Apple Watch

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Apple Watch: a mysterious 6-pin port opens up many possibilities

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

There is a mysterious port on the Apple Watch that could be used to connect accessories such as a smart band or battery, reports TechCrunch. The outlet says that multiple sources have confirmed the wearable features a secret 6-dot brass contact used for diagnostics and direct access to the operating system.

Apparently the port is very similar to the Lightning port found on larger iOS devices, and is located inside the groove of the "bottom" strap connector slot. It's believed that this portal is "absolutely necessary" to install the Watch OS during manufacturing, and thus it will be present on shipping versions of the wearable.

Create your perfect Apple Watch with this web tool

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple's Watch release is still at least a month away, but thanks to 'mix your watch,' you can start building one now. The interactive web tool allows you to create your perfect Apple Watch by customizing the case color, band color and band material.

It uses stock images from Apple's website, and an image-based UI that allows you to customize each element. So if you want to see what a dark aluminum case would look like with a black leather band, simply select them, and watch the colors change.

Personal engraving will be reportedly available for Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 5, 2015

Apple has long offered an option to add a free laser-engraved message to any new iPod or iPad sold through its online store and now a fresh new rumor out of France is claiming that the forthcoming Apple Watch will offer customers free personal engravings as well.

Though not quite sure if the customization option will be available from day one, French blog iPhonote reportedly heard from an anonymous source involved with Apple that the company will eventually offer free laser-cut custom messages on Watches.

Check out these interactive demos of Apple Watch apps

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

After months of anticipation, we are entering the home stretch in our wait for the Apple Watch launch. But for those of you who are having trouble dealing with the suspense, we believe we may have found something to tide you over.

Newly launched website WatchAware has put together a series of interactive demos, giving users a fairly good idea of how they'll interact with Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and various other popular apps on the upcoming Apple Watch.

Banners begin going up at Yerba Buena Center ahead of Apple Watch event

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Apple has begun decorating the outside of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, ahead of Monday's Apple Watch event. Creative Strategies analyst Ben Bajarin posted the above photo on Twitter this afternoon, showing a banner being hung on the front of the building.

The image on the banner matches the one on the invitations Apple sent out to media members last week for the event, which it has dubbed 'Spring Forward.' The phrase is a reference to Daylight Savings Time, which begins Sunday, and hints that the event will focus on the Apple Watch.

Apple Watch wins 2015 iF Gold Award, snags another fashion mag cover

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 7, 2016

Apple's Watch has just won an aptly named iF Gold Award from the International Forum in its annual industrial design competition, and it's not started shipping yet!

According to the award organizers, the meticulously designed wrist-worn gizmo is “already an icon” even though it's slated to ship in April.

Also, the device's tour of the world's fashion and lifestyle magazines continues with another Watch appearance, this one on the cover of the Chinese magazine Yoho.

Apple’s retail sales strategy for Apple Watch revealed

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Ahead of next week's Apple Watch event, Apple has begun training its retail employees on how to position the new device to customers. In a new report this afternoon, 9to5Mac's Mark Gurman shares 3 key points from their training including key features, iPhone compatibility and style.

According to selling guidelines provided to Gurman, Apple wants its employees to find out 3 things about their customers when trying to sell the Apple Watch: what do they already know about the device, is their iPhone compatible, and are they looking for a casual or formal watch.

Launch lineup of Watch apps includes Salesforce, Panera Bread, hotel & fitness apps and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2015

As Apple is prepping to share more information about its upcoming wrist-worn device at the March 9 “Spring Forward” media event at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, CEO Tim Cook just dropped a few interesting tidbits about the lineup of launch apps for the Watch.

He told employees of Apple's flagship retail store in Berlin that “a whole ton of announcements are coming shortly about all of the apps coming” for it.

The comment indicates that the upcoming media event will have a strong focus on third-party applications for the device. “Some of the best hotels in the world” will allow Watch owners to use the device to unlock room doors, he told employees, 9to5Mac learned.

Tim Cook: Apple Watch launch not limited to US, Lisa Jackson takes over accessibility efforts

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2015

Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a recent earnings call that the Apple Watch will be shipping to customers in April and now we've learned the launch won't be limited to the United States.

Cook, who is touring Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Israel, apparently told managers during his visit to the flagship Apple Store in Berlin that the wrist-worn device will launch in Germany during the month of April, 9to5Mac learned.

Apple Watch lifestyle photoshoots appear in Hong Kong and UK fashion mags

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 2, 2015

Multi-page editorial coverage of the Apple Watch in the world’s top fashion magazines continues with a new cover appearance and multi-page spread in Hong Kong street fashion and lifestyle magazine East Touch this month, Hype Beast reported Monday.

In addition, the wrist-worn device has appeared on the cover and a two-page spread inside the Big Spring issue of London-based fashion mag Style.

Apple Watch reportedly has Power Reserve mode, displaying only time

Jake Smith ∙ Updated December 28, 2021

The New York Times reports the Apple Watch will feature "Power Reserve" functionality, in order to stretch the wearable's battery longer and make for less frequent charging.

Apple has said the watch battery is estimated to last a full day, requiring a user to charge it at night, similar to a smartphone. The low-power mode will display the time only, the report says, and will be able to do so on even very little battery.

Apple Watch event wallpapers: Spring Forward

Jim Gresham ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Last week, Apple sent media invitations to an event on March 9. It is widely expected the main subject will be the forthcoming Apple Watch, which Tim Cook announced will be available in April 2015. With the invitation reading "Spring Forward," it is much less cryptic than previous invite wording. "Spring forward" is a common phrase to help people remember to set their clocks forward, ending daylight savings time. The key here being the overt reference to a device telling time. Further, March 9 is the day after the end of daylight savings time.

Per usual, iDownloadBlog wants to help everyone celebrate the moment by highlighting event inspired wallpapers. Inside, you will find versions of the invitation for iPhone, iPad, and desktop.