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.

Starbucks will soon begin accepting Apple Pay

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Starbucks fans rejoice! The popular coffee chain will soon support Apple Pay. Jennifer Bailey, the head of Apple's mobile payment arm, broke the news Thursday onstage at the Code/Mobile conference, telling Recode's Ina Fried that the launch is planned for early next year.

Note that this will be different than the current implementation of Apple Pay in the Starbucks app, which only really allows you to re-fill your Starbucks Card. In-store support of the payments service will allow users to pay for their coffee using their iPhone or Apple Watch.

You can now use Facebook Messenger on Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 19, 2018

Facebook on Thursday rolled out a new update for its Messenger app, bringing the iOS client to version 38.0. The update brings about long-awaited support for watchOS 2, meaning you can finally use the popular messaging app on your Apple Watch.

Introduced this summer, Facebook Messenger for Apple Watch allows you to send and receive things like voice messages, Likes and stickers, and you can also dictate messages and tap the Location button to quickly send out your current location.

New in watchOS 2: status icon when Apple Watch is connected to known Wi-Fi on its own

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2015

Joining a bunch of status indicator icons at the top of the Apple Watch screen is a handy new icon displayed when the device is on a known Wi-Fi network without the paired iPhone present.

Before watchOS 2, the wearable used to indicate that it's lost connection with its paired iPhone but would not distinguish whether it's remained connected to a known Wi-Fi network on its own.

Fantastical gains iOS 9’s productivity-enhancing features, Apple Watch complication and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 7, 2015

Hot off the heels of its big Mac update, developer Flexibits today issued an update to Fantastical for iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch. The new software takes advantage of the new productivity-enhancing features provided by iOS 9 and watchOS 2.

These include 3D Touch support for iPhone 6s owners, a dedicated Fantastical complication for Apple Watch wearers, Slide Over and Split View multitasking modes on the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 and much more.

Watch: Apple Watch Hermès unboxing video

Sébastien Page ∙ October 6, 2015

The special Apple Watch Hermès became available for sale in select locations across the globe yesterday, and we now have a first look at it in this unboxing video.

The watch comes in a bright orange packaging very similar to that of the Stainless Steel Apple Watch, with some extra Hermès branding added to justify the price tag.

Apple posts six new Apple Watch ads on YouTube

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 5, 2015

Apple has been quite consistent with its YouTube channel updates, as it tonight posts six new ads for the Apple Watch. This follows up last week's Apple Music Guided Tour video series, which itself followed new iPhone videos.

Each of the videos showcases a specific facet of the Apple Watch, including navigation, messages, health tracking, and Apple Pay. The six spots, which all last for about 16 seconds, provide quick glimpses into what makes Apple Watch special. Watch all six videos, and let us know which one is your favorite.

Review: wrist dialing is easy with Watch Keypad, an app Apple should have made

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 5, 2015

WatchOS 2 appeals to sausage-fingered types with its bigger, square keypad, and that's quite cool by me, but isn't its lack of a dialing functionality in apps like Messages and Phone quite a shame? This poses a major problem when needing to place a phone call from the wrist to a number you don't have assigned to a contact.

Watch Keypad by Dutch developer Rob De Ruiter, as the name suggests, solves this problem in one fell swoop.

This app makes it real simple and easy to type a phone number to call from your Apple Watch, without any restrictions on contacts. I spent some quality time testing Watch Keypad and will be using a lot going forward, here's why.

How to keep your Apple Watch display on longer

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 5, 2023

When you tap your Apple Watch screen, the display wakes up and remains lit for 15 seconds. For some users, those 15 seconds might not be enough, so in this tutorial, we will show you how to keep your Apple Watch display one for longer.

Apple Watch Hermès collection now available in 10 different style and size combinations

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 5, 2015

The Apple Watch Hermès collection, which got announced at the September 2015 media event, is now available at select retail locations in ten different style and size combinations. As first reported on by AppleInsider, sales are in-store only and unavailable online, with prices starting at $1,100.

Hermès is a Paris-based fashion label specializing in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery and luxury goods. The company is “dedicated to serving European noblemen” though its products are renowned around the world.

Apple Faces: a website for Apple Watch wallpapers

Lory Gil ∙ October 2, 2015

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of websites and apps dedicated to providing a variety of background wallpaper designs for the iPhone and iPad. Now that watchOS 2 allows us to use our own images as custom watch faces, the Apple Watch wallpaper market is sure to take off.

We found a Tumblr blog that already has nearly four-dozen specially designed wallpapers that you can use to make your Apple Watch as stylish as you want.

You can finally send messages completely hands free with watchOS 2

Sébastien Page ∙ September 28, 2015

A new feature of watchOS 2 finally allows users to send messages completely hands free, and even though there is a catch, it's a much welcome improvement to communicate via text message without having to physically touch the device.

The catch is that this new feature only applies to messages you create from the Home or Watchface screen using Siri. It does not work for replies to messages you receive, and doesn't work if you go straight to the Messages app and tap Reply. Still, if used right, it can make the process of sending messages completely frictionless.

Lifeline 2 review: 3 Minute Games gets magical

Lory Gil ∙ Updated October 9, 2015

When Apple Watch first launched, 3 Minute Games made a huge impression with its choose-your-own-adventure game, Lifeline, designed for the wrist worn device. It is a simple text-based game where players help a character on the other end survive. It was a huge hit with Apple Watch owners.

Lifeline 2 is out now and it is definitely a proper follow up to the first game. It has all the same charm as its predecessor, but has an entirely new story and includes some new features to make players happy. We've got a full game review of Lifeline 2 for your reading enjoyment.