Apple Watch - page 12

Apple Watch Series 3 could finally get the boot this year

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Apple Watch Music
It's about time.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple might discontinue the Apple Watch Series 3 later this year, according to a new report.

The device stuck around this long — five years after its 2017 introduction — as a more-affordable alternative to newer Apple Watch models. But in recent years, performance and storage constraints caused all kinds of frustrations for Apple Watch Series 3 owners.

Apple Watch saves Florida woman’s life by calling 911 after hard fall

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Apple Watch fall detection works on Series 4 and Series 5.
Apple Watch fall detection can save you if you’re knocked unconscious.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Raylene Hackenwerth received an Apple Watch as a gift.. a gift that she says saved her life. The wearable called 911 for her after it detected she had taken a very bad fall. And that’s just the start.

Fall detection is a feature of every model since Apple Watch Series 4.

Save on awesome accessories for all Apple devices this St. Patrick’s Day

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Cult of Mac Store St. Patrick's Day sale
Use the code PATRICK at checkout.
Image: Elago/Cult of Mac

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by saving 20% on outstanding accessories for all your Apple devices in the Cult of Mac Store.

We’ve got cases, premium Apple Watch bands, do-it-all charging stands, sturdy in-car mounts, MacBook risers, and lots, lots more. Use the promo code PATRICK at checkout to take advantage of the discount today only.

iOS 15.4 lets you restore Apple Watch from iPhone for the first time

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You can now restore Apple Watch with iPhone
Only Apple could restore an Apple Watch until now.
Image: Apple

If you encounter firmware issues on Apple Watch, you can now wirelessly restore its software yourself using an iPhone — provided you’ve updated to iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5, which made their official debuts on Monday.

Is it the first time Cupertino has given Apple Watch owners this functionality. Until now, firmware issues often required users to take their device to Apple to be restored, since there is no way to connect the device to a Mac.

A sneak peek at Apple’s ‘Peek Performance’ event [The CultCast]

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Apple Peek Performance event predictions March 8: Here comes the first new Apple gear of 2022.
Here comes the first new Apple gear of 2022.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: We can’t stop speculating about what new Apple gear we’ll see at Tuesday’s big “Peek Performance” event. Best bets are iPhone SE, iPad Air and … some kind of Mac?

Also on The CultCast:

  • Will this really be a big year for Apple Watch?
  • Apple punishes Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
  • Social media gets gory during wartime.

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 livestream, embedded below.

Step into spring with colorful Apple Watch bands from Nyloon

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Nyloon-Apple-Watch-4
Stylish and comfortable — perfect for spring.
Photo: Nyloon

Spring is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start thinking about switching up your wardrobe. Don’t leave your Apple Watch behind; give it a colorful refresh with a brilliant band from Nyloon.

They’re all made from nylon so they’re incredibly durable and ideal for outdoor activities. They’re also comfortable even on the warmest days — and nicely priced at just $40 or less.

Apple Watch Series 8 could bring ‘major’ activity tracking upgrades

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Do you know how Apple Watch counts your swim strokes?
But no new health sensors.
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

This year will be “the biggest in the history of Apple Watch since the original model,” according to a new report. Apple Watch Series 8 is expected to come in three new versions that will bring “major updates to activity tracking.”

Apple could also (finally!) retire Apple Watch Series 3, which has looked painfully outdated for some time now, later this year.

Apple Ring is the health accessory we need

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Apple Ring is the health accessory we need
An Apple Ring should join Apple Watch as a way to let wearers monitor their health.
Concept: Victor Soto/BluePoly

Apple’s next new product should be a smart ring. No, not so you can scroll through Instagram on a teeny-tiny display. The Apple Ring would be packed with health sensors that allow wearers to track their exercise and fitness goals while carrying no other device.

It wouldn’t even require developing new technology. All that’s needed is for Apple CEO Tim Cook to make the decision to offer a new type of health tracker.

Elago’s MagSafe charging hub takes on Apple Watch, too

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MS Charging Hub Duo for iPhone and Apple Watch
Enforce order for messy charging cables.
Photo: Elago

Sick of seeing charging cables strewn across your desk or nightstand? Enforce order with the brilliantly simple MS Charging Hub Duo from Elago. It takes your MagSafe and Apple Watch chargers and neatly integrates them into a sleek silicone stand that eliminates cable clutter.

Get yours today for under $25.

How to use Apple Watch blood oxygen sensor, and what it’s good for

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The Blood Oxygen app is not for medical use. So what exactly is it for?
The Blood Oxygen app is not for medical use. So what exactly is it for?
Photo: Graham Bower/Cult of Mac

The blood oxygen sensor featured in Apple Watch Series 6 and 7 is “not intended for medical use,” Apple says. That seems odd, considering that low blood oxygen is a serious medical condition. If the watch’s monitor is not for medical use, then what exactly is it for?

In this post, we’ll look at what blood oxygen is, how Apple Watch measures it, how the device compares to medical-grade alternatives, and what you can actually use it for.

Colorful canvas bands a strong, stylish fit for Apple Watch [Review]

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Monowear-Urban-Canvas-Apple-Watch-1
Canvas doesn't have to be dull.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

Monowear’s gorgeous Urban Canvas bands are a terrific match for Apple Watch. They’re nicely priced at just $38, and they come in a range of great color options that go well with almost anything.

Here’s why they’re some of the toughest and most surprising Apple Watch bands I’ve worn to date.

Last chance: Save 50% on Rilee & Lo’s beautiful Apple Watch bands

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Rilee & Lo stretch link for Apple Watch
Rilee & Lo's biggest discount yet!
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

Rilee & Lo is now offering its biggest-ever discount on its entire collection of stunning stretch-link bands for Apple Watch — as well as the matching stacking bracelets.

Bag yours from the Cult of Mac Store before the sale ends at 11:59 p.m. PT today to get 50% off the usual price.

Save on a brilliant bumper that keeps Apple Watch looking brand-new

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SwitchEasy bumper for Apple Watch
Buy two SwitchEasy products and get the cheapest half price.
Photo: Adel Neal/Cult of Mac

Keep your beloved Apple Watch looking brand-new with the SwitchEasy protective bumper from just $14.99. Buy it with a band, such as the outstanding Steel Mesh — or any other SwitchEasy product — and enjoy a 50% discount on the more affordable product.

Made from a flexible but sturdy TPU, the bumper covers the back and sides of your Apple Watch to keep them free from dents, dirt, scratches, and shattered screens.

Save 20% on this outstanding Steel Mesh band for Apple Watch

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SwitchEasy Steel Mesh for Apple Watch
Now just $27.99.
Photo: SwitchEasy

Why cough up $99 on Apple’s Milanese Loop for Apple Watch when outstanding third-party alternatives are available at a fraction of the cost. SwitchEasy’s stunning Steel Mesh is just as pretty and incredibly solid.

What’s more, it’s now available for under $28 after a 20% discount. Bag yours from the Cult of Mac Store today before the sale ends.

Find the perfect Apple Watch accessory set for Valentine’s Day

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Goldenerre's set could be just the thing for you and your significant other this Valentine's Day.
Goldenerre's set could be just the thing for you and your significant other this Valentine's Day.
Photo: Goldenerre

It’s that time of year again. No, not the dead of winter. Well, yes, actually — for many it’s the dead of winter. But it’s not only that. Valentine’s Day comes along on February 14, as it does every year, obliging many to buy gifts for their significant others.

But, lucky for you, this year the  Cult of Mac Store has a nice discount on what could be just the thing: the Goldenerre Red Heart Healthy Set for the Apple Watch. And 10% of sales goes to charity! See below for more information.

watchOS 8.4.1 is out with Apple Watch bug fixes

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watchOS 8.4.1 is out with mystery Apple Watch bug fixes
Get some bugs out of your Apple Watch with the watchOS 8.4.1 update.
Photo: Cult of Mac/Brandon Phan /Pexels

Apple introduced watchOS 8.4.1 on Wednesday, and promised that it offer “bug fixes.” It didn’t reveal what these are, but Apple Watch users are hoping it takes care of a nasty problem with the Wallet app.

The update definitely includes no new features.

Apple pushes new activity challenge and resources for Heart Month

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Apple celebrates Heart Month across an array of products and services.
Apple celebrates Heart Month across an array of products and services.
Photo: Apple

In recognition of Heart Month, aka February, Apple is rolling out a series of new activity challenge and heart-health resources to support users’ efforts to stay healthy.

Also toward that end, the company hopes you’ll learn a thing or two from preliminary trends shown in the Apple Heart and Movement Study.

Get 70% off Speidel leather and silicone Apple Watch bands

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Speidel's Square Tip Oiled Leather Band comes in different colors with matching buckles.
Speidel's Square Tip Oiled Leather Band comes in different colors with matching buckles.
Photo: Speidel

If you own an Apple Watch, you know how easy it is to switch bands. It takes about five seconds. Having a band for every occasion is part of the fun of owning the wearable. Silicone, nylon, leather, metal mesh — you can change things up on a dime.

Speidel makes all sorts of watch bands and straps — including a wide range of bands for Apple Watch. And right now you can get two great ones for 70% off regular prices in the Cult of Mac Store. The Speidel Square Tip Oiled Leather Band for Apple Watch is on sale for just $9.89. And the Speidel Matching Scrub Band for Apple Watch is just $5.99.

Apple’s latest updates break Wallet on Apple Watch, Bluetooth on Mac

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Driver's licenses and IDs in Apple Wallet
Syncing Wallet changes just isn't happening for some.
Image: Apple

Apple rolled out a new crop of software updates last week, and you probably (sadly) won’t be surprised to learn that they bring yet more bugs.

In addition to experiencing Wallet sync problems between iOS 15.3 and watchOS 8.4, early updaters also report Bluetooth issues in macOS 12.2 that cause battery drain on some MacBook models.

Apple Watch gets special band, new ‘Unity Lights’ face for Black History Month

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Apple Watch gets new band and face for Black History Month
Get the new face now through the Watch app.
Photo: Apple

Apple celebrates this year’s Black History Month by promoting Black business and innovation, amplifying Black voices, and showcasing Black creatives, the company announced on Wednesday.

It is also introduced a new, limited-edition Black Unity Braided Solo Loop and Unity Lights face for Apple Watch, which you can get yours hands on today.

Intelli’s compact new StepUp is the Transformer of 3-in-1 iPhone chargers

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Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Those little platforms for Apple Watch and AirPods pop in and out.
Photo: Intelli

In a world awash with multi-device charging stations that juice your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, it’s refreshing to see an unfamiliar design once in a while. Intelli provided one recently when it launched its new StepUp Magnetic Wireless Charging Station.

With its tidy little pop-out charging platforms, the MagSafe-compatible StepUp can be a sleek charger just for your iPhone or transform into a 3-in-1 for your trio of devices. But even fully deployed, the design is compact.

Laut’s stunning Steel Loop makes Apple Watch look super-smart — save 15%

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Laut Steel Loop for Apple Watch
Just like Apple's, but less than half the price.
Photo: Laut

Give your Apple Watch a suave and sophisticated makeover with this stunning Steel Loop band from Laut. It’s made entirely from high-grade stainless steel and available in a number of cracking color options.

It’s also wonderfully affordable at under $34 after a 15% discount.

Apple Watch’s frustrating charging bug finally gets a fix in watchOS 8.4

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Spigen-S350-Apple-Watch
Everyone will get the update soon.
Photo: Spigen

The watchOS 8.4 release candidate that rolled out to beta testers on Thursday eliminates an Apple Watch charging bug that first surfaced around a month ago.

The issue, which mostly affected Apple Watch Series 7, prevented devices from charging when using third-party accessories from a wide range of brands. But with the latest watchOS 8.4 update installed, everything is back to normal.