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My favorite accessories for the Apple Watch Series 4

The Apple Watch Series 4 is perhaps one of my favorite tech gadgets of all time, and as you might come to expect, I use a plethora of third-party accessories to augment my Apple Watch experience.

I’m far from the only Apple Watch Series 4 user in the world, but that’s not to say everyone knows about the best gadgets that can be paired with Apple's smartwatch. For that reason, I’ve compiled this list of my favorite accessories with the hope that it might help some of you in your search.

Check out Nike’s four new Sports bands for Apple Watch

Footwear, apparel and sports accessories giant Nike on Monday announced four new bands for Apple Watch, designed to color-match the company's new Air VaporMax Flyknit “Day to Night” running shoe collection. The new bands work with any Apple Watch model, not just with the special-edition Apple Watch Nike+ collection, and are made from a flexible fluoroelastomer material that's lightweight and perforated for ventilation and sweat management, like other Sports bands.

The new bands are priced at $49 each as with other Sports bands.

They'll be available via Nike's online and retail stores on June 1, and Apple.com, select Apple Authorized Resellers and select specialty and department stores in early June.

The new Air VaporMax Flyknit “Day to Night” running shoe collection celebrates runners whenever they choose to run: at twilight, sunset and everything in between. Each of the new (previously unavailable) band colors is inspired by a shade of the sky, from dawn to dusk, according to the apparel giant.

The new band collection was designed to allow runners to “make a statement by matching their Apple Watch Nike+ bands to their footwear,” reads the press release. Nike's new running shoe collection launches next Thursday, June 1, at 10am, priced at $190.

In April 2017, Apple and NikeLab launched another limited-edition Apple Watch in the form of Apple Watch NikeLab, which pairs a Space Gray aluminum case with a new Light Bone band in a creamy color combination with black perforations.

Nike's new Light Bone/Black band combination for Apple Watch NikeLab coordinates nicely with their similarly neutral-toned “Oreo” and “White/Blue” VaporMax sneakers.

watchOS 3.2 added some new unique face colors, including the new band-matching Blue Orbit and Violet Dust options for Apple Watch Nike+ wearers and Camellia, Flamingo, Pollen, Mist Blue, Azure and Pebble as the new watch face color options for all Apple Watch models.

Nike began selling standalone versions of its unique Sports bands for Apple Watch earlier this year. Last but not least, earlier this month the company began selling iPhone 7 cases based on its Rosche and Air Force 1 sneakers, priced at $35 each.

Apple recently refreshed its own band lineup for Apple Watch with some interesting new Spring-themed straps.

BGR: Next Apple Watch to use smart bands for game-changing diabetes treatment tech

Apple is reportedly working on a “game-changing” diabetes treatment technology for Apple Watch Series 3 which will allegedly use interchangeable “smart watch bands” said to contain specialized built-in sensors.

That's according to a source familiar with Apple’s plans who spoke with BGR. The iPhone maker has reportedly “identified the right part of the body and there’s so much more they can and intend to do with the watch,” said the source.

Jonathan Geller, who runs BGR, speculates that the glucose monitoring feature could use Apple's smart band system rather than being built into the watch hardware.

“Apple also plans to introduce interchangeable smart watch bands that add various functionality to Apple Watch without added complexity, and without increasing the price of the watch itself,” the author wrote.

30 million people suffer from diabetes in the US, as per the American Diabetes Association.

Currently, the only way to properly measure blood sugar levels is by using a blood sample or a device that penetrates the skin. That could change soon, if these reports are anything to go by.

Last week, CNBC learned that the Cupertino company has been developing non-invasive sensors that would continuously monitor blood sugar levels.

The super secret initiative is allegedly focused on developing optical sensors that would shine a light through the skin in order to measure indications of glucose.

Apple is even conducting feasibility trials at clinical sites across the Bay Area.

CNBC says Apple hired consultants to deal with regulatory approvals, yet another indication that these smart Apple Watch bands with built-in sensors could in fact see the light of day.

Apple is expected to preview a major new version of watchOS at WWDC next month.

Some great alternatives to the Apple Watch Nike+ band

We were really bummed when we found out that the stylish fluoroelastomer bands shown with the Apple Watch Nike+ are exclusive to the model. This means that those of us who already own an Apple Watch can't purchase these bands separately.

Luckily, we were able to track down some Apple Watch bands on Amazon that take inspiration from the Nike band design. Obviously they aren't made with the same quality or materials, but for those in search of alternatives, here are some good ones.

Nomad’s Silicone Strap for Apple Watch is both durable and comfortable

If you've been tuning into iDB lately, then you probably know we’re big fans of Nomad’s Apple Watch wrist straps here. My colleague Sebastien recently shared his own opinion on the leather strap they offer, but the company also has a rugged silicone option as well.

Coupled with a custom lug design that gives the Apple Watch a more masculine appearance and quality materials that feel like they’re going to last a long time, it’s hard to go wrong with any Nomad-branded Apple Watch wrist strap. That said, the vulcanized LSR silicone strap is just another quality piece we’d like to take the time to show you in this review.