Apple Watch stand makers are responding to watchOS 2’s Nightstand mode feature, which will turn your wearable into a makeshift alarm clock and display the time in landscape mode when it’s charging on its side. New Apple Watch docks are starting to appear to accommodate this feature ahead of the software update coming this fall.
We previously guessed Apple was going to take a chunk out of alarm clock and vertical stand makers with the new functionality it announced at its Worldwide Developers Conference keynote last week. But the market is adapting, and horizontal stands are on their way. Here are a few that look promising.
The NightStand by Elevation Lab
I think the red and blue versions of this basic model (above) look a little childish, but you can’t go wrong with the classic black. This stand is a very basic, no-frills version that just has a hole for your charging puck, some room for the cord, and that’s it. It won’t take up a lot of space on your side table, which is good because it doesn’t need to. It also has a “NanoPod” that will help it grip to your desk or stand via tiny vacuum chambers.
You can order this minimalist wonder at Elevation Lab’s website.
Dock for Apple Watch
Photo: Native Union
This “minimalist charging dock” looks like it will work in both horizontal and vertical orientations, but I can’t tell from any of the pictures on maker Native Union’s site for the Dock where the charging cable comes out. I mean, it has to emerge somewhere, right?
I imagine it just ploops out of the back/bottom, since that’s the only side they don’t show in any of the pictures. Regardless, this stand will be available for $49.99 when it launches in August.
WatchStand by Griffin Technology
Photo: Griffin Technology
If you want something with a bit more grandeur and elevation, here’s the WatchStand. It’s quite a bit bigger than the other ones we’ve shown off here, but it will hold your Apple Watch in both vertical and horizontal orientations.
It’ll set you back 30 bucks, and it looks a little bit unwieldy to me. The vertical option leaves plenty of room for the strap, but the horizontal mount leaves your wearable looking like some kind of weird trophy. Possibly for punctuality. But it does leave some extra room for your iPhone down below, and that’s a pretty convenient extra.
This cool, 3-D-printed option
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac
This version comes courtesy of maker site Thingiverse, and it’s just the thing if you have access to a 3-D printer (or know somebody who does.
It’s the simplest, most basic version that we’ve found, and all of the files to make your own are right there on the site. The dock’s creator says that “Like all my creations, it might be a bit tight, so some sanding paper might be needed. Also, this one requires support. Enjoy.” So it’s way more of a do-it-yourself option than the rest of these choices, but at least you can say that you made the thing your Watch sits on at night.
