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The fitness tracker I recommend to most people is on sale for 25% off

Matthew Miller/ZDNET ZDNET’s key takeaways The Fitbit Charge 6 is normally priced at $160. This device helps minimize third-party distractions and notifications that other smartwatches may cause. Many forms of data are captured, like steps, sleep, and heart rate, to provide a comprehensive view of your daily activity.  The Fitbit Charge 6 is currently on sale […]

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Fitbit Charge 6 on wrist

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • The Fitbit Charge 6 is normally priced at $160.
  • This device helps minimize third-party distractions and notifications that other smartwatches may cause.
  • Many forms of data are captured, like steps, sleep, and heart rate, to provide a comprehensive view of your daily activity. 

The Fitbit Charge 6 is currently on sale for $120 at Amazon. This deal applies to all three color options.


Smartwatches need to be charged at least every other day, and millions don’t want another device loaded with third-party apps and constant distractions on their wrist. The Fitbit Charge 6 offers a powerful wearable in a sleek form factor with a battery life that only requires a top-up once a week.

Also: The best smartwatches you can buy

With Google owning Fitbit, I see more Google integration in Fitbit devices. The Charge 6 includes support for playback controls of Google Music, Google Maps prompts on the tracker, and Google Wallet payment support. These features are provided in addition to the useful Fitbit functions, including detailed sleep tracking, EDA scans, Daily Readiness score, ECG measurements, step tracking, and an integrated GPS receiver for detailed outdoor tracking.

I wore a silver aluminum Fitbit Charge 6 with a porcelain band for a few weeks of testing, but the Charge 6 is also available in Black for $160

Looking at the hardware, Fitbit provides a lovely 26 x 21.8 mm AMOLED touchscreen color display. It is made with Corning Gorilla Glass, which looks superb and responds flawlessly to swipes and taps. The aluminum case surrounds the display and extends to the back heart rate sensor with nice curves and appealing aesthetics. The tracker is water resistant to 50m, so you can wear it 24/7 without worry.

Fitbit Charge 6 models

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The heart rate sensor on the back has greatly improved. Fitbit states that it is 60% more accurate during vigorous activities than older Fitbit devices. The sensor also supports ECG and EDA measurements to help detect heart rate irregularities and monitor stress.

Also: This midrange Android wearable outlasted my Galaxy Watch Ultra – and it’s on sale

The Fitbit Charge 6 also supports sharing your heart rate readings with some supported gym equipment, including treadmills, rowing machines, and bikes. Check out this Fitbit support site to see if this functionality supports your equipment. While the Fitbit Charge 6 is not listed on the official list, I tested it with my Hydrow rowing machine, which connected in seconds. With improved accuracy during activities and lots of movement, this is a nice capability if you don’t own an HR chest strap.

Fitbit Charge 6 strap on wrist

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

There’s a haptic button on the left side of the Charge 6. With this model, there is a designated target area to help you improve your accuracy in hitting it, and it is better than the no-button design that we saw on the Charge 5. I’m still more of a fan of a physical button, but I understand that for construction and water resistance, it is preferred to use a haptic button.

The Fitbit Charge 6 has an infinity silicone band, but there are plenty of other options, including sports bands, Horween leather bands, woven bands, hook/loop bands, and vegan leather bands, ranging from $30 to $50. Bands from the Charge 5 continue to work on the Charge 6, so if you want to upgrade after a couple of years, the Charge 6 is worth considering.

Fitbit Charge 6

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The software on the watch is easy to navigate, with swipes and taps providing access to key data and utilities. Google Maps works in combination with the app on your connected phone, so turns and other key information are presented on the Charge 6 while your phone remains in your pack. YouTube Music playback controls are supported for YouTube Premium subscribers, so you can store your phone away while exercising and still have control of your music.

Also: Finally, a budget smartwatch that’s just as durable as my Garmin (and it’s on sale)

Google Wallet works to support payments right from your wrist, but entering the PIN by scrolling up and down one digit at a time is a bit of a pain. Some work on making this easier is needed, or I will never use Google Wallet on the device.

Unlike a smartwatch and some past Fitbit devices, the Charge 6 does not have third-party apps available. However, Key Google, Fitbit, and basic clock utilities are provided on the watch and in the Fitbit app, so you can manage whether or not the apps appear on the Charge 6 as you navigate around the tracker. You can also customize nearly 30 watch faces.

Fitbit Charge 6 screenshots of watch faces

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

The Charge 6 has an integrated GPS receiver, so you can run, walk, hike, and exercise outside without your phone. I tested this out for running and walking with an Apple Watch Ultra 2 on my other wrist and was very pleased with the accuracy of the GPS on the Charge 6. The Charge 6 supports GPS and GLONASS, while other watches typically support at least five global navigation satellite systems, so it will never be as accurate as dedicated GPS sports watches in challenging environments.

Also: Finally, I found an OLED sports watch that looks good and won’t break the bank

Google provides six months of free Fitbit Premium service with a Charge 6 purchase. Fitbit Premium is required for the Daily Readiness Score and other advanced features in the Fitbit application.

Compared to the Charge 5, I am very pleased to see the return of the floor’s climbed metric, improved heart rate sensor performance, side haptic button, and Google goodies (Wallet, Maps, and YouTube Music). The Charge 6 is also $20 less than the Charge 5’s launch price. The Fitbit Charge 6 is much better to sleep with than my larger smartwatches. Using the Charge 6 has me considering whether I need a full-size watch mounted on my wrist all the time.

ZDNET’s buying advice

While smartwatches are popular and often heavily promoted, having another device on your body that needs your attention may not be best for you and your mental health. 

Google offers the Fitbit Charge 6 as a device that captures key health and wellness data comfortably while minimizing the distractions of third-party apps and constant notifications. Sleeping with it on your wrist is very comfortable, and the data captured can be used to improve your health and lifestyle. 

Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com. 

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AI job predictions become corporate America’s newest competitive sport

In late May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei appeared to kick open the door on a sensitive topic, warning that half of entry-level jobs could vanish within five years because of AI and push U.S. unemployment up to 20%. But Amodei is far from alone in sharing that he foresees a workforce bloodbath. A new WSJ […]

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In late May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei appeared to kick open the door on a sensitive topic, warning that half of entry-level jobs could vanish within five years because of AI and push U.S. unemployment up to 20%.

But Amodei is far from alone in sharing that he foresees a workforce bloodbath. A new WSJ story highlights how other CEOs are also issuing dire predictions about AI’s job impact, turning employment doom into something of a competitive sport.

Several of these predictions came before Amodei’s comments. For example, at JPMorgan’s annual investor day earlier in May, its consumer banking chief Marianne Lake projected AI would “enable” a 10% workforce reduction.

But they’ve been coming fast, and growing more stark, ever since. In a note last month, Amazon’s Andy Jassy warned employees to expect a smaller workforce due to the “once-in-a-lifetime” technological shift that’s afoot.

ThredUp’s CEO said at a conference last month that AI will destroy “way more jobs than the average person thinks.” Not to be outdone, Ford’s Jim Farley delivered perhaps the most sweeping claim yet, saying last week that AI will “literally replace half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.”

It’s a dramatic shift from executives’ previous cautious public statements about job displacement, notes the Journal. Indeed, the outlet notes that while some tech leaders — including from powerful AI companies — have proposed that fears are overblown, the growing string of warnings suggests massive restructurings are coming, whether people are ready for them or not.



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Rising Sports Injuries Is A Catalyst For Accelerated Growth

Sports Medicine Devices Stay ahead with our updated market reports featuring the latest on tariffs, trade flows, and supply chain transformations. Sports Medicine Devices Market Size Valuation Forecast: What Will the Market Be Worth by 2025? The sports medicine devices market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $7.97 billion in […]

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Sports Medicine Devices

Sports Medicine Devices

Stay ahead with our updated market reports featuring the latest on tariffs, trade flows, and supply chain transformations.

Sports Medicine Devices Market Size Valuation Forecast: What Will the Market Be Worth by 2025?

The sports medicine devices market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $7.97 billion in 2024 to $8.62 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in sports injuries, growing emphasis on physical fitness, increase in sports participation, expansion of arthroscopic procedures, focus on injury prevention programs, rising awareness among athletes.

Sports Medicine Devices Market Size Forecast: What’s the Projected Valuation by 2029?

The sports medicine devices market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.86 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to personalized medicine approaches, expansion of sports medicine clinics, nutritional strategies for performance enhancement, global sports events and sponsorships, focus on mental health in sports. Major trends in the forecast period include technological solutions for rehabilitation, telemedicine and remote monitoring, integration of wearable technologies, advanced orthopedic technologies, collaboration with sports teams and leagues.

View the full report here:

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/sports-medicine-global-market-report

What Are the Drivers Transforming the Sports Medicine Devices Market?

The increasing number of sports injuries is expected to propel the sports medicine market’s growth going forward. Sports injuries refer to injuries that are caused during sports or exercise, and they are not limited to athletes. They are commonly caused by a direct impact, overuse, or force application. Sports medicine provides treatment or support for sports injuries, so an increase in sports injuries will propel market growth. For instance, in October 2024, according to Insideworldfootball, a UK-based web-based news-driven service, sports injuries reached a total of 4,123 during the 2023-24 season, marking a 4% increase compared to the 2022-23. Therefore, the increasing number of sports injuries is driving the growth of the sports medicine market.

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What Long-Term Trends Will Define the Future of the Sports Medicine Devices Market?

Product innovations are a key trend gaining popularity in the sports medicine market. Major companies operating in the sports medicine market are focused on developing new technological solutions to strengthen their position. For instance, in September 2023, Tissue Regenix Group plc, a UK-based regenerative medical devices company, launched BioRinse product line for sports medicine allografts. This line features advanced sterilization technology to produce high-quality, sterile soft tissue products used mainly in tendon and ligament reconstruction. The BioRinse product line. It is sterilization technology designed specifically for sports medicine allografts. This proprietary process minimizes tissue damage, resulting in enhanced sterile soft tissue products suitable for tendon and ligament reconstruction in various joints. The innovation aims to improve performance, efficiency, and safety in allograft products.

Which Segments in the Sports Medicine Devices Market Offer the Most Profit Potential?

The sports medicine devices market covered in this report is segmented –

1) By Product: Implants, Fracture And Ligament Repair Products, Arthroscopy Devices, Prosthetics, Other Products

2) By Injury Type: Knee Injuries, Shoulder Injuries, Foot And Ankle Injuries, Back And Spine Injuries, Hip And Groin Injuries

3) By End User: Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Physiotherapy Centers And Clinics

Subsegments:

1) By Implants: Joint Implants, Soft Tissue Implants, Bone Implants

2) By Fracture And Ligament Repair Products: Plates And Screws, Pins And Wires, Ligament Grafts

3) By Arthroscopy Devices: Arthroscopes, Surgical Instruments, Visualization Systems

4) By Prosthetics: Lower Limb Prosthetics, Upper Limb Prosthetics, Adaptive Devices

5) By Other Products: Braces And Supports, Rehabilitation Equipment, Diagnostic Tools

Tailor your insights and customize the full report here:

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Which Firms Dominate the Sports Medicine Devices Market by Market Share and Revenue in 2025?

Major companies operating in the sports medicine devices market include Arthrex Inc., Conmed Corporation, DJO LLC, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc., Stryker Corp., Smith & Nephew plc, Breg Inc., Mueller Sports Inc., Wright Medical Group NV, Medtronic Inc., RTI Surgical Holdings Inc., Performance Health International Limited, Karl Storz SE & Co. KG, Bauerfeind AG, MedShape Inc., Cramer Products Inc., RôG Sports Medicine, Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., Mitek Sports Medicine, DonJoy Orthopedics, Össur public limited company, Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH, Bledsoe Brace Systems, Acumed LLC

Which Regions Offer the Highest Growth Potential in the Sports Medicine Devices Market?

North America was the largest region in the sports medicine market in 2024. The regions covered in the sports medicine market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

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2. Manufacturers & Suppliers – To understand market trends, customer demand, and competitive positioning.

3. Policy Makers & Regulators – To track industry developments and align regulatory frameworks.

4. Consultants & Analysts – To support market entry, expansion strategies, and client advisory work.

Learn More About The Business Research Company

With over 15000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Armed with 1,500,000 datasets, the optimistic contribution of in-depth secondary research, and unique insights from industry leaders, you can get the information you need to stay ahead.

Our flagship product, the Global Market Model (GMM), is a premier market intelligence platform delivering comprehensive and updated forecasts to support informed decision-making.

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Learn More About The Business Research Company

With over 15,000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Our flagship product, the Global Market Model delivers comprehensive and updated forecasts to support informed decision-making.

This release was published on openPR.





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How a GOP rift over tech regulation doomed a ban on state AI laws in Trump’s tax bill – East Bay Times

By ALI SWENSON, Associated Press NEW YORK  — A controversial bid to deter states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade seemed on its way to passing as the Republican tax cut and spending bill championed by President Donald Trump worked its way through the U.S. Senate. But as the bill neared a final vote, […]

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By ALI SWENSON, Associated Press

NEW YORK  — A controversial bid to deter states from regulating artificial intelligence for a decade seemed on its way to passing as the Republican tax cut and spending bill championed by President Donald Trump worked its way through the U.S. Senate.

But as the bill neared a final vote, a relentless campaign against it by a constellation of conservatives — including Republican governors, lawmakers, think tanks and social groups — had been eroding support. One, conservative activist Mike Davis, appeared on the show of right-wing podcaster Steve Bannon, urging viewers to call their senators to reject this “AI amnesty” for “trillion-dollar Big Tech monopolists.”



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Here’s how Character.AI’s new CEO plans to address fears around kids’ use of chatbots – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

New York (CNN) — When Karandeep Anand’s 5-year-old daughter gets home from school, they fire up the artificial intelligence chatbot platform Character.AI so she can chat about her day with her favorite characters, such as “Librarian Linda.” Anand’s experience using the product as a parent might be helpful now that he’s Character.AI’s new chief executive, a […]

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New York (CNN) — When Karandeep Anand’s 5-year-old daughter gets home from school, they fire up the artificial intelligence chatbot platform Character.AI so she can chat about her day with her favorite characters, such as “Librarian Linda.”

Anand’s experience using the product as a parent might be helpful now that he’s Character.AI’s new chief executive, a change the company announced last month.

He’s taken on the top job at a complicated moment for the company, which lets users talk to a variety of AI-generated personas. Character.AI faces fierce competition in an increasingly crowded space, as well as lawsuits from families who claim the service exposed their children to inappropriate content and failed to implement adequate safeguards.

Character.AI has also received tough questions about safety from lawmakers, and one advocacy group said earlier this year that AI companion apps should not be used by kids under 18. Even for adult users, experts have raised alarms about people forming potentially harmful attachments to AI characters.

Anand brings experience at some of the biggest tech companies to his new role leading Character.AI’s approximately 70-person team. He spent 15 years at Microsoft and six years at Meta, including as vice president and head of business products at the social media giant. He also served as a board advisor for Character.AI before joining as CEO.

And he told CNN he sees a bright future for the platform in interactive AI entertainment.

In other words, rather than people consuming “brain rot” on social media for entertainment, Anand wants them co-creating stories and conversations with Character.AI for fun.

“AI can power a very, very powerful personal entertainment experience unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 10 years in social media, and definitely nothing like what TV used to be,” Anand said in an interview.

Unlike multi-purpose AI tools like ChatGPT, Character.AI offers range of different chatbots that are often modeled after celebrities and fictional characters. Users can also create their own for conversations or role play. Another distinction is that Character.AI bots respond with human-like conversational cues, adding references to facial expressions or gestures into their replies.

The personas of AI characters on the app vary widely, from romantic partners to language tutors or Disney characters. It also features characters like “Friends hot mom,” which describes itself as “curvy, busty, kind, loving, shy, motherly, sensual”; and “Therapist,” which calls itself a “licensed CBT therapist,” although it features a disclaimer that it is not a real person or licensed professional.

“(We’re) doubling down on entertainment, doubling down on trust and safety,” Anand said. “And a lot of the work we want to do is enable an entirely new creator ecosystem around AI entertainment.”

Youth safety on Character.AI

Character.AI was first sued by a parent — a Florida mom who alleges her 14-year-old son died by suicide after developing an inappropriate relationship with chatbots on the platform — last October. Two months later, two more families filed a joint suit against the company, accusing it of providing sexual content to their children and encouraging self-harm and violence.

Since then, the company has implemented a range of new safety measures, including a pop-up that directs users who mention self-harm or suicide to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It also updated its AI model for users under the age of 18 to reduce the likelihood that they encounter sensitive or suggestive content, and gives parents the option to receive a weekly email about their teen’s activity on the platform.

Anand said he’s confident in the improvements Character.AI has made since last year, but that work to keep the platform safe, especially for young users, continues. Character.AI’s policies technically require users to be over the age of 13, although it does not ask for information to verify that users are signing up with the correct birthdate.

“The tech and the industry and the user base is constantly evolving (so) that we can never let the guard off. We have to constantly stay ahead of the curve,” Anand said.

He added that the company continues to test how people could misuse new features to prevent abuse, such as a video generator launched last month that lets users animate their bots. In the days following the tool’s arrival, users shared unsuccessful attempts to test its limits by creating fake videos of prominent figures like Elon Musk.

“We had to red team the product for such a long time to make sure you cannot use this for any negative use case like deepfakes or bullying,” Anand said.

Those efforts aside, Anand said in an introductory note to Character.AI users last month that one of his top priorities is to make the platform’s safety filter “less overbearing,” adding that “too often, the app filters things that are perfectly harmless.”

He told CNN that things like mentions of blood when users are engaging in “vampire fan fiction role play” — something he says he’s a fan of — might be censored under the current model, which he wants to update to better understand context while balancing the need for safety.

Leading in the competitive AI space

Among Anand’s other key objectives: encouraging more creators to join the platform to make new chatbot characters and upgrading the social feed where users can share content they’ve created with Character.AI chatbots.

The latter feature is similar to an app Meta launched this year that allows people to publicly share their prompts and AI-generated creations. Meta drew heat when apparently confused users shared conversations that contained embarrassing or personal details — a reminder of the privacy challenges that can come with AI tools.

But the social element could help further differentiate Character.AI from bigger competitors like ChatGPT, which users are also increasingly forming personal connections with.

Another challenge Anand will face as CEO is retaining and growing the company’s workforce, as an AI talent war heats up across the tech industry. In a sign of the competition for top talent, Meta has reportedly offered pay packages and bonuses worth hundreds of millions of dollars to grow its new superintelligence team. Character.AI co-founder and former CEO Noam Shazeer was also lured back to Google last year, where he’d previously built conversational AI technology.

“It is hard, I will not lie,” Anand said. “The good news for me as CEO is all the people we have here are very, very passionate and mission driven.”

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New Wearable Algorithm Improves Fitness Tracking in Obesity

A new algorithm enabled smartwatch fitness trackers to more accurately estimate energy expenditure by individuals with obesity. In two studies conducted in a total of 52 people for 1838 minutes in a lab and 14,045 minutes in a “free-living” situation, the algorithm performed mostly as well or better than 11 “gold-standard” algorithms designed by other […]

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A new algorithm enabled smartwatch fitness trackers to more accurately estimate energy expenditure by individuals with obesity.

In two studies conducted in a total of 52 people for 1838 minutes in a lab and 14,045 minutes in a “free-living” situation, the algorithm performed mostly as well or better than 11 “gold-standard” algorithms designed by other researchers using research-grade devices, achieving over 95% accuracy in people with obesity in real-world situations.

The algorithm bridges an important gap in fitness technology — that most wearable devices are using algorithms validated mainly in people without obesity, said Nabil Alshurafa, PhD, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, in Chicago.

Alshurafa was motivated to create the algorithm after attending an exercise class with his mother-in-law, who had obesity. His mother-in-law worked hard, but her effort barely showed on the leaderboard. He realized that most current fitness trackers use activity-monitoring algorithms developed for people without obesity.

“Commercial devices calibrate their accelerometer-to-calorie models using data mostly from people with normal BMI, using algorithms that rely on ‘average’ gait and metabolism,” he told Medscape Medical News. “But people with obesity are known to exhibit differences in walking gait, speed, resting energy expenditure, and physical function. When you feed ‘average’ motion to kcal [kilocalories] mappings for people with different gait patterns, the math does not always line up.”

This may be particularly true for people with obesity who wear fitness trackers throughout the day on their hip, rather than their wrist, because of differences in gait patterns and other body movements.

The study was published online in Scientific Reports. The anonymized dataset and code and documentation are publicly available for use by other researchers.

‘More Inclusive and Reliable’

Researchers in Alshurafa’s lab developed and tested the open-source, dominant-wrist algorithm specifically tuned for people with obesity. The algorithm estimated metabolic equivalent of task (MET) values per minute from commercial smartwatch sensor data and compared them to actigraphy-based energy estimates in people with obesity.

In an in-lab study, 27 participants performed activities of varying intensities while wearing a smartwatch and a metabolic cart — a mask that measures the volume of oxygen the wearer inhales and the volume of carbon dioxide the wearer exhales to calculate their energy burn in kcals and their resting metabolic rate.

The activities included, among others, typing on a computer, lying still on the floor doing nothing, walking slowly on a treadmill, doing pushups against a door, and following along with an aerobics video. Each activity was performed for 5 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of rest. The researchers compared the fitness tracker results against the metabolic cart results.

Another 25 participants wore a smartwatch and a body camera for 2 days in a free-living study. The body camera enabled the researchers to visually confirm when the algorithm over- or under-estimated kcals.

The in-lab analysis included 2189 minutes of data and the free-living analysis included 14,045 minutes of data.

Compared to the metabolic cart, the new algorithm achieved lower root mean square error across various sliding windows (analyses of continuous and overlapping data streams).

In the free-living study, the algorithm’s estimates fell within ±1.96 SDs of the best actigraphy-based estimates for 95.03% of minutes.

“Our proposed method accurately estimated METs compared to 11 algorithms primarily validated in nonobese populations, suggesting that commercial wrist-worn devices can provide more inclusive and reliable [energy expenditure] measures using our algorithm,” the authors wrote.

Challenges Ahead

More work needs to be done before apps for iOS and android driven by the new algorithm are available for use later this year, Alshurafa said. Because the model is tuned for users with obesity, “we need a reliable way to obtain BMI or body composition, and possibly ways of turning on and off the algorithm over time or perhaps modifying the algorithm as people’s fitness level changes.”

“Because we’ve optimized for the dominant hand, we’ll need clear user guidance, and possibly user-interface prompts, to drive this cultural shift in watch placement,” he said.

To ensure accuracy across diverse users, activities, and wear styles, the team will conduct field testing and pool anonymized data.

“Power, size, and regulatory requirements may force trade-offs, so we’ll work closely with device manufacturers on adaptive calibration routines and streamlined firmware,” Alshurafa said. “But the real priority is training and tailoring our systems on truly diverse data and being transparent about who’s represented in that data. Too many commercial devices skip this, leading users to assume they work universally when their models actually have limitations.”

For now, clinicians should be aware that the app has only been validated so far in individuals with obesity wearing their tracker on the dominant wrist and use outside that population or on the nondominant wrist may yield less accurate calorie estimates, he added. “Beyond those parameters, though, the algorithm is ready for deployment and offers a powerful new tool for personalized activity monitoring.”

Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, agreed that an algorithm that more accurately reflects exercise and energy expenditure of patients with obesity would be helpful, and that “any improvements” would likely be beneficial for patients and clinicians.

That said, “a larger study comparing the new algorithm vs currently available devices would provide more validation,” Ali, who was not involved in the study, told Medscape Medical News.

In addition, “research elucidating exercise goals and calorie expenditure for obese patients could be helpful to better counsel patients on what is the optimal goal for weight loss,” he said.

Ali noted that “trackers for heart disease and pulmonary problems may be useful to help patients attain cardio-pulmonary improvement” — and indeed, Alshurafa’s team will be looking at ways to tailor fitness trackers for diabetes and hypertension going forward.

This study is based on work supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

Alshurafa and Ali declared no competing interests.

Marilynn Larkin, MA, is an award-winning medical writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Medscape Medical News and its sister publication MDedge, The Lancet (where she was a contributing editor), and Reuters Health.



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PC Gaming Accessories Market Significant Growth at 5.8%

Introduction The Global PC Gaming Accessories Market was valued at USD 2.77 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.87 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The growth in this market is driven by increasing demand for high-performance gaming peripherals like gaming […]

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Introduction

The Global PC Gaming Accessories Market was valued at USD 2.77 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 4.87 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The growth in this market is driven by increasing demand for high-performance gaming peripherals like gaming mice, keyboards, headsets, and chairs, as the gaming industry continues to thrive. North America currently holds a dominant position, capturing over 53.6% of the market share in 2024. This growth reflects the rising interest in PC gaming and advancements in gaming technologies.

How Growth is Impacting the Economy

The PC gaming accessories market is contributing to the economy by creating a significant demand for gaming-related technologies, leading to innovations in product design and manufacturing. As more consumers invest in gaming equipment, this sector stimulates economic growth by driving sales in peripheral devices and contributing to the expansion of e-commerce platforms. The increasing adoption of gaming accessories also leads to the creation of jobs in product development, retail, and customer support services.

The growing market has a positive effect on local economies, particularly in regions where gaming hardware and accessories are manufactured. Furthermore, the market’s expansion is encouraging businesses to enhance product offerings, create personalized gaming solutions, and improve user experiences, further boosting consumer spending. Increased demand for high-end gaming accessories also contributes to technological advancement, which has broader applications across industries, from entertainment to professional eSports.

➤ Research uncovers business opportunities here @ https://market.us/report/pc-gaming-accessories-market/free-sample/

Impact on Global Businesses

Rising Costs & Supply Chain Shifts: The growth of the PC gaming accessories market is driving up demand for raw materials, which is increasing production costs for gaming peripheral manufacturers. Supply chains are shifting as companies are required to find more efficient methods for sourcing materials, improving manufacturing techniques, and distributing products globally.

Sector-Specific Impacts: In the gaming industry, the rising demand for advanced gaming accessories is driving the development of more specialized and high-performance products. For the electronics and technology sector, the need for compatibility with gaming platforms is driving the need for more integrated hardware solutions. The e-commerce sector benefits from the expansion of online retail, as consumers increasingly purchase gaming peripherals through digital channels.

Strategies for Businesses

To capitalize on the growing PC gaming accessories market, businesses should focus on innovation, ensuring that products meet the evolving needs of gamers, particularly in terms of performance, comfort, and design. Companies should also invest in creating a personalized gaming experience, allowing customers to customize their accessories.

Partnerships with major gaming platforms can help businesses expand their reach. Focusing on sustainability and offering eco-friendly alternatives will also appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Companies should leverage social media platforms and influencer marketing to increase brand visibility and engage with the global gaming community. Strengthening distribution channels, particularly through e-commerce, will help companies tap into emerging markets.

Key Takeaways

  • The PC gaming accessories market is expected to grow from USD 2.77 billion in 2024 to USD 4.87 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 5.8%.
  • North America dominates the market, holding over 53.6% of the share in 2024.
  • Increased consumer demand for high-performance, customizable, and comfortable gaming peripherals is driving market growth.
  • Businesses must focus on innovation, partnerships, and enhancing customer engagement through personalization and e-commerce.
  • Supply chain shifts and rising costs are challenges that businesses in the gaming accessories sector must navigate.

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Analyst Viewpoint

The PC gaming accessories market is poised for steady growth, fueled by increasing consumer interest in high-quality, immersive gaming experiences. As gaming technologies advance and the gaming community expands, the demand for specialized accessories is expected to rise. Innovations in product design and performance, alongside the rise of eSports and streaming, will likely propel the market. The future of the market is promising, with opportunities for companies to grow by introducing cutting-edge products and collaborating with gaming brands to cater to evolving consumer needs. With the growing importance of personalization and comfort, businesses have significant innovation potential.

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Regional Analysis

North America holds the largest share of the PC gaming accessories market, capturing 53.6% of the market in 2024. The region’s dominance is driven by high disposable income, a strong gaming culture, and technological innovation. Europe follows, with an increasing demand for gaming peripherals, particularly in countries like Germany, the UK, and France. Asia-Pacific is expected to experience the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by expanding gaming markets in countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea. Latin America, and Middle East & Africa are emerging markets where gaming is becoming more popular, driving demand for gaming accessories.

Business Opportunities

The PC gaming accessories market offers significant business opportunities for manufacturers, distributors, and technology innovators. Companies focusing on high-performance peripherals such as gaming mice, keyboards, and headsets are well-positioned for growth. The market also offers opportunities for businesses to introduce customized gaming accessories, catering to gamers who prioritize aesthetics and comfort. E-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales are major growth avenues, allowing companies to reach global markets more efficiently. Furthermore, the increasing demand for esports-related accessories presents opportunities for companies to create specialized products tailored for competitive gamers and streaming professionals.

Key Segmentation

The PC gaming accessories market is segmented as follows:

  • By Product: Gaming Mice, Gaming Keyboards, Gaming Headsets, Gaming Chairs, Gaming Monitors, Others.
  • By Distribution Channel: Online, Offline (Retail).
  • By End-User: Casual Gamers, Professional Gamers, eSports Enthusiasts, Others.
  • By Region: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa.

Key Player Analysis

Key players in the PC gaming accessories market are investing heavily in research and development to create innovative and high-performance products. They are focusing on developing advanced features such as customizable RGB lighting, ergonomic designs, and wireless capabilities. Many companies are expanding their product lines by offering comprehensive gaming ecosystems, integrating accessories such as gaming chairs, headsets, and mice. Strategic partnerships with game developers, eSports organizations, and online retailers are helping companies broaden their market presence. As competition intensifies, product differentiation through technology integration and enhanced user experience will be key for companies to maintain a competitive edge.

  • Logitech G
  • Razer Inc.
  • Corsair
  • SteelSeries
  • HyperX
  • Thrustmaster
  • Turtle Beach
  • ASUS
  • Xbox
  • Micro-Star INT’L CO., LTD
  • Others

Recent Developments

  • A major gaming accessories company launched a wireless gaming mouse with customizable buttons and high precision for professional gamers.
  • An online retailer partnered with a leading gaming brand to create exclusive gaming chair bundles for eSports athletes.
  • A global gaming peripheral brand introduced a new line of noise-cancelling gaming headsets for immersive gameplay.
  • A well-known manufacturer unveiled a customizable mechanical gaming keyboard with RGB lighting and hot-swappable keys.
  • Several gaming accessory companies introduced eco-friendly packaging solutions to reduce environmental impact.

Conclusion

The PC gaming accessories market is set for sustained growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for high-quality gaming peripherals. As the market expands, companies that focus on innovation, product customization, and e-commerce will be best positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities. The future of gaming accessories looks promising, with ample room for innovation and growth.

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