The next version of the Apple Watch software, watchOS 2, is arriving soon, and new bands and aluminum finishes are available now.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata put Pebble’s next-generation watch, the Pebble Time, through its paces. And while it’s clearly no match for the Apple Watch, it’s a decent budget option with a nice design and lots of value for the money.

Drugstore chain Rite Aid, which last year blocked Apple Pay at its cash registers, has decided to officially accept both Apple Pay and Google’s Android Pay. Rite Aid had blocked Apple Pay due to its allegiance to the Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) and its CurrentC payment system, but many retailers in the MCX, such as Best Buy, have since welcomed Apple Pay. CurrentC has yet to launch.

Julio Ojeda-Zapata checked out an assortment of Apple Watch charging stands, which vary wildly in design and pricing. He found a few gems. But technology changes by Apple will soon trigger a flood of new watch-stand designs.

Apple has boosted its coverage of batteries for iOS devices and Apple Watches under AppleCare+. Apple will now replace batteries in covered devices that retain less than 80 percent of their capacity; previously, the company would replace batteries only if they held less than 50 percent of capacity.

Go deeper than Web articles with our latest Take Control book, Jeff Carlson’s “Apple Watch: A Take Control Crash Course,” which may be the first documentation of the Apple Watch that’s comprehensive, independent, and based on real-world experience.

After limited initial supplies, many Apple Watch models and bands are now available in retail Apple Stores, though you must still initiate orders online.

Apple recognized ten apps at this year’s Apple Design Awards, plus two student efforts. The winners include three apps we’ve reviewed in TidBITS: Fantastical, Robinhood, and Workflow. Also honored were the games Crossy Road, Does Not Commute, Metamorphabet, Shadowmatic, and Vainglory; Mac illustration app Affinity Designer; music mixing app Pacemaker; and student entries Elementary Minute and jump-O. Congratulations to all the winners!

Apple has combined its Mac, iOS, and Safari Developer Programs into the new Apple Developer Program, in essence halving the price for those who develop for both OS X and iOS.

Apple has announced its long-anticipated Apple Music streaming service, based on the Beats Music service it acquired last year.

New watch faces, new complications, native apps, and a nightstand mode — with watchOS 2, Apple’s new wearable will gain numerous features that early adopters have been clamoring for.

Adam Engst continues his deep dive into what the Apple Watch brings to the fitness world, looking this time at Apple’s apps.

Josh Centers argues that the Apple Watch has a place in gaming, but its role might not be immediately obvious, or even possible.

The TidBITS crew has discovered some alternative ways to wear your Apple Watch Sport. Try them out and see how you like them!

Last week Chuck Joiner convened a MacJury comprising TidBITS’s own Josh Centers and Michael Cohen to discuss their early experiences with Apple Watch. Tune in for a deep, serious, deliberative discussion of the new device’s pros and cons…ah, who are we kidding? We had a great and goofy time, and you might, too: you can find out — it’s just a click away!