Date: August 29, 2024
In a series of notable tech releases, Garmin has unveiled its Fenix 8 series and Enduro 3 smartwatches, Sony has introduced a PC-based PlayStation accessories app, and Meta has announced the closure of its third-party AR effects platform, Spark.
Garmin’s Fenix 8 Series and Enduro 3 Smartwatches
Garmin has made a significant splash in the wearable technology market with the launch of its Fenix 8 series and Enduro 3 smartwatches. Announced on August 27, the Fenix 8 series comes in three sizes: 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm, each equipped with impressive features tailored for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness aficionados.
The 43mm version boasts a 1.3-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 416 x 416, while the 47mm and 51mm versions come with 1.4-inch AMOLED screens, each having a resolution of 454 x 454. The materials used vary based on the model, with options for Corning Gorilla Glass or sapphire crystal glass for the watch face, and stainless steel or titanium for the case.
The Fenix 8 series is packed with features such as a microphone, speaker, and voice control for connected smartphones. It also includes an LED flashlight and boasts a water resistance rating of 40 meters (10ATM). For health and fitness, the watches support heart rate, blood oxygen, sleep, and HRV monitoring, offering modes for diving, skiing, golf, and surfing, among others. They also come with a multi-frequency positioning system and an altimeter and barometer.
In terms of battery life, the standard models can last for 10 days (43mm), 16 days (47mm), and 29 days (51mm). The pricing starts at 1099 euros for the 43mm and 47mm versions, while the 51mm version is priced at 1299 euros. Solar versions are also available, with the 47mm priced at 1099.99 euros and the 51mm at 1199.99 euros.
Additionally, Garmin introduced the Enduro 3 smartwatch, which weighs 63 grams and features a titanium bezel and a reinforced fiber-plastic case with a sapphire crystal glass. The Enduro 3 has a 1.4-inch MIP screen with a resolution of 280 x 280 and supports touch control. In smart mode, it can last up to 90 days, with the ability to recharge quickly via solar power. It also includes 32GB of storage and comes with topographical maps and offline navigation. The Enduro 3 is priced at 899.99 euros.
Intel’s New Xeon CPUs
In another significant development, Intel has released its new generation of HEDT desktop and workstation processors, the Xeon W-3500 series and Xeon W-2500 series, codenamed Sapphire Rapids Refresh. These new CPUs are upgrades to the existing Xeon W-3400 and W-2400 series.
The new CPUs retain the LGA 4677 socket and W790 chipset, with support for up to eight channels of DDR5-4800 memory and PCIe 5.0 expansion channels of 112 and 64 lanes. The flagship model of the Xeon W-3500 series, the Xeon W7-3595X, features 60 cores and 112.5MB of L3 cache, with a base frequency of 2.0GHz and a boost frequency of 4.8GHz. It has a base power consumption of 385W and is priced at $5889. The flagship model of the Xeon W-2500 series, the W7-2595X, has 26 cores, 48.75MB of L3 cache, a boost frequency of 4.8GHz, a base frequency of 2.8GHz, and a base power consumption of 250W, priced at $2039.
Meta’s Decision to Close Spark
In a move that has sent ripples through the AR community, Meta has announced that it will shut down its third-party AR effects platform, Spark, on January 14, 2025. Launched in 2017, Spark has been instrumental in creating AR effects for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. Over 60,000 creators from more than 190 countries have used Spark’s tools to create AR effects.
Meta stated that the decision to close Spark was made after a comprehensive evaluation and that it will prioritize products that it believes will best meet the needs of consumers and businesses in the future.
These latest developments underscore the dynamic nature of the tech industry, with major players like Garmin, Intel, and Meta continuously
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