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.

Review: Native Union docks for iPhone and Apple Watch

Andrew O'Hara ∙ May 20, 2016

It isn't often that a single company creates an iPhone dock as well as an Apple Watch dock, and designs them in tandem. They often look entirely different, or the company that makes your favorite iPhone dock, doesn't even make an Apple Watch dock. A company as design-focused as Apple would never let something like that happen, and neither does Native Union. They recently released their new line of docks for iPhone and Apple Watch, and they completely compliment one another.

The right band for the occasion

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 5, 2018

I went to a wedding in Chicago this past weekend, and I as I was packing my suitcase, I started thinking about what kind of Apple Watch band I would bring along with me. The Nomad Strap for the flight, and the Link Bracelet for the wedding? Or just the Link Bracelet? Or maybe buy a Milanese Loop?

It was the first time I realized the band I am using on my Apple Watch is just as important as what I am wearing.

Facer brings Instagram feeds, flash style cards and more to your Apple Watch face

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 9, 2016

About a month ago, Facer, a smartwatch customization platform, landed on the Apple Watch via a free of charge App Store app. Unlike most other apps for customizing watch faces, Facer puts your style and individuality on full display with thousands of custom watch faces and the ability to design your own with an online creator tool.

The app can pull watch face images from a variety of sources, including your Instagram feed, and it even has neat flash card style faces for learning things like languages, constellations, Solar System's planet names, the elements of the periodic table and so forth.

Camera Plus goes free as Apple’s App of the Week

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 17, 2018

Apple on Thursday updated its App of the Week promotion with the app Camera Plus (not to be confused with the popular Camera+). This means that from now through next Thursday, you’ll be able to pick up the photo editing app for free—a solid savings of a buck.

Camera Plus describes itself as the app for "the best macro photos and remote photography." It features the usual photo app options like filters and effects, but it also has special tools for taking close-up photos, and a feature called AirSnap for taking photos remotely.

Twelve South TimePorter for Apple Watch review

Andrew O'Hara ∙ May 3, 2016

I travel quite often and have spent an embarrassing amount of time looking for the perfect travel charger for my Apple Watch. I want to pack a few extra bands, the charging puck, and the wall adapter. Yet nothing I've run across can handle all that, let alone while looking good. That was at least the case before I ran across the TimePorter from Twelve South.

Developer manages to run Windows 95 on an Apple Watch

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated August 24, 2018

A developer for the Apple Watch has found a way to emulate the Windows 95 operating system experience on Apple's flagship wearable accessory.

Albeit nothing more than a concept, it really does show off how powerful the Apple Watch's internal hardware really is. This is just one of those things you have to see to believe.

WSJ: Apple Watch 2 will have cellular connectivity

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 25, 2016

In its report Monday which details the first full year of Apple Watch sales, the Wall Street Journal newspaper has revealed a previously unknown tidbit pertaining to a second-generation Apple Watch. According to the publication's sources, the Apple Watch 2 will feature cellular-network connectivity and a faster processor.

Although the Apple Watch can connect to Wi-Fi networks you have previously joined on your iPhone, the Cupertino company is reportedly aware that its wearable device suffers from limited usefulness because it cannot connect to cellular networks on its own and requires an iPhone for network connectivity if there are no known Wi-Fi networks around.

This free Apple Watch complication displays the time in words

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 9, 2018

When someone asks you what the time is and you glance at your Apple Watch, are you one of those people who struggle interpreting clock hands on a standard analog watch face? How cool would it be if your Apple Watch displayed the approximate time in words, such as “ten to six”, “quarter past three” or “about five o'clock”?

That's the problem that Roughly tries to solve. Created by Iain Anderson, Roughly is a complication that gives you approximate time, in words.

Available free of charge, it's just fun for most people but I think some users may actually find Roughly genuinely useful.

Store your Apple Watch bands in style with the Tech Swiss Leather Portfolio Band Case

Sébastien Page ∙ April 23, 2016

I've been collecting a handful of bands since purchasing my Apple Watch about a year ago, and during that time, I've stored these bands on my desk, easily accessible and ready to be swapped at any time.

But as I accumulate more bands, my desk, which was never intended to store bands, is becoming kind of a mess, which is why I've been looking for a storage solution.

As it turns out, there isn't many options out there, but I recently came across the Tech Swiss Leather Portfolio Apple Watch Band Case.

Apple warns developers that all new Apple Watch apps must be native beginning June 1

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 22, 2016

Apple on Friday issued an advisory on its portal for developers about an important upcoming requirement for watchOS apps. According to a one-sentence post, “starting June 1, 2016, all new watchOS apps submitted to the App Store must be native apps built with the watchOS 2 SDK or later.”

Apple is scheduled to hold its annual pilgrimage for developers, WWDC, from June 13 through June 17, 2016, or two weeks after the requirement to develop strictly native apps kicks in.

New watchOS 2.2.1 and OS X 10.11.5 betas have dropped, too

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 20, 2016

After seeding iOS 9.3.2 beta 2 to its registered developers this morning, Apple has also released new betas for its other forthcoming operating system updates: watchOS 2.2.1 and OS X 10.11.5 El Capitan. You can download watchOS 2.2.1 beta 2 (build 13V420) and OS X 10.11.5 beta 2 (build 15F24b) through Apple's Developer Center, which requires a paid account for full access, or apply them on the devices themselves through the Software Update mechanism on devices running a beta OS.

Pod Pro review: the portable Apple Watch & iPhone battery dock

Anthony Bouchard ∙ April 18, 2016

Those who need a portable battery pack for the Apple Watch that aren't so keen on just plugging the USB end into the receiver of a battery pack and letting the magnetic end dangle around everywhere are going to be hard-pressed to find a good portable battery pack made specifically for the Apple Watch's proprietary charging platform.

Fortunately, Nomad has the Pod Pro, which can be had on Amazon for $85, and is a great solution for on-the-go Apple Watch charging, and even includes a built-in Lightning cable for charging your device, whether it's an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad. We'll show you what the Pod Pro is all about in this review.