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.

Jony Ive: creating Apple Watch posed more challenges than iPhone development

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2014

Creating the Apple Watch, Apple's first new category device since Steve Jobs's passing in late 2011, posed more challenges than iPhone development due to social expectations around wearing a pocket computer on one's wrist, Apple's design tzar Jony Ive told The Wall Street Journal on Friday.

Ive and his team are largely responsible for the look and feel of Apple's hardware over the past two decades, and since 2011 have been tasked with stewardship of the software and all design across the company.

Here are a few soundbites from the interview.

New ‘WatchSpring’ tweak brings a real working Apple Watch inspired UI replacement to the iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

It started as a concept, it grew to a mockup, and now it's somewhat of a reality. Earlier today, WatchSpring, a tweak that brings an Apple Watch inspired user interface to the iPhone, was released to the public.

WatchSpring, brought to life by developer Kigg, more or less completely replaces the stock SpringBoard in favor of the radical looking Apple Watch-like interface. This tweak allows you to actually use the interface to launch the apps installed on your phone, along with perusing the Home screen. It's a real working tweak, and we have a hands-on video demonstrating it inside.

Here’s how to install the Apple Watch UI concept on your iPhone

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Yesterday, we posted an article showcasing a developer's concept of the Apple Watch UI running on the iPhone. The response was mixed, but it leaned more towards the positive end of the spectrum than I anticipated.

Seeing someone demo a concept on video is one thing, but trying it for yourself is something altogether different. Thanks to developer Lucas Menge, who made the project open source, the code has been compiled and posted as a Cydia package. This means that everyone can now try out the Apple Watch UI concept on their iPhone.

After the break, watch me demonstrate and comment on the Apple Watch UI running on my iPhone 6 Plus. I also showcase how you can get the Apple Watch concept on your iPhone to try out yourself.

Tim Cook talks Apple Watch battery, Apple Pay numbers and more in WSJ interview

Cody Lee ∙ October 28, 2014

Tim Cook took the stage earlier tonight at the Wall Street Journal’s inaugural WSJ.D Live conference at the Montage resort in Laguna Beach, California. The CEO participated in a lengthy interview, as well as a Q&A session, which produced some pretty interesting tidbits regarding Apple and its products.

Of course, given that Cook has done a handful of high profile interviews in recent months, you've probably heard some of the stuff mentioned at tonight's event. However, he does offer up some new information regarding Apple Watch battery life, why the iPod classic was discontinued, and other morsels.

Here’s what the Apple Watch UI looks like on an iPhone [video]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 27, 2014

When the Apple Watch was revealed, it displayed a fairly drastic UI change from the way a typical iPad or iPhone works. The UI showcased many app icons on screen and once, and they could be zoomed in and out via the watch's digital crown.

That UI seems to fit in fairly well with the watch, given that device's limitations on screen real estate. But how would a similar UI work on the iPhone? Would it even work at all?

Developer Lucas Menge helps to answer that question via an open source mockup showcasing the Apple Watch UI on his iPhone 5s. The result is a fairly eye-opening display that may convince some that the Apple Watch UI could indeed work on a large screen device. Have a look inside at the awesome video, and let us know what you think.

How to use Apple Pay

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

As expected, Apple rolled out Apple Pay to the masses today, courtesy of its iOS 8.1 update for eligible devices. Apple Pay, as you know, allows users to make in-app and online purchases using certain devices equipped with a Touch ID sensor, and in-store purchases using the NFC chips found in the recently released iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of setting up Apple Pay, including adding eligible credit cards, along with making in-app, and in-store purchases.

WatchKit SDK rolling out in November for developers

Jeff Benjamin ∙ October 16, 2014

Developers, get ready! Apple's software developer kit for the Apple Watch, aptly dubbed WatchKit, will be available next month in November. Already, developers from Starwood, BMW, and others have worked with Apple to create apps specifically for the Apple Watch. What type of Apple Watch apps will we see? It seems that the sky is the limit.

Apple to stop selling Fitbit products in stores

Cody Lee ∙ Updated May 10, 2017

Apple may soon stop selling Fitbit device in its retail stores, according to Recode. The outlet says that its source gave no meaningful reason for why it's decided to pull the products, but it may have something to do with its upcoming Apple Watch.

Introduced at last month's media event, the Apple Watch is billed as a device capable of handling a number of smartphone tasks, as well as tracking and analyzing various health and fitness data. This would put it in direct competition with Fitbit.

Design concept reimagines popular iOS apps for Apple Watch

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

When Apple launches the Apple Watch early next year, it will mark the beginning of a new platform for developers. Thanks to WatchKit, the device will support third party applications, including extensions for current iOS apps and new standalone software.

With this in mind, a couple of graphic artists have created a design concept that reimagines what popular iOS apps would look like with an Apple Watch-style interface. Posted to Behance, the images include concepts for Skype, Instagram, Twitter and more.

GT Advanced bankruptcy unlikely to affect Apple Watch production

Cody Lee ∙ October 7, 2014

GT Advanced's decision to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will not affect supplies of upcoming Apple Watch, says KGI Securities' Ming-Chi Kuo. In a note to investors this morning, the well-connected analyst says that because the device's screen is so small, Apple can turn to other suppliers for sapphire if need be.

Kuo notes that aside from GTAT, Apple is already working with a handful of other sapphire ingot (or cast) suppliers including Hansol and Harbin Aurora Optoelectronics. Because Watch drop-test requirements aren't as stringent as they are for smartphones, general sapphire manufacturing processes are adequate.

Apple’s design czar Jony Ive talks Apple Watch development and more in Vogue interview

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 1, 2014

Jony Ive, Apple's Senior Vice President of all Design across the company, sat down for an interview with Robert Sullivan of the fashion magazine Vogue.

Published today, the interview offers a rare look at “the man behind the Apple Watch” and covers a number of topics, including Ive's long-running friendship with fellow industrial designer Marc Newson, who himself recently joined Apple's design team.

Ive touches on a number of other topics as well, such as his passion for handcrafted objects and the design process behind Apple Watch development.

You will use a dedicated iPhone app to put apps on and manage your Apple Watch

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 30, 2014

Rather than browse an App Store for third-party Apple Watch software on the device's tiny Retina touchscreen, fans will be instead using a dedicated iPhone app to manage their Apple smartwatch and apps, Ariel Adams noted two days ago in his hands-on article on A Blog To Watch.

The iPhone app, he learned, will be used to download apps onto the Apple Watch, “as well as likely manage Apple Watch settings”.