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watchOS 9 will bring new Watch Faces, low-power mode to Apple Watch

watchOS 9, the next version of Apple’s wearable operating system, could bring several new features to the Apple Watch.

According to Bloomberg’s often-reliable Mark Gurman, Apple plans to add a low -ower state to the Apple Watch that will allow it to use more features when its battery is almost depleted, including running specific apps. Power Reserve mode currently only lets Apple Watch wearers view a small digital clock.

Gurman goes on to say the Apple Watch will get new workout types, tracking metrics during workouts and expanded sleep tracking with watchOS 9. Other additional features include expanded women’s health functionality, more information about atrial fibrillation, and a medication reminder app that Bloomberg says has been in the works since 2019.

Finally, the report says that Apple plans to refresh several of its older Watch Faces with new ‘Complications’ and, of course, introduce new Faces, just like it does with every watchOS update. Several of the tech giant’s older and more popular Watch Faces haven’t been updated with the Apple Watch’s more recent Complications system, so this move makes sense on Apple’s part.

It’s likely watchOS 9 will be revealed at WWDC 2022 in June during the conference’s keynote on June 6th. Apple will also likely reveal iOS 16, macOS 13, tvOS 16 and more at its all-digital developers conference.

In the same report, Gurman mentions that blood-pressure tracking and blood sugar monitoring are likely still several years away from release.

Source: Bloomberg

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Your guide to every Apple Watch band in the Apple Store

When Apple released the original Apple Watch in 2015, it knew that it was as much an activity tracker and productivity tool as a fashion piece. While the Apple Watch’s design and operating system have evolved over the last seven years — the watch’s band clasping mechanism has stayed the same.

If you’re like me, you’ve likely amassed quite the collection of watch bands since the very first Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch has always come in two different sizes a ‘small’ and ‘large’ face. The smaller watch face came in 38mm, 40mm, and 41mm, depending on the series of your Apple Watch. The larger watch face came in 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm. These details are essential because your Apple Watch band will fit regardless of the watch’s face size as long as the band is for the ‘smaller’ or ‘larger’ Apple Watch.

You can find Apple Watch bands everywhere. Amazon, Best Buy, Nomad, and many different online retailers. Personally, I’ve found my experience with third-party Apple Watch bands disappointing. You may buy a $12 watch band off Amazon, but the band material is thin, the band doesn’t feel as nice, and the colour may fade.

However, Apple makes quite the assortment of high-quality first-party Apple Watch bands in varying styles and colours. Currently, Apple sells ten different styles of Apple Watch bands, plus their Hèrmes collection. In addition, Apple is known for rotating colours every season, so if you come across a colour you like, jump on it while they have it in stock.

This article is meant to help break down the difference between every Apple Watch band Apple sells to help you pick which bands are best for you!

Here’s your guide to every Apple Watch band style Apple sells:

Solo Loop

Apple’s Solo Loop launched in September 2020 along with the Apple Watch Series 6. The Solo Loop comes in twelve sizes to accommodate different wrist sizes. Each band is made of one continuous piece of liquid silicone rubber.

Initially, the Solo Loop received critical reviews due to poor sizing assistance. However, Apple has since released a printable paper sizing tool, offered all sizes for try-on at local Apple Stores, and made the exchange process much easier. The Solo Loop is sweat and waterproof.

It’s ideal for someone who doesn’t like buckles or clasps. The band is worth checking out if you’re looking for a band to wear casually, while working out, or while swimming. The Solo Loop is designed to stretch to slide on and off your wrist. The Solo Loop retails for $59 on Apple’s website.

Braided Solo Loop

The Braided Solo Loop was released alongside the Solo Loop. The Braided Solo Loop is made up of 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments. Apple says that the polyester filaments are wrapped around ultra-thin silicone threads, made using precision-braiding, and are laser cut to the exact length. There are no clasps or buckles, just like the Solo Loop bands.

From personal experience, I can say the Braided Solo Loop is incredibly stretchy, well made, and comfortable to wear. This strap comes in twelve different sizes and ten colours plus a limited edition Black Unity and Pride band.

The Braided Solo Loop is best for someone who wants a casual yet comfortable band. The band is water and sweat-resistant. However, it’s not as easy to clean as a silicon band because the band is fabric. The Braided Solo Loop is the more premium option retailing for $119 on Apple’s website.

Sport Band

The Sport Band is one of the Apple Watch’s original bands being released all the way back in 2015. The Sport Band is made out of a rubber material called fluoroelastomer, making it sweat and waterproof. In addition, Sport Bands’ feature a unique tucking design that hides the band’s tail. This creates a clean, modern look.

The Sport Band is my top recommendation for a person who wants a flexible strap for all situations. It’s great for working out, playing sports, and casual occasions. Every Sport Band comes with two “tails” that vary in length to account for different wrist sizes. The Sport Band currently comes in eight colours and retails for $59 on Apple’s website.

Nike Sport Band

The Nike Sport Band is a spin-off of Apple’s Sport Band. The Nike Sport Band is made in partnership between Apple and the sports apparel brand, Nike. The band is made of fluoroelastomer materials like Apple’s Sport Band. Still, it has holes throughout its design to provide your wrist with more breathability.

The Nike Sport Band currently only comes in five two-tone colour options. This band also features the tail tucking style and two “tail” sizes as Apple’s Sport Band. So if you’re looking for a unique styled strap or are very physically active — this is an excellent band for you. The Nike Sport Band retails for $59 on Apple’s website.

Sport Loop

The Sport Loop was introduced in 2019 and replaced Apple’s now discontinued Woven Nylon Bands. The Sport Loop features a hook-and-loop fastener (aka velcro) design that allows you to tighten the strap to your desired fit. The Sport Loop has been affectionate called the “sweatpants” of Apple Watch bands because of its soft fabric material.

The band is sweat and waterproof. However, similar to the Braided Solo Loops, the fabric is more challenging to clean than the silicone material bands. Each strap has two tones of colour. A lighter shade runs down the band’s left side, and a darker shade runs down the right.

Apple’s Sport Loop is an excellent option for a person looking for a soft, casual strap. I use a Sport Loop when I’m sleep tracking. Currently, there are five different two-tone colour combinations you can purchase. These bands retail for $59 on Apple’s website.

Nike Sport Loop

The Nike Sport Loops is another Nike-Apple partnership band. The band is made of the same materials as Apple’s Sport Loops with one additional benefit. The Nike Sport Loops feature a nylon weave with reflective thread. This means that a shimmer of light will reflect back at the source whenever light strikes the band.

Design-wise, the Nike Sport Loop comes in three different colours plus a Pride edition. The three coloured variants have the word ‘Nike’ and the Nike checkmark. Meanwhile, the Pride Edition band is white with five strips of colour running down it.

The reflective material makes this an excellent strap for outdoor runners. If you’re a huge Nike fan, the Nike logo on the band makes this a steller strap for you too. The Nike Sport Loop retails for $59 on Apple’s website.

Leather Link

The Leather Link is made of handcrafted French Granada leather and features a unique magnetic clasping design. The two band tails magnetically attach to each other, allowing you to adjust your fit. I really enjoy the Leather Link, personally owning both a black and brown one.

The Leather Link replaces Apple’s Leather Loop that was exclusive to larger-faced Apple Watches. When purchasing the Leather Link, you need to pick between an S/M (130-160mm wrist size) or M/L (140-180mm wrist size) to ensure you get the best fit.

The Leather Link is a fantastic formal and business casual option. The band comes in eight colours and retails for $119 on Apple’s website.

Modern Buckle

Apple’s Modern Buckle is another Apple Watch band that shipped with the original Apple Watch back in 2015. The Modern Buckle is made of Granada leather sourced from a French tannery established in 1803. To give the band strength and stretch, the underside of the band features Vectran weave—a material used by NASA to create airbags for the Mars rover spacecraft.

The Modern Buckle is only compatible with smaller-faced Apple Watches (38mm, 40mm, and 41mm). Therefore, before buying this band, you’ll need to measure your wrist to ensure you purchase the correct size. There are three sizes; small (135-150mm sized wrists), medium (145-165mm sized wrists), and large (160-180mm sized wrists).

The Modern Buckle is an excellent choice for a more formal Apple Watch band. The leather comes together using a unique magnetic buckle. This magnetic buckle makes the band easy to take on and off and very secure on the wrist. Currently, there are six colour options for the Modern Buckle. The band retails for $189 on Apple’s website.

Milanese Loop

The Milanese Loop is made of a woven stainless steel mesh material. Specialized Italian machines make the Milanese Loop. The Milanese Loop features a beautiful design that wraps through one of the Apple Watch’s band clasps and magnetically attaches, giving the perfect fit to every wearer.

This band makes for another tremendous formal or business casual option. In addition, the initial Milanese Loop design got refreshed to allow the band’s magnetic to slip out and the band to lay flat. This is a significant design change by Apple to support flat Apple Watch charging stands.

The Milanese Loop comes in three different colours to match each of the stainless steel Apple Watches. This band fits wrists between 130-180mm and currently retails for $119 on Apple’s website.

Link Bracelet

The Link Bracelet is Apple’s most expensive band, not counting the Hermes collection. Given that Apple’s website and packaging at the Apple Store still show 38mm and 42mm sizes, it seems that these bands may be from the original Apple Watch days. Given their pricing, it’s not surprising that Apple didn’t sell many of them.

With that said, I did buy one several years ago, and it’s one of my favourite bands. The Link Bracelet is made of 316L stainless steel alloy and features more than 100 components. It takes nearly nine hours for this band to be precision cut. Apple also designed a custom butterfly locking mechanism for each of the band’s links. This allows for easy and quick length adjustments by adding or removing links without a specialty tool.

The Space Black Link Bracelet goes through an additional process to get a diamond-like carbon coating to obtain its unique space black finish. The Link Bracelet is ideal for someone who wants an expensive watch on their wrist. You can purchase the Link Bracelet in Silver for $449 or in Space Black for $579.

Hermès Leather

Apple partnered with the French leather goods brand Hermès to create a unique premium collection of Apple Watches and bands. The Hermès Leather bands are handmade by French artisans with supple Swift leather.

The Hermès Leather bands come in a Single Tour and Double Tour style in various colours, buckles, and designs. Hermès Leather bands are best for someone who appreciates designer brands and wants a stylish, formal Apple Watch band. Prices range from $429 to $679 from Apple.

Hermès Jumping Single Tour

Hermès Jumping Single Tour bands are made of a woven textile by Hermès French designers. This newer addition to the Hermès family is meant to bring a little athleticism to their collection. These bands are sweat and waterproof, and are best for someone who appreciates a premium designer brand but wants something more casual or athletic. The Hermès Jumping Single Tour is currently available in seven colourful styles and retails for $399 at Apple.

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watchOS 8.5 and iOS 15.4 bring Apple Watch firmware recovery tool

After dropping iOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5 yesterday, Apple updated one of its support articles that detailed what to do in case your Apple Watch stops working and displays a ‘red exclamation mark.’

Before the new OS dropped, the support page instructed users to reboot the watch and get in touch with Apple Support to set up a mail-in repair. Now, as first spotted by 9to5Macthe support page provides instructions on how you can restore and recover your watch yourself at home.

Apple says that you need an iPhone with iOS 15.4 running and that the Apple Watch needs to be on watchOS 8.5 as well. However, I’m not sure how you would fix the watch if it crashes when you initially try to update it to watchOS 8.5. You’ll most likely still need to resort to the old method and get in touch with Apple Support.

But if you have both your iPhone and Apple Watch running the latest update, and your watch crashes for any reason and displays either a red exclamation mark (as seen above) or an animation that shows an iPhone and watch being brought close together, this is how you can attempt to fix it:

  1. Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth
  2. Put your Apple Watch on its charger
  3. Double-press the watch’s side button (the one below the crown)

Once you’ve followed the steps, a pop-up prompt on your iPhone would further instruct you on what to do.

Apple says that this isn’t a foolproof method. To make the procedure work, you might need to switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. Unfortunately, this method too can fail, and reaching out to Apple support would be your best bet.

Image credit: Apple

Source: Apple Via: 9to5Mac

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Uber Apple Watch app no longer supports hailing rides

Ride-hailing company Uber killed the ability to order a ride with its Apple Watch app — now when you try to book an Uber using the Apple Watch, it surfaces a grammatically-challenged message saying the company no longer supports the app.

First spotted by Apple Insider, the change severely restricts the already limited capabilities of Uber’s Apple Watch app. Aside from hailing rides, the app also lets users receive notifications for when a driver arrived at their location. It’s not immediately clear if the Uber Apple Watch app will continue to offer that functionality, or if this is a death knell for the app as a whole. The Apple Watch Uber app remains available in the App Store as of publication.

Screenshot credit: Apple Insider

You can read the full Uber message below:

“Please switch to the Uber mobile app
“We no longer supporting [sic] the Apple Watch app. Sorry for the inconvenience 😥”

It’s also unclear why Uber suddenly abandoned the Apple Watch app. Engadget suggested the grammar issues in the message indicate that the change happened with haste, but that still leaves questions about the reason. If Uber decided to pull support because no one was using it, the company probably could have taken the time to put out a better message to the few users that remain. Perhaps there was some other issue that lead to the hasty change.

Regardless, if you were a fan of ordering Ubers with your Apple Watch, you’re out of luck now. Instead, you’ll need to book rides with the iPhone app or use a competing service that still supports ordering rides from your wrist.

Engadget also pointed out that Uber killed its WearOS app back in 2019.

Source: Apple Insider, Engadget

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Some Apple Watch Series 7 users reporting charging issues following watchOS 8.3 update

Some Apple Watch Series 7 users are reporting experiencing charging issues with the smartwatch after updating to watchOS 8.3.

The reports, which appeared on Reddit, Apple’s Support Community and MacRumors’ forums, state that the charging problem seems to mostly be related to third-party chargers no longer working with the Series 7.

In the Reddit post below, user ‘ashfleeburgooben‘ outlines how their 3rd-party charger only charged their Apple watch by roughly 2 percent in an hour.

Some users describe a situation where the Apple Watch Series 7 charges for a few minutes before suddenly stopping. The issue doesn’t seem to be tied to a specific third-party charger brand and instead affects several companies’ devices, including notable names like Belkin. While most of the forum posts related to the issue seem to be tied to the Series 7, there are some reports regarding the Apple Watch Series 6 too.

This is the second time reports regarding Apple Watch charging issues have surfaced in the last few months, though Apple claims to have fixed the problem with watchOS 8.1.1.

For what it’s worth, my Series 7 still appears to be charging normally on my several third-party Apple Watch chargers.

Source: Reddit, Apple Support Community, MacRumors

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Apple Watch owners launch lawsuit over alleged injury-causing defect

Four Apple Watch customers have filed a class-action lawsuit against Apple in California over an alleged defect in the smartwatch that can cause the glass screen to detach and cause injuries.

Specifically, the lawsuit claims various Apple Watch models ranging from the Series 3 to Series 6 do not have enough space to allow for swelling of the battery. Because of the lack of space, even minor battery swelling can cause the watch screen to detach, crack or shatter.

“The screens are made either of Ion-X glass (aluminum models) or sapphire crystal glass (stainless steel and titanium models) and each have a razor-sharp edge on all four sides,” the customers said in the lawsuit.

When exposed, customers claim that sharp edge can cause serious injury — the lawsuit includes a photo of a deep slash on the arm of one customer allegedly caused by her Apple Watch Series 3.

Because the flaw was present in several Apple Watch models, the lawsuit claims Apple violated “various consumer protection laws” by continuing to release watches with the defect.

9to5Mac notes that a similar lawsuit filed against Apple in 2018 was tossed out by a federal judge because the plaintiff “failed to identify a specific defect.” As such, that’s likely why this lawsuit attempts to link battery swelling to the defect.

The new lawsuit “seeks to represent anyone who bought any model of the Apple Watch starting with the first generation in 2015, and continuing until last year.” However, it doesn’t include the Series 7 yet.

Source: Bloomberg Via: 9to5Mac

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Apple reportedly working on three Apple Watch models for 2022 release

Apple could have several Apple Watch models currently in the works.

According to often-reliable Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as first reported by MacRumors, Apple’s 2022 smartwatch lineup will include the Apple Watch Series 8, the second-gen Apple Watch SE and a more rugged, “extreme sports” version of the wearable.

Earlier this week in his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also mentioned that Apple plans to release a “rugged” Apple Watch. Gurman’s report describes this new version of the Apple Watch as targeting athletes, bikers and people into extreme sports.

Given two sources have independently mentioned this new version of the Apple Watch’s existence, there’s likely at least some level of truth to the rumours. It’s unclear what features will be included in the Series 8 or 2nd-gen SE. That said, rumours regarding Apple Watch blood glucose monitoring have appeared several times over the past few years.

Kuo says that these three new Apple Watch models with will release in 2022.

Source: MacRumors

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Google is reportedly finally working on a Pixel Watch

It looks like Google is finally making its own smartwatch.

According to a report from Insider, the Pixel-maker plans to launch the often-rumoured wearable in 2022.

The report indicates that Google’s Pixel hardware team is working on the smartwatch and that, surprisingly, Fitbit, which Google acquired earlier this year, isn’t creating the wearable.

According to the report, it’s currently unclear if Google will call the smartwatch the ‘Pixel Watch.’ That said, the wearable will reportedly serve as an example for third-party hardware developers. The Verge’s source says the wearable is expected to cost more than a Fitbit and that it aims to compete directly with the Apple Watch.

The report indicates that the watch will sport fitness tracking features, a heart rate monitor and step counting. Google will also work towards adding Fitbit integration to Wear OS through a project currently codenamed ‘Nightlight.’

Google is currently working on a new platform with Wear OS 3, which it developed in partnership with Samsung after merging its smartwatch OS with Tizen earlier this year.

The report also states that LG’s Watch Sport and Watch Style were planned to be marketed as the Pixel Watch. However, Google reportedly backpedalled on this strategy because it felt that the design of the smartwatches didn’t match the Pixel line’s aesthetic.

It’s unclear when we’ll see the upcoming Pixel Watch release, but it will likely appear in May alongside Google I/O or in October when Google reveals the inevitable Pixel 7.

Source: Insider, The Verge

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Crash Detection is reportedly coming to iPhone and Apple Watch

Your iPhone might soon be able to automatically call 911 for you in case of a car accident.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the new feature will be called “crash detection” and will launch on both iPhones and Apple Watches. The report states that the devices would use sensors like the built-in accelerometer to determine if you’ve been in an accident. Apple has been gathering data from iPhone and Watch users and has identified over 10 million suspected accidents, with over 50,000 of them resulting in a 911 call.

Wall Street Journal’s report says that Apple has been analyzing the data and working on the new feature for several years now, with the data serving as a tool for Apple to polish the accuracy of its crash detection algorithm. While the feature is slated for a wide rollout in 2022, most likely as part of iOS 16 and watchOS 9, the WSJ says that “the timing of the new feature could change, or Apple could choose not to release it.”

The feature is similar to and builds on Apple’s Fall Detection functionality. Fall Detection automatically contacts emergency services and notifies your loved ones if you don’t reply to a fall prompt within a specific amount of time. If there are no delays and all goes according to plan, the crash-detection feature will be available for iPhones and Apple Watches in 2022, says The Wall Street Journal.

Source: Wall Street Journal

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Canadian carrier pricing and availability for the Apple Watch Series 7

If you’re looking to buy Apple’s new Apple Watch Series 7 in Canada, here’s what you need to know.

The new Apple Watch will be available directly from Apple as well as from multiple carriers. Let’s start with Apple’s pricing and availability for the Series 7:

If you order from Apple directly, the smartwatch will be delivered to you in late November to early December. However, enter your postal code on the website to check the accurate delivery timeframe.

Canadian carriers

Rogers

Rogers has the Apple Watch available in Aluminum Case only in ‘Midnight,’ Starlight’ and Blue colourways with a $10/10GB plan.

Telus

According to a Telus agent, “Financing is not available online,” and you’ll have to visit your nearest Telus store to get financing information.

Telus has the watches available in all colourways.

Bell

Bell’s website currently doesn’t have pricing information for other Series 7 models, and according to a Bell representative, “Watches and its plans are offered only at Bell Stores.”

Freedom Mobile

Freedom has the 41mm model available in ‘Midnight’ and ‘Starlight’ colourways, whereas the 45mm model is available in ‘Midnight,’ ‘Starlight’ and ‘Green’ colours.

Sasktel

While Sasktel’s website has the Apple Watch Series 7 with the pricing listed in ‘Green,’ ‘Midnight,’ Starlight,’ and ‘Blue’ colourways, it is currently out of stock. “Try visiting a SaskTel Store or Authorized Dealer,” reads the website.

Note: Pricing for individual carrier plans will be added when we hear back from carriers.