Smartwatch roundup: Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner, and Misfit Flash leading the way

The wearable technology segment is now becoming a ripe place for breakthrough products. With its widening application, its potential to grow into something bigger is very huge. Smartwatches, activity trackers, health monitors, and pedometers — all these are revolutionizing the way people communicate and track their daily activities.

The Apple Watch is an evolution in itself, and for users who are into Apple products, the Watch is like a wearable iPod Nano. But thanks to its many features, it is more than just a music player; it is also a gadget for fitness tracking, enjoying wireless music playback, communicating, and many more. It can count steps, remind its user to move around, and also make checking for notifications way easier and faster. It can be pricey, though, at $550, but with many compatible apps, this watch is a very good investment. 

 Garmin.com

The Garmin Forerunner 225, on the other hand, is for people who are into running and other related sports. This watch has reliable GPS for tracking the day's routes and distances, a heart-rate monitor, and a step tracker; it can even monitor calories. It is water-resistant so wearing it while swimming is no problem. The only drawback against the wearable is that it doesn't sync automatically to its paired device, and the mobile app that goes with it is a bit outdated. But for runners who just need to know where they have been, the distance of their route, and the details of their heart rate during their runs, Garmin Forerunner 225 is just perfect. This watch retails for $300.

 misfit.com

The Misfit Flash is a much simpler wearable technology that only costs $50. What buyers are getting is not much compared to an Apple Watch, but for activity tracking, this gadget is worth every dollar. It is waterproof, its battery can last up to six months, it works with iOS and Android, and it also tracks steps and sleeping times. It does not have a heart rate monitor, and its LED readout can only tell time. For other data needs, users can only view information through their paired device. But this product is versatile for its price and very easy to use. 

News
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame
Over 320,000 people sign petition opposing Macron's '21st century mark' on Notre-Dame

Over 323,000 people have signed a petition in opposition to new stained-glass window designs for Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God
Nicki Minaj says she has rekindled her relationship with God

Rapper Nicki Minaj opened up about her recently reignited relationship with God and what inspired her to speak out for persecuted Christians, suggesting that her rise in the music industry made it more challenging to maintain the spirituality of her youth. 

Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events
Legal action launched challenge to civil service participation in LGBT Pride events

The Christian Institute has initiated legal proceedings against Keir Starmer in a bid to end civil service participation in controversial Pride marches. 

National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches
National Lottery Heritage Fund awards £7.3m to historic churches

The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded more than £7.3 million to help maintain four historic churches.