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Apple Watch has 8GB of storage, but you can't use it all yet
If you're planning to listen to music on the Apple Watch while you go running, you may need to keep your expectations in check. Apple tells 9to5Mac that the wearable has 8GB of built-in storage (twice as much as a typical Android Wear watch), but that there are set limits on how much media you can store. Only 2GB is available for music, so don't think of stuffing in a gigantic exercise playlist. In practice, you're looking at about 200 to 250 songs at the 256Kbps quality you get from the iTunes Store. There's also just 75MB of space for photos, although that won't matter as much given that the Watch both limits you to favorite photos and resizes images to match the smaller display.
Yes, you can replace the Apple Watch battery (through Apple)
If you've considered getting an Apple Watch, you've probably wondered about what happens when that battery eventually runs dry. Surely Apple would have a way to keep your timepiece running for more than a couple of years, right? Yes, it does. The company has confirmed to TechCrunch that the battery "is replaceable" -- by Apple, that is. There's no mention of how much a replacement costs when you're out of warranty (we've reached out to learn more), but a quick look at the fine print on product pages shows that you'll get in-warranty coverage if your battery has lost 50 percent or more of its capacity. That could be an issue if you depend on the Watch often, since the battery life may become unacceptably short before you qualify for a free fix.
Apple labored over the perfect interface for its Watch Activity app
Apple's Watch designers did a lot of reps on the Workout and Activity apps before arriving at the final design, according to an internal memo dug up by 9to5 Mac. The company's in-house fitness guru Jay Blahnik detailed the design process of the Watch's key apps, saying, "We kept asking ourselves, 'What could we do to measure all-day activity that would be more useful than traditional all-day activity trackers?'" To arrive at the answer, the company decided to build both apps in-house, in order to "build our own knowledge base from the ground up" rather than using off-the-shelf software.
Here's more detail about how long Apple's Watch battery will last
What does an all-day battery life of 18 hours really consist of? That's what Apple's promising it's debut smartwatch will offer. Thankfully, it has also detailed a bunch of other power-draining use cases to allay / confirm (delete as appropriate) any battery life fears. This typical use battery life apparently consisted of: "90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 30-minute workout with music playback from Apple Watch via Bluetooth" Apple notes that this was a preproduction model from this month, and even offers all the other reasons why you might not get the same numbers, stating that "Battery life varies by use, configuration, and many other factors; actual results will vary." Placing a call through the watch will allow you to talk to your wrist for just three hours, while at the opposite end of the use spectrum, just wanting to see the time on the display will mean the watch can eke out up to 78 hours of use -- entailing four time checks every hour, but nothing else.
Apple Watch bands will cost between $49 and $449
An Apple Watch won't do you a ton of good without a band to hold it to your wrist and Cupertino has plenty of options to choose from. Let's start from the bottom: A 38mm sport band runs $49, and a 42mm one is the same price. It starts getting more expensive from there, though. The 38mm Milanese Loop (which looks an awful lot like chainmail if you ask me) is $149. Same goes for the 42mm large leather Loop. The smaller, 38mm Modern Buckle costs $249. The Link Bracelet will set you back the most, however, at $449 for a 42mm band (just over the price of two Pebble Time watches). Of course, none of them are available to ship at the moment despite how much you might want one -- you'll have to wait a few weeks for that.
Watch the replay of Apple's 'spring forward' event
Were you stuck at work when Apple kicked off its "spring forward" event and missed out on the whole shebang? Relax. As is its custom, Cupertino has posted a replay of the event so that you can tune in on your own terms. Just make sure you have a good hour and a half if you're bent on seeing the whole thing. Apple had a lot on its slate at this presentation, including Apple Watch launch details, medical research and even a shiny new MacBook.
One month to launch: A closer look at Apple's Watch
I was never a watch guy. Actually, let me rephrase -- I was never a watch guy until I bought a Tissot online for giggles (and about $350). That day sort of changed the way I looked at these seemingly archaic wrist appliances. They become a statement about you. They can make you feel awesome. And, perhaps most importantly to Apple, they can stop being a thing you wear and become something you don't want to take on your day without. With all that said, and given my general lack of expertise in horology, I did the only sensible thing I could. I strapped on the $12,000, yellow gold Apple Watch Edition in an incredibly dark room and took it for a spin.
Apple Watch vs. the competition: Where does it stand?
Now that Mobile World Congress has come and gone, bringing with it a slew of smartwatch announcements, it's time to learn more about Apple's own highly anticipated entry into the market. We finally have a firm release date and a price -- April 24, starting at $349 for the 38mm Apple Watch Sport. But the field it's entering has changed quite a bit since the Apple Watch was first announced in September. What can the Apple Watch expect to face off against when it hits stores, and how does it ultimately stack up? We've compared some of the top models in the table below, and you can walk through our gallery to learn about even more options on the market.
Want some apps for that Apple Watch? You'll need iOS 8.2
We already got the big Apple Watch reveal last fall. But today, Tim Cook took the stage at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco to let us all know what wonders that very Apple smartwatch can perform, like make and receive calls! Oh yes, and there's also a host of apps to take advantage of Apple Watch, but to get them, first you'll need to download the new iOS 8.2 software update for your iPhone. Good thing it's available today.
The most expensive Apple Watch costs upward of $10,000
There's only one Apple Watch, but the company is happy to sell it to you one of three ways: as the Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch or the Apple Watch Edition. Confusing names aside, it's the third on the list that has courted the most speculation. Now, the company has revealed that the watch, dressed up in a solid 18-karat gold case with an "exquisitely designed" band will set you back upward of $10,000. Yup, we're in "if you have to ask, it's too expensive" territory now, folks.
Apple Watch is available April 24 starting at $350
It's been six whole months since Tim Cook revealed the Apple Watch to the world. Here we are again. With good reason, though. Apple may have already officially introduced us to its first smartwatch, but there were still some big questions left unanswered. Today Apple gathered the press to give the Watch the launch event it always deserved (and, you know, tell us how much it'll cost and when we can buy it, what apps we can expect, etc.). Now we have some answers.
Apple Watch lasts 18 hours on a charge
If you've been anxious that the Apple Watch might not last long on your wrist, you can relax... well, a bit. Apple now estimates that the device will hold out for 18 hours of typical use. Just what that means isn't clear, but the company has previously suggested that this includes a lot of activity -- there was previous talk of it surviving five hours of nonstop use, which is a lot of time to spend staring at your arm. Either way, you'll definitely be charging up every night. That's on par with most other smartwatches, but it'll be a bit disappointing if you were hoping for the weeklong charges of e-paper devices like the Pebble Time.
Apple Pay adoption triples to 700,000 locations in six weeks
Apple's Pay started well and has grown at a steady clip. But at Apple's Watch event, Tim Cook has announced just how much it's taken off in the last month or so: It's now accepted at over 700,000 locations. That now includes Coca-Cola machines, up to 100,000 of which will take the wireless payments by the end of the year. For some perspective, we reported about a month and a half ago that Apple Pay was accepted at 200,000 points of purchase, meaning recent adoption has accelerated at a breakneck pace -- and it'll soon get a boost from Apple Watch users. The only drawback? That success has attracted throngs of fraudsters, forcing banks to adapt quickly by tightening security.
Live from Apple's 'spring forward' keynote!
When Apple announces it's going to hold a "spring forward" event the day after daylight saving time begins, that can only mean one thing: We're going to hear more about the famous Apple Watch before it goes on sale next month. Actually it means something else too. A few sleep-deprived Engadget editors have made the trek to San Francisco to cover the keynote live, because you know a lost hour of sleep ain't gonna stop us. And by all accounts, it should be a pretty newsy day indeed. I mean, just think of all the things we don't know about the Apple Watch: its battery life, fitness features, what day it's going on sale and how much that fancy gold edition is going to cost. We're here for answers, folks, and we suspect we'll know a lot more by the time Tim Cook leaves the stage today. For now, just settle in and leave the hard work to us: bringing you all the news as it's breaking. March 9, 2015 1:00:00 PM EDT
Here's how to watch Apple's 'spring forward' event
Can't help but give in to the hype surrounding Apple's "spring forward" event today? You'll have a few ways to satisfy your curiosity about the Apple Watch... and anything else Tim Cook might show. Apple is hosting its own live stream starting at 1PM Eastern, although you'll need to use an iOS device, an Apple TV or Safari on a Mac to tune in. Don't worry if video isn't an option, though. We'll be covering the event live at the same time, so you can catch the goings-on no matter what device you're using. [Image credit: Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images]
Here's how you pay with an Apple Watch
Apple was quick to tout payment support on the Apple Watch, but how does it work, really? How easily could a thief go on a shopping spree with your timepiece? Don't worry about waiting until the launch to find out, as the company's Eddy Cue has spilled the beans on Apple Pay support a little early. He explains that you have to authenticate using either your fingerprint on the iPhone or a password on the Watch to start spending; after that, you can leave your phone in your pocket. That approval only works so long as the Apple Watch is still on your wrist, though, and you can even force the device to ask for a password every time (you know, in case someone hijacks your arm). In short, Apple, isn't taking any chances -- it wants you to trust that your wristwear is at least as secure as anything else you're carrying.
Recommended Reading: Exploring the vastness of 'No Man's Sky'
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. 'No Man's Sky' is so Big, the Developers Built Space Probes to Explore it for Them by Dave Tach Polygon Our own Ben Gilbert was quite smitten with No Man's Sky back at E3 2014, and Hello Games delivered more info on the PS4 title at this week's GDC. One of the most interesting bits? The game is so big that devs had to build space probes to examine its landscape. Only the game's designers will ever see the machines, but they're tasked with zooming around the title's 18 quintillion worlds shooting video footage of what they encounter.
What to expect from Apple's 'spring forward' watch event
Here's a twist: Apple is about to hold an event where you probably know what the main attraction will be. Yes, barring surprises, the March 9th "spring forward" presentation will largely answer the remaining questions about the Apple Watch. However, that list of questions is seemingly a mile long. How much will it cost to get the watch you want? What's the battery life like? Are there any surprise features? And this is all before you factor in rumors about other devices showing up, like new iPads or MacBooks. It's all a bit overwhelming, but don't worry. We've gathered up the most plausible leaks and rumors surrounding the event, so you'll know what to expect -- and in some cases, what not to expect -- when Tim Cook and crew take the stage.
Apple expects you to use its Watch in 10-second bursts
Apple doesn't want you to spend a lot of time with Watch apps. Specifically, if you're looking at your Cupertino-device adorned wrist for more than 10 seconds, that isn't ideal according to Bloomberg's sources. In addition to quick bursts of info, Watch apps also use location services, among other features, to keep the amount of distractions to a minimum so your wrist won't constantly buzz. For instance, saving specific personal email alerts until you're home from work. From the sounds of it, that should serve a few different purposes: conserving battery life and keeping annoyance levels down. The former of course is a common complaint lobbed at most smartwatches thus far.
The Apple Watch has a low-power mode that only tells the time
If you're jonesing for an Apple Watch, you probably want to do a lot with it. But what if you're headed out to a party and would rather not risk staring at a dead screen when you're wondering how late it is? Don't worry, you're covered. The New York Times understands that the Watch has an unannounced Power Reserve option that limits the device to telling time. While it's not a completely unique feature (other watches do similar things), it's definitely helpful -- and it's a departure for Apple, whose mobile devices haven't had these kinds of extreme energy-saving modes until now. Tim Cook and crew aren't likely to make a big deal of Power Reserve at Apple's March 9th event, assuming it shows up, but it could be one of the Watch's most important real-world features.
