EP32 - July 8, 2025 - Deep Dive chat on Sports Tech and training of the week (ft_ AI Insights)
Lots of things to discuss this week, with some more general stories after the last few weeks of new product announcements. A little bit on a new bike from Cervelo and ...oh, and a bit of endurance sports tech as usual ;-)
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/01/magene-p715s-power-meter-pedals-first-look-review/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/02/apple-watch-likely-changes-to-release-schedules/https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/02/apple-watch-likely-changes-to-release-schedules/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/05/is-whoop-5-mg-accurate-a-definitive-answer/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/06/global-smartwatch-market-contracts-2-in-q1-2025-china-bucks-trend/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/07/garmin-elevate-6-accuracy-boost-from-new-sensing-tech/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/07/coros-4-0-whats-new/
https://the5krunner.com/2025/07/07/key-tech-abilities-that-garmin-lacks-in-2025/
https://escapecollective.com/cervelos-new-s5-looks-a-lot-like-the-old-one/https://escapecollective.com/cervelos-new-s5-looks-a-lot-like-the-old-one/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrP7EMIhAZM chase the summit helio
https://youtu.be/8eWnBjso40s dcrainmaker helio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlDbrBSlQ4I Blog Montre Cardio Suunto live track
Resources & Links:
- Main Channel: https://the5krunner.com
- My other channels: https://linktr.ee/the5krunner
—Credits: Content in this episode was generated using AI tools (NotebookLM) based on original content from @the5krunner, Chase the Summit, Montre Cardio, DC Rainmaker, Escape Collective and other sources as cited.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
OK, let's unpack this. Welcome back to the deep dive.
This is where we take your curiosity, dig into the
research, and hopefully turn it all into some useful insights
for you. Today we're diving head first
into a whole stack of updates from the sports tech world.
We'll definitely be referencing the kind of deep analysis you
get from say, a dedicated triathlete, runner, gym goer,
(00:22):
like the that the person behind the 5K renter website.
Our mission? Cut through the noise, figure
out what's actually new and pullout the really important stuff
from this week's news on wearables, bikes, market trends,
all that good stuff. Should be some aha moments in
here. So where should we start?
How about that device getting a lot of buzz?
The mass fit Helio band? People keep comparing it to
Whoop, especially with that $99 price and no subscription.
(00:45):
What's the you know, the key thing listeners need to grasp
right away? Yeah, that's exactly the place
to start. Because the real scoop, maybe
surprisingly, is. But it's definitely not a whoop
killer. DC Rainmaker, who does
incredibly thorough reviews, makes that crystal clear.
It's a good device, don't get mewrong.
Maybe even great for some people.
But it's just playing it a different game than Whoop.
(01:07):
OK. So different purpose, not
necessarily better or worse. Got it.
What about the hardware itself? Did DC Rainmaker find anything
particularly impressive there? Yeah, hardware wise, it's tiny.
Super lightweight too. Like 20 grammes versus, whoops,
30. And that 10 day battery life?
Pretty much spot on. The only tiny, tiny niggle is
the charging puck. It's minuscule, you could lose
(01:29):
it easily. But the really smart part for
you, the user, is a band flexibility.
The band right? So it uses a standard connector.
Exactly not proprietary like whoop, which means you can swap
it out easily. And that opens the door for
things like that bicep band chase the summit found right,
Right. The really cheap Onyx one.
Precisely like 999 on Amazon US for a bicep band.
(01:51):
That's huge because wearing it on the bicep, well, historically
it just gives better heart rate sampling, more veins, more
arteries up there. Plus honestly it's often just
more comfortable, especially sleeping.
And you know, if you like wearing a proper watch, you can
just tuck the tracker into your sleeve.
Doesn't really mess with step count either based on the
reviews. That makes a lot of sense.
A good practical tip, yes. So hardware is good, flexible,
(02:13):
but the software, the metrics, that's always key.
How does the Helio stack up there?
It tracks the core stuff. Sleep score Biocharge, which is
kind of like Garmin's body battery or Fitbit's readiness
and then exertion for workout load.
But here's the critical flaw. The thing that really separates
it from woop, that exertion score, It just hits 100% way too
(02:33):
fast. Too fast like from just daily
stuff? Yeah, sometimes even just doing
dishes. Apparently it seems to be down
to really poor automatic workoutdetection.
Oops. Just much much better at
figuring out if you're actually working out or gardening or
whatever and calculating load properly.
OK, so it can't really tell the difference between puttering
around in a proper session. That's a big deal for training
load analysis. Exactly.
(02:54):
It tracks other things to HRV. Steps, calories, stress.
Sleep timing is apparently good,but the actual sleep scores are
maybe a bit subjective, you know?
But despite all that, the actualoptical heart rate sensor,
everyone seems to agree it's very, very good.
Super impressive, really often matches whoop for raw accuracy.
So summing it up then, how should you, our listener, think
(03:17):
about this Helio band? Where does it actually fit in
the market? I think the best way to see it
is as a fantastic screenless Fitbit Charge 6.
That $99 no subscription deal isincredibly appealing for general
Wellness tracking, basic activity monitoring, but for
serious training load analysis because of those software issues
with workout detection and load,probably not the right tool.
(03:39):
It's for a different user. And hey, Polar's apparently got
a subscription free thing comingtoo, so this space is definitely
heating up with more affordable option.
Right, more choice is always good.
OK, let's pivot from a new challenger to, well, a giant
Garmin. They release stuff so fast, it's
hard to keep up. But what's really cooking on
their horizon, especially with those Elevate heart rate
(04:00):
sensors, Yeah. Garmin's always moving.
They recently filed a patent forwhat looks like Elevate 6, and
the really fascinating bit is the new sensing methods it talks
about. Instead of just one type of
light, think of an array of light pairs using different
wavelengths, like 400 to 1300 nanometers.
It's a multipath method, sort oflike dual frequency GPS, but for
(04:20):
light into your skin. The idea is to philtre out noise
in motion much better, so potentially much more accurate
readings. Wow, OK, Like dual frequency GPS
for your pulse? That sounds like a leap.
What could that actually mean for the kind of data you might
get from your wrist down the line?
Well, First off, more accurate existing stuff, heart rate,
blood oxygen. But the really exciting part is
(04:40):
the potential for totally new metrics, things like real time
hydration, maybe via hematocrit which measures red blood cells
and even blood glucose, possiblyvia glycated haemoglobin, HBA
1C. That's a key diabetes marker.
Of course the big asterisk thereis regulation.
Getting medical grade approval for glucose monitoring is a
massive hurdle and it will take time.
(05:01):
Definitely not next year sort ofthing.
Hydration and glucose from the wrist?
Yeah, that sounds like the future.
But while Garmin's pushing the sensor tech, what about features
they maybe lack right now in 2025?
Where the gaps people feel. That's a good question.
One big push is definitely 4G LTE or 5G Redcap.
Garmin really wants that autonomous watch.
Leave your phone at home for workouts, safety features,
(05:24):
tracking, the whole bit. Another thing, maybe a
fundamental oversight compared to ALE watch is always listening
voice control. Seriously think about strength
training. Just saying correct reps to 10
or change weight to 50 kilos, orjust asking for your pace mid
run without fiddling. It seems like a missed
opportunity for hands free interaction.
Yeah, I can see that being superuseful beyond connectivity and
(05:47):
voice. Any other cool tech bubbling
under the surface that might find its way into Garmin
watches? Well, Microletti displays are
talked about a lot. Amazing brightness, super
efficient, but the failure ratesin manufacturing are still
really high, making them super expensive for now. solid-state
batteries too. They promise maybe modest
battery gains, but again, the cost is likely prohibitive
initially. But the really cool stuff I
(06:08):
think is on the biosensing front, moving beyond basic
optical to net IRS and swear shortwave infrared.
Think of it as using specific light frequencies to read the
chemicals in your sweat or blood, non invasively.
Read Chemicals. Like what the road map suggests,
things like sweat, electrolytes and lactate by maybe 2026.
Huge for athletes trying to dialin nutrition and effort.
(06:30):
Then maybe early glucose and even alcohol detection by 2027.
Later on more complex stuff likeurea, cortisol.
It's about getting a real chemical snapshot of your body
in real time. That is genuinely mind blowing
potential. OK, what about AI?
Corals just made noise there. How's Garmin looking on the AI
front? Where should they be aiming you
think? Yeah, Garmin's AI efforts so
far, Let's just say they've beendescribed as baby steps.
(06:53):
The feedback it gives is often seen as pretty simplistic,
almost met with ridicule sometimes.
Corals and Elsine Cara, their AIassistant for non training
stuff, feels like a smarter first move honestly.
For Garmin, ideally AI should mean a much deeper way to
interact with your Connect data.Like imagine a whoop coach style
Q&A where you can ask why your HRV dropped based on your
(07:16):
specific data in science. Or just a system that alerts you
across all of connect. Hey your resting heart rate
trend looks off or your sleep quality dipped after that hard
workout. Maybe take it easier.
Real insights, not just platitudes.
That really makes you think, foryou listening, what's the one
thing? Maybe it's AI, maybe it's
glucose, maybe something else. That would be a true game
(07:37):
changer and how you use these devices.
What are you really waiting for?Yeah.
What trend translates all this tech into something genuinely
useful for you? OK, let's zoom out a bit.
Look at the whole smartwatch market.
Is it still just endless growth or is the picture more
complicated now? It's definitely more
complicated. Counterpoint Research found
global smartwatch shipments actually fell 2% in Q12025.
(07:57):
That's the fifth quarter in a row of decline.
Main reasons seem to be a slowdown in India, which was a
huge growth engine and Apple's own shipments shrinking a bit.
But interestingly, China's market surged up 37% driven by
Huawei, Xiaomi, those guys. And even in India, while the
entry level shrank, the 100, two, 100 segment grew 21%.
(08:17):
So people are buying fewer cheapwatches and more mid range ones.
It's a shift, not just a simple decline.
Fascinating. So regional differences and a
move towards more premium features even if the overall
volume is down slightly. What about Apple specifically?
Are they feeling the heat? They definitely kept their top
spot, which is still impressive.But yeah, they had their sixth
straight quarter of year on yearshipment declines.
(08:39):
It seems like the competition iscatching up, offering advanced
features at lower prices and that's hitting Apple, especially
in places like China and India where value is key.
Their premium only approach might be facing stronger
headwinds now. And how might this pressure,
maybe combined with changes to the iPhone release cycle, affect
how Apple rolls out new watches?Are we expecting a strategy
(09:00):
shift? It definitely looks possible,
yeah. With iPhones getting split
releases, some budget models in spring, the thinking is the
Apple Watch might follow suit. We might see the Watch SE become
something like an E model, maybean Apple Watch 11 to match the
iPhone naming. The main differences would be,
you know, processor, maybe case materials.
So potentially premium models inSeptember, cheaper ease models
(09:23):
in the spring. It helps spread out the
marketing, maybe boost sales throughout the year.
Apple definitely wants to turn those declining Watch numbers
around. Makes sense.
OK, from the giants to some focus innovators, Chorus and
Santo, their software updates can be just as important as new
hardware, right? What's the latest on that front?
Absolutely. Software is huge, Coro's just
dropped at 4 point O and it's a big visual refresh, much
(09:45):
cleaner, more modern look and feel.
Two big things. Native training plan
integration. Finally, no more needing the
website for that. And they introduced Cara, their
AI assistant for non training questions.
It's their first real step into AI trying to give quick answers.
OK, a cleaner app and a bit of AI.
What about updates on the watches themselves?
Anything exciting there? Oh yeah, quite a bit for
(10:06):
runners. Real time voice alerts, pace,
distance, navigation, guidance in English, French, Chinese,
Japanese, Spanish. That's pretty neat for the gym.
New on watch strength exercise, animations and you can edit reps
and weights right there. Big convenience redesign control
centre for touch. More sport modes like yoga,
Pilates, tennis, Apple Maps integration for route planning,
(10:27):
heat strain index if you use a core sensor, and really
important, they patch some Bluetooth pairing security
issues. So definitely update your chorus
device ASAP. Good heads up on the security
patch. And they updated the DRA bike
computer too. What's new for cyclists?
Yep, DRA got some love. Proper turn by turn navigation
now with street names, flexible route recalculation if you miss
(10:48):
a turn, topographic maps, audio alerts, and live weather data.
All really solid upgrades for cyclists relying on it for
navigation. OK, turning to Sento now.
Jerome from the Monterey Cardio GPS Montre Cardio blog flags
some updates. What's the highlight for Sento
users? The massive news for Sento This
is in version 2.43 point 8 for the vertical race.
(11:10):
Race S sent to 9 PO is live track is finally here properly
direct GPS tracking for friends and family.
But the really big breakthrough,maybe even more significant long
term is that this live track feature is the very first third
party application on the Sun to Plus store.
Wow, first third party app that sounds like it could open the
floodgates like Garmin's ConnectIQ store.
Exactly. It opens up huge possibilities
(11:32):
for developers to add new features and functions to sun to
watches. It could be a massive boost for
their ecosystem down the line. That is a big step.
Any other useful updates in the Sun to release?
Yeah, some other nice things. And improved track running
profile where you can select your lane for better distance
accuracy. That's great for track runners.
Also automatic nightly AGPS updates over Wi-Fi, so getting a
(11:53):
satellite lock should be faster.Some new data fields and a new
winter map mode, though honestlyit's practical use for
navigating on ski slopes. Seems a bit limited right now,
needs more detail. Sounds like good progress
overall, but that live track activation it's not quite as
smooth as on other platforms is.It no.
That's the slight catch. Activating Santos live track
(12:15):
involves jumping between the watch in a separate phone app.
It's a bit clunky or less integrated than how Garmin or
Koros handle it. Where it's mostly done on the
watch. It works, but the user
experience could definitely be smoother.
OK, last couple of topics. Let's loop back to WOOP for a
SEC. Specifically accuracy.
The 5K Runner site went deep on this.
What's the crucial takeaway for you, the listener trying to get
(12:37):
the best data from your Whoop? Right, the absolute key finding
from that Whoop 5MG accuracy review is simple.
For the most accurate strain score during endurance sports,
wear it on your bicep. Wrist placement during workouts?
Significantly less accurate because of all the arm movement
throwing off the sensor and why that matters for you is obvious.
(12:57):
Garbage data in garbage insightsout regarding your training load
and recovery. Interestingly, for strength
training, WOOP uses motion tracking more than just heart
rate to figure out muscular strain, so placement matters a
bit less there. OK, so bicep for cardio is the
rule. What about other things like
readiness or sleep tracking? How does it fare there?
For readiness, yeah, wearing it on the wrist outside of workouts
(13:18):
is probably accurate enough for the device to calculate a score.
But you have to remember readiness itself isn't some
perfectly defined scientific standard anyway.
Sleep tracking WHOOP MG correlates well with nightly
HRV, secifically RMSD, which is a good recovery indicator.
But if you're obsessed with sleep stages, other devices
might edge it out. Maybe eat Slee for Dee sleep or
possibly for REM sleep. So yeah, the bottom line
(13:40):
recommendation? Want accurate HR during exercise
from your group Bicep. Or even better, use a dedicated
chest strap. Great practical advice.
OK, final topic, new bike tech, specifically the Magime P715's
power metre pedals. What's the big deal with these?
The price, they're called the cheapest on the market, like 499
US, 399 UK, and they're claimingplus -1% accuracy, which is top
(14:05):
tier accuracy. Wow, OK, plus -1% at that price
point that could really shake things up.
What else do they offer? Pretty impressive specs
actually. 120 hours of battery life which is great and magnetic
Usbc charging same as Garmin, better than some others.
Plus they work with both ShimanoSPDSL and Look EO cleats.
That dual compatibility is really handy.
(14:25):
So potentially game changing price, good battery, flexible
cleats. Are we finally seeing power
metres become truly mainstream accessible for the average
cyclist? And what were the initial hands
on impressions? I think this could be it.
Yeah. If that accuracy claim holds up
in real world tests, it absolutely lowers the barrier to
entry for power based training for so many people.
(14:47):
Initial reviews say installationis easy.
The companion machine utility app apparently still needs a bit
of Polish though, and there weresome early quirks like Cycling
Dynamics data not showing up correctly on Garmin Connect via
Bluetooth initially. But compared to the price of
Fevero Asioma Duos or Garmin Rally RS2 hundreds, it's a huge
difference. The take away?
This is a potential winner, a major disruptor.
(15:08):
If that accuracy proves reliable, it could bring
structured power training to themasses.
So what does this all mean? Wow.
We've covered a lot today, from tiny trackers like the Helio
finding their niche, to the big shifts with Garmin and Apple
software updates from Koros and Sinto, and even down to super
affordable power metre pedals. It really shows innovation isn't
(15:28):
just about brand new gadgets, right?
It's software tweaks, smart workarounds like bicep bands,
and this relentless push for more accurate data.
Absolutely, and connecting it all.
The big picture is clear. Sports and Wellness tech is just
moving incredibly fast. Devices get smarter, sensors get
better. But the key for you listening is
understanding the limitations. Knowing where to wear your
(15:51):
sensor matters, knowing which metrics are solid and which are
maybe a bit more interpretive. It's about getting the right
information for your specific goals, whether that's nailing
your sleep or pacing your marathon.
Which leads us to a final thought, maybe a provocative one
for you. As these devices gather more and
more intimate data about us, what do you see as the next
truly useful leap? Is it that real time hydration
(16:14):
alert? Is it AI that actually feels
like a personal coach? Or is it something totally
different we haven't even thought of yet?
What's the ultimate aha moment you're waiting for in this
space? That wraps up this deep dive.
We really hope digging into these sources gave you some
shortcuts to understanding what's happening and maybe
sparked a few new questions of your own.
Until next time, keep exploring,keep learning, and keep asking
(16:36):
those deep questions.
OK, let's unpack this. Welcome back to the deep dive.
This is where we take your curiosity, dig into the
research, and hopefully turn it all into some useful insights
for you. Today we're diving head first
into a whole stack of updates from the sports tech world.
We'll definitely be referencing the kind of deep analysis you
get from say, a dedicated triathlete, runner, gym goer,
(00:22):
like the that the person behind the 5K renter website.
Our mission? Cut through the noise, figure
out what's actually new and pullout the really important stuff
from this week's news on wearables, bikes, market trends,
all that good stuff. Should be some aha moments in
here. So where should we start?
How about that device getting a lot of buzz?
The mass fit Helio band? People keep comparing it to
Whoop, especially with that $99 price and no subscription.
(00:45):
What's the you know, the key thing listeners need to grasp
right away? Yeah, that's exactly the place
to start. Because the real scoop, maybe
surprisingly, is. But it's definitely not a whoop
killer. DC Rainmaker, who does
incredibly thorough reviews, makes that crystal clear.
It's a good device, don't get mewrong.
Maybe even great for some people.
But it's just playing it a different game than Whoop.
(01:07):
OK. So different purpose, not
necessarily better or worse. Got it.
What about the hardware itself? Did DC Rainmaker find anything
particularly impressive there? Yeah, hardware wise, it's tiny.
Super lightweight too. Like 20 grammes versus, whoops,
30. And that 10 day battery life?
Pretty much spot on. The only tiny, tiny niggle is
the charging puck. It's minuscule, you could lose
(01:29):
it easily. But the really smart part for
you, the user, is a band flexibility.
The band right? So it uses a standard connector.
Exactly not proprietary like whoop, which means you can swap
it out easily. And that opens the door for
things like that bicep band chase the summit found right,
Right. The really cheap Onyx one.
Precisely like 999 on Amazon US for a bicep band.
(01:51):
That's huge because wearing it on the bicep, well, historically
it just gives better heart rate sampling, more veins, more
arteries up there. Plus honestly it's often just
more comfortable, especially sleeping.
And you know, if you like wearing a proper watch, you can
just tuck the tracker into your sleeve.
Doesn't really mess with step count either based on the
reviews. That makes a lot of sense.
A good practical tip, yes. So hardware is good, flexible,
(02:13):
but the software, the metrics, that's always key.
How does the Helio stack up there?
It tracks the core stuff. Sleep score Biocharge, which is
kind of like Garmin's body battery or Fitbit's readiness
and then exertion for workout load.
But here's the critical flaw. The thing that really separates
it from woop, that exertion score, It just hits 100% way too
(02:33):
fast. Too fast like from just daily
stuff? Yeah, sometimes even just doing
dishes. Apparently it seems to be down
to really poor automatic workoutdetection.
Oops. Just much much better at
figuring out if you're actually working out or gardening or
whatever and calculating load properly.
OK, so it can't really tell the difference between puttering
around in a proper session. That's a big deal for training
load analysis. Exactly.
(02:54):
It tracks other things to HRV. Steps, calories, stress.
Sleep timing is apparently good,but the actual sleep scores are
maybe a bit subjective, you know?
But despite all that, the actualoptical heart rate sensor,
everyone seems to agree it's very, very good.
Super impressive, really often matches whoop for raw accuracy.
So summing it up then, how should you, our listener, think
(03:17):
about this Helio band? Where does it actually fit in
the market? I think the best way to see it
is as a fantastic screenless Fitbit Charge 6.
That $99 no subscription deal isincredibly appealing for general
Wellness tracking, basic activity monitoring, but for
serious training load analysis because of those software issues
with workout detection and load,probably not the right tool.
(03:39):
It's for a different user. And hey, Polar's apparently got
a subscription free thing comingtoo, so this space is definitely
heating up with more affordable option.
Right, more choice is always good.
OK, let's pivot from a new challenger to, well, a giant
Garmin. They release stuff so fast, it's
hard to keep up. But what's really cooking on
their horizon, especially with those Elevate heart rate
(04:00):
sensors, Yeah. Garmin's always moving.
They recently filed a patent forwhat looks like Elevate 6, and
the really fascinating bit is the new sensing methods it talks
about. Instead of just one type of
light, think of an array of light pairs using different
wavelengths, like 400 to 1300 nanometers.
It's a multipath method, sort oflike dual frequency GPS, but for
(04:20):
light into your skin. The idea is to philtre out noise
in motion much better, so potentially much more accurate
readings. Wow, OK, Like dual frequency GPS
for your pulse? That sounds like a leap.
What could that actually mean for the kind of data you might
get from your wrist down the line?
Well, First off, more accurate existing stuff, heart rate,
blood oxygen. But the really exciting part is
(04:40):
the potential for totally new metrics, things like real time
hydration, maybe via hematocrit which measures red blood cells
and even blood glucose, possiblyvia glycated haemoglobin, HBA
1C. That's a key diabetes marker.
Of course the big asterisk thereis regulation.
Getting medical grade approval for glucose monitoring is a
massive hurdle and it will take time.
(05:01):
Definitely not next year sort ofthing.
Hydration and glucose from the wrist?
Yeah, that sounds like the future.
But while Garmin's pushing the sensor tech, what about features
they maybe lack right now in 2025?
Where the gaps people feel. That's a good question.
One big push is definitely 4G LTE or 5G Redcap.
Garmin really wants that autonomous watch.
Leave your phone at home for workouts, safety features,
(05:24):
tracking, the whole bit. Another thing, maybe a
fundamental oversight compared to ALE watch is always listening
voice control. Seriously think about strength
training. Just saying correct reps to 10
or change weight to 50 kilos, orjust asking for your pace mid
run without fiddling. It seems like a missed
opportunity for hands free interaction.
Yeah, I can see that being superuseful beyond connectivity and
(05:47):
voice. Any other cool tech bubbling
under the surface that might find its way into Garmin
watches? Well, Microletti displays are
talked about a lot. Amazing brightness, super
efficient, but the failure ratesin manufacturing are still
really high, making them super expensive for now. solid-state
batteries too. They promise maybe modest
battery gains, but again, the cost is likely prohibitive
initially. But the really cool stuff I
(06:08):
think is on the biosensing front, moving beyond basic
optical to net IRS and swear shortwave infrared.
Think of it as using specific light frequencies to read the
chemicals in your sweat or blood, non invasively.
Read Chemicals. Like what the road map suggests,
things like sweat, electrolytes and lactate by maybe 2026.
Huge for athletes trying to dialin nutrition and effort.
(06:30):
Then maybe early glucose and even alcohol detection by 2027.
Later on more complex stuff likeurea, cortisol.
It's about getting a real chemical snapshot of your body
in real time. That is genuinely mind blowing
potential. OK, what about AI?
Corals just made noise there. How's Garmin looking on the AI
front? Where should they be aiming you
think? Yeah, Garmin's AI efforts so
far, Let's just say they've beendescribed as baby steps.
(06:53):
The feedback it gives is often seen as pretty simplistic,
almost met with ridicule sometimes.
Corals and Elsine Cara, their AIassistant for non training
stuff, feels like a smarter first move honestly.
For Garmin, ideally AI should mean a much deeper way to
interact with your Connect data.Like imagine a whoop coach style
Q&A where you can ask why your HRV dropped based on your
(07:16):
specific data in science. Or just a system that alerts you
across all of connect. Hey your resting heart rate
trend looks off or your sleep quality dipped after that hard
workout. Maybe take it easier.
Real insights, not just platitudes.
That really makes you think, foryou listening, what's the one
thing? Maybe it's AI, maybe it's
glucose, maybe something else. That would be a true game
(07:37):
changer and how you use these devices.
What are you really waiting for?Yeah.
What trend translates all this tech into something genuinely
useful for you? OK, let's zoom out a bit.
Look at the whole smartwatch market.
Is it still just endless growth or is the picture more
complicated now? It's definitely more
complicated. Counterpoint Research found
global smartwatch shipments actually fell 2% in Q12025.
(07:57):
That's the fifth quarter in a row of decline.
Main reasons seem to be a slowdown in India, which was a
huge growth engine and Apple's own shipments shrinking a bit.
But interestingly, China's market surged up 37% driven by
Huawei, Xiaomi, those guys. And even in India, while the
entry level shrank, the 100, two, 100 segment grew 21%.
(08:17):
So people are buying fewer cheapwatches and more mid range ones.
It's a shift, not just a simple decline.
Fascinating. So regional differences and a
move towards more premium features even if the overall
volume is down slightly. What about Apple specifically?
Are they feeling the heat? They definitely kept their top
spot, which is still impressive.But yeah, they had their sixth
straight quarter of year on yearshipment declines.
(08:39):
It seems like the competition iscatching up, offering advanced
features at lower prices and that's hitting Apple, especially
in places like China and India where value is key.
Their premium only approach might be facing stronger
headwinds now. And how might this pressure,
maybe combined with changes to the iPhone release cycle, affect
how Apple rolls out new watches?Are we expecting a strategy
(09:00):
shift? It definitely looks possible,
yeah. With iPhones getting split
releases, some budget models in spring, the thinking is the
Apple Watch might follow suit. We might see the Watch SE become
something like an E model, maybean Apple Watch 11 to match the
iPhone naming. The main differences would be,
you know, processor, maybe case materials.
So potentially premium models inSeptember, cheaper ease models
(09:23):
in the spring. It helps spread out the
marketing, maybe boost sales throughout the year.
Apple definitely wants to turn those declining Watch numbers
around. Makes sense.
OK, from the giants to some focus innovators, Chorus and
Santo, their software updates can be just as important as new
hardware, right? What's the latest on that front?
Absolutely. Software is huge, Coro's just
dropped at 4 point O and it's a big visual refresh, much
(09:45):
cleaner, more modern look and feel.
Two big things. Native training plan
integration. Finally, no more needing the
website for that. And they introduced Cara, their
AI assistant for non training questions.
It's their first real step into AI trying to give quick answers.
OK, a cleaner app and a bit of AI.
What about updates on the watches themselves?
Anything exciting there? Oh yeah, quite a bit for
(10:06):
runners. Real time voice alerts, pace,
distance, navigation, guidance in English, French, Chinese,
Japanese, Spanish. That's pretty neat for the gym.
New on watch strength exercise, animations and you can edit reps
and weights right there. Big convenience redesign control
centre for touch. More sport modes like yoga,
Pilates, tennis, Apple Maps integration for route planning,
(10:27):
heat strain index if you use a core sensor, and really
important, they patch some Bluetooth pairing security
issues. So definitely update your chorus
device ASAP. Good heads up on the security
patch. And they updated the DRA bike
computer too. What's new for cyclists?
Yep, DRA got some love. Proper turn by turn navigation
now with street names, flexible route recalculation if you miss
(10:48):
a turn, topographic maps, audio alerts, and live weather data.
All really solid upgrades for cyclists relying on it for
navigation. OK, turning to Sento now.
Jerome from the Monterey Cardio GPS Montre Cardio blog flags
some updates. What's the highlight for Sento
users? The massive news for Sento This
is in version 2.43 point 8 for the vertical race.
(11:10):
Race S sent to 9 PO is live track is finally here properly
direct GPS tracking for friends and family.
But the really big breakthrough,maybe even more significant long
term is that this live track feature is the very first third
party application on the Sun to Plus store.
Wow, first third party app that sounds like it could open the
floodgates like Garmin's ConnectIQ store.
Exactly. It opens up huge possibilities
(11:32):
for developers to add new features and functions to sun to
watches. It could be a massive boost for
their ecosystem down the line. That is a big step.
Any other useful updates in the Sun to release?
Yeah, some other nice things. And improved track running
profile where you can select your lane for better distance
accuracy. That's great for track runners.
Also automatic nightly AGPS updates over Wi-Fi, so getting a
(11:53):
satellite lock should be faster.Some new data fields and a new
winter map mode, though honestlyit's practical use for
navigating on ski slopes. Seems a bit limited right now,
needs more detail. Sounds like good progress
overall, but that live track activation it's not quite as
smooth as on other platforms is.It no.
That's the slight catch. Activating Santos live track
(12:15):
involves jumping between the watch in a separate phone app.
It's a bit clunky or less integrated than how Garmin or
Koros handle it. Where it's mostly done on the
watch. It works, but the user
experience could definitely be smoother.
OK, last couple of topics. Let's loop back to WOOP for a
SEC. Specifically accuracy.
The 5K Runner site went deep on this.
What's the crucial takeaway for you, the listener trying to get
(12:37):
the best data from your Whoop? Right, the absolute key finding
from that Whoop 5MG accuracy review is simple.
For the most accurate strain score during endurance sports,
wear it on your bicep. Wrist placement during workouts?
Significantly less accurate because of all the arm movement
throwing off the sensor and why that matters for you is obvious.
(12:57):
Garbage data in garbage insightsout regarding your training load
and recovery. Interestingly, for strength
training, WOOP uses motion tracking more than just heart
rate to figure out muscular strain, so placement matters a
bit less there. OK, so bicep for cardio is the
rule. What about other things like
readiness or sleep tracking? How does it fare there?
For readiness, yeah, wearing it on the wrist outside of workouts
(13:18):
is probably accurate enough for the device to calculate a score.
But you have to remember readiness itself isn't some
perfectly defined scientific standard anyway.
Sleep tracking WHOOP MG correlates well with nightly
HRV, secifically RMSD, which is a good recovery indicator.
But if you're obsessed with sleep stages, other devices
might edge it out. Maybe eat Slee for Dee sleep or
possibly for REM sleep. So yeah, the bottom line
(13:40):
recommendation? Want accurate HR during exercise
from your group Bicep. Or even better, use a dedicated
chest strap. Great practical advice.
OK, final topic, new bike tech, specifically the Magime P715's
power metre pedals. What's the big deal with these?
The price, they're called the cheapest on the market, like 499
US, 399 UK, and they're claimingplus -1% accuracy, which is top
(14:05):
tier accuracy. Wow, OK, plus -1% at that price
point that could really shake things up.
What else do they offer? Pretty impressive specs
actually. 120 hours of battery life which is great and magnetic
Usbc charging same as Garmin, better than some others.
Plus they work with both ShimanoSPDSL and Look EO cleats.
That dual compatibility is really handy.
(14:25):
So potentially game changing price, good battery, flexible
cleats. Are we finally seeing power
metres become truly mainstream accessible for the average
cyclist? And what were the initial hands
on impressions? I think this could be it.
Yeah. If that accuracy claim holds up
in real world tests, it absolutely lowers the barrier to
entry for power based training for so many people.
(14:47):
Initial reviews say installationis easy.
The companion machine utility app apparently still needs a bit
of Polish though, and there weresome early quirks like Cycling
Dynamics data not showing up correctly on Garmin Connect via
Bluetooth initially. But compared to the price of
Fevero Asioma Duos or Garmin Rally RS2 hundreds, it's a huge
difference. The take away?
This is a potential winner, a major disruptor.
(15:08):
If that accuracy proves reliable, it could bring
structured power training to themasses.
So what does this all mean? Wow.
We've covered a lot today, from tiny trackers like the Helio
finding their niche, to the big shifts with Garmin and Apple
software updates from Koros and Sinto, and even down to super
affordable power metre pedals. It really shows innovation isn't
(15:28):
just about brand new gadgets, right?
It's software tweaks, smart workarounds like bicep bands,
and this relentless push for more accurate data.
Absolutely, and connecting it all.
The big picture is clear. Sports and Wellness tech is just
moving incredibly fast. Devices get smarter, sensors get
better. But the key for you listening is
understanding the limitations. Knowing where to wear your
(15:51):
sensor matters, knowing which metrics are solid and which are
maybe a bit more interpretive. It's about getting the right
information for your specific goals, whether that's nailing
your sleep or pacing your marathon.
Which leads us to a final thought, maybe a provocative one
for you. As these devices gather more and
more intimate data about us, what do you see as the next
truly useful leap? Is it that real time hydration
(16:14):
alert? Is it AI that actually feels
like a personal coach? Or is it something totally
different we haven't even thought of yet?
What's the ultimate aha moment you're waiting for in this
space? That wraps up this deep dive.
We really hope digging into these sources gave you some
shortcuts to understanding what's happening and maybe
sparked a few new questions of your own.
Until next time, keep exploring,keep learning, and keep asking
(16:36):
those deep questions.
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