MadeforAppleWatch
Latest
Apple rumored to let other companies make Watch chargers
Apple is believed to be ready to let third parties build magnetic charging cables for the Apple Watch in the same way as it does for the iPhone and iPad. A report by 9to5Mac claims that the company is gearing up to launch a Made for Apple Watch licensing program that'll enable other firms to build their own. Currently, watch stands have to have a groove cut out of them into which you can cram your bundled charging cable. Unfortunately, that's not a very elegant solution for your nightstand, especially if you've dropped $100 on a custom dock. If the report is to believed, then we should start seeing integrated chargers all over the place by early 2016.
Apple launches program for third-party Watch strap makers
There's already a number of Apple-made and third-party Watch bands out there, but Cupertino wants more -- and it wants products that follow its exact specifications. The company has launched a "Made for Apple Watch" program, which gives makers a list of design requirements to follow, similar to its "Made for iPhone" program for accessory creators. Apple's Watch straps are interchangeable, since they're attached to "lugs" that easily slide out from the watchface with the press of a button. The tech juggernaut will provide those lugs to the program's participants, though they can also create their own, so long as they use Apple-approved materials.