Faster Apple Watch 1 Models Said to Launch Alongside Apple Watch 2 Later This Year
In addition to predicting an all-new Apple Watch 2 with a GPS, barometer, larger battery, and more, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo 2016 today claimed that upgraded first-generation Apple Watch models with faster TSMC-built processors and superior waterproofing will likely launch in the second half of 2016.
Kuo said the upgraded Apple Watch 1 models will not have a GPS, barometer, or other larger additions reserved for the Apple Watch 2, nor will the waterproofing improvements be as significant, suggesting only an incremental refresh of internal hardware. The watches are said to retain a similar form factor.
The well-connected analyst expects another Apple Watch price cut once the new models are launched, but he did not specify whether the reduction will apply to existing first-generation models, upgraded first-generation models, Apple Watch 2 models, or some combination of the three lineups. Apple lowered the starting price of the Apple Watch Sport to $299 in March 2016, a savings of $50 compared to the device’s initial $349 launch price in April 2015.
Apple has been pushing iPhone and Apple Watch sales together, so updated models of each device launching in tandem would be appropriate. The tentatively named iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are rumored to launch on September 16, with pre-orders possibly starting a week earlier on September 9, so all-new Apple Watch 2 and upgraded Apple Watch 1 models could debut around those dates.
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Review: Standzout’s Helix Dock for Apple Watch is Compact and Convenient
While I have long used the Twelve South Forté on my bedside table to dock my Apple Watch each night, I lacked a convenient alternative for on the go until last week. Enter the Standzout Helix Dock, a compact and convenient charging solution for the Apple Watch.
Helix is an Apple Watch dock made from injection molded polycarbonate plastic. It stores between a 0.3-meter and two-meter Apple Watch charging cable and Apple’s official USB wall charger in a compact and convenient housing, available in clear, black, white, and a phosphorescent glow-in-the-dark color options.
I was sent all four colors for the purposes of this review, and the white one was my personal favorite; however, the glow-in-the-dark version is a unique concept for night use. If you purchase the glow-in-the-dark version, remember that phosphorescent materials require some exposure to bright light before they can glow.
The housing consists of an outer piece that holds the Apple Watch charging puck on the top, and an inner piece that you tightly wrap the charging cord around. The wall charger then slides into the middle, with its prongs extending through cutouts in the plastic, and you plug the USB end of the Apple Watch charger into it.
The assembly process is simple and took me less than one minute, but the cord can get in the way unless it is wrapped very tightly around the inner piece — the compact design leaves very little excess room. The snug fit can make sliding on the outer piece a bit of a challenge, and I also found that the charging cable comes unravelled when I remove the outer piece regardless of how careful I am.
Helix comfortably fit into power outlets around my apartment, including those in tight spaces, and most importantly it worked properly. I have a stainless steel Apple Watch, but the dock works with any models. However, its usage is limited to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and elsewhere Type A plugs/sockets are used.
Helix Dock retails for $19.99, which is somewhat expensive for what is essentially two small pieces of plastic — nothing else is included in the box. But what you are truly paying for is an innovative idea for charging your Apple Watch at home, work, or on the go. The product is also designed and manufactured in the United States.
Several options exist for Apple Watch chargers and docks by now, and the Helix competes well in terms of price, size, and grab-and-go simplicity. It is particularly useful to throw into a backpack before heading out somewhere like the gym or airport, and having one less cable to untangle is always a plus.
How to Buy
Helix Dock retails for $19.99 on Amazon and the Standzout website in clear, black, white, and glow-in-the-dark. Free standard shipping within the U.S. is included, while international shipping to other countries is available.
Note: Standzout provided four Helix Docks to MacRumors free of charge for the purposes of this review. No other compensation was received.
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Apple Watch 2 Said to Include Thinner ‘One Glass Solution’ Display
The second-generation Apple Watch will feature “One Glass Solution” (OGS) display technology instead of Glass on Glass (G/G) technology, reports DigiTimes citing information obtained from Apple supplier TPK Holding.
One Glass Solution technology eliminates one of the layers of glass from a traditional G/G display that features two pieces of glass, replacing one layer with a thinner material. Making the switch from G/G, used in the current Apple Watch, to OGS could potentially allow Apple to save a small amount of internal space in the Apple Watch 2 and make slight reductions in the weight of the device.
According to TPK Holding, production of the OGS panels for the second-generation Apple Watch has seen some unexpected technical issues, resulting in low yield rates. It is not clear if this will affect overall production of the second-generation Apple Watch.
The large loss for the second quarter was mainly because touch panel orders for iPhones continued to decrease, and Apple will change touch panel technology from G/G to OGS (one glass solution) in the new Apple Watch to be launched in the second half of 2016, TPK said. The change in touch panel technology involved unexpected technological difficulties and therefore yield rates for OGS touch panels were much lower than expected, TPK explained.
The Apple Watch 2 is rumored to feature only minor design changes with primarily under-the-hood spec improvements. Cellular connectivity, a faster processor, and an improved battery are possibilities for the device.
As for a launch date, rumors suggest we can expect to see the Apple Watch 2 in the fall of 2016. A release alongside the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is a possibility, and if Apple plans to launch the Apple Watch 2 at that time, it could debut on September 16, 2016, with pre-orders to start on September 9.
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Nest Update Lets Users Control Smart Thermostat From Their Apple Watch
Hinted at by the company earlier in the month, Nest recently debuted a minor, but notable, update for its iOS app, introducing a few user interface tweaks and ways to share live videos from the company’s indoor and outdoor cameras. For those users with a Nest Thermostat and an Apple Watch, the 5.6.0 update should be of particular interest, since it brings with it the ability to let you adjust the temperature of your home, right from your wrist, without needing to open the iOS app (via The Verge).
Additionally, there’s a new “Spaces” grouping feature that provides an organized way to place Nest products by which room of the house they’re in, and lets users view all of their live camera feeds at once, if on Wi-Fi. Additional viewers can be added into these live streams now, as well, thanks to a new web-based site, video.nest.com (which doesn’t appear to be up-and-running at the time of writing), where a password can be shared to a trusted third party who might need to check in on the cameras.
Image via The Verge
Nest detailed the full list of updates in the App Store:
We have several new features for you.
- Spaces groups your Nest products by room and lets you see all your cameras at once. And if you’re connected to Wi-Fi, shows you all of their live views.
– Share a password protected live view of your camera. Now grandma can see what the kids are up to at video.nest.com.
– 1080p support for Dropcam Pro.
– Automatic video quality adjustment helps make sure you get a continuous, clear picture.
– We’ve also added support for Apple Watch. You can now control your Nest Thermostat from your wrist.
Nest has faced a few public-facing appearance issues in the past, centered around the lengthy gaps between product releases, and some software issues with the Nest Protect line of smoke detectors that ultimately led to a product-wide recall. In June, Nest co-founder Tony Fadell announced that he was leaving the company to “create and disrupt other industries,” while speculation from workers inside the company suggested many Nest employees “complained publicly about Fadell’s management, while claiming the business had missed sales targets, botched upgrades and delayed future products.”
The Nest iOS app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
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Square Enix’s first Apple Watch RPG is stylish yet dull
There aren’t enough dedicated apps for the Apple Watch, let alone role-playing games from established publishers like Square Enix. The name alone conjures images of classic RPGs: Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger and Valkyrie Profile to name a few. That’s why Cosmos Rings, the company’s first Apple Watch-exclusive RPG, feels like such a departure from the norm. It’s vivid, gorgeous and inspired, but unfortunately it falls victim to the very same cliches of so many mobile games that came before it.
At first glance, Cosmos Rings looks quite promising, with a narrative that’s par for the course when it comes to JRPGs. As the God of Time, you’re tasked with wandering an endless expanse called the Rift in a bid to restore time to the way you once knew it. After being moved to stop time to grant the wishes of human beings, you’ve got to repent for causing the Goddess of Time to shatter into pieces. Her crystallized remains were scattered throughout the Rift, and it’s up to you to make things right. Lost love? Check. Protagonist taking it upon himself to make things right? Double check. Now all it needs is an amnesiac to fill the rest of its RPG trope quota.
The Rift acts as the stage on which Cosmos Rings plays out. Get used to the way it looks, because you’re going to be seeing a whole lot of it. After you launch the iPhone app and open up the companion version on your Apple Watch, you’re met with a bit of expository story coupled with artwork that’s meant to move you along. These quickly introduce additional characters whose presence don’t immediately make sense in the context of the God of Time’s story, but you’ll soon realize it won’t matter much when the game basically plays itself, barring a few player-controller machinations.
That’s right — Cosmos Rings is essentially an incremental game that requires little or no input from you. The game is perfect for the diminutive Apple Watch screen, and its neon pixel art absolutely sings on the small display. But in the end, it’s little better than playing Tap My Katamari or Cookie Clicker with a few added mechanics.
The God of Time continues to run headlong into the Rift, fighting off enemies as they appear before him. This is your default screen among the three the game’s comprised of. The God will automatically attack on his own, but if you so desire you can tap the Skills button at the lower right of the screen to utilize various attacks you’ll earn along the way. If you wait for the timer to count down and then fire off a Skill right after the first one, you can chain them for additional damage. You can also rotate the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown to head to the Fragments screen, where you can spend Fragments (displayed on-screen as you collect them in battle) to upgrade your weapons, unlock additional skill slots and most importantly, earn more time.
You’ll want to keep a close eye on the time you’re allotted, especially if you don’t want to keep playing the same “days” over and over. There’s a timer at the bottom left of the screen that continually counts down. Essentially, that’s your HP gauge. Let it run out, and you’re forced to start the game from the beginning, though you’ll retain any Skills or Relics acquired in the process.
It’s more akin to a roguelike in this respect than an RPG, and is one of the most challenging elements of Cosmos Rings. If you make a mistake or forget to use Fragments to level up or augment your equipment, you can also use the digital crown of your Apple Watch in the Rift to rewind time to a specific “hour,” as the game is split into during each day, to go back and do it all again. These light strategic elements add a little variety, but the game is otherwise so hands-off you’ll wonder why you’re even interacting with it.
Bizarrely, time doesn’t cease counting down unless you’re fighting a boss, when the ticker hits 3 minutes, or during a story event where you’re given a slice of story. So if you’re planning on not playing for a long stretch of time you’ll need to make sure you do keep an eye on the game when you want to make progress. It’s almost like toting around a Tamagotchi or a Giga Pet, except you can’t let your “pet” die.
Cosmos Rings is a strange amalgam of clicker mechanics, colorful pixelated graphics and a score that you’ll want to listen to more than once, but it’s also lacking in the RPG department. When compared to its competition, a fantasy adventure called Runeblade from Everywear Games, Cosmos Rings seems feature-deficient. The former utilizes several of the same mechanics Cosmos Rings does (namely time travel), but offers an offline mode, various quests, and other reasons to keep you coming back. It’s hard to recommend Square Enix’s offering over Runeblade, especially since Runeblade is free.
If you’re looking for something to idly tap on while on the way to work or need to use your Apple Watch for a use beyond regular apps, it’s an interesting experiment. If you’re hoping for anything more than an endless grind with little input required from you, you might want to take your 3DS or Vita with you along for the ride instead. Cosmos Rings is available now as an Apple Watch exclusive.
Source: App Store
Second-Generation Apple Watch Expected This Fall
Apple is planning to unveil the second-generation Apple Watch in September or October, according to a new report from DigiTimes citing supply chain sources in a wider piece on weakening demand for tablets and wearables.
Component makers and Apple suppliers are said to be seeing “rather conservative orders” for the new Apple Watch despite its upcoming release date, information that directly conflicts with a June DigiTimes report that pointed towards “higher-than-expected” orders. Given the confusion over the second-generation Apple Watch in the supply chain, DigiTimes’ information does not offer a clear picture of the demand Apple expects to see for the device.
Rumors suggest the second-generation Apple Watch will see under-the-hood spec improvements and perhaps some minor form factor tweaks, but major changes to the device are not expected to be unveiled this year. Improved battery life, a faster processor, and built-in cellular capabilities are all features we could see in a new Apple Watch.
While we can’t glean anything about supply from DigiTimes, the September or October timeframe is in line with past rumors. Previous information suggests Apple is perhaps planning to unveil a new Apple Watch alongside new iPhones, and new iPhone models are typically announced in September.
According to a recent rumor, the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be released on Friday, September 16, and if that’s the correct launch date for the iPhone 7, we can likely expect to see the Apple Watch released on the same day. With a September 16 launch date, an unveiling event could potentially take place during the week of September 5th.
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Apple Creates Country Specific Apple Watch Bands for the Olympics
Apple has created 14 country specific Apple Watch woven nylon bands for the 2016 Olympics. The bands, which were first spotted by GQ, are designed to reflect the national flags of 14 of the major competitors at the games.
The countries included are the U.S., Great Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, Canada, China, Brazil, Australia, Germany, and France. The bands are only available at the VillageMall Apple Store in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The bands are $49 each.
One of the first Olympic athletes to acquire one of the bands is Team USA sprinter Trayvon Bromell, who posted a picture of his band on Twitter.
Apple has created special bands in the past, most recently debuting rainbow woven nylon bands for the Pride festival in late June.
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Apple Watch Remains Nearly Three Times as Popular as Samsung Smartwatches
The latest data from market research firm IDC reveals that Apple Watch sales totaled an estimated 1.6 million units in the second quarter, for an industry leading 47 percent market share, compared to Samsung’s estimated 600,000 smartwatch sales and 16 percent market share during the March-June period.
The numbers suggest that the Apple Watch remains nearly three times as popular as Samsung Gear smartwatches, nearly fifteen months after launching in the U.S. and eight other countries. Nevertheless, Samsung did close the gap with strong 51 percent year-over-year growth and a 9 point rise in market share.
Apple, meanwhile, experienced a 55 percent year-over-year decline, but the year-ago quarter encompassed the Apple Watch’s launch and is thereby an unfair comparison. Apple Watch market share has dropped substantially, however, from an estimated peak of 72 to 75 percent following its launch quarter.
Despite a down quarter, Apple remains far and away the market leader in smartwatches. Apple faces the same challenges as other OEMs, but the pure exposure of the device and brand through tactical marketing gives it a leg up on the competition. Watch 2.0, along with updates to watchOS, could help drive existing user refresh and more importantly, a new wave of first-time buyers.
The overall smartwatch market experienced its first-ever decline as shipments fell 32 percent in the second quarter, totaling an estimated 3.5 million units compared to an estimated 5.1 million units in the year-ago quarter. Lenovo, LG, and Garmin rounded off the top five smartwatch vendors in the second quarter, but the trio combined to sell only 700,000 units. All other vendors sold a combined 600,000 units.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the so-called Apple Watch 2 will debut in the third quarter, setting the stage for a possible launch alongside the next iPhone in September. The next-generation Apple Watch could feature a FaceTime video camera, expanded Wi-Fi capabilities, cellular connectivity, and other internal upgrades, while new models and bands are always possibilities.
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Square Enix Launches Teaser Website for RPG Apple Watch Game ‘Cosmos Rings’
Final Fantasy creator Square Enix has launched a teaser website for a game made exclusively for the Apple Watch, called Cosmos Rings (via CNET). The website calls the game an “RPG for Apple Watch,” but leaves any other details about its mechanics, story, and launch date completely up in the air.
The sole teaser image for the game shows a screenshot of gameplay, with some kind of time dilation counter at the bottom left of the screen, along with a marker at the top left reminding players of the number of presumably in-game days that have passed while playing. Otherwise, the image doesn’t show much of what might be coming to the Apple Watch app.
The games market on Apple’s wearable device has plenty of room for creators to make a noticeable impression, since most users have yet to find any kind of killer app — even a non-gaming one — since the Apple Watch launched last year. A few gaming apps have managed to surge in popularity, focusing on mechanics that encourage short play styles, with incentive to revisit often, which may hint at Cosmos Rings’ potential gameplay.
Check out Square Enix’s website for yourself to see if you can discover any more clues behind Cosmos Rings.
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Apple Watch Sales Remain Steady After 15 Months Despite Lack of Next-Generation Model
Nearly fifteen months after the Apple Watch launched in the U.S. and eight other countries on April 24, 2015, new data shows that sales of the device have yet to experience an overly precipitous decline so far this year.
Swiss bank UBS has issued a research note that projects Apple Watch sales totaled 1.7 million units in the June quarter, a somewhat surprising increase of 100,000 units compared to its estimate of 1.6 million sales in the March quarter.
Apple Watch sales have remained steady throughout the first half of 2016, despite the formation of an elongated refresh cycle that will likely reach at least 17 months — the so-called Apple Watch 2 is rumored to launch in the third quarter, possibly alongside the next iPhone in September. The new Apple Watch could feature a FaceTime video camera, expanded Wi-Fi capabilities, cellular connectivity, and other internal upgrades, while new models and bands are always possibilities.
UBS forecasts that Apple Watch sales will rise to 2 million in the September quarter, contributing to a total of 10.35 million units in the 2016 fiscal year. If those estimates are accurate, that would make Apple Watch the most popular smartwatch for the second consecutive year, ahead of Samsung among smartwatches and only behind Fitbit and its cheaper fitness trackers in the broader wearables market. Apple Watch commanded a leading 52.4 percent share of the smartwatch market in the first quarter, well ahead of Samsung at 14.3 percent, according to Strategy Analytics.
Apple does not disclose Watch sales in its quarterly earning results, instead grouping the device under its Other Products category alongside iPods, Apple TVs, Beats Electronics, and accessories. Without official data, analysts are forced to estimate, but predictions can vary between research firms. Strategy Analytics, for example, estimated Apple Watch sales actually totaled 2.2 million in the March quarter, which is significantly higher than UBS’ estimate of 1.6 million sales for the same quarter.
Regardless, it is clear that consumers remain interested in the original Apple Watch in the months leading up to an alleged new model. The device’s relative success can conceivably be attributed to, among other factors, its new product category, customizability, and sales and price drops offered by third-party resellers. watchOS 3 will also give the Apple Watch a breath of fresh air, with a dedicated Breathe app, a dock with favorite apps that instantly open, a redesigned Control Center, and more.
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