Technologies

Huawei Watch 5 Tested: Easy Heart Scanning, but Not for Americans

The watch’s X-Tap sensor makes it simple to get an overview of your health. But it won’t be available in the US.

The Huawei Watch 5 packs a variety of health tracking tools into a sleek, elegant body. It’s a solid all-round smartwatch and while it doesn’t run Google’s Wear OS, Huawei’s smart watch software is intuitive and it runs just as well on Android or iOS. Its stand-out feature is its all-in-one X-Tap sensor that makes it quick and easy to perform multiple health scans in one go — including heart rate, ECG and respiratory health — to get an easy-to-understand overview of your metrics.

I tested the watch in the 42mm stainless steel variant, which in the UK retails at £400, although a more premium 46mm model made of titanium will be available, costing £500. Due to ongoing restrictions from the US government, the Huawei Watch 5 will not be officially for sale in the US, but for reference, that £400 UK price converts to $531.

I’ve been using the watch for a few days now and I’ve got some early impressions

An elegant design

Some people see smartwatches as purely functional items, like a phone, camera or laptop where aesthetics don’t really matter. Personally, I think that anything you wear like jewellery first and foremost needs to look good. Otherwise why ruin an outfit with an ugly-looking gadget on your wrist?

The Watch 5 is among the nicer looking smartwatches I’ve tested, with an elegant stainless steel body that looks great in the soft gold color of my review model. The top of the metal is brushed while the sides are contrasted nicely in a polished finish. The 42mm model will be better for those of you with slimmer wrists, but if you’ve got thicker-set arms then the larger model is for you.

The composite rubber and fabric strap is fairly comfortable though it doesn’t quite have the same luxurious appeal as the watch itself. I actually managed to sleep in it in order to use the sleep tracking functions. I normally hate wearing a watch to bed but the Watch 5 went mostly unnoticed throughout the night. The display is bright and vibrant, and I found it easy enough to read under bright sunlight. You’ll find the digital crown on the side, along with a second button used for navigation or bringing up quick-access apps.

But there’s also a very visible sensor in between the button and crown, which brings me on to…

Easy health tracking

The Watch 5 tracks a variety of health metrics from heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen levels and more but it does much of it through the new easy access sensor on the side. Huawei calls it the X-Tap sensor and it essentially makes it easier to press your fingertip against and get a variety of readings.

By using the sensor, the watch can track nine different health metrics in 60 seconds (some require guiding you through, like performing an ECG) to give you what it calls the «health glance.» It’s essentially a brief summary of how healthy you are at that point, and I definitely found the side sensor comfortable to use.

You can activate the screen and then press and hold your fingertip to the sensor to activate the health glance scanning function. It’s certainly a quicker way of working than going into the watch’s apps to find the right one and I can definitely imagine it making it easier to build into your routine throughout the day if you’re keen on regular tracking.

It’s got some new tricks as part of its scanning, too, including HRV (heart rate variability) tracking, which analyses your heart rhythms over time and which Huawei claims is a first on a smartwatch. It also analyzes your respiratory health by having you cough three times into the microphone. Both the respiratory health and HRV tracking are performed as part of the Health Glance operation.

Beyond health, the watch can track movement analytics for a huge variety of sports and activities from running and cycling to belly dancing and, er, esports. Good to know if you really want to track your heart rate as you’re getting demolished in Fortnite.

Other watch features include GPS tracking, eSIM functionality to make calls without a phone, gesture control (tapping your thumb and index finger to answer a call, for example — yes, like the Apple Watch does) and sleep tracking, along with «contextual recommendations to help users understand and improve their lifestyle.» I’m hoping that won’t include passive aggressive comments about why I shouldn’t order a second beer.

Huawei Watch 5: Should you buy it?

Huawei’s smartwatches have always been great bits of kit, and the company’s titanium Watch 5 Ultimate is still one of my absolute favorite models to wear. The Watch 5 is a much more elegant option, and I’m certainly a fan of its curving form and even the soft gold color. It’s easy to use, with up to five days battery life that seems solid. It’s easy to scan your health metrics, which will be genuinely helpful if you need to take multiple readings throughout a day.

It’s a solid overall smartwatch and while it doesn’t run Wear OS, it doesn’t feel like it’s lacking in any way because of it. If you’re keen for something a bit different to the Apple Watches you see on everyone’s wrists, it’s certainly worth considering. Just as long as you’re not in the US.

Technologies

You Can Easily Switch From an iPhone to an Android Phone. Here’s How

Transfer your texts, photos and more from Apple’s iOS to your new Android phone.

Making the big leap from an iPhone to an Android phone, you’ll find yourself with a pretty long checklist of things to do. Whether you’re transitioning to Google’s Pixel 7 or a new Samsung phone like the Galaxy Z Flip 4, switching operating systems can quickly become a hassle if you don’t know the most efficient way to move your data.

The secret to an easy-peasy transfer process lies with the tiny plastic adapter that Google and Samsung (sometimes) include in the box. It’s like hiring professional movers to move your stuff, unpack it and decorate your new house just like your old one! The adapter has a USB-A connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other that allows you to connect your new phone to your old iPhone. You can also use a USB-C to Lightning cable for newer phones like the iPhone 11.

With the adapter, you can transfer your photos, videos, files, music and wallpaper. You can even use it to automatically download any Android versions of free iOS apps you had on your old Apple phone. While iMessage, Apple’s messaging service, won’t work on an Android phone, you can even move your message history and threads to your new phone.

Switch from iPhone to a Google Pixel phone

If you’re switching specifically from an iPhone to a Google Pixel, the first thing you want to do is to charge up both phones. Next, you’re going to turn off iMessage across all of your Apple devices — any device that uses your AppleID. Go to Settings, then Messages and then toggle off iMessage.

If your new Pixel came with a SIM card, install it, turn the phone on and tap the Start button. Next, connect to a Wi-Fi network and then select Copy your data. Now unlock your old iPhone, and put your lighting power cable into the bottom. Then, plug the other end into the «magic adapter» which Google calls a Quick Switch Adapter (QSA). Finally, plug in the QSA into the Pixel. You can also use a USB-C to Lighting cable.

When prompted, tap Trust on your iPhone. Then sign into your Google Account on the Pixel. Next, choose what exactly you want to copy (photos, music, messages, etc.), then tap Copy.

Now it’s time for your Pixel to actually transfer everything. Depending on how much stuff you’re moving, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours. While the transfer happens, you can continue setting up your phone like adding a PIN or setting up Google Assistant and Google Pay. Once the transfer completes, you’re done. Check to make sure everything you wanted to migrate actually did and enjoy your new Google life.

Switch from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy phone

If you got a new Samsung Galaxy phone, it also comes with an adapter, though you can move your data over Wi-Fi, too. I recommend using the adapter because it’s faster. You can also use a USB-C to Lighting cable to connect the two. Just like the Pixel transfer, the first thing you need to do is make sure both phones are charged up and turn off iMessage on your iPhone.

However, unlike the Pixel, you have the option to set up your Galaxy phone as new and then transfer the data which means you can start using your phone right away instead of waiting. To start the transfer, open the Smart Switch app on your Samsung phone. Your phone might take a minute to download the app.

Once you have it opened, you might be prompted to send or receive data. Tap Receive. Then, choose how you want to transfer: Wi-Fi or cable. Next, connect both phones with the adapter and your iPhone’s lightning cable — if you’re transferring over Wi-Fi, there’s no need to connect the phones together with a cable.

On the iPhone, tap Trust and on the Samsung phone you’ll see a message pop up that reads Connecting to your iPhone. If your iPhone uses encryption for backup, you might be prompted to enter your password. It should be your Apple ID password.

Next, the Samsung phone will scan your iPhone for data. This can take a few minutes after which you can choose exactly what kind of data you want to bring over. Then, tap the transfer arrow. The actual transfer can take a couple of minutes to an hour. Once it’s done, go through your new Samsung phone and check on your data. If you’re not finding your photos and videos in the Gallery app, check the Google Photos app.

Five surprises switching from iOS to Android and back again

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 20, #574

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 20 No. 574.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition included A’s, B’s and C’s as clues, which made the grid look kind of funny. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Golden State sports.

Green group hint: Beantown teams.

Blue group hint: Do you believe in miracles?

Purple group hint: Keep running.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: California baseball teams.

Green group: Shortened nicknames for Boston teams.

Blue group: Associated with the Miracle on Ice.

Purple group: World marathon majors.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is California baseball teams. The four answers are A’s, Angels, Giants and Padres.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is shortened nicknames for Boston teams. The four answers are B’s, C’s, Pats and Sox.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is associated with the Miracle on Ice. The four answers are 1980, Brooks, hockey and Lake Placid.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is world marathon majors. The four answers are Berlin, Boston, Chicago and Tokyo.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, April 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for April 20

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? I found this puzzle a nice, easy one, Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.