A unique feature on the Apple Watch Ultra is the new emergency siren. When activated, the 80db alarm siren will continuously repeat at regular intervals and can be heard up to 600 feet away. Here are four methods you can use to activate it.

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Is your Apple Watch upside down? Here is how to flip and change the orientation on your Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra.

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Of all the products we’ve used and reviewed here at Connect the Watts, this one may be the most polarizing; Renpho’s Smart Jump Rope. Rep counting, digital timer, workout data storage… in a jump rope?! On one side you’ll have people saying it’s unnecessary, and the other saying it’s a must-have. Read on to see where we stand.

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Making good on a feature promised last fall, Oura has rolled out blood oxygen saturation measurements to the Oura Ring Gen3. What Oura is calling “Blood Oxygen Sensing (SpO2),” the feature collects data to track and analyze your blood oxygen levels and breathing regularity while you sleep.

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Here is how to change bands on the Apple Watch Ultra. Luckily, Apple has one of the most simplistic and easiest-to-use designs for swapping out bands.

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Bob Treemore is at it again, having discovered a large number of updated Peloton patents. These changes reveal potential updates to the Peloton leaderboard, pop-ups during classes, and a new accuracy rating.

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Connected fitness company Tempo has announced several significant changes to its price and membership structure. From a new Tempo Move leasing model, elimination of long-term contracts, and launch of one-on-one coaching, there is a lot here to unpack.

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After the Peloton Rower was announced at their Homecoming event in May, there have been no updates about it since. With Peloton’s shift in manufacturing and removal of social media posts mentioning the Peloton Rower, many have anticipated the release may have been delayed.

However, a recent update to the Peloton API hints that may not be the case. The Peloton Rower may still be released later this year.

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CLMBR is the first to create a connected fitness experience around a vertical climber. Not only that, but it is also the first company to make a climber look as good as it feels to use. With impressively little floor space needed, CLMBR packs an enormous amount of workout variety that is arguably more effective and functional than other options.

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The big summer update for the Aviron Rower has now gone live for all members. This update features a Spotify integration, favorites tab, and more. Here is everything that has been included.

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Recent patents reveal new safety tech that could possibly be included with an upcoming rerelease of the Peloton Tread+. Discovered by Bob Treemore, two new treadmill safety patents have been filed by Peloton’s primary manufacturer, Rexon, in Taiwan.

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Liteboxer Go is a connected fitness, boxing rhythm workout that has you punching after six targets, timed to the rhythm of various songs. It’s sort of like Dance Dance Revolution, but for your upper body.

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NordicTrack is now offering free fitness equipment with an extended four-year membership. This new program, called NordicTrack+, is one of best deals ever offered by this Peloton rival. The $39 monthly membership can be paid month-to-month over four years, or for a one time purchase of $1,872.

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Peloton has set august 19 for its Grand Reopening with both Peloton Studios New York and Peloton Studios London. After a soft reopening last month, it seems Peloton is almost ready for the studios to be fully open to the public.

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Of course, the idea of sleeping with a robot is pretty strange. However, the SOMNOX 2 is based on solid sleep science, and the tech here is first class. While expensive, the SOMNOX 2 can provide huge benefits for those with sleep or anxiety issues.

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Here at Connect the Watts, we love tech. We love tech so much, you’ll be hard pressed to ever catch us away from a screen … even when we are working out. All this screen time takes a toll. The RENPHO Eye Massager is meant to relieve the eye strain and alleviate the tension that screen time can cause. Read on to see if it really does.

Overview of RENPHO Eye Massager

By all appearances, the RENPHO Eye Massager is a relaxation device, but it is touted by the company as a recovery device. The 15 minute cycles of massage, vibration, and heat are meant to alleviate tension and relieve eye strain.

RENPHO Eye Massager specs

Charger	USB to micro USB
Charging time	2-3 hours
Working time on full charge	120 minutes
Modes	5
Heated temperature	107ºF
Massage modality	Air compression
Bluetooth	Device pairing capable
Sizes	Adjustable strap
Remote control	Available option
Rated Voltage	5V/1A
Device Noise	<55 dB

Look and fit of the RENPHO Eye Massager

When first unboxed, the RENPHO Eye Massager seems like something far from comfortable. There is a hard plastic outer shell, and it feels heavy for something you wear on your face. But when put on, the RENPHO Eye Massager is actually very comfortable.

The synthetic PU leather that lines the inside is soft to the touch and not slick or sticky. I’ve been using the Eye Massager for a little over a month, so I can’t remark too much on the durability of the lining, but I’ve had no cracks or flaking of the PU yet.

For fit, the RENPHO Eye Massager relies on an adjustable elastic strap. This is a quality strap. It is 1.75″ inches wide, so it’s comfortable, and there is no exposed rubber even when it’s stretched to its max. The strap’s adjustability allows you to set it for a very secure fit, and its elasticity makes it easy to get on and off.

The hard plastic outer is available in white, black, pink, and limited-edition rainbow. For storage and travel, RENPHO employed a clamshell design that keeps the device very well protected. However, it doesn’t snap closed or have anything like a hook or strap to secure it when folded. This is a shortcoming if you want to throw it into a bag for travel.

Using the RENPHO Eye Massager

The RENPHO Eye Massager is capable of four different massage functions (referred to as ‘Air Pressure’ on the device) plus vibration, heat, and/or soothing music. The five modes it boasts are five unique combinations of those offerings:

• Air Pressure + Heat + Music
• Air Pressure + Heat + Vibration + Music
• Air Pressure + Music
• Heat
• Vibration + Music

The device’s selection of soothing music will not play when Bluetooth is enabled, allowing the user to stream their own audio or have silence.

When the RENPHO Eye Massager is first powered on, it starts the first mode listed above. Each tap of the power button takes the user to the next mode, in the order of listed above. The device always gives verbal confirmation of which mode it is in.

There is no control over the length of the selected mode. The RENPHO Eye Massager will finish after 15 minutes, verbally instructing you to wait a minute before opening your eyes.

Air Pressure

The massage function is controlled by six air compression bags. They inflate and deflate to massage across 10 acupressure points found around your temple, forehead, eyes, and sinuses. RENPHO Eye Massager air compression is able to give you a deep massage gentle enough for your face (as opposed to a device that uses rollers).

You’re able to select between soft and strong pressure when in a massage mode. There is a noticeable difference between the two. I prefer the strong pressure, but I imagine if I were using this when I had a headache or some other issue, I might prefer soft.

Vibration

The vibration is not continuous but short bursts of light vibration. I tried this once and decided it’s not for me. I’m sure there are people out there who’d like it, so it’s good the Eye Massager offers it.

I’m just glad I’m able to use the device and avoid vibration. It gave me an uncomfortable feeling in my teeth and tickled my nose.

Heat

RENPHO Eye Massager heats to between 104 and 107 degrees. The numbers sound high, but it is not an uncomfortable temperature for a heating pad.

I am a long-time user of heating pads as an aide in relaxation and headache care, and this is probably the most comfortable I’ve ever had on my face. It’s snug, temperature is consistent, and the material is soft and smooth against your skin.

Music

The music is canned relaxation music with some subtle nature sounds (I think?) in the background. For me, this is in the same camp as the vibration: someone may like it, so it’s nice they offer it, but it’s just not for me.

The RENPHO Eye Massager is able to connect to your devices via Bluetooth. If I choose to listen to anything during the 15 minute cycle, I play my own content. The sound quality isn’t superior, but it’s fine.

RENPHO Eye Massager: final thoughts

Using the RENPHO Eye Massager couldn’t be easier. And there isn’t much more you would ever want from an eye massager than what this offers.

After spending a lot of time looking at one screen, like the computer for work, it can be hard for me to want to move onto another screen, like the Peloton for a ride. Using the RENPHO Eye Massager for recovery between the two screens has been very helpful.

Personally, I wish there were more padding across the nose bridge. I’m much smaller than the average person, so I’d be interested to hear if others have the same complaint, or maybe it’s a “small face” problem.

The air pressure and vibration functions make a significant amount of noise. For me, it’s white noise that I actually find very relaxing. When using the Eye Massager, I will usually forego playing my own content via Bluetooth and zone out to the dulcet tones of the device.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the RENPHO Eye Massager has a purchase option to include a remote. The Eye Massager I used was one without the remote.

I do find navigating the buttons on the device a little difficult and could see a lot of value in having a remote. The price difference is less than $5, so I would absolutely recommend choosing the with remote option.

Overall, I’m a big fan of this device. It’s a piece of recovery equipment that I can use passively, and for me, that means I’ll actually use it.

Suggested articles:

• Review: Back Bay Runner 60 and Tempo 30 Wireless Earbuds
• RENPHO Smart Treadmill review: an excellent low-cost Peloton Tread alternative
• The best connected exercise bikes of 2022!

With a slowing demand and in preparation for a possible recession, Tonal has decided to cut 35% of its workforce. This follows Peloton’s recent decision to lay off an additional 570 jobs (now over 3,000 this year) as they move to outsource all of their manufacturing. Tonal currently employs about 750 people today, which is almost seven times the amount before the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Normatec has updated its popular compression boots with the newly released Normatec 3. The Normatec 3 features a refreshed design, reduced weight, increased battery life, and professional level customization. Best of all, the price has been lowered as well.

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After reviewing the COROS PACE 2 (which I loved, by the way), I immediately wanted to try out the the company’s premium GPS watch: the COROS VERTIX 2.

Given that the VERTIX 2 is currently three times the price of the PACE 2, I was curious to see how much more it offered and what additional features could justify such a large jump in price. Over a month later, here is what I found.

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Today, Peloton has announced that it will stop making their own bikes and treadmills, and instead seek to outsource all manufacturing. CEO Barry McCarthy said this is will allow the company to simplify its supply chain and fix its cost structure.

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