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Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind

James Gilmore, Clemson University, The Conversation Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more. Wearables offer tools […]

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James Gilmore, Clemson University, The Conversation

Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more.

Wearables offer tools that help people monitor and understand their bodies and, so the promise goes, improve their lives. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even said the technology company aspires to save your life.

As a professor who studies technology, I’ve spent the past decade researching smartwatches and other wearables. My new book, “Bringers of Order: Wearable Technologies and the Manufacturing of Everyday Life,” considers the gap between what these products promise and what they actually do.

Wearables rely on complicated sets of sensors and computer systems to create data for each user. As these devices become more common – and more complex – I worry that people may be tempted to think less about how they work. As a result, they might accept data at face value without considering how it was generated, whether it’s accurate, or even if it could put them at risk.

So to get the maximum value from wearable technologies, it’s worth reflecting on the differences between what these devices seem to do and what’s actually happening behind the screen. Here are a few key points to remember.

1. Steps aren’t really steps

Wearable fitness trackers gained popularity in the early 2010s for their ability to count steps and measure things such as distance, calories burned and flights of stairs climbed. While it’s tempting to think so-called step counts reflect the number of times a wearer’s feet have completed the action of taking a step, that is not the case.

In reality, a combination of sensors and algorithms work together to produce a data point called “a step.” In most instances, something called an accelerometer measures change in the wearable’s velocity. This is checked against an algorithm, which provides an automatic assessment of whether enough velocity has been reached to count as a step. These components measure how much the wearable moves, not the person. Shaking one’s wrist very quickly can sometimes create a “step,” while walking in place might not count steps.

2. Some skin tones don’t ‘work’ as well as others

Blood oxygen sensors have become incorporated into many smartwatches. They use a process called photoplethysmography, which uses tiny green LED lights on the underside of a smartwatch to track how blood flows through your wrist.

In 2022, a lawsuit alleged Apple was perpetuating racial bias, as its blood oxygen sensors didn’t work as well on darker skin. The case was dismissed, partly because these limitations of blood oxygen sensors have been known to researchers and medical practitioners for years. In other words, it is accepted that some features will not work as well for some people.

3. Your location may not be a secret

There’s an entire industry made up of people called data brokers who buy large datasets from technology companies and then sell them to advertisers, market analysts or other groups that may be interested in acquiring them.

While some companies have taken more steps to reduce or eliminate the sharing of data with third parties, and government agencies have offered strategies for users to limit location sharing, others may still share data among affiliates and service providers.

It’s important to check all settings for options to reduce or eliminate data sharing. Otherwise, your private information might not remain private for long. In 2018, for example, the exercise app Strava released a “heat map” showing the running and cycling routes of all its users through the location data it had collected – and accidentally disclosed the location of multiple secret military bases around the world.

4. Wearables for consumers aren’t medical grade

With wearables, as with other tech, it’s important to look carefully at the terms of use.

Most devices include boilerplate language about how the data they provide the wearer should be used recreationally and not replace formal diagnostics from doctors. Even though Apple has received FDA clearance for some of its health testing features and they may be quite useful for monitoring purposes, if you’re relying on data for health purposes, it’s important to consult a doctor.

5. Wearables can’t predict the future

OK, maybe this seems like it should be obvious. But it’s not.

Oura Ring, which pioneered measurements such as “restfulness” that try to measure how well you sleep, recently added a “symptom radar” to try to detect when you might be getting sick.

These technologies use sensors such as heart rate monitors and thermometers to detect changes in a wearer’s baseline. While these sickness forecasts may be helpful, they’re like weather reports for the body, detecting changes in the body’s internal atmosphere using available sensors and algorithms. Any claim to predict the future is based on looking for patterns in information from the past.

While wearable tech can offer powerful insights, understanding how devices work is crucial for making sense of the data they produce. A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users. In the end, wearables are best understood as interesting but imperfect tools − not magic wands.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: James Gilmore, Clemson University

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James Gilmore does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.





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Sports software firm Teamworks notches over $1 billion valuation in latest funding round

Sports software maker Teamworks said on Tuesday it was valued at over $1 billion in its latest funding round, which was led by California-based Dragoneer Investment Group, an existing investor. The Durham, North Carolina-based company raised $235 million in its latest funding round, the company added. Founded in 2004, Teamworks provides sport-specific predictive models and […]

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Sports software maker Teamworks said on Tuesday it was valued at over $1 billion in its latest funding round, which was led by California-based Dragoneer Investment Group, an existing investor.

The Durham, North Carolina-based company raised $235 million in its latest funding round, the company added.

Founded in 2004, Teamworks provides sport-specific predictive models and metrics to more than 6,500 sports teams globally.

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I loved the Whoop MG, but didn’t love the price: that’s why I’m excited about this mysterious new fitness band from a major Garmin rival

Polar is launching a screenless band, confirmed in a recent press release It’s a distraction free wearable set to launch on September 3 Very few details are available, but it will definitely be subscription-free I first learned about Polar when searching for alternatives to the best Garmin watches, but Polar as a company has been […]

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  • Polar is launching a screenless band, confirmed in a recent press release
  • It’s a distraction free wearable set to launch on September 3
  • Very few details are available, but it will definitely be subscription-free

I first learned about Polar when searching for alternatives to the best Garmin watches, but Polar as a company has been around for a long time: Polar Electro actually developed the world’s first wireless heart rate monitor, filing the patent in 1980.

While the company may have slipped behind some of its competitors in the smartwatch popularity stakes since then, Polar does make solid, reliable devices that regularly rank on our best running watches and best heart rate monitor lists.



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Relo Metrics, VideoAmp Unveil ‘Total Sports Performance’ Measurement System

CANNES, France—Relo Metrics and VideoAmp have officially launched Total Sports Performance, a measurement and attribution solution for the sports media ecosystem. Total Sports Performance delivers the industry’s first deduplicated, single view of audience exposure and business outcomes across both sponsorship and advertising in live sports environments, the companies said in an announcement made during a […]

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CANNES, France—Relo Metrics and VideoAmp have officially launched Total Sports Performance, a measurement and attribution solution for the sports media ecosystem.

Total Sports Performance delivers the industry’s first deduplicated, single view of audience exposure and business outcomes across both sponsorship and advertising in live sports environments, the companies said in an announcement made during a joint showcase at Cannes Lions 2025, hosted at the VideoAmp Penthouse.



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Polar is teasing a Whoop alternative without subscription

Polar’s upcoming wearable skips the screen and the subscription, aiming straight at Whoop and Oura with a simpler, one-time purchase approach. From Polar PR: Polar, a global pioneer in wearable sports and fitness technology for nearly 50 years, is launching a brand-new product and category this September. The upcoming Polar wearable will not only be […]

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Polar’s upcoming wearable skips the screen and the subscription, aiming straight at Whoop and Oura with a simpler, one-time purchase approach.

From Polar PR:

Polar, a global pioneer in wearable sports and fitness technology for nearly 50 years, is launching a brand-new product and category this September. The upcoming Polar wearable will not only be the brand’s first screen-free wrist device, but it will also be a subscription-free alternative to other health bands and fitness trackers on the market.

This is very likely an alternative to fitness trackers like the Whoop or the Oura Ring: a screenless device that tracks your different health metrics and synchronizes them with an app.

Not relying on a subscription is probably the biggest selling point. The $6 per month for the Oura, or the $200 per year (that’s the starting price) for the Whoop, are what most people criticize whenever they look at one of these things.

Also, it really comes down to how useful the app is. I mentioned this in my updated Oura review, but even a well-designed app can feel confusing at times. If Polar nails an experience that shows just the right amount of data to help you make actual health decisions, they might have a shot at becoming the new standard, like they are for heart rate sensors in running.


We’ll learn more about this new device in September, but you can sign up for more news on Polar’s website.





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Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market May See a Big Move

Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market HTF MI just released the Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Study, a comprehensive analysis of the market that spans more than 143+ pages and describes the product and industry scope as well as the market prognosis and status for 2025-2032. The marketization process is being accelerated by the market […]

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Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market

Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market

HTF MI just released the Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Study, a comprehensive analysis of the market that spans more than 143+ pages and describes the product and industry scope as well as the market prognosis and status for 2025-2032. The marketization process is being accelerated by the market study’s segmentation by important regions. The market is currently expanding its reach.

Major companies profiled in Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market are: CoachUp, MyCoach, Hudl, Sportlyzer, Coachbase, TeamSnap, XPS Network, Krossover, Coach’s Eye, CoachAccountable, CoachLogic, VEO, Dartfish, Spond, NCSA, Fusion Sport, DICK’s Team Sports Hub, PlaybookUX, OpenSports, SquadFusion, Teamer, BenchPrep, CompleteCoach, VirtuReal, iSportsAnalysis, Sportlyzer, CoachNow.

Request PDF Sample Copy of Report: (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @👉 https://www.htfmarketinsights.com/sample-report/1635505-sports-coaching-platforms-sales-market?utm_source=Tina_OpenPR&utm_id=Tina

HTF Market Intelligence projects that the global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4% from 2025 to 2032, from 1.9 Billion in 2025 to 5.7 Billion by 2032.

The following Key Segments Are Covered in Our Report

By Type

AI Video Analysis, Mobile App-based, Web Portal, IoT-integrated, VR, Sport-specific, SaaS, LMS

By Application

Training Academies, Schools, Teams, Individual Athletes

Definition: Sports coaching platforms are digital solutions that enable athletes, coaches, teams, and sports academies to manage training sessions, monitor performance, track progress, and communicate effectively. These platforms often feature tools for video analysis, training plan creation, athlete management, biometric tracking, and feedback integration. Sales of sports coaching platforms have seen significant growth due to increasing digitization in sports, the rising popularity of remote coaching, and advancements in AI and wearable tech. They are used across various disciplines from football and basketball to tennis, swimming, and martial arts.

Market Trends:

• Gamified training, Wearables sync

Market Drivers:

• Youth sports growth, Home training demand

Market Challenges:

• Coach resistance to tech, Monetization hurdles

Dominating Region:

• North America

Fastest-Growing Region:

• Asia Pacific

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The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below:

In-depth analysis of Sports Coaching Platforms Sales market segments by Types: AI Video Analysis, Mobile App-based, Web Portal, IoT-integrated, VR, Sport-specific, SaaS, LMS

Detailed analysis of Sports Coaching Platforms Sales market segments by Applications: Training Academies, Schools, Teams, Individual Athletes

Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions:

• The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.)

• North America (United States, Mexico & Canada)

• South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.)

• Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.)

• Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia).

Buy Now Latest Edition of Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketinsights.com/buy-now?report=1635505

Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Research Objectives:

– Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years.

– To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks).

– To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market.

– To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market.

– To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies.

FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS:

In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry.

• Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies)

• Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates)

• Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles)

• Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development)

• Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions)

• Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability)

Get customized report 👉 https://www.htfmarketinsights.com/customize/1635505-sports-coaching-platforms-sales-market?utm_source=Tina_OpenPR&utm_id=Tina

Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market:

Chapter 01 – Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Executive Summary

Chapter 02 – Market Overview

Chapter 03 – Key Success Factors

Chapter 04 – Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market – Pricing Analysis

Chapter 05 – Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Background or History

Chapter 06 – Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application)

Chapter 07 – Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market

Chapter 08 – Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Structure & worth Analysis

Chapter 09 – Global Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges

Chapter 10 – Assumptions and Acronyms

Chapter 11 – Sports Coaching Platforms Sales Market Research Methodology

Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia.

Contact Us:

Nidhi Bhavsar (PR & Marketing Manager)

HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited

Phone: +15075562445

sales@htfmarketreport.com

About Author: HTF Market Intelligence is a leading market research company providing end-to-end syndicated and custom market reports, consulting services, and insightful information across the globe. With over 15,000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, value research report, opportunities, and cope with the most critical business challenges, and transform businesses. Analysts at HTF MI focus on comprehending the unique needs of each client to deliver insights that are most suited to their particular requirements.

This release was published on openPR.



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Mobile Global Esports Announces Beta Launch of Dominus Sports Platform, Integrated with Proprietary AI Engine PUHZL

Dominus Baseball Beta Incoming; Football, ProveIt Sports, and PUHZL Patent Disclosures Coming Soon WESTPORT, CT / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / Mobile Global Esports Inc. (OTC PINK:MGAM), a next-generation technology company at the intersection of AI, gaming, and entertainment, today announced the beta launch of its flagship product, Dominus Sports, integrated with PUHZL, […]

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Dominus Baseball Beta Incoming; Football, ProveIt Sports, and PUHZL Patent Disclosures Coming Soon

WESTPORT, CT / ACCESS Newswire / June 17, 2025 / Mobile Global Esports Inc. (OTC PINK:MGAM), a next-generation technology company at the intersection of AI, gaming, and entertainment, today announced the beta launch of its flagship product, Dominus Sports, integrated with PUHZL, MGAM’s proprietary artificial intelligence platform.

Dominus Baseball, the first title within the Dominus Sports ecosystem, is scheduled to onboard paying beta users in the coming weeks. Reimagined from its original alpha version, Dominus introduces true-to-life simulation gameplay by turning live sports data into full 9-inning box scores using MGAM’s proprietary algorithms. The platform supports collaborative, role-based team ownership, enabling groups of users to manage teams as owners, scouts, coordinators, and general managers in a dynamic, strategic environment. Dominus Football is already in the pipeline, with a waiting list of paid beta users and an expected rollout by the end of July.

What makes MGAM’s ecosystem different is PUHZL – a foundational AI layer that powers all current and future consumer products, including fantasy sports, predictive gaming, dating, and travel. PUHZL uses a combination of deterministic modeling and predictive modeling to drive in-app conversions, delivering personalized suggestions, adaptive chat experiences, and intelligent alerts that evolve with each user’s behavior.

The next product in development, ProveIt Sports, will deliver real-money sports challenges powered by the same PUHZL infrastructure, incorporating AI-generated handicapping logic, leaderboard dynamics, and behavioral prediction.

MGAM has multiple provisional patent filings underway tied to its PUHZL-powered simulation models, matchmaking algorithms, and personalized engagement systems. The company plans to release further details on the PUHZL AI engine and patent roadmap in the coming weeks.

“We’re not just building apps – we’re building an AI-powered foundation that personalizes every part of the user journey. PUHZL is our connective tissue, and everything we’re launching – from Dominus Sports to ProveIt – is layered on top of that learning engine. As our products expand into new verticals, our AI gets smarter, more contextual, and more valuable. We’re building something that adapts to how people think, play, and live – and that’s a massive unlock for the future of gaming, media, and beyond.”
Brett Rosin, CEO, Mobile Global Esports

As MGAM ramps toward its v1 release of Dominus Sports and finalizes the next phase of its product suite, PUHZL continues to evolve as the core intelligence layer behind the company’s long-term IP and engagement strategy.

About Mobile Global Esports (MGAM)
Mobile Global Esports Inc. (OTC: MGAM) is a technology and IP company creating AI-powered platforms across fantasy sports, gaming, dating, and media. With a proprietary engine called PUHZL at its heart, MGAM’s mission is to transform passive audiences into active, competitive participants through personalized, dynamic, and immersive experiences.

Media Contact:

Brett Rosin, CEO
Email: brett@mobileglobal.us
Phone: 312-241-2550
Website: www.mobileglobalesports.com

Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding product development, platform capabilities, future launches, patent filings, and the potential impact of our technologies. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate and involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Mobile Global Esports

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

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