Make Apple Watch even greater. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Got a new Apple Watch? The spending doesn’t stop there. It’s time to pick up some awesome Apple Watch accessories that will make using your device even better.
You’ll want a charging stand to enjoy Nightstand mode (and maybe even StandBy on your iPhone), a portable battery for top-ups on the go, a screen protector to keep your display free from scratches, and more. We rounded up the best options for you, so all you have to do is grab your wallet.
These are the best bands for Apple Watch in any situation. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
One of the best things about Apple Watch is the insanely wide range of awesome bands to go with it. If, like me, you’re addicted to buying bands for your Apple Watch, we’ve rounded up some of the best you can buy today to help you out.
All our picks work with Apple Watch Series 9, as well as previous versions of the device. Just be sure to pick the right size.
Take $30 off the normal price of this tiny wireless Apple Watch charger. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you’re a daily wearer of the Apple Watch, you know how awesome it is to carry so much connectivity and intel on your wrist. You’re also well aware of the frustrations that can arise from a battery that’s entering the danger zone. But this keychain Apple Watch charger can turn that around.
For a limited time, you can purchase this Apple Watch battery booster for just $16.97 (regularly $49) with no coupon necessary. That’s more than 60% off a product that will keep your smartwatch powered up no matter where the journey takes you.
Hear our first hands-on impressions of iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. Photo: Nicola Fioravanti/Unsplash License/Modified by Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: After nearly a week with Apple’s new hardware, we’re serving up our first hands-on impressions. Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max too big — and/or too hot — to handle? Is Apple Watch Ultra 2 worth the upgrade? What about Apple Watch Series 9?
And seriously, Apple … you call that pink?
Also on The CultCast:
Griffin runs us through some of the coolest new features in macOS Sonoma.
OMG we’ve already got iPhone 16 rumors.
And we wrap up with a couple of big fat bummers from our favorite source of Apple insider info and tech haikus.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
★★★★☆
Apple Watch Series 9 is a fine watch, but some of its best features won’t come until later. Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch Series 9 is the biggest year-over-year leap in recent years. It has not one, not two, but a whopping four new features, most powered by its updated chip. Apps load faster, voice dictation is near instant and the display gets both brighter in the sun and dimmer in darkness.
A couple of the best features I haven’t been able to test — double tap promises to make tapping the screen with your nose obsolete; improved connectivity with your phone will make it easier to find, if paired with a new iPhone. And with this release, Apple dips their toe into more sustainable manufacturing practices.
The Apple Watch Series 9 a good product. In the end, with big releases like this so few and far between, I can’t help but wonder if it’s close to reaching its potential.
Double-tapping index finger and thumb will open a surprising amount of watch functionality. Photo: Apple
The release of the watchOS 10.1 beta to developers on Wednesday brings the cool new “double tap” gesture that allows one-handed use of Apple Watch in certain cases (though it can’t be enabled yet).
In other words, it’s a way to operate the wearable without touching its screen. And once iOS 10.1 arrives in October, Apple Watch Series 9 and second-gen Apple Watch Ultra users can try it. However, even folks with older Apple Watches can try a version of it right now.
iOS 17 gives Apple Podcasts users a refreshed player and queue, episode art, search filters and the ability to connect subscriptions to top apps. Photo: Apple
Now you can listen to more than 100 new podcasts from various apps and services in Apple Podcasts, the company said Tuesday.
“Subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News+ and participating apps like Calm and Lingokids can connect their subscriptions to access new shows and more,” Apple noted.
Like many people, you probably love your Apple Watch. But would you lower yourself down through a toilet into the business end of an outhouse to get it back? That’s what a Michigan woman did.
The good news is she found the watch. The bad news is she got stuck in the crap and had to be rescued.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 debuted with modest but welcome upgrades. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch Ultra 2 reviews are out, and they’re positive. Modest upgrades like a brighter display, double-tap gesturing and a faster processor might not make current Ultra owners shell out for the new one, but it’s highly recommended to anyone else who wants the best rugged smartwatch. For more details on the Ultra’s features, click hereto explore.
Just because the outer design of Apple Watch Series 9 hasn't changed doesn't mean there aren't new features. Screenshot: Apple
Early reviews of Apple Watch Series 9 praise its new processor that gives the wearable a nifty Double Tap gesture and improves Siri, too. The brighter display also draws kudos from reviewers.
The 2023 version can be preordered now, and starts reaching customers on Friday.
What we got right -- and wrong -- about Apple's big "Wonderlust" event. Image: Cult of Mac
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We dissect all the biggest reveals from Apple’s “Wonderlust” event, which brought us new iPhones, Apple Watches and more. And we stare unafraid at the results of our Wonderlust predictions. We have a winner!
Also on The CultCast:
Yes, we got new iCloud+ storage plans. And Erfon’s still complaining?!?
The new iPhone colors are … 🤷
The iPhone’s USB-C enables some cool new stuff.
Listen to this week’s episode of The CultCast in the Podcasts app or your favorite podcast app. (Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review if you like it!) Or watch the video live stream, embedded below.
With eight complications, the new Modular Ultra face can show a lot of info. Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
Apple is about to launch a cool new watch face for the Apple Watch Ultra called “Modular Ultra.” If you’re looking for more variety, check out the50 best Apple Watch faces to find the perfect look for your device. The new face does a lot: It allows up to eight complications, including the customizable bezel that can show water depth, elevation or seconds. I think it looks super-cool. And just wait until you see the night mode.
We can help you pay for your next Apple Watch. Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
The entire iPhone 15 lineup goes up for preorder from Apple’s online store tomorrow morning. They might be pricey — in fact, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the most expensive iPhone yet — but there’s an easy way you can earn some quick cash to help you pay for them.
Our buyback program makes it incredibly easy to turn your old iPhone, Apple Watch and other gear into real cash. And we typically pay more than any other service. What’s more, you can get a quote now and hold onto your device until your upgrade arrives. Click here to learn more.
Find out how much you could save on your next upgrade today.
Watch the event in just 1.25% of the time. Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
You might not have time to watch the full Wonderlust keynote, where Apple spent two hours talking iPhone 15 and Apple Watch. You may not even have time to read the highlights from our coverage. Just for you, we’ve edited down Apple’s keynote to just 90 seconds.
Do you need any of Apple’s new products? Image: Apple/D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Should you buy the new iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9 (or Ultra 2) or AirPods? The new iPhones brought big changes this year. The Apple Watch and AirPods… not so much.
Now that the products are available to order, you might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade. That depends on what devices you have, so I’ve put together a buying guide with charts and a video to help you decide.
Apple included some features in its new products we weren't expecting. Image: Apple/Cult of Mac
Although tipsters worked overtime spoiling the new Apple products, revealing most of the details of the iPhone 15 series and the new Apple Watch models, Tim Cook and Co. still managed to surprise us here and there during Tuesday’s “Wonderlust” event.
Fortunately, most of the surprises were good ones.
Here are three ways Apple gave us more than we expected, but two where the tipsters steered us wrong.
Apple has a new material for its watch bands and iPhone cases. Photo: Apple
To make its products more eco-friendly, Apple introduced a new material it calls “FineWoven” today. This material, which Apple says has a “suedelike” feel, will replace the company’s existing leather accessories for the iPhone and Apple Watch.
The move is another step in Apple’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
The aluminum Apple Watch Series 9 comes in a new pink color. Photo: Apple
Apple Watch Series 9 brings a faster S9 chip that the company says will boost performance, make Siri more usable, and enable an entirely new “double tap” gesture.
“Apple Watch Series 9 has been redesigned on the inside with the all-new S9 chip, giving it a big boost in performance and capabilities,” said Deidre Caldbeck, director of Apple Watch product marketing. “It’s our most powerful Watch chip yet.”
Aside from the impressive internal updates, the 2023 Apple Watch lineup looks much the same as last year’s models.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 looks the same, but packs some big upgrades. Photo: Apple
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is here. And it builds on the original model in all the right ways.
Announced today during Apple’s “Wonderlust” event, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 packs a faster S9 chip, a newer Ultra Wideband chip and longer battery life.
We already know quite a bit about What to expect from Apple Watch Series 9. And Apple Watch Ultra 2 as well. Image: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Apple will unveil the next generation of Apple Watch on Tuesday at its Wonderlust event, but you don’t have to wait to find out what the new wearables will offer: Many of the details have leaked out already.
Here’s what we know about Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the next Apple Watch SE.
There should be plenty to love at Apple's September 12 event. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s biggest event of the year is only a few days away. On September 12, Tim Cook and Co. will reveal at least six new Apple products and possibly more.
The event is titled “Wonderlust” — Apple clearly hopes the new iPhone 15 series and fresh Apple Watch models will fill us with an uncontrollable desire to buy.
Can’t wait to find out what’s coming? We don’t blame you. Here’s everything that leaks already revealed about the handsets and wearables on Tuesday’s agenda.
Stainless steel Apple Watches are the test case for a new manufacturing process using 3D printers. Photo: Apple
Apple is testing a 3D-printer-based manufacturing process for some of its upcoming Apple Watches that could radically change how it manufactures products generally, a new report said Wednesday.
In testing, the company is using 3D printers for the stainless steel chassis of some wearables. It may prove more eco-friendly and economical, cutting down on materials needed.
As usual, everyone's trying to divine hidden meanings from Apple's latest event invitation. Image: Cult of Mac
Apple’s “Wonderlust” event invite features the Apple logo in a windswept, sandy visage. How could the artwork relate to the expected announcements of the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 coming during the Apple event on September 12?
Here is some off-the-wall speculation — the reasonable and the ridiculous.