Details emerge on HP's latest take on wearable devices-- the MB Chronowing, a collaboration with watch designer Michael Bastian that, lacking either touchscreen or microphone, is less smartwatch and more regular watch.

First announced back on August 2014, the MB Chronowing is “intended to make you more polite,” as Bastian tells the Wall Street Journal. This explains why the device lacks the kind of features normally expected from smartwatches, such as fitness trackers or a speaker. In fact, all it uses to alert users to texts, emails and app notifications from paired Android and iOS devices is a gentle vibration.

It features a monochrome LCD display within a men's watch-style metal body, and control comes through a trio of chunky buttons. As a result HP estimates the built-in battery lasts around 7 days.

Bang & Olufsen announces its first portable Bluetooth aptX speaker-- the BeoPlay A2, a premium take on the audio category promising 360-degree audio and extruded aluminium construction.

To highlight the BeoPlay A2's portable credentials B&O adds a leather strap down on one side, allowing one to either carry the speaker or simply show it off. Inside are two 3-inch drivers, two 0.75-inch tweeters and two 3-inch passive radiators, as paired with B&O Power Response Enhancement digital signal processing technology.

Peak audio power totals 180W with frequency response ranging from 55 to 20000Hz. A rechargeable battery provides up to 24 hours of use, while further connectivity comes through USB port and 3.5mm jack.

Microsoft confirms its wearable device ambitions and announces Health, a health and fitness platform complete with cloud service, mobile device app and, of course, a fitness wearable dubbed "Band."

News on Microsoft's wearable device emerged last week via Forbes and The Verge, although rumours on the company working on such a device date as far back as May 2013.

The Microsoft Band, like its name, is a simple enough device. Described as a "smart band," it is designed for 24/7 use and features 10 sensors, including an optical heart rate monitor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS, ambient light, UV light and more.

Battery life-- arguably the most important feature of any wearable device-- clocks at 48 hours of "normal use" via twin 100mAh batteries, although the GPS probably shortens it. Charging takes 1.5 hours via magnetically attached USB charger.

Fitness wearable Fitbit takes on the post-Apple Watch world with the Surge, a wearable device that's somewhere between of fitness tracker and a smartwatch, one the company describes as a "fitness super watch."

Designed for fitness aficionados, the Surge features 8 sensors, namely a GPS, accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, ambient light sensor and heart rate monitor to provide "the most advanced tracking in the thinnest, lightest design on the market." Like other fitness wearables the Surge pushes the stats gathered by the sensors to the Fitbit smartphone app for exercise-specific summaries complete with tailored metrics, workout intensity and calories burned.

It also features smartwatch functionality with caller ID and, text alerts, as well as music control via touchscreen. Furthermore Fitbit claims battery life clocks at up to 7 days, allowing one track either a work week or a marathon on a single charge.