Apple Watch - page 3

Best Cyber Monday Apple Deals: MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watch and more

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Best Cyber Monday Apple deals
Check out these amazing Cyber Monday discounts on some popular Apple products.
Photo: Rajesh

Did you miss buying your favorite Apple gear or accessory during Black Friday? Do not worry, as Cyber Monday is here. This is probably your last chance to get a new MacBook, iPad, or Apple Watch at its lowest price before the holidays.

You can get the recently launched M3 MacBook Pro with a 10-core GPU for just $1,449 ($150 off). You can score even bigger discounts of up to $250 on the 15-inch MacBook Air. The Apple Pencil 2 is also down to its new lifetime low price of $79.99 after a massive $49 off.

While Apple is running its own shopping event for Cyber Monday, you should look at deals from third-party retailers, as they are offering bigger discounts. However, as always, these prices could change at any time and/or the products could sell out.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple Black Friday deals: AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad and more [Held over!]

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Illustrative graphic with the text 'Best Apple Black Friday deals'
There are some great deals to be had on Apple gear and accessories during the 2023 Black Friday sales.
Photo: Midjourney/Cult of Mac

Update: Black Friday might be over but the deals certainly are not. Many of the best deals on Apple products are still live and you can score some hefty discounts on them this shopping season. In fact, some of these deals disappeared for a while on Black Friday — like the iPad (9th gen) for just $229 (save $100) — then reappeared at some point!

For starters, don’t miss this killer deal on AirPods Pro 2 (with USB-C) for just $189 (save $60) — this is the best price we’ve seen on the best AirPods you can get. Plus, Apple Watch SE (2nd gen., 2022) is down to just $179 (save $70) — the SE is a great gift for someone this Xmas. Or, if you are shopping for yourself, the latest Apple Watch Series 9 is just $329 (save $70).

There are lots of great Apple deals to be had on Black Friday 2023 — just not from Apple itself. Apple is usually pretty stingy when it comes to Black Friday (Tim Cook loves his margins!). This year, you can get an Apple gift card worth up to $200 when you splash out on select products, but the latest and greatest — iPhone 15, M3 MacBook Pros, iMac, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 — are not included.

However, there are great savings on Apple products from third-party retailers like Best Buy, B&H Photo, Target and Walmart. All these stores offer significant discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPads, iPhones and more. Here are the best deals on Apple gear we’ve found.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Save 30% on sweet Elago accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch through Cyber Monday

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Save on Elago's new Apple Pencil cover
Get the new Apple Pencil cover for just $10.49.
Photo: Elago

Elago’s awesome accessories for iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods are now available at 30% off through the Cult of Mac Store. All you need to do is add Elago products to your cart and 30% discount will automatically be added.

You can save on brilliant retro charging stands inspired by iconic devices like the original Macintosh and Game Boy, Apple Watch bands, iPhone cases, AirPods bumpers, and lots more. There’s also 30% off Elago’s new Apple Pencil cover.

This discount ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Monday, November 27 (Cyber Monday), so enjoy it while you can.

Apple Watch Series 9 price drops to all-time low after $50 discount

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk
Apple Watch Series 9 gets an irresistible $50 discount.
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

The Apple Watch Series 9 is down to its lowest price ahead of Black Friday. Amazon has knocked $50 off most of the smartwatch’s variants, bringing its price down to a new low of $349.

You can score a similar $50 off the Apple Watch Series 9 with cellular connectivity.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

How to ping an Apple Watch from an iPhone

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Where’d My Watch End Up?
It's not easy to find in a pile of miscellaneous clutter.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Finally, you can ping a lost Apple Watch from your iPhone — thanks to iOS 17 and watchOS 10. The reverse has always been a cool feature of Apple Watch: locating the iPhone you set down somewhere nearby, surely.

If you take your Apple Watch off at the end of the day, forgetting to throw it on the charger, you may not remember where you left it the following morning. Now, you can find a lost Apple Watch from your iPhone. Here’s how it works.

Apple gets ready to make much better batteries

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iPhone and other Apple devices may have much better batteries within a couple of years.
iPhone and other Apple devices may have much better batteries within a couple of years.
Photo: PBKreviews

Apple is developing greatly improved batteries for its future devices, according to a new report. It appears the iPhone-maker wants to create a custom process in-house and own it — rather than outsourcing — just like it did with Apple silicon chips.

Fix is on the way for Apple Watch battery woes

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Apple Watch Series 3
If a recent watchOS update cut your Apple Watch battery life, there's good news.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Many Apple Watch wearers suffered from shortened battery lives after upgrading to watchOS 10, but the problem will be taken care of soon with a software patch, according to an internal Apple document.

While not affecting everyone with an Apple Watch, this a clearly a significant problem, considering the number of complaints about it online.

Apple accessories blowout sale: Get up to 90% off iPhone cases and more

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Woot Apple accessories sale
Here's your chance to bag great deals on Apple accessories.
Photo: Woot!

Amazon bargain site Woot! launched an Apple accessories sale with something for almost everyone — and deals as good as 90% off certain iPhone cases and 61% off an Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro cable.

But with 49 products on sale, that’s just a taste. Act fast, the sale ends November 10 at 9:59 p.m. PT.

Apple Watch threatened with sales ban in December

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A light-based pulse oximeter measure blood oxygen.
A light-based pulse oximeter measure blood oxygen.
Photo: Graham Bower

Bans on Apple Watch imports and sales could take effect the day after Christmas unless President Joe Biden steps in, after the International Trade Commission ruled Thursday that Apple infringed on medical technology patents held by Masimo Corp. and its sibling company, Cercacor Laboratories.

So unless the president vetoes the bans or Apple somehow strikes a deal in a fight that has dragged on for years — neither seems likely — most Apple Watches could go off the market because some of their components violate patents.

Best rugged bands for Apple Watch Ultra

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These are the best rugged bands for Apple Watch Ultra
Bands built to be as strong as Apple Watch Ultra itself.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

You can give your new Apple Watch Ultra a quick and easy makeover by slapping on a brand-new band. There are plenty of awesome, rugged-looking options to choose from that go great with Apple’s most robust smartwatch.

We rounded up the best Apple Watch Ultra bands in this buying guide to make your shopping easier.

Apple Watch widgets: How to use the hot new feature

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Work The Widgets On Your Watch
Make the most out of your widgets.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

Editing and customizing the widget stack in watchOS 10 on your Apple Watch is a great way to clean up your watch face. If you have a Tim Cook-esque watch face full of complications, you can use widgets to pare it down to a simple, classy design with the same quick access to your apps and activities.

Today, I’ll show you how to make the most of your smart stack of widgets.

Does iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button really need this fix? [The CultCast]

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Is the iPhone 15 Pro
We love the iPhone 15 Pro's Action button just as it is, but hey ... upgrade away!
Image: Cult of Mac

This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: An iOS 17 update supposedly will stop the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button from triggering in your pocket, at least in certain circumstances. Is this really a problem that needs fixing?

Also on The CultCast:

  • When it comes to upcoming Macs and Apple Watch, this week’s no news sounds like very bad news indeed.
  • Apple’s Vision Pro headset seems to be straining the necks of some pencil-necked geeks.
  • For this week’s Under Review segment, I’ve got a unique-looking charger and Erfon and Griffin bring very different sorts of cameras to the podcast’s version of show and tell.

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.

3 reasons you should buy an Apple Watch Ultra

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The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission.
The Apple Watch Ultra has one standout feature that alone is worth the price of admission.
Photo: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

Although I go for almost daily bike rides for exercise, I used to always forget to record the rides on my Apple Watch. I’d always record the rides on my bike computer. But when it came to the watch, I’d never remember until halfway through the workout, if at all.

That’s until I got the Apple Watch Ultra, which boasts a bright orange Action button that I set to start an Outdoor Cycle workout.

Now, I remember every time, and it’s because of the button. It’s the strangest thing, and I have no explanation. But the act of hitting a physical button makes me remember.

The versatile Action button — which you can set to turn on the watch’s flashlight, start the stopwatch or run a shortcut, among other things — is reason enough to get the Apple Watch Ultra, which I’ve been wearing since its launch last year. But there’s another great reason. Actually, two.

How to stop Siri from randomly activating all the damn time

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An Apple Watch with Siri Activated and the caption:
Siri always interrupts at the wrong time.
Image: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac

How can you stop Siri from randomly turning on? As if Siri’s unhelpful answers were not irritating enough when you actually want them, Siri often interrupts a conversation, meeting or TV show when you haven’t asked for anything at all.

Yes, Siri can be helpful — we previously covered six surprisingly useful things Siri can do — but it can oftentimes be an unwelcome guest, activating when you want it to zip it. And now in iOS 17, it’s going to activate every time it hears “Siri,” not just “Hey Siri.”

How do you stop Siri from activating all the time?

Best Prime Big Deal Days sales on Apple gear and accessories [Updated]

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Best deal on Apple gear and accessories for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.
These are the Prime Big Deal Days you don't want to miss.
Image: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Mac

Did you miss buying your favorite Apple gear or accessory during Prime Day earlier in the year? Worry not, as Amazon is back with its Prime Big Deal Days, offering hefty discounts on a hoard of Apple products and accessories.

There are great deals on MacBooks, AirPods, Apple Watches, iPads and other Apple accessories that make your favorite products much more affordable.

Best accessories for Apple Watch

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These are the best accessories you can buy for Apple Watch, including screen protectors, charging stands, wireless earbuds, and more.
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.

Best bands you can buy today for Apple Watch Series 9

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Graphic showing various best Apple Watch bands for Series 9 and previous.
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.

Grab a keychain Apple Watch charger for less than $17

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Pick up this versatile and Apple Watch wireless charger keychain for $30 off.
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.

Why we’re loving iPhone 15 Pro and new Apple Watches [The CultCast]

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The CultCast logo, episode 614: A heart!
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 surprising package of new features [Review] ★★★★☆

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Apple Watch Series 9 with Mulberry Sport Band on desk★★★★☆
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.

watchOS 10.1 beta brings double-tap gesture to Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2

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Double-tapping index finger and thumb will open a surprising amount of watch functionality.
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.

Apple offers 2 fixes for watchOS 10 Weather complication bug

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Instead of seeing the Weather complication with data shown at upper left above, folks are seeing
Instead of seeing the Weather complication with data shown at upper left above, folks are seeing "--".
Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac

Apple suggested two ways Wednesday to fix the Weather complication bug that some Apple Watch users started seeing after upgrading to watchOS 10.

Affected wearables surface a blank reading on the screen rather than weather data, forcing users to click on the Weather app to get the information.

Apple adds 100+ podcasts with improved access

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iOS 17 gives Apple Podcasts users a refreshed player and queue, episode art, search filters and the ability to connect subscriptions to top apps.
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.

How much (actual) crap would you go through to get back a lost Apple Watch?

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This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
This is not the outhouse in question, but you get the idea.
Photo: Photo by Максим Косяков@Pexels.com

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.