Apple Watch

Stay up-to-date on the latest Apple Watch news, and learn how to get the most out of your device with our comprehensive tutorials. From updates to features to troubleshooting tips, we’ve got you covered.

Early Best Buy Black Friday deals: up to $100 off Apple Watch, $125 off iPad Air 2

Cody Lee ∙ Updated October 19, 2018

Heads up holiday shoppers. Best Buy is offering early access to some of its Black Friday deals in a limited-time, online-only sale. Until midnight tonight (CT), you can take advantage of discounts of up to $100 on Apple Watch, $125 off iPad Air 2, and various other promotional prices.

For Apple Watch, Best Buy is taking $50 off Sport models and $100 off of Stainless Steel models—easily one of the best deals we've seen on Apple's smartwatch. And for iPad, the retailer is knocking $100 off select 16GB and 64GB Air 2 models, and as much as $125 off of 128GB models.

These hacks enable custom Apple Watch faces and 3D Touch gestures on iPad Pro via Apple Pencil

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 24, 2015

watchOS 2, the operating system powering Apple's wearable gizmo, includes support for third-party complications on select watch faces designed to support them.

But as far as watch faces themselves go, users are limited to a handful of built-in styles as Apple's software development kit (SDK) doesn't allow for downloadable watch faces yet.

As it turns out, a quick hack that prolific iOS developer Hamza Sood posted on Twitter back in August (no, it didn't fly under our radar) gets around Apple's limitations and permits unofficial development and installation of custom faces for Apple's wearable device.

And earlier this morning, Sood also posted another hack which brings 3D Touch Peek and Pop gestures to the iPad Pro via the Apple Pencil's pressure sensing technology.

Vine rolls out Apple Watch app and new ways to discover and watch videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 13, 2018

Twitter-owned Vine, a short-form video sharing service, is now available on the Apple Watch with a native watchOS 2 app that streams best videos from Featured and Favorites sections to your wrist.

A Vine complication is available as well so you can track your account's loops and access the native app from your watch face. In addition to the Apple Watch app, this edition of Vine includes features that make it easier to make and discover audio remixes on the service and more.

Orzly DuoStand lets you charge your Apple Watch and iPhone 6s at the same time

Lory Gil ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

If you have an Apple Watch, you have an iPhone. So, why not display them on the same stand when charging them? Orzly makes a dual charging dock that holds both devices so you can set them up on your nightstand or desktop for a sleeker look.

The DuoStand is made from anodized aluminum to match your other Apple products, like the MacBook or iMac. It has a slim, minimalist design representative of the aesthetic that we know so well from Apple.

Griffin WatchStand Charging Station: a solid two-in-one dock with some trade-offs

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Earlier this month I reviewed the Belkin Charge Dock, a stylish dock for your iPhone and Apple Watch. I praised it for its classy, minimalistic design and embedded chargers, but knew that its steep $130 price tag would be a turnoff for many potential buyers.

This time around I want to tell you about a more affordable option—the Griffin WatchStand Charging Station. It too offers space for your iPhone and Apple Watch to rest and recharge, at less than half the price, but that savings does come with a few tradeoffs.

First, there's design. I don't think the WatchStand looks bad—in fact, Sebastien called its identical smaller sibling "sleek"—but I also don't think it looks anywhere near as good as the Belkin. Second, there are no cables included, meaning you have to supply your own.

So does the WatchStand's price and functionality offset these shortcomings? Let's find out.

Official Magnetic Charging Dock for Apple Watch launches for $79

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 18, 2015

Following yesterday's leaked packaging of an official Apple-branded dock for the Apple Watch, the Magnetic Charging Dock is going on sale this morning via the Apple Online Store and company-owned retail stores in the United States, Germany and a few other markets.

The accessory is priced at $79 and includes a two-meter Lightning cable that attaches to the base of the dock. The Magnetic Charging Dock supports your watch in either portrait or landscape orientation, which is really handy given the Nightstand mode in watchOS 2.

Apple to launch its own Apple Watch charging dock

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 17, 2015

According to a reliable source who spoke with French blog iGen.fr, an official Apple-branded dock for the Apple Watch has been in the works since the device's April 2015 debut and is reportedly imminent. A leaked packaging photo suggests the charging dock will be marketed as the Magnetic Charging Dock.

Apple Watch 2 already in the works for summer 2016 release, Apple supplier claims

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 6, 2017

The Apple Watch may have been met with a muted response from critics (and it's still being rolled out around the world), but that's not stopping Tim Cook & Co. from working on a next-generation model.

According to an Apple supplier, a second-generation Apple Watch is already in the works.

It's said to be released late in the second quarter of next year, a little more than a year after the original model’s debut. As reported by Taiwanese media, Barry Lam, the chairman of Quanta Computer, the company that assembles the Apple Watch, said during an investor meeting that the Apple Watch 2 is being developed, shockingly, as we speak.

How to silence your Apple Watch with a simple gesture

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 23, 2022

When you're in a meeting or at the movies and a phone call comes in or a loud alert starts dinging, nothing compares to the social awkwardness after realizing you've forgotten to silence your watch. While you can mute the alerts on your Apple Watch with a couple of taps, by the time you fumble through the menus, you'll have already embarrassed yourself.

Thankfully, there's a better way: the Apple Watch includes a nifty little feature for silencing incoming phone calls and other audible alerts with a super quick gesture.

Why are some Apple Watch notifications round and others are square?

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 10, 2015

I was wondering about this for a long time, too. Some notifications that hit my Apple Watch are presented using a round app icon while the others embed a square one. But why is that?

Thanks to Mac Kung Fu, we now know that this simple yet subtle difference serves a very good purpose because you can decide whether the notification can be replied to or not by its attached app icon.

Tim Cook says Apple has more health features in mind, talks iPad Pro and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ November 10, 2015

Yesterday, Tim Cook sat with The Telegraph's Allister Heath to talk a range of topics, including the Apple TV and the future of television, the forthcoming arrival of the iPad Pro and plans for the Apple Watch.

According to Cook, the company is considering additional health features. He also revealed why Apple doesn't want to put the Apple Watch through the certification process by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and more.

Great deal: 47% off JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth headphones

Cody Lee ∙ November 9, 2015

The JayBird BlueBuds X Sports are wireless, Bluetooth headphones that offer great sound and great features at an affordable price. They look sharp, utilize SignalPlus tech for skip-free playback, and can last for up to 8 hours on a single charge. And for a limited time, these headphones are 47% off, meaning you can score a pair for just $89.99.