Apple

Apple Watch: everything we know so far

Speculation has surrounded Apple Watch for years – far back into the technological dark ages when it was referred to as 'iWatch' – but, despite being exceedingly more enlightened at present, we still don't know everything about Apple's long-awaited wearable.

That will change on Monday when Apple's 'Spring Forward' event goes live, at which time more information about Apple Watch is expected to release, including prices and additional features. After the event, those attending will likely be able to go hands-on with an array of fully functioning Apple Watches in the white structure going up beside the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

The team at iDownloadBlog will be covering the keynote as it happens, per usual. Until then, however, tech and fashion enthusiasts must occupy themselves with the facts given us by Apple and leaks from other sources. As a result, we've compiled everything we know and think we know about Apple Watch.

Banks becoming more stringent on Apple Pay sign-ups following fraud

The Wall Street Journal reports that many banks are becoming more strict on the sign-up process for adding cards to Apple Pay, as many crooks are loading stolen credit cards on the mobile payment system found on the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, and soon Apple Watch.

While the Apple Pay system isn't actively creating fraud, criminals who already have stolen credit cards are able to easily load them to the mobile wallet due to lax procedures and are able to use them in-stores, evading authorities.

Screenshots show WhatsApp for iOS’ calling feature currently in beta

Italian blog iPhoneItalia has posted a series of screenshots showing the new calling feature currently in beta testing for WhatsApp, the hugely popular communications app owned by Facebook.

WhatsApp has been rolling out the functionality to select users as part of a beta testing program over the past few months, with plans to release it to the public in the near future. Since more texts in the world are being sent through WhatsApp than traditional SMS, the new VOIP calling from WhatsApp could be a very big deal.

Apple’s Eddy Cue details Apple Pay on Apple Watch at NBA game

Apple's software boss Eddy Cue, an avid Golden State Warriors fan, was on-hand at Oracle arena in Oakland on Saturday to help with the official rollout of Apple Pay at the team store, the second such to support the mobile payment technology.

While we expect many details for the Apple Watch to be revealed on Monday, Mashable reports Cue, who was wearing a stainless steel Apple Watch, offered details on how Apple Pay will work with the wearable.

Apple Watch: new details about battery life, apps, features and more emerge

Apple has managed to improve the battery life of the Apple Watch to support 5 hours of heavy application use, reports 9to5Mac. Ahead of Monday's event, the site has heard this and other previously unknown details from sources who have hands-on experience with the wearable.

The improvement in battery life should ensure that the Watch will last a full day with mixed heavy and passive use. However, the site makes it clear that users will still need to charge the device every night, as the battery is not strong enough to last a full second day without renewal.

Apple’s upcoming subscription music service apparently won’t offer ad-driven free tier

Apple's subscription-based music-streaming service based on Beats technology will not include a free tier supported by advertising akin to iTunes Radio, Re/code reported Friday morning.

This doesn't exclude the possibility of a time-limited trial for new customers, the publication added. According to unnamed sources who have talked to Apple executives, led by SVP Eddy Cue and Beats Music co-founder Jimmy Iovine, the music business “needs to get behind a paywall.”

Amazon Game Studios announces four new mobile games coming to iOS platform

Amazon Game Studios, a games-publishing arm of the online retail giant, announced it will soon be bringing four new iPhone and iPad games to the iOS platform.

“We’re excited to share that two new games, Lost Within and Til Morning’s Light along with customer favorites Tales From Deep Space and To-Fu Fury, will be coming soon to iOS and more Fire devices,” said the studio in a media release Friday.

Apple to replace AT&T on the Dow on March 18

Apple of California will replace AT&T in the Dow Jones Industrial Average after the close of trading on March 18, Reuters reported this morning. The famed Dow Jones Industrial Average is indicative of the overall market health so Apple joining and replacing the nation's second-largest carrier on the index is certainly an encouraging sign for the economy.

Because the Dow is a weighted average of absolute stock price (unlike other indices), Apple was unable to join the Dow until its seven-to-one stock split, which took place in June of last year.