New ‘CMRA’ Band for Apple Watch Features Dual 2MP and 8MP Cameras

Glide recently announced a new Apple Watch band that includes both a 2MP front-facing camera, as well as an 8MP outward-facing one, with the ability to capture crisp images and HD videos “in a tap.” Called the “CMRA,” users simply have to tap a button built into the band to snap a photo or long-press to begin recording a video, and on one charge the CMRA can take “hundreds of photos,” or about 30 minutes of video (via Re/code).

The sole button housed on the band also switches it between the two cameras with a double-tap. Any pictures or videos taken with the band are seamlessly integrated with Apple’s stock Photos app, so it’s easy to store, edit, and share moments captured on the CMRA. Glide says that the cameras on its band include tilt-balancing, lens correction, noise reduction, and pixel optimization features to provide enhanced shots on the fly. In terms of storage, the CMRA has 8GB of onboard flash memory.

The band’s video conferencing feature uses Glide’s iPhone and Apple Watch chat app to let users talk in real time, or send recorded video messages to one another. When the Apple Watch app launched last year, it set itself up as a companion to the iPhone app, notifying users of live Glides, missed messages, and let users watch videos right on their wrists. With CMRA, now users can begin recording those videos without needing to grab an iPhone.

For charging, pre-orders of the device will come with a custom dual-charging dock that charges both the Apple Watch and CMRA together, and the dock itself includes a battery pack so it can recharge the two devices twice during travel. Speaking with Re/code, Glide CEO Ari Roisman explained that the company is offering up pre-orders months in advance (CMRA is predicted to launch in Spring 2017) to test the waters and see how much interest the product gathers online.

As for why it is taking orders so early, Roisman offers up the standard answer for small companies looking to do hardware: It needs to know how many to build, and the best way to do that is to sell them publicly before the first units roll off the manufacturing lines.

“The camera is only valuable when it is out and ready to take a photo or video,” says Glide CEO Ari Roisman. “Our phones live in our pockets.”

For those interested, the CMRA can be pre-ordered from Glide’s website at an early bird price of $149.00 in both 38mm and 42mm. The device is expected to sell at $249.00 once it launches, and the company will mark it down to $199.00 for later pre-orders.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tags: Apple Watch accessories, Glide, Apple Watch bands
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Seeds First Beta of watchOS 3.1.1 to Developers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming watchOS 3.1.1 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after releasing watchOS 3.1, the first watchOS 3 update, and more than a month after releasing watchOS 3 to the public.

watchOS 3.1.1 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. watchOS 3.1 requires an iPhone running iOS 10 to install.

It is not yet known what new features might be included in the watchOS 3.1.1 update, but we’ll update this post with any new discoveries. watchOS updates are often minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes and performance improvements.

watchOS 3 completely overhauls the interface on the Apple Watch, introducing a dedicated app dock, instant launch apps, new watch faces, and new complication options. There are new Activity sharing features, a “Breathe” app guides users through deep breathing sessions to cut down on stress, and an SOS feature can automatically call emergency service.

For more details on what’s new in watchOS 3, make sure to check out our watchOS 3 roundup.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Watch Series 1 and 2 Owners Noticing ‘Great’ Battery Improvements in watchOS 3.1

One week ago, Apple released watchOS 3.1 to the public, bringing various bug fixes and performances improvements to the first version update of watchOS 3. Over the past few days a hidden advantage of 3.1 has been discovered, with users on the MacRumors forums and Reddit mentioning that they have vastly improved battery life on their Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2 following the new update.

In a thread that started last Wednesday, forum member tromboneaholic posted a topic about the “great battery life” found on their Series 1 Apple Watch after updating to 3.1. Sixteen hours after charging the device, it still had 75 percent battery, even “with everything turned on like location services and background app refresh.” Series 1 and Series 2 Apple Watch owners note the same beefed up battery life in 3.1, with one forum member saying that they “can now comfortably skip charging every other night” if they wanted.

I read reports that beta users were getting great battery life under 3.1. I wasn’t prepared for how big the improvement would be. I have a Series 1, and I had 75% battery left after 16 hours yesterday. After charging it over night, I have 97% battery after 6 hours. This is with everything turned on like location services and background app refresh. So far I haven’t had any strange reboots like I had under 3.0. I would say this is an amazing update for the watch.

My field test with watchOS 3.1 on my AW S2: took it off the charger Friday at 5:00 am and it lasted until Sunday 7:00 pm. Great! I think I’ll go for a charge every other night and see how that works. For once a great software update, Apple!

Some users have even managed to get a Series 2 Apple Watch on 3.1 to last all weekend. Most Apple Watch owners have known in the past that Apple’s recommended 18 hour battery life could get them through at least one day without a charge, but now it appears watchOS 3.1 has improved that to a point where users can easily get to the two day mark, as long as there aren’t many intensive tasks running on the wearable. Understandably, some apps — like Apple’s stock Workout app — increase battery loss when running in the background, which offsets the statistic for users working out heavily throughout the day.

Some owners of the original Apple Watch, known online as “Series 0,” appear to not have gotten the same battery boost, however. One forum member said their Series 0 “has actually gotten a little worse” on 3.1, with the end-of-day battery percentage down by 10 percent on average. Another user worried about their iPhone 7 potentially being the culprit behind major battery drainage issues, but 3.1 doesn’t seem to have helped their case. That forum member mentioned their battery “drops like a stone” after each workout, so it’s most likely a specific hardware issue and not a widespread bug.

My series 0 has actually gotten a little worse. I even unpaired/repaired. In WatchOS 2 I generally finished my day with roughly 25-35% left, with a 1-hour workout. Now i’m down to 10-15% with a 25-45 minute workout.

Sadly my 3.0 and 3.1 experience with original watch is very different. Have unpaired, repaired, reset, restarted but still battery drops life a stone after a workout has run. Have removed all but the one face, background refresh off, handoff off. Genius Bar went through diagnostics and reported all ok. Have a worry that it could be my iPhone 7 causing the problem as the few days with 3.0 on old iPhone 6 I didn’t notice the drain.

Still, the battery improvements for the newer Apple Watches appear to be one of the more notable changes to watchOS for most users. As one Redditor shared yesterday, on a 42mm Series 2 Apple Watch they managed to keep a battery of around 82 percent after 11 hours of standby and 1 hour of usage. That percentage was with prominent haptics, max brightness, and background app refresh all turned on, as well. Since posting, many have shared similar experiences.

Check out the full watchOS 3.1 battery improvement thread over in the MacRumors forums to see more stories related to the update.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

First Apple Watch Nike+ Unboxing Photos and Videos Appear Online

As the Apple Watch Nike+ begins making its way to pre-order customers today, a few users have taken to Reddit and Twitter to share some unboxing pictures and videos of the new device.

Continuing in the vein of the Apple Watch Sport aluminum models, the Nike+ comes in a long, rectangular package, but inside of a black box instead of a white one. Underneath the cover of the box, the typical “Designed by Apple in California” phrase has been replaced with “Designed for athletes by Apple and Nike.”

The rest of the packaging appears largely similar to the traditional style of Apple Watch. The Apple Watch Nike+ itself includes a few exclusive watch faces for users of the device to take advantage of in order to enhance their daily running habits, and the watch works in tandem with the newly-updated Nike+ Run Club iOS app. With the updated app, Apple Watch Nike+ wearers can use Series 2’s onboard GPS to keep track of their runs within Run Club, and even stream Apple Music in the app.

Some pre-order customers are also starting to share the Nike+ Watch on their wrists, and one user on Reddit explained a few of the customization options available for the exclusive watch faces. For the face in the image below, Redditor kisstherobot said that the color can be changed to white (image quality appears to have slightly altered what is supposed to be light green), and the text can be “filled, outlined, or a mix of both.”

In one of the few videos available online of an Apple Watch Nike+ unboxing, Twitter user @Gielk can be seen opening the new Apple Watch and briefly examining the Black/Volt version of the Nike Sport Band.

#Apple #Watch #Nike+ #unboxing pic.twitter.com/XXBRoLk19V

— Giel Konink (@Gielk) October 28, 2016

Apple Watch Nike+ has launched in 41 countries today, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, and the rollout will continue with 7 new countries tomorrow and Israel on Sunday. In a press release shared earlier in the week, Apple also confirmed that the new Nike+ bands will not be sold separately, and can only be obtained by purchasing an Apple Watch Nike+ collection.

For those interested, the collections start at $369 for 38mm and go up to $399 for 42mm, and can be purchased from Apple.com, Nike.com, Apple retail stores, “select” Nike retail stores, and some department stores including Macy’s and DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: Apple Watch Nike+ Edition
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Releases watchOS 3.1 With Bug Fixes

Apple today released a new software update for the Apple Watch, upgrading watchOS 3 to watchOS 3.1. The new watchOS 3.1 update comes more than one month after watchOS 3 was first provided to the public, marking the first update to the new operating system. watchOS 3.1 has been in testing since September 21, with Apple having seeded three betas before launch.

watchOS 3.1 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General -> Software Update. To install the update, the Apple Watch must have 50 percent battery, it must be placed on the charger, and it must be in range of the iPhone. An iPhone running iOS 10 or later is required to download the new software, but it is available for all Apple Watch models.

During the beta testing period, no major outward-facing changes or feature tweaks were discovered, so watchOS 3.1 focuses mainly on performance improvements and bug fixes to address issues that have popped up since the release of watchOS 3. The release notes list several bug fixes and improvements:

– New option to replay bubble and full screen effects in Messages
– Messages effects can play with Reduce Motion enabled
– Fixes an issue that could cause the notification for Timer complete to be delivered twice
– Resolves an issue that could prevent Apple Watch Series 2 from fully charging
– Resolves an issue where Activity rings may disappear from the watch face
– Fixes an issue that prevented Force Touch options from appearing in some third-party apps.

watchOS 3 is a significant update that brings a new interface to the Apple Watch, with a dedicated app dock, instant launch apps, and new watch faces. There are new Activity sharing features, a “Breathe” app guides users through deep breathing sessions to cut down on stress, and an SOS feature can automatically call emergency services. For more details on watchOS 3, make sure to check out our watchOS 3 roundup.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Sold 70% Fewer Apple Watches This Summer Compared to Last

The latest numbers from market research firm IDC reveal Apple Watch shipments totaled an estimated 1.1 million units in the third quarter, reflecting a three-month period between June and September, a sharp 71.6% decline compared to an estimated 3.9 million Apple Watch shipments last summer.

The decline can be at least partially attributed to the lack of an Apple Watch refresh until the final two weeks of the quarter, when the Apple Watch Series 2 and slightly updated first-generation models launched. The overall smartwatch market also declined an estimated 51.6% in the third quarter.

Apple still maintained its position as the overall leader of the worldwide smartwatch market with an estimated 41.3% market share, despite posting the second largest year-over-year decline among the leading vendors. Garmin finished in second with an estimated 20.5% market share following strong 342.2% growth.

Garmin’s growing list of ConnectIQ-enabled smartwatches and the new fenix Chronos allowed it to leapfrog Samsung, which captured only 14.4% market share based on an estimated 400,000 smartwatch shipments, according to IDC. Lenovo and Pebble rounded off the top five with an estimated 100,000 shipments respectively.

Apple does not disclose Watch sales in its quarterly earning results, instead grouping the device under its “Other Products” category alongside the likes of iPods, Apple TVs, Beats, and accessories. The focus will now shift to the more important fourth quarter, encompassing the busy holiday shopping season.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: IDC
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Details Launch Countries for Apple Watch Nike+, Confirms Bands Will Not Be Sold Separately

In a press release sent out today, which further confirms the launch of the Apple Watch Nike+ this Friday, October 28, Apple has given detailed information on the availability of the running-focused device as the rollout begins this weekend. For its official launch on Friday, the Apple Watch Nike+ will debut in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and 38 other countries.

Following the October 28 debut of the device, Apple will then keep expanding the launch of the Apple Watch Nike+ in 7 countries on Saturday, October 29, and one country on Sunday, October 30. Below is the complete list of countries the wearable will be made available throughout each launch period.

October 28:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Columbia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Luxembourg
• Macau
• Malaysia
• Mexico

• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Singapore
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Russia
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States

October 29:

• Bahrain
• Greece
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE

October 30:

• Israel

The Apple Watch Nike+ comes with a collection of exclusive features baked into the device’s hardware, including the new Nike+ Run Club app, so users can get the most out of running with the Apple Watch as possible. In the new press release, Apple also confirmed that the Nike Sport Bands will be sold exclusively in Apple Watch Nike+ collections, and not be sold separately.

Otherwise, the Nike device is the same as all of the other Series 2 Apple Watches, with built-in GPS, “the brightest display Apple has ever made,” and water resistance up to 50 meters. Apple Watch Nike+ will be available in 38 mm at $369 and in 42 mm at $399 from Apple.com, Nike.com, Apple retail stores, “select” Nike retail stores, and some department stores including Macy’s and DICK’S Sporting Goods.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: Apple Watch Nike+ Edition
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Watch Pop Up Shop in Galeries Lafayette Closing January 2017 Due to Poor Sales

Originally opened in 2015 as a high-end location for users to browse various models of the Apple Watch, particularly the gold Apple Watch Edition, Mac4Ever is now reporting that Apple will close its location in Galeries Lafayette effective January 2017. A number of upscale department stores launched Apple Watch pop up shops when the original wearable device debuted in 2015, including Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Selfridges in London, and Isetan in Tokyo.

Today’s report cites a lack of sales at the Apple Watch-centric shop, along with an apparent reduction of employees over the past few months that had been in preparation for its January closure. The remaining employees will be given jobs at Apple retail stores around Paris once the pop up shop officially closes, including Apple’s future location in Saint Germain, expected to open by the end of the year. The status and potential closing dates of the other luxury Apple Watch shops was not confirmed.

The shops were some of the select few locations that users could browse and purchase the high-end Apple Watch Edition, which in Series 0 began at $10,000 and went up to over $17,000. The “shop-in-shops” were noted as being located in easily visible areas in each department store, nestled next to other high quality brand locations, and ensured that “customers looking to make major purchases” only received “the best service possible.” These locations only handled Apple Watch viewing and sales, however, with customers getting directed to other Apple retail stores for their support needs.

With Apple’s shift to health and fitness over fashion and luxury in Apple Watch Series 2, it makes sense for Apple to eliminate its high-end pop up stores that were marketing mostly in the now-retired gold Apple Watch Edition models. With Series 2, Apple’s new Edition device comes in white Ceramic and is noticeably cheaper, beginning at $1,250 for 38mm and rising to $1,300 for 42mm.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tag: Apple Watch Edition
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple’s Website Mentions ‘Apple Watch Victory,’ a Possible Alternate Name for Nike+ Apple Watch

References to a mysterious “Apple Watch Victory” have shown up on Apple’s website in the United Arab Emirates, hinting at an alternate name the company may have considered for the Apple Watch Nike+.

An AppleCare+ support page for the United Arab Emirates, shared by 9to5Mac, mentions AppleCare+ options for the “Apple Watch” and “Apple Watch Victory,” a product that does not exist.

On a similar page for Canada, the “Apple Watch” and the “Apple Watch Nike+” are listed in the same text, suggesting Apple perhaps planned to call the Apple Watch Nike+ the Apple Watch Victory at some point before changing the name to something more brand oriented.

United Arab Emirates AppleCare+ support page on top, Canadian AppleCare+ support page on bottom
It’s possible “Apple Watch Victory” is an unreleased product, a scrapped product or an alternate name for a different version of the Apple Watch, but given the evidence of the two similar AppleCare+ pages, it seems most likely “Apple Watch Victory” was a code name or an alternate name considered for the Apple Watch Apple designed in collaboration with Nike.

Apple’s AppleCare+ support page for the Apple Watch in the United States is worded differently, referring only to the Apple Watch without a mention of specific models in the section in question.

While inconsequential, it’s always interesting to get an inside look at the changes that a product goes through before release and a glimpse at one of the names that Apple used as a code name or considered using for the Apple Watch Nike line.

The Apple Watch Nike+, which is an Apple Watch Sport model with Nike branding, Nike software, and a unique perforated Sport Band, officially launches on Friday, October 28. 38mm models are priced at $369 and 42mm models are priced at $399.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Quietly Updates Site Confirming Apple Watch Nike+ Launch on October 28

Apple recently updated the Apple Watch Nike+ section of its official website with a launch date two weeks from today, on Friday, October 28, for the anticipated device (via Watch Generation). When announced alongside the other Apple Watch Series 2 models on September 7, Apple did not divulge a specific debut besides sometime in “late October.”

Anyone interested can pre-order the wearable in four models starting at $369 for 38mm and $399 for 42mm. Apple’s partnership with Nike aims to help runners achieve better results while wearing the Apple Watch, with an aluminum casing similar to other Sport editions and a unique perforated band that’s stretchy, light, and breathable.

The changes extend into the software of the Apple Watch Nike+ as well, as Nike has designed special software for the Nike+, which is designed to motivate runners to stay active. Nike+ Apple Watches include unique Nike-designed watch faces and complications for the Apple device that users will only be able to get when purchasing the special edition of the Apple Watch.

At its iPhone 7 event, Apple mentioned that its wireless AirPods would see a late October launch, so it’s possible the Bluetooth headphones will also launch on October 28. More anticipated is the expected debut of new MacBooks later this month, which Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed in September by reassuring fans, saying he and the company are “very committed” to the Mac line and to “stay tuned.”

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3
Tags: Nike+, Apple Watch Nike+ Edition
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums