Tag - Apple Watch

MacNN Deals: Take your pick from these four Apple Watch accessories
Every day until our closure later this week, we are showcasing some of the offers available from our MacNN Deals store. Today's selections are all accessories for your Apple Watch, including a pair of charging docks, a stylish wooden stand, and the ability to create your own customized watch band to one that shows off your personality.

Apple offers rainbow Watch bands for SF Pride participants
Over the weekend, Apple employees once again participated in the Bay Area Pride Festival, including CEO Tim Cook, as they have as an official participant since 2014. Employees received special rainbow-colored Apple Watch bands this year, accompanied by a special playlist of related iTunes content. The event, which continues to focus on the LGTBQ community but has expanded to be a more general celebration of freedom from oppression or discrimination. This is the third year that Apple has officially participated, though employees have marched in the parade for many years prior to the official involvement.

MacNN Father's Day Gift Guide: Apps, and Apple Watch accessories
Wow, that WWDC keynote was quite a thing, huh? Did your Dad watch it? If he did, he's an Apple fan, and if he is, we've got you covered for suggestions for the man who raised you for Father's Day. Today, we'll look at a few applications for OS X or iOS that he'd probably like, as well as a modern twist of a classic gift -- not a watch, but things to go with Dad's Apple Watch.

Apple provides first look at watchOS 3.0
The chief of the Apple Watch, Kevin Lynch, unveiled a first look at watchOS 3.0, which introduced a number of new features -- chief among them is dramatically faster app launches through the used of background updates and favorites apps remaining in memory. Also new is a dock-like setup, and a swipe up to bring up an iOS-like Control Center. Apple has made general speed improvements throughout, and included some new watch faces -- including an "activity face" that shows both the activity rings and the clock face.

New Apple patent could point to future Apple Watch display tech
An Apple patent filed in December 2014, but only published on Thursday, could point to future display technology destined for a future Apple Watch. The patent is for a "conformable electronic device," which suggests that it could be fitted to an Apple Watch that could feature a display that curves or wraps around a wrist. Interestingly, the patent was awarded to Apple employees Andreas Bibl and Hsin-Hua Hu -- Andreas Bibl was previously the CEO of LuxVue, a company that specialized in micro-LED technology acquired by Apple in 2014.

Cardiogram heart monitoring app gets native Apple Watch support
Cardiogram, a popular Health-kit based iOS app has been updated to version 1.0 bringing with it a native Apple Watch companion app compatible with watchOS 2. Cardiogram has been built using Apple's HealthKit framework and has been developed to track user heart rates in order to both monitor general heart health, but also as part of two ongoing research projects designed to see assess the user generated data for signs of arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, both potentially life threatening conditions.

First image of new Coach leather band for Apple Watch leaks
The first look at the new Apple Watch bands by luxury fashion company Coach have surfaced via a leaked screenshot of a Coach product listing. The screenshot shows a tan leather band with a couple of polished metal charm adornments. It is described as being crafted in genuine glove-tanned leather, that is finished by hand with heat-creased edges and hand-tacking at stress points. 9to5Mac was able to do some URL digging and uncovered listings for a couple of other bands as well.

Hands On: Griffin Ultra Thin Case for Apple Watch
When you bought your Apple Watch, did you have a hard time picking which color you wanted to sport on your arm? We thought our choice was fairly obvious, but sometimes we still wistfully wonder what could have been if we'd picked space gray, gold, or even simple silver. Now, thanks to Griffin, you can change up your style for far less than the cost of a new Apple Watch with their Ultra Thin Case.

Database firm claims developers losing interest in Apple Watch
A data gathering firm is claiming that developers are losing interest in the Apple Watch. Instead, the data collation company has gleaned that developers are much more interested in developing apps for just the iOS, followed by tvOS, with developer interest in Apple Watch apps trailing. The firm's claim is based on its own metrics drawn from 100,000 developers that use its database technology within their mobile apps.

Hands On: Twelve South TimePorter travel stand and case
We're a year into the life of the Apple Watch, and still it's rare to find a case or a stand that includes a charging cable. You almost always have to use the one Apple provided, and thread it through some plastic or metal. It's still the case most of the time, and it is the case with Twelve South's TimePorter Travel Stand and Case for Apple Watch.
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Cirrus creates Lightning-headphone dev kit
Apple supplier Cirrus Logic has introduced a MFi-compliant new development kit for companies interested in using Cirrus' chips to create Lightning-based headphones, which -- regardless of whether rumors about Apple dropping the analog headphone jack in its iPhone this fall -- can offer advantages to music-loving iOS device users. The kit mentions some of the advantages of an all-digital headset or headphone connector, including higher-bitrate support, a more customizable experience, and support for power and data transfer into headphone hardware. Several companies already make Lightning headphones, and Apple has supported the concept since June 2014. http://bit.ly/29giiZj

Apple Store app offers Procreate Pocket

The Apple Store app for iPhone, which periodically rewards users with free app gifts, is now offering the iPhone "Pocket" version of drawing app Procreate for those who have the free Apple Store app until July 28. Users who have redeemed the offer by navigating to the "Stores" tab of the app and swiping past the "iPhone Upgrade Program" banner to the "Procreate" banner have noted that only the limited Pocket (iPhone) version of the app is available free, even if the Apple Store app is installed and the offer redeemed on an iPad. The Pocket version currently sells for $3 on the iOS App Store. [32.4MB]
Porsche adds CarPlay to 2017 Panamera
Porsche has added a fifth model of vehicle to its CarPlay-supported lineup, announcing that the 2017 Panamera -- which will arrive in the US in January -- will include Apple's infotainment technology, and be seen on a giant 12.3-inch touchscreen as part of an all-new Porsche Communication Management system. The luxury sedan starts at $99,900 for the 4S model, and scales up to the Panamera Turbo, which sells for $146,900. Other vehicles that currently support CarPlay include the 2016 911 and the 2017 models of Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman. The company did not mention support for Google's corresponding Android Auto in its announcement. http://bit.ly/295ZQ94

Apple employees testing wheelchair features
New features included in the forthcoming watchOS 3 are being tested by Apple retail store employees, including a new activity-tracking feature that has been designed with wheelchair users in mind. The move is slightly unusual in that, while retail employees have previously been used to test pre-release versions of OS X and iOS, this marks the first time they've been included in the otherwise developer-only watchOS betas. The company is said to have gone to great lengths to modify the activity tracker for wheelchair users, including changing the "time to stand" notification to "time to roll" and including two wheelchair-centric workout apps. http://bit.ly/2955JDa

SanDisk reveals two 256GB microSDXC cards
SanDisk has introduced two 256GB microSDXC cards. Arriving in August for $150, the Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Premium Edition card offers transfer speeds of up to 95MB/s for reading data. The Extreme microSDXC UHS-I card can read at a fast 100MB/s and write at up to 90MB/s, and will be shipping sometime in the fourth quarter for $200. http://bit.ly/294Q1If

Apple's third-quarter results due July 26
Apple has advised it will be issuing its third-quarter results on July 26, with a conference call to answer investor and analyst queries about the earnings set to take place later that day. The stream of the call will go live at 2pm PT (5pm ET) via Apple's investor site, with the results themselves expected to be released roughly 30 minutes before the call commences. Apple's guidance for the quarter put revenue at between $41 billion and $43 billion. http://apple.co/1oi1Pbm

Twitter stickers slowly roll out to users
Twitter has introduced "stickers," allowing users to add extra graphical elements to their photos before uploading them to the micro-blogging service. A library of hundreds of accessories, props, and emoji will be available to use as stickers, which can be resized, rotated, and placed anywhere on the photograph. Images with stickers will also become searchable with viewers able to select a sticker to see how others use the same graphic in their own posts. Twitter advises stickers will be rolling out to users over the next few weeks, and will work on both the mobile apps and through the browser. http://bit.ly/29bbwUE
