A Chinese cargo spacecraft carrying equipment and supplies successfully docked with the core module of the country's future space station on Sunday, state media said. A Long March 7 rocket carrying the Tianzhou-2 cargo craft -- loaded with essentials such as food, equipment and fuel -- blasted off late Saturday from the Wenchang launch site on the tropical southern island of Hainan, the Xinhua news agency reported. The docking with the space station's Tianhe core module was completed at 5:01 am Beijing time (2101 GMT Saturday), the agency said, citing the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
China will need to carry out around 10 missions in total to complete assembly of the space station -- named Tiangong, meaning "heavenly palace" -- in orbit.
The station is expected to become fully operational in 2022. Once completed, it is expected to remain in low Earth orbit for up to 15 years.
With the possible retirement of the International Space Station after 2028, Tiangong could become the only human outpost in Earth's orbit.
Now that the cargo craft has docked, China plans to begin preparations to send three astronauts up to unpack the goods, which include meals such as shredded pork with garlic sauce and Kung Pao chicken, the agency said.
"We will transport support materials, necessary spare parts and equipment first, and then our crew," Xinhua quoted CMSA director Hao Chun as saying.
Beijing has pumped billions into its space programme in a bid to make up ground on pioneers Russia and the United States, with ambitious projects in Earth orbit and the landing of uncrewed craft on the Moon and Mars.
But it was heavily reprimanded by the United States and many experts for a potentially dangerous breach of space etiquette for letting a massive rocket segment free-fall to Earth earlier this month after launching the Tianhe core module.
Although Chinese authorities have said they are open to foreign collaboration on their space station, the scope of that cooperation is as yet unclear.
But the European Space Agency has already sent astronauts to China to train for work inside Tiangong when it is ready.
Earlier this month, China landed its Zhurong rover on Mars, becoming only the third nation to successfully land a craft on the red planet.
The rover has begun roaming to study Martian geology -- it is to spend around three months taking photos and harvesting data from a vast northern lava plain.
The United States and Russia are the only other countries to have reached Mars, and only the former has operated a rover on the surface.
The launch of the Tianzhou-2 was to have taken place just days after the Mars rover landing, but was postponed for technical reasons.
More than a third of summer heat-related fatalities are due to climate change, researchers said Monday, warning of even higher death tolls as global temperatures climb. Previous research on how climate change affects human health has mostly projected future risks from heatwaves, droughts, wild fires and other extreme events made worse by global warming. How much worse depends on how quickly humanity curbs carbon emissions, which hit record levels in 2019 but dipped sharply during the pandemic.
But a new study by an international team of 70 experts is one of the first -- and the largest -- to look at health consequences that have already happened, the authors said.
The findings, published in Nature Climate Change, were stark: data from 732 locations in 43 countries spread across every inhabited continent revealed that, on average, 37 percent of all heat-related deaths can be attributed directly to global warming.
"Climate change is not something in the distant future," senior author Antonio Gasparrini, a professor of biostatistics and epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told AFP.
"We can already measure negative impacts on health, in addition to the known environmental and ecological effects."
The authors said their methods -- if extended worldwide -- would add up to more than 100,000 heat-related deaths per year laid squarely at the feet of manmade climate change.
That number could be an underestimate because two of the regions for which data was largely missing -- south Asia and central Africa -- are known to be especially vulnerable to extreme heat deaths.
The 100,000 figure is consistent with a recent analysis from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations (IHME), published in The Lancet.
Th IHME calculated just over 300,000 heat-related deaths worldwide from all causes in 2019. If just over a third of those deaths are due to climate change, as Gasparrini's team reported, the global total would indeed be more than 100,000.
India accounted for more than a third of the total in the IHME tally, and four of the five worst-hit countries were in south Asia and central Africa.
The share of heat-related deaths attributable to global warming in the new study varied widely from country to country.
In the United States, Australia, France, Britain and Spain, for example, that percentage was roughly in line with the average across all countries, between 35 and 39 percent.
For Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Vietnam and Chile, the figure rose above 40 percent.
And for half-a-dozen countries -- Brazil, Peru, Colombia, the Philippines, Kuwait and Guatemala -- the percentage of heat-related mortality caused by climate change was 60 percent or more.
A complex methodology combining health data and temperature records from 1991 to 2018, coupled with climate modelling, allowed researchers to contrast the actual number of heat-related deaths with how many fewer deaths there would have been without manmade warming.
The researchers found that it is not the increase in average summer temperature -- up 1.5C since 1991 in the locations examined -- that boosted death rates, but heatwaves: how long they last, nightime temperatures, and humidity levels.
Also crucial is the ability of the population to adapt.
If 95 percent of the population has air conditioning, mortality will be lower. But if they don't, or if farmers must work outside in 45C (113F) heat to feed their families, the impacts can be catastrophic.
Even wealthy nations remain vulnerable: in 2003, a relentless heatwave in western Europe claimed 70,000 lives.
Deadly heatwaves that might have occurred once a century before climate change kicked in could, by mid-century, happen far more frequently, scientists warn.
The burgeoning field of attribution climate science measures by how much, for example, a typhoon's intensity, a drought's duration, or a storm surge's destruction has been amplified by global warming.
But little research has tried to do the same for human health, notes Dan Mitchell, a researcher at the Cabot Institute for the Environment at the University of Bristol.
"This shift in thinking is essential ... so that global leaders can understand the risks," he said in a comment in Nature Climate Change.
Welcome to our Nvidia Computex 2021 liveblog. On June 1 at 1AM ET, 6AM BST, 3PM AEST, Nvidia will be taking to the stage to talk about its vision of the future, and there are strong rumors swirling that we'll see two new graphics cards, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, and the RTX 3070 Ti.
Even if that doesn't happen, it's always worth tuning in to see what Team Green has in store for us gamers, as well as its plans for artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and much more.
If you want to watch along, check out our how to watch the Nvidia Computex 2021 keynote guide.
We'll be watching and bringing you all the latest news and commentary throughout the keynote. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Computex 2021 is a virtual event this year, so while we won't be live from Taipei, we'll bring you all the important news right here.
All times in Taipei Standard Time
13:07 - Fisher is bigging up RTX as 'The New Standard'. Dying 1983 is a new game supporting RTX ray tracing and DLSS. Now there's an exclusive look at this game from Chinese developers.
13:03 - No messing around, we're straight into the gaming announcements. First is a sizzle reel of all RTX-enabled games. "Everyone born this year will be a gamer," Jeff Fisher, GeForce Senior Vice Presiden claims. Big claim.
13:01 - Nvidia misses Taipei. So do I :( so they flew in using Microsoft Flight Simulator!
12:59 - Less than a minute to go! Hype!
12:41 - Taking a look at the responses to Nvidia's tweets about the event (because it's 5:41am here and what else is there to do?), and while there are plenty of people excited about the possibility of new GPUs, there's also a lot of people commenting on why Nvidia would release new graphics cards when it's so difficult to buy existing ones. If (and this is a big 'if', as nothing has been confirmed) Nvidia announces new GPUs today, it'll also have to explain how it is going to make them available to people.
12:33 - As you can see from the tweet below, Nvidia's social media channels are hyping up today's event. This bodes well when it comes to an exciting keynote, could those new GPU rumors be true?
Tomorrow. https://t.co/qwa49r4gLy pic.twitter.com/1Z6h6nWiZMMay 30, 2021
12:24 - Good morning/evening/whenever the heck it is. I'm writing up this live blog from the UK, which means it's horribly early in the morning. While this would be a little more bearable if I was in Taiwan, the excitement of possibly seeing new GPUs from Nvidia makes up for the early start!
Alienware has debuted its new X-series of gaming laptops, which it claims are its thinnest and most powerful yet.
Unveiled at Computex, the Alienware X15 and Alienware X17 are high-performance gaming laptops that are the first to join the company’s all-new X-series lineup, which Alienware claims is commands an “innovation-first prerogative.”
The Alienware X15 is being billed as the world’s most powerful sub-16mm gaming laptop, while the Alienware X17 is the firm’s thinnest 17-inch notebook to date, measuring in at 20.9mm-thick.
Despite this, the laptops pack powerful internals: both the X15 and X17 come with either an 11th-gen Intel Core i7 11800H or 11900HK processor paired with Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics. The smaller model ships with up to an 8GB Nvidia RTX 3080, while the 17-inch version offers a higher-spec 16GB model.
Alienware claims its Cryo-Tech cooling technology is what has enabled it to make its X-series laptops so thin. This includes an industry-first Client 31 thermal interface that delivers a 25% improvement in thermal resistance, Alienware’s new Quad Fan, and Smart Fan control technology where each individual fan can independently spin-up, slow-down or remain steady.
The laptops are also crafted using magnesium alloy, along with various CNC machined aluminum parts to enable a new level of thinness, according to Alienware.
Beyond their design and powerful innards, the Alienware X15 and X17 laptops also feature qHD 240Hz or FHD 360Hz display panels with built-in hardware-based low blue light technology, along with Alienware’s AlienFX lighting experience with customisable keyboard lighting. Models with Nvidia’s RTX 3080 graphics also include an AlienFX customizable touchpad.
The Alienware X15 and X17 are available starting today in limited configurations, with the laptops starting at $1,999.99 (around £1,400, AU$2,600) and $2,099.99 (around £1,480, AU$2,700), respectively. Full configurations will be available starting June 15.
Amazon’s massive Mid-Year Sale is now on, joining the fresh crop of EOFY sales that have officially kicked off. There’s a mountain of deals on offer, with discounts available on everything from headphones to cameras, smart home gadgets to kitchen appliances and much, much more.
But with so much on offer, hunting them all down on Amazon can be dizzying, so we’re here to help you find what you want. Today we’ve added fresh deals on super-cheap Samsung A-series smartphones and a discounted PlayStation Plus 12-month membership, just to name a few.
Unlike Amazon Prime Day, most of these deals are available to anyone, so you don’t need to be a Prime member to take advantage – though you will get free delivery if you are. Scroll down to see our best picks from the sale.
Razer Blade 15 Base Model | i7 / 16GB RAM / 256GB SSD / GTX 1660 Ti | AU$2,399 AU$1,585.25 on Amazon (save AU$813.75)
You'll save just over AU$800 when you pick up this Razer Blade 15 from Amazon. Its premium chassis means it won't look out of place in the office either, but you'll still be well-equipped to play games. There are some higher-end Razer Blades discounted on Amazon, but stock is low at the time of writing.
PlayStation Plus 12-month subscription | AU$79.95 AU$59.95 on Amazon (save AU$20)
Amazon has knocked AU$20 off an annual PlayStation Plus membership, which will get you access to online multiplayer for both PS4 and PS5, and offer up to three games for free a month. Those three games are usually good ones – the current selection includes Star Wars: Squadrons, Operation: Tango and Virtua Fighter 5: Ultimate Showdown.
Nintendo Switch | AU$469.95 AU$399 on Amazon (save AU$70.95)
The Nintendo Switch Pro is rumoured to be releasing later this year, but if you don't want to wait, you can pick up the always-popular Nintendo Switch for less. The hybrid console is now AU$70 off on Amazon, available in both neon and the more reserved grey version.
Xbox Series S | AU$499 AU$449 on Amazon (save AU$50)
It may not be as powerful as the Xbox Series X – which is hard to come by – but it can still comfortably play next-gen games with clarity, speed and high frame rates. While it's a digital-only device, it's ideal for those who want to get stuck into Xbox Game Pass.
PS4 Slim | AU$439.95 AU$369 on Amazon (save AU$70.95)
Tired of the next-gen rat race? If you think the PS5 hype is a little overplayed and you just want to dive into a huge catalogue of classic games, the PS4 is still a mighty machine, and this is a mighty discount.
PS5 Pulse 3D Wireless Headset | AU$159.95 AU$138 on Amazon (save AU$21.95)
Made especially for PS5, the Pulse 3D Wireless Headset is a must-own peripheral if you've been lucky enough to score the PS5 – at least for the time being. It offers solid stereo sound and a quality mic, making the most of the PS5's incredible 3D audio capabilities. Right now, it's down to AU$138 on Amazon.
DualSense Wireless Controller | AU$109.95 AU$87 on Amazon (save AU$22.95)
The PS5 console is frustratingly difficult to come by, but if you are one of the lucky ones, or you just have plans to buy one soon, then consider picking up this discounted DualSense controller from Amazon. It's enough of an advancement over the DualShock 4 that you'd expect a price hike, but it's still nice to pay under AU$90 for a second controller, or a replacement.
PS4 DualShock 4 controller | AU$89.95 AU$63.70 on Amazon (save AU$26.25)
The DualShock 4 has since been upgraded in the form of the PS5 DualSense controller, but it's still an excellent gamepad. It works like a charm, and it's compatible with the PS5 while playing PS4 games. In any case, we think it's wise to keep a spare around. Now discounted on Amazon in black.
Ring Fit Adventure | AU$124.95 AU$97 on Amazon (save AU$27.95)
If you have a Nintendo Switch, the Ring Fit Adventure is a fun peripheral to get your hands on. It’s an exercise-focused game that aims to inject some light-hearted fun into being active. A nice way to get the kids moving around the lounge room.
Logitech G915 Lightspeed Wireless gaming keyboard | AU$289 AU$260.10 on Amazon (save AU$28.90)
If you want to go wireless, the Logitech G915 Lightspeed gaming keyboard is an excellent choice. Our colleagues at PC Gamer rate it among the best gaming keyboards, and that's because it offers lag-free connectivity. Battery life is great too, even with some added RGB flair. Make it yours for AU$260 on Amazon.
Logitech G502 Lightspeed wireless mouse | AU$199 AU$144.20 on Amazon (save AU$54.80)
This wireless gaming mouse comes with 11 programmable buttons, so you'll be well-equipped for any game. It's also well-designed and comfortable to use, giving you a bit of an edge. This AU$144 asking price is beating other retailers by at least AU$30, making it a great deal.
Razer DeathAdder V2 | AU$139.95 AU$68.50 on Amazon (save AU$71.45)
The Razer DeathAdder V2 is a no-fuss gaming mouse that’s just as comfortable for work as it is for play. It’s simple yet stylish, with customisable RGB lighting to add a bit of flair. It has a 20,000 CPI sensor, and while you’re limited to two buttons on the side, these can be configured as well. Now AU$70 off on Amazon.
Razer DeathAdder Essential | AU$69 AU$36.40 on Amazon (save AU$32.60)
This is a fairly steep discount on the Razer DeathAdder Essential gaming mouse, saving you AU$32 when you buy from Amazon. It's a right-handed mouse with a 6,400 DPI optical sensor and reprogrammable buttons, making it an accurate pointer for both gaming and design work.
Logitech C922 Pro Stream | AU$199 AU$123.80 on Amazon (save AU$75.20)
The Logitech C922 Pro Stream is a top webcam for working from home. It has excellent 1080p video quality, and can even record in that sharp resolution at 30 frames per second, making it a great option for streamers too. Snap up this webcam from Amazon, where it’s now AU$75 off in the Mid-Year Sale.
Picking up a games from Sony's PlayStation Hits series normally sets you back a modest AU$25, but during Amazon's Mid-Year Sale, there's a big selection available for as little as AU$10. Some highlights include:
God of War | AU$10
The Last of Us Remastered | AU$11
Gran Turismo Sport | AU$11
Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition | AU$11
Uncharted 4 | AU$11
Ratchet & Clank | AU$11
PS4 games | from AU$15
Some of the last generation's biggest games are now on sale, including The Last of Us Part 2, Cyberpunk 2077 and more. Note that a handful of these games, including Days Gone, Ghost of Tsushima and The Last of Us Part 2, have performance modes on PS5.
Yakuza: Like a Dragon | AU$41
FIFA 21 | AU$19
Cyberpunk 2077 | AU$34
The Last of Us Part 2 | AU$28
Ghost of Tsushima | AU$38
Spider-Man: Miles Morales | AU$54
Death Stranding | AU$15
Days Gone | AU$17
Sackboy A Big Adventure | AU$59.95
Spider-Man | AU$17
Dreams | AU$17
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order | AU$24
PS5 games | from AU$28
If you've been lucky enough to get your hands on the PS5, you'll be happy to hear that a wide selection of PS5 games are now on sale at Amazon. They're usually quite expensive, so have a look at what's on offer:
Demon’s Souls | AU$88
Spider-Man: Miles Morales | AU$64
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate | AU$88
Sackboy: A Big Adventure | AU$74
The Nioh Collection | AU$88
Assassin's Creed Valhalla | AU$44
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate | AU$44.50
Outriders | AU$59
Watch Dogs: Legion | AU$28
Hitman 3 | AU$58 Immortals Fenyx Rising | AU$38
Samsung Galaxy A12 (128GB) | AU$299 AU$247 on Amazon (save AU$52)
The Samsung Galaxy A12 is a super-cheap smartphone, and Amazon has just knocked the price down even further for its Mid-Year Sale. It has a 6.5-inch display, and on the rear is a four-camera array, including a 48MP main lens and a 5MP ultra-wide camera. Both the black and blue colours are discounted on Amazon, along with several other Samsung A-series smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy A32 (128GB) | AU$499 AU$394 on Amazon (save AU$105)
For a budget-priced phone, the Samsung A32 gets lots of things right, and very little wrong. It features a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz screen and great cameras on the rear – four in total. Our four-star review found it snapped sharp, rich photos from all sensors too. Despite all this, battery life is impressively long. The phone is now discounted in black and violet on Amazon. Head to Amazon to see all the Samsung A-series phone discounts.
Sennheiser HD 450BT | AU$299 AU$178 on Amazon (save AU$121)
These excellent headphones are a much cheaper alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM4, and you’ll save further still with Amazon’s discount. These over-ear headphones sound detailed and clear, with a nice, warm bass. Noise cancellation is decent, though not class-leading, as our review found some outside noise could leak in. Now discounted in both black and white on Amazon.
Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless Earbuds | AU$299 AU$145.90 on Amazon (save AU$153.10)
Sennheiser’s CX 400BT earbuds get it right where it counts: they sound wide and detailed, are comfortable to wear and offer good touch control. These true wireless earbuds have been discounted fairly regularly, but this is one of the lowest prices we've seen. Available in black or white on Amazon.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 | AU$599 AU$376 on Amazon (save AU$223)
Boses's premium noise-cancelling headphones are discounted by almost 40% on Amazon at the moment. These headphones look good, sound great and are comfortable to wear. The active noise cancellation works whether you're listening to music or taking calls too, so you can cut out the distractions. Discounted on Amazon in black, silver and white.
Sony WH-1000XM4 | AU$499 AU$346 on Amazon (save AU$153)
We think Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones are the best you can buy, with stellar sound quality and adaptive noise-cancelling capabilities. This isn't the biggest discount we've seen on these cans, but it's close, so if you're keen to buy you can save just over AU$150 on Amazon.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II | AU$399 AU$286 on Amazon (save AU$113)
This is a sweet deal on the QuietComfort 35 II. These headphones have class-leading noise cancellation and a nice, balanced sound that should satisfy most listeners. These may not be the flagship offering from Bose, but they’re cheaper, and come in a much more standard form factor. You’ll save AU$113 when you buy from Amazon in black or silver.
Shure Aonic 50 | AU$599 AU$359 on Amazon (save AU$240)
This was audio specialist Shure's first foray into wireless noise-cancelling headphones, and they are impressive. They pack great noise cancellation and expansive sound, skilfully presenting any music you care to mention. The black set is down to AU$359, while the brown model is a little more expensive at AU$369.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds | AU$399.95 AU$317 on Amazon (save AU$82.95)
Bose has applied its expertise in noise cancellation to these true wireless earbuds. Sound quality is rich and clear, though a little less bassy in comparison to Sony's WF-1000XM3 earbuds. Our review found them incredibly comfortable to wear too. Now down to AU$317 in black and white when you buy from Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus | AU$299 AU$139.75 on Amazon (save AU$159.25)
The Buds Plus come with an 11-hour battery life, support for iOS users and a dual-driver design that results in better sound quality compared to the original Galaxy Buds. The earbuds don’t have noise cancellation tech, which could be a dealbreaker for some, but what the Buds Plus offer instead is a price point that’s easy on the wallet. Available for just AU$139.75 in black.
Bose Frames Rondo/Alto | AU$299 AU$199 on Amazon (save AU$100)
With the launch of the newer Bose Frames, the price of the original audio sunglasses has been dropping. Amazon has been consistently listing them for around the AU$230 mark for a little while now, but both the Rondo and Alto styles are now down to just AU$199. These music-making sunglasses have a battery life of three hours, and personal sound that most people around you can't hear.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with Echo Dot (4th-gen) | AU$178 AU$134 on Amazon (save AU$44)
Amazon is bundling the Fire TV Stick 4K with the latest 4th-gen Echo Dot smart speaker for a discounted price, taking a total of AU$44 off the whole bundle. Add both items to your cart and use the code FIRETV134 at checkout to redeem the discount. Alternatively, you can score 2 Fire TV Sticks at 15% off with the code FIRETV15.
Nanoleaf smart lights range | save up to 20%
A huge range of Nanoleaf smart lights are now discounted on Amazon, so you can expand your setup if you already have them, or get started for the first time without spending top dollar. Discounted kits include Nanoleaf Shapes in triangles and hexagons, and Nanoleaf Canvas panels. Save up to 20% when you buy at Amazon.
Nikon Z50 twin lens kit + ML-L7 remote | AU$2,092.18 AU$1,799 on Amazon (save AU$293.18)
The Z50 is another mirrorless marvel from Nikon. It's an entry-level APS-C format mirrorless camera, but it can be quite an expensive model. Amazon has knocked down the price of this snapper – which also comes with two lenses and a remote – making it a little more affordable at AU$1,799.
Nikon Z6 + MB-N10 battery grip + EN-EL15b battery + 64GB XQD card | AU$2,999 AU$2,699 on Amazon (save AU$300)
For the body alone, the Z6 retails for a huge AU$2,599. Add an extra battery, the grip and an XQD card, and that cost does go up to almost three grand. So while this discount may not seem like much, it's not a bad deal if you want all the bells and whistles.
Garmin Instinct Solar | AU$699 AU$480 on Amazon (save AU$219)
If a rugged, no-fuss sports watch is what you're after, the Garmin Instinct Solar is what you need. It's built tough to withstand a range of environments, and it comes with exceptional battery life thanks to solar charging. You'll save almost AU$220 on the dark blue model when you buy from Amazon.
Garmin Fenix 6S Pro Solar | AU$1,499 AU$898 on Amazon (save AU$601)
The Garmin Fenix 6 is one of the best multi-sport watches you can buy, and watches from the range come with a sky-high price tag to match. For its Mid-Year Sale though, Amazon has slashed AU$601 off the Pro Solar version. It’s got top-notch adventure tracking, GPS-based mapping and solar charging. You can expect advanced data including running dynamics, heat- and altitude-adjusted VO2 max, recovery advisor and even surf tracking. Snag it from Amazon.
Suunto 9 | AU$699 AU$558.40 on Amazon (save AU$140.60)
Similar to Garmin, Finnish brand Suunto also has some premium wearables. In our review of the Suunto 9, we found it to be rugged and hard-wearing, with an impressive list of multi-sport features. You can now save AU$140 on the black model when you buy from Amazon.
Fossil Gen 5 | AU$499 from AU$388.50 on Amazon (save up to AU$110.50)
The Fossil Gen 5 is an excellent smartwatch that’ll look great on the wrist whether it’s for everyday wear or keeping track of your fitness. It has a bright and vibrant AMOLED display, and the watch is equipped with Wear OS that is speedy to use. The brown colour option is cheapest at AU$388.50, while the black and grey models are slightly more at AU$399.
The Honor Band 6 India launch seems imminent as the wearable has been listed on Flipkart. The latest affordable wearable from Honor was launched globally a couple of months ago and now, the successor to the Honor Band 5 is confirmed to arrive in India soon.
The microsite for Honor Band 6 is now live on Flipkart (via Mukul Sharma). The microsite reveals all the major features and specs of the upcoming fitness tracker. Not only that, the listing for the Honor Band 6 is also available on Flipkart with the price tag.
According to the current listing on Flipkart, the Honor Band 6 will be priced at Rs 5,999. However, considering that the product is yet to go official, this is more likely to be the placeholder and the actual price is expected to be much lower for the Honor Band 6.
For context, the Honor Band 6 is priced at €49.50 which is roughly Rs 4,250 in the global market. The Honor Band 6 will come in Black, Grey, and Pink colour options in India.
The Honor Watch Band 6 looks identical to the last year's Honor Watch ES. The Band 6 features a 1.47-inch AMOLED display, a bigger display compared to the last-gen fitness tracker. It also comes with a side red line button for navigation. The companion app lets you choose from a vast collection of watch faces or you can even personalize with your own watch face.
As for the fitness tracker, the Honor Band 6 is packed with a lot of features including a Spo2 monitor to measure blood-oxygen levels, a 24/7 heart rate monitor, 10 workout modes - Outdoor run, Indoor run, Outdoor walk, Indoor cycling, Outdoor cycling, Freestyle, Indoor swimming, Rowing machine, Elliptical machine, and Indoor walking. It can also auto-detect workouts for activities like running, walking, rowing machine and elliptical machine.
Other health-related features include Sleep tracking with TruSleep algorithm that offers detailed data of sleep durations, stages, sleep suggestions, and more insights. There is also female cycle tracking on board.
As for the battery life, Honor Band 6 is rated to last up to 14 days on a single charge with typical usage and 10 days with heavy usage. A quick 10-minute charge is said to offer 3 days worth of battery life.
Some of the smart features include media control, weather updates, calendar events, alarms, remote camera shutter, find my phone, and it also pushes all the incoming notifications from the phone to watch.
We are yet to hear the launch of the new fitness tracker from Honor India. Currently, the Honor Band 5 is available in India for Rs 2,699 and the Honor Watch ES is available for Rs 4,999.
