College Apple Watch Bands

Apple Watch has a large market for watch bands. Now, you can represent your college with a college Apple Watch band. There's a variety of selection at College Jewelry, where they have an entire section dedicated to Apple Watch bands. It appears they're modeled after the Sport Band and come in both 38mm and 42mm sizes. It appears they're cheaper than the $50 price point of Apple's Sport Bands. Plus, there is free shipping on every order.

This site is not associated with College Jewelry in anyway.

Glucose Monitoring for Apple Watch

According to BGR, a future Apple Watch model could have glucose monitoring, in addition to potential smart bands. Apple has often advertised the Apple Watch as a health device, and Apple Watch does a great job of collecting data seamlessly into the Health app. Glucose levels are in the Health app, so this would make sense as a potential feature. BGR didn't specify explicitly when this could come out, but we can only hope it could be the Apple Watch Series 3 coming this fall.

Olympic Apple Watch Bands

If you're headed to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games, you might wanna check out the VillageMall Apple Store. This location is the only Apple Store where you can purchase an Apple Watch Nylon Band depicting one of 14 flags of the major competitors [Source: GQ]. These countries are U.S., Great Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, Canada, China, Brazil, Australia, Germany, and France. They cost $49 each and work with all Apple Watch models (including the Sport model).

The USA Apple Watch Band

Choosing an Apple Watch Band

With all the Apple Watch bands out there, it's hard to pick which is right for you. Apple or third party? Leather or steel? Not every band is right for everyone. My recommendation is to determine whether you're a watch person or a smart watch person. A watch person is accustomed to wearing a traditional watch. A smart watch person just does it for the tech. Personally, I'm a watch person, as I've worn a watch all my life. For this person, I would recommend getting a band similar to what they've been wearing. I had an Invicta watch with a leather band before, so I got a Leather Loop on my Apple Watch. A smart watch person should probably stick with an Apple Watch Sport and get either a Sport band or a Nylon band. I hope this helps!

Apple Watch Coach Bands

Coach will soon be joining the Apple Watch band market with their own collection of watch bands [Source: Haute Écriture]. These bands have been designed to match their handbag collection. One of the varieties also features charms. This collection deviates from the traditional Apple Watch band formula. These bands are to be debuted on June 12 for $150 each.

Image Credit: Haute Écriture

Apple Watch 2 Will Have Vast Internal Improvements

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple Watch 2 will focus more on internal improvements than external. This is very welcome as the Apple Watch needs a serious bump in processing. Hopefully, this will make opening and using apps much easier and faster. In addition, a redesigned body would be concerning. It could suggest that previous-generation bands wouldn't be compatible with current-generation watches. Luckily, this doesn't seem to be the case for now. The Apple Watch 2 is expected to be announced at WWDC in June.

Apple Watch Hermès Bands To Be Sold Separately

Apple Watch Hermès bands were previously only available by buying an Apple Watch with it. However, now Apple Watch owners (excluding owners of the Apple Watch Sport) will be able to purchase these bands separately starting April 19. These bands start at $340. In addition, these bands will be available at most Apple Retail Store. These bands were previously exclusive to certain stores and boutiques. 

Let Us Loop You In: The Scoop

While today's Apple event was a short one, only 63 minutes, it did have some interesting things. After school when I first saw what was announced, I was a bit disappointed to only see rehashed versions of already existing products like the iPhone SE and the iPad Pro.

But you do have to consider the most important business practice of all time, and that is timing.

You could have the greatest innovation, but if it isn't timed properly, it won't work. Take YouTube for example. There were many other companies with their own video services before YouTube, but they didn't take off because of timing. Dial up was slow and the internet wasn't ready for Markiplier and dank memes. The same goes with Apple and today's event. You shouldn't expect a new generation of products during a Spring launch. Apple has shifted away from Spring launches, with the exception of the Apple Watch. Apple very well knows that the holiday season is their time. That is the time when they should time their new generations.

Today was just a refresh. Evolving the iPad Air 2 (which was long overdue for an update) into the iPad Pro and proving that a good iPhone can be both budget-friendly and up-to-date. See Apple? This is what we wanted when you released the iPhone 5c! We wanted Johnny Ive on a budget, not a phone made in a 3D printer.

So, with that said, let's go over today's events.

iPad Pro

As I said earlier, today was a refresh day, so you really can't go into too much detail in terms of what's new. However, the new iPad Pro does bring more continuity with the Mac line of products. Apple is now advertising the iPad Pro as coming in two sizes. Sound familiar? Similar to the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air line, iPads now come in multiple sizes under one name. The new 9.7 inch iPad Pro can do pretty much everything the big iPad Pro can do. It's even getting its own Smart Keyboard case.

iPhone SE

Now we come to the little smartphone that could, the iPhone SE. I'll admit, I thought this was going to be an awful release when I first heard about it. But when the details and specs came out, I was astonished. It had all of the internals (with the exception of 3D Touch) of the current iPhone 6s. It had a 12 MP camera, Rose Gold color option, A9 chip, Live Photos, and support for the latest iOS. It succeeds where the iPhone 5c failed, proving that Apple did learn from their mistake. Guess how much (with a two-year contract) the iPhone SE costs for a 64 GB model. $49. Boom! And for the 16 GB model, it's free with a contract. Heck, that makes me want to get one as a developer phone.

Anyways, those were the bulk of the presentation. There were some software updates, Apple Watch bands, and a new thing called CareKit, but other than that, that was it. Oh, and Apple's 40th anniversary. So be sure to check out Apple's website for more information on the keynote. 

What I Could Dig Up: Let Us Loop You In

Here's a quick roundup of rumors for tomorrow's Apple Event entitled, "Let Us Loop You In."

iPhone SE

• Similar to iPhone 5s in design
• Up to date processors
• No 3D Touch

iPad Air 3

• Regular sized iPad Pro
• Compatible with Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil
• Possible retiring of the "iPad Air" naming convention
• Could be named "iPad Pro"
• Similar design to iPad Air 2
• Starts at 32 GB for $599

Apple Watch Bands

• New color variations
• Sport Band
• Modern Buckle
• Leather Loop
• New Nylon Apple Watch Band
• Space Black Milanese Loop

iOS 9.3

• Night Shift
• More Quick Actions (3D Touch)
• New Health App
• Activity from Apple Watch
• Third party apps list shown in charts
• Password protected notes
• Apple School

watchOS 2.2

• Multiple Apple Watches to one (Developer only?)
• Revamped Maps app
• Quickly access home and work directions
• Search Nearby

OS X 10.11.4

• Performance improvements
• Password protected notes
• Import Evernote notes into Notes app
• View Live Photos in the Messages app

tvOS 9.2

• Supports Bluetooth keyboards and Dictation
• Folders for apps
• New Multitasking view
• Improved Photos App
• Support for iCloud Photo Library
• Live Photo Support
• Ask Siri to search for apps in the App Store
• MapKit support

iPhone 5se Invites Sent Out

Apple has sent out invitations for the event that will reveal the iPhone 5se, the iPad Air 3, and new Apple Watch Bands. This event will take place on March 21st. The invitation simply says, "Let us loop you in." This is likely a reference to the Apple Watch bands. It's also important to note that the card uses the colors that Apple products use. Silver, Gold, Space Gray, and Rose Gold. Perhaps these will be used in some of the bands? Again, the event will take place March 21st, a little over a week on a Monday.

iPhone 5se Event Will Be The Week Of March 21st

Contrary to my previous post, Re/code says that the iPhone 5se event will take place during the week of March 21st. In addition, BuzzFeed says that the event will take place on Monday, March 21st. If this is true, this event will take place one day before Apple faces off against the FBI in court. Anyways, this event will show off the iPhone 5se, a new iPad, and new Apple Watch Bands.

Potential March Apple Event?

From multiple sources, a March event could be used to announce several products. At first, this event was thought to be to announce an Apple Watch 2, however, it is more likely that new bands will be released. In addition, an iPad Air 3 (fingers crossed for Apple Pencil support) and an "iPhone 5se" could be announced. The iPhone 5se is expected to be a 4-inch iPhone that would look similar to an iPhone 5s. Let's hope for some great announcements until then.

Black Milanese Loop Leaked

Apple started the trend of creating black metal bands with the Link Bracelet to match the black casing of certain Apple Watches. Now, Apple is expanding this color to the Milanese Loop. A leaked store page was quickly removed today on the Czech Republic Apple Online Store. It showed the images below and almost confirms that we'll see this band in the near future. It's nice to see more bands that are able to complement different Apple Watch cases.

Image Credit: MacRumors

Chinese New Year Commemorative Apple Watch

Apple has created a Chinese New Year Apple Watch Sport. This is only available in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. On top of that, they are only available from February 15 until February 22nd. Chinese New Year is February 8. They start at $518 in Singapore. Although there is no sign of these models coming to the U.S. anytime soon, it's nice to see Apple creating bands and cases to match certain holidays. Perhaps we will see more combinations to reflect certain cultures, traditions, and holidays.

Image Credit: MacRumors

iPhone Event 2015: iPad Pro and Apple Watch

Picking up right where we left off from yesterday, let's jump right into it.

iPad Pro

If you've ever wanted to see the Surface RT done well, then this is the tablet for you. The iPad Pro has 4 GB of RAM, which was confirmed by Adobe earlier today. It has half the screen size of the Nabi Big Tab, but with apps that you'll actually use and a good design. Oh, yeah. You also don't need a handle to carry it. Okay, rant over on mediocre tablets that try to compare themselves to iPads. It has a 12.9-inch Retina Display. To put that in perspective, take the iPad Air on your coffee table (because why would one not be there?) and turn it so it's landscape. That is the width of the iPad Pro. It has 4 speakers and an A9X chip, breakthroughs by themselves. Also, we have the Smart Keyboard, which is a Smart Cover with a keyboard that connects to iPad Pro via the discrete ports on the left bezel (not included). The Apple Pencil (not included) is a stylus that I pray has palm rejection, but attendees of the event have given it good reviews (however no specifics on the palm rejection). It is a nice stylus because Apple designs it to work with the iPad Pro. Meaning less lag, universal support, and accuracy. It can detect force, tilting, and more. It charges through the Lightning port on the iPad Pro. Before you bash that logic, listen to this: 15 seconds of charging allows for 30 minutes of use. That means you need to charge it for a mere 6 minutes for a full charge.

Apple Watch

Apple Watch has a new edition. Apple is partnering with Hermés for new watchbands and watch faces. This is actually pretty cool. If Apple is to pursue this, consumers could pick and choose the same brand of Apple Watch as that of their traditional watch. Anyways, the Apple Watch comes with a watch face with a Hermés logo on it. Pretty nice. It's available at select Apple Stores and comes in a new box. Next, the Apple Watch Sport comes in gold and rose gold shades. This may be used to replace the Apple Watch Edition as it is limited edition. We also have a PRODUCT(RED) Sport Band  for the regular Apple Watch. Finally, Apple will be releasing fall color versions of Apple Watch Sport Bands. No word on when these come out.

So there you have it. Apple's 2015 iPhone Event in a nutshell. Be sure to watch it for yourself if you get a chance. Until next time!

XL Sport Band

With a lot of Apple Watch bands in the news lately, it turns out that Apple has made an extra-large Sport Band. As I mentioned they made their Link Bracelet modular so it can be made large enough for extra large wrists, but it was the most expensive band. The sport band is the most affordable band at $50. The Sport Band comes in the size M/L & L/XL to accommodate this change. Each Sport Band has two sizes included for the two different sides of the watch. It should be noted that this is only for the 42mm Apple Watch (Sport, Regular, and Edition).

Link Bracelet Kit

Apple has released a Link Bracelet Kit for the Apple Watch. What does it do? It is an add-on for the 42mm Link Bracelet that allows it to be wearable by wrists that exceed 205mm. It costs $50 for 6 links. This is the only modular band that Apple offers, and also the most expensive that isn't made with gold. Apple is likely to release new sizes of other bands for larger wrists as people have complained about the sizes. It should be noted that this is only compatible with the 42mm Apple Watch (not Sport nor Edition).

38mm Modern Buckle Band Available For Purchase

After the Apple Watch was released in April, the 38mm exclusive Modern Buckle band (standalone) was unavailable. As of today, it is now available without having to buy an Apple Watch with it. The leather made for the band comes from a single tannery in France. This is probably why there was such a delay in getting this band to be standalone.

Image Credit: MacRumors