There's a new variety of Apple Watch bands out in the world today, coming to Apple Stores at a cost anywhere between $49 and $439 USD. The least of these is the Sport Band from Apple, coming in a new set of colors like Surf Blue and Cactus. Ramp up to the most expensive models and you're working with Hermes, a brand that employs calfskin leather and charges up to $439 for their newest straps.
After two generations, Apple has finally given Apple Watch fans the features many of them have been asking for: standalone connectivity. As such, it is, perhaps understandable that it would be less than perfect at its first try. Indeed, some owners of the LTE-enabled Apple Watch 3 experienced a rather amusing but really annoying connectivity issue. Fortunately, Apple was immediately on the case and, in two weeks, now has the fix in the form of the first watchOS 4 update, number 4.0.1.
The first reviews of the Apple Watch Series 3 seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. While some reviews suggest that the device doesn't have great LTE reception, there was an Apple statement made to reviewers just before reviews began about an update in the pipeline. Meanwhile the most positive remarks seem to center on the processing power and elements that've been in play before - strengthened now beyond any previous generation. Then there's that red dot on the LTE model...
Though we're expecting Apple to devote much of its keynote address today to the new iPhone, the company actually kicked off the show by introducing us to Apple Watch Series 3. After giving us an introduction to the Steve Jobs theater, Tim Cook shared some of the successes the Apple Watch has enjoyed over the last year. For instance, the Apple Watch has grown 50% year-over-year, becoming the number one watch in the world and boasting a 97% customer satisfaction rating.
Friday evening saw the leak of iOS 11 GM — the "Golden Master," or the finalized version of the software that will be released by Apple next week following the September 12th media event. As you'd expect, this means details on some of the new products and features are being discovered before their announcement. One of the biggest surprises is mention of a new Apple Watch model with support for LTE connections.
Apple's latest firmware updates continue to give us hints and leaks about upcoming devices and features. While the latest isn't as big as the iPhone 8 discoveries in the recent HomePod software, the new iOS 11 beta reveals that Apple may be adding support for a large number of new exercise activities to the Apple Watch's Workouts feature.
Apple Watch 3's release and release details appeared this week in an analyst note on Apple's singular wearable device. This note came from notoriously accurate analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities, who suggested that the 3rd-gen Apple Watch won't look particularly different from previous models. Why would it? Not when there's a whole bunch of Apple Watch straps that were designed for the look of the first-gen device.
If the current look of your Apple Watch's main screen is getting a little stale, and you're already tired of the existing Mickey and Minnie Mouse faces, you'll soon have the option adorning your smartwatch with Toy Story characters. As shown off at this year's WWDC keynote, watchOS 4 will expand on the Disney tie-ins by introducing animated character faces, with options including heroes Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
This week Apple's Kevin Lynch stood on stage at WWDC 2017 and spoke about the next big update to the Apple Watch. This new update will bring Siri to the Apple Watch, at last. It'll be like having a digital assistant available all the time - from your wrist. This update also brings a stream of information from Siri - using machine learning to make the best guess at what you'll want next.
This week the folks at Apple have released a number of new Apple Watch bands. These new bands include new Hermes, Nike Sport, and Striped Woven Nylon bands. The standalone Nike Sport Bands are a new element, coming in standalone models for the first time. All new bands are set to become available today, straight from Apple online.
Apple Watch developers are getting their first taste of watchOS 3.2 today, released today complete with SiriKit and Theatre Mode. The update, which is currently in beta and not officially available to general users, includes two new features which could significantly improve the usefulness of Apple's wearable and how comfortably it integrates with daily life. That includes not disturbing you while you're at the movies.
Amongst the new versions of the Apple Watch for generation 2, Apple revealed a Nike edition. This version goes by the name Apple Watch Nike+ (or Apple Watch Nike Plus), and it's priced right along the lines of the standard Series 2 Apple Watch. Gone is the original Apple Watch Sport - taken its place is the Apple Watch Nike+. The original Apple Watch (Series 1) has been given a bit of a kick in the pants as well with a new processor and the "Sport Band" that was originally only on the Sport version of the watch.