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Save up to $129 on the Apple Watch Series 4
It was less than a month ago that Apple unveiled its latest smartwatch, but already Amazon has discounted the Series 5's predecessor, the Apple Watch Series 4. The deepest discounts come with the base silver aluminum and white sport band versions of the 44mm models. The GPS model is currently $349.97, down from $429. Meanwhile, Amazon has discounted the more expensive GPS + Cellular variant by $129.03, making it $399.97 to start, instead of $529. The almost 25 percent discount on the latter model is the biggest price drop on the Series 4 to date.
iOS 13 with Apple Arcade and watchOS 6 are now available
If you've been holding on patiently for Apple Arcade, system-wide dark mode on your iPhone, the Sign in with Apple feature and better Maps and Siri, your wait is over: Apple has released iOS 13 and watchOS 6. You might need to be a little patient before the update shows up on your iPhone or Apple Watch -- the company's servers typically get slammed whenever a major OS update drops.
Apple watchOS 6 launches on September 19th
When Apple unveiled watchOS 6 at its June event, there was a lot of ground to cover. The wearable OS would include an on-device App Store and an even deeper focus on health tracking. Alongside ambient noise alerts to save your ears, the wearable OS will include a menstrual cycle tracker and audiobook support. On the looks front, watchOS 6 adds several new dynamic watch faces, including Meridian, Modular Compact and Solar Dial. Finally, watchOS 6 will be available to download on September 19th, with new Apple Watch Series 5 hardware coming a day later on September 20th. The new watchOS will work on Series 3 and 4 watches at launch, with Apple promising an update to Series 1 and 2 timepieces later this fall.
Watch Apple's 2019 iPhone event here at 1PM ET
It's time for Apple's customary iPhone event, but there are a few twists this time around -- including how you can watch it. The proceedings at the Steve Jobs Theater will still be available on Apple's website and its event app for Apple TV starting at 1PM Eastern, but you can also watch on YouTube (embedded below) for the first time. Yes, it's now more a question of where you'd like to stream the show than whether you can stream it at all. We'll also have a live blog direct from the event if you'd like a blow-by-blow account.
What to expect at Apple's September 10 iPhone event
There are three things you always count on September for: Kids trudging back to school, the end of summer's oppressive heat and new iPhones. Apple is gearing up to show off a handful of updated models at 1 PM Eastern/10AM Pacific on September 10th, but they're far from the only things the company plans to introduce. Before we jump on a plane and set a course for California, let's take a closer look at everything we expect — and hope — Apple has in store for us when we land.
Apple Watch may get sleep tracking as soon as next week
The Apple Watch might include sleep tracking sooner than you think. Sources talking to 9to5Mac claim to have significant details as to how the health feature will work, with word that it might be announced "as early as next week" at the September 10th event. Some details aren't surprising, but they suggest this isn't just a throwaway addition.
Nike's self-lacing Huarache can be controlled with Apple Watch and Siri
The late '80s and early '90s are fondly remembered by Nike fans. The Air Max 1 and Air Max 90 redefined sneaker designs with their "visible air" heel units. The Air Huarache crossed over from runners to fashion-conscious city-dwellers thanks to its unconventional exoskeleton. While the popularity of the Huarache has ebbed and flowed since its 1991 launch, the model is currently in heavy rotation among sneakerheads, making it an ideal choice for Nike's self-lacing Adapt technology.
The next Apple Watch may come in titanium and ceramic models
Apple Watch Series 4 appeared to mark the death of the Edition line, but those luxurious models might be ready to come roaring back. iHelp BR said it has discovered animations in the watchOS 6 beta that reference not just the previously rumored return of ceramic models for the next Apple Watch, but a brand new titanium option as well. It's unclear if they would be part of a new Series 5 lineup or just a cosmetic tweak to Series 4, but Apple has historically introduced new materials alongside hardware upgrades.
Apple releases iOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3 with Walkie Talkie bug fix
The releases of iOS 13, watchOS 6 and macOS Catalina are likely just a couple of months away, but that isn't stopping Apple from giving the current versions a big sendoff. The tech behemoth has released iOS 12.4, HomePod 12.4, tvOS 12.4, watchOS 5.3 and macOS 10.14.6, most of which bring important tweaks. The iOS update is most useful if you're setting up a new iPhone -- you can wireless transfer data directly from an old handset to a new one instead of restoring from iCloud or iTunes. Apple News has also seen some refinements, with downloaded issues showing up in My Magazines and all News+ publications appearing in the catalog at the top of the feed.
Apple is trying to save my hearing after I spent years ruining it
My love affair with loud music started in earnest in my sophomore year of high school, when I got an iPod for my birthday and immediately started blasting Black Mages albums and anime theme songs. Fast forward fifteen years, and my morning commute neatly illustrates just how bad my hearing has gotten. I get dressed, walk to the subway, pop in my AirPods and crank up the volume to 100 percent. That's the only way I can really hear my podcasts over the cacophony of the Q train as it winds through Brooklyn and chugs along over the Manhattan Bridge.
Apple's watchOS 6 finally adds an app store
The Apple Watch is about to become that much more independent from your iPhone. Apple has introduced watchOS 6, and its centerpiece is an on-device App Store -- yes, you can download apps to your wrist without having to reach for your handset. There are apps that can exist wholly independently of the iPhone, Apple said. You can also expect a slew of new first-party apps that fill in longstanding gaps in functionality, including Audiobooks, Voice Memos and (at last) a calculator.
Apple Watch may soon get an on-device App Store
It's no secret that Apple has plenty of software updates in store for WWDC, but the biggest improvements may come to one of its smallest devices -- namely, the Apple Watch. Bloomberg sources claim to know many of the software introductions planned for the June developer event, and watchOS would receive major updates that make it considerably less dependent on an iPhone. To start, the Apple Watch would get an on-device App Store -- like Google Play on Wear OS, you wouldn't have to load apps on your smartphone first.
Apple's WWDC keynote is set for June 3rd
Apple has set the dates for this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. It takes place June 3rd to 7th at San Jose's McEnery Convention Center, the same venue as the last couple of years. At WWDC, Apple typically gives developers (and everyone else) an early look at upcoming versions of iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. We might also learn a little more about Apple's services (it's likely to announce streaming video and news subscription plans this month) or even get a glimpse at new hardware.
Apple fixes a host of bugs for iOS, Apple Watch and HomePod
Don't look now, but you'll have a lot of updating to do if you live deep in the Apple ecosystem. Apple has released updates that tackle a host of issues for iOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS and HomePod. For iPhone and iPad users, iOS 12.1.3 mostly addresses specific but annoying bugs. It'll prevent photos from displaying artifacts when you send them from a share sheet, prevent some CarPlay systems from disconnecting from newer iPhones and solve audio distortion if you use external audio input devices with the latest iPad Pro. It likewise addresses a problem scrolling through images in Messages while looking at the Details view.
Apple Watch 4's ECG feature is rolling out today
The Apple Watch 4 stole the show at the Apple event in September, in large part due to its built-in electrocardiogram (ECG). The smartwatch was touted as the first consumer device to pack the function -- which goes one further from detecting a low heart rate to sense a dangerous condition known as an atrial fibrillation. Fast forward almost three months, and The Verge reports that the feature is available today courtesy of the latest watchOS update (5.1.2.), along with an irregular rate notification feature for Apple Watches going back to Series 1.
Apple reportedly extends Watch return period for heart feature issues
Apple is reportedly extending its Apple Watch refund window from two weeks to 45 days -- but only for returns related to heart health features, including the upcoming electrocardiogram app on Apple Watch Series 4. You'll have to make such refund requests through Apple Support rather than in Apple Stores after the usual 14 days, according to an internal document MacRumors obtained.
Apple releases watchOS 5.1.1 after previous update bricked devices
Apple has released its latest watchOS update, after the previous release caused a bricking issue on some Apple Watches. The watchOS 5.1.1 update seems to resolve the problem that led the company to pull version 5.1 soon after releasing it last week.
Spotify begins testing Apple Watch app
A year and a half later, Spotify is following through on its plans to make an official Apple Watch app. The streaming music provider has released a test version of its iOS client that includes a companion app for Apple's wearable. To call it basic would be an understatement, mind you. You can control playback from your phone, and that's about it -- for now, you'll have to set aside your dreams of listening to an offline playlist while you're at the gym.
Apple pulls watchOS update that was bricking some Watches (updated)
There's another reason to be disappointed with the latest Apple watchOS 5.1 release besides the missing ECG feature. Some users have reported that the update has bricked their Apple Watches, according to a Reddit thread and 9to5 Mac. After the update, it gets stuck on the Apple logo, and rebooting the paired iPhone and Watch doesn't fix the problem. "Turns your Apple Watch into a nice, modern paperweight," noted one Reddit user.
Apple releases iOS 12.1, watchOS 5.1 with Group FaceTime (updated)
Apple has released a smorgasbord of updates, and iOS 12.1 is just the start of them. Notably, you can now upgrade to watchOS 5.1 on Apple Watch Series 4 devices. It doesn't include the wearable's marquee ECG feature, unfortunately, but there are new solid-color watch faces and compatibility for features arriving on iOS and Mac, including Group FaceTime (audio only on the Apple Watch, of course) and more than 70 new emoji.
