032
Higher-priced smartwatches and earbuds are expected to drive more than USD $1 trillion in wearables revenue by 2032, Counterpoint says.
Snap revenue rises 19% as users near 1 billion mark
Snap is edging towards one billion monthly users as advertising and subscription sales help lift quarterly revenue 19% to USD $1.60 billion.
Global intelligent eyewear shipments jump 83% in Q1
Momentum is shifting to lighter wearables as VR headset shipments fell 17% and rising memory costs squeeze profit margins across the sector.
OPPO launches Watch X3 in New Zealand for $699
Long battery claims and Google app support put the new wearable into New Zealand's premium smartwatch race at NZD $699.
Oura launches smaller Ring 5 in Australia & New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand buyers will pay from AUD $649 and NZD $799 as Oura shrinks its smart ring for longer daily wear.
Google to launch Android XR audio glasses this autumn
Hands-free AI features will reach wearers first, as Google's audio smart glasses are due to go on sale this autumn.
Dreame unveils 80 products in Melbourne expansion push
Australian shoppers will soon see Dreame's range widen beyond robot vacuums, as 80-plus products land through its regional distributor.
Enterprise Ireland brings Irish sports tech to Oceania
Irish sports tech firms are targeting teams and venues across Australia and New Zealand as Enterprise Ireland steps up a regional push.
Ant International launches mobile AI payment protocol
The open-source framework targets wallet-based payments as digital wallet use and agentic commerce expand rapidly worldwide.
Blackmagic adds Apple Watch control to iPhone camera app
Creators can now start recording and tweak framing from their wrist when an iPhone is mounted out of reach.
Samsung to end Messages app in July 2026 on Galaxy
Owners of newer Galaxy phones will need to switch to Google Messages, as Samsung’s in-house app is set to stop working in July 2026.
Apple sets hybrid WWDC dates with AI updates expected
Apple will stage WWDC from 8-12 June with a hybrid format, promising major AI-focused software updates across its device ecosystem.
Apple unveils AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip & new audio tech
Apple unveils AirPods Max 2 with H2 chip, improved noise cancellation, creative tools and Live Translation, starting at AUD $999 in Australia.
Sama credential leaks raise fears over Meta glasses data
Leaked Sama staff logins tied to stealer malware spark fresh alarm over security of Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses video review pipeline.
Privacy-first AI smart glasses run models on-device
Brilliant Labs' Halo glasses will run vision and voice AI on-device via partners Neuphonic and TheStage AI, promising faster, more private wearables.
Vusion & Qualcomm unveil AI-native vision for retail
Vusion and Qualcomm set out vision for AI-native shops using BLE, smart shelves and edge computing to tighten operations and boost margins.