Polar M430 fitness watch now offers 24/7 heart-rate monitoring

The Polar M430 fitness watch just keeps getting better and better. The watch, which already features GPS tracking, smartphone connectivity, and smart coaching functionality, recently received Nike+ Run Club compatibility as well. Now, the wearable has received an update that gives it continuous heart-rate tracking, allowing it to monitor the wearer’s pulse 24/7. When the M430 initially shipped it came with a wrist-based heart-rate sensor already built in. But, the device’s operating system only used the sensor during workouts to track a user’s pulse while running. Now, the watch is capable of checking the user’s heart rate throughout the day to get a better understanding of their overall level of fitness. Polar says that the watch will check an athlete’s heart rate a minimum of once every 5 minutes, although the level of frequency will automatically change based on the then- current level of activity. In other words,
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 can tell when the person wearing it has started a workout and it will increase the frequency of its monitoring accordingly. When the user relaxes on the couch for an extended period of time, it knows that, too, making periodic checks of their resting heart rate instead. The data collected throughout the day is stored in the Polar Flow app (iOS/Android) and analyzed to provide athletes with better guidance on how to reach their fitness goals. Polar’s Smart Coaching feature has been tweaked to take advantage of the continuous heart-rate tracking and will now provide more accurate advice for runners looking to improve speed, endurance, and efficiency. The app will also display a detailed overview of the user’s heart rate throughout the day, showing fluctuations based not only on workouts, but also moments of high emotion and stress. The M430 has always offered excellent battery life for a GPS-enabled fitness watch, getting up to 30 hours of training time depending on its settings. The addition of continuous heart rate tracking shouldn’t have a dramatic impact on the performance of the battery, as the sensor only activates itself for brief periods. That said, slightly diminished battery life is a small price to pay for a feature that could be a major benefit to runners. Find out more at polar.com. Estonia-based company Ampler is launching the world’s first e-bike with USB-C charging. Already known for their subtle hidden batteries, Ampler’s new Nova and Nova Pro bike models have a USC-C port built right into the bike frame and you charge them up with any old USB charger you have lying around. Available only in Europe, the company says it was able to make this bike a reality thanks to EU laws for standardizing USB-C charging. A 140W USB-C should be able to charge up the batteries in around three hours but with 240W chargers also on the way, it could get even quicker. If you want a watch that will still be going even after your puny human body is done and dusted, then the Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical is the watch to outlast you. Garmin has just unveiled the latest in its Tactical line-up of Instinct wearables as its toughest and most feature rich yet. When the lights go out or adventure calls, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is your answer with undeniable authority. Jackery’s most advanced system to date, the 5000 Plus is built to deliver powerful, flexible, and worry-free energy for homes and off-grid journeys. Weighing 139 pounds, the 5000 Plus is the lightest generator in its class. It’s a powerhouse you can actually move when needed. Packed with LFP battery cells offering over 4,000 life cycles, it delivers a decade (or more) of reliable backup without the whirring noise, fumes, or constant maintenance that you encounter with traditional gas generators.A true game changer for anyone weathering storms, blackouts, or simply living life off the beaten path. Upgrade your lifestyleDigital Trends helps readers keep tabs on the fast-paced world of tech with all the latest news, fun product reviews, insightful editorials, and one-of-a-kind sneak peeks.