Best Fitbit 2020: which is right for you?

Fitbit is one of the biggest and best names in fitness tracking wearables, and it makes a wide range of trackers, both basic and advanced, at a range of prices. It even makes some smartwatches, so if you’re looking for the best Fitbit then there’s plenty to choose from.

Do you want the basic Fitbit Inspire? Or how about the feature-packed Fitbit Charge 3? Or maybe you want the full smartwatch experience of the Fitbit Versa 2?

Those are just a few of Fitbit’s many trackers, and in creating this guide we considered them all – both those sold directly from Fitbit itself, and older options like the Fitbit Flex 2, which are still available from third-party sellers.

As you’ve probably realized, there’s not one best Fitbit for everybody, since everyone has different needs and budgets, so in this guide you’ll find a range of different Fitbits and should be able to find something among them that’s ideal for you.

They’re ordered from best to worst, but again, our favorite won’t necessarily be yours, so it’s worth reading through the full list. Each entry includes an overview of the device, along with key specs, and the main good and bad points.

And if you want to find out more about any of the Fitbit wearables we’ve included, make sure to click through to our reviews, for an in-depth look at each of them. You also might want to check out our best fitness tracker and best cheap fitness tracker guides, for other, non-Fitbit options.

Fitbit Charge 3

The best Fitbit for fitness tracking is the Charge 3, which has a much larger screen compared to the last few versions of the Charge series.

It's one of the best fitness trackers you can use right now and comes with fitness features such as a heart rate tracker, guided breathing, swim tracking and improved notifications.

If you opt for the Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition, you'll get Fitbit Pay compatibility as well. It connects with the GPS on your phone to keep track of your runs as well, but unfortunately can't keep tabs on your location without your phone. With that in mind, it might not be the best option for serious runners.  

Everything is just a bit better on the Charge 3, and considering it's the same price at launch as the Charge 2 it'll likely be a suitable tracker for anyone looking for a Fitbit in 2020.

Read the full Fitbit Charge 3 review

Fitbit Inspire HR

The Fitbit Inspire HR is one of the latest Fitbits and it’s a superior alternative to the company’s other basic trackers.

It’s reasonably affordable yet comes with a lot of features including – obviously – heart rate tracking, as well as activity tracking, sleep monitoring, and guided breathing exercises. There’s also connected GPS, but no onboard GPS.

Other highlights of the Fitbit Inspire HR include great battery life of around five days in our tests, and a sleek, surprisingly premium design, making this one of the best-looking Fitbits you can buy. It’s also waterproof, though doesn’t come with any real swim-tracking skills.

Basically, if you don’t need to track your activity in the pool, don’t mind taking your phone with you on runs and don’t need something that’s more of a smartwatch, this is the best Fitbit option – and if you do need those other features you’ll have to pay more.

Read the full Fitbit Inspire HR review

Fitbit Versa 2

The Fitbit Versa 2 is the first smartwatch (as opposed to simple fitness tracker) you've come across in this ranking of the best Fitbit devices, and it's arguably one of the most versatile devices that the company offers.

You can get notifications through to your wrist, use Amazon Alexa functionality, and access a variety of third-party apps directly on your wrist.

That's all on top of the great fitness features like a heart rate tracker and exercise monitoring that you’ll get from most Fitbit products.

Plus, the Fitbit Versa 2 has better battery life than most smartwatches, lasting around five days on a single charge, and with its lightweight design it won’t weigh you down while exercising.

There's no built-in GPS here though, so you'll have to take your phone on any runs you go on if you're after a device to track your location.

Read the full Fitbit Versa 2 review

Fitbit Flex 2

Do you want a fitness tracker that is easy to use and uncomplicated? The Fitbit Flex 2 may be the best device for you.

You'll be able to use this while swimming as it's waterproof and it'll also keep an eye on how well your dips in the pool are going. On top of that it comes with all the other basic tracking features you'd expect plus a slim and light design too.

It's a touch cheaper than the Fitbit Charge 2 as well, so it may be the perfect Fitbit tracker for you.

If you're considering buying a Flex 2 for yourself, it has great fitness tracking on board and a super subtle design that's bound to appeal to almost everyone. The only thing it's seriously lacking is a screen, so for an upgrade consider a Versa instead. 

Read the full Fitbit Flex 2 review

Fitbit Versa Lite

This is a remarkably similar product to the original Fitbit Versa below, but it has dropped a couple of features so the company can sell it for a lower price. That price isn't always that much cheaper, so we'd recommend checking deals on the original Fitbit Versa (and now the Fitbit Versa 2) before opting for the Fitbit Versa Lite.

You'll get connected GPS, a solid heart rate tracker and a variety of smartwatch features with the Fitbit Versa Lite. You need to know it won't be able to track swims, doesn't have storage for music and there's also no Fitbit Pay.

All of that said, this can be far cheaper than the company's other smartwatches so you may find that a good trade off when looking to buy a new Fitbit.

Read the full Fitbit Versa Lite review

Fitbit Ionic

If you're after a smartwatch from Fitbit, there's also this. The Fitbit Ionic isn't the fantastic smartwatch some hoped it would be but it succeeds if you're looking for a fitness-focused device that can tackle running, weight lifting, swimming and much, much more.

Dedicated workout programs and Fitbit Pay are among the other highlights of the Ionic, but it doesn't perform as well as say the Apple Watch 4 or Samsung Galaxy Watch if you're looking for a full blown smartwatch experience. 

It's not cheap either and the Fitbit Ionic is also low in our list of the best Fitbit products because it's just very expensive for what it can offer you. However, if you're an outdoor runner the Ionic is your best bet. Not only is it durable, but it has built-in GPS, meaning you can leave your phone at home. 

Read the full Fitbit Ionic review

Fitbit Inspire

The Fitbit Inspire is basically a cheaper alternative to the Fitbit Inspire HR for anyone who doesn’t need a heart rate monitor.

That somewhat limits its skills, but there’s still a lot to like here, including an attractive, petite design, activity tracking, sleep tracking and up to five days of life.

Sadly there’s no GPS here – not even the connected kind – so this is more for people who want a very basic activity tracker than a real workout companion, but it’s priced accordingly and what it does it does well.

Read the full Fitbit Inspire review

Fitbit Versa

Packing a lot of the features we saw debut on the Ionic, the Fitbit Versa condensed them down to a smaller package with a lower price tag and if you want a slimmer watch on your wrist this may be better for you than the company's first watch.

The price is already lower thanks to the introduction of the Fitbit Versa 2, and while it doesn't feel as premium we enjoy the smaller design that sits closely to your wrist. It comes with Fitbit Pay, all of the apps on the Ionic, storage for music and much more.

If you're looking to use it for running the Versa is sorely missing GPS features so you'll have to take your phone with you to track where you're jogging, but it's still a great smartwatch from Fitbit.

Read the full Fitbit Versa review

Fitbit Alta HR

The Fitbit Alta HR takes the slim, stylish Fitbit Alta and jams a heart rate monitor into its slender frame, without bulking it up.

Where the original Fitbit Alta feels a bit light on features, and puts form over function, the Alta HR is an admirable tracker which goes beyond basic step tracking, but still looks good.

It's still not the most feature-packed – there's no GPS for a start – but it strikes a good balance and is the sort of thing you'll be happy to wear 24/7 (other than when swimming – this isn't waterproof), which is handy, because it can also track your sleep, and the heart rate monitor helps there too.

With basic message / notification alerts pulled from your smartphone and an almost week long battery life too, it's well worth considering if you don't need the features – or don't want the bulk – of something like the Fitbit Ionic.

Read the full Fitbit Alta HR review

Fitbit Charge 2

Until the launch of the Charge 3, the Charge 2 was our favorite Fitbit. It has a much larger screen compared to the original Fitbit Charge and the Charge HR, and it's packed with extra fitness features.

There's Multi-Sport tracking that allows you to keep a track of outdoor runs, walking, weight training and many more exercises.

It also connects with the GPS on your phone to keep track of your runs as well. You won't be able to use this in a pool though, if you want to go swimming with your tracker we'd recommend looking at the Fitbit Flex 2 above or the Fitbit Charge 3.

Read the full Fitbit Charge 2 review

Best Fitbit at a glance:

  1. Fitbit Charge 3
  2. Fitbit Inspire HR
  3. Fitbit Versa 2
  4. Fitbit Flex 2
  5. Fitbit Versa Lite
  6. Fitbit Ionic
  7. Fitbit Inspire
  8. Fitbit Versa
  9. Fitbit Alta HR
  10. Fitbit Charge 2

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

New iPad Pro 2020 release date, price, news and everything you need to know

Two new iPad Pro models have just been unveiled by Apple, upgrading the company's top-end tablet series.

The new iPads succeed 2018's iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9, and they come with some upgraded specs such as new cameras and improved internals that we'll tell you about.

These are the top-end tablets that Apple make, so while you'll be paying a lot for one of these we fully expect them to be some of the best tablets money can buy.

Some observers had speculated that Apple might announce the iPhone 9 alongside its new iPads, but there doesn't seem to be any announcement from the company at this stage.

Below we've put together everything we know so far about the iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9 for 2020.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The next generation of Apple's premium iPad Pro tablets
  • When is it out? Just announced, ready to buy now
  • How much will it cost? A range of prices depending on size, but all rather pricey

New iPad Pro 2020 release date and price

The new iPad Pro models were announced on March 18, and you're able to buy them from today on Apple's online store. Apple has closed its physical stores for the foreseeable future owing to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The company has still said the new iPad Pro will be on sale in stores from next week, but there aren't any specific details yet.

How much will these cost? We only have pricing confirmed for the UK and US, and we'll be sure to update prices for Australia as soon as possible.

The 11-inch iPad Pro with 128GB of storage is $ 799 / £769 / AU1,329 for the Wi-Fi model while the same storage size with cellular support is $ 949 / £919 / AU$ 1,579.

The 12.9-inch model starts at $ 999 / £969 / AU$ 1,649 and the cellular model comes in at $ 1,149 / £1,119 / AU$ 1,899. We'll be sure to include full pricing in this article as soon as possible.

New iPad Pro 2020 design and display

As in 2018, there are two models of the 2020 iPad Pro. You have the choice of one with an 11-inch display, or one with 12.9-inch. 

It comes with 120Hz refresh rate, which should allow for a fast refreshing display that makes gaming and scrolling through your social media feeds look smoother than on standard 90Hz screens.

If you opt for the smaller display, you'll get a resolution of 2388 x 1668. The larger model has 2732 x 2048, and both offer 264 pixels per inch.

We don't know the exact specifics for the resolution of the display on the new iPad models but we'll be sure to put that here once we know it. Both tablets are available in either silver or space grey.

The bottom edge of the tablet comes with a USB-C port, but there's no 3.5mm headphone jack here for wired headsets. That's something Apple dropped on the iPad Pro 2018, and it hasn't made a return for this model.

iPad Pro 2020 software and key features

iPadOS 13 will be up and running on the new iPads if you buy them on day one. You can expect software updates from Apple over the next couple of years too.

Previously, iPad products have used iOS software but last year the company spun out the software on its tablets to its own name. It works much the same, but there are a few improvements that are meant to help productivity.

The camera is where Apple seems to have mostly improved its new iPad. That isn't a big focus for many people, but this is aimed at those who want to experience augmented reality experiences on their iPad.

For the first time, Apple has included two rear cameras on the iPad Pro. One is a 12MP f/1.8 wide camera while the other is a 10MP f/2.4 aperture.

There is also a new feature called a LiDAR Scanner that is designed for depth-sensing capabilities. That should improve Portrait photography on your iPad, but it's mostly set to be used to improve augmented reality apps.

The scanner is capable of measuring the distance of items up to 5 meters away. The cameras are able to film in 4K too, so you can film your footage and edit it directly on the iPad.

If that's your intention, the new iPad comes with five microphones in an attempt to pick up cleaner audio than on previous products.

Apple says, "The combination of pro cameras, pro audio and the large display make iPad Pro a versatile mobile studio for creative pros including filmmakers, video professionals, podcasters and other content creators."

New iPad Pro 2020 specs and performance

Apple's new A12Z Bionic Chip is inside the tablet, and while we've yet to be able to test it Apple's claims on paper seem strong. The company says this chip is designed for demanding tasks like "editing 4K video or designing 3D models".

Apple also claims the iPad Pro is now "more powerful than most Windows PC laptops". We've yet to see the evidence to back up that claim, but we'll ask Apple where it has got its details from.

There are lots of storage options for the iPad Pro 2020, and both models have the same amount of variants. The lowest is 128GB, then if you need more there's 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options.

As ever, Apple doesn't offer the option for adding a microSD card in so whatever storage you buy you'll be stuck with.

You have the choice of a Wi-Fi-only model, or a cellular version. Note that this is just a 4G version, and Apple's new tablet won't be able to connect to emerging 5G networks like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G can.

Apple hasn't shared with us the exact battery capacity specs, but it claims all models will be able to last up to 10 hours of watching video or internet browsing over Wi-Fi. That claim drops to nine hours if you're using a cellular network.

New iPad Pro 2020 Magic Keyboard and accessories

As you'd expect, the second-gen Apple Pencil will work with the new iPad. If you own the original, that won't be compatible with this product as it charges via Lightning and the new iPads have USB-C connectors.

There is a new keyboard attachment from Apple that the company is calling the Magic Keyboard. It has a specific hinge that hasn't been included on previous accessories allowing for adjusted viewing angles up to 130 degrees.

The keys are backlit for the first time on an iPad keyboard, and the company calls it protective too. We assume that means it will protect the display when folded up in your bag.

The worst part? It's set to cost $ 299.

This is a breaking story, so please bear with us as we update this story with the latest information. The below is information we've previously heard about the new tablets, and will be updated soon.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

Windows 10 updates could now slow down your PC – here’s how to fix them

Several recent Windows 10 updates are seriously impacting the speeds of PCs they are installed on.

According to Windows Latest, Windows 10 updates KB4535996, KB4540673 and KB4551762 could all make your PC slower to boot.

While KB4535996 is an optional update, and has been accused of introducing various problems into Windows 10 since its launch on February 27, Windows 10 KB4540673 and KB4551762 are standard updates, which means they are more likely to have been installed on your PC.

Not only are these updates making PCs slower to boot, when Windows 10 does load up, some people have noticed that their computers act more slowly than before – for example taking longer to load up apps or open folders.

Not everyone will be affected by these issues, but in its testing, Windows Latest found that Windows 10 KB4535996 was particularly bad at slowing down various PCs.

New Windows 10 KB4551762 issues

Windows Latest is also reporting on performance issues with the Windows 10 KB4551762 update. This update, which is for people running Windows 10 1903 and 1909 versions (the two latest major Windows 10 releases) is causing people to notice abnormal processor and disk usage – which can seriously impact the performance of the computer.

One of our biggest concerns is that Windows 10 KB4551762 is billed as an important update that is supposed to bring a number of fixes. That means Windows 10 users are being encouraged to install it.

People in Windows Latest’s comment section, as well as Microsoft’s support forums and on Reddit, have been complaining about issues their PCs are having after installing the update, including slow boot times, system crashes and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death.

Some people are also stating that the update itself fails to install, instead throwing up an error message. This might be a blessing in disguise.

How to fix these problems

For each of these faulty Windows 10 updates, the easiest way of fixing the problems they have brought is to uninstall the updates themselves. Once uninstalled, users have reported that the issues have cleared up.

Thankfully, the process of uninstalling a Windows 10 update is pretty simple. Open up the Settings app (the cog icon in the Start menu, or by pressing Windows + I on the keyboard), then click 'Update & security'.

From the window that appears, click 'Windows Update' on the left-hand menu, then 'View update history'. Click 'Uninstall updates' then select the name of the troublesome update to uninstall it. The problems should now be fixed.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

The Witcher season 2 and The Lord of the Rings shut down over coronavirus

As large parts of the world go into self-isolation to combat the spread of coronavirus, it's been confirmed that production of two more major TV shows is being temporarily shut down. The Witcher season 2, which was filming in the UK, and Amazon's The Lord of the Rings series, filming in New Zealand, are both on hold right now.

Redanian Intelligence, a site that has broken Witcher-related news numerous times, first reported The Witcher's shutdown, with numerous outlets backing up the claim. It makes sense: Netflix previously shut down all production for shows filming in US and Canada, and Redanian Intelligence claims this new shutdown will last for two weeks, which lines up with Netflix's other shutdown notice.

The New Zealand Herald, meanwhile, reported that filming on Amazon's huge The Lord of the Rings series in West Auckland has been suspended for two weeks. Staff have reportedly been told that "there are no clear answers to when we will resume production". 

This is happening everywhere

It's a similar situation with TV shows and movies around the world right now. If there's an ongoing TV show you enjoy that's supposed to be filming right now, it's almost certainly on hold. The Flash? Shut down. Grey's Anatomy? Shut down. Stranger Things season 4? Shut down.

That's just the way things are right now. Whether it affects air dates or release dates of shows is yet to be seen, but the longer this goes on, it's more likely that series are going to be pushed back.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

Apple restricting apps around COVID-19 on the App Store

Apple has posted guidelines for developers working on apps that relate to COVID-19. Apple will only allow apps it considers that are from credible sources, which include government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions.

Apple is recommending that only developers from one of these recognized entities submit an app related to COVID-19. Games or entertainment related apps with COVID-19 as their theme will not be allowed. According to Apple:

The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources — helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbors.

Further, Apple recommends that developers  use the "time-sensitive event” option on the expedite request form to ensure prioritized review when submitting a COVID-19 related app to the App Store.

The above doesn't come as a surprise, as Apple has always swayed towards an overly protective stance when it comes to dealing with controversial topics.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

Surprise! Frozen 2 is coming to Disney Plus this weekend

Update: Disney will now release Frozen 2 this coming Sunday, March 15 on Disney Plus in the US. In Australia, you'll be able to watch it on Tuesday March 17.

Original story: Frozen 2 is coming to Disney Plus in the US on June 26, according to a new listing on the streaming service. This update was spotted by user jonnyslats on the Disney Plus subreddit, and it means that only two of Disney's big movies from 2019 lack release dates on the service now – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

On Disney Plus Australia, the listing page says Frozen 2 is coming on July 31. Since Disney Plus UK hasn't launched yet, we're unsure when the film will, ahem, show itself on the UK version of the service.

Over the last few months, Disney Plus has kept things ticking along with a mix of big movies from 2019 and the slow trickle of films arriving from other services as licensing agreements expire. Since January, the live-action versions of The Lion King and Aladdin have released on the service, as have notably-missing movies such as Black Panther.

Frozen 2 will likely be a massive draw for the streaming service: it was the third highest-grossing film of 2019 at $ 1.449 billion, only behind two other Disney films, Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King. Frozen 2 was released on digital home video on February 25 – so the waiting time for it to land on Disney Plus is almost exactly four months. 

What's worth watching in the meantime?

While Disney Plus continues to have new originals like Diary of a Future President, the movie Timmy Failure and the last season of The Clone Wars, its biggest originals are coming later in the year. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (August), The Mandalorian season 2 (October) and WandaVision (December) are still a little while away.

That's a long wait, but Disney Plus remains pretty good value at a flat $ 6.99 / £5.99 / AU$ 8.99 a month or $ 69.99 / £59.99 / AU$ 89.99 a year, particularly if you have children. They should really get around to fixing The Simpsons' aspect ratio, though. 

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

Huawei P40 series pricing tipped weeks before the launch

The Huawei P40 family will be unveiled on March 26. While specific details around the smartphone are yet to be confirmed, a leakster has already been able to obtain the series’ pricing.

Every March, Huawei announces new members to its P series, which has often set new benchmarks for smartphone photography. However, this time, the odds are against it as it looks to thrive without Google as well as make its way through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. 

That doesn’t seem to slow down Huawei as it continues to push towards the launch of the P40 series. Teme, a reliable leakster when it comes to Huawei smartphones, has shared what could be the final retail prices of the Huawei P40 series in Europe. 

The standard Huawei P40 model is said to be priced between €799 and €899(~Rs 70,000), with the P40 Pro being priced in the €999-1,099 range(~Rs 87,000). There will also be an even more premium edition (Porsche design?), which is suggested to be priced between €1,199 and €1,299(~Rs 1,04,000). He further adds that prices can vary by a bit in different markets. Considering how wide the ranges are as well as the series’ past, these could very well be the final prices when the phones get announced in two weeks. 

Leaks have also given us a fair idea about what to expect from the Huawei P40 series. All of them will be powered by the Kirin 990 chipset and will have 5G capabilities onboard. As for the cameras, we expect a new bigger 52MP  Sony IMX700 CMOS image sensor, which will boast an unparalleled pixel size as well as an RYYB matrix for better low light photography. 

Our teammates got a chance to go hands-on with the device and suggested that the display will have pretty sharp curves, not only on the sides but also on the top and bottom. The camera island will be bigger than ever too.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

India vs South Africa live stream: how to watch the 1st ODI from anywhere

After the Men In Blue got whitewashed by New Zealand in their last ODI series, will they take out their frustrations on the Proteas? You can watch all the cricket action of this ODI series, no matter where you are in the world, by following our India vs South Africa live stream guide below.

Now back on home turf, India now face a South Africa side that are on a high after a hugely impressive 3-0 series win over Australia.

India have a major boost, though, with the return of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya – a key trio that have each recovered from injuries that kept them out against New Zealand. Meanwhile, the South African batting line up is bolstered by the return of Faf du Plessis.

The last time these two teams met in an ODI series was back in 2018, with India thrashing South Africa 5-1, but it seems unlikely this series will be a similalyr one-sided affair. 

The Coronavirus crisis has placed this series under threat, but with heavy rain expected throughout, the weather could prove a bigger danger to play being halted. Follow the instructions below to find out how to grab an India vs South Africa live stream from pretty much anywhere on Earth.

Live stream India vs South Africa from outside your country

In India, South Africa, Australia, the UK, or New Zealand and looking to find out how to watch the ODI matches between India vs South Africa? We've got all the details about the broadcaster with the rights to show the series in your region below. 

But if you're away from your home country – maybe abroad on business or on holiday – but still want to tune in to your domestic coverage of the match then you'll run in to issues. Because of broadcaster geo-blocking, you won't be able to watch online from overseas. By using a VPN however, you'll be able to watch the game without having to resort to watching a potentially illegal feed from a dodgy link.

How to watch India vs South Africa: live stream the 1st ODI in India

Live stream India vs South Africa: how to watch the 1st ODI in South Africa

Live stream India vs South Africa in Australia 

How to watch India vs South Africa: UK live stream guide for the 1st ODI 

How to get an India vs South Africa live stream in New Zealand

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

Tape could replace hard drives – in some cases – thanks to this breakthrough

Fujitsu has announced a new technology called Virtual Integrated File System that it says could help magnetic tape storage compete with hard disk drives as a low-cost, large capacity storage alternative.

With the feud between Sony and Fujitsu around LTO resolved late last year, all eyes are now on LTO-9, which is expected to be delivered in 2020. This iteration will deliver capacities up to 26.1TB (uncompressed) and raw throughput of up to 708MB/sec.

That’s a higher capacity than the largest hard drive on the market (currently 20TB) –  also faster and likely cheaper too. Add in on-the-fly compression capabilities and, suddenly, it's all looking rosy for the venerable tape. 

Hacking the file system

Fujitsu's Virtual Integrated File System (VIFS) allows “multiple tape cartridges to be consolidated into one”, which means users can access data without worrying about individual tape cartridges.

It sounds a little like RAID but for tapes, which means that you'll likely need multiple tape drives or a tape library. This limits the product to enterprise and large businesses, where storage demands are usually measured in Petabytes and Exabytes.

The Japanese company claims to have improved the read speeds by more than fourfold in one trial run, while another test yielded a speed improvement of nearly 2X.

“This technology enables high-speed tape access performance, such as random reads and writes of various sizes occurring in archive applications, and is expected to provide a cost-effective data archiving infrastructure for long-term archiving of large volumes of data," Fujitsu added.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More

The best Apple Watch bands: our pick of the great Apple wearable straps

Not content with being one of the best smartwatches money can buy, the Apple Watch has the best selection of official and third-party bands on the market. Paired with the choice in size and color of the watch itself, new Apple Watch bands can totally personalize the Apple Watch so it’s right for you.

It also means you can have several different straps that you can rotate depending on if you’re at work, the gym or at a fancy dinner. When the bands are so easy to switch over, you can change your look in seconds.

There is a huge selection of Apple Watch bands, from Apple’s many official offerings to a whole host of silicone, fabric and metal straps made to fit by other companies. There are even NATO-style straps here, though you can’t have an actual NATO strap as the material would cover the Watch’s heart rate sensor. 

The great thing about the Apple Watch is that despite the new design of the Apple Watch 4 and Apple Watch 5, older straps will still fit. The 38mm straps designed for the Apple Watch 1, 2 and 3 will fit the 40mm newer models, while the 42mm straps will fit the newer 44mm models.

New 40mm and 44mm straps are therefore backwards compatible with older 38mm and 42mm Apple Watches respectively. 

The versatility afforded by such a wide selection of straps is great, but it means there are far too many to choose from. That’s why we’ve picked our twelve favorites – there’s something for every taste here. 

These are products that we haven't had in our test labs, but based on our experts' opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth looking at.

Our selections, ranked from cheapest to most expensive, takes into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability or unique features, to help you pick through the maze of choices available to you.

Best Apple Watch bands and straps at a glance:

  1. Clockwork Synergy Classic NATO Band
  2. Casetify Printed Apple Watch Band
  3. Southern Straps Nylon Apple Watch Band
  4. Hoco Original Stainless Steel Strap Bracelet for Apple Watch
  5. UAG Active Watch Band
  6. Apple Nike Sport Band
  7. Apple Sport Band
  8. Apple Sport Loop
  9. Ullu Skinny Strap for Apple Watch
  10. Apple Leather Loop
  11. Apple Leather Modern Buckle
  12. Apple Milanese Loop
  13. Apple Link Bracelet band
  14. Hermès Fauve Barenia Leather Single Tour band

Best Apple Watch bands and straps

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Clockwork Synergy

Pedants would argue that these aren’t NATO bands, because that describes a very particular kind of strap that runs under the watch itself, whereas these are two-part Apple Watch straps. But screw those guys! 

These NATO-a-likes look very much like the real thing and come in a range of designs clearly designed to cover all bases – so there’s a good old-fashioned US flag right next to a brightly colored Pride rainbow (although unlike Apple’s Pride band there’s no charity benefiting here), and plenty of other options too.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Casetify

Casetify’s printed bands are tons of fun, and probably cheaper than you might expect. Made from cruelty-free faux leather, the bands come in a dizzying variety of designs and colors from animal prints and bold florals to geometric patterns, emoji and flags.

There should be something here to suit all tastes and all kinds of looks: for example, there’s a beautiful black strap with dark red and grey florals that would go well with a nice frock, or you could relive the 1990s with fluorescent smiley faces.

Straps come in both watch sizes and you can choose between gold, black or silver fixings and buckles.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Southern Straps

You don’t get many Apple Watch straps offering a five-year warranty, but then you don’t get many Apple Watch straps made as beautifully as this.

Handmade in San Francisco from a single piece of nylon and with hardware that’s noticeably higher quality than the majority of similar products, these straps come in a variety of colors including NATO-style stripes in sober and fun colors.

There are 84 possible combinations – and they’re bigger than some: if you’ve got larger hands you’ll appreciate the fit of up to 25cm.

Fascinating fact: Southern Straps was the first company to put NATO-style straps on the Apple Watch without obscuring the heart rate sensor.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Hoco

If you like the look of Apple’s Stainless steel bands but also like being able to afford to eat, Hoco’s bands are an attractive and affordable alternative: this is around 1/10th of the price of Apple’s link bracelet.

As you’d expect it’s not quite up to Apple standards – the dark ones still have edges where the original metal is peeking through and their finish is prone to scratching – and while there’s a link removal tool to get the right fit the process is really quite fiddly.

But it’s nice on and it both looks and feels better than similar-looking but cheaper competitors.

Best Apple Watch bands

If you’re the outdoorsy type then this is the strap for you. Available in orange, black and camo and made of a high strength nylon weave, it’s the perfect Watch band for the active lifestyle.

Compatible with all Apple Watch series of both sizes, the look is finished off with a big stainless steel buckle. It isn’t the most subtle of straps but if you dig the look then this will make a great wrist addition. 

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Apple

The official Apple/Nike Sport Band has the toughness and design simplicity of the normal Sport Band, but it also has those compression-molded perforations – or what we like to call "holes”.

Those holes make a big difference to the long-term comfort of the Apple Watch because they enable your skin to breathe under the strap.

The range of colors isn’t quite as exhaustive as for the normal Sport Band and some, like the Black/Volt one, are a little loud for wearing outside the gym, but there are still some subtle shades such as Teal Tint, Smokey Mauve and Spruce Fog.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Apple

If you’d rather not have a band full of holes the original Sport band remains an excellent all-rounder.

It’s pricey because Apple, but it’s also made of nicer materials than the knock-offs you’ll find on certain auction sites – and that means you’re not going to end up with odd things happening to your skin after a few hours of wear.

It’s available in fifteen colors to suit most outfits and there’s a charity-helping Product Red version too. You don’t need to worry about getting the right size, either: you get S/M and M/L straps in the same box.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Apple

Yes, it’s another official Apple strap and that means official Apple money – but we’ve found Apple’s nylon bands to be really hard-wearing and comfortable. The Sport Loop is made from double-layer nylon and has a clever design on the skin side that uses larger loops for cushioning and breathability.

Because it’s a sports design the colors can be on the bright side, but the Cerulean, Product Red and Pink Sand versions are a bit more subtle and there are some suitably sober blacks and greys too. It’s a useful option for fans of NATO straps who don’t want to cover their Apple Watch’s sensors.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Ullu

Here’s a slightly cheaper alternative to Apple’s leather bands. Ullu’s Skinny Strap is made from good quality Italian leather and comes in eleven colors, all of which have been hand-colored – although unfortunately the lugs and buckles only come in stainless steel.

Because it’s real leather it will get more interesting over time as the leather ages, and that means no two straps will ever be the same. If the Skinny Straps seem a little too thin, Ullu also makes a padded version that uses the same kind of leather, comes in a similar range of colors and costs the same.

A pricey official strap but an excellent one, the Apple Leather Loop comes in yellow, brown or black. Its party trick is its clever segmented magnetic closure that means you can get a precise and comfortable fit every time. 

This is the Watch band to buy if you like wearing your Apple Watch to formal events or for work and feel a standard rubber one isn’t quite the right look. That’s what you get with leather that;s hand made in Arzignano, Italy.

Note though that this strap is only a 44mm option – so it’ll only fit the larger 44mm Apple Watch 4 and 5 and only the 42mm Apple Watch 1, 2 and 3. 

Best Apple Watch bands

Image credit: Apple

At $ 149/£149 they’re hardly cheap, but Apple’s leather Modern Buckle options are genuinely beautiful and are so much cheaper than the Apple/Hermes options. 

The Modern Buckle is a smooth leather with a large rectangular buckle that echoes the shape of the Watch itself, and Apple keeps different colors in stock depending on the season.

It's a great option if you want an official leather band from Apple with a non-magnetic design. 

Best Apple Watch bands

Image Credit: Apple

Possibly the most sought-after Apple Watch band, the attention that the Milanese Loop band receives is warranted.

At a similar price to the Leather Band, owners can get their feet wet with a cool-to-the-touch stainless steel band that ekes elegance and simplicity in its design.

You'll know at first glance if this band is for you, and if it is, you can choose between traditional silver and black options.

Best Apple Watch bands

 Image Credit: Apple 

OK, now we're getting up there in price. Apple offers up its brushed stainless steel Link Bracelet, but it isn't going to be cheap.

Build materials aside, this couldn't be any more different than the Milanese Loop. Rocking a look akin to high-end analog watches, the Link Bracelet possesses a sophisticated sheen that the others don't.

Equipped with a watch tool, you can customize the size to perfectly fit your wrist and if silver doesn't suit you, it's also available in black. Paired with the Apple Watch, this is probably one of the slickest bands you can make your own.

Best Apple Watch bands

Image Credit: Apple 

One look at the name and you know this is going to be pricey. For your money, you're getting industry-leading Hermès design in a band, complete with master-class fabric stitching and leather quality that's unparalleled in the vast batch of Apple Watch bands available. 

It might cost a lot, but if you're a watch aficionado, there's not substitute for quality.

TechRadar – All the latest technology news

Read More