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.

Multitasking on Apple Watch and other user interface shortcuts you should memorize

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 15, 2015

Apple's Watch features a handy “multitasking” shortcut that Apple did not detail publicly. According to a Reddit user who provided an animated GIF of the feature in action, double-tapping the device's Digital Crown switches you between your two most recently opened apps.

Although it's unclear yet if the Watch has true multitasking capability found on the iPhone and iPad, this shortcut is a great time-saver that makes it easy not only to jump between actions if you are multitasking, but also to go back to the Watch face if you’ve just been in one app.

Read More

Here’s 1Password for Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated October 27, 2016

Developer AgileBits on Tuesday announced an update to its freemium password-management app for the iPhone and iPad, 1Password, which now includes Apple Watch compatibility.

So, what's managing passwords, secure notes and other confidential information is like on your wrist? According to developers, “it only takes a couple of taps” to retrieve your stored items such as a combination for your gym locker or garage door, look up your credit card number or even retrieve a one-time password on websites that use two-factor authentication for stronger security.

Read More

Apple Watch deliveries may arrive sooner than expected

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 30, 2018

Good news today for those hoping that their Apple Watches will arrive before their estimated ship dates. MacRumors reports that a reader, who emailed Tim Cook over the weekend regarding the lengthy lead times for the wearable, received a response from the executive team saying that preorders will most likely ship sooner than expected.

"[Apple] said that June preorders will most likely ship sooner than June," said reader Andrew Turko, after speaking with someone on Apple's executive relations team. "Of course he didn't make any promises, but that's the reason Apple is announcing such an extended ship date after all - to avoid disappointment through false guarantees."

Read More

About that hidden Apple Watch port…

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 13, 2015

Both review versions of the Watch Apple sent to journalists and demo units available in retail stores sport a hidden, undocumented port that Apple chose not to talk about publicly.

Resembling the Lightning connector on iPhones and iPads, it's reportedly used for diagnostics and direct access to the Watch's operating system, TechCrunch said in March. Slipping off the bottom strap connector slot of the Watch reveals the hidden port.

Based on social media postings and images Daring Fireball's John Gruber shared last weekend, it's basically a 6-dot brass contact array.

In this post, I'm going to lay down a few possible uses for the mysterious port and explain why I think it's crucial that Watches that'll be shipping into customers' hands on April 24 come outfitted with it.

Read More

Switzerland is indeed in trouble…

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 13, 2015

When Apple's design chief Jonathan Ive opined ahead of the Apple Watch unveiling last year that Switzerland was in trouble, many commentators waved off the comment as pure marketing talk.

But surveys cited in today's note by Key Banc researches clearly show that a much stronger-than-anticipated reception to the device may indeed give fashionable watch brands a pause.

The truth is, sales of traditional watches have already slowed as would-be buyers were holding off purchases in the wake of the Apple Watch's arrival.

Read More

Survey: 1M Watches sold on Friday in US, Sport models most popular

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 1, 2017

The “disappointing” Apple Watch has seen an estimated 957,000 sales on its first day of pre-orders in the United States alone, filing as better-than-expected initial success than its first iPhone or the iPod. By comparison, Apple sold a millionth iPhone after 74 days. It took 28 days to get to that milestone with the iPad and two years with the iPod.

According to a poll of 9,080 online shoppers by Slice Intelligence, which measures digital commerce by tracking consumer e-receipts, an average of 1.3 Watches were purchased per customer, with $503.83 spent per item, indicating some fans bought more than one device.

Read More

Apple Watch pre-orders: what we wanted vs. what we got

Oliver Haslam ∙ April 10, 2015

It's been quite the day for Apple today with not just one new product in its stores, but two. Both the new MacBook and the Apple Watch have arrived in stores, though the former isn't actually stocked for purchase and must be ordered online, and the latter is only available for pre-order at this time. Still, big day.

If you were one of the untold number who pre-ordered an Apple Watch today, then you probably had quite the experience. Pre-orders went live at the same time around the globe, whether that be anywhere between midnight and 3am in the States, to a much more reasonable 8am in the UK. As is always the case with these big online launches, things got messy, though it's clear Apple's servers held up considerably better than they have in the past.

The best course of action was to get all of your ducks in a row ready for go time, and if you used the iOS Apple Store app to do your ordering, then you probably got in and out before the website even went live again after its now customary downtime whenever a new product launches. If you got your order through in time, then you probably have an Apple Watch coming on day one. If not, well, it could be July. And that's not a joke.

With the vast majority of the iDB team placing orders for a range of Apple Watches today, we thought it might be fun to have a little recap not just of what we ordered, but how we found the process, and more importantly, whether we managed to order the model of Apple Watch we set out for. With stocks fluctuating and demand high, that wasn't always as simple as it may seem.

Let's get started.

Read More

First impressions: going hands-on with Apple Watch

Sébastien Page ∙ April 10, 2015

Apple opened up pre-orders for Apple Watch earlier this morning, and although these won't ship until April 24, the company has outfitted its store with hands on areas where you can try on Apple Watch, and get to have a feel for what it's like to hold the future on your wrist.

After making an appointment at my local Apple Store, I was able to try two different models, and play with one of the Apple Watches that were available for everybody to play with. These are my first impressions of Apple Watch after going hands on with a Stainless Steel with Leather Loop band, and a Space Gray aluminum with white sport band, as well as the various working units they had on display.

Read More

Tim Cook: Apple Watch pre-orders have been ‘great’

Cody Lee ∙ April 10, 2015

Tim Cook took time out of his day on Friday to visit his local Palo Alto Apple Store, to greet folks trying on the Apple Watch. The CEO shook hands, posed for photos, and fielded questions regarding Apple's highly anticipated wearable.

CNBC was on hand for the meet-and-greet and managed to speak with Cook for a moment about the Watch, and what he's seen in terms of initial response. Unsurprisingly, he says the company has been "impressed" with consumer enthusiasm.

Read More

AppleCare+ pricing for Watches revealed: $1,500 for extended Edition coverage + $1,000 per-incident fee

Christian Zibreg ∙ April 10, 2015

The full AppleCare+ extended warranty pricing for the Apple Watch is now live on the Online Apple Store. All Watch models include Apple's standard 1-year warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary support, but now these extended warranty plans are optionally available.

For the entry-level aluminum Apple Watch Sport, the AppleCare+ coverage costs $49. The mid-tier stainless steel Apple Watch models command a cost of $69 for the extended AppleCare+ coverage, while owners of the gold Edition models will need to fork out a whopping $1,500.

But that's not all.

Read More