A high-level Apple exec recently answered a question that bugs many Apple Watch users: Why aren’t third-party watch faces allowed?
It comes down to the company not allowing the wearable’s all-important home screen to be replaced by a non-Apple alternative that might not prove as reliable.
At WWDC23, Apple said it’s adding a slew of new health features in iOS 17, iPadOS 17 and watchOS 10 that will help you take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
And while new mental health and vision features are coming across platforms, the more-general Health app finally arrives on iPad, as well.
Sharing your contact information and more with people will get easier with new AirDrop functionality in iOS 17. A new feature called NameDrop makes it about as simple as knocking iPhones together.
“Today, you either hand your phone to them, or one of you dictates your information while the other types it. Now there’s a better way,” said Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi during Monday’s WWDC23 keynote. “Now you can just bring your phones close together.”
watchOS 10 will introduce widgets and bring a new look for many built-in Apple Watch apps. But the biggest changes come to the Workout app, which adds features that serious cyclists have been demanding for years, including support for third-party Bluetooth power and cadence meters.
Update: Sorry, but this deal quickly sold out.
As more Apple gear becomes available, we all have a problem: How to keep it all charged? This 5-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charger has room for just about everything — and more besides.
It even boasts an unusual design that makes it resemble a leafy plant!
When will you be able to add your driver’s license or state ID to Apple Wallet on your iPhone? In the United States, it varies by where you live. It’s not up to Apple: Each state and territory maintains a completely independent registry of drivers and identification cards, so each one must independently pass legislation and implement digital IDs.
If you live in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia or Maryland, you can do it today. (Our guide will show you how to add your driver’s license to Apple Wallet.) Otherwise, check our map and lists below to see how likely your state is to let you add your ID to Apple Wallet, and when it might happen.
The massive Memorial Day Sale is still going on in the Cult of Mac Store, running through the end of the day on Monday, May 29. You can get up to 30% off great accessories for Apple products from half a dozen leading brands: Elago, Rilee & Lo, SwitchEasy, Mifa, Laut, Bucardo and Nine Twenty Eight.
See some sale highlights below and check out the whole sale on hundreds of items before it’s too late!
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: iOS 17 might turn your iPhone into a dashboard for your smart home. Plus, Apple’s new journaling app seems like it will arrive soon as well. With WWDC23 just weeks away, we don’t have long to wait.
Also on The CultCast:
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.
A new power bank from Belkin includes a built-in wireless charger that can juice up the latest Apple Watch models in the minimum amount of time. The battery also can simultaneously replenish an iPhone through its USB-C port.
The BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger for Apple Watch + Power Bank 10K launched Thursday.
In several U.S. states, Apple’s digital ID initiative enables iPhones and Apple Watch to hold a digital copy of the user’s driver’s license, in the same way these devices store credit cards and airline tickets.
Here’s what you need to know to add your driver’s license and ID to the Wallet app.
Apple Watch Ultra owners, this week’s giveaway is for you. We teamed up with Elkson to give away five Quattro Pro 2.0 cases for Apple Watch Ultra. All winners also will receive an Apple Watch Ultra screen protector for an added layer of protection.
This great bundle retails for $25.99. It’s excellent for any Apple Watch Ultra wearer who’s looking for some extra comfort and protection.
Apple reportedly looks to manufacture microLED displays on its own for future iPhones. The move will help the company reduce its reliance on Samsung Display.
Cupertino currently sources the majority of OLED panels for its devices from Samsung. LG Display is Apple’s other key OLED supplier.
When it comes to watch bands — those made for Apple Watch or otherwise — it doesn’t get more classic than leather. And if it’s supple Italian leather from Tuscany, all the better. And if it costs less than $50, well, that’s pretty much the best.
Right now you can get slender Italian bands for Apple Watch for just $49 in the Cult of Mac Store.
You’re not the first person to show up late to the party for Mother’s Day, forgetting to fork over a gift on her special day. So, a day later, it’s a good thing you can still choose from a huge selection of great Apple accessories on sale.
You can pick up a variety of items for 15% to 25% off in the Cult of Mac Store’s Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection through Monday. See a selection of highlights below.
Elago is known for its wonderful collection of accessories for Apple products, from device chargers to iPad stands to Apple Watch bands and whimsical cases that look like retro gear from yesteryear. What could be a more fun choice of gifts for mom?
And right now through May 15 you can take 20% off all Elago gear for Mother’s Day. Browse the Mother’s Day Sweet Savings Collection now (and click here for just Elago items).
Apple Watch batteries can last a while before they need to recharge, but that also means it’s easy to forget to stick them on their chargers at night. Whether you forgot to recharge your watch or have an older series with a shorter battery life, it’s a good idea to bring along a backup charger you can use almost anywhere.
The Apple Watch Wireless Charger Keychain is compatible with any series of Apple Watch, and you can get one for $25, two for $37 or four for $73.
Meta is reportedly killing its Messenger app for Apple Watch at the end of this month. The company is informing users about this impending change through a notification inside its apps.
Despite the axing of the Messenger app for Apple Watch, you’ll continue to receive notifications for new messages. But you cannot reply to them. For that, you’ll have to use the app on your iPhone.
When an Ohio man went for his usual walk along the river recently and felt his knees turn to rubber, he had no idea what he was in for — other than he was “going down.”
But it turned out his Apple Watch and a health app had a few ideas, and they helped save the fallen 83-year-old’s life.
Cupertino paid homage to the LGBTQ+ community Tuesday. It rolled out its new Apple Watch Pride Edition watch face, band and iOS wallpaper.
“Celebrating the ongoing movement to protect and advance equality for LGBTQ+ communities around the world, Apple is introducing a new Pride Edition Sport Band accompanied by a matching watch face and iOS wallpaper,” the company said.
May 2, 1995: Apple enters the wearables space with its first watch, a timepiece with no fitness-tracking tech, no on-screen notifications and a whole lot of 1990s styling.
The first Apple watch comes two decades before wearables will become a thing. A regular wristwatch, the freebie gadget is available as a special mail-in offer to Mac OS upgraders.
Apple Watch reportedly will get iOS-like widgets when watchOS 10 arrives later this year. Plus, Apple might change the way some Apple Watch buttons work.
The company plans to make these changes to give Apple Watch users faster access to important information. Widgets will mean users won’t need to open a dedicated app to quickly see an overview of vital information at a glance
This week on Cult of Mac’s podcast: The iOS 17 leaks start drip, drip, dripping out as we approach Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference. Sounds like a minor update overall, but there’s some interesting stuff coming down the pike.
Also on The CultCast:
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.
AirPods are the wireless earbuds that ordinary Bluetooth headphones want to be when they grow up. They’re seamlessly integrated with your iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad and Mac. They’re deceptively simple — but if you want to get more out of them, you need to dig through Settings.
I’ve done some spelunking and found six super-handy hidden features you might not know about.
Apple has shared its annual Mother’s Day gift guide to help you celebrate your mom on May 14 in the United States and many other countries. Dozens of gift ideas, from AirTags to iPhones to various accessories, cover a range of prices from $15 to about $1,000.
And you can “make it mom’s” with free engraving of emojis and messages on a range of gifts, too.
watchOS 10 will remove a major limitation of the Apple Watch, according to an unconfirmed report. The smartwatch supposedly will be able to synchronize with iPad and Mac, not just iPhone.
