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Apple Watch

Software

Apple’s watchOS 2 Delayed On Planned Launch Date

September 17, 2015

 

Apple Watch watchOS 2 Delayed

Apple contacted various publications yesterday afternoon to help spread the word that watchOS 2 would be delayed. The much anticipated software update to the Apple Watch was supposed to have been available for download yesterday but the company found a significant bug at the last minute. After publicly announcing yesterday’s release date over a week ago, the issue must have been severe and difficult to solve quickly. There is no timetable for the update at this point other than Apple saying it would be available “shortly,” which in Apple parlance could mean anything.

We have played around with what was supposed to be the shipping version of watchOS 2 and it felt stable and quick. But once software rolled out for the new watchOS on the App Store, we were not able to launch any of the updated apps. It would get stuck launching and then crash back to the home screen. While not everyone was experiencing this, a quick browse of web forums showed we were not alone. Rumor is, that was the reason behind the delayed launch. Additionally, we found a couple of random oddities, the largest being a glitch that caused the calendar to erase and re-sync constantly for a few minutes (decimating the battery life). But that only happened once.  

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by Doug Parker
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Designer

Rebecca Minkoff Continues Tech Push At NYFW

September 14, 2015

Rebecca Minkoff Drone Watch Charging Wallet

Rebecca Minkoff continued their technology push at NYFW this week. Days after debuting last spring’s runway show in VR, the company announced and released a slew of iPhone and Apple Watch accessories and integrated drones into their fashion show. While not the first designer to make use of drones at a runway show (Fendi was last Fall in Milan), the company stressed using the drones was more than just a gimmick. According to Uri Minkoff, the brand’s CEO and co-founder, the company feels that technology such as drones represent the brand’s vision. Uri is looking forward to a world where pocket-size drones such as Nixie and Lily are common place, saying, “We wanted to incorporate drone technology into the show because the millennial woman is probably going to have her own drone in the next couple of years.” He continued, “In the next couple of years we’ll see the selfie stick go away and maybe we’ll all have personal drones.”

For those who like things a bit more tangible, Rebecca Minkoff has released the first designer Apple Watch bands. Unlike the Apple Watch Hermes, Rebecca Minkoff is selling the bands only (not requiring a Watch purchase) and they are available immediately for between $80 and $100. Also debuting is a line of iPhone wallets with built-in charging capability. The wallets are able to more than double your phone’s battery life and are rechargeable via micro-USB. They include a special case for your phone that allows it to easily slide and lock into place. Like the watch bands, the charging wallets are available immediately; they sell for $120 and are compatible with the upcoming iPhone 6S.

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by Doug Parker
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Apple Watch Hermes
Watches

Apple Announces Hermès Version Of Apple Watch

September 9, 2015

Apple Watch Hermes

Apple has been rumored to be looking to partner with designers in the luxury fashion space. At Apple’s press event today, the company announced the first such partnership: the Apple Watch Hermès. The Watch adds Hermès designed straps constructed of the fashion icon’s incredible leather. It is available in 3 styles: Double Tour (a wrap-around bracelet), Single Tour (a traditional strap), and a cuff. The Hermès version also comes with something else unique – an exclusive, Hermès designed watch face. The watch face is the first analog design for the Apple Watch that highlights the device’s square shape. This is the first time that Apple has offered a watch face unique to a version of the device; from a software standpoint, the $15,000 gold Edition version was identical to the $350 aluminum version. The Apple Watch Hermès costs between $1100 and $1500 and will go on sale in October at select Apple and Hermès stores.

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Best Buy Accelerates Apple Watch Roll Out On Strong Sales

August 25, 2015

Apple Watch Best Buy Accelerated Launch

While Apple isn’t planning to release Apple Watch sales numbers anytime soon, we are getting our first idea of demand for the device. Barely 3 weeks ago the Apple Watch launched at 100 Best Buy locations. At that time, the electronics retailer announced that over the next several months they would roll the device out to a total of 300 locations. Apparently things went well. This morning Hubert Joly, CEO of Best Buy, announced that sales for the smartwatch have been “so strong” that the company is accelerating its roll out. Around 900 Best Buy locations will begin to stock the Watch by September 4 and by the end of the month all 1050 Best Buy locations and 30 Best Buy Mobile stores will offer the Apple Watch. The news also coincides with an announcement that Best Buy is expanding and updating their 740 Apple store-within-a-stores.

The smartwatch market is beginning to mature as it starts to find its feet. With devices such as Olio, Gear S2, the second Moto 360, and Apple Watch running watchOS 2 hitting that market, it is clear the device makers are beginning to understand the shortcomings of previous devices as well as the limitations of smartwatches. As the devices become more refined, it is easier for them to find an audience. It will be interesting one day to see actual sales numbers because I believe that 2015 has been a massive year for wearable device growth.

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by Doug Parker
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Back To School Top 5 Wearables Every Budget
Back To School

5 Back To School Wearables No Matter Your Budget

August 24, 2015

Back To School 5 Must Have Wearables

It is that time of year again. Summer jobs and summer loves are in the rear view mirror soon to be replaced with study groups and daydreams of that cute girl in your psych class. Whether you are trekking across town or across country, as you load up your car it is not too late to jump online and pickup one of these pieces of wearable tech. We are taking a look at 5 must have devices for every budget. As you head back to school these are 5 items that should help keep you organized, motivated, and connected!  

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Best Buy To Start Selling Apple Watch August 7th

July 27, 2015

Best Buy Apple Watch

Been thinking about an Apple Watch but you want to check one out in person first and you don’t live near an Apple Store. Well good news, Best Buy announced Sunday it will be the first national retailer to sell the Apple device. Initially it will only be for sale in 100 locations, with another 200 added by the holidays. In total the chain will carry 16 models of the stainless steel and, less expensive, aluminum versions of the Watch. They will also stock approximately 50 accessories, including bands and watch charging stands. The additional sales outlets follows reports of conflicting sales estimates, with Slice Intelligence claiming a sharp drop in sales while Apple states that sales are stronger than ever. The Apple Watch is now for sale in 19 countries with New Zealand, Russia, and Turkey being added to the list at the end of this week.

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by Doug Parker
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Watches

Despite Reports, Apple Watch Users Extremely Satisfied

July 21, 2015

Apple Watch Satisfaction Wristly

Despite conflicting reports of sluggish sales numbers, editorials of waining interest, and proclamations of a dud, according to a survey released this week user satisfaction with the Apple Watch is actually largely positive. In fact according to Wristly, who conducted the survey, the satisfaction numbers beat those of the 1st generation iPhone and iPad. 97% of Apple Watch users stated that they were either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with the device. Wristly also broke down those numbers by user type and the “Non-tech User” group had the strongest response to the device (99% satisfaction). This is an important category for Apple since at the end of the day the Apple Watch is a consumer electronic that needs to be embraced by the mass populace to be successful. It is also worth noting that the “Tech Insider” group also viewed the device favorably, with a 96% satisfaction rating. Not all the numbers are rosy though; clearly Apple is loosing grip on its famous “ease of use” (also an issue for its Apple Music service). Head past the break to see the numbers broken out:  

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by Doug Parker
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