Trainers use these tricks to make dogs behave so much better — & you can easily do them too

Getting your dog to behave at home, in public, and everywhere in between, takes time and a lot of patience. And whether you’re at the start of your pup’s training or just looking for some new tips, I’ve consulted top pros in the field to share their favorite tools and solutions to help.

From mentally stimulating toys to convenient poop bag dispensers, these are clever items and tricks that work for trainers — and can be easy for you to implement, too. To see more, keep on scrolling. Because a well-behaved dog equals a happy dog owner.

tchdio Nonslip Shower Mat

Amazon

If your dog (and you) dread bath time, Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer with Rover, suggests adding a mat to make the tub less slippery and more stable for your pup. Measuring 24 by 24 inches, this nonslip mat sticks to the floor of your shower with a rubber backing that includes drainage holes for quick drying. Plus, the mat’s surface features a soft, loofah feel that exfoliates and gives your dog some traction.

Mighty Paw Dog Lick Pad | BPA-Free Food Grade Silicone Mat for Fun, Anxiety, & Boredom Relief. Strong Suction Cups for Easy Grooming and Slow Feeding. Supports Dental Health. Dishwasher Safe

Amazon

To further aid with bath time, Ellis recommends adding a lick mat with suction cups to the side of the tub. Smear on some peanut butter or yogurt and your pet will be occupied and happy through the bath’s duration. This 9 by 5-inch lick pad is made of silicone with four uniquely textured areas that can also be used during thunderstorms, crate training, grooming, and more. Not only does the licking distract your pup, but the brand notes it can also promote better dental health and relieve anxiety.

The Step Stackable Platform

Amazon

By teaching your dog to go to a designated training platform that’s elevated off the floor, near a door, and away from distractions, you can train them to not bolt out when the door is opened, Ellis explains. She adds that you can work up to rewarding them for not jumping on people when they come over. This 22 by 12-inch platform is 4 inches high, and reviewers appreciate that it’s sturdy enough for their dogs. The surface is nonslip and the bottom has nonskid feet that keep it secure on the ground. It’s also stackable, so you can add more height if needed.

Active Pets Dog Poop Bag Dispenser

Amazon

“As pet parents, we can do better, keeping our neighborhood, trails, and other places cleaner than when we arrived,” Ellis reports, so she advocates getting a poop bag holder for your leash. This dispenser comes with four rolls of thick, leakproof bags (60 bags total), that are also easy to open and tie securely. It attaches to any kind of leash and the bags are even lavender-scented.

MidWest Homes for Pets Terry Pet Bed

Amazon

Ellis is a big fan of mat training. She suggests starting with rewards for stepping on a flat dog bed, then working up to laying down and staying on the mat. That way, you can take the mat out to cafes or anywhere public, and your dog knows exactly where to stay. And this portable mat is perfect for that. It measures 24 by 18 inches and has a plush, cushioned surface that is super soft and comfortable. Best of all, it’s machine washable and dryer friendly.

TUFFY Soft Dog Toy

Amazon

For hard chewers that love stuffed toys, Kait Hembree, a certified dog trainer and head of training at GoodPup, is a fan of the TUFFY. She’s found that it holds up far better than other toys and is a worthwhile investment. What makes it so tough is its four layers of fabric, all stuffed with nontoxic fibers. There’s a squeaker inside for extra doggy stimulation and the TUFFY is also machine washable.

AMZpets Dog Training Set (5-Piece Set)

Amazon

“A clicker is a popular teaching technique that employs positive reinforcement,” reports Aaron Rice, a dog trainer at Stayyy. He advises using the clicker to indicate the action you’d like your dog to complete and then rewarding them with treats, so they’ll associate the click with good behavior. And if you’d like more than a clicker, this training set is a great option. It includes a clicker, a waterproof pouch for holding treats, kibble, and toys, and training bells for potty training. Plus, there’s a training book and ultrasonic whistle on a lanyard so you have everything you need to get your pup’s training on the right track.

West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Treat Dispensing Dog Toy

Amazon

When it comes to enrichment toys, the Toppl is a favorite of Ali Smith, CEO and founder of Rebarkable. Just fill the toy with treats or kibble (Smith even feeds her dogs meals from it), and as your pup searches for the hidden food, it helps stimulate their brain while they eat and keep them quieter for longer. Smith likes that it’s easy to fill and clean, and you’ll like that it’s nontoxic and dishwasher safe.

Chuckit Ultra Ball Dog Toy (2-Pack)

Amazon

Smith’s favorite balls for dogs are Chuckits. She likes that they’re super bouncy, don’t wear down teeth, and give a great outlet for dogs to run and chase. Plus, the textured surface and thick core can stand up to rough play, while still being soft in your pup’s mouth. Featured here is the medium, which is about the size of a tennis ball, but other sizes are available in the listing for different dog breeds.

Fluff & Tuff Edsel the Elephant

Amazon

According to Smith, every one of her puppy clients who are struggling with biting gets an Edsel as part of a training package. Not only is it a great size for the majority of puppies (11 inches), but Smith raves that it’s the most durable toy she’s ever owned (and worth the price tag). It holds up to puppy teeth because of the plush outer fabric with double stitched seams, and a nontoxic polyester fill that also happens to be machine washable, according to reviewers.

Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Dog Treats, 3.75 Oz.

Amazon

These raw, freeze-dried treats are recommended by Smith for recall training (with a long line and harness) and to encourage relaxation. They’re grain and gluten-free and packed with high-quality proteins to promote your dog’s oral and digestive health. Plus, they come in a variety of flavors and sizes to suit every pup’s taste.

Paw 5 Dog Snuffle Mat

Amazon

“Dogs experience the world through their nose,” says Joanna Russell, a dog training expert, author of The Puppy Playbook, and founder of Biscuit Training, “so providing opportunities for them to explore and sniff can make them happier, calmer, and better behaved.” That’s why this snuffle mat is a solid pick. Just add your dog’s normal dry food to the mat and the act of sniffing and searching will slow down their eating and keep them occupied. Measuring 18 by 12 inches and made of soft organic cotton, it can also be used as a bed for small dogs. Plus, it’s machine washable.

Mighty Paw Yak Cheese Dog Chews | 4 Large Sticks. All-Natural Himalayan Chews for Dogs. Long Lasting Yak Milk Dog Chews for Aggressive Chewers, for Teething Puppies & Bored Dogs. 14.4 oz

Amazon

When you have guests over or are about to start a long Zoom call, Russell suggests keeping your dog busy to avoid barking and whining. These cheese chews can help with that. They’re made of three ingredients: yak and cow milk, salt, and lime juice, so they’re fully digestible and free of grain, gluten, chemicals, and preservatives. And even though they contain milk, they’re cured in a process that removes the lactose, making them lactose-free. The chews have a hard consistency to keep dogs gnawing and can reduce tartar and plaque buildup for fresher doggie breath.

Top Dog Chews Buffalo Beef Cheek Rolls (5-Pack)

Russell is a fan of these buffalo beef cheek rolls. They’re low in fat, high in protein, and sourced from free-range, grass-fed cattle. There are no preservatives, chemicals, or additives, so they’re good for your pup, and can even promote cleaner teeth and gums. Reviewers rave that they’re long-lasting and keep dogs busy and entertained.

StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy

Amazon

When you can’t give your dog all your attention, Russell suggests this interactive toy to prevent boredom. Reviewers are fans too, giving it over 20,000 five-star reviews. It has an adjustable opening so you can customize the difficulty, and the roomy chamber holds enough for an entire meal. And the weighted bottom is wobbly, so it keeps your pup engaged and stimulated.

PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist 'n Treat

Amazon

For Shelby Semel, a certified dog trainer and founder of Shelby Semel Dog Training, an easy way to keep a dog behaving is to keep them proactively busy. “Don't wait until your dog is pawing at you or barking for your attention to grab an interactive toy,” Semel advises. You can set up this treat-dispensing toy before a call or right before guests come in, and keep your pup focused. The two halves are adjustable and hold hard or soft and smearable treats, plus it’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Amazon Kong Wobbler

Amazon

The KONG Wobbler is another interactive toy that Semel recommends. It’s made of a highly durable material that spins and rolls in an unpredictable way while it dispenses treats, so your pup is kept stimulated and busy. The toy is easy to fill and clean, plus it’s dishwasher safe.

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Puppy Tornado Treat Puzzle

Amazon

Keep your pup challenged and stimulated with this puzzle toy, which is another rec from Semel. It requires your dog to combine several steps to retrieve the hidden treat and allows you to vary the difficulty level. The toy featured here is designed for puppies, but there are over 30 puzzles in the listing with a range of skill levels for all kinds of dogs.

PETGEEK Treat Dispenser Dog Toys

Amazon

According to Semel, everyone should have an automatic treat dispenser that “allows you to train while otherwise busy and takes away the need for constant treats in your pockets and locations around your home.” You can teach your dog to press the button of this dispenser, which releases treats and makes a sound to engage your pup. It also includes a rubber holder and sucker for securing it indoors, a peg for outdoor use, and a remote controller. You can plug it in with the included micro USB cable or power the dispenser with four C batteries and three AAA batteries for the remote controller (batteries not included).

Best Bully Sticks Hollow Shin Bones (5-Pack)

Amazon

To keep your dog well-behaved, Leigh Siegfried, founder of Opportunity Barks, suggests long-lasting, non-edible chewies, like natural bone. These durable bones are hollow, so you can fill them with your dog’s favorite treats, and they don’t contain any additives, chemicals, or hormones. Plus, they can scrape away tartar and plaque from the gumline, promoting oral health.

QT Dog Water Buffalo Hornz

Amazon

In addition to bone chewies, Siegfried recommends this buffalo horn for its affordability and longevity. It measures 8 inches long, weighs 14.8 ounces, and one reviewer raves, “My dogs are German shepherd/boxer mixes, and these horns are the only things that they don’t destroy.”

Leashboss Long Trainer 15 Foot Lead

Amazon

When it comes to training indoors, Siegfried recommends a leash around the house to help prevent accidents and destructive chewing, while guiding preferred movements. This 15-foot training leash is made of strong, durable nylon with a lightweight handle and features a clip that swivels 360 degrees so the leash doesn’t get twisted or tangled. If you’d like to customize, handles with extra foam and padding are available, as well as lengths up to 100 feet.

HOWGO Dog Rope Toy

Amazon

According to Siegfried, training is a complement to fulfilling play time — and since each dog finds fulfillment in different ways, she advises owners to learn how their dogs like to play. With that in mind, this interactive toy is made of real Australian sheepskin, a strong bungee cord, and a nontoxic rubber ball that dogs love to chase and tug on. One reviewer raves, “This toy keeps my puppy engaged for hours.”

PLAYOLOGY - Squeaky Chew Ball Dog Toy - Medium/Large - Engaging All-Natural Cheddar Cheese Scent

Amazon

If your dog is a heavy chewer, this ball is made just for them. It features a squeak sound and a cheese scent that attracts pups, plus it’s designed to float in water, so it’s great for the beach, lake, pool, and more. The ball is easy to clean and the scents are all-natural. Featured here is a medium to large size which is ideal for dogs 10 pounds and up, but other sizes and flavors are also available.

Leashboss 5 Pack No Stuffing Dog Squeaky Toys with Crinkle for Small and Medium Dogs, Jungle Animal

Amazon

With these stuffing-free crinkle toys, you’ll never have to worry about your dog tearing them apart, eating the stuffing, and making a mess. Each toy is about 12 inches long and comes in a five-pack featuring a variety of jungle animals. The toys crackle, crunch, and squeak to offer hours of play for light to moderate chewers.

2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Dog Harness

Amazon

According to Susan Nilson, a pet training and behavior professional at The Cat and Dog House, this no-pull harness is “the perfect tool to give you better control while you are doing the training” because it’s designed to distribute pressure evenly across your dog’s chest and shoulders. It’s also designed to be comfortable to wear with adjustment points and velvet lining, so walks are more pleasant for you and your pet.

Squishy Face Flirt Pole

Amazon

When it comes to flirt poles, Aleksandar Mishkov, a dog expert and owner of The Daily Tail, raves that they’re a “life-changing toy.” That’s because you can work on recovery skills with your dog, teaching them to listen to your commands while they chase and tug, and then have them cool off quickly when instructed to do so. This flirt pole is 36 inches and includes a squeaker and a lure to keep your dog mentally and physically engaged.

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 6: news, rumors, and what we want to see

Samsung’s 2023 product lineup has turned out pretty impressive so far, but the more promising devices are scheduled for the latter half of the year. Among them is the Galaxy Watch 6 series. Now, the Galaxy Watch 5 lineup isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination, but it also wasn’t really an appealing upgrade over the Galaxy Watch 4 portfolio.

With the Galaxy Watch 6 series, we’re already hearing some promising chatter in the leak land. From exciting display upgrades and a processor upgrade to the return of a classic design and software-side improvements, there’s a lot to unpack. So, here’s everything we know so far about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.

The Galaxy Watch 6 series will reportedly ditch the short-lived “Pro” model and will bring back the “Classic” branding this year. But it’s not just the name that returns, but also the signature design element we last saw on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic.

As per leaked renders, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic will mark the return of the rotating bezel, which offers a more reliable way of interacting with UI elements instead of struggling with touch inputs on a tiny screen and finicky capacity bezels. Plus, the rotating physical bezel is also far more reliable when it’s raining or if the screen is drenched in sweat.

The overall design, however, is still the signature Samsung smartwatch affair. The dial is round with an understated metallic luster and black paint job, but more color options will likely be on the table. The button placement is also familiar, but it’s unclear if Samsung has also moved things around with the biosensor assembly.

Notably, leaker Ice Universe claims that the Galaxy Watch 6 will embrace curved glass aesthetics instead of flat panels with a raised protective lip alongside the periphery. While a Pixel Watch-like curved glass approach is easy on the eyes, it’s also an open invitation to damage. Hopefully, Samsung is using reinforced glass to handle durability concerns.

So far, we haven’t seen the base Galaxy Watch 6 trim appear in leaks, but it will likely follow the same aesthetic principle as the Classic model, except for the rotating physical bezel. The upcoming Samsung smartwatch duo will likely be available in two sizes while also offering a choice between Bluetooth-only and cellular models.

Samsung’s current generation of smartwatches come equipped with its own Super AMOLED screens with a Sapphire Crystal layer for protection. But the Galaxy Watch 6 family just might be in for an upgrade this year.

As per SamMobile, Samsung has started commercial sampling of its microLED display panels for smartwatches. The report comes following supply chain rumors that Apple was planning a microLED display upgrade for the Apple Watch. Ice Universe claims the screen size has also been upped to 1.47 inches, and that the resolution has increased accordingly.

Talking about raw quality, microLED panels offer better control over contrast, more accurate color reproduction, higher brightness output, and frugal battery consumption. Given the pace of major changes coming to Samsung hardware across the board this year and the goalpost of unsettling Apple, it is plausible that the Galaxy Watch 6 series will ditch the OLED panels in favor of a microLED display.

But this is a fairly new technology, and Samsung might also take the safe route with longer and more rigorous quality testing before putting it on the Galaxy Watch lineup. Plus, a fundamental technology upgrade as meaningful as the switch from OLED to microLED doesn’t come cheap, so a price hike is likely on the horizon.

Samsung is reportedly planning to juice up the Galaxy Watch 6 series from both software as well as hardware sides. According to SamMobile, the company will use the new Exynos W980 chip inside the Galaxy Watch 6 after using the Exynos W920 processor for the past two generations.

The new chip is rumored to bring a 10% boost in performance generation over generation. It is also said to be based on the newer 5nm fabrication node, which means more firepower under the hood and improved battery efficiency — something modern-day smartwatches direly need.

Samsung won’t be the only brand jumping to a fresh chip this year, as Apple is also rumored to finally switch the processor inside the Apple Watch Series 9 after three generations. It is, however, interesting that Samsung has ditched the Exynos processors for its flagship phones and has turned exclusively to Snapdragon silicon after inking a deal with Qualcomm.

But Samsung is apparently sticking with its in-house chips for the Galaxy Watch 6, despite Qualcomm’s Wear series processors being the norm for Wear OS smartwatches. It would be interesting to see if the Galaxy Watch 6 series can outperform its Wear OS rivals from the likes of Mobvoi and Fossil.

Samsung is not only rumored to pack a new processor and finer display inside the Galaxy Watch 6 series, but it also appears to be paying attention to battery concerns. According to GalaxyClub, which cites a certification date from South Korea, the battery capacity on the 40mm model will be 300mAh, up from the 285mAh Li-ion unit fitted inside the Galaxy Watch 5.

For the Galaxy Watch 6’s larger 44mm variant, Samsung is going with a 425mAh battery, slightly bigger than the 410mAh battery pack inside the Galaxy Watch 5. There is no word if a similar battery capacity boost is also in the pipeline for the pricier Classic model, but it would definitely be an engineering challenge to fit a larger battery while also accommodating a rotating physical bezel.

Google has also promised that Wear OS 4 will be heavy on performance optimization, so it will be interesting to see the real-life gains in battery longevity on Samsung’s upcoming smartwatches. So far, the moonshot is having a Wear OS smartwatch last more than a day without having to sacrifice perks like an always-on display and continuous activity tracking.

The Galaxy Watch 6 series will mark the third generation of Samsung smartwatches to embrace Google’s Wear OS instead of the in-house Tizen OS. At its I/O 2023 conference, Google lifted the covers from Wear OS 4 and has already released Developer Preview builds ahead of a wider release in the fall season.

Wear OS 4 goes deep on the customization side of things, and at the heart of those goals is the Watch Face Format. It’s a whole new format for creating watch faces that don’t involve any code or APK packaging and requires minimal maintenance on the battery or performance optimization side of things.

Google is also shipping a new watch face editor as part of Wear OS 4 that offers a deeper scope of customization to users. Samsung has already released a new version of Watch Face Studio where you can create a watch face without any coding experience whatsoever.

Since Samsung is a premier Google partner, expect Wear OS 4’s customization tricks to materialize in their full glory on the Galaxy Watch 6 duo. The latest version of Google’s smartwatch operating system also redefines the concept of tiles, updating them every second and adding support for transition animations.

Apps like Spotify, Peloton, and WhatsApp are readying support for quick actions. The Galaxy Watch 6 series will also benefit from Gmail and Google Calendar support in Wear OS 4, adding the ability to send email responses, accept invites, and update tasks.

Another extremely neat feature is native support for a full backup and restore, which means you will now be able to switch smartwatches without any technical hassles. The text-to-speech system will also be noticeably precise on the Galaxy Watch 6, and all the permissions granted on your companion phone will automatically be ported over to the smartwatch.

On its own end, Samsung has already announced a new One UI 5 for Watch tricks like improved sleep tracking, Personalized Heart Rate Zones, and fall detection SOS alerts. The Galaxy Watch 6 will hit the shelves running this new experience atop Wear OS 4’s foundations.

Samsung is reportedly hosting an Unpacked event on July 25, where the company will introduce the new Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable phones. If the past events are any indication, the Galaxy Watch 6 series will also share the stage in the coming weeks.

As for the asking price, no credible leaks have emerged so far. However, one can take an educated guess based on the asking price of the current-gen models. The Galaxy Watch 5 started at $279 for the base non-cellular model, while the LTE variant carried a starting price of $329.

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro hit the shelves at $449 for the Bluetooth-only trim, while the cellular configuration went for $499. Expect the Galaxy Watch 6 and its Classic trim to go on sale in the same pricing ballpark — or even higher if Samsung decides the hardware upgrades are worth a premium.

There is no dearth of smartwatches out there, both below and above the price tag that Samsung commands. The same goes for the capabilities related to tracking and sensing, where Apple appears to be a step ahead of Samsung. But one area where Samsung has remained untouched is the excellent physical rotating bezel that offered an extremely convenient and intuitive way of interacting with the UI.

After staying loyal to the rotating bezel system for a healthy few generations, Samsung decided to skip it for the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, focusing instead on a design that is all about durability. Of course, the decision was widely criticized, and it seems like a course correction is in the pipeline for 2023.

Multiple leaks suggest that the rotating bezel is coming back. Moreover, the Pro branding is reportedly being retired, making way for the Classic trim’s comeback. More than just being a standout design element, the rotating bezel is a functional boon.

Interacting with the tiny icons and the other UI elements on the smartwatch’s screen is somewhat of a frustrating experience, as missteps happen all the time. I personally resisted upgrading to the Galaxy Watch 5 series because the rotating bezel on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is too good to forsake.

The bezel isn’t just satisfying to interact with, it is also a godsend when you are working out and got sweaty hands, which makes it extremely annoying to interact with the hit-or-miss touch gestures on a wet display. From adjusting brightness levels to handling calls, the rotating bezel is something that is intrinsically linked to the very signature identity of Samsung’s smartwatches.

Now, this one is more or less confirmed, but it’s a mighty welcome surprise. Following the Galaxy Watch 4 series, Samsung’s design team took a somewhat regressive approach and went in a direction where the aesthetic variance between the base and premium models wasn’t much apparent. Save for the different color tones and raised bezel, both the Galaxy Watch 5 and its Pro model share more or less the same fundamental design platform.

With the Galaxy Watch 6 series, the company is apparently ready to flex its design muscles once again. Leaks suggest the Galaxy Watch 6 might embrace curved display aesthetics, a la the Google Pixel Watch. Now, Samsung is no stranger to curved glass aesthetics.

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 was actually one of the best-looking smartwatches in the market, thanks to its subtly curved glass along the periphery. On top of it, Samsung offered a capacitive bezel system on the wearable, which served as somewhat of a substitute for the physical rotating bezel on its more premium sibling.

If the rumors indeed turn out to be true, the Galaxy Watch 6 series won’t just sit across two pricing tiers divided by a specifications gulf. Instead, it will also appeal to smartwatch enthusiasts that have design at the top of their priority list. Of course, both the models will also differ in terms of size, so there’s that, too, for folks concerned about a misfit for their wrist size.

Offering potential buyers the flexibility to choose between a timepiece that stands out with its aggressive curved display styling, or a more classic timepiece rocking a rotating physical bezel, would be a welcome strategy.

It wouldn’t hurt, though, if Samsung jazzes up the upcoming Classic model, too. Plus, a wider selection of straps like those for the Apple Watch would be fantastic.

One of the biggest advantages of running a custom smartphone OS experience based on the Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) custom shell is that they are not very taxing on the processor. A healthy bunch of brands out there, especially those selling affordable devices, stick to this formula. Samsung, on the other hand, has been loyal to its own Tizen for years.

On the Wear OS side of the smartwatches, things were downright terrible. Interestingly, Samsung jumped on the Wear OS bandwagon last year with the Galaxy Watch 5 series, and once again, things were back to one or two days of maximum battery life. That is not going to change with the Galaxy Watch 6 series.

Fortunately, the battery capacity is at least going up, it seems. Citing certification database in Samsung’s home market, Galaxy Club claims the 40mm model of Galaxy Watch 6 will get a 300mAh battery, up from the 284mAh unit on its predecessor. The 44mm variant will supposedly rely on a 425mAh battery, slightly bigger than the 410mAh unit inside the corresponding Galaxy Watch 5 trim.

Now, those aren’t major improvements, but for a form factor as small as a smartwatch, every droplet of extra chemical juice counts. We’re just hoping that Samsung does more work on the resource optimization side to make sure that users can get at least two to three days of battery life with moderate usage without sacrificing too many core functionalities when running low on juice.

A great way to accomplish that would be offering users more granular control over what features they want to keep active on a day-to-day basis, and what systems should stay in sleep mode. An overhaul of the companion app could go a long way in achieving that elusive goal.

I love the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, and also happen to be a huge fan of the reverse wireless charging situation facility with Samsung phones; it’s a massively underrated convenience. Almost regularly, I find myself charging my earbuds, the aforementioned watch, and even my iPhone 14 Pro on the back of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

I can do the same with other phones from Xiaomi and OnePlus that offer reverse wireless charging support, except when it comes to the Galaxy Watch. The Samsung Galaxy Buds, or any other Samsung phone, can effortlessly draw juice from other brands’ phones. But not a Galaxy Watch. Samsung tries to explain things with some WPC-Qi charging standard incompatibility jargon, but honestly, I haven’t been able to satisfactorily digest that argument.

I am just hoping that Samsung works around that limitation and opens reverse wireless charging capability on its next smartwatch to smartphones from other brands, as well. It’s one of those practically convenient areas where Samsung can get a true edge over the Apple Watch.

Apple wowed sports enthusiasts with the Apple Watch Ultra last year. Yeah, it’s big and bulky, but the features that Apple managed to cram inside it were almost unprecedented for a smartwatch. It’s stunningly rugged and features some serious tricks for extreme sports enthusiasts.

More than just capabilities and serving as a showcase for Apple’s engineering prowess, it currently serves as the only truly smart wearable for extreme sports scenarios. But its asking price of $899 is not exactly palatable. Samsung can engage in some flexing with its own take on an extreme smartwatch that builds on the ruggedness aspect and throws in the necessary features that can appeal to the audience burnt by the Apple Watch Ultra’s price.

Plus, Samsung now has an excellent partner in Google following the merger of Tizen with Wear OS. Google has been doing some excellent work souping up the health and wellness capabilities of smartphones with its Google Fit platform. And, of course, courtesy of its Fitbit acquisition.

It would be quite something to see a Galaxy Watch Ultra that offers the best of Samsung’s hardware capabilities and Google’s Wear OS chops. Pair that with an asking price that undercuts the Apple Watch Ultra, and Samsung could grab some eyeball — and card swipes — for its niche offering.

Over the years, Samsung has steadily built upon the bio-sensing capabilities of its phones, keeping up with Apple. Blood oxygen level analysis, ECG, fall detection, and (most recently) blood pressure measurement — which relies on the heart rate sensor using a technique called Pulse wave analysis. But there’s scope for improvement in two key areas.

First, there’s a lot of chatter about studying biomarkers from sweat analysis. Apple is rumored to have made significant progress with non-invasive blood glucose level analysis tech for its smartwatches. Samsung has been officially working on that tech for a while now. It would be a great opportunity for Samsung to showcase that breakthrough tech on the Galaxy Watch 6 series.

There’s also chatter about advancements in the field of wearable-focused Electrodermal Activity (EDA) analysis, and even the ability to measure blood alcohol composition. Samsung might want to make a generation leap with the sensing tech on its smartwatches this year. But before that, the company also needs to figure out the clearance situation for features like fall detection and blood pressure measurement in all its markets.

I certainly don’t want to pay $500 for a watch that can’t do the latter in my country, while the same is working in the US market. Apple fares far better in that regard. But talking about Apple here, we eventually run into the cruel ecosystem gate. Samsung isn’t too different.

In order to use some of the advanced sensing capabilities — and even other generic features such as camera shutter control, customizable AR emoji watch face, and the ability to handle calls — you need a Samsung phone. For ECG and blood pressure monitoring, you need a Samsung phone.

These two are the highlight health tricks, and Samsung has them locked to its own phones. There are workarounds to get them working with other phones, too, but they need some tech know-how. Plus, it’s just an added hassle. I’m hoping that Samsung shows some generosity with the Galaxy Watch 6 generation and fixes the situation.