Fitbit Air Unveiled: Google's New Screen-Free Tracker

The Fitbit Air, a new screen-free tracker, marks Google's first major new Fitbit hardware series since its 2021 acquisition of Fitbit. This device represents a significant shift in the brand's product offerings.

Credit: GOOGLE

Basketball player Steph Curry promoted the unannounced band on his social channels, including an advertisement post on Instagram. Curry was also observed wearing the tracker in the weeks prior to his promotional post.

The device's appearance is similar to other screen-free wearables, but it features a slimmer sensor module. Its slimmer sensor module is a distinguishing design choice.

Shipping for the Fitbit Air is expected to begin May 16, according to a report from Droid Life. The announcement of the tracker may occur before or on this date.

The Fitbit Air is anticipated to cost USD 99. This pricing matches the recommended price of the Fitbit Inspire 3, positioning the Air competitively within its category.

The central unit of the Fitbit Air will likely be available in three colours: Obsidian, Lavender, and Berry. Obsidian is a black shade, Lavender is a purple-lilac hue, and Berry is expected to be a red-pink colour, drawing comparisons to Google Pixel phone aesthetics.

Google plans to offer a variety of Fitbit Air straps, which will determine the tracker's visual style. The strap options include Performance, Active, Elevated, and Metal Mesh.

Active bands are similar to silicone-like fluoroelastomer straps, while Performance straps are woven fabric. Elevated straps are expected to feature upmarket, lifestyle-leaning designs with a less sporty appearance. Metal Mesh straps are anticipated to be a fine mesh, possibly made of stainless steel.

The choice of strap may significantly influence the initial cost of the Fitbit Air. For comparison, a Pixel Watch metal mesh-style band costs USD 129.99 when purchased separately.

Furthermore, Fitbit Premium is reportedly being rebranded as Google Health Premium. The USD 99 price for the Fitbit Air suggests a subscription may not be mandatory for basic features.

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• The Fitbit Air is Google's new screen-free tracker, the first major hardware release since the 2021 acquisition.

• Basketball player Steph Curry promoted the device on social media channels.

• Shipping is anticipated to begin May 16, with an expected price of USD 99.

Source: FORBES

AI Digital Clones Aid Grief in China, Fueling USD 6 Billion Industry

Digital clones created with artificial intelligence are helping individuals in China process grief and reconnect with deceased loved ones. This emerging industry, valued at over USD 6 billion, offers interactive holographic devices and virtual reality replicas of lost family members and pets.

Credit: THE AI PAGE/ INSTAGRAM

A video online shows deceased people and pets recreated inside portable holographic devices, interacting as if alive. While some find this concept unsettling, original posts featuring these holograms often receive supportive comments.

Many consider the technology a coping mechanism for profound grief and a significant business opportunity. The digital replication and holographic clone industry in China is growing at a rapid rate of 27% annually.

This trend is partly explained by China’s unique social and cultural landscape. Decades of a strict one-child policy, now lifted, left an aging generation vulnerable to losing their only child.

These parents often lack support systems and experience profound loneliness. Chinese culture also has a deep-rooted tradition of honouring and staying connected with the deceased, including ancestor reverence.

The combination of acute grief from losing an only child and cultural reverence contributes to the adoption of digital clones. These technologies provide a modern evolution for dealing with grief.

A man uses a tablet each week for conversations with his late mother, finding comfort in her digital presence. Another father is building a full virtual reality replica of his son, who passed away at 22 years old.

The demand for such technological comfort is escalating. Technology is stepping in to provide new ways for people to experience human connection, even when bridging the gap between life and death.

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• AI-powered digital clones help individuals in China grieve and reconnect with deceased loved ones, including pets.

• The digital replication and holographic clone industry in China is valued at over USD 6 billion, growing at 27% annually.

• Factors influencing this trend include the legacy of the one-child policy and China’s cultural tradition of honouring the deceased.

Source: MEDIUM

China's Export Evolution: High-Tech Services Outpace Traditional Goods

China’s export growth in telecoms, computer, and information services significantly outpaced traditional goods exports in 2025, signalling a profound structural shift. The nation is rapidly ascending the industrial chain as an emerging exporter of manufacturing technology, moving beyond its historical image linked to physical goods.

Credit: UNSPLASH

In 2025, China's exports of telecoms, computer, and information services reached USD 118 billion, marking a robust 13% year-on-year increase. This growth far outpaced traditional goods, with footwear exports falling 9% to USD 46 billion.

Handbags and suitcases saw a collective export decline of 13% to USD 30 billion during the same period, according to official data. Bank of America chief market strategist Joseph Quinlan noted that China’s new trade front includes information and communication technology, engineering services, and data analytics.

Guangzhou, Guangdong province-based iRootech is one of a growing number of Chinese companies exporting industrial computer vision and artificial intelligence technology. The company secured its first foreign client, German concrete machinery maker Putzmeister, in 2017, and has since worked with thousands of overseas companies.

Xiao Tingting, head of global business at iRootech, explained that the company developed a maintenance platform that can remotely manage concrete equipment. This system uses artificial intelligence to predict future malfunctions, helping Putzmeister reduce travel costs related to after-sales service by 25%.

Ms. Xiao added that iRootech also helps clients identify new revenue sources. Putzmeister achieved a 10% revenue increase by offering customers the option of paying for the remote monitoring service.

Founded in 2016 and backed by China's heavy equipment leader Sany Group, iRootech moved its headquarters to Guangzhou from Changsha, Hunan province, two years later. The company stated its development has benefited from the systematic support of Guangdong province’s manufacturing foundation.

Guangdong has long served as China’s manufacturing hub, with official data showing that revenues from major industrial enterprises have topped all other Chinese provinces for years. iRootech reported a significant increase in overseas orders in 2023.

These orders accounted for more than half of the company’s total contract value, Ms. Xiao told Xinhua News Agency. Without providing an updated breakdown, Ms. Xiao told the SCMP that iRootech’s footprint now covers more than 100 markets, mainly in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

Similar cases include the Chinese subsidiary of German pump and valve producer KSB, which develops artificial intelligence-powered manufacturing technology. This technology is now being "reverse exported" to Germany.

The KSB subsidiary developed a machine failure testing system that has completed EU standard certification. He Jun, regional executive officer of KSB Group Asia North, indicated plans to introduce the product to the German market in the second half.

Chinese artificial intelligence vision developer Hefei Taihe Intelligent applies deep learning to the sorting of nuts. Showcasing its technology at the Spring session of the Canton Fair, the company received numerous inquiries.

Public relations director Hu Xingxing noted interest from visitors from major nut-producing regions, including India and Africa. Estimates by Chinese newspaper 21st Century Business Herald suggest over one third of Canton Fair exhibitors have transitioned to exporting products plus services.

The World Trade Organization reported that China ranked sixth globally for exporting digitally delivered services last year, a jump from 11th a decade earlier. This places China ahead of countries such as Japan, France, and Switzerland.

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• China is undergoing a structural shift in its export economy, moving from traditional goods to high-tech services.

• Exports of telecoms, computer, and information services grew by 13% to USD 118 billion in 2025, far exceeding traditional goods.

• Chinese companies like iRootech are exporting industrial artificial intelligence and computer vision technology globally.

Source: SCMP