Google Fitbit Sense 2 review: good stress tracking and nice UI but no Google Assistant or third-party apps, pricey at $300, and can’t be called a smartwatch (Victoria Song/The Verge)

Abner Li / 9to5Google:
Fitbit to require a Google account to use its newest devices and features starting in 2023; current users can use non-Google accounts until at least early 2025  —  With the launch of Fitbit’s latest devices, “Fitbit by Google” branding was introduced.  The Sense 2 and Versa 4 already …

Victoria Song / The Verge:
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review: longer battery life, looks nice, and improved bezel, but misleading specs, quite thick, and uncomfortable for petite users  —  At least, in terms of reading and battery life  —  I didn’t think I was going to like the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Victoria Song / The Verge:
Apple Watch Ultra review: comfortable, good battery life, action button, and durable, but no offline maps, more aspirational than hardcore, and too big for some  —  A new player has entered the multisport watch game … The Apple Watch Ultra is big, a lil’ chunky, and goes hard on features …

David Pierce / The Verge:
An interview with Google’s SVP of Hardware Rick Osterloh on the new Pixel Watch, integration with Fitbit, ambient computing, and more  —  Google has been right about wearables for nearly a decade.  Now, the company swears it’s serious about them, too.  —  Why did Google take so long to build a smartwatch?

Victoria Song / The Verge:
Apple Watch Series 8 review: watchOS 9, crash detection, and low-power mode are excellent, but needs daily charging and the update is fairly incremental  —  … don’t upgrade … The concept, made famous by Toyota, means continuous improvement. … These updates weren’t much on their own …

Woojin Son / Counterpoint Research:
Global smartwatch shipments increased 30% YoY in Q3 2022, led by India, up 171%; Apple grew 48% YoY, Samsung dropped 2.7% YoY, and Noise grew 218% YoY  —  – Driven by the basic smartwatch segment, the global smartwatch market grew 30% YoY.  — India grew 171% YoY, taking the top spot …