Huawei TalkBand B2
The TalkBand B2 is a wearable that, like its predecessor, offers both fitness tracking and Bluetooth headset functionality. Yep, that's right – just like the original, the TalkBand B2 is a hybrid device – you can pop the module out of the strap and plug it in your ear, if you're that way inclined, turning it from a wrist-based tracker to a hands free headset in seconds.
In practice, it's a little bit trickier than the theory suggests. When an incoming call arrives you press the quick release buttons at the bottom of the clasp and then whack it in your lughole. Yes, it fits okay and yes, call quality is pretty decent too – thanks to the Bluetooth 4.1 tech and the dual-mic noise cancelling setup – but it's not the most suave operation. We felt ridiculous doing it in public.
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And the fitness tracking options won't work properly if you leave it in your ear, so for full-time headset fans, that's not really an option.
The TalkBand B2 isn't a smartwatch in any sense; there are no detailed notifications – updates are incoming calls only, which is a bit naff.
Huawei TalkBand B2: Hardware
The more accurate fitness tracking is a result of the 6-axis sensor that packs both an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
The Micro USB charging aspect is great, as no extra charging accessory is needed; a nice touch in a wearable world dominated by proprietary charging accessories.
Huawei is promising a battery life of 5 days from the 95mAh power pack and we can't disagree with that. It's a life source capable of seven hours of talk time as well, although our embarrassment meant we never did one hour of talking, let alone seven.
Charging is very quick indeed; you can get over 50% in about 20 minutes, a full tank in just over an hour.
The TalkBand B2 is both dust and water-resistant: IP57 for the black-one (1m of submersion), IP55 (light spray) for the metallic ones.