Skip to content
Thoughtful, detailed coverage of everything Apple for 33 years
and the TidBITS Content Network for Apple professionals

Category: Apple Watch

Adam Engst 38 comments

Apple Releases macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, HomePod Software 17.4, and visionOS 1.1

After the release of iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 earlier in the week, there was little question that Apple would soon push out updates to the rest of its operating systems. That has now happened, and we recommend updating quickly to protect against several zero-day vulnerabilities.

Adam Engst 24 comments

iOS 17.3 Stands Out from Other OS Updates with Stolen Device Protection

Apple has released a large set of operating system updates, including iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS 14.3 Sonoma, watchOS 10.3, tvOS 17.3, HomePod Software 17.3, macOS 13.6.4 Ventura, macOS 12.7.3 Monterey, iOS 16.7.5 and iPadOS 16.7.5, and iOS 15.8.1 and iPadOS 15.8.1. New features include Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 and Apple Music collaborative playlists.

Adam Engst 11 comments

Apple Disables Blood Oxygen App in New Apple Watches

While Apple’s appeal of the International Trade Commission import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 is being decided, the company has disabled the blood oxygen feature so it can continue sales of those models in the US.

Adam Engst 22 comments

Do You Use It? Widgets See Middling Adoption

The results of our poll asking how frequently you use widgets show that roughly 50% of users never use widgets at all, with 25% to 50% of people using them slightly or heavily. But those numbers are complicated by the availability of three types of widgets on the iPhone and iPad, two on the Mac, and one on the Apple Watch.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata 2 comments

Evaluating New Features in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, and AirPods Pro

Julio Ojeda-Zapata took the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the Apple Watch Series 9, and the recently tweaked second-generation AirPods Pro on a trip as a tech experiment: How would their new features fare in a travel capacity? He renders his verdicts. 

Adam Engst 7 comments

Apple to Stop Selling Two Apple Watch Models in the US Due to Import Ban

An ITC import ban has caused Apple to stop selling its new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the US. Order soon if you want one, or choose an Apple Watch SE, which remains for sale.

David Shayer 38 comments

Why Did Apple Change the watchOS 10 Interface?

Some users love the user interface changes in watchOS 10. Others do not. What changed, and how does Apple decide to update a perfectly good user interface, anyway? Former Apple engineer David Shayer explains what Apple changed and likely why, before sharing how Apple approaches major interface changes.

Adam Engst 44 comments

Apple’s End-of-Year OS Updates Add Promised Features, Security Updates

Apple has released iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2, macOS 14.2 Sonoma, watchOS 10.2, and tvOS 17.2 with notable improvements and several features promised early in the year. HomePod Software 17.2 received only unspecified bug fixes. Apple also published security updates for iOS 16.7.3, iPadOS 16.7.3, macOS 13.6.3 Ventura, and macOS 12.7.2 Monterey.

Adam Engst 13 comments

Apple Squashes Bugs with iOS 17.1.1, iPadOS 17.1.1, macOS 14.1.1, macOS 13.6.2, watchOS 10.1.1, and HomePod Software 17.1.1

If you have experienced issues with Apple Pay after wirelessly charging your iPhone 15 in your car, Photoshop tools, update problems with M-series MacBook Pros or the M3 iMac, Apple Watch battery drain, or Siri not paying attention on your HomePod, these updates promise to help.

Adam Engst 35 comments

Apple Releases iOS 17.1, iPadOS 17.1, macOS 14.1 Sonoma, watchOS 10.1, tvOS 17.1, and HomePod Software 17.1

The X.1 updates to Apple’s latest crop of operating systems are out with bug fixes and a couple of features that didn’t ship in the initial releases, such as the watchOS double-tap gesture. And plenty of security fixes. As always.

Adam Engst 3 comments

NewClimate Institute Reacts to Apple’s Carbon Neutral Apple Watch Claims

While noting that Apple is doing a better job than most multinationals with regard to the transparency and integrity of its climate pledges and strategies, the NewClimate Institute finds that Apple’s claims of carbon neutrality somewhat exaggerated.

Adam Engst 7 comments

iFixit Puts Apple’s FineWoven Case Under the Microscope

Curious about Apple’s FineWoven fabric? iFixit looks at the FineWoven iPhone case under a high-powered microscope before and after subjecting it to scratches, liquids, and more.

Adam Engst 14 comments

OS Security Updates Address Three More Exploited Vulnerabilities

Updates for macOS 13 Ventura, macOS 12 Monterey, iOS 17 and 16, iPadOS 17 and 16, and watchOS 10 and 9 fix a trio of security vulnerabilities likely being used to install the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware. Install the updates soon.

Adam Engst 23 comments

2023 Apple Watch Models Add Double Tap Gesture

The new Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 extend the wearable experience mostly through a double tap gesture that activates the primary button in an app. They also have brighter screens, on-device Siri, and Precision Finding for the iPhone 15.

Adam Engst 87 comments

Five Unexpected Announcements from Apple’s Wonderlust Event

Sure, Apple announced the iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2 at its Wonderlust event on 12 September 2023. But we weren’t expecting these additional announcements.