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Apple Watch credited for explosive growth in wearable market

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Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Chances are you'll see quite a few more of these in the coming years.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Makers of wearable electronics need to thank the Apple Watch for the rapidly growing wearable market, itself poised to see even more stunning gains in the coming year.

“From 2015 through 2017, smartwatch adoption will have 48 percent growth largely due to Apple popularizing wearables as a lifestyle trend,” said Angela McIntyre, director at research firm, Gartner.

Apple plans March 15 event for iPad Air 3 and iPhone 5se unveiling

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iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
iPad Air 3 will pick up some tricks from the iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

The grand unveiling of Apple’s newest iPad and iPhone is reportedly just over a month away.

Although the iPhone-maker usually waits until fall to reveal its latest and greatest iOS devices, a new report claims Apple has set its sights on March 15 as the date for its first big keynote of 2016.

Apple might unveil Pencil-ready iPad Air 3 in March

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ipad-stylus-creation-apps
The iPad Air will reportedly be updated in March.
Photo: Apple

It appears we won’t have to wait much longer to see what the next-generation iPad Air will look like.

Apple plans to unveil the iPad Air 3 at a special event in March, according to a new report, which claims new Apple Watch hardware will also get some stage time during the keynote.

Apple Watch beats Rolex in luxury brands ranking

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Not everybody who bought the Apple Watch is wearing it.
The Apple Watch was the only smartwatch which made the list.
Photo: Apple

The Apple Watch has displaced Rolex on a list of luxury global brands, as measured by analytics firm NetBase, measuring social media mentions and consumer sentiment from more than 700 million posts between 2014 and 2015.

The Apple Watch took the no. 1 place in the list’s “watches” category — made all the more impressive by the fact that it was the only smartwatch featured. Other watchmakers it outranked included Tag Heuer, Richemont, Curren and Patek Phillippe.

Nifty app uses Morse code to send Apple Watch messages

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IMG_0004
Who would've thought a dot and a dash could solve all your messaging problems?
Photo: Patryk Laurent

Although there are ways of messaging people with the Apple Watch — either with Siri dictation, or using pre-written responses and emojis — as far as I know, no-one has yet come up with the perfect method for typing and sending messages from the device itself, without needing to whip out your iPhone to help do so.

That’s exactly the problem Patryk Laurent, cognitive scientist working at the Brain Corporation in San Diego — and an avid Apple Watch fan — has set out out to solve. His solution is a nifty homemade app, which allows users to input their messages using Morse code.

Yes, it’s every bit as geeky and awesome as it sounds.

Why Apple’s earnings call might be a shocker

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Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
Apple raked in the cash last quarter.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple is set to reveal how much money it made over the 2015 holiday shopping season, and per usual, it’s expected to be a record-breaker.

Tim Cook and Luca Maestri will dive into all the details of Apple’s Q1 2016 earnings report tomorrow at 2 p.m. Pacific but there’s really only one number Wall Street really wants to know: total iPhones sales. Even though Apple may record its highest earnings ever, some analysts are predicting that iPhone sales may have declined for the first time, which could send Apple’s stock price sinking.

Here are six things to watch for during Apple’s Q1 2016 earnings call:

Wireless EarPods, upgrading iOS, Apple’s awesome new music app and more

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How will Apple's next EarPod revolution change things for the better?
Apple's next-gen wireless EarPods could wow our ears in amazing ways.
Cover design: Stephen Smith/Cult of Mac

Will Apple’s wireless EarPods change the way we hear? Why should you upgrade to the latest iOS version? How can you create a musical masterpiece with just a guitar and your iPhone?

You’ll find answers to these and other burning questions in this week’s edition of Cult of Mac Magazine. Grab the latest issue today and get the week’s best Apple news, all wrapped up in a shiny package that’s perfect for your iPad or iPhone.

Here are this week’s top stories.

Hermès’ pricey Apple Watch bands are now available online

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The Hermes Double Tour band is now available for everyone.
The Hermes Double Tour band is now available for everyone.
Photo: Apple

You don’t have to visit select Apple Stores to get your wrists on Hermès’ special Apple Watch bands anymore.

After debuting this Fall as limited edition pieces only available at Hermès’ and Apple retail stores, the stylish leather straps can now be purchased via the online Apple Store by any unhip nerd with a credit card.

WATCHe app makes Apple Watch look oldfangled

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WATCHe app
WATCHe lets you turn your Apple Watch into a mechanical timepiece. Kind of.
Photo: Evan Killham/Cult of Mac

A new app for your fancy Apple Watch delivers a super-cool and stylish education on the inner workings of actual watches.

The free app, called WATCHe, shows you the time. Obviously, your Apple Watch can already do that on its own, but the app ups the class by simulating the gears, cogs, springs and movements of an analog watch. And it might actually teach you something.

Apple Watch Hermès wings its way online Friday

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Hermes Apple Watch bands are now available on their own.
Hermes Apple Watch bands are now available on their own.
Photo: Apple

The bulk of the country is about to get some very good news for their senses of style — and bad news for their bank accounts: The super-luxe Apple Watch Hermès will be available for purchase online at the end of this week.

Up to now, you’ve had to live in (or travel to) specific Apple and boutique stores in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, or Toronto to pick up the especially fancy editions of the Apple Watch. But starting Friday, you’ll just have to go to either Apple or Hermès’ official sites to score one of your own.

How to flip your Apple Watch for surprise benefits

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Turn that crown upside down!
Turn that crown upside down!
Photo: Rob LeFebvre/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch is designed with the Digital Crown in the same place as where traditional watches have their own crown to set the time. It’s a design choice that helps us think of this new tiny computer on our wrist as something comfortable and familiar.

But there’s no reason the Digital Crown should remain on the right, as it defaults to if you’re wearing your Apple Watch on your left wrist.

In fact, flipping it around can make things on your Apple Watch even better. Check it out.

Jeb Bush has a radical strategy to change Tim Cook’s mind on encryption

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"Tim? Are you still there?"
Photo: Des Moines Register

Cybersecurity and civilian data become a hot topic at the end of last night’s GOP debate with Apple getting caught in the crossfire. Candidates criticized the company for its decision to keep customer data private, but Apple fanboy Jeb Bush revealed he has a radical strategy that will get Tim Cook to change his stance on encryption: ask really nicely.

Groupon bundles offer best deal yet on Apple Watch

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Get an Apple Watch Sport plus a bunch of free accessories.
Get an Apple Watch Sport plus a bunch of free accessories.
Photo: Groupon

Looking to pick up an Apple Watch but don’t want to spend extra on watch bands or a charging stand?

Groupon has your dream bundle, then, with a Sport edition of Apple’s famous wearable, along with third-party knockoffs of the Milanese Loop and leather strap and a charging stand all for the price of the actual Apple Watch.

Microsoft wants you to trade in your Apple Watch for a Band 2

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Apple Watch Update
Microsoft wants you to ditch your Apple wearable.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch may have record high levels of user satisfaction, but Microsoft wants you to throw in the towel and trade it for the second-generation Microsoft Band.

To convince customers, it’s even offering a new trade-in program that, depending on the model, could give you up to $250 for your Apple Watch. For those keeping score, that means you can get your hands on Redmond’s newly-launched wearable sequel without having to pay a single (extra) cent for it.

Transforming Apple Watch strap is more than meets the eye

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Screen Shot 2016-01-14 at 14.39.41
How a future Apple Watch could attach to your fridge or MacBook.
Photo: USPTO/Apple

Apple has come out with some gorgeous bands for the Apple Watch, but if a patent application published today is to be believed, future Apple Watch straps may get a whole lot more useful.

Specifically, the patent application describes a magnetic band capable of folding, origami-style, into a standalone mini display, protective case, fridge-mounted magnet, or even an extra screen for your iMac.

Talk about robots in disguise!

Enthusiasm is cooling for Apple Watch (and what Apple can do about it)

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Apple Watch OS2 add a friend
Are people falling out of love with the Apple Watch?
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple Watch usage is dropping off as the novelty factors fades away, according to a new study. While Apple’s wearable has found a place in many owners’ gadget ecosystems, the device is still viewed as distinctly nonessential.

However, the new report includes a list of users’ desired features for Apple Watch 2 — and many of them are things Apple is supposedly working on already.

Nancy Pelosi explains Apple Watch break at State of the Union

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Nancy Pelosi Apple Watch
To be fair, we looked at ours a few times, too. Those alerts really want our attention.
Photo: PBS NewsHour (via YouTube)

It seems that Nancy Pelosi had a bit of distraction during the President’s speech Tuesday.

During last night’s State of the Union, President Obama reflected on his time in office and outlined his hopes and visions for the country’s future. It was a conversational, grounded, and relatable address that covered the outgoing leader’s successes and even some regrets.

But at one point, cameras captured the former Speaker of the House tapping away on her wearable.

Clueless Jeb Bush just discovered his ‘Bat Phone’ (Apple Watch) makes calls

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Jeb Bush is amazed by his "Bat Phone."
Photo: Des Moines Register

Jeb Bush is a huge Apple Watch fan even though he knows how to use it about as much as he knows how to beat Donald Trump. The presidential hopeful is always incorrectly referring to the device as an “iWatch” — and apparently didn’t discover until today that it can make calls.

Bush received an untimely call during an interview Wednesday with The Des Moines Register’s editorial board, but had absolutely no idea where the talking voice was coming from. After reassuring reporters that his “watch can’t be talking,” Bush was politely informed that indeed it can.

“I’ve never had my Bat Phone turned on,” exclaims a befuddled Bush in the video. “That’s the coolest thing in the world.”

Watch the goofy incident below:

Criminals use fake IDs to buy $16,000 of Apple devices

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The iPhone isn't ditching LCD screens.
"Yes, I'd like to buy $16k worth of iPhones please."
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Two New York criminals managed to buy $16,000 worth of iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches using fake driver’s licenses and credit cards, before their purchases were flagged as being suspicious.

Jorge Escotto, 23, and Joshua Gonzales, 25, were arrested and charged with identity theft and receiving stolen property after the spending spree — much of which appears to have taken place in Verizon stores.

Apple assumes you’ll own more than one Apple Watch

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Apple-Watch-models watchos 2.2 ios 9.3 smartwatch hack
It seems that Apple doesn't think you should have to choose which single Apple Watch is right for you.
Photo: Apple

We were a little skeptical (and sarcastic) when we heard that Apple was trying out a feature in iOS 9.3 and watchOS 2.2 that will let Apple Watch owners pair multiple devices to one iPhone, but some new details have us rethinking our position.

The feature, reportedly called “Auto Switch,” does exactly that, and based on what we’ve heard, it could very well not just be for developers.

Romantic thief will steal your heart and Apple Watch

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Apple Watch
You'd better Watch out!
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

We’re used to hearing about iPhone thefts to the point that one method for measuring interest in Apple launches is to see whether or not there’s an appropriately-timed spike in muggings around launch day.

But with the Apple Watch still finding its way in the world, we haven’t yet heard too many stories about thefts of Apple’s debut wearable device. Until now, that is!

iOS 9.3 brings all-new 3D Touch shortcuts

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iphone-6s-3d-touch-780x414
3D Touch is becoming more indispensable.
Photo: Apple

3D Touch gets a big boost in iOS 9.3, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system.

On top of the various other “what to expect” features we’ve told you about, the iOS update, which arrived yesterday, also adds a host of new shortcuts you can use from the home screen for all standard pre-installed apps. Check out our list below.

The watchOS 2.2 beta lets devs pair multiple devices to one iPhone

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Apple Watch Edition
You wouldn't want your second Apple Watch Edition to feel left out, would you?
Photo: Apple

Developers are getting their hands on the first beta for watchOS 2.2 today, and it reportedly contains a feature that has us a little confused: the ability to pair multiple Apple Watches to a single iPhone.

It’s just the first beta, so we aren’t sure if this capability will make it to the final version. But if it does, we can imagine a bunch of incredibly weird uses for the Apple Watch’s new superpower.

Here are our best guesses.