Connect with us

Technology

Whoop Clarifies & Updates Policy After Member Pushback

The launch of Whoop 5.0 and MG has ignited what some online are referring to as “Whoopgate” Whoop has unveiled two new devices, Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, expanded health-tracking capabilities, a redesigned accessory line and three membership tiers – but the launch has also prompted criticism from some longtime members over upgrade eligibility policies […]

Published

on


The launch of Whoop 5.0 and MG has ignited what some online are referring to as “Whoopgate”

Whoop has unveiled two new devices, Whoop 5.0 and Whoop MG, expanded health-tracking capabilities, a redesigned accessory line and three membership tiers – but the launch has also prompted criticism from some longtime members over upgrade eligibility policies that contradicted earlier messaging, prompting Whoop to clarify and update its upgrade policy.

The Boston-based wearable tech company – backed by soccer pro Cristiano Ronaldo – billed the new offerings as “the biggest leap forward in Whoop history,” and includes the introduction of Whoop Advanced Labs, a forthcoming feature that will allow members to schedule lab tests and integrate clinical results into the app to receive more personalized guidance on their cardiovascular, metabolic, hormonal and immune health.

Yet amid the fanfare, some members voiced frustration on social media after learning they would need to pay to upgrade to the new device, despite earlier statements suggesting that upgrades were included with membership. Some pointed to a FAQ blog post dated April 10, 2020, which stated: “Whoop is a membership, which means you get the latest and greatest technology as soon as it’s available as long as you are an active member. No need to buy a new device each time it is released; you can upgrade for free. Additionally, we are constantly adding new features to the app.”

credit: Whoop

The controversy, dubbed “Whoopgate” within the Whoop user community, has promoted Whoop to update its upgrade eligibility.

“We heard our members’ feedback, especially from those with more than 12 months remaining on their memberships,” a Whoop spokesperson said. “Effective immediately, members with more than 12 months remaining are now automatically eligible for a free upgrade to Whoop 5.0. If a member was charged an upgrade fee despite meeting that threshold, they will be automatically refunded. Additionally, if a member purchased or renewed a Whoop 4.0 membership in the last 30 days before May 8, their upgrade fee will be automatically waived at checkout.”

The spokesperson reiterated that a Whoop membership has always included access to the latest hardware at no additional cost, based on how much time a member has remaining in their membership. 

credit: Whoop

“When we launched Whoop 4.0 in 2021, most members were on monthly or 6-month plans,” the spokesperson said. “At the time, members with six months or more remaining were eligible for a free upgrade to Whoop 4.0. Annual memberships were more expensive than they are today. Today, we only offer 12- and 24-month memberships, and, as a result, the free upgrade eligibility to Whoop 5.0 on One or Peak requires 12 months or more of membership remaining. If a member has less than 12 months remaining, they can extend their membership to receive an upgrade at no additional cost – or pay a one-time upgrade fee. They can also choose to renew their subscription when it is up, and they’ll be eligible to upgrade to Whoop 5.0 at that time for free.”

The company also addressed a now-deleted blog article that stated that six months of membership was sufficient for a free upgrade. 

“This was never our policy and should never have been posted,” the spokesperson added. “As noted above, our policy for upgrades from Whoop 3.0 to Whoop 4.0 was that members with six months or more remaining on their membership were eligible for a free upgrade to Whoop 4.0. We removed that blog article when it came to our attention and updated Whoop Coach with the proper information. We’re sorry for any confusion this may have caused.”

The widespread concern prompted a response from a Reddit user who identified himself as Ben Foster, the former chief product officer of Whoop. Posting independently of the company in the Whoop user community on Reddit on Sunday, Foster offered a personal perspective on the backlash:

“Whoop isn’t the evil corporation a lot of people are claiming,” he wrote, pushing back on the more critical posts circulating online.

Foster said the company was built with a genuine mission to improve human performance and, more recently, to support longevity and healthspan. “That I applaud,” he added. “They care as much about helping each of you improve your health and fitness as much as they do about making money. I can personally attest to that, having sat in all the highest-level executive meetings and product design reviews.”

See Also


Foster also emphasized the need for financial sustainability to continue delivering innovation.

“In order to influence health and fitness long term, the company needs to be sustainable, and that means each subscription must be profitable,” he explained. “No profit means no product improvements, and ultimately, no Whoop. If you were intending to pay for your Whoop subscription indefinitely and you continue to, then you will literally pay $0 more than you would have while getting upgraded from 4.0 to 5.0,” he wrote. “That is the definition of free.”

credit: Whoop

He likened the model to a typical phone plan, noting that a certain level of commitment is necessary for the company to offer hardware upgrades in a financially viable way. “Yes, just like a cell phone plan, you need to have a long enough commitment so that Whoop can upgrade your hardware while doing so profitably,” he added.

Despite Whoop’s clarification and policy update, some members remain skeptical and say they plan to cancel their memberships, citing broken trust. Others have expressed frustration over having purchased accessories, such as bands, chargers and clips, that are not compatible with the new Whoop devices.

The new Whoop bands feature upgraded sensors, a 14-day battery life, on-demand ECG, blood pressure insights and Whoop Age, which quantifies physiological aging based on daily behavior. The new membership tiers—One ($199/year), Whoop Peak ($239/year), and Whoop Life ($359/year)—offer escalating benefits, with Whoop Life unlocking the most comprehensive suite of longevity tools the company has introduced to date.





Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

DFL and VfB Stuttgart continue 360-degree immersive tests with live and behind the scenes content

The DFL and VfB Stuttgart used two pitch-side cameras and another in the main stand to produce a stereoscopic 360-degree live signal of VfB Stuttgart’s recent match against SV Werder Bremen. The test, which took place during the Bundesliga tie on 13 April, allowed guests at the Mercedes-Benz Business Centre in Stuttgart were to switch […]

Published

on


The DFL and VfB Stuttgart used two pitch-side cameras and another in the main stand to produce a stereoscopic 360-degree live signal of VfB Stuttgart’s recent match against SV Werder Bremen.

The test, which took place during the Bundesliga tie on 13 April, allowed guests at the Mercedes-Benz Business Centre in Stuttgart were to switch between the different camera angles and enjoy a personalised panoramic view of the action. The high-resolution 10K stream was beamed to the high-tech glasses at a rate of 60 frames per second.

DFL VP product management and innovation Dominik Scholler said: “With a clear focus on the needs of Bundesliga fans and media partners, as well as our commitment to being ‘closer to the game’, disruptive innovations play a central role in our innovation and product strategy.

“We are therefore delighted to be taking another step forward in our series of tests together with VfB Stuttgart. In doing so, we have gained valuable insights into the production setup and user feedback when using immersive reality and virtual-reality glasses in the context of Bundesliga broadcasts.”

The technology was first tested at the 2024 Super Cup in Leverkusen, when VfB Stuttgart faced Bayer Leverkusen. Since then, the DFL said the technology has been further developed and tested in a variety of ways.


Watch DFL’s Dominik Scholler and Jan Deckenbrock on producing immersive coverage of the 2024 German Supercup final

At SVG Europe’s Football Summit 2025, Dominik Scholler, DFL, VP of Product Management & Innovation and Jan Deckenbrock, DFL, Head of Product Innovation spoke about how and why they produced coverage of the 2024 German Super Cup final as a live stream for mixed reality glasses and headsets, giving viewers a 360-degree pitchside view of the on-field action.


The recent test at the VfB Stuttgart v SV Werder Bremen match was the first time that the combination of live broadcasts of a match with exclusive behind-the-scenes insights was tested at a Bundesliga match.

The trial involving VfB Stuttgart and the DFL will provide further feedback and data, with both organisations set to continue working closely together on the immersive trials. The DFL said the next stage of tests would involve testing additional camera angles, along with further work to develop how the transmission signals are sent and received.

VfB Stuttgart chief executive Alexander Wehrle added: “Innovation is part of VfB Stuttgart’s DNA. The media sports experience is undergoing a fundamental change – and we want to play an active role in shaping it.

“Data rates, cameras and wearables such as modern virtual-reality glasses open up fascinating possibilities for enhancing the stadium experience. Even though the live experience in the stadium remains irreplaceable, we see it as our responsibility to make good use of the opportunities offered by digital transformation.

“We have created the ideal conditions for this in our state-of-the-art MHP Arena – the current trials are a first, logical step towards innovative forms of fan interaction and media use.”

The proprietary technology comes from Berlin-based start-up Softseed Technologies, which worked on the production in collaboration with DFL subsidiary Sportcast. In March 2025, DFL and Softseed Technologies received the Sport Tech Company Award at the ISC in London for the immersive reality production at the 2024 Super Cup.





Link

Continue Reading

Technology

UAE Ministry of Sports launches AI platform ‘Sportifai’ for national sports governance

The UAE Ministry of Sports has launched Sportifai, an artificial intelligence-powered digital platform designed to serve as the technological foundation of the country’s sports transformation strategy, in alignment with the National Sports Strategy 2031. The platform was unveiled during the ‘Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector’ workshop, held in the presence of officials […]

Published

on


The UAE Ministry of Sports has launched Sportifai, an artificial intelligence-powered digital platform designed to serve as the technological foundation of the country’s sports transformation strategy, in alignment with the National Sports Strategy 2031.

The platform was unveiled during the ‘Driving Digital Transformation in the UAE Sports Sector’ workshop, held in the presence of officials from the Ministry of Sports, presidents of Sports Federations, and technical and administrative staff. It aims to enhance governance, support athlete development, and enable seamless collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs.

Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports, said: “The ‘Sportifai’ platform paves the way for a transformative shift in the UAE’s sports landscape by strengthening smart governance, enhancing performance, and fostering collaboration among National Sports Councils, Federations, and Clubs to boost the competitiveness of national sports.”

Al Falasi added, “Sportifai simplifies access to services for sports Federations in line with the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, further supporting performance improvement and smart governance.”

Sportifai offers an integrated digital ecosystem powered by AI and advanced technologies, facilitating talent identification, performance analysis, and data governance. The platform also supports elite and emerging athlete development through centralised digital infrastructure.

Ghanim Mubarak Al Hajeri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports, said: “Sportifai is designed as a technological partner for use across all Federations and Sports clubs, through developing an integrated digital infrastructure including advanced systems for athlete data management, modern talent identification solutions, and performance analysis tools.”

Al Hajeri affirmed that the next phase will empower sports professionals with digital analytics and data governance capabilities while supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in sports technology.

Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness, said: “The launch of Sportifai marks the beginning of a comprehensive development journey for our national sports community built on the latest technologies using the most advanced available digital tools for performance analysis, readiness assessment, and support for decision-making within sports Federations.”

“It stands as one of the most important mechanisms to empower these Federations by alleviating administrative burdens and providing accurate, analysable data. This allows officials and specialists within the Federations to focus on technical and competitive aspects, contributing to improved athletic performance of teams and players, and enhancing the mechanisms for talent identification and sustainability within the sports sector,” he added.

The workshop featured two sessions: one for Federation presidents introducing Sportifai’s objectives and ecosystem role, and another for technical and administrative staff highlighting priority initiatives, including the Talent Identification Platform. This initiative will use unified digital records to track athlete development from early stages to elite and Olympic levels, creating a robust national database.

Sportifai was first introduced in March 2025 through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry and the UAE National Olympic Committee, witnessed by Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi.

Strategic partners include:

  • The UAE National Olympic Committee, for Olympic alignment
  • The UAE Committee for Elite Sports, to enhance competitive performance
  • The UAE Committee for Talent and National Sports Support, to build talent pipelines

Private sector institutions and tech companies will also contribute digital innovations and data analytics solutions to support the platform’s objectives.



Link

Continue Reading

Technology

ESPN, NBC, Amazon and Netflix pitch their sports slate

A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman, which brings you the biggest news and exclusive interviews from the worlds of sports business and media. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. It’s media Upfronts week, which these days serves primarily as a sports programming showcase. Readers […]

Published

on


A version of this article first appeared in the CNBC Sport newsletter with Alex Sherman, which brings you the biggest news and exclusive interviews from the worlds of sports business and media. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox.

It’s media Upfronts week, which these days serves primarily as a sports programming showcase. Readers of this newsletter shouldn’t be surprised. As YouTube noted, NFL games were 90 of the top 100 most-watched telecasts during the 2024 NFL season. Disney, Amazon and NBCUniversal just spent billions of dollars – each – on an NBA TV rights deal that kicks in next season. 

Why have major media companies leaned so far into sports? One of the biggest reasons is ad revenue. That’s what Upfronts week is all about.

I attended almost all of the major media company Upfronts and got a chance to speak with some executives and talent on the side. Here are some of my takeaways.

* Disney/ESPN: I’m going to start with Disney, because that was the company with the most consequential announcement this week – the long-awaited ESPN streaming service that I reported last week will be called … ESPN. This week, we learned the service will cost $29.99 per month, which isn’t a surprise – I’ve reported for months it would either be $25 or $30 a month. 

Still, the extent of the bundling discounts with Disney+ and Hulu were massive and unexpected. For customers that sign up at launch this fall (exact date TBD), Disney will throw in both Disney+ and Hulu for free to ESPN subscribers for 12 months. After that, the bundle of ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) will cost $35.99 per month – just $6 more than ESPN alone. 

Disney is pushing its bundle to cut down on churn – industry lingo for the rate of cancellation for streaming services. The idea is simple – if you make a bundle more cost effective than purchasing a solo service, more consumers will stick with the product. In other words, it’s easier to cancel ESPN than ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu. 

ESPN also wants to upsell its 24 million ESPN+ subscribers to the unlimited ESPN, Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said at a media event this week. ESPN+, which costs $11.99 per month for a smaller sampling of ESPN’s live events, will essentially convert to an entry-level tier of ESPN. Part of the reason Disney is offering such a steep discount for the first-year bundle is to convert as many ESPN+ subscribers into ESPN customers as possible. 

“A lot of our marketing, our messaging will be focused on upselling those trio bundle subscribers to this new bundle at this very attractive pricing,” Pitaro said.

Disney is fully embracing ESPN these days, a shift from when it contemplated spinning off its sports media arm a few years ago. The first five people that showed up during Disney’s Upfront presentation? Current and former NFL stars Saquon BarkleyPat MahomesEli Manning and Peyton Manning … and CEO Bob Iger

Some other tidbits related to ESPN that I picked up during the week …

ESPN still wants UFC rights, but not for the mixed martial arts league’s roughly $1 billion per year asking price. ESPN currently pays about $600 million for UFC, I’m told. That may lead to a situation where UFC splits its rights between multiple media partners.

It’s a similar story for F1, though the dollars are lower. Despite some speculation ESPN was no longer interested in F1, I’m told that’s not true. ESPN is specifically interested in the U.S. streaming rights for F1 given its younger audience and the lack of commercial breaks once a race begins. But I’m told the media company may only want a portion of a package – select races rather than the entire circuit. That could open the door for Amazon or even Netflix as a new partner. Netflix has a relationship with F1 through its documentary series “Drive to Survive,” now amazingly in its seventh season. Still, Netflix’s sports strategy remains “event” driven, and it’s doubtful that an F1 race can be turned into an event, given its limited audience. F1 has been asking for $150 million per year for its rights, sources said.

On the programming side, ESPN is thinking about adding two new dayside shows. One would replace “Around The Horn,” which concludes May 23. The other could sub in for the 2 p.m. SportsCenter. One idea being tossed around is a show that features newly-signed Peter Schrager, the NFL analyst who ESPN believes can be more of an all-sports figure, I was told by one plugged-in source. 

I’m told ESPN’s decision to cancel “Around The Horn” was largely cost driven. ESPN had dozens of journalists on its payroll given the revolving guest nature of the show, and it paid a licensing fee to Erik Rydholm, the show’s executive producer. While ESPN has no intention of canceling “Pardon The Interruption,” another Rydholm joint, it would prefer to create new programming in-house. 

*NBCUniversal: The biggest news from NBC Sports was the addition of Michael Jordan to the NBA on NBC broadcasts next season. NBC said Jordan would be a “special contributor” to the broadcast, and then did the public the great service of not explaining what that means.

There’s a reason for that – the role is still nebulous. But, fair reader, I’m here to serve. I’m told the initial plan is for Jordan to appear in taped segments during the season to provide analysis that will air during pregame shows or halftime shows. How that evolves over time is still TBD. The deal with Jordan was orchestrated by longtime NBC Sports executive Jon Miller, who has a decades-long relationship with MJ. 

*Fox: Fox’s biggest announcement was the launch of its streaming service, Fox One. Remember, the initial plan for Fox was to go into business with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery to create Venu Sports, a digital skinny bundle that would have given Fox a streaming outlet for its programming.

When the companies pulled the plug on Venu as it faced antitrust pushback, Fox pivoted to Plan B – launching its own streaming service consisting of live and on-demand programming from Fox broadcast, Fox News, Fox Business and Fox Sports, with the option to bundle with Fox Nation. The person in charge of the new streaming service? Pete Distad, who was going to be the CEO of Venu.

*Amazon: Amazon’s biggest sports stars are probably Jason Kelce and Travis Kelce, who come to Amazon via Wondery, which owns “New Heights,” the brothers’ popular podcast. Amazon has “Thursday Night Football” and will now add the NBA and WNBA on Thursdays and Fridays. 

But while Amazon threw a ton of star power at its Upfront (Arnold SchwarzeneggerMichael B. Jordan, John Cena, Jamie Lee Curtis, etc.), I thought it was notable that its NBA star power is noticeably light compared to Disney’s licensing of “Inside The NBA” (Shaq, Charles Barkley, etc.) and NBC’s Jordan announcement.

Amazon trotted out Blake GriffinUdonis HaslemMaria Taylor and Candace Parker to talk about its NBA and WNBA lineup. While Parker is an all-time great in the WNBA, that collective is not exactly The Avengers. And Parker isn’t even exclusively on Amazon – she showed up at the Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront too because she’s also broadcasting “Unrivaled,” the women’s basketball three-on-three league that airs on Turner’s cable networks. 

As if to underscore the point, NFL analyst (and former quarterback) Ryan Fitzpatrick beat Griffin handily in an on-stage pop-a-shot contest, causing Jamie Lee Curtis to wonder out loud why the professional basketball player didn’t know how to shoot. 

I do think Amazon may have a bit of an NBA problem given its lack of on-air talent and weekday slate games. NBC made a huge deal of the return of the NBA during its Upfront, including flying in John Tesh to lead a large orchestra in “Roundball Rock.” Jimmy Fallon even joked that the NBC Upfronts seemed like the NBA Upfronts. Earlier this month, NBC Sports president Rick Cordella told me NBC plans to incorporate stadium introduction music into its broadcasts – a throwback to the 1990s Chicago Bulls days. The idea is to make “Sunday Night Basketball” feel like the game of the week, he told me.

I fear Amazon’s games may feel third-rate compared to ESPN and NBC. Amazon did pay less for its package of games than both companies, but ideally, Prime Video would find a way to make the games feel younger and fresher, given it’s the first time an exclusive streamer has ever had NBA rights. And, to be fair, “Thursday Night Football” has improved in quality every year. 

*Warner Bros. Discovery: When everyone else zigs, you zag. WBD lost its NBA rights for next season, so the company conspicuously downplayed sports relative to entertainment programming. While NBCU, Amazon and Disney all emphasized sports early in their presentations, it took WBD an hour before TNT Sports Chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser took the stage. 

This wasn’t an accident. WBD is changing the name of its streaming service from Max back to HBO Max. The point is to re-emphasize prestige programming and HBO rather than a B-minus sports lineup.  

*Netflix: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell donned a Santa Claus suit to announce the platform’s two new Christmas games — the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Commanders and the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Detroit Lions. 

Then, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders performed a routine to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” to tout a new Netflix series featuring Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, “America’s Team: The Gambler and his Cowboys,” which hits the service this summer. 

Netflix is still new to sports, so the service leaned on the strength of “Squid Game 3,” “Stranger Things” season five, and “Nobody Wants This.” Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said Netflix’s event “is all about our shows and movies.” 

Netflix noted that eight of the top 20 Nielsen rated TV shows were on its platform. The company’s sports strategy is showcasing big live events. So while Netflix announced the Christmas games and promoted an Amanda SerranoKatie Taylor women’s boxing rematch, it’s still figuring out how much of a player it wants to be as a media partner.

Still, there’s a reason the NFL commissioner showed up at this Upfront. Netflix has a market valuation of nearly $500 billion. To use a Christmas analogy, Goodell wants to make sure Netflix isn’t just the ghost of Christmas present, but also the ghost of Christmas future. 

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos told me he frequently talks about adding more NFL games with Goodell, but the question always comes back to whether Netflix feels it can “eventize” the game beyond a random regular season occasion. 



Link

Continue Reading

Technology

The Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro is officially here: save £30 and get two free straps with this exceptional preorder deal

Huawei has just unveiled the brand new Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro, the brand’s most advanced fitness smartwatch yet, and there’s a fantastic launch offer up for grabs. For a limited time, you can get the “Fit4More Edition” directly from the Huawei Store, which includes a £30 discount and two bonus straps. This exclusive offer […]

Published

on


Huawei has just unveiled the brand new Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro, the brand’s most advanced fitness smartwatch yet, and there’s a fantastic launch offer up for grabs.

For a limited time, you can get the “Fit4More Edition” directly from the Huawei Store, which includes a £30 discount and two bonus straps. This exclusive offer will run until June 29 and brings this excellent new watch down to just £219.99 (was £249).

Included with this deal is the standard strap, the Silver Nylon strap, and one customisable strap of your choice. The Silver Nylon strap, in particular, is marketed as a comfortable everyday strap, so this deal is good to pair up your watch with some versatile straps for both fitness and casual use.

You’ll be able to read more about this device in our freshly published Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro review, which is due to hit the site shortly.

As an overview, we think both this and the standard Fit 4 are superb options for the health-conscious and active wearers, with the Pro in particular being a great alternative to the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra. While undeniably similar in design, the 4 Pro is great value considering the high-end tracking features. Today’s deal makes it even better value, so don’t miss out if you’re interested.

Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro preorder deal

Huawei’s most advanced fitness wearable yet

Woman riding bike with Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro smartwatch on wrist.

(Image credit: Huawei)

The Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro is tailor-made for those who love a fitness-focused wearable with a surprisingly high-end design for the price. You get premium materials like sapphire glass and a titanium alloy bezel in a package that’s reminiscent of the much-coveted Apple Watch Ultra.

Despite looking like a high-end smartwatch, the Huawei Watch Fit 4 Pro is a fitness tracker at its core, however. Via Huawei’s TruSense system, you get ECG, blood oxygen, and heart rate monitoring, as well as a full suite of sleep tracking options.

Sport-specific features include golf mode with access to over 15,000 global course maps, a diving mode that supports depths up to 40 meters, and advanced GPS tracking that includes offline maps.

For the price, it’s an exceptionally well-featured device that we rate highly. Note that the standard Huawei Watch Fit 4 is also a fantastic option, however, and one that is great if you’re on a budget.



Link

Continue Reading

Technology

Vitalist and MicroEJ Join Forces to Revolutionize Wearable Technology

VitalOS, powered by MicroEJ’s VEE Wear, enables an evolving app ecosystem, empowers brand differentiation, delivers premium experiences, and triples smartwatch battery life Vitalist and MicroEJ Join Forces to Revolutionize Wearable Technology Get the latest news delivered to your inbox Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge […]

Published

on


VitalOS, powered by MicroEJ’s VEE Wear, enables an evolving app ecosystem, empowers brand differentiation, delivers premium experiences, and triples smartwatch battery life

Vitalist and MicroEJ Join Forces to Revolutionize Wearable Technology

Vitalist selects MicroEJ's VEE Wear to power VitalOS, its upcoming smartwatch OS set to launch in H2 2025 - combining proven device expertise with software innovation to deliver efficient, feature-rich wearables.

Get the latest news


delivered to your inbox

Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters

By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Vitalist selects MicroEJ’s VEE Wear to power VitalOS, its upcoming smartwatch OS set to launch in H2 2025 – combining proven device expertise with software innovation to deliver efficient, feature-rich wearables.

BOSTON and CALGARY, Alberta, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vitalist Inc., the innovative company behind the successful Moto Watch collection and the engineering expertise that drove millions of connected devices worldwide (TSXV: VITA) (“Vitalist”), and MicroEJ Inc. (“MicroEJ”), a leader in software solutions for IoT and embedded devices, collectively the “Companies”, announce that Vitalist has selected MicroEJ’s VEE Wear solution to power VitalOS, its smartwatch operating system expected to be launched in the second half of 2025. This partnership enhances Vitalist’s smartwatch offerings by expanding features, extending battery life, fostering an app ecosystem, and enabling brands to create fashion-tech wearables with unique identities.

VitalOS: Leading Open App-Based Wearable Platform

VitalOS is Vitalist’s newest smartwatch operating system engineered to deliver unrivaled battery life with a user-centric design. The strategic vision is to establish it as the premier open platform for wearables by welcoming third-party development, enabling external brands and independent developers to create innovative applications. We expect this approach to foster a vibrant ecosystem that drives widespread adoption, positioning VitalOS as the future of connected living.

VEE Wear: Powering Smartwatch Innovation with Extended Battery Life

VEE Wear is a lightweight, ultra-efficient wearable framework that enables premium smartwatch features on cost-effective, ultra-low-power hardware. By building VitalOS on VEE Wear, Vitalist delivers longer battery life, customizable user experiences, and rapid product design capabilities to help brands craft distinctive smartwatch offerings. Through MicroEJ’s partnership with Facer, users will gain access to the world’s most extensive catalog of watch faces, featuring iconic brands and top independent designers.

“With VEE Wear, we set out to bring the Facer experience to every smartwatch user-offering unparalleled access to thousands of stunning watch faces from the most recognized brands and talented independent designers worldwide,” said Ariel Vardi, CEO of Facer. “VitalOS brings this vision to life, delivering a premium smartwatch OS that enhances personalization and allows users to express their unique style like never before.”

This partnership gives Vitalist and its users full control over smartwatch design, moving beyond fixed, commoditized ODM products. With VEE Wear’s containerized app architecture, Vitalist is building a creator-driven ecosystem, ensuring that VitalOS-powered devices continuously evolve with new apps, features, and third-party integrations.

“Our partnership with MicroEJ is a key step in delivering high-quality, accessible health and fitness devices,” said Kalvie Legat, CEO of Vitalist. “With VEE Wear powering VitalOS, we’re offering a superior user experience-expanding functionality, extending battery life to up to 10 days, and enabling ongoing feature enhancements. This supports our vision of making intelligent, feature-rich wearables accessible to all.”

A Strategic Milestone in Vitalist’s Transformation

This collaboration is a major milestone in Vitalist’s shift towards making more adaptive, intelligent wearable technologies. VitalOS paves the way for affordable smartwatches that rival premium models, continuously evolving through software updates, third-party apps, and cloud-driven services.

“Vitalist holds a unique position in the market as the company enabling consumer brands to create distinctive wearable products that elevate brand image and deliver an exceptional user experience,” said Dr. Fred Rivard, CEO of MicroEJ. “Consumers demand longer battery life, richer features, and the ability to personalize their devices. With VitalOS powered by VEE Wear, Vitalist meets these expectations-while also enabling a blazing-fast development process that empowers brands to rapidly create a range of health devices tailored to every user.”

Availability

VitalOS is set to launch in the second half of 2025. Sign up at www.vitalist.co for exclusive updates.

About MicroEJ

MicroEJ is a global leader in software solutions for intelligent devices, trusted by industry leaders in consumer electronics, energy, healthcare, and industrial automation. With over 300 million units of MICROEJ VEE sold worldwide, MicroEJ empowers manufacturers to turn standard products into smart, cloud-connected, AI-enabled devices, enabling rapid, complexity-free innovation. By bridging IT and embedded systems, MicroEJ drives scalable transformation that helps industries innovate faster, adapt to market needs, and build a software-driven future for IoT and connected devices.

▷ For more information: Press Kit – Press Room – www.microej.com – LinkedIn

About Vitalist

Vitalist is an innovative technology provider that helps brands build better products. Through VitalOS, brands create seamlessly connected devices and applications that adapt to each user. By uniting hardware and software with intelligent analytics, we’re building an ecosystem of personalized solutions that enhance human potential.

▷ For more information: www.vitalist.co – LinkedIn

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. In general, forward-looking information refers to disclosure about future conditions, courses of action, and events. The use of any of the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “plans”, “will”, “would”, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information. More particularly and without limitation, this press release includes forward-looking information with respect to the launch of the VitalistOS operating system and key features including battery life.

Although MicroEJ and Vitalist believe that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Companies cannot give any assurance that it will prove to be accurate. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results and expectations to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this press release. A detailed description of risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially ‎from forward-looking information can be found in Vitalists’ most recent annual information form and management’s discussion and analysis on the SEDAR website at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Vitalist has attempted to identify in its public disclosure important factors that could cause actual results to ‎differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results ‎not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned that the risk factors in its public disclosure may not ‎be exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as there can ‎be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Forward-looking ‎information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Vitalist as of the date of this press ‎release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. However, Vitalist expressly disclaims any intention ‎or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future ‎events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities law.

Press contacts:

MicroEJ

Elsa Hervio, [email protected]

Vitalist

Kalvie Legat, [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a52370a6-ee03-4237-882a-538f2895e6d5



Link

Continue Reading

Technology

Esports World Cup Foundation Welcomes OBSBOT as Official Livestream Camera and Webcam Partner for Esports World Cup 2025

OBSBOT New AI-powered camera technology set to elevate broadcasts and transform creators’ EWC storytelling with unparalleled video quality and innovative features Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced OBSBOT, as an official camera and webcam partner for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to return to […]

Published

on


OBSBOT
OBSBOT

New AI-powered camera technology set to elevate broadcasts and transform creators’ EWC storytelling with unparalleled video quality and innovative features

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced OBSBOT, as an official camera and webcam partner for the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this summer. The two-year partnership will integrate OBSBOT’s next-generation AI camera technologies into the EWC’s production capabilities, providing enhanced video quality and immersive experiences for millions of fans around the world. The partnership supports the EWC’s broader strategy to connect Chinese esports with its global ecosystem, strengthening ties with one of the world’s most dynamic gaming markets and bringing the best of China’s innovation to the global esports stage.

The 2025 Esports World Cup will spotlight every player’s journey, showcasing their skill, competitive excellence and relentless pursuit of victory. OBSBOT will support this vision by outfitting player areas, streaming stations, and venue activations with its latest devices, the Tail 2 smart-tracking camera and the Tiny 2 webcam, both designed with esports creators in mind.

“The Esports World Cup is built on innovation, and technology plays a crucial role in creating unforgettable moments for players, Clubs and fans,” said Mohammed Al Nimer, Senior Sales Director, Esports World Cup Foundation. “Our partnership with OBSBOT is at the heart of this vision. Its cutting-edge camera technology demonstrates the power of AI in esports today, capturing the intensity and emotion that defines competition at this level and bringing fans into the moment. We are thrilled to have OBSBOT as our Official Camera and Webcam Partner as we continue raising the bar for esports experiences worldwide.”

 

OBSBOT offers standout solutions like the Tail 2 and Tiny 2Tail 2, a 4K PTZR live production camera powered by AI Tracking 2.0, delivers smooth, cinematic shots with minimal manual input and integrates seamlessly with professional broadcasting environments through NDI and other pro-grade outputs. The Tiny 2, the flagship webcam in OBSBOT’s lineup, provides exceptional image quality and unparalleled tracking performance in a compact desktop form. Whether on stage or at the desk, OBSBOT’s technology ensures streamers can stay focused on the game while the camera keeps up.

“We believe that everyone’s story deserves to be seen and shared, and the Esports World Cup provides the perfect platform for us to showcase our vision,” said Liu Bo, CEO & Founder of OBSBOT. “Through our partnership with the Esports World Cup, we are bringing our cutting-edge AI-powered camera technology to millions of gamers and content creators, celebrating the excitement, drama, and triumphs of elite competition on the world’s biggest stage. This collaboration is about more than just capturing moments; it’s about empowering a new generation of storytellers to create, share, and inspire with professional-grade tools that are as dynamic as the esports community itself.”



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending