Apple Watch - page 11

Withings smartwatch sports long battery life and Apple Health integration

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The Withings ScanWatch Horizon looks like a classic dive watch but it's quite tech-savvy.
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon looks like a classic dive watch but it's quite tech-savvy.
Photo: Withings

Withings, maker of health devices and smartwatches, launched its new ScanWatch Horizon wearable on Tuesday. It looks like a classic dive watch but packs modern health and activity tracking, 30-day battery life and Apple Health integration.

It’s not cheap, but there are reasons for that.

Sound familiar? Apple Watch 8 display might be flat.

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Ian Zelbo's render shows how Apple Watch 8 might look.
Ian Zelbo's render shows how Apple Watch 8 might look.
Photo: Ian Zelbo

Remember last year when rumors flew that Apple Watch 7 would feature a flat display and squared edges? Not true, of course. But a new leak suggests those traits might define the upcoming Apple Watch 8.

Or maybe the characteristics apply to the rumored “rugged” Apple Watch that could be coming soon. Either way, there’s reason to believe those changes have been in the pipeline.

Google Pixel Watch is coming for Apple Watch’s crown

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After lots of rumors and leaks, it turns out the Pixel Watch is only months away from release.
After lots of rumors and leaks, it turns out the Pixel Watch is only months away from release.
Photo: Google

After ongoing rumors and leaks, Google finally confirmed Wednesday at its I/O 2022 developer conference that the Pixel Watch exists. And the round-cased smart watch will be released in fall 2022 alongside the Pixel 7 smartphone.

The Pixel Watch will duke it out with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch, which it resembles. But it will also look to knock market leader Apple Watch off its pedestal.

Aura Strap 2 for Apple Watch slims down, adds subscription service

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Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Aura Strap 2 lets you track your fat, muscle and water levels with an app and a fitness-oriented subscription service.
Photo: Aura Devices

Aura Devices updated its health-metrics-focused smart band for Apple Watch Wednesday by slimming it down and adding a fitness-oriented subscription service.

The second-generation Aura Strap 2 records metrics like body fat percentage, muscle density and water levels.

Why you’re wrong about Apple Watch Series 7

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Have you been too hard on Apple Watch Series 7?
Have you been too hard on Apple Watch Series 7?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Six months after its launch, people are still griping about Apple Watch Series 7. Even our own Lewis and Erfon recently agreed on The CultCast that Series 7 wasn’t worth the upgrade.

Many have moaned that it lacks new features, with some even suggesting it was a last-minute rush-job on Cupertino’s part. Personally, I don’t believe a word of it. I love my Series 7 and I think the haters have got it all wrong. Here’s why.

There’s still hope for body temp sensor in Apple Watch Series 8

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There's still hope for body temperature sensor in Apple Watch Series 8
Apple Watch Series 8 will have a body temp sensor if Apple can get it right.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Apple developers are trying to enable the upcoming Apple Watch Series 8 to sense the wearer’s body temperature, according to a trusted analyst. But it’s not a done deal. Cupertino also hoped to make sensing body temp part of Series 7 but couldn’t work out the bugs.

This is just one of the health-related sensors that are proving to be a challenge for the Apple Watch team.

This sleek charging station powers 5 Apple devices at once

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This modular charger can power 5 devices at once.
This might be the perfect solution to handle all your charging needs.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

Why mess with multiple chargers for multiple devices when you can use one for everything? A quality charging station can provide the same charging power as dedicated cables, while taking up a fraction of the space.

The modular Omnia Q5 5-in-1 Wireless Charging Station can power five devices at once: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods and Apple Pencil. And for a limited time it’s $89.95 (regularly $120) with code SPRING10.

Wristcam adds new video calling feature to Apple Watch

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Wristcam adds FaceTime-like video calling to Apple Watch.
Wristcam adds FaceTime-like video calling to Apple Watch.
Photo: Wristcam

Wristcam, the camera-equipped Apple Watch band, now features FaceTime-like video calling, the company said Thursday.

The accessory initially launched in December 2020 with an 8-megapixel camera and a 2MP selfie camera. It was the first watch-band camera to receive the “Made for Apple Watch” designation.

Lightning strikes for Apple again, but storm clouds are on the horizon

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Apple warns that supply chain constraints will take a heavy toll in coming months.
Apple warns that supply chain constraints will take a heavy toll in coming months.
Photo: Raychel Sanner/Unsplash License/Cult of Mac

The first three months of 2022 were good to Apple, with revenue setting a quarterly record. But the company warned on Thursday that problems getting components and assembling products will take a nasty chunk out of revenue for the current quarter. The hit will to be between $4 billion and $8 billion.

But there’s also plenty of good news in from the conference call CEO Tim Cook had with investors after Apple’s March quarter results were announced.

Music streamer Tidal adds Siri support (but not for HomePods)

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Tidal finally added Siri support, but not for your HomePod or HomePod mini.
Tidal finally added Siri support, but not for your HomePod or HomePod mini.
Photo: Tidal

Music streaming service Tidal rolled out its long-awaited Siri integration Wednesday. Subscribers can ask Apple’s voice assistant to play songs, playlists, albums and more on the platform.

That’s great if you play music on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. But the Siri integration with Tidal doesn’t extend to HomePod or HomePod mini, unfortunately.

Final hours: Take 20% off all Bucardo Apple Watch accessories

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Sweet deal: Take 20% off everything Bucardo.
Sweet deal: Take 20% off everything Bucardo, like sport bands for Apple Watch.
Photo: Bucardo

If you’re on the hunt for interesting Apple Watch accessories, there is no better time or place than now in the Cult of Mac Store to snag great deals on Bucardo gear.

Bucardo brand Apple Watch accessories, like a variety of sport bands as well as charm necklaces and pocket watch cases for Apple Watch, are all on sale now at 20% off until 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 19.

Last chance to save big on metal Apple Watch bands

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Get Riley & Lo metal Apple Watch bands and stacking bracelets at 25% off.
Get Rilee & Lo metal Apple Watch bands and stacking bracelets at 25% off.
Photo: Cult of Mac Store

When it comes to Apple Watch bands, some folks love their leather. Others go for braided nylon loops. Still others prefer silicone or carbon fiber. But for many, it’s always going to be metal. Stainless steel. It’s durable, cool to the touch, non-corrosive, comfortable and more affordable than gold, platinum or silver. In a word, it’s classic.

And right now you can get 25% off all Rilee & Lo metal Apple Watch bands and stacking bracelets in the Cult of Mac Store. The deal last through 11: 59 p.m. PDT on April 19.

Compact new magnetic charger tops up iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all at once

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You can stick this all-in-one charging station on a nightstand.
You can stick this all-in-one charging station on a nightstand.
Photo: Native Union

Does charging up all your gadgets in one place sound good? Native Union rolled out a new MagSafe-compatible 3-in-1 wireless charging station Tuesday that should do the trick, topping up your iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch all in one go.

The compact Native Union Snap 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger joins the previously released Snap 2-in-1 in the company’s charging lineup.

Nomad’s swanky new MagSafe charger makes room for Apple Watch

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At the price, the new Nomad Base One Max had better be this good looking.
At the price, the new Nomad Base One Max had better be this good looking.
Photo: Nomad

Maybe you thought about snapping up the exceedingly nice-looking Nomad Base One MagSafe charger for iPhone when it came out in March. But what about charging my Apple Watch, too, you asked.

Well, Nomad must’ve been listening, because it launched the Nomad Base One Max on Tuesday. It adds an Apple Watch stand to the Base One’s wireless charging pad.

New Apple Watch health features: What’s in, what’s out

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Apple Watch won't get blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring soon, but other new health updates are coming.
Apple Watch won't get blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring soon, but other new health updates are coming.
Photo: Lewis Wallace/Cult of Mac

Cupertino is likely to add body temperature readings and other new health features to Apple Watch and the Health app in 2022, but it looks like blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring will have to wait, according to a new report.

For a look at those delays to blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring, as well as the expected new features for women’s health and sleep-, fitness- and medication management, read on.

watchOS 9 may expand low-power mode, add new faces and more

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Look for watchOS 9 to do more in Power Reserve mode.
Look for watchOS 9 to do more in Power Reserve mode.
Photo: Apple

Right now, when your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode because its battery is almost out of juice, the time appears on the face as a simple digital clock — and that’s it. The wearable’s other features are temporarily disabled. But Cupertino may expand Apple Watch functionality in low-power mode in the upcoming watchOS 9, according to a new report.

In addition, updates could include new workout types, additional workout metrics, expanded sleep tracking and new watch faces.

Easter sale: Take 25% off Carterjett and Wiplabs Apple Watch bands and more

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Looking for an Apple Watch band? You can get 25% Carterjett and other products in the Cult of Mac Store.
Looking for an Apple Watch band? You can get 25% Carterjett and other products in the Cult of Mac Store.
Photo: Carterjett

When Easter rolls around, you know how easy it is to find chocolate bunnies, candy eggs and the notorious marshmallow Peeps — if you’re into that sort of thing.

But if you’d rather hunt for great deals on Apple accessories — especially Apple Watch bands — check out the Cult of Mac Store’s 25% discount across the board on products from Carterjett and Wiplabs.

The radical evolution of watchOS and what it tells us about Apple’s future

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I've seen the future and it's Apple Watch: The radical evolution of watchOS and what it tells us about Apple’s future.
I've seen the future and it's Apple Watch.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

Unveiled at a special event way back in 2014, the first Apple Watch looked similar to the wearable we know and love today. But looks can be deceiving. Take the Digital Crown and Side Button, for example. Their design may not have changed, but their functionality is now very different.

Apple Watch went through a radical evolution over the past eight years. What started out as an “intimate way to connect and communicate,” has become primarily a health and fitness device.

This pivot is uncharacteristic of Apple. Products like iPod, iPhone and iPad launched with a clear vision and remained true to it. The Apple Watch’s evolution suggests a shift in Cupertino’s approach to new products, and provides tantalizing clues to the future of the company’s rumored next platform launch: realityOS.

Google Maps improves iOS navigation and adds Apple Watch support

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Google Maps improves navigation for iOS and adds features for Apple Watch.
Google Maps improves navigation for iOS and adds features for Apple Watch.
Photo: Google

Google is making improvements to its Google Maps for iOS app, including new features and updates intended to make navigation easier on both iPhone and Apple Watch.

Changes to the Google Maps for iOS app include a more-detailed navigation map that shows enhanced building outlines as well as streetlights and stop signs. It’s designed to help users traveling in unfamiliar locations.

Laut’s stylish aluminum stands cradle your Apple devices in style

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Laut stand for iPhone
And they're more affordable than you might think!
Photo: Laut

If you’re looking for a clean way to charge your beloved Apple Watch, or somewhere to place your iPhone so that it’s easy to see while you’re working, check out these elegant, super-sturdy stands from Laut.

They’re made from robust, anodized aluminum and designed to look good anywhere. They’re also available in a range of color options to match your Apple devices.

Carrot Weather app cheers ‘triumphant return of allergy season’ with major update

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The Carrot Weather, known for snarky forecasts and powerful features, just got a big update.
The Carrot Weather, known for snarky forecasts and powerful features, just got a big update.
Photo: Carrot Weather

If weather apps were judged solely on snarky attitude, there would be one clear favorite: Carrot Weather. But even judged by factors like tracking the weather and variety of features, it’s a darned good app. And now, with a major update released Wednesday “to celebrate the triumphant return of allergy season,” it’s even better.

Get a great deal on a powerful, portable Apple Watch charger

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Save big on this Apple Watch portable charger.
This Apple Watch keychain charger is tiny and affordable.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals

The best chargers are the ones you can forget about until you actually need them. Maybe you forgot to charge your Apple Watch overnight. Or perhaps you burned through a particularly long day (especially one filled with Apple Watch workouts).

No matter the reason, when your Apple Watch hits you with that power reserve warning, it’s great to have a charger on hand.

This Apple Watch Wireless Charger Keychain is powerful and compact. It’s there when you need it — and out of the way when you don’t. And you can get one on sale now for $19.99 (regularly $49). Or save even more by buying two for $38.99 (regularly $99) or four for $76.99 (regularly $199).

Apple Wallet’s digital driver’s licenses and IDs go live in Arizona

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Apple Wallet digital IDs
A whole bunch of other states will also add support.
Image: Apple

Apple on Wednesday confirmed that digital driver’s licenses and IDs are now available inside the Wallet app in Arizona. Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and the territory of Puerto Rico have also pledged their support.

Cupertino first announced its latest Wallet upgrade at WWDC 2021 last June. This is the first time it has been made available to iPhone users.