watchOS

Apple unveils watchOS 3 with Instant Launch, Control Center, Reminders, Scribble input and more

Aside from a number of other software-related announcements, the WWDC 2016 keynote at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco also gave us watchOS 3, the third major installment of the wearable operating system that powers the Apple Watch.

As much as watchOS 2 was about optimizing the experience with support for native apps, its successor focuses on improving that experience further with things like Control Center, a Reminders app, instant launch of applications and more.

Viber gains iCloud backup, support for sending money, animated GIFs and more

Messaging service Viber this morning pushed a new update to its App Store app, adding several new long overdue features. For starters, iPhone users can now back up and restore their chat history through iCloud, making keeping their conversations after an iOS restore possible.

The application now has a brand new native watchOS 2 app for your wrist with canned responses on your Apple Watch. Other new features in this edition of Viber include support for sending and receiving animated GIF images, sending money from within the app and low-rate Viber Out calling plans via a redesigned screen.

Mark Gurman shares more details about upcoming WWDC announcements, new iPhones, and more

While in between two jobs, reporter Mark Gurman appeared on the latest episode of The Jay & Farhad Show podcast, where he shared more details about what we might see at WWDC this year, including new iOS features and design tweaks. Gurman also revealed more information about this year and next year's iPhone models.

While most of Gurman details were already known or rumored for a while, he did also offer information about features we hadn't heard of until now.

Developer manages to run Windows 95 on an Apple Watch

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.

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

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

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.

Timeframe: the Apple Watch desk stand that doubles as a case

Fellow Apple Watch users, the Timeframe by Ten One Design is a wonderful way to enjoy Night Stand mode while it charges at night.

Moreover, it'll still feel as though your device is well-protected from falls or pets that might like to climb up on your night stand at night because it offers a protective bezel that surrounds all of the delicate parts of the device.

In this review, we'll walk you through our thoughts on the Timeframe.

Apple seeds watchOS 2.2.1 to developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of watch OS 2.2.1 to the members of its Apple Developer Program. The pre-release software can be installed on an Apple Watch through the My Watch → General → Software Update section within the companion Watch app running on an iPhone with the new iOS 9.3.2 beta, which was also seeded to developers this morning.

The software came with a build number of 13V413 and arrived approximately two weeks following the public release of the watchOS 2.2 firmware, a minor update for the Apple Watch that brought out an improved Maps app, support for multi-watch pairing and other tidbits.

Ottm Apple Watch bands are made of 100% hardwood

When it comes to wearable technology, such as the Apple Watch and many other competing smartwatches on the market, fashion plays a big role. This isn't just something you take in and out of your pocket all day long; it's something you wear.

For that reason, a startup is launching an Indiegogo campaign for a new Apple Watch band made completely of wood, and it's being called Ottm.

Ottm will come in different kinds of wood colors and fit both 38mm and 42mm Apple Watches, as well as other smartwatches, and they're hand-crafted to ensure they're of the highest quality possible.

watchOS 2.2 launches with Nearby in Maps, pairing of multiple watches and more

In addition to the major iOS 9.3 software update for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, a companion software update for the Apple Watch released this morning, too. The new watchOS 2.2 firmware is now available as an over-the-air download in the companion Watch app for the iPhone.

watchOS 2.2 is not as major a release as iOS 9.3 or OS X 10.11.4 so ti includes only a few improvements such as the Nearby feature in Apple's Maps app, the ability to pair multiple watches to a single iPhone and more.

Apple drops Apple Watch price to $299 as it introduces new bands

Apple took the stage on Monday at the 'Let us loop you in' event to discuss some new Apple statistics and services, but it was soon followed by new information regarding the Apple Watch.

Along with a notable price drop, Apple Watch users are getting access to new Apple Watch bands with not only new materials, but even some new colors for existing wrist bands.

How to watch Apple’s ‘Let us loop you in’ event live

Apple will be streaming its 'Let us loop you in' media event live on the company's website. The Cupertino-based company is expected to unveil a number of new products related to iPhone, iPad, and the Apple Watch, but we'll have to wait and see to know for sure.

If you'll be tuning in to watch the Apple event live on your computer, there are some requirements you'll have to meet, and we'll touch on those requirements in this piece so you're prepared for it.