JUUK Revo Review: Modern Apple Watch Link Bracelet for Under $200

Apple’s 42mm Stainless Steel Link Bracelet is arguably the most luxurious Apple Watch band available, but at $449 it may be worth considering similar but less expensive third-party options available. Enter JUUK, a new company that aims to fill that niche with its lineup of Revo stainless steel link bracelets for under $200.

JUUK, pronounced “juke,” is a watch company created by Eugene Ho, a Canadian with nearly two decades of experience in the watch industry. Ho, who moved to Hong Kong in 1997 to establish Pacific Watchworks, has worked on popular brands including Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Timberland, Ecko, Reebok and many others.

“During that time, I’ve developed great relationships with some of the top watch component factories,” Ho told MacRumors. “This means that I’m not an Apple accessories vendor trying to make watch bracelets. I’m not a guy coming off the streets trying to make watch bracelets. The watch industry is in my blood, and developing high quality watch components is all that I know professionally.”

Revo stainless steel link bracelets for Apple Watch are offered in polished, brushed or gunmetal finishes for between $145 and $195. A trio of 42mm bracelets are available to ship immediately, while 38mm bracelet pre-orders will ship in late January 2016. 42mm polished or brushed spare links are also available for $12 each.

Given the popular adage “you get what you pay for,” this review will take a closer look at the design and fit of the 42mm Polished Revo model, $195, to see how it compares to Apple’s 42mm Stainless Steel Link Bracelet.

Design

JUUK’s 42mm Revo has a premium look and feel. The link bracelet is crafted from 316L stainless steel, the same grade used by Apple and many Swiss watchmakers, and this particular model has a lustrous all-polished finish. The modern design closely matches the stainless steel Apple Watch’s polished case, but like other bracelets of its kind, it collects fingerprints easily and is more susceptible to surface scratches.

In my two weeks of testing the Revo, being careful not to graze it on any hard surfaces, the bracelet still collected some surface scratches visible in natural light. The underside of the Revo is brushed to better hide those blemishes, a common practice in the watch industry for polished bracelets, but opting for the 42mm Brushed Revo entirely may be the better option for Apple Watch users who are less vigilant.

While Apple began selling “Made for Apple Watch” lugs for official third-party bands in October, the Revo has unofficial adapters on each end of the link bracelet that slide into the Apple Watch casing with ease. The adapters have locking mechanisms on the underside that must be pressed in for a secure fit. Some third-party Apple Watch lugs do not fit very well, so I was pleased this bracelet worked without any issues. Read more

MacRumors Gift Guide by Marianne: Elevation Dock, Fluxmob Bolt, and More

To provide gift ideas for our readers this holiday season, we here at MacRumors have written gift guides based on our own experiences with products we like and recommend to others. If you want to catch up, here are links to the guides published so far: Juli Clover, Joe Rossignol, and Mitchel Broussard.

Here’s my selection of gift suggestions based on products I own, use often, and recommend to anyone looking for gift ideas for friends or family:

Elevation Dock for iPhone by Elevation Lab ($89)

I first heard about Elevation Lab’s iPhone dock through the company’s Kickstarter in 2011 and I backed the project there in order to receive one before they were commercially available. The dock, which is made out of a block of solid aluminum, was intended to be heavy enough to easily remove an iPhone with just one hand, and its design complemented Apple’s existing products beautifully. I have two Elevation Docks – one at my desk in front of my iMac and another on my nightstand – that I use every single day with my iPhone 6s. Elevation Lab currently offers the Elevation Dock 3 for the iPhone 6/6s and 6 Plus/6s Plus models. It’s pricey at $89 but I recommend it if you’ve got someone who appreciates the Apple design aesthetic and needs a solid, well-made iPhone dock.

Fluxmob Bolt battery backup and wall charger ($50)

I use my iPhone almost constantly most days and I’m oddly paranoid that the battery will die when I actually need it to make an emergency call or something else important. To allay this fear, I like to carry the means to charge my iPhone anywhere. However, I also like to streamline what I carry and prefer multipurpose items when possible, and a combination back-up battery and AC charger made sense. My search led me to Fluxmob’s Bolt, which is both a 3,000 mAh battery and an AC charger thanks to its built-in prongs, which stay hidden until you flip them out. The Bolt offers pass-through charging, which means that it can charge both its internal battery and and a connected iPhone at the same time when it’s plugged into an outlet, so I never have to worry about charging its battery separately. The Bolt, along with a retractable Lightning cable, are staples in my purse.

At $49.99, it’s a reasonably-priced gift for any heavy smartphone user on your gift list. Fluxmob also makes the Bolt2, a larger model with two USB ports and a 6,000 mAh internal battery that costs $79.99.

Jawbone Jambox Bluetooth speaker

I still have one of Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi speakers use it regularly with my iPhone. Though it can run on batteries and is meant to be somewhat portable, it’s not something I can throw in my bag. Jawbone was one of the first companies to release a portable Bluetooth speaker and I loved the idea and its design and bought one a few years ago and it’s still one of my most-used accessories. I bring it with me when I travel and have even had family members ask me if I could “accidentally” forget it when I left.

Jawbone no longer makes the original Jambox that I have but you can buy a refurbished one directly from Jawbone for $47.99. The company now makes a smaller Mini Jambox (pictured above) and an extra-large Big Jambox, which cost $129.99 and $199.99 respectively at Jawbone’s site at the time of this post.

LG Pocket Photo printer ($120)

Though it pains me to admit it, I’m old enough to remember Polaroid cameras and the grainy, chemical-laden instant photos they could print. With my iPhone as my main camera, I wanted something that could duplicate that ability to quickly print a photo and found LG’s Pocket Photo printer. It connects to an iPhone via Bluetooth and is managed through LG’s Pocket Photo app. It uses inkless paper made by Zink and is small enough to throw in the small messenger bag I normally use every day. It prints 2-inch by 3-inch photos on paper with a peel-and-stick back so they can easily be used for scrapbooking, journals, greeting cards, and more.

LG doesn’t sell its Pocket Photo models directly in the US but you can get the latest PD251 model from Newegg for $119.99 (I have the previous generation PD239 model in a glorious Hello Kitty limited edition, thank you very much).

Fitbit One ($100)

Though the iPhone has step-tracking capabilities, I don’t carry it in a pocket consistently enough to use it as a step tracker. Also, I’d prefer my step tracker to be small and unobtrusive and as accurate as possible. After trying a wrist-based tracker, I switched to the Fitbit One a few years ago and it’s become an accessory I use every single day and even remember to clip to my pajamas to track my sleep. The companion Fitbit app is easy to use and I like the community aspect, particularly the challenges you can complete with friends, which are surprisingly motivating. I’m not fanatical enough about tracking my steps to take a walk just before midnight to meet my daily goal, but it does help me be cognizant of how active, or inactive, I am every day and plan something to increase my activity if I can.

The Fitbit One costs $99.95 directly from Fitbit, but it’s usually around $89 at Amazon.

We have a few more gift guides to publish, so stay tuned. In the meantime, feel free to add your own suggestions or find even more ideas for your own gift shopping lists with our MacRumors gift guide that was curated by readers.

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MacRumors Holiday Gift Guide: Reader Picks

Over the past week, we’ve been sharing some of the favored Apple-related accessories that our editors and writers use on a daily basis, but we also wanted to highlight the best products that our readers and forum members use on a daily basis.

We asked for your suggestions in our MacRumors 2015 Holiday Gift Guide Master List post, and then organized those picks by category. We’re going to keep building this list, so make sure to mention your favorite product in the comments and we’ll add it to the guide.

We’ve organized this list into categories by product and added a short description of each item.

iPhone

Tech21 Cases – Tech21 is known for its high-quality, highly protective cases, which are also sold in Apple Stores. Available in a range of price points, there are cases to fit the iPhone 4s and up. Prices range from $45 to $100, for the company’s battery case. Tech21 also makes cases for Macs and iPads. Tech21 products are available from Apple and some are available at cheaper prices from Amazon.

MyCharge Rapid Recharge external battery – Recommended by our own Arnold Kim, the Rapid Recharge is a 4,000 mAh external battery that fits in a pocket and has outlet prongs built right in. It’s priced at $70. There’s also a larger 8,000 mAh version for those that need more power, priced at $120.

Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protectors – Recommended by MacRumors forum moderator Maflynn, Zagg’s InvisibleShield screen protectors are available for a wide variety of devices, from the newest iPhones to the newest iPads. The glass version is made from fortified tempered glass for superior scratch protection and better clarity. Prices for Zagg’s screen protectors start at $35 on its website, but can be often be found cheaper on Amazon.

Anker PowerCore 20100 – This Anker battery pack is good for charging your iOS devices, iPads, and more. At a 20,100 mAh capacity, it’s going to be good for several uses, and it has dual 2.4 amps ports to charge two devices at once. The best part? It’s super affordable at $40. Get it from Amazon.

iPad

Apple Smart Cases – Apple’s Smart Cases are available for the earlier iPad minis and iPad Air 2. They offer full front and back protection for the iPad, merging a Smart Cover with a protective back case. There’s a similar case for the iPad Pro, but it only protects the back of the device and needs to be paired with a separate Smart Cover. With prices starting at $69, Apple’s Smart Cases aren’t cheap, but they’re high quality and make for a nice gift.

Logitech AnyAngle iPad Air 2 Case – Also a pick from Arnold Kim, the Logitech AnyAngle iPad Air 2 case offers full built-in protection and multiple viewing angles for watching videos or typing. Arn says it’s a bit heavy and bulky, but stable enough to allow for typing on the screen and versatile enough with the adjustable cover. There’s also a version for the iPad Pro and the iPad mini 4. The AnyAngle for the iPad Air 2 is priced at $60 and it’s also available from Amazon.

Joli Originals iPad Sleeves – Joli Originals makes high-quality Dutch wool and Italian leather sleeves for the iPad mini, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and older iPad models. Each one is unique and handcrafted in Amsterdam, and they’re available in several different colors. This one ships from Europe, so order early if you want to get it as a gift. Pricing starts at $63 and goes up to $99, depending on model. Joli also makes sleeves for MacBooks and iPhones.

Logitech K810/K811 Keyboard – The Logitech K810 and K811 keyboards were popular with MacRumors readers for their versatility. They’re able to connect to up to three Bluetooth devices at once and switch between them as needed, plus they have built-in backlighting. The K810 works with Windows, Android, and iOS devices, while the K811 works with Mac and iOS devices. The K810 is available for $100 from Logitech, but you can get it for $74 on Amazon. The K811 is available for $99 on Logitech’s website or $84 on Amazon.

Apple Watch

Monowear Apple Watch Bands – Monowear sells a wide selection of bands designed for the Apple Watch, at prices cheaper than Apple offers. There are attractive bands made from leather, nylon, and metal at prices that start at $60.

MacBook

Mountie iPad Mount – TenOneDesign’s Mountie is designed to allow an iPad or iPhone to be mounted on a MacBook’s screen using a clamp, where it can be used as a second display. This was a particularly popular product on the forum and it works with the iPhone 4 and later, the iPad Air 2, all iPad minis, and all MacBooks. The Mountie is available for $19 from TenOneDesign or $18 from Amazon.

General

Pencil from FiftyThree – There’s an official stylus for the iPad Pro, but it doesn’t work with other iPhones or iPads. While there are a lot of styluses to choose from, FiftyThree’s Pencil is a standout that was recommended by a MacRumors reader. The Pencil integrates with a bunch of iOS apps, including FiftyThree’s popular Paper app, offering pressure sensitivity and palm rejection. It’s priced at $50 from FiftyThree, but available for as low as $40 on Amazon.

Astro Bluetooth Speaker – The forum member who recommended the Astro Bluetooth Speaker liked it for its Pure Audio feature that controls distortion through hardware instead of software. The Astro Speaker is slim and attractive with a price tag of $179.

Make sure to check out our other gift guides, each curated by a MacRumors staff member, and keep an eye out for a few gift guides we still have coming next week.

• Juli’s Gift Guide: Philips Hue, UE Roll Speaker, Pressed Flower iPhone Cases, Canvas Smart Desk, and More
• Joe’s Gift Guide: 64GB iPhone 6s on T-Mobile, V-MODA Crossfade Wireless Headphones and More
• Mitchel’s Gift Guide: Pad & Quill Accessories, HoverBar for iPad, Beats Pill, and More

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MacRumors Giveaway: Win a PowerLine Lightning Cable and PowerCore+ External Battery from Anker

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with Anker. For those of you unfamiliar with Anker, the company has a lot of fans on the MacRumors forums and across the Internet (check out their Facebook page) thanks to its wide range of inexpensive, quality products. For our giveaway, Anker is providing 20 MacRumors readers with its new super durable 3-ft PowerLine Lightning cables paired with a 3,350 mAh PowerCore+ mini external battery.

Anker’s PowerLine Lightning cables are designed to be ultra durable, built with bulletproof Kevlar fiber with reinforced stress points to hold up to daily abuse. Unlike Apple’s cables, Anker’s aren’t going to tear, fray, or otherwise break. Anker says these have a 5000+ bend lifespan, making them more durable than other cables on the market.

The PowerLine cable uses dual-layer sheathing with an inner layer of braided copper that’s thicker than what’s used in OEM cables to reduce cable resistance. According to Anker, its cable offers the fastest possible charge and sync speeds with any USB charger. The Anker PowerLine cable comes in 3-foot lengths for $9.99 and 6-foot lengths for $14.99, with both available in multiple colors.

Anker’s also giving away its classic tube-shaped PowerCore+ mini, a portable 3,350 mAh battery with enough power to charge up the iPhone 6s to full and add quite a bit of extra juice to the iPhone 6s Plus. Anker’s PowerCore+ mini is available for $9.99. Along with these two products, Anker sells a whole slew of useful accessories for charging Macs and iOS devices that are worth checking out on Amazon.

20 MacRumors readers will be able to win a 3-ft PowerLine Lightning cable and a PowerCore+ mini from Anker. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner and send the prize.

You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page. Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years of age or older are eligible to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsThe contest will run from today (December 11) at 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time through 12:15 p.m. Pacific Time on December 18. The winners will be chosen randomly on December 18 and will be contacted by email. The winners have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen. The prizes will be shipped to the winners for free.

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MacRumors Gift Guide by Mitch: Pad & Quill Accessories, HoverBar for iPad, Beats Pill, and More

Throughout the week, MacRumors writers and editors have been sharing their gift guides to help our readers pick out the best surprises for everyone on their holiday list this year. Following Juli and Joe, today’s my turn to detail a list of Apple-related products perfect for gift giving.

This third gift guide was written by me, Mitchel Broussard, with a focus on the third-party accessories I tend to use the most. Outside of that realm, there’s a handful of items here that I don’t own, but which I’ve had my eyes on over the years and that I’ve heard positive things about from friends and family. All-in-all, everything in the guide should satisfy the Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad, and iPhone owners on your own personal shopping list.

Apple Watch Gift Ideas

One of the best third-party Apple accessory manufacturers is Pad & Quill, whose products are well worth investing in if you’re willing to spend a little extra money. With a big focus on products made from natural leathers and woodgrains, the company’s entire lineup is infused with a homemade, natural feel that tends to gel nicely with Apple’s slick design. I thankfully got a few of their Apple Watch products in to review this year, and I’ve stuck with using most on a daily basis.

Pad & Quill Timber Nightstand ($89.95) / Timber Catchall ($99.00)

The Pad & Quill Timber Nightstand is the go-to home base for my Apple Watch. Its footprint is compact enough to fit on a small bedside table, but roomy enough to provide extra space for a band or two to hang out behind the charging cradle. The stand comes in two attractive color options (I have the lighter American Cherry, but Exotic Sapele will be perfect for those who prefer a darker stand) and supports Nightstand Mode, along with both closed-loop and open-loop bands.

The Timber Nightstand (left) and Timber Catchall (right)

Even with all of that aside, my favorite part of the Timber Nightstand is its sturdiness; it feels solid and substantial, despite its small 4.7 by 6.2 inch frame. Still, if you’re looking for bigger, Pad & Quill sells the somewhat massive Timber Catchall as well, which will net you a resting spot for your iPhone and a nook for change or keys for about $10 more than the Timber Nightstand (both models vary in price, depending on wood grain).

Pad & Quill Classic Apple Watch Band ($99.95)

On the wearable side, Pad & Quill’s Classic Apple Watch Band is a nice alternative to Apple’s Classic Buckle, and at $99 you can save around $50 if choosing to go with Pad & Quill’s leather band. I wore the Chocolate Leather version pretty much daily during the early fall months and genuinely loved the look of it. Like most true leather products, the band begins to fold and crack and fade over the weeks to give it a personal, used-in quality. Although it may not have the Classic Buckle’s clean edges and slim clasping mechanism, it’s arguably the second-best high-quality leather Apple Watch band out there right now.

The Classic Apple Watch Band in Chocolate by Pad & Quill

Check out the Lowry Leather Band ($109.95) and Lowry Leather Cuff ($129.95) for alternative, more intricate designs. All of the company’s bands are sitting in pre-order states currently, but are promised to arrive before Christmas. The Classic Band option I first mentioned also lets you choose the metal color to match the Apple Watch’s casing, so be sure to know whether the person on your list has a stainless steel or space black stainless steel Apple Watch.

The Lowry Leather Band (left) and Lowry Leather Cuff (right) Read more

Apple Releases iTunes 12.3.2 With Improved Browsing of Classical Music in Apple Music

Apple today released a minor iTunes update for OS X El Capitan users, which brings the desktop version of Apple Music in line with the recently released iOS 9.2 version of Apple Music. The update adds support for works, composers, and performers when listening to Classical music in Apple Music, and it brings general stability and performance improvements.

This update allows you to see works, composers, and performers while browsing Classical music in the Apple Music catalog. It also includes stability and performance improvements.

Today’s update is available for all OS X El Capitan users and follows iTunes 12.3.1, a minor update that was released in October.
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App Store on iOS Begins Identifying Apps With Universal Support for Apple TV

Apple appears to be rolling out a new feature in its App Store on iOS to note when an app available on iOS is universally compatible with the fourth generation Apple TV. As pointed out by iFun.de [Google Translate], the new feature is still in the early phases, as universal compatibility with the Apple TV is currently marked as “SF.UniversalAppleTV” rather than a simple “Apple TV” title as is used for Apple Watch just above. The new identifier is also not yet showing in the App Store when viewed through iTunes on the desktop.

With the growing popularity of the App Store on Apple TV, it makes sense for Apple to want to begin connecting the iOS and tvOS experience as they did when introducing universal iPhone and iPad apps in 2010 and with the addition of the Apple Watch earlier this year. Following its launch in October, Apple began running a new advertising campaign for the Apple TV, which it continues to expand with television shows like Game of Thrones and Veep.

Apple allows developers to build universal apps that support iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV all from one purchase, so it makes sense to provide users with information on what platforms are included when they prepare to download a new app.

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