Important new products and services were all highlights of the Apple “Time Flies” September event. Photo illustration: Cult of Mac/Apple
Apple executives took to virtual stages on Tuesday to unveil a parade of important new products at its “Time Flies” event. The much-anticipated Apple Watch made its debut, and a cheaper version too. And the iPad Air got a massive upgrade. Plus, there are new services and more.
Here’s why you shouldn’t overlook anything Apple just announced.
For the first time, there's a Product Red Apple Watch. Photo: Apple
With a built-in blood-oxygen sensor, the new Apple Watch Series 6 puts health front and center, making it the perfect smartwatch for a pandemic.
The new Apple Watch also comes in several new colors, including blue and red, and naturally it comes with multiple new watch faces. There’s even several new types of bands, including the stretchy Solo Loop, which comes in seven colors.
Get ready to make your Workout app work for you. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
If you’re an Apple Watch fitness freak and you’ve never tweaked the Workout app’s settings, you’re in for a treat. You can heavily customize the way it displays data, so you can make the most of your workouts.
We’ll show you how in Cult of Mac Magazine. Also in this week’s free issue, find out everything you need to know about Apple’s big Sept. 15 event.
Download the iOS mag to read it on your iPad or iPhone. Or head below to get the headlines in your browser.
Have you found the right Workout app layout for you? Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
At first glance, the Apple Watch Workout app seems pretty simple. You just tap the start button and get all sweaty. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. A lot more.
You can customize its layout in hundreds of different ways, changing the text size, position, metrics and even adding a chart of your progress. Even if you use the app every day, chances are you still haven’t discovered all its secrets.
So check out our top 10 Workout app tips and get set for a more effective workout.
A low-cost wearable that’s been dubbed ‘Apple Watch SE’ could be on the docket Apple’s Sept. 15 event. Illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Details of what’s been called the “Apple Watch SE” may have leaked out. An unconfirmed report indicates this model will have the same design as the wearable this company released in 2018, but with some of the high-end features stripped out. That will make it a lower-cost option.
With Force Touch dead, there's a new way to wipe alerts. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
This year’s watchOS 7 upgrade kills the handy Force Touch gesture we’ve been using on Apple Watch for over five years. That means there’s a new (and not so easy) way to clear all your notifications.
The Quatro Wireless Power Bank can recharge an Apple Watch on the go. Photo: Satechi
Satechi’s Quatro Wireless Power Bank stands out from the pack by including a built-in Apple Watch charger. It can also wirelessly power an iPhone. In addition, the 10,000 mAh external battery has USB-C and USB-A ports. That gives it a total of four ways to charge — hence the “quatro” name.
Apple’s next virtual event will take place on September 15 — but don’t expect to see the new iPhone 12 models.
The big announcements for the “Time Flies” event that Apple announced Tuesday will likely be the new Apple Watch and iPad. The Apple Watch Series 6 could feature blood-oxygen tracking. Meanwhile, the iPad Air 4 could borrow a design from the iPad Pro — but retain Touch ID.
It's that time of year again. Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac
It’s officially Apple hardware season. With new gear coming as early as next week, the rumors and leaks are coming in fast and furious. Read the latest to get an idea what to expect in the near future from iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Apple TV and maybe even some high-end Apple headphones.
Get those rumors, plus the rest of the week’s top Apple news, how-tos and reviews, in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. Download it to read for free on your iPad or iPhone. Or scroll below to get the headlines in your browser.
You might not have to kill Siri to fix its annoyances. Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
Are you sick of Siri on Apple Watch butting into your conversations? Prevent it by customizing the way Siri works, or by disabling it altogether. It’s easy to do and it fixes one of Apple Watch’s biggest annoyances.
That case isn't fooling anyone. Photo: AppleDemoYT
New photos reveal an original Apple Watch prototype apparently used for internal testing before the wearable made its official debut in 2015.
The device is protected by a security case, which looks a little like an iPod nano, to disguise it during transportation. It also comes in a brown cardboard box marked “Apple Confidential.”
Apple Watch’s next big refresh won’t land in September as recent reports have predicted, according to one reliable leaker. Fans could be waiting until October or November instead.
It is believed the iPhone 12 lineup will also launch later than usual this year as a result of production delays from COVID-19.
2020's iPad Air could be the best one yet. Photo: Apple
Sources familiar with Apple’s plans have confirmed to Bloomberg that a new iPad Air and Apple Watch refresh are on their way this fall.
The unnamed insiders corroborate recent leaks that indicate the new iPad Air will have an edge-to-edge display, like iPad Pro. The new Apple Watch is expected to come in two very different variants.
Bands, stands, cases, and more at up to 72% off. Photo: Cult of Mac
The Cult of Mac Store’s big back-to-school sale kicks off today with sweet discounts on awesome iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and Mac accessories from Elago, Just Mobile, Mujjo and Twelve South.
Save up to 72% on brilliant bands, stands, cases, and more, with prices starting at a mere $9.95. The discounts are good for a limited time only, so enjoy them while you can!
Apple could have a 2020 iPad Air on the docket with an even larger display. Photo: Apple
A listing of multiple unknown tablets by the Eurasian Economic Commission seemingly confirms that Apple will soon introduce a range of new 2020 iPad models.
The same source also says multiple Apple Watch models running watchOS 7 are about to be released.
Bucardo's Arrow charm is a symbol of strength, courage, and protection. Photo: Kristal Chan/Cult of Mac
Bucardo has been slashing prices across its entire lineup of unique, luxury necklaces for Apple Watch. Get yours, made from premium materials and finished with Swarovski crystals, for as little as $49.
On August 30, win this badge in an Activity Challenge inspired by national parks. Photo: Apple
The National Park Service service turns 104 on Tuesday, and to help celebrate, there is a new Apple Pay donation program and special content collections on Apple TV and the App Store. Plus, there’s an upcoming Apple Watch Activity Challenge.
Apple Watch Series 5 sold especially well in the first half of 2020, raking in plenty of revenue. Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac
The Apple Watch essentially launched the smartwatch category, and continues to dominate it. And rather than competitors catching up, Apple’s share of this market in increasing. It took in 51.4% of the worldwide revenue from shipments of smartwatches during the first half of 2020, a significant rise from the same period last year.
A less-expensive Apple Watch is just one of the predictions made today by a serial leaker. Illustration: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
A regular source of Apple leaks said on Thursday that a less expensive version of the Apple Watch is in the offing.
This was just one of multiple tidbits Jon Prosser dropped during a public Q&A session. He mentioned the first MacBook with Apple silicon, talked a bit about the company’s game controller, and more.
Ideal for Apple Watch owners always on the move. Photo: Monowear
Wondering where you should store all your spare Apple Watch bands? You definitely don’t want to lose them, so instead, keep them safe and secure in the brilliant new Monochest case from Monowear.
The Monochest not only holds three spare bands, but it also has space for your Apple Watch and its charger. Everything stays tidy, and it’s ready to go whenever you travel.
We love Apple Watch the way it is. And we can't wait for Cupertino to make it even better. Cover: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
When Apple Watch Series 6 arrives — early next month, if history and this week’s leak are any indication — what new features will it bring?
As usual, Cupertino’s pretty locked down. But we hope we’ll get some or all of the bells and whistles in this week’s cover story: What do you add to the smartwatch that has everything? It’s our wish list for Apple Watch Series 6.
Read it in this week’s free issue of Cult of Mac Magazine or get the links below. (There’s plenty of other Apple news, reviews and how-tos in it as well.).
This week on The CultCast: New Apple hardware is incoming, and thanks to a reliable leaker, we might know the release dates for iPhone 12, Apple Watch Series 6 and more. We’ll tell you what to expect. Plus, it’s Apple stock adventure, part 2! I talk about my massive Apple stock purchase, including how much I spent, why I’m buying in now, and how much my investment is now worth. We talk real numbers!
And if you’ve been thinking about getting a new Mac with the butterfly keyboard, don’t do it until you hear this episode, cause with COVID-19 shutdowns, keyboard repairs are now a total nightmare.
Our thanks to Netgear for supporting this episode. The Netgear Orbi WiFi 6 router gives you ultra-fast speeds and wider coverage throughout your home. Learn why Orbi are so insanely powerful at Netgear.com/bestwifi6.
Will Apple Watch Series 6 get a svelte new look? Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac
Apple Watch is almost due for its annual hardware update, which comes like clockwork every September. First came the addition of GPS, then cellular, a thinner case with a bigger screen, a compass, and even an ECG heart monitor.
With each new model, Cupertino’s wearable creeps closer to perfection, which presents a bit of a problem. What do you add to the smartwatch that has everything?
Here’s my top 10 wish list of features I’m hoping Apple has up its sleeve.
Google Maps fans can now get turn-by-turn directions on their Apple Watch. Photo: Cult of Mac/Google
A version of Google Maps for the Apple Watch starts rolling on Monday. The goal of this app is to allow users to navigate by car, bike, public transit or on foot, without having to look at an iPhone.
Also, Google Maps for Apple’s CarPlay Dashboard got some convenient new features today.