Skip to main content

This rugged Android Wear smartwatch can swim with the fishes and keep ticking

Plenty of smartwatches out there have sports tracking features of some kind, but they’re normally water-resistant rather than waterproof, and they don’t offer much beyond simple fitness tracking. Nixon’s first smartwatch, the Mission aims to be the must-have device for action sports enthusiasts.

Like many other new smartwatches, the Mission is powered by Android Wear and the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor. It also has a fully round 1.39-inch AMOLED screen, which is encased in a 316L grade stainless steel and plastic body. Its dual-layer silicon strap comes in a variety of colors, as does the casing. Since it’s running Android Wear, it boasts all the typical smartwatch features like notifications, varying watch faces, and quick access to apps.

However, perhaps the most important aspect of the Mission is its ability to track all your fitness metrics — even in the most extreme environments. The Mission smartwatch is one of the few smartwatches out there that is actually waterproof with a rating of 10-ATM. With a rating like that, you can take the watch swimming in depths of up to 100 meters or 330 feet. Even Casio’s rugged smartwatch can’t withstand water at those depths — It’s only rated up to 50 meters. As such, the Mission the ideal Android Wear smartwatch for surfers and those who like to be out on the water.

The Mission. Ultra-Rugged and Waterproof. The World's First Action Sports Smartwatch Powered by Google Android Wear™

“With current products splash-proof at best, we knew we had to create a smartwatch that could survive the surf or the first ride down the mountain. We developed the watch in tandem with our world-class surf and snow athletes who lead demanding, rigorous lifestyles,” said Nixon vice president of product in an emailed statement.

Nixon’s watch offers real-time information from services like Surfline, an app for information on surfing conditions; and Snocountry, which keeps tabs on snow conditions for snowboarders and skiers.

Last but not least, the watch supports fitness tracking apps from both Nixon and Trace, which keep track of your workouts and show you statistics from previous workouts. The device is clearly targeted at those who are more set on sports like surfing and snowboarding, but it is sure to be helpful for any kind of workout.

Just as there have always been sports watches and standard watches for every day use, there will be smartwatches for sporty types and those who prefer a more elegant look.  Nixon differentiates itself from the crowd of semi-smart sports watches and somewhat sporty Android Wear watches with its waterproof design and a suite of pre-installed apps for surfing, snowboarding, and other sports.

We’ll keep you updated on price and availability as we learn more information. In the meantime, you can check out Nixon’s site for more details.

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Montblanc’s newest smartwatch has Wear OS 3 and costs nearly $1,300
montblanc summit 3 smartwatch wear os launch price mont blanc

German luxury brand Montblanc has added a new smartwatch to its portfolio, the Summit 3, targeted at a deep-pocket audience that can shell out $1,300 for one of its timepieces. But what’s truly remarkable about the smartwatch, aside from its eye-watering price tag, is that it runs Wear OS 3 — the latest (and inexplicably delayed) version of Google’s reworked smartwatch operating system.

Wear OS 3 was officially revealed over a year ago, but so far, it has remained exclusive to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and its pricier Classic sibling. The upcoming Pixel Watch will run the latest software update, and Google has confirmed that Wear OS 3 will also land on Fossil Group smartwatches such as the Fossil Gen 6, Michael Kors Gen 6, and Skagen Falster Gen 6. Wear OS 3 is also confirmed for the TicWatch Pro 3 and E3 from Mobvoi.

Read more
What is Android System WebView? Can I disable it?
Google Chrome app on s8 screen.

You may have come across an app called Android System WebView on your smartphone. It's a piece of software that enables other apps on your Android device to display web content without having to open a dedicated web browser. However, it's had a slightly more complex history since Android 7.0 Nougat, which incorporated its functionality into Chrome. This article explains what exactly it does and whether you can safely disable it or not.
Do I need Android System WebView?

The short answer to this question is yes, you do need Android System WebView.

Read more
You can finally move your WhatsApp chats from Android to iOS
WhatsApp and Telegram app icons.

Moving WhatsApp chats from Android to iOS has been a painful task for years. But not anymore, as Apple and WhatsApp have made the process a whole lot easier. Starting today, Apple is adding a feature that allows you to move chats between the two platforms. The feature is a part of Apple’s existing “Move to iOS” Android application. It’s worth noting that the feature is currently available for beta users only, so non-beta users might have to wait for a week or two as it's rolled out in phases.

This is a big move since 2 million people use WhatsApp and, until now, there wasn’t an official method to move conversations between Android and iOS. There have been third-party solutions here and there, but nothing officially backed by Apple or WhatsApp. With the feature becoming available, users will be able to move their chats swiftly from Android to iOS.

Read more