Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority You may have heard of a feature called “ECG” — aka EKG — making its way onto wearables as of late. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Apple Watch Series 7, Withings ScanWatch, and others are amongst several smartwatches that now come with an ECG sensor. We’ll explain what you need to know about ECG technology in consumer wearables. What is ECG? Short for electrocardiogram, an ECG is a test that measures the heart’s electrical activity.

The Apple October 2021 event, titled Unleashed, had a focus on music and Macs. It wasn’t as densely packed as we had hoped, but we did get a few new product announcements that are bound to shape Apple’s Mac lineup for the upcoming years. Apple today introduced the much-awaited sequels to the Apple M1 chip, as well as new revamped MacBook Pros to carry these chips. We also got some announcements on the audio side of things, with an upgrade to the AirPods lineup being the most significant.

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority Contactless payments are essentially everywhere: in smartphones, smartwatches, and even fitness trackers. Fitbit, one of the biggest wearables companies in the world, has its own contactless payment service called Fitbit Pay. Wondering how to use Fitbit Pay and what devices work with it? We’ve got you covered. See more: Everything you need to know about Fitbit What is Fitbit Pay? Fitbit Pay allows you to pay at accepted contactless payment terminals using your Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker.

The Pixel 4a was one of my favorite phones to launch this year. It had a fantastic screen, Google’s legendary cameras, and the wonderful Pixel UI interface, all for $349. In a year where we should all be saving a bit more money, affordable phones are in. As much as I loved the Pixel 4a, Google only made it available in one color: Just Black. This was a pretty big bummer because leaks suggested the device would be available in multiple colorways.

In 2011, Google announced the first Wallet app. It allowed you to store credit/debit cards, pay for items at retail with NFC taps, send money to friends and family, and keep tabs on your various shop passes and discount codes. However, in true Google fashion, the company eventually split aspects of Wallet out into other apps, most notably Android Pay. By 2018, Google had merged Android Pay and Wallet into one app, now known as Google Pay.

Huawei FreeBuds 3The FreeBuds 3 are a great choice for users who want an AirPods-like pair of earphones that are more compatible with Android devices. They are an instant recommendation for Huawei smartphone users. This device is no longer widely available. The Huawei FreeBuds 3 are now unavailable to buy from most retailers. If you are looking for an alternative device, check out our list of the best true wireless earbuds and the best headphone deals.

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority Anyone in the market for a running watch should consider buying from Garmin. The company has a long history in the running watch space, dating all the way back to the Garmin Forerunner 101. Since then, dedicated devices have come a long way, and Garmin keeps up. We’re here to round up the best Garmin running watches you can buy in 2022. Also read: Garmin wearables buyer’s guide

David Imel / Android Authority The OnePlus 8 Pro is a proper flagship device from the historically flagship-killing OEM. But the company stuck to its roots with the regular OnePlus 8. It’s a watered-down version that retains some high-end features of a 2020 flagship. What is really the key to the standard device is the large, crisp display. To keep it safe for as long as possible, these are some of the best OnePlus 8 screen protectors you can get now.

Andy Walker / Android Authority Personal trainers help a lot of people. They help keep track of your progress, recommend exercise routines to maximize your results, and can be a great source of motivation. However, human personal trainers are expensive and sometimes difficult to find. Plus, you need a gym to interact with them most of the time. Why not try something digital instead? Whether you own a fitness tracker or not, working out on your own is far easier to get into.

Joe Hindy / Android Authority Sudoku is a tough game to learn and master. It can be as simple as a 3×3 grid or go much higher in the upper difficulties. The game is a lot of fun and it’s a great brain teaser. However, sometimes you just need a little more help. A good sudoku solver helps a lot. You can double check your work to make sure you made no mistakes.